Mystery of Inquity

Mystery of Iniquity

Bro. Lee Vayle - ?? - ?? - 1970

…the message, not a thumbnail sketch really, but sort of a general understanding the 'Mystery of Iniquity' which we'll cover yet today. But I want to take the subject from the view point of actually what a mystery is, in order to help us have a better understanding of what Revelation 10:7 actually amounts to. And I think with that thought in mind this afternoon we'll cover a strong portion of the actual mystery of iniquity itself. But first let's bow our heads in a word of prayer.

Gracious Heavenly Father, again we say how grateful we are, Lord, to come together, You've allowed it, O God, perhaps only eternity will really evaluate how great a privilege has been granted us so we could be in this home, and study Your Word together, Lord.

And now, Father, we that it'll be illuminated to us by the Holy Spirit. We're looking to You, O God, to do this for us. We know, Lord, that it's got to be like you said in Your Word, that a man plants the seed, and it comes up and he doesn't understand how it works, but in that seed lies the full possibility and potential of a harvest which it will come forth, because it has been given to that very end. And so, we're believing, Lord, that this Word which You've given us by the prophet will be watered by further instruction and revelation and will come forth into a harvest.

Help us now, Lord, to be very quiet, and sweet and humble and meek within ourselves and just open to receive truth knowing that all Word have been given us has power in It, not one Word is void of power. "Man shall not live by bread alone, but every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." Not daring to change one Word, but having It the way it was meant to be. And this is going do something for us, it will build us up in the most holy faith and make us one with You, until like Enoch, we can walk down that road and will not be, because You will take us. We're depending on that, Lord, and banking on it, on nothing else, O God, we're dedicated and sold out to the Message. And may Your Name be glorified by It, in Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

1. Now, I want to read as I read last night, (though not for the text) I want to read the whole twelve verses now of 2 Thessalonians 2: again to bring us into the context of the text on the subject of the 'Mystery of Iniquity'.

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

Again, I believe that word in the Greek is 'kai', which means 'even'.

(1) Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, (even) our 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: (in other words, don't let anything at all deceive you) 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 letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

(8) And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall 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 a lie. (Not a lie, but the lie.)

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

2. Now in verse 7, It says: "For the mystery of iniquity doth already work." Now, the mystery of iniquity is one of the great mysteries of the Bible of which there are several, and I don't know that we can actually number them. Such as, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven and so on. But it's one of the great mysteries of the Bible. And we studied a bit of It last night, but we'll continue now this morning. And as we do let us first of all consider what a mystery is. This might be important, because you'll be reading your Bible, and you'll find many places where the word 'mystery' is in It. I think there's a possibility, that I counted one time about twenty-one mysteries in the New Testament. But I really can't remember now, I didn't make any notes on it. But there are many mysteries in the Word and it's good to study exactly what basically what a mystery is.

3. Now, first of all, it is certainly not something about which we can know nothing, or there would be no point even mentioning it. Now, many people read the Word and they say, "Well, this is something that I can't know anything about, because it's a mystery." Now, this is ridiculous, otherwise why would it be mentioned? It might be saying something like this. "Well, you know the Bible mentions there's a new birth."

"Well, what is a new birth?"

Nobody knows.

"You mean I can't find it?"

No! Wouldn't that be silly for that to be in the Bible.

So, a mystery is not something about which nothing can be known. Neither is it meant to be something so mysterious that it cannot be comprehended. You say, "Well, what about this new birth that's a mystery?" Yes, it is, but I'll tell you one thing about it, it's there in the Bible and I can tell you what the Bible says, but there's not use me doing it, because you'll never understand it. Now, wouldn't that be ridiculous.

4. So, you see a mystery is not something which cannot be known, and it is not something which cannot be understood. That would be impossible. Paul explains exactly what a mystery is. Now, that's in Romans 16:25. So, let's go to Romans 16:25, we'll read It the way the King James version says It, and I'm going to break It down into a very liberal translation. All right:

(25) Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

Now, it's something that was kept secret, but it's no longer a secret. (See?) And according to the literal translation you might find this in your own margin. It says: "Not which was kept secret, but which has been kept in silence to eternal ages."

Now, let me read It according to a liberal translation here:

(25) Now, to One (capital O-n-e) who is of power to establish you according to my Gospel, even the proclamation concerning Jesus Christ, according to the uncovering of the mystery which during eternal times has been kept in silence. But now, has been made known, (notice the language, it was kept in silence, it's a mystery that has been made known) through prophetic writings according to the mandate of the Eternal God. Having been made known with a view through the obedience of faith among all nations to God alone- wise through Jesus Christ to Him be glory forever and ever."

5. Now, you notice in here about the mystery. "The uncovering of the mystery which during eternal times has been kept in silence. but now has been made known." And you know that all the time that speaks of being made know in the Greek, it's a revelation. "And it's made known through prophetic writings." So therefore though it was in eternal ages it has always been in Scripture, and it's made known, "according to the mandate of the Eternal God, having been made known."

In other words, it's a command of God that, this mystery is now been released and been made known according to the mandate of the Eternal God. Having been made known with a view through the obedience of faith among all nations." Now, how can you have obedience of faith in something you don't have any understanding of ?" You see.

Now, he tells you, that the Eternal Word, which is God's foreknowledge, (now that's what Eternal Word is, it's God's foreknowledge) because this Book, this entire Word was in the mind of God. It had to be, it's the blue-print of salvation and God's relationship throughout Eternal Ages and so on. It's the blue-print of God, God's Eternal Word is God's foreknowledge.

6. So, he tells you, that Eternal Word or God's foreknowledge can be made known. He says it had been made known, and It is absolutely knowable. Now, let's go and prove this, that there is nothing so mysterious about a mystery as people have tried to tell us. Ephesians 3:1-7

(1) For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

(2) If (you) have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

The entire dispensation of the grace of God to the Gentiles was given to Paul. (Right?)

(3) How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery;…

Well, if you had the mystery revealed, then it's no longer a mystery. (See?)

(3) How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, (as I told you that mystery)

(4) Whereby, when (you) read, (that mystery, you) may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ.)

Now, Paul was communicating with Him is such a way that they knew he had this abundant knowledge, the mystery of Christ.

(5) Which in other (generations, the word 'ages' is wrong, other generations) was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

He's telling you right here that he has got his fuller revelation than was ever given to anybody. And this fuller revelation given by Paul is fuller than was ever given in any other age. (You follow me?) Keep that in mind for this age then. Same thing could happen. (Right?)

(6) That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

(7) Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

7. Now, with that, we'll go to Colossians 4:3, Paul says:

(3) Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

Now, this is Paul preaching the Gospel. And It's a mystery of Christ, and he is in bonds for It, and he is going to utter It.

Notice now also in 1 Corinthians 4: verse 1

(1) Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

Now, what is a steward? A steward is man who takes care and dispenses that which belongs to another. So therefore, Paul is dispensing the Gospel, or the mysteries of God, and he is a steward, he is a faithful minister to It.

Also, in 1 Corinthians 13: verse 2

(2) And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries,…

So, therefore you can see that mysteries here are intelligible, they're understandable, they can be revealed and they're absolutely knowable to us.

8. Now, the students of religious history, and which history of course dealt with the time of the apostle Paul had this to say about the mysteries. Among the ancient Greek the mysteries were religious rites, and ceremonies practiced by secret societies into which anyone who so desired may be received. Those who were interested, (in these mysteries) became possessors of certain knowledge, which was not imparted to the uninitiated, and they were called 'the perfected'. They were called the perfected, because they received a certain mysterious knowledge. The Rosicrucian's did the very same thing right today. You join them, and you can get their knowledge which is supposed to be something wonderful to give you a perfection and so on.

Now, this is what was going on in the days of Paul. And so therefore, the language being a vernacular language, that's what the original Greek in the Bible, is the vernacular day. That's proven my Sconefield. If you want to read his book, 'The Bible Was Truth'. It's very interesting, and he proves the vernacular Greek was the language of the day, contrary to what Lamsa said. Although there could have been the Aramaic at the same time. This is the vernacular and expressing the fact of the mysteries.

9. In other words, it is a knowledge. A reveled knowledge to the people that bring them into the realm of the perfect. (See?) Paul mentions the same thing, which I will show you in 1 Corinthians 2:1-10. Now:

(1) And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.

Now, over here he declared the mystery of God. Here's the testimony of God. Same thing.

(2) For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

(3) And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

(4) And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

In other words, he said, "What I brought you as a testimony of God my proof lay in the infallible ministry.

(5) That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

And you know what the power of God is, it's Christ the power of God. Now notice now:

(6) Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect:…

Notice, the very words of what the history teaches us on the perfection, the perfected and the mysteries. (See?) Now, who are the perfect? They who have the understanding of the Word that was to be delivered to them. So, he said:

(6) Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

10. This is not the mystery that's given by those that are outside the Gospel. Remember, there are many of them. They had their oracles, …?... they had Marcus, who was a prophet in his day, they had everybody like they're running around now too. But he said, "I am giving you the unadulterated truth, because anything else will come to naught. (Right?) If it isn't the revealed imparted Word of God that you're resting on, (anything that you're resting on) and hopes on, will not come to pass. (See?) Now, that's these other mysteries did that. But Paul in contradiction is saying, "What I am giving you now is going to come to pass."

(7) But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, …

See, these others are nothing but clubs, lodges and organizations. The Methodist church, the Rosicrucian, organizations so to speak. Could well be, I don't know how they differ. Rather… you've got the Unity cult. You've got Jehovah Witness cult. Not trying to make us anybody, but let's face it, we alone stand on a vindicated Word. Now, that's just plain blunt …?... fact and I'm not going to change. I've got no intention of changing, anymore than the apostle Paul. At least I wouldn't class myself in his position, but I mean, that's my stand of the Word.

(7) (Howbeit,) But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

(8) Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Now remember, they try to crucify Him the second time. So, will they know it? They won't know it.

(9) But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

(10) But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

11. Now, let's compare that with Galatians 1:11-12

(11) But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel (I thought It was a mystery, the testimony) which was preached of me is not after man.

(12) For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Now, he is saying here:

"I've got my own club. The club is the Bride of the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, I have been brought into this club and I have been taught the secrets of Almighty God by Jesus Christ Himself. And these same mysteries I’m going to pass unto you, and I do pass on to you that you may understand them through my testimony, through my preaching which is the Gospel that God gave me." (See?)

Now, do you understand that? It's just that simple. Now, don't forget what we read over here in Romans 16: (now let's go back and read It for you again.) Because this is what he's talking about, telling you how he got into this mystery. And he is one of the perfect. Because you become perfect when you know the truth. (See?) That's strange, but it's…that's just the way it is.

Now, "to Him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, even the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mysteries which was kept in silence to the Eternal Ages." Well, it was kept, but it's no longer kept in silence. (See?) The mysteries then have been brought out.

12. Now, you can thus see what the mysteries are. They are the revealed truths of the Word of God to the Elect. Now, this is my understanding as…I gather it from reading Scripture. That a mystery is a mysteries of God, are the revealed truths of the Word of God to the Elect.

You might see this over here in the Book of John 3: an illustration, when Jesus was speaking to Nicodemus. Nicodemus came in verse 3,

(3) (And) Jesus…said, Verily, verily, I say unto (you), Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Unless a man is born again, he absolutely cannot see the Kingdom of God. It is not there to be seen, it's a mystery, it's completely veiled. Now, once you're born again, then the Spirit of God can begin to teach you the truth.

(4) Nicodemus (said,) How can a man be born when he is old? (How can I join this club?) can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

(5) (And) Jesus answered,…Except a man be born of water and of Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

(6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

(7) Marvel not that I said unto thee, (You) must be born again.

(8) The wind bloweth (He's explaining now the rebirth, the Spirit breathes where He willeth) and thou hearest the sound… (of His Voice.)

In other words, here is a thought of the Spirit revealing Himself.

(8) (thou) canst not tell whither (He) cometh, and whither (he) goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

13. It's absolutely unique and mysterious thing that happens to the man.

(9) Nicodemus answered and said…How can these things be?

(10) (And) Jesus answered and said…Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

Now, he was a master of Israel and didn't know them. Wrong club. Belonged to the wrong club. Worshipping God, standing for tradition, but he didn’t understand these things. He wasn't in the knowledge of it, had he understood it he would have been one of them. Notice that:

(11) Verily, verily, I say unto (you), We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and (you) receive not our witness.

It's the very same thing that Paul said. "I'm testifying, giving a testimony to God. I saw him out of due season, I know these things are revelation."

(12) If I have told you earthly things, and (you) believe not, how (can you) believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

(13) And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down…. (What came down? The Word came down) even the Son of man which is in heaven.

14. Now, John 3:27

(27) (And) John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from (above).

You can see here they'd be knowledgeable in the things of Almighty God. You'd definitely had to have them revealed by the Spirit. They're in here in the Scripture, it's the blue-print, it's the foreknowledge of Almighty God, it's the great doctrinal Truth of the Bible. But you'll never under-stand It and get It, unless you're born of the Spirit of God. It's got to be revealed to you.

Now, don’t forget to put the emphasis on revelation like I'm doing. So you can co-ordinate with I'm saying with what Bro. Branham taught when he used Scofield's definition, because he did. He used the Scofield definition of a mystery. "A mystery, (said Scofield) is a mystery in Scripture is a previously hidden truth. Now, divinely revealed, and it's no longer hidden. But in which a super-natural element remains despite the revelation." (See?)

We might as well admit that this is what make the believing Elect appear to pure fool and deceived to the non-elect. This very Scripture, this very thought here that Bro. Branham brought it. I repeat it: this is what makes the Elect appear to be deceived and fooled to the non-elect. You can't explain a mystery with perfect understanding to the natural mind. It is a revelation and we see it is by the Spirit of God, not by the spirit of men. In other words, no man can teach it to you, and you understand and get it the way God intended it, except you have the Spirit of God. A man can't do it.

15. John 16:12-13

(12) I have many things to say unto you, but (you) cannot bear them now.

That's right. Jesus couldn't have sat down with His disciples and told them absolutely every-thing, and they'd have said, "That's fine, that's fine, that’s fine, and it wouldn't have done them any good." Why? Because they couldn't take it. (See?)

It's just like a teacher coming in from high school into grade three and he's trying to teach algebra. So, I could tell you a lot of things, but you'll not get it. Little kid might say, "Well, hey, tell us about that algebra." (See?) It wouldn't work, couldn't possible work, because there's nothing there to make it work. The child doesn’t have what it takes, so it is here. He said, "You don't have what it takes, so I can't tell it, get away from the …?...

(13) Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: (there you are, into all truth. (See?) All the mysteries) for he shall not speak of himself; (notice that's what Paul said, the testimony, all truth, all mysteries, testimony of Jesus, not to himself) but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he (shall show) you things to come.

(14) He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

He shall show it unto you, (see?) make it known.

(15) All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

16. Now, we might also note, (or notice) that when Paul talked about these mysteries, their revelation to the Bride was based upon certain conditions. (See?) But before we go into these conditions we should understand thoroughly what a mystery really is. Actually my understanding then from the Word of God which I've studied on this subject is, that it equates to doctrine. That's what it actually is. The mysteries of God are doctrine, of the Word.

God's wisdom or truth transmitted to man the order that he may comprehend, as far as his human limitation will allow the Spirit of God to reveal it to him. Now, we can set this very plain here if you accept what Bro. Branham said. No matter how deep you go in the subject, and how well you understand it, and how much you accept it by faith, there is always something in there that you cannot plumb the depth of what the revelation is all about. You can't do it. You notice how many times Bro. Branham would fall short, at being able to explain a thing to us. That's not to be looked at in any view of criticism. Because, why if we've got such a time reading Paul the apostle? (See?)

It just isn't impossible for a person to ever be able to approach the human mind with an absolute perfect understanding. Like you can take and build a motor, or build a house, it just doesn't work that way. Forget there is enough understanding, illumination there that you have perfect faith and confidence, and you know what the Scripture is teaching. This is why Bro. Branham said, "The element of the supernatural remains, even with the very clearest of teaching."

17. Now, so what is it? The mysteries of God are really the doctrines in the Word, which are revealed to us by the Holy Spirit. Such doctrine was in the blue-print of Almighty God in the Eternal Ages, kept in silence, but brought to us by the prophet in this Word.

And notice what Paul said, "That there are times when the revelation becomes clearer than at other times. We'll discuss that too. And we said there were conditions. Now, let's look at those conditions, now, for concerning the giving of the mysteries.

Now, first of all…number one: Only gifted, only men who are gifted by God can bring any revelation to the elect. Now, this is the first thing to understand. Only those who have the gift of God, can bring a revelation to the Elect.

18. Over here in Ephesians 3:3-7, we'll read this, (I've read It already)

(3) How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; as I wrote afore in few words, (where that letter went to, we never did find, The Ephesian church had two letters, you can tell right here, Paul wrote another letter.)

(4) Whereby, when (you) read, (this epistle, you) may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ.

(5) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

"In other generations this is which I'm telling you, (Paul said) was not made known. But is now made known by the apostles and the prophets" What apostles? The original twelve, by the original.

(6) That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

(7) Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

In other words, Paul became a minister of these mysteries, because he was given a special gift by the Holy Ghost. Which gift could only be given to apostles and prophets. The revelation then comes by a certain specific gifted type of individual, and by nobody else.

19. Now, in 1 Corinthians 4: (as I read to you before) Paul the apostle said,

(1) Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

Not just a minster of Christ, but a steward of the mysteries. In other words, he was given the mysteries to dispense for the welfare of the one who had had the mystery. Who has the mystery? Christ had. So therefore Paul was to dispense the mystery. Now, as I mentioned in here in Ephesians 3:7, Paul was gifted to bring us the entire revelation originally. Now notice, the same course extends through Seven Church Ages. There is no change.

20. The very same Voice of Christ is given to the Bride in Revelation chapter 2 and 3:. which you all know.

(1) Unto the (messenger) of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith… (what? Christ.)

And what's He going to do? He's going to bring the mystery. And He's going to reveal what there is for that Age.

In verse 8

(8) And unto the (messenger) of the church (which is) in Smyrna…

Verse 12

(12) (Unto the (messenger) of the church (which is) in Pergamos …

Verse 18

(18) …unto the (messenger) of the church in Thyatira…

[Revelation 3: verse 31]

(1) …the church is Sardis…

[Verse 7]

(7) …the church in Philadelphia…

[Verse 14]

(14) And…the church in Laodicea…

Every single one of these is a recipient of the mysteries, which is the revelation of the Word of God for that day is given to a certain specific gifted person and to nobody else. These men are the ministers of God, but about being ministers they are stewards of the mysteries. And remember. a steward is a man who is hired by another man to take care of his goods and to dispense it properly. Follow me? All right, so therefore they are certain gifted people.

21. Now, they are the ones to whom are entrusted the mysteries, the doctrine, the revelation of Almighty God for the Ages. That's the first thing, remember.

Secondly, only gifted men can separate and coordinate the truth for the Bride. To simply know each ministry allows contradictions of the Word. And the Bible cannot fight the Bible. The whole Word must be reconciled by having one working body of truth.

Now, notice what I said here: many people can go to the Word and study and they'll say, "Now, the Bible says look here. The Bible says when a man is born again he cannot be lost." The other says, "Something over here." And what you get is the Baptist fighting a Methodist. (See?)

Now, there's one thing in the Bible to understand that only a truly gifted person will be able to make the Bible come out right. There is nobody else could do it. Always is going to be a fight. See, people fighting each other. But there is a Bible cannot fight the Bible, it is a coordinated body of truth.

22. Now, let's go to Romans 11:25

(25) For I would not, brethren, that (you) ignorant of this mystery, lest (you) should be wise in your own conceits;…

In other words, by your own thinking, by your own studies, you're going to come to a long conclusion. "I'm going to tell you something right now, (he said) Israel is not lost, It's blinded. (See?)

(25) …blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

Now, Paul is showing out here there is a great danger of the Word of God fighting the Word of God, or a man being able to misunderstand the Word, and thereby wrongly dividing It, which is havoc, as we showed you.

23. Now, there are not many true leaders in the world to bring us the Word of God. Over in Ephesians 4:11, It says here that when Jesus ascended up on high:

(11) …he gave some, apostles; prophets; (teachers,) evangelists; and pastors…

That's how they're numbered in 1 Corinthians, and also Bro. Branham put it that way, putting the church in order. Apostles, prophets, teachers, evangelists, and pastors:

(12) For the perfecting of the saints,…

Now, where does perfecting come in? He said, "Amongst those that are perfect, those are the initiated ones to whom the Word of God has been revealed." So therefore for the revealing of the Word of God to the Bride, God has set within the Church the apostles, the prophet, the teacher, the evangelists, and the pastor. And then He allows to be added an elder who can teach if he's qualified, and a deacon who is a policeman who does not teach, but he also has to be qualified.

(13) Till (they) all come in the unity of the faith, (even) the know- ledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

(14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

(15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (and so on.) (See?)

So, you can see here that God has not allowed anybody to be a true teacher, because they're all teachers, Paul's a prophet, they all got to be, use the same Word of God. (See?) They are all in the body of Jesus Christ.

24. Now, with this notice in Matthew 7:15

(15) Beware of false prophets, (Peter says, they're teachers also) which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

(16) (You) know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Now, how do you get fruit off a sheep? (See?) Remember, how I talked to you on this and showed you that this here is the most ridiculous way to say a thing? Suddenly He talks about sheep, then He talks about a vine. Then He talks about a fruit. So make up Your mind, what are you talking about? I'm talking about the same thing. (See?) False prophets are false shepherds. They act like Christians, they look like Christians, they do the same thing, they talk the same way.

Then It says here:

(18) …a corrupt tree (cannot) bring forth good fruit.

And Bro. Branham categorically stated in the 'Anointed Ones at the End Time'. [65-07-25] This was speaking of those who had Word. What are they? They're not true teachers. (See?) They're not true in the body of Christ. (See?) They're not the gifted men of God who coordinates the truth of the Word for the Bride, they can't do it. You'll never find them saying the same thing that the apostle Paul said. And you won't find the same thing that Bro. Branham said. (See?)

25. Now, keep that in mind and turn to Hebrews 13:7

(7) Remember them which have the rule over you,…

Remember, when Jesus spoke to Peter, He said, "Feed my sheep, feed my sheep, feed my sheep." That's simply wrong translation. It's, "Rule my sheep, feed my sheep, rule my sheep."

(7) Remember them which have the rule over you, (what kind of a rule) who have spoken unto you the word of God:…

The rule is by the Word of God. (Right) So therefore every preacher, I don't care who he is takes authority over the people by whatever he preaches. (See?)

26. Now, with that in mind we go to the Book of Acts 20:30

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

Now, only certain gifted, only the gifted men of God; the truly ordained, apostle, prophet, teacher, evangelists, pastor can ever coordinate the Word of God. It will never come out the other way than by these men. They are gifted of God, and they have the revelation, and they teach the revelation to the people. And anybody else will do what? They will draw disciples to themselves, whereas the truly ordained will draw disciples to the Word which is Christ. He never makes you a follower of himself. He doesn't have to talk about himself, or anything else, except that Word. (See?)

27. Now, thirdly: the mysteries of God are for edifying the Bride. And were never intended of the Lord to be for judging or whipping. However, they do correct and they guide the Elect. Now, let's go over here, we'll see this in 1 Corinthians 13: (remember, these are mysteries, not mysteries of iniquity, now these are mysteries) 13:2

(2) (For) though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not (love), I am nothing. (See?)

Now, many people use the Word of God as a club. Bro. Branham said a man that would do that is a hypocrite. You don't use It as a club to line people up. You don't use It in order to force issues with them, you simply teach the Word of God and let It lie there.

Yet, remember what It says over here in 2 Timothy 3:16-17. See, it's the Word that does it, not the person, if the Word is handled right.

(16) All scripture is given by inspiration of God,…

What did Paul say? The mystery of the revelation was given to him …?... What is It for?

(16) …(It) is profitable for doctrine, (that's teaching) for reproof, (that's if you're doing wrong, bring you up short with it) for correction, (if you're off the course, He'll correct you) for instruction …(to give you true knowledge, for what is it? Instruction) in righteousness:

There's what we talked about last night. Righteousness in contradistinction to unrighteousness. (See?)

(17) That the man of God may be perfect, (what's going to do this? The proper teaching of the Word of God) throughly furnished unto all good works.

All right, was Cain furnished unto good works? No sir, he divided the Word wrong. (See?) No matter what he did, it wouldn't count, because he had wrong division. (See?) It's the wrong division here. So, the Word of God is given to edify the Bride, and is not intended for whipping and judging and a club. However, It will do all the things It says in 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

28. Third point: (before we go to the fourth one) 1 Corinthians 13:2, which he said, "And though I have all revelation, I'm nothing but love," makes it very clear that Christ's Church is not based on the teaching handed down by the Fathers, until you could have a letter perfect dissertation on the Word as Paul taught it, but It must be by a revelation from Jesus Christ in order for the very life to be in the individual.

Knowing this Word therefore, if you could test It as Bro. Branham taught It, and memorize every tape, it wouldn't do you any good, unless you were filled with the Holy Ghost, and receive what the prophet was saying as the very life of which he received It. It is not by the letter, it is by the Spirit.

29. Fourthly: the mystery of God, (the mysteries of God) which are foolishness to the world must be proclaimed with boldness. There is no shame in preaching what others repudiate, or hate. Let's go to Ephesians 6: here, remember the mysteries, the doctrine, the revelation that lies and runs through the Word of God, taught to us by the Holy Spirit, they're the doctrines of God. All right, Ephesians 6:19.

(19) And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, (See?)

To make known the mysteries.

30. Colossians 4:2-4

(2) Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

(3) Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

Notice, the Word of God must be taken…you must take a very bold stand for It. You don't compromise. Bro. Branham preached the same to him. Remember the sermon he preached on it? And it all boiled down to, 'are you ashamed of this Message'? Or can you take It in the light of the Trinitarian doctrine that's going on today? Can you stand up (see?) in the very fact of the mystery of Christ the fullness of the Godhead bodily, with I don't care how deep you go into it, you will always hit a dead end. You'll never explain how there's one God to any human mind. You can't do it. All you can do is believe It, it's a revelation, it gets a hold of you and you just know it. There's no problem. But, you'll never make anybody see it, you can't do it. It's a revelation.

31. Now, the thing is, you've got to stand with boldness and yet humility. Not argue and fight, but you got to take a stand today in the face of a minister like Bro. Branham. Now, Bro. Branham himself was a paradox. A great paradox, because with a ministry of his size, he was one of the least effectual men that's the world has ever seen, outside of Jesus, He was the bigger flop than Bro. Branham. (See?) Tremendous paradox.

If you're going to look at what's going on in any Age, you're going to find that organization without God will lick the pants off of any anybody that really has God, when it comes to producing it. But God's not in the production business. As Bro. Branham said, he could create fleas until everyone drown in fleas and gnats. (See?) God's not interested in creativity for the sake of creation. God's interested in true creation. (See?)

32. So, when you look at these mysteries here and you understand that there is a certain boldness that's got to be taken, every time there is a revelation from God. And you look like a fool to the world. (See?) So, that's where the Bride gets a lot of her abuse. There is no shame in preaching what others repudiate. Although they may try to shame you. Notice, God has to give us help. Paul said, "Pray that I might be anointed to do this."

In other words, the bread without the oil is a waste. That's right, unless the loaf is anointed, you just get the loaf. This Bible here is nothing …no different than Koran. And I mean this not in the sense that the same man that wrote and all, I'm just letting you know that this Book here simply from a pedantic viewpoint, or the mental viewpoint is of no great moment. In fact, it's much more confusing maybe than what Confucius said. It'll give you less light many times. But to have the reality, it must be anointed. The oil must be poured upon the bread, it's got to be. That's the Word of God. The bread as far as I know was never offered without the oil. It's got to be anointed. So, this Word must be anointed, and there must be no fear in It. You study, you know what I'm talking about.

33. Now, all you got to remember in your own day is when the Pentecostal's first came on the scene, speaking tongues is the evidence. Now of course, tongues as the evidence is not true. We know that. But I'll tell you one thing it did have some reality. They didn't have it all, they couldn't, because it wasn't the day. But notice, how everybody hated them. Oh man, I tell you what, they get up in those street corners with their tambourines and their mandolins and guitars, their trumpets and they still… just like the Salvation Army, they took a stand. And nobody could scare them off the street corner.

It wasn't too many years ago in Texas even, when they had the …?... they'd stand with their guns cocked, they'd show some of those guys that kill a Christian just look at him. (See?) Why? It wasn't because the people weren't good people. They were the cream of the crop. It was the hogs out there didn't know. (See?) Hated the Word of God. (See?)

. Now, the Word must be preached boldly, but It's got to have the anointing of God. There's a lot of guys preaching boldly. Look at your Jehovah Witnesses, man they've got much more energy you might say than a elephant has. So, what are they doing? No anointing on it. (See?) It's got to be the Word of God taken without shame, with fearlessness, preach It, but It must be anointed.

34. All right, Fifth point: it is evident that the mysteries will not scatter, or separate the Bride, but bring her together. Now, watch this when I …?... Oh yeah, right here is what they hate. They say, "Well now, why don't you stay with us, why do you want to scatter it?" (See?) "Why should you preach something that's going to split us?" (See?) Well, that's the Bride never gets scattered by It. She's always gathered by It.

Let's to go Colossians 2:1-7

(1) For I would that (you) knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, (that's you and me) and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; (That's us, we never saw Paul, we're going to get the same Gospel though.)

Now listen:

(2) That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

What is the mystery of those three? They're all one.

(3) In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

(40 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

(5) For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, (what spirit, the Spirit of God) joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

(6) As (you) have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk (you) in him:

(7) Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as (you) have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. (See?)

What is it? It's the gathering of the Bride by the mystery, the revelation of God. Why? Because the Church is built upon a revelation. (See?)

35. All right, with this remember 2 Thessalonians [2:] now. I like this here, because this is what I discovered in the Greek. And Bro. Branham already told us in English by the Holy Spirit.

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

Bro. Branham said the gathering was in page 106 in the Seals in verse 5, paragraph 5, "that the gathering is the end time Message." The gathering.

36. Let's prove it. Over here in Matthew 23:37. I've mentioned this to you before, but you might have forgotten.

(37) O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children…

Now, what's often? Often is several times. Now, when does God gather His people? He gathers them once in His First Resurrection, when He came up out of the ground Himself. He gathers us together, what? The next half of the First Resurrection. But that's not true. He gathers His children in every Age, in every generation. And how does He do it? By prophets and whoever He sends. Because remember, the Seventh Church Age messengers are not all prophets. He gathers them by the Word. "Behold, I send unto you, (He said) prophets, and wise men and scribes." [Mt 23:34a] What's a prophet? He brings the Word of God. What's a scribe? He writes the Word of God. What's the wise men? He takes what the prophet said, and expounds on it.

37. He said, "I sent you to gather you. So, what do the mysteries of God do, the Word? They gather the Bride to Christ, and nothing else can do it. That's why Peter said, "Being born again not of corruptible sperm, but the incorruptible sperm." [1 Pet 1:23a] What is sperm? The very seed and life of the individual being passed on, and the woman gives it the body. Now, it's not quite that simple, but keep it that simple. I'll try to explain it someday how it works. In the meantime I don't know if I'm quite that clear enough on the subject myself, though I think I am plenty clear enough on it, to explain it.

But remember, it's the seed of Abraham, not of Sarah. Sarah gave it the body. (You see) So therefore, the Word takes on Its Own body, which are the Elect out here, and they come by the Word. They're born again into the Kingdom of God filled with the Word. And there is no other way you'll ever get into the Kingdom of God except by the Word. No, that's right, let's face it, can't do it. That's why the heathen have the Gospel preached to them as Bro. Branham said in the …?... You've got to come up in the White Throne judgment, and there'll the Gospel comes and you still come by even though you're judged by works. (See?) Why? Because the revelation is there. Everybody. Follow it? All right, that's true.

38. Now, Sixth point: no true minister of the mysteries would use his office in any way, except for the sake of the Word to the Elect. He'll never make a following for himself, won't do it. In other words, you'll find here that these people who have the true Word of God will not be club joiners. They won't be hale fellows to all men. They won't be back-scratchers, and ear ticklers, and everything else, it won't work, haven't got it. They only have one ministry, and that's their duty, and their loyalty to the Word of God. As Bro. Branham said, "My loyalty is to the Word of God. I have one hope that I may be dressing the Bride of Christ, getting her ready."

All right, this is found in 1Timothy, (everything has got to have Scripture, we're not going to quote It to you) 1 Timothy 3:9

(9) Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

In other words, why am I preaching this Word? What am I handling It for? Why do I come and tell you certain things? Do I come and tell you certain things to get a hold on you? I'm not speaking of myself, that's speaking of the ministry. Would I come, or a minster come in order to gather the tithes and the offerings and make all the money you can? Would he do it in order to say, "I've got a great following, and my the people sure love me there." That' nice, but I have never have worried much about people's love, I appreciate it, and I would want to love people too. But to me, this is a very significant thing. Because Paul said, "The more I bring you the truth, the less I'm loved."

39. So, if I go outside to find people's love, and the ministry is trying to find love, then what happens? Now, you'd be hurt. The apostle Paul was hurt. Bro. Branham was terribly hurt when people didn't love him. Meanwhile, I don't say I'm terribly hurt, I might get mad, [Bro. Vayle chuckles] that's being my nature, you notice sort of a sour grape to you? But, this business of (you know) of you love me and I love you, this is not some kind of a club we're in. The minister has the love for the Word and the desire to see the Word planted. And if the people get It and love that Word, then say, 'Praise God that's it'.

Any time that Bro. Branham or even anybody take in the Word, or look at the Word and trying to find the Word he's like a little kid with an ice cream cone. And you know what I mean by that, because even as a kid he didn't have an ice cream cone. He said he'd even like the other's guy's fingers if he had to handle the hamburgers. [Bro. Vayle chuckles again] It wasn't quite that bad, he sure licked his own fingers you know, for that old hamburger they used to love, but that goes with fried onions. That was great. (See?)

40. Well, that the way he was with the Word. If he heard anybody taking the Word, he was just like a kid again with a hamburger. And that's wonderful, that's the way to be. That's the way every minister ought to be. See, in other words, he ministers (the mystery,) he has his office in order to produce the Word for the people, so they might know where they stand. What's it all about as far as you can ever know? Because remember, we're still limited. Don't care who he is. Remember, Bro. Branham categorically said, "Even the prophets did not know many times what God showed them."

And I know that he must have died with some things that God didn't fully reveal. Which doesn't matter, that's not saying anything against him, it's just being positively the truth. That he brought us the mysteries, they're all revealed by what he brought us in the Seven Seals, the Seven Thunders, they're there. But, there were no doubt some things that he puzzled about, not from the scriptural view, although maybe he didn't explain them all. Like Paul, how can you explain everything, you're not God. (See?) But there would be things there that he would wonder about, because he himself said so.

41. Now, also point number Seven: certain mysteries are necessarily reserved for a certain season, and cannot be made known until it is time for the manifestation. Now, that's very important. Certain mysteries are necessarily reserved for a certain season. In other words, remember when Paul the apostle said that the Gentile's would be fellow heirs with the household of the Saints.

Now, when could that be revealed? It could not be revealed until God was through with the Hebrews, with Israel. And Paul said, in Acts 13:44,

(44) And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. (Now, they came to hear the Word of God.)

(45) But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contra- dicting and blaspheming.

Now, remember when Bro. Branham went to Jonesborough, in Mississippi, that they had a meeting in this town of a population of six thousand. And as he preached there, people came from so many miles that pretty soon there was a crowd of thirty thousand. Everywhere that Bro. Branham went with that great ministry, (the great gift that he had) I told you about last night, how he could guarantee healings, which because he knew he could, God gave him that power. They came by the thousands and thousands, and the people were so mad they spoke against the Word of God that he preached.

42. Now,

(46) Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: (Jews) but seeing (you) put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

Now remember, the Gentiles could not be turned to until it was time. So therefore, there are mysteries in the Word of God, which cannot be revealed. In other words, doctrine, teaching, that which is necessary to bring the Bride all together. Because remember, we're forming the Body of Christ as a mother forms a babe in the womb. (See?) We're not all yet completed, we're growing up into it. And so everything comes in its own season.

This revelation is for the Bride that she might never be deceived. (See?) Because every Age gets the revelation so she cannot be deceived. So, the gates of hell cannot prevail against her.

43. This is the same thing that we found over here in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-7

(3) Let no man deceive you by any means:…

Now, how are they going to be stopped from being deceived? They have got to be told the truth, so when something comes in that is not the truth, then they know just where they stand. All right, that's exactly what Paul does here. He tells them the actual truth.

Now, what is the truth for our day? It is the Roman Catholic takeover of the Protestant built image, not communism. Now we've been told. So, that when it does come we won't be fooled. Otherwise, you would be fooled. This is the secret of the Bride's ability to stay away from deception is the revelation of the Word for her Age. (Right?) Now, you see how it goes to Ages. And now Bro. Branham said, "It's a Word for every Age." So, the gates of hell which is death, (spiritual death) cannot prevail against her.

44. Now the Eighth point, (and the final point) of all these points on mysteries. On the conditions pertaining to mysteries, there's conditions laid down. (See?) There has to be the same kind of manifested vindication to prove, (so there has to be rather, some kind of manifested vindication, to say it's the same at both ends, but some kind of manifested vindication) to prove to which one it is that God is giving the true revelation of the mysteries, or the doctrine to the Bride.

Now, let's notice how It starts out in 1 Corinthians 2: Paul brought It.

(1) And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.

Now, many people can do that right today. Clever men, they're brilliant men. And my they can preach it, they can preach up a storm. And they're clever preachers too, they're good preachers. Now notice:

(2) For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Christ, and him crucified.

Now, right here Paul tells us that he was determined to lay down the same thing that he had, that these men had. He wouldn't use what they had. He was going to preach Christ and Him crucified. Which is ridiculous, because God said, "Never sacrifice a human being." And now God is sacrificing a human being.

(3) …I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

Now, notice the man, this is his condition. No great big loud mouth blow off. You know, "I'll show you how things are done."

(4) And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, ("I didn't dress it up, " he said.) but (it came in the) demonstration of Spirit and power:

45. You know that all the greatest men of God with the greatest ministries were very poor preachers, Moses, Jesus, Paul and William Branham. They were never great preachers, that is with the ability to project, and talk smooth and aptly and all. Moses had an impediment, Paul had an impediment, and William Branham was uneducated and not able to project.

Like when they asked the question, "Well Bro. Branham, is it too late to win souls."

"Oh mercy, (he said) did I even suggest a thing like that?"

He sure did. It sure sounded like everything was all over, cutting the last head off the last chicken. We always thought that was already done. Every chicken was in the pot we kind of figured. By the time he spoke on some of those Seals, and 'Souls in Prison Now.' [63-11-10] Oh sure…What it was, it was the inability to project the thought exclusively to what he was talking about, he seemed to cover the whole field. He was not talking about the whole field. He was covering an exclusive point on the thought of grace. And we were foolish enough to think he was covering another element. He wasn't, he was covering the specific point at that place, but because he couldn't express himself, it kind of flew to pieces like a clock with a spring wound too tight then breaks. Well, that's the way the Gospels are written. That's the way the whole Bible is written.

If I tried to read the Book of Isaiah chronologically I would be condemned, because I'd be a fool to be preaching it today. I'd sooner have been wasting all my life having a ball. Eating the best I could, living the best I could and having a ball. Because according to Isaiah not one Gentile gets saved till the Millennium's over, till the New Jerusalem comes on down. You see…you know that's not true. What it is, it's a mystery. And it takes the Spirit of God to discern it, and to place it, to categorize it, establish it, and you've got it. And without the Spirit God you'll never do it, you just never will do it. You just never will do it. So, you see fine speech won't do this thing.

46. Now, you say: [1 Corinthians 2:]

(5) …your faith (is) not stand in the wisdom of men, but (what Christ) the power of God.

(6) Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: …

Now, he said, "Those that already believe what I teach, (he said) it just catches just like that." They're initiated, even know the Word.

(6) …yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to (nothing):

Any thing else will come to nothing. Only the revealed Word of God will stand. And so therefore, you can see if you'll built upon anything but the true revealed vindicated Word you haven' t got it.

"I spoke with tongues."

I don’t care if you spoke with a million tongues.

"Well, I tell you, I'm ready to die for Christ."

I don't care if you die several deaths, that's not going to do it for you. (See?) It won't work. It's got to be the revealed Word of Almighty God. And notice, he said,

(7) (This Word, hidden Word) …which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

There's only one way to get the glory of God and to get into glory, and that is through the revealed Word.

(8) Which none of the princes of this world knew: (the rulers didn't know, those in authority didn't know,) for had they known it, they would not have (killed) the Lord of glory.

They would not have killed the very One that brought the glory, and they killed Him because they didn't know the Word. As Bro. Branham said, "Jesus came according to the Word, but not according to their interpretation of It." And that's what you've got right today, see, we'll go into that more maybe a little later on. But now, here's the picture then as you see it.

47. Now, with this Colossians 1:26-27. We're coming on real good now, (and we can close pretty soon, then take the second part this afternoon,) Now: let's read 25

(25) Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;

My, here's this man fulfilling the very Word of God, and the people receiving this truth fulfilling it.

(26) Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages…generations, (and generations) but now is made manifest to (the) saints:

(27) To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

(28) Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ…

Notice what he's doing, it's the teaching that's doing it, that's bringing the perfection.

(29) Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

48. Now, you'll notice here that Paul's vindication that he was the one to bring the Message, started out in the First Age, and he gave the Word based upon the fact that he was vindicated by God. And you'll know yourself this follows in line with Scripture, because Moses was vindicated by God. The first thing that God said to Moses was what?

He said, "Alright, what's in your hand."

He said, "It's a rod."

He said, "Throw it down." It turned into a snake.

He said, "Take it by the tail." Took it by the tail, it turned into a rod.

Then He said, "Put your hand in your bosom."

Pulled it out, it was leprous. Put it back in, and pull it out, it was whole again. He sent him down with signs and wonders and miracles. (See?) But, then remember, then when he got through with the signs and wonders and miracles, the Word test still stood. Yes sir, because God sent him down, and He said, "Moses, now when you go down there, you're going to notice…I'm going to deliver Israel with a high hand, (but He said,) they're going to turn you down flat."

And Moses went down there, did the signs and wonders to Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said, "Drop dead, (he said) you bunch of useless bums, (he said) I see that I'm not working you hard enough." He said, "If you got time to look around here and think, and fuss around and get these crazy screwy ideas about religion, (he said) find your own straw."

49. And Moses went back and he said, "Oh God, (he said) You didn't not only not deliver, You made it worse."

And God said, "Shut up, I told you I was going to do it."

Right back to the Word. Are you going to believe the Word, or aren't you going to believe the Word? (See?) Now, pardon my way of saying things, but I like to say it that way to get it across. To just let you know we don't fool around with God. (See?) And you don't. You've got to come back to that Word. Every sign and wonder and miracle that Paul did and Moses did, was to take them back to the Word. And then if you take the signs and wonders, and miracles and leave the Word, you're stuck. Just what I said last night. You're stuck. (See?) You're stuck. I don't care what anybody said. Which is I'll show you, today is a trap we're going into.

50. So, the vindication started with Paul. This perfectly revealed wisdom in mystery for their day brought forth a virgin of the Word Bride. Oh ho, now that's a good one. In 2 Corinthians 11:2

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

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

Now, watch this, and watch it carefully. Now, It says here:

(3) …as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, …

Now, what was the word 'subtle', most subtle? The word 'subtle' comes from the Hebrew word 'erum' which means smooth. Smooth skin. (See?) And it's the skin that is the area of sexual sensation. It's the area of almost all sensation. And the serpent was the only one of all God's creation that was sexually precocious. You follow me? Adam wasn't. Eve wasn't. The serpent alone was sexually precocious. And he used all of his ability to seduce her.

51. Now listen, God through Paul likens the human mind to sexual precociousness. That knowledge see. So, now he warns you, watch your mind. Watch your mind. That's where the fall takes place. In other words, your mind is precocious, it's clever, it's smart. It reasons, it thinks, it analyzes, synthesizes, tears it apart, puts it together, looks at it, examines it. And says, "I can see the way it's going, and you're a million miles off track." (See?) In other words, you will be betrayed by your own mind. Not somebody else, your own mind will seduce you and lead you right into sin.

Now, God says here to the apostle Paul, the First Age was given a virgin Bride to Christ. And she was absolutely espoused to one Husband. Now, if she takes any other man, she becomes the wife, she becomes an adulterous, because she's espoused to one and living with the other. That's exactly what Eve was. God presented Eve to Adam, and gave her to Adam, and she gave herself to the serpent. So she was an adulteress, because she had a husband and lived with another man. And I know the first man had not touched her, but she was still his wife. Now, here you got the picture here. If you go fooling around with anything other than the unadulterated Word of God, you become involved in spiritual adultery, and putting away Almighty God.

52. Now, Paul's fear comes to pass according to what we read this morning in Acts 20: the wolves in sheep clothing came in. According to what he just said in 1 John 2:18, that there be many antichrist's already in the world, and so on. Let's just get that in 1 John, he warns you of course, that you've got the anointing where you don't need to stumble, but they will stumble though. He said here:

(18) Little children, it is the last time: and as (you) have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; …

Now, what's this fellow at the end time, the mystery of iniquity? He's antichrist, right? Oh, they've already got a lot of little rascals back here. Already, little antichrists. Already has come, many of them.

(18) …whereby we know (it's) the last time.

What last time? What is in the last day, not the last age. it's the last time. In other words, God is doing this thing now that's started, and is going to end up here in our day.

(19) They went out from us, they were not of us; if they had been of us, they (know that would have stayed) …with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest…they were not of us.

Now, remember this is what happened in the First Church Age. They went out and left the Bride, but from now on the Bride will come out and leave them. It's reversed. Because God must now begin to restore, (you know) by revelation, in every Age. And when the original revelation is lost, the God will deal piecemeal, and they'll come out by the Word. (See?)

53. Also over here in 1 John 4:6

(6) We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

The spirit of truth and the spirit of error depends on who's saying it. So therefore, the vindicated prophet like John could say, "If you don't hear me, you don't hear God." That's what Jesus said, "If you don't hear Me, you don't hear God." He said, "The reason that you don't hear Me, is because you're not of God." So, the people don't hear the Word, because they are not of God.

Now, just notice also, thus the church goes into error with no vindicated prophet to bring her back to original purity. (See?) We start with vindication. We come down to error coming in. Truth goes out the window. Now, who's going to bring her back to purity? Nobody can do it, because there is no prophet until the end time. Not one man from Paul's departure had the true revelation of the entire Word. (See?) But, God gave the necessary revelation, for each Age as is seen in the Church Ages through the various messengers, (we read that awhile ago.)

54. And is foretold this would be so, by Titus chapter 1:1-3

(1) Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;

In other words, notice: "To the faith of God's Elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness." Remember what I talked about last night in godliness and unrighteousness? The unadulterated truth, proving that you're one of the Elect. Now:

(2) In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

(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, that 3rd verse literally translated is this:

(3) But in His own private and strategic season, He's made known His Word in a proclamation which I was entrusted in according to what the command of God.

Now, Bro. Branham brings out the same thing in 'Doing God a Service', [65-07-18] there on page 16.) Paul the apostle here said, that in God's Own private and strategic season, He made known the Word. God making known the Word, and in every Age bringing a revelation, and in every generation bringing the truth to bring out the seed. Because always there was revival in every single generation.

55. Now, then God promised for the last day a complete revelation of the Word. Now, watch this, Revelation 10:7

(7) But in the days of the voice of the seventh (church) angel, when he shall begin to sound,(on the Gospel trumpet) the mystery of God should be finished, as (God) hath declared (the good news of the Gospel, by) his servants the prophets.

In other words, the entire revelation which lies in the Gospel, will be brought to an end through It's full manifestation at the end time. There's going to be a full revelation at the end time.

56. This of course necessitates a brand new vindication which takes place in Luke 17. He's going to take a brand new vindication now, because once more the whole truth comes into view. And this takes place according to Luke 17:26-30

(26) And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.

It doesn't say the coming of the Son of man, It says, "The days of the Son of man."

(27) They (ate), they drank, they married wives, they (gave) in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.

(28) Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they (ate), they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;

(29) But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.

(30) Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

In other words, the Son of man is going to be revealed again, but not the Son of man Himself in person. "As it was in the days of Noah, as it was in the days of Lot." The days return, but the people don't return. So, as Noah does not come back, and as Lot does not come back, and Sodom does not come back, and the destroyed world does not come back, so in this day there is going to be a duplication of the historical fact and what went on.

But not the people, so Jesus Christ doesn’t come back. But, the ministry comes back. The Sodomites don't come back, new Sodomites come on the scene. The old corruption doesn't come back, the new corruption is on the scene. It's a complete parallel going on. And with it of course, the ministry of the Son of man coming back to earth is through the vindicated prophet. (See?) You all know that anyway, that would take hours to go into.

57. It is now time for Matthew 17:11, of which It says, "He will correct the errors." Now, the German translation is better than ours, and It comes from the Greek. It does not… "the Elijah will restore, 'it's' he will correct the errors."

And also, It say over here in Acts the 3rd chapter, It says, "The heavens must receive Jesus until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets." It's an absolute restoration of the Word.

Now, there is only one reason why the Word is restored, and that is for our glory. And our glory is to be part of the Bride, which is the Wedding Supper of the Lamb. So, that's our glory coming up. (See?)

58. Now, to bring this whole Word into view the Spirit of God does it through Revelation 10:1, which you all know already.

(1) And I saw another mighty angel (messenger) come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:

This is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself descending as a Pillar of Fire to the earth, because His feet are pillars of fire, and they come back on earth. And wherever there is a Pillar of Fire, there has got to be a prophet, which is verse 7.

This is for the sake of the Bride to bring her back to virginity. (See?) Remember, the Bride, if she is the body of Christ, and Christ is Alpha and Omega, then the Bride must be Omega, as she was Alpha. If she was a virgin back there under the full revelation of the vindicated Word of God, then once more she must be again a virgin under the full revelation of the vindicated Word of God. It can't be otherwise, so she is under that.

59. What does this do for her? It brings her to 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:

(19) And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life,…

Now remember, only those in the Lamb's Book of Life will be able to be in that Rapture, nobody else. Only those who don't add to the Word, will be in that Rapture. The rest of them will go into the plagues.

So therefore, this Word ensures the Bride of her part in the First Resurrection and in the Rapture, just as Bro. Branham said, "This Message will put the Bride in a Rapture, and bring the dead out of the graves.

60. Now, the final point I'm dealing with this morning on these conditions: It is at this time some truly great mystery spoken of by the apostle Paul, comes into full view. And only at this time, no other time could it come into full view. And it's at this time we're on the verge of seeing the antichrist revealed which is the man of sin destined for this day in human flesh. Now, was cut off here.

Now, going back to what were taught: the Word of God mentions that there are mysteries. These mysteries are not all categorized. For instance, there is a mystery of iniquity. Is that the same as the mystery of the man of sin? Is that the same as serpent seed? I don't know, they're all part and parcel. But, when you boil it down you will find this, that the mysteries are not something which cannot be known. (See?) It is literally the revealed magnificent doctrinal truth of the Word of God.

61. Just what It says in Revelation 10:7. And the end time the prophet is going to come, and he is going to bring all the mysteries of God to completion. Which is what It says in Acts 3: where It says, "That which is spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets shall be restored." [Acts 3:21] Putting it together, (you see) we have an end time revelation ministry of the true doctrinal Word of Almighty God, so that Word does not cut across Word, but all Word blends (see?) bringing a Word Bride into figure and form at the end of this Age. And this is truly what a mystery is.

A mystery is nothing more, or less, but the truth, (doctrinal truth) lying within the Word of God that comes into manifestation at certain particular periods of time. And as I said already that we're at the end time when the mystery of iniquity is going to be brought into its final consummation. (See?) It's got to come, because if it doesn't come, then of course there cannot be a Rapture. Before the Bride goes, there's absolutely got to be a man living on this earth that is going to be the antichrist. He already is, but he hasn't be inhabited yet. Just like Judas.

62. Remember, Judas was born ordinary human being, and then he was destined to be the antichrist of his day. And Jesus said concerning him and John 6:70, He said, "One of you is the devil."

(70) (He said,) Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is (the) devil?

Now, this is exactly where we stand today. God said at the end time it was going to be many people. "Many are called, but few are chosen." [Mt 22:14] There's going to many Christ's, they're false, there's going to be a true one, and He said, "I've chosen them all." And they all had something to do. So, we're at this very end time now where we see what we've come to of what the mystery is. And now as I say, we'll discuss that very mystery as we have the time this afternoon, as soon as we can. But in the mean time I thought it was wise to give you a picture of what a mystery really is, so that you open your minds and see that it boils down to what we talked about all morning, it is the Word of God revealed in Its season.

63. Maybe you don't get it perfectly, so every little point is just like you could draw a picture. But you believe It, and you understand It, because the Word of God no longer cuts across the Word of God. (See?) It's brought to the right channels and it's to build you up to give your perfect faith, restore you right back to where you ought to be. See, all of these things are in here.

Now, you may want to play the tape more than once to get the point, and no doubt would do you some good too. Just keep going over these things until they become clear to see just what we're into. Because this is what we're here at the end time. All right, the Lord bless you. [omit]

Gracious Father, we thank You, Lord, for allowing us to be here at this particular time to come into Your Word, Lord, to understand It. To see, my God, that these things are not great mysteries, as people might try to teach something so imponderable, or something we cannot know. Even as some would try to tell us now that we cannot know. I do not believe that's true, Lord, but I believe we're supposed to know all the mysteries. And I don't believe, Lord, that Your servant William Branham came to compound the problem. I don't believe he came to add some of his own ideas, and then get us into more problems than we ever had before. But by way of his teaching he actually opened up to us all the mysteries that there were in Your Word, and to be revealed and consummated, so that You could come.

May everything, O God, you chose for this day, and I believe we'll have no problems. Because by the Holy Spirit it was meant to be known unto us in order to put it into the proper position, whereby we could be amongst those that are Raptured. So, grant it, Lord, that Your people may have increasing rest in faith, and peace and the reality that has been given us. Because truly we saw reality. Just like John said, "Our hands have handled, and our eyes have seen, and we were surely conversant with and saw full manifestation of that Word of Life."

At this end time, Lord, we saw the very same thing. We saw the vindicated ministry by the prophet who had 'Thus Saith the Lord'. And we know, Lord, that what he said was right. Help us, O God, to be simple enough to accept It, and to walk in It until we become It, and It becomes us. And he said, "Word turning to flesh, and flesh turning to Word." until that original Spoken Seed the Word, becomes that manifested Word, down here to glorify Thy Name.

Oh, what a privilege it would be, Lord, to be in that. What a great thing, O God, to be counted a part of It. And unto Thee, Lord, now because You've given us the opportunity in hearing, we ascribe all the honor and all the praise, and we thank You for it in Jesus' wonderful Name.

[Let's sing,] 'We'll walk in the Light'.