Pre-Millennial Restoration

Pre-Millennial Restoration

Bro. Lee Vayle – November 11, 1970

I want to bring a little message tonight on ''Pre-Millennial Restoration'. And before we do let's bow our heads in a word of prayer.

Heavenly Father, we bow our heads and our hearts now at this time knowing, Lord, the seriousness of bring forth Your Word, and Lord, as the time goes on we come more and more serious thinking we're deviating a little bit from Your Word, Lord. We pray now that You will help us, O God, either give us a blank, Lord, or open the door to us, that we might be able to bring the Word of God as It ought to be brought. And that, O Lord, our understanding shall be open tonight. Not only our understanding in the mind, Lord, but just break It down to our very being, Lord, that You might reveal the manifestation of the Word of God at the same time.

Our Father, we have seen so much presented to us, we seen so many glorious victories in Jesus Christ, we've seen what a hope that's been extended to us by this Word, Lord. We pray You'll not let us go down, O God, having failed to become a part of it. Lord, let us not just hear something, but may we become doers, and, Lord, may the doing also first of all by the Holy Spirit tonight. That is might be God doing and willing His Own good pleasure.

So, our Father, as You're Spirit tonight, we're to learn the truth, O God, a hunger for reality. We get to believe You'll not disappoint us, Lord, but help us now be very calm, very quiet we'll ask and take three point by point, step by step, line upon line, precept upon precept, till, O God, we stand strong in the revelation, and the gates of hell shall not prevail. And we'll be careful, Lord, to give You the praise in Jesus' Name. Amen.

1. In the Book of Matthew 17:9-13

(9) (Jesus said,) as they came down from the mountain, charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.

(10) And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that (Elijah) must first come?

(11) Jesus answered and said unto them, (Elijah) truly shall first come, and restore all things.

(12) But I say unto you, That (Elijah) is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.

(13) Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.

Now, according to these verses of which I read and used as a text for the 'Pre-Millennial Restoration', you'll find that I might more actually call it, 'A Pre-Kingdom Restoration'. Because in Matthew16:28 Jesus said,

(28) …I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, (where) they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

2. [Matthew 17:1-5]

(1) And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and (bringing) them up into an high mountain apart,

(2) …was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

(3) And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

(4) Then (Peter answered), and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for (Elijah).

(5) While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear (you) him.

Now, of course this is a preview of the Messianic Kingdom that Jesus said was going to be heard here upon earth, and of course this is the Millennium.

Now, this Kingdom that He called, (He said that He had given them a vision of) was the Messianic Kingdom that Israel was looking for, but was going to be delayed unknown to Israel for about three thousand years, until the Gentile, a Bride, had been brought in. And then after the Gentile Bride had been brought in, Jesus would then preside over the Kingdom sitting upon the throne of David.

3. Now, let's find this over here in the Book of Ephesians 2:11-[16]

(11) Wherefore remember, that (you) being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

(12) That at that time (you) were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

(13) But now in Christ Jesus (you) who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

(14) For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

(15) Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

(16) And that he might reconcile both (Israel and the Gentiles) unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: (that's enmity between God and man.)

(17) And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

(18) For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

(19) Now therefore (you) are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow- citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

(20) And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

(21) In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

(22) In whom also (you're) builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

3. Also, in the Book of Acts 15:1-[9]

(1) And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except (you) be circumcised after the manner of Moses, (you) cannot be saved. (See, Moses' message won't work.)

(2) When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

(3) And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.

(4) And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.

(5) But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

(6) And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

(7) And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, (you) know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel,…

(8) And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;

(9) And put no difference between (them) and us, (no difference now) purifying their hearts by faith.

Now, also in verse 13, (since we're reading a lot) [Acts 15:13-18]

(13) And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:

(14) Simeon hath declared how God at 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, 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:

(17) That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who (knoweth) all these things.

(18) Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

Now, here you can see that Israel not only was to be…had the kingdom of God, but is set for here that the Gentiles were to be fellow heirs with them and Christ would all be unified kingdom of those elected through the flesh that came by the way of Abraham, and those elected who did not come by the way of Abraham's flesh that were seed, Royal Seed of faith in Jesus Christ. And so, this Kingdom is to be set up in the Millennium, and of course Christ will reign over It.

4. Now, as I say, Israel didn't understand this. They were looking for the Kingdom then, and the Kingdom does not come in for two thousand years. Now, a further description of this Kingdom is found over in Revelation 20:4-6

(4) And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

(5) But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

(6) Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Now, you'll notice in here that this is a strict theocracy. The very thing that Israel never did get, because the Millennium is out into the land, they were worshipping by a prophet and by the Pillar of Fire, and by the time they got there they were reduced to generals, and to judges and to kings. And God never did establish a theocracy, and that's what He wanted them to have was His Own Kingdom. And this Kingdom of course keeps coming up and it's going to last for one thousand years. And as I mentioned, Israel wanted it, but they didn't know that it could not be established without the Gentiles.

They thought it was a worldly thing, and they were going to rule over instead of God. And that's not right. There wasn't anybody going to rule over God's Kingdom instead of God. You've got that same mess today in organization. You've got the same mess in the world, it's the same thing that trapped Israel, destroyed her, and it's the thing that's destroying the world now. God does not tolerate anybody standing in His position. It must be God heading His Own Kingdom. That's why there's no priest, or bishops, or holy men in the body of Jesus Christ. The only Holy One is God, and it's the Holy Ghost that makes the holy man. You won't find any hierarchy in the church of Almighty God. It's God Himself taking the pre-eminence, which pre-eminence has been denied, and absolutely must be restored to Him. (See?) Now, it started out right, but it went wrong.

5. Also in the Book of Luke 22:30, you see the very same thing we're talking about here. Now, let's take 28. And these, they were complaining, because they left everything, (you know) the thought of the Lord. And He says in 28

(28) (You) are they which have continued with me in my temptations. (Deception, the trials. In the days of His approval He explained He was a son.)

(29) And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;

(30) That (you) may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Now, here you can see that there was a literal kingdom that was going to be set up. It's the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ upon earth, and it is reigning, and He is going to reign and rule for one thousand years in the Millennium.

Now, you might also note that this Kingdom of which will rule the earth, (Jesus ruling in His Kingdom in the whole earth) has already started in a mystery. And that Kingdom is reigning over spiritual things, and one big soon now, it's going to transfer its reigning from the spiritual right into this physical which will be here upon earth.

6. Now, we want to look at that we go to Daniel 2:43-44. Now, this is the picture of the image ending up with the feet of iron and clay.

(43) And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.

(44) And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: …

Notice, "in the days of thy kingdom', the God of heaven is going to set up a kingdom." It'll be a kingdom within a kingdom. And this kingdom shall not be left to other people. (See?) In other words, I can't be any place or anybody going into the Millennium except the Bride. Now, there's great controversy, because of Zechariah. I simply don't understand it. But, here It says:

(44) …the kingdom shall not be left to other people, …

See, what kingdom? The kingdom which is made up of Christ's Kingdom, the God of Heaven.

(44) …but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it (God's Kingdom, is here at this same time of the worldly kingdom is going to go on) for ever.

(45) Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold;(and) the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.

7. Now, you'll notice here that the trick that teaches that this mountain is going to break up all the other kingdoms. And you know that's true right to this very day, the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ is survived, but every other kingdom has gone down. We have seen change after change in the earth. But, there's only one Kingdom that has stood secure, and that'd be the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. And that Kingdom is an invisible Kingdom, that is reigning in heavenly places and in spiritual affairs over this world that's invisible, but it is absolutely real and dynamic.

Only in Revelation 11:15-19, we're going to see the very same thought brought to our attention:

(15) And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

(16) And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,

(17) Saying, We give thee thanks, O LORD God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned

(18) And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and (should) destroy them which destroy the earth.

(19) And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

Now, you notice that actually, the Kingdom has not come down upon earth. It reigned. But It is actually in Heaven and invisible and powerful, and It's going to survive where everything else fails. And It will come into visibility on this earth in that one-thousand-year Millennial reign. Now, this is the Kingdom, It's here already, but It hasn't been brought into an earthly manifestation with everything else be told. Because there's coming a time and this Kingdom will not just supersede, in its strength every kingdom. But, it is my understanding, and you go the way you're led, because I won't try to get a silence answer on this, it's too late. But, it's my understanding there'd be nothing here when Christ sets up this Kingdom which is made up of all the Elect of all Ages in the form of a Bride here upon earth.

8. Now, according to Matthew 17: Jesus said, "Elijah must precede this." He's got to precede this Kingdom which is to come upon earth for one thousand years. And this of course is exactly what Malachi 4:5-6 says. Because It tells us, "Before the great and dreadful day of the Lord, Elijah must come." And we know the great and dreadful day of the Lord is previous to setting up this Kingdom, because that's the Rock made without hands grinding the chaff into power, the other kingdoms which are upon earth, (all things which are upon earth) and also as It says in the Book of Revelation, "The kingdom of our God is coming."

In other words, it's time now to get this literal kingdom to be swept up on earth. It's going to be a physical Kingdom with physical people in it, and Elijah has to precede it.

Now, in order to clinch this more thoroughly even, we go back to the Book of Acts 3: (which we looked at last Sunday) and take verses 20-21. And It says:

(20) And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was (appointed) unto you:

Who was preached before, is not too good a translation, "that He shall send Jesus Christ which was appointed unto you."

(21) Whom the heaven must receive until the times of (restoration) of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

Now, you'll notice in here, that Christ cannot set up His Kingdom on earth, until restoration times have been fulfilled. And according to the Scripture here, the heavens must receive Him. In other words, He cannot come down to earth leaving Heaven to set up His Kingdom on earth until Elijah comes to restore, and no one else can do this but Elijah. Now you follow me? See, there's a Kingdom that's in existence now spiritually. And that Kingdom is going to one day be literally manifested here upon earth for one thousand years. It'll be composed of the Elect of all Ages, and as far as I know there'll be no one here but that Kingdom. It'll be an absolute pure, unadulterated, unsullied, pristine, virgin, Kingdom of Almighty God.

But, before that Kingdom can come, before Christ can come down on earth and set in order the Scripture says, "There has to be a restoration by Elijah. One man called Elijah and nobody else can do it, and we've got to give credit where credit is due.

9. Now, since this Kingdom cannot come before Elijah brings a ministry of restoration, and since Jesus cannot come back to reign on earth until restoration, then the restoration ministry must be the setting in order of both things upon this Kingdom depends. But, because of some sort of dislocation, they of themselves in their conditions cannot essentially, bring in that Kingdom.

Now, let's go over this. You can play back on the tape, let's go over it now, and I'll read it again to you. There is every kingdom in this world is based upon principle. There is nothing that is not based upon law. Nothing at all. Every effect has to have a cause to bring something…as Bro. Branham said, "To make something happen, you got to do something to make it happen."

10. Now then, there is a Kingdom that Jesus said is going to come into existence. Then He turns right around and tells us this Kingdom cannot come unless there is a restoration. So therefore, something in the principles that are responsible for the bringing in of the Kingdom has gone haywire. (You follow me?) Something's wrong, (see?) it won't produce. It does when you think it's hard on IBM machinery it won't produce. It's like when you pull the switch, the wheels won't work. It's like when you put the car in gear it won't come out of the sand. (See?)

Now, there's something that’s to come, it's a Kingdom. It's the Kingdom of God on earth. This wonderful Millennium we're talking about. But, there's something's gone wrong somewhere. (See?) There's something that's got to be restored, so the that this Kingdom which should come into being won't come into being, and unless there is a restoration, it can't come into being. (See?)

11. Now, listen again. Now think this Kingdom cannot come before Elijah brings in a ministry of restoration. And since Jesus cannot come back to reign on earth until restoration, then this restoration ministry must be the setting right of those things upon which this Kingdom depends. (See?) But, because of some sort of dislocation these principles of themselves in their present condition cannot essentially bring in that Kingdom. (Understand?)

All right, it's just like a woman carrying a baby that something goes wrong so she can't give birth. Either set that thing right, or the baby's dead. (See?) Either set this thing right or there's no Kingdom. Now, people don't like to think that way. Oh no, they think God's some great big fellow, He's going to be everything, then they say, so well, hallelujah. Now look, we've been hallelujah at all. Because God's not going to take your hallelujah's. (See?)

Some people think that stupidity is fine. Where do you ever find that God exalted stupidity? God exalts faith in the babe, and the wise are those who believe the Word. Not some idea they've concocted.

12. Now, to put it even more plainly, if this Kingdom must be preceded by the restoration ministry, then either something has happened to what the principles that Jesus set in motion to bring this Kingdom to pass. Or, there is something that He in the beginning of this New Testament age could not give, that could only be given at the end time. (See?)

Now, let's go over that again. (See?) If this Kingdom must be preceded by a restoration ministry, (and it has to be) then either something has happened to what the principles that Jesus set in motion to bring this Kingdom to pass. Or, there is something that He in the beginning could not give, but now can give to bring it to pass. Or, it could be that both of these ideas are involved. Now, that's just looking at the picture from a human stand point. (See?) You're going to analyze why it is a victim doesn't produce, and yet it was meant to produce. (See?) You got to find out, why look, there's something wrong with the way I did it, or we got to do something else. (See?) Now, that's simple as a-b-c. Now, to begin our studies of this restoration ministry of Elijah we would do well to study the Word and see why Jesus brought this discourse to Israel at the time that He brought it.

13. All right, let's read them, the Book of Acts 3:1-16, that is the setting for this dissertation on restoration. Now look, you can't take what I'm going to give you as doctrine. Otherwise, you'll be running around that Bible thinking, thinking history is doctrine, you can't do it.

But, it so happens that this event is what brought on Peter's dissertation to Israel, explaining the Kingdom.

(1) Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. (That's noon, I guess.)

(2) And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

(3) Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked alms.

(4) And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

(5) And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

[Acts 3:6-16]

(6) Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

(7) And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

(8) And he leaping (and) stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

(9) And all the people saw him walking and praising God:

(10) And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.

(11) And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering.

(12) And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? (See?)

In other words, here is a man that brought about some great miracle and yet he said, "I didn't do it." (See?)

(13) The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom (you) delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.

(14) But (you) denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;

And they're going to do the same thing again. This is nothing but absolute picture of the end time. That's why I'm using it, I'm using it as illustration, but believe me, it grinds out the doctrine. Now:

(15) And killed the Prince of life, (crucified the Word of God afresh) whom God hath raised from the dead; (and is buried in every creed and dogma) whereof we are witnesses.

"I'm feeling real religious," Bro. Branham said. I hope you're getting it, as I'm getting it?

(16) And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom (you) see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

15. Now the reason Peter's faith on the restoration after this great healing miracle is because restoration actually means, 'complete restoration of health', (see?) the restoring of its place, the restoring to its place, of a dislocated joint. Now, this in the physical that's concerning the body. And remember, we're a body of Christ. He said, "This man has received… (how does he put it)…perfect soundness. Which in the Greek means, 'the entire allotment'. He's been made perfectly sound, or restored to health. A complete restoration of health, the restoring to replace a dislocated joint.

Now, you notice the man was born a cripple. And there he sat helplessly begging. Just exactly as It says in Revelation 3:17

(17) Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, …

The word 'poor' here in the Greek is a 'wretched, miserable, beggar', crunching asking for some-thing, because he's got nothing to go on. This is the actually state of the Laodicean church at this Age, typified by this man here. The people in this age don't know that they are in that condition. They think everything is exactly right. They think everything is perfect, because they're in such harmony with God, God is blessing as God has never blessed before. But of course, that's wrong. And here's this poor wretched miserable crippled person is seeking an alms, or something from Peter. And so, Peter gives him the Word of God and the man of course is healed.

16. Now, but notice through the Holy Spirit ministry, (see?) Peter said, "I never did this by myself, but through the Holy Spirit ministry of one man, not three men, not many men, but by one man Peter, his faith, (this man's faith) is turned to the true revelation of God for that day. (See?) And by it, he received perfect soundness, which means his entire allotment. He received the entire allotment.

Now, this of course is exactly what It says in Revelation 10:7

(7) But in the days of the voice of the seventh (messenger), when he (an individual, Elijah the restorer) shall begin to sound, (bring forth his Gospel message) the mystery of God should be finished, … (consummated and perfected.)

The whole revelation of God, which is Christ the mystery of God, brought into absolute fullness. Which is the full allotment, the full allotment of the Word will be exposed at that day.

Now, let me put it this way also. The body, (that's man's body) was brought back to integrity. (See?) It was brought back to integrity. When a joint is out of line, it hasn't got its integrity, it's not truth, but it's brought back to integrity, And the promise that God gave was established and fulfilled. That's right. The promise that God gave, and you can see the very thing for this day. When you use this man as an illustration of the doctrine that there is coming a day when the Holy Spirit by one man is going to bring the bodies back to integrity. And as he does he will establish the promise that God gave for that day, which was, "I will restore, saith the Lord."

17. Now, it shows you then that we are on the right understanding of restoration as we take it from the Book of Acts 3: and know what restoration really is. Now, from what we have before us by illustration and definition, I think we can safely say that the restoration ministry which precedes the heaven yielding up Jesus so that He may return to earth to establish His Millennium Kingdom, is a Holy Spirit ministry by one man upon whom is the Holy Spirit in such a way I should designate him to be Elijah the prophet. And that Holy Spirit ministry is to the body, or the Bride.

And further, that ministry of the Spirit is a revelation ministry of the Word that establishes the promises of that Age to the Bride, and is fulfilled in the Bride. No use talking to the crippled man about a God that heals yesterday, or heals at all. But, he had to have what was requisite at that time. And because it what's for that day, the man could receive the perfect soundness, which is what we can receive today as a Bride, which is our perfect allotment.

18. Now, let's hold that thought here, and let's turn to the Book of Romans 8:18-22

(18) For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

(19) For the earnest expectation of (creation) the (creation) waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

(20) For (creation) was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, (this is God's predestinated plan did it.)

(21) Because the (creation) itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

(22) For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

Now, It tells you right here that before the Millennial Kingdom can be set up. (See?) Which is an earthly kingdom. Where nature is restored, there has got to be first of all a restoration in the people that are going to be in that Kingdom. There's got to be a restoration. And of course, been part of the people are going to be right here upon earth, and not dying, and caught up in a resurrection. That restoration means more to them than to anybody else.

19. So, as I mentioned here, that from our studies of restoration from the Word, and using Acts 3: 1-16 as a fine illustration, really It becomes almost doctrine, and you can use It as doctrinal illustration. We find here as the restoration ministry which precedes the heavens yielding up Jesus Christ. (See?) So that He can return to earth in His Millennium Kingdom. It's a Holy Spirit ministry of one man. (See?) One man. Now, remember, "Elijah must truly first restore. " Here's what’s flipping everybody's mind. There's not enough emphasis actually placed upon that ministry of restoration. (See?) It's by one man upon whom is the Holy Spirit in such a way as to designate him Elijah the prophet. Because that's Malachi 4:5-6, says, Matthew 17: and so on.

And further, that ministry of the Spirit, (see?) is a revelation ministry of the Word. Why? It has to be, because it is to reconcile, or bring out the truth for the day, and then bring it of course into manifestation. It's the body brought back to integrity, and the promise God gave established and fulfilled.

20. Now, it's a revelation ministry of the Word, that establishes the promise of this Age to the Bride, and is fulfilled in the Bride. (See?) It's got to be fulfilled in her, which will bring her into perfect health, restore her, (He's giving her soundness) which is her entire allotment.

In other words, bring her to the place where the Word of God can completely run Its course now and bring in the Millennium. Because, the allotment cannot be there, unless you’re in the Millennium. (See?) There's no allotment, there's no dividend. (See?)

Now, let's break this down, I said, "If restoration is necessary, (and it is necessary because the Bible says so, otherwise why put it in there if it's not necessary) then something must have gone wrong, in order to require a restoration." Something needs to be lined up in order to bring in this Kingdom reign, and if it doesn't happen, then Christ comes and shoots over it. (See?) You follow me?

If restoration doesn't come so the Kingdom can come in, then Christ comes and overshoots it, He bypasses it entirely. Now, you know that's the Bible. It sounds like it's not in the Bible, because it’s not the Bible, because everybody's got their own idea. But, I'm going to stick with what God says. "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he shall turn the hearts of the children back to the fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse." [Mal 4:5-6]

21. In other words, we'll be curse, added on curse. That'll never happen. You know what will happen? You got right back to Genesis 1:1-2

(1) In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

(2) And the earth was without form, and void; … (See?)

Now, where's your Millennium gone to? Not blessing on a curse, He said, "I've come and changed that curse to a blessing if you do a certain thing." I forget where that Scripture is, It's in the Bible. (Maybe I'll look It up later on) (See?) Seek God, and He'll turn that curse. What's going to turn it? He said, "Elijah will come and then he will reap a line." That which is out of order. (See?) The principles that have been effective, are bent. (See?) So, the Kingdom can't be established.

Now, He said, "If I don't do that, then I will overshoot the thing entirely, and you'll go right back again to Genesis 1:2 "the earth was without form and void," and you will find a complete ‘lossness’ that we could not believe possible.

Now, I also ask is it possible that we need something at this end of the Age that was not operative before and we need it now? Well, yes and no. Yes and no. It's not that it wasn't, here, it's said it always was. But, it wasn't operative the way it ought to have been. Had it been operative, then of course there would be nothing of alignment.

22. Now, to me this is the whole picture. Listen to that man cripple again. He is crippled from birth, there is nothing missing, (see?) but a joint is out of alignment. The error in his body is corrected, and the whole body receives strength by faith to walk. Once the correction is made, he has now come into his point an entire allotment. (See?) Once the correction is made in the end time, (see?) once that’s made, then there is no problem. The Bride will absolutely come into her full allotment. Why? Because the principle is there. Once the thing is set in motion, correctly set in motion, (now remember, you got a picture of this in the flood, the water came down and it threw the earth off of kilter,) with the results you've got seasons and deserts from all kinds of things you wouldn't have normally. (See?) Now, restore the earth, and you'll get her back to where she was, like a hot-house, or a greenhouse.

Now, you’ve got a picture here where the principles that were to bring in the Kingdom, just like as when Eve fell, threw them out of the Garden of Eden, you've got to restore the principles that will bring her back to the Garden of Eden, which evidently aren't based upon Calvary entirely. In other words, they're not automatic. There’s a lot of things with God are automatic, but this is not one of them. The sun He put up there is automatic, until you haven't got a wristwatch, or watch in this world, as accurate as that sun. You haven't got a thing can tell time like that. (See?)

23. Now, the errors in the man's body was corrected, that which was out of alignment. And once the correction is made he received his full and entire allotment. Which is what? To be a healthy strong solid body, and taking part in that which was relative to him. Now, we've got to make a correction in the body in order to bring on the Millennium. There's much the people don't believe that, that's true, and it's got to be done by Elijah. Once when the error is corrected something goes into operation. So, it was there, and did not operate before.

Now, you can see from this what the prophet taught us. The Seals corrected the errors and freed the Holy Ghost from being bound by creeds and dogmas, and brought us into the full revelation of the seven thunders, which though they were there, were not operative. How could the mysteries of God and the full Word of God be operative, if the very truth had been perverted, or drifted somewhere down the line? (See?)

24. Now, correcting the error, let's got to 2 Corinthians 11: (you know these verses to me are very great favorites of mine.) Paul said,

(2) …I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

Notice now:

(3) But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

Now, how can there be a virgin Bride presented to Christ, if the minds had been corrupted from the Word of God? The very principles that are to bring about the Kingdom, (see?) which are waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God, which manifestation cannot take place unless there is a correction. (See?) And that correction goes right back to where Eve fell by fornicating in her mind, before she came into a literal fornication which brought on the destruction. (See?)

25. Now abiding by Revelation. 22:18-19

(18) For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

Now, what did Eve do? I don't know, but what she did both of these things, she took from the Word, and added to the Word. Bro. Branham said that she just believed the devil taking away one Word, "Thou shalt not surely die." That's true, but I believe somewhere in there she must have added to It also on the very grounds we know she did, by allowing herself to be tricked by the devil, the serpent, to bearing his seed, that's sure adding to the Book. Because He said, "Let everything bring forth after its kind." [Gen 1:24] So, when she hybridized she added to It. What am I telling you? I'm telling you that she died and separated herself from God, bringing, as the Bible said, "I'll take his name out of the Book of Life." Though God let her name on there… (I'm just showing you now) how death came in. But notice also that she added the plaques, because from that time on man has been plagued by trying to make a living. He had to, because of double dose, since the time of Eden. I'm just using this as an illustration not another doctrine to bring out a thought here.

(18) For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

What book? The Book of Revelation. If anybody adds just like Moses said, an absolute Word of God previous to the going into the Kingdom. Now, that's what Moses said if any man add once God gave him the Word, which was going to take him into the Kingdom by faith which they turned down. Now, He said, "If you add to this Book of Revelation, which is that opening Book, (which is enclosed by symbols and all, It's got to be open) you add to It God will add the plagues to the great tribulation, (see, because the great tribulation is part of this Book) and if any man shall take away from the Words this Book of prophecy, (Christ revealed, take away from Christ) God shall take away his part out of the Book of Life. Why not? Because He's taken away life. We’re not going to be taking somebody else's life. You haven't got that right. You take away your own life. (See?)

26. Now, with this Revelation 10:3-4

(3) And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.

(4) And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. (See?)

Now, also Matthew 17: (we're going to put these three together now see? Just don't get your minds wandering on me, flustered, because I'm doing this.)

(11) … (Elijah shall truly come) first, and restore all things.

Now, put the three together. You can't add to the Word, you can't take from the Word. (See?) Now, "Seven thunders uttered their voices, and I was about to write, and he said you can't write."

27. But why can't he write? Because It says over here in Revelation 5:1

(1) And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, (and) sealed with seven seals.

How can you write in a book that's sealed? And it's got the writing on the inside, and the writing on the outside, which is a special kind of manuscript. Because normally you only wrote on the one side. How could John add? There was nothing to be added, it was all in there. What it is, the body is in a state of ill health, because the Word is not in its integrity. (See?) The Word has lost its integrity by men adding and subtracting, and mis-placing and mis-locating, and mis-interpreting. (See?) But Elijah will come and he will restore. (See?) What will he restore? He will restore the Word of God to Its integrity. (See?) Placing It for the day the way it must be placed.

28. Now, we find from these verses that the ministry of Elijah is one of correction. Revelation and dynamism. (See?) Now, it’s not just correction it’s a revelation of dynamism, because not only does it correct, but it gives back the vitality which was missing. (See?) Now, for once the whole body of truth, when the whole body of truth has been put in order and the end time truth revealed, the Holy Spirit can move the Bride into the Rapture and into the Kingdom. Which God can't do, can't do it, until there's restoration. There is no dynamism, which would move her into it. (See?) But, once restoration has come, there will be both revelation and dynamism. Because the seven thunders will be revealed.

To me the dynamism of the Spirit is that part of restoration is called establishing the promise and carrying it over into its absolute fulfillment of the Bride. See, because it's got to be. (See?) It's got to be restored to integrity, and it's got to be fulfilled. Now that's it. And remember, we're talking about a Kingdom and how to get there. And the only way to get there is on the principles that Christ originally laid down. Which principles somehow, or other have been contaminated.

29. Now, you can't contaminate the Holy Ghost, I don't care who you are. The very fact the Bible said, "You can tell the Lord is one Spirit proves that you can be a man like Paul, thinking he's doing God a favor, a favor by killing the very Bride of Christ." Is to me made Paul the chief of sinners. And I'll agree with Paul, there is no sinner ‘chiefer’ than Paul. That's right, absolutely, no sinner is chiefer, I agree. People thought Paul was just trying to be humble, and mouth off. Well, the Bible is no place to mouth off. Killing the very Bride of Christ, thinking doing God a favor, made him the chief sinner. Yet he was joined to the Lord, became one spirit with God, then, did God's Spirit get burned, or did God completely justified Paul? (See?)

You can't kick the Holy Ghost, I don't care how you try that. But, there's one thing you can mess up, and that's the Word. Not that you can mess It up when it comes to that original Word which God stands behind to perform. (See?) But you can mis-handle the Word to your own destruction, which the Bible says they do. So therefore, the Bride is guilty of mis-handling that Word. So, there cannot be possibly a Kingdom of Bride redeemed, resurrected, unless something correct that withdrew out the principle to put her in the Kingdom.

Now, what is the principle? The Word! Now, once you get that restored in the Bride, and the Holy Ghost falls upon It, here's your dynamism, it absolutely puts the Bride into the Rapture and the Resurrection and the Kingdom…the Resurrection rather, Rapture and Kingdom. Because that's what's going to bring about Kingdom we have in mind here, (see?) which God gave a promise to.

30. Now, I think this is reasonably clear, to go back, we're going to look at Scriptures in Acts 3: because I said this really clarifies Matthew 17. Notice: [Acts 3:21]

(21) Whom the heaven must receive until the times of (restoration) of all things, …spoken by the mouth of all (the) prophets…

Now, It categorically states here that Jesus was hindered in coming until restoration. He's being hindered, no doubt about it. If we look in the Scripture and we find those things that Scripture brings out, having been taught by the prophet…what it is that hinders Him, we will know what has to be restored and brought back into dynamic revelation. Now, we already know, because we're taught by the prophet, I've already mentioned these things. But, I want to view this from the light in order to give us as thorough an understanding as possible.

31. Now, I said here according to Act 3:21, the heavens must receive Him until there is a restoration. Now then, in other words, these things which need restoring are hindering Jesus from coming. The Bible says so. Now, if there is in Scripture certain basic premises, or thoughts, or things laid out before us, they hinder His coming, we can tell what has to be restored, (see?) in order to bring about His coming. Promise, I get my guide book, and it says in here, that this machine turns out too many red threads, over here is the trouble. (See?) Over here too many blue threads, it tells me.

Now, if I can find what it is that causes these red threads, and blue threads, since I can tell what needs correction, and I can correct it and bring about what I need to give get me this perfect thing, and I apply this same thought to the Word of God. Now, this is a Bible formula then that we can follow if we can find it. What does the Bible teach about that which hinders the actual coming of the Lord Jesus Christ?

32. Now, right away, you know in your mind there's one place you can go just like that…

2 Thessalonians. There's nobody that doesn't know that Scripture. So, let's go and look at It, and see if I'm right, now what I'm showing you here. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12

(1) Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our (complete) gathering together unto him,

(2) That (you) be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

(3) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

(4) Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God (sits) in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

(5) Remember (you) not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things

(6) And now (you) know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

(7) For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now (hindereth, See?) letteth (hindereth) will (hinder) until he be taken out of the way.

(8) …then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and destroy with the brightness of his coming:

(9) Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

(10) And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

(11) And for this cause, God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe (the) lie:

(12) That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

32. Now, as casual reading, who’s to say that the coming of Jesus Christ in His Kingdom is stopped by the fact that there has to be an apostasy first. Then a revelation of the man of sin. And that is correct. But first of all, what is the apostasy? Verse 10, "Because they receive not the love of the truth." Because they received not the love of the truth. (See?) Christ cannot come until the man of sin be revealed. He cannot be revealed until there's an apostasy. What is the apostasy? They received not the love of the truth, and therefore they believed the lie! (See?)

Now listen, verse 7 is the lie to those who believe that the truth of God has always been with us. A lot of people understand this, because they don't know what we know. And they don't want to know what we know. (See?) Listen:

(7) For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he (that hindereth,) letteth (hinder) will (hinder) until he be taken out of the way.

The mystery of iniquity is already working. (See?) If it is already working then, then there's nothing to stop the apostasy, because they've already got it. Then if they've already got it, there's nothing to stop the man of sin. (See?)

33. What is this iniquity? It's found in Acts 20:26-30

(26) Wherefore I take you to record this day, 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.

What counsel? All of the counsel. What was that? The full revelation that God gave him through Jesus Christ by the Pillar of Fire. Therefore:

(28) Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

(29) For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

(30) Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

34. Hold your finger there, and go back to the Book 1 John 2:18-21

(18) Little children, it is the last time: as (you) have heard that antichrist (must) come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

(19) They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

(20) But (you) have an (anointing) from the Holy One, and know all things. (See?)

(21) I have not written unto you because (you) know not the truth, but because (you) know it, and that no lie is of the truth. (See?).

Verse 27

(27) But the anointing which (you) have received of him (abides) in you, and (you) need not that any man teach you: …

No man can teach you anybody, I don't care if you come from God, like Moses, it takes the Holy Ghost as Moses said reveal it to you. (See?) "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit said." [Rev 2:29] What the Spirit said what? To the first Church Age messenger. (See?)

[1 John 2:]

(27) …but as the same anointing (teaches) you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, (you) shall abide in him.

But, It says right here, that the people are going to pervert the Word of God, and people will listen and be brought away. Now, there's your mystery of iniquity already working. It already was there. The Word of God already was perverted. (See?) But listen to It. It says here that this great apostasy, it was not the great apostasy that holds Him back. (See?) It is the restoration of the original Word. (See?) Just watch it now getting terribly, or you'll foul up like the fundamental brethren (See?) That He said here, that they cannot come unless there be a falling away. (See?)

Now, already there were antichrist, that will not be falling away. (See?) He said, "The man of sin must be revealed." [2 Th 2:3b] Then Christ can come for the Bride. Then He could come in His Kingdom. (See?)

35. Now, he said the apostasy has to take place. Now, how will the apostasy take place? It will take place once the truth is revealed. Not the original truth, but the end time truth. You see, let's look at it now. Those that nod their heads, are you getting it, let's get it. (See?)

Now, "And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish." [2 Thessalonians 2:10a] Now, who's going to perish? Not that Age, not that Age, here’s how. Like day, Noah's day. That doesn't happen until this day. No sir! It does not happen until this day. It's simply end time. Once you've turned down this truth, there is nobody is going to come in, outside of the 144,000. (See?)

Now listen, what is it that brings on the lie? Turning down the truth. What truth? Whatever truth appears at this time. But there is only one truth that appears, and that's the original truth. (See?) So, therefore Elijah has got to come and restore the absolute Word of God for this day. (See?) You follow it?

35. Now, notice in verse 13-14 to stabilize you.

(13) But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit (even) belief of the truth: (Not and believe the truth, even belief of the truth.)

You say, "Why even belief? Because that's the truth. Hey! How can God sanctify anybody but those that come by the truth? You think God's going to sanctify anybody that comes his own way? Impossible.

(14) Whereunto he called you by our (not God's gospel, but calls you by my) gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of Jesus Christ.

The end time man will have the identical ministry to restore the truth. (See?) Bring back the integrity. How? In order to establish and fulfill the promise. What promise? Of His Kingdom. (See?) Now:

(15) Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions (the teaching)

which (you've) been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

Was It by preaching, or the sounding said the apostle Paul. When this Word comes to the Bride and does Its work in her, then the hindering of the revelation of the man of sin is over for the Bride is Raptured. (See?) We know that the opening of the Seals which showed us to the man of sin is, has taken place. There's nothing left, except for this Age to finish itself, which it hasn't finished itself.

36. Now, Isaiah 28: will give us the picture of this Age.

(1) Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, …

What's Ephraim? Gone after his idols. Ephraim and Dan. The two fornicators. And isn’t it funny how that the every in British Israel says America is Ephraim.

(1) …Ephraim whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine!

What's the fat valley? Laodicea. Fat. Wine, not God's wine, but they're drunk with the wine of your own imagination, their own stimulation. They're stimulated by their own word, and they'll go to any extent to prove it.

(2) Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters over- flowing, shall cast down to the earth with the hand.

(3) The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under (foot:)

Now, what's the crown? The crown is the last thing you put on a person. This Age crowns herself before God, and swears that they are going to bring in the Kingdom. (See?) They are going to be trodden down.

(4) And the glorious beauty, which is on the head of the fat valley, shall be a fading flower, as the hasty fruit before the summer; (see, it’s fall) which when he that looketh upon it seeth, while

it is yet in his hand he eateth it up.

(5) In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory, (in that very day, God is going to have a little Bride, and He's going to crown her with Himself,) for a diadem of beauty, (that's the crown, the diadem is a crown) unto the residue of (the) people, (a little remnant,)

(6) …for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for (the) strength to them that turn the battle to the gate. (It's a spiritual battle, we're going to fight her all the way now.)

(7) But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment. (Even the Bride is messed up.)

(8) For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, (and) there is no place clean.

(9) Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to under- stand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.

37. Those that get rid of Pentecost. They're babies. "You can't teach Pentecostal babies doctrine," that's what the Angel of God told Bro. Branham. And that's exactly what the Book of Corinthians says.

(10) For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: (See?)

There's two ways to teach, by precept and by showing, by demonstration. (See?) And you got to get away from the fancy demonstration, the childish demonstration in order to see the full revelation manifestation of God come into view by the Word.

(11) For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.

Now, Pentecost calls that talking in tongues and stammering. Well, they've got no need to say that the Bible doesn't sound that way. It just calls it stammering lips another tongue when Jesus’ speaking. And when did God ever speak through tongues to anybody? God can't do it, it's got to be to the language of the people. It takes an earthly agent.

38. Now listen:

(12) To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith (you) may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: …

And Bro. Branham said, "This is where they wag their heads and went back to their denominations."

(13) (For) the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

(14) Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, (you) scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem. (That's earthly Jerusalem, Galatians 4:25.)

(15) (But you) have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us:) In other words, we're going to take the Fifth Seal.) for we have made lies our refuge, and under

falsehood have we hid ourselves:

(16) Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

Hold your finger there and go to Romans 9: Here is what Bro. Branham was reading when he was caught up in a rapture, and looked back and saw his body on the bed.

(33) As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

All right, hold your finger there, [1 Peter 2:]

(6) Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

(7) Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: (unto you is believe, it doesn't say he, unto you…you see he is in there, but not in the Greek) but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

(8) And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, …

What does God do? God laid at the end time the Word. And he that believes the Word shall not make haste, it's going to be slowed right down to rest. Resting in the Word. This is a rest, to cause the Word to rest, it's your refreshing, is your whole rest is what? Restoration. The first part of restoration is rest, isn't it.

39. [Isaiah 28:17-18]

(17) Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.

(18) And your covenant with death shall be (annulled), and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then (you) shall be trodden down by it. (See?)

In other words, every single covenant promise is out of line, and therefore God will not honor it. Why should your God honor a faith which is not true faith? "Well, I believe in Jesus Christ through faith. " On what grounds? Have you been baptized with the Holy Ghost for sure? Just thing you have been? You could have died twenty deaths that doesn't do a thing for you. What are you going to do with all this Word many people talk about. It won't get you there. Why? Because there's not one precept left that hasn't been jimmied up, and warped." Every table is full of vomit." [Isa 28:8]

God can annul every single covenant in this Book. On what grounds? On the grounds that isn't a covenant. You just think there is a covenant. How can there be a covenant Paul said if we say, "God raised Jesus and God has raised Him not, then your faith is in vain." [1 Cor 15:14] (See?)

Now, people say, "Well, surely, surely there's a certain thing here that the world write-in." No, there is not one thing to write-in, there isn't one single solitary thing to write-in. There isn't one foundation upon which to base the Kingdom. You say, "Look, I'm with that foundation back there, this Kingdom was upon the apostles themselves." And that's exactly right. But it's the apostles and prophets themselves, that warped and twisted. (See?)

40. Now, God says, "I've annulled your covenant with death. Sure, up until this time you had a covenant." Remember, this Age goes into absolute apostasy except for one little remnant. There isn't one Scripture they can stand on. Why? Because it's no longer the true Word of God. It's been misplaced, dislocated, misinterpreted, misapplied. Now, how is God going to take back a proven Word, He can't do it? He couldn't take back Eve. He said, "I'm going to stop them getting back there. " He said, "Put a flaming sword, he's under that tree." There's not a chance of them getting to that Tree of Life in the Resurrection the Kingdom of God. Unless, the come by the prescribed way. You've got to get back where you were in the beginning.

Now, the overflowing skirts of Jacob. They say, "Millions now living will never die." They're going to make the Rapture. They're going to miss the tribulation. Absolute an error. Apostolic, and does it all. Talk about…

"I went to the altar."

I don't care if you did. Anybody can go to an altar.

"I got baptized in water."

I don't care if you did. (See?)

41. Now, [Isaiah 28:19-26]

(19) From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report.

(20) For the bed is shorter than…a man can stretch himself on it: the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it.

(21) For the LORD shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act.

And I don't know what he's talking about here, believing the acts of bringing Elijah on the scene is about the strangest one you can imagine.

(22) Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: …

The more you mock, and the more that you spit on your own doctrine the worse it's going to be.

(22) …for I have heard from the Lord GOD of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the (w-h-o-l-e) earth.

(23) Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech.

Listen:

(24) Doth the plowman plow all day to sow? doth he open and break the clods of his ground?

(25) When he hath made plain the face thereof, doth he not cast abroad the fitches, and scatter the cummin, and cast in the principal wheat and the appointed barley and the rie in their place?

(26) For his God doth instruct him to discretion, and doth teach him.

(27) For the fitches are not threshed with a threshing instrument, neither is a cart wheel turned about upon the cummin; but the fitches are beaten out with a staff, and the cummin with a rod.

What's he doing? He's going to use the Word of God on his harvest in order to bring her into a plague.

(28) Bread corn is bruised; (but) he will not ever be threshing it, nor break it with the wheel of his cart, nor bruise it with his horsemen.

(29) This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, (and is) wonderful in counsel, …

In other words, there is coming a day when that wheat planted is going to come to full maturity. He that restores grain comes to full maturity does not die from the ground, neither is it broken. No, it won't be what the other churches went through. There's a difference what's coming on the Bride in this Age, of pressure. (See?) Whatever this is, I don't understand it all. But it's coming. And He said He's going to take them up in His Rapture here.

42. Now, as I said, this takes place on [Acts 3:19]

(19) Repent (you) therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

In other words, that part of anything that is presented to the eyes. (See?) The times of refreshing. A restored faith in God, but He's, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever," [Heb 13:8] by Him, that signs and wonders, and miracles is what part you can see as God, because Jesus said, "When they saw these works, they saw both Me and My Father." And this is the refreshing. Restored and renewed faith in God, that we can come to the place where we knew that Word. (See?)

43. Now, it is absolute. Now, notice also…this is based on Isaiah 28: concerning the end time, which is the great apostasy. And in this time, there must come the Word of God. Which when they fall from, is what brings about the apostasy; which brings about the man of sin; which brings about the fact that Jesus Christ can then come.

So, what's the root of it? The church. No church, no apostasy. That's where Elijah has got to first restore. He's got to bring back this truth, a reconciliation of the Word to the Bride, and then in the Bride.

44. Now, secondly: let's take another Scripture we know that bears out this fact, of how He cannot come until something else takes place. Okay, It's in the Book of James 5:7-8, let's read It.

(7) Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord…. (because He cannot come to receive the) fruit of the earth, (until He receives first of all) the early and latter rain.

(8) Be (you) also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

Now, It tells you here and categorically that Jesus Christ cannot come for the Bride, until some-thing takes place. And if He cannot come for the Bride, for a resurrection and a kingdom, what is It that stops to stop Him? It tells you, "the former and latter rain." That hasn't come yet, so that's stopping Him.

45. All right, what is that former and latter rain? We know exactly what it is, and it has to do with restoration, because It says so in the Book of Joel 2:22-27

(23) Be glad then, (you) children of Zion, (of the Rapture, New Jerusalem) and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first… (what first? I don't know, as in the first suppose it really is.)

(24) And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.

(25) And I will restore to you the years (notice restoration) that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.

(26) And (you) shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, …

Now, how can you be satisfied with a table full of vomit? (See?) First of all, it wouldn't nourish you, and secondly, you'd hate it. You couldn't stand in the first place. (See?)

(26) And (you) shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.

Why? Because they're coming to the place where the whole Word of God will come into fulfillment. Up until this time how can you stand? The best you can do is walk in the faith. A narrow faith, as it were. (See?) Something you were depending on, the thing to waver. That's there's coming a time when this shall be washed away and we'll have that strength we've never had before.

(27) And (you) shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.

Now, He speaks here of this spirit of restoration what God is going to do.

46. Now, let's go back to James here, and look at this thing again. Now, It's says he's waiting for the Resurrection. Now, there's got to be a Resurrection before there can be a kingdom set up. Because remember, "Blessed and Holy is he that has part in the First Resurrection, they'll be kings and priests unto God in this holy theocratic Kingdom, and they'll reign with Him a thousand years." [Revelation 20:6] There's got to be a Resurrection, (see?) before there's a Kingdom.

Now, the heavens must retain Him until everything is moved aside the throng that will be in that Kingdom. Now, what's wrong here? There's something evidently wrong, because there's a need of a former and latter rain. Now, what is the former rain? You know what it is, it is more of it in the Hebrew, which means 'a teacher and teaching'. God's got to bring a teacher with teaching on the scene. And he is going to bring what? He's going to bring back the original teaching that is in the Bride, because this is where the Bride fell, this is where she's wrong. Here's where she's messed up, away from the Word of God.

47. Now, He said this has got to come to pass. Now watch: It's in Revelation 1:5

(5) And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, …

No sir! The first born from among the dead. There will be nobody, (as I understand it) who will be a part of that Millennial Bride, who is not raised from the dead. Because Jesus is the first born from among the dead, and according to the Book of Corinthians, He is the first-fruit. So, if He is the first-fruit, and there's going to be a second, and a third, and a fourth, and there's going to be exactly like the first, which has got to die and be changed. Or, they have got to get the change without death, but they've got to end up being like Him. (See?) That's right.

Now, the Scripture here then, teaching us that the Kingdom is based upon a Resurrection, or a great change. And this change cannot come, (see the Resurrection cannot come) until the former and the latter rain. Why? (See?) Because the Bride must be re-born from her spiritual death, of her creeds and dogmas in order to come into what even took a physical death to come to. That she's in bad shape. (See?) She's got to be reborn from it. Now, how are you going to get reborn from it?

48. Now, back in the Book of James again: (Do your best to get between the lines on this, because I don't have time, maybe preach the whole Sunday on the Resurrection some time.) It says in verse 18,

(18) Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

What's he talking about? The restoration back there in the Book of Romans 8:22-23 (See?) Let's go back to It, ]

(22) For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in (birth) pain…

(23) And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption…the redemption of our body. (See?)

They're waiting for it. They're waiting for it. Now, what are we waiting for? They're waiting, all creation is waiting. For what? For the restoration of that Bride, the restoration that Elijah does which is bringing that Word to the Bride. (See?) So therefore now, with this Word she can be reborn. Now see where your covenant says. "Oh, I've been born again," Have you honey, Just a minute now, there's a birth coming out of the ground. You see, there's Armstrong [Garner Ted] and his gang went haywire. They think rebirth is coming out of the ground. No sir! That's one rebirth, there's another rebirth. The rebirth where you're born again into the Kingdom of God that the Holy Ghost baptism is given from the rebirth you come out of that ground. Because your body is not reborn, except you come out of that ground, waiting for the redemption of the body. (See?)

49. The body wasn't redeemed, it was only potential redeemed, when you were born again in the Spirit. (See?) You had the first-fruit of the spirit. You got the Spirit that's going to get you out of the ground and put you in that body, it's turned to gases and ashes, it'll be recreated. Well, what about the person standing here? (See?) That's your former and latter rain. That Elijah brings to restore her, (see?) to the truth, so now begotten of that truth. She's born out of her creeds and dogmas and she can stand here and not face death. Why? Because she's restored. How can you taste death when you're restored? (See?)

Now, with these two examples of Scripture, and remember, in the mouths of two witnesses that's enough. You don't need any more. We've taken and showed you there has got to be a restoration of truth. Which is the Word of God, in both of these examples. You can see our stand in restoration is exactly right. It is first of all the Word of God corrected and given to all those who will listen. Some which, do see it. Some do see it, the Word of God corrected. (See?)

50. Now, secondly the Word of God in the Bride restores her back to Eden, because we're heading that way, that's the Kingdom. This comes by revelation, "against which the gates of hell cannot prevail." [Mt 16:18b] And remember, the gates of hell, is what gets us out of debt. (See?)

And remember, nobody but the last Church Age Bride has the full revelation. No sir! Show me one place in Scripture where Paul explains why the blood of bulls and goats didn't suffice. Because it couldn't come back upon the believer. Show me where Paul explains, as Bro. Branham explained the understanding the election. (See?) Couldn't do it. Nobody. Why? Because this is the consummation. (See?) Now, now then, this teaching, sounds stupid that we're waiting for the Word of God to be restored. (See?)

51. Now, it would seem that mere return of the letter of the word would never be the Word. And that's true, the letter would never be the Word. But remember, Christ is the Word, and It was Christ outside the church that brought her to her death. Because if He is not in the church, then there is no life in her. First, Christ revealed to the Bride, (the Word) is the truth revealed. "Behold, the Bridegroom." [Mt 25:6a] Now, they challenge us by the Word, but they wouldn't go in. (See?)

Now, "Behold the Bridegroom." Christ revealed in the Bride is the Word identified, Bride, and therefore Christ identified Bride. (See?) If everybody says, "I'm going to identify Him," how are you going to be outside the Word? Because the Word in the Bride is the Word identified Bride, which is the Christ identified Bride. (See?) One with Him, "that they may be one as we are one, that they may be one in us," said Jesus in John 17: that is restoration. Anything else short of it is not.

For Christ the Word, is restored to His rightful place in the Bride, (He's outside) and by the union, that union the Bride is restored to her rightful place. Because if He's rightfully restored to her, then she's got to be rightly restored to Him. I know that people don't believe that, but that's true. But how can He be restored to her, if she is not restored to Him.

52. Now, never lose sight of this for one moment. It is Elijah that restores. (See?) And of course, the Elijah for this day is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself revealing Himself amongst the Bride. (See?) Not a man but God, though it comes by a prophet. Comes by a man. He's the Son of man revealed in human flesh, by the Spirit.

Also remember, that Christ is outside the church in the Laodicean Age. And He has got to be restored as I said where there is no life. In other words, you just go down to the graveyard, and watch the whole thing come up.

53. Now, let us see this restoration of Christ the Word in the Bride. Now, let's look at it, (see?) this restoration comes by the Word. Because remember, Christ is that Word. We're not talking now just about the fact of smart theologian lining the whole Word up. All you could…anybody could memorize what Bro. Branham said, and take the Book a to z. We're talking now about believing this Word, becoming a part of It. Banking on It. Believing It. I mean believing It. (See?) You're shut into it, had your ears punctured.

Now, first of all, He descends in Revelation 10: in a Pillar of Fire, and becomes the manifested Word amongst the Bride by the prophet's spirit. Well, true. There He shows the Bride His potential and manifest that it is He Himself amongst her by showing that He is, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever." [Heb 13:8] The ministry of Jesus Christ by the prophet's spirit. Absolutely authenticated, It was Jesus that was amongst us the Word. He had returned amongst the Bride. He expresses Himself in the end time Bride as that which was to come. What was to come? Jesus who was, and is, and is to be. Which was to come, what? The Son of man. Showing that He is just the same as when He was here upon earth. (See?)

54. Now, the Son of man is revealed again. The Word of God expresses Himself, and He does the same work that He did when on earth. But remember, this is Elijah, "turning the hearts of the children back to the faith of the fathers."[Mal 4:6] (See?) He's doing it. And in that period, He expresses Himself in the fullness of the Godhead through the Church. Even through His creative signs, (see?) the fullness of Godhead, Elohim, is absolutely expressed in the Bride. How? By Elijah. Because remember, the body is made of many parts. And if one member suffers, all suffer. If one rejoices, all rejoice. Then if one member the prophet produces, then the body has produced. Then Christ is in the body. (See?) So, it is this that is expressing it.

Notice then, in that period He expresses Himself in the fullness of His Godhead through the Church. Even to His creative signs, He made those squirrels. (See?) Nothing was impossible. How was it done? Elijah, the prophet. He can get an idea the great things they're going to do and all, that's reserved, and the two witnesses. (See?) It's the proof that the Head has returned to take headship of the body, Christ the Word heading the Bride. Otherwise, what's He doing there? Why's He doing it, if that's not the way it is?

55. Now, the Bride recognizes Who He is. "For the sheep know His Voice, and they follow." [Jn 10:27] Here is where Eve starts her trip back to restoration, because her fall was caused by unbelief. As Eve was taken out of Adam, and fell, so this Bride was taken out of Christ and fell also. But, as Adam stood for Eve, though it only caused him to fall, so the Word comes to the Bride now, and returns her to be in true Word by His total redemption on her behalf. A total redemption, which never occurred before, because they had to die. But, there's total redemption, because the Flaming Sword is taken away from the Tree of Life, and she can walk right into the Millennium without missing one step. (See?) Total redemption. (See?)

Christ the Word in the Church taking her back to Himself as man and wife in the Garden. See, that's why He came, can He fail in His mission? No, He's got to restore her. Man, and woman are one! Not two bodies, but one. (See?) But, she's His body here. They are one again, because now she recognized Him only. (See?) No more creeds and dogmas, and this teacher, and that teacher. I follow this guy, you follow that guy, we just… It's Elijah you follow now. (See?) He's restoring. (See?) They are one again, because now she recognizes Him only. Remember, Eve recognized the serpent. His body, His flesh, His Word. (See?) Because His ministry. Now redeemed, she can go home with him to Eternal Life in a human body eating and drinking and living forever. (See?)

56. The Word takes her to His body of the flesh, as the camel took Rebekah to Isaac. (See?) Except, Elijah come and restore, they'll never make it. The Head, which is Christ, is part of the body. And as He rose, in total redemption, so now the body, (the Bride) can follow Him up. Why? Because He's come back, and showed she’s a part of Him. Now, she can follow Him up. Remember, that God raises up the body of our Lord, because He was justified perfect, so death could not hold Him.

Now, this perfect Word Bride can't be held either, so she must rise with Him. As the Head is part of the Resurrection, so the Bride must complete that Resurrection. Why? And, you just can't have part of the body in a Resurrection, Christ the Word is back to His Bride of the Word. As she being impregnated with His truth, (remember the mind is the womb) and that's where man fornicates, (see?) she has her mind closed now, because she's pregnant by His Seed, her mind is closed, (the womb is closed) to all other seed, so she cannot commit adultery. But is confined to the Word, and the world has no place in her. That's a pretty strong statement there, because it's the people that say that they believe this Message, are messing out there in the world, and they're all cluttered up. (See?) That Word hasn't got in there. Somehow that mind has been shut.

57. She is a prisoner now of the Lord, and she will never denominate, or go into sin. (See?) The former rain has fallen, God's living impregnated seed has been sown, and the dynamism of the Spirit falling on it, will nurture it, into a restored Bride tree of the Word bringing forth fruit which is the Word Itself. In other words, the full Word of God will be in manifestation of the Bride.

It is this revelation of God to take Eve back to her rightful position again with her husband wherein Christ is being made known to the church. He was being made known to the prophet, you'll never change that. Now, it's time for Him to live in the Bride, that is restoration that must come before the Kingdom is set up by the King and Queen. The vine has sent forth another original branch, we saw it, with the prophet. Absolutely when the original branch came forth. Christ absolutely vindicated and manifested in the Bride. "Elijah must truly come and restore." [Mt 17:11] Elijah truly has come and restored. If he has come, then his ministry has been manifested, and there can no doubt be that restoration has come, "because Jesus has begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of the Lord Jesus Christ." [Phil 1:6] And that day again you're with Him in that Millennium Kingdom.

58. Now, I was about to come up here without elaborating too much on the Lamb. But, you go over this in your mind and you'll see exactly where we stand in the Scripture and how we done err, because this Message can be proved any way you look at It, from every facet in the Book. There absolutely cannot be a Millennial Kingdom established, until Elijah comes in order to bring a restoration. With restoration is to restore the very principle upon which this Kingdom is based which is upon the very Word of God. (See?)

Now, we must become a part to the very foundation, for the Bible says, "I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God," [Rev 3:12a] and the pillar is a part of the very foundation, which is the apostles and the prophets. (See?) If we are a part of that building, we have to be absolutely one with that revealed Word. Which revealed Word, (see?) being betrayed through the spirit of error, led the Bride down to her destruction and death. (See?)

59. Now, that seed fell on the ground. And what did God do? starting way back there in the time of Luther, He brought a reformation. He brought it on the grounds of a little truth. Then He brought it under Wesley. Then He brought more to Pentecost. But in the end time, (the harvest time) God said, "I'm going to correct every error." (See?) That's what restoration is. We've got to bring the junk… (See?) …we've got to bring back to integrity. You've got to bring the Word of God right back to the Word of God, right back to God, because He is that Word.

You notice, there's nothing wrong with the universe, the sun comes the way it should come. Moon comes when it comes. Every star as it comes. Every season. Why? Because it's under the direct will of God. (See?) That has not been polluted. But, you get down here look at the church. The Word has been polluted. "Every table full of vomit." [Isaiah 28:8] (See?)

60. Now, God must restore the very principles that are going to bring in the Kingdom. Where do those principles exist? In the Word that's in the Bride. Bring that Word back to being a reconciled Word Bride through the Elijah ministry. (See?) The Word of God revealed to her, the Word of God revealed in her, then that Bride absolutely gets back in step. (See?) What for? To walk right into that Kingdom. How can there be a Kingdom on this earth unless Elijah first come and restore? There's no place to go. God ever keeps the whole thing, returning right back to corrupt.

In the beginning, God…In the beginning God started a perfect earth, something went wrong. Let the waters cover again? Take it right back to Genesis 1: and 2: and start over? No, siree. No sir. "Behold I sent you Elijah the prophet, and he shall turn the hearts of the children back to the faith of the fathers." [Mal 4:5-6] What faith of the fathers? Faith upon that Word. What's happening? I believe what's happening, the former rain has been sown, there's no doubt. And I believe the latter rain is actually fallen. I believe right today we are in the midst of various pressures and things of course would try to turn us away from the Word, and in the true Word of God, because of wrong preaching, because of people looking at each other. And people not settling down, there's too much fussing and all these things going on which I believe in my life, there's far too much of it. And I see it all over the country. And what it is, is to settle down to the Word which the prophet brought, and just stay there. (See?) Because He said, "I will restore saith the Lord." The Elijah ministry, brother/sister is what we look at. (See?)

61. "Well, I'm looking for something else." Well, I'm not. I'm not. "I believe whatever is going to come either just before the Resurrection, and the Resurrection and taking that thirty to forty-day period, I believe with all my heart is what we have now does not carry us to that, and through that, and I don't believe Elijah came in the first place."

You believe what you want, this is okay by me. I'm not saying something will not come within that thirty, forty-day period. There will be something, don't worry. But, it is my understanding that what we have now, is the key to every single thing. Then don't try to peek behind the curtain. Don't look way down there to see what's happening, and look right back there to see what has happened, look at what's happening now. (See?) Stay with the truth of God. Stay with this Word. Don't add to It, don't take from. Don't listen to anybody, saying, “Well, Bro. Branham said we've got to.” Bro. Branham told me that, it's stored on tape, that’s what he told us. He said, "You already have what the Bride needs to take her through." (See?)

In other words, the principles have been corrected to put the Bride in orbit. Let the dynamics fall on the mechanics, and you'll see a Bride take off in space. Just that simple. Believe with all your hearts. The Lord bless you. Let's rise shall we.

Gracious Heavenly Father, we thank You again, Lord, for the time we had together to study Your Word, Lord Jesus. To look at It, my God, in Its many facets. Remembering, Lord, how Your prophet taught us. Over, and over, and over. Lord, we looked at his voice, thousands upon thousands of times concerning the fact Elijah must restore.

O God, how we thank You tonight, that this has been in our day, Lord. And, Lord Jesus, as we got along this way, may we heed what He told us, that with everything in this Message. So, let a parent get it, don't let a father, a mother, a husband, a wife, a sister/brother, child, anything, Lord. Government, principalities of powers what it is. Don't let anything get between us and this Message. Help us, Lord God, to stand in It, standing firm, Lord, that You know them that are Yours. You know, Lord, who have been called Elect. You know, O Lord God, and we know there's going to a group make it, Lord, they're going to make it all the way.

Help us therefore to settle down, and be very quiet, Lord, to wait upon Thee, O God, and to rest in the people what we have. Let him, Lord, that You that have planted that plant. You watered it, O God, and watering it, and no one will pluck it out of Your hand, it's going to come to a harvest. Jesus, help us tonight to just… Lord God, we want to go ahead of You. Lord, we wouldn't want to be anything, Lord Jesus, to be outside of it. At the …?... reality of Your Word. The Lord rebuke …?... at the very reality that is in this Word …?... O God, let none of us that somehow You could release upon us this day. Release it upon us, O Lord, in dynamism, that we may be covered, O God, and build up in a holy faith. And a fervent passion, Lord, we go all the way. These things, Lord Jesus, we ask tonight. Grant it, and we'll be careful to give You the praise, because we ask it in Jesus' Name. Amen.