2 Peter: Thoughts on the Coming Bro. Lee Vayle - June 15, 1983 Father we're grateful again to be in Your Presence, knowing that this is a critical hour, a crucial hour a junction of time Lord, change of eras, and we are not unmindful of it. We're glad, Lord, we're here to know we have a part in it. That we are not of those upon whom the flood comes unawares. Nor, are we amongst those, when the Master returns, we're unaware, but we know these things, and we're grateful, we're blessed because we do know them. And, we say we do not know them of ourselves, but, we know them because You've vindicated Yourself to a prophet, vindicated the prophet to us, and now we know we have a vindicated Word, a reality. Which we are grateful, Lord, is our foundation. Putting us right back to the very beginning, pillars in the temple of our God. So, Father, we count ourselves privileged people, which indeed we are, and thank You for it all. For we know that by grace are we saved through faith, it's not of ourselves, the whole thing is a gift of God. According to eternal purposes which You purposed in Yourself. Gave us a portion of it as our portion as predestination. So, we commend ourselves now to You, in the study of Your Word. May grace accompany us tonight, Lord, to this end in Jesus Name we pray. Amen. You may be seated. 1. Now, I'm going to just do something that I am not prone to do. I have my notes here, but, I'm going to set them aside. I want to take a little time with 2 Peter. There are certain Books in the Bible, that are written specifically concerning the Coming. The end time Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Two of those Books are 1 and 2 Thessalonians, and also there's much of 1 Peter, and 2 Peter, almost entirely. The Book of Revelation also. Now, we'll just start reading here, in 2 Peter 1. (1) Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: (2) Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, (that's our Master.) (3) According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: (4) Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these (you) might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Now you notice, he's putting everything back on God here. So then, if God doesn't give It to you, and do It for you, you're not going to get It. (5) And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; (6) And to knowledge temperance; (your) temperance patience; (your) patience godliness; (7) And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness (love.) 2. Now, in there you'll notice, there are seven specific things mentioned, that Bro. Branham likened to seven steps, in a growth in grace, to a person, and to the Seven Church Ages. Of which the last Church Age, would be recipient of brotherly kindness. That Bro. Branham more or less described as the people of this hour are very, very prickly. And, but he also said, that when there was a real need, the people would pray for each other, do their best to help each other. They would get over then, their differences. And, that's about what the Seventh Church Age would bring forth, until, the Eighth one was love. Which Bro. Branham called Christ. God Himself, who is love. And, he said you come to the place where an individual putting on, starting with, virtue, faith first of all. He said here, “Add to your faith, virtue.” [verse 5] Now, of course we understand that, the first precept is faith. We start with faith, which is a revelation. And then, Bro. Branham mentioned virtue, which he actually used as 'dunamis', but it is not so. In this Scripture here, it is actually is virtue, as we understand virtue, more than we... But you notice, he took the Scripture where he said, “Virtue went out of me.” Which really in that translation is dunamis, which is power. And so he took, faith brings on a power ministry. Now, I know that many people, might say, “ Well you see, Bro. Branham made a great mistake there.” Prophet's don't make mistakes. (See?) The difference between me and a lot of preachers, and a lot of people who teach, they think you can teach from a rigid concept of your own understanding of the Word. That's not possible. 3. The First Church Age, almost split asunder over a diphthong, which is a double vowel. Now, if Bro. Branham said, “That add to your faith, dunamis.” Whether he called it by that or not, that's what it is. You follow what I'm saying? Because, you and I are not prophets. We don't know how perfectly accurate every single word in the Greek manuscript is. As to, a perfect understanding, from the Greek to the English, in this hour. It just isn't there. So, the prophet comes on the scene, and he says, “We start with faith, and then we go to dunamis.” Which he called, virtue, due to the fact that virtue went out of him, which was power. Then we understand that we go from revelation to power, which is exactly what we see in the book of Acts; when he told them, “Tarry in the city of Jerusalem, until you be imbued with dunamis from on high.” And then, the Scripture categorically tells us, that because of this great faith, revelatory faith that they had, they like lions went out and turned the world upside down; God bearing witness with signs and wonders, and miracles. 4. All right, then he says to this, then you begin moving back into a realm of more of the aesthetic, and the knowledge. So, he says, “You're going to add knowledge.” And, of course, there's only one knowledge that is of any value, and that is the knowledge of God. Of course the church went plumb off a track on its knowledge of God. And, then he says to knowledge, you add temperance. And of course, temperance is balance. Where you're tempered in all things. You don't go off on jags. You don't run over here and there. You'd be surprised, how that people can sit in a pew, or get a hold of my tapes and write me letters to run me. I've had people around here trying to run me. And, a man came in last Sunday and tried to run me. I'll tell you about it this Sunday. And, I get letters, they try to run me, ain't no use. "Why would I want to listen to you or anybody else, when I have access to God?" See? They don't know the first thing about temperance. They don't. They're a mess from the inside out, and the outside in. Now, I've got far more temperance than they think I have, because I take it most of the time. You say, “Well that's patience.” Patience has a lot to do with temperance. Temperance is not being extreme. It's balance. 5. Okay? You add to that, patience. Now patience is where you're willing to wait. Where you don't get ahead of God. Now, you people here, got to learn patience. It's some of you haven't learned patience, you're too gung ho. That's what's wrong right now, with this Message. Too many people have got gung ho. Now, look it. If I'm right in teaching the Presence, you tell me where I've run with it? You tell me where my radio broadcasts are, my letters, or anything else? Can't find it. You know why? Because, I learned a little simple lesson. I've learned to wait, ten, twelve, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen years for one point. And, when you learn to wait under the patience of God, you develop a lot of patience in a lot of other areas too. If you haven't got a definitive answer, you're far better to sit back and wait. You say, “Well Bro. Vayle I may have to lose a lot of money.” Yeah. And, you may lose your crown too, by messing around. 6. Now, maybe a lot of learning around this place, to go. You see, I'm...One of these days I've got to go, anyway. Because I don't... (you know) like my life will expire, hopefully, but I don't say it will. And, anything I've got, isn't going to do you one bit of good. You've got to get your own. You know many people think that I'm a very impatient fellow, because, I can strike very rapidly. I've got lots of patience. (Yep) See, everything you've got, has got to dovetail one with the other. Now, if you start with faith, which is a revelation, and you see the hand of God begin to move, (which in itself is not an evidence, but it should be there), then you go to knowledge; then you go to a temperance. (See?) Then your patience, must be linked with all of that, which has preceded it. Not just you sitting around, something like a frog waiting for a fly to come by. Though, I guess that's all right too. There's nothing too much wrong with that. But you're adding as you go along, and temperance is a very, very great quality. And, patience is a very great quality. And then, to your patience, there comes a godliness. In other words, your senses are exercised unto righteousness, so that you're not gullible. You're not doing a lot of things you shouldn't do. And, then when you're there, you're in a position to put on brotherly kindness. Which makes you to realize at this point, the fallibilities of mankind, because all thorough this, you yourself were so fallible. Now, let's just stop right there and go back to Romans 5:. Now we're coming into the place of maturity. And we've got to come to a maturity.. because, we're under the Melchisedec understanding, because Bro. Branham preached “Who is this Melchisedec?” We're at the end where Paul says, “(When) you ought to be teachers,” he said, “Somebody's got to take you to the milk again.” And, that's exactly what's happened to this Message. They all went back to Pentecost. All went back to the milk. See, they got as far as a faith in God, and a dynamism. But they never got past that. 7. Now you see right in here; [2 Peter 1:] (4) ... partakers of the divine nature,... (5) ... add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And, they died at that point. Because, there isn't either the Trinity or the Oneness, got any real conception of the Godhead. Now, that's where this church begin having problems. Because, there were those who couldn't see, what Oneness was in a wrong way, as from a true understanding of Godhead. Now, let's understand Godhead, once and for all. There's one God Who is Spirit, that is not flesh and bone. (See?) But this Spirit is Creator. And if He institutes a certain process of creating, then everybody ought to shut up, and say “Thank God He does it that way.” Instead of trying to pick their brains, and get to some place they have no jumping off place, (if they have it), they're going to fall into the abyss. Now, that may sound a little strange, what I said right here. But, merciful heavens, you ought to understand by now, what I'm driving at. 8. All right. I'm talking about a progression, in people's lives here. We're looking at Romans 5. (1) (Everything)... justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (2) By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, (now notice what he said,) and rejoice in (the) hope of the glory of God. Now, in other words, we have an earnest expectation, of the sharing of this glory. Now, how do you get it? Through Jesus Christ, we have access by faith. It's a faith premise. You've got to believe, that there is something there in your behalf, that you've got representation. Now, if you've got representation here, then you had representation way back there. Now, if you don't understand and believe that, you haven't got Eternal life, you're not born again. I'm telling you flat. You haven't got the Holy Ghost. Now, let's pin it down. Because I've gone into knowledge right here, and I'm going to start tracing things. Now, you don't have to be a theologian to agree with me. You've just got to know what I said, because you've been sitting under this ministry for years, and years, and years. Now, (2) ... and rejoice... And, your rejoicing is in the understanding, that you will have a portion of God's own glory. Because you're a son from way back there. Well that's laid out in front of you. You say, “That's mine, thank you.” Now, that's settled. Now the legalist comes along, and the falling away and he wants to mess you up. Now, if you're not born again, you will get messed up. If you are born again, you won't get messed up. Now, once in a while, you might have to tread water until certain things come to your attention, that will give you a log to float you a little higher, because we've got problems. 9. All right. Now watch. And not only so, but watch, we glory in tribulation, knowing, that tribulation worketh patience. Now what we're back in, (now hold your finger there) and what we're back here in [2] Peter 1:3, It says: (3) According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Same thing over here He's called you to a glory. Now, there's a knowledge, that is not implied. There's a knowledge that is known. Now see, if you don't have that, you're not going to have any patience. If you don't know that you're not going to have any temperance, you're going to go way over here to legalism. Way over here to eternal security, and it's the same stupid spirit. One says, “I got to do it all.” And, the other one says, “ Well, I can do anything I want.” Now that's a lot of hogwash. 10. So let's go back to Romans [5:] Now watch: (3) ... we glory in tribulations... knowing that tribulation worketh patience; (that's endurance.) (4) And (endurance), experience; (which is character, or maturity) and (maturity brings you to earnest expectation.) Now watch, [Romans 5:] (2) By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in (the earnest expectation) of the glory of God. Now, you start out with this earnest expectation, (which is a revelation) and you come on down here. Now, all you're putting on here is all these things that are so valuable, that are born in you. “That have birthed into you.” Bro. Branham said, “By the Holy Spirit.” And each one of them, is taking you on. Now in here, after this life that we're living, coming up to the end, and the church is the same as the individual. We come to the place, (especially in the Bride, the Church) of character and maturity. Now, at the time of maturity, what is loosed? Okay he says here; [2 Peter 1:] (3) According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him... 11. Through the knowledge of Him. Okay. Now, we go back to the Book of Hebrews 5: 11. (11) Of whom we have many things to say, (but) hard to be uttered, seeing (you're) dull of hearing. (12) For when for the time (you) ought to be teachers, (you) have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. (13) For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 12. Now, notice he says in here: [2 Peter 1:] (1) ...have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: (2) ...peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, (even) of Jesus (Christ) our Lord, (comes by Him) (3) According as his divine power (has) given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and (to) virtue: Okay. Now he says here: [Hebrew 5:] (13) For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. (14) But strong meat (belongs) to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Now, okay. Remember Satan came, and he said to Adam, “Now,” (he said,) “you're going to know to discern between good and evil.” Then God came by, and He said, "The man is become as one of us, through the knowledge of good and evil." [Gen 3:22] 13. Now, what Adam got at that time, put him one step between him and God. That's all there was. It just took him one step. Now, at this end time, because of the understanding of Malachi 3:18. (18) Then shall (you) return, and discern between ... (righteousness) and (wickedness), between him that (serves) God and him that (serves) him not. All right. How does that take place? It takes place under the prophet Elijah. "For he shall turn the hearts of the children back to their fathers. [Mal 4:6] Okay. When he does, you're at the last step which is: "The Son of Righteousness, arises with healing in his wings." [Mal 4:2] Adam, one step from God. 14. Let's go back and look at it. Satan came along. Now; [Genesis 3:5] (3) For God doth know that in the day...your eyes (being) opened, (you) shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. In other words, you'll understand good, and you'll know evil. It'll be right there. Now, over here in [Genesis] 3:22, (22) And the LORD God said, ... the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: 15. In other words, in the condition of one step, the literal knowledge of good and evil. All he had is one step in the right direction, filling in that little gap, he could have been immortal. Now, there's where we are right tonight. Elijah's come, and turned our hearts back all the way, from what's gone down for six thousand solid years. To one step between us, and immortality. We are right here, where, it just takes that one step. Now, what constitutes the one step? See? Okay. (Where were we?) Over here in 2 Peter 1: (now we hold our finger there) and we go back to Romans 5: All right. We're looking at It. Now, It said here, that this one starts rejoicing in the earnest expectation of the glory of God. And, there's a process that you go through. And when you come through the process, (now watch) you rejoice in your earnest expectation of the glory of God. Now, that is a Word, that is a promise. But watch: [Romans 5:] (3) ... not only so, (we glory in tribulation, every single age has gone through it) knowing that tribulation worketh (endurance); (4) ...(endurance brings us to character and maturity.) (5) And (maturity brings us to earnest expectation)...(now watch, and earnest expectation) maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Now, this is to me is literally, a parallel of over here in 2 Peter 1. Which is a more minute description, of the processes of the Seven Church Ages. That when you come to brotherly kindness, you have come to the last step. There is nothing else you can go to. You've come to the place which is called love. This love God, here, not a virtue, but, the Person. Comes down and seals the individual in. Seals the whole Church in. So as man, goes through a process of life, where he comes to the place, of that knowledge of God; wherein he knows, (and this has been in every age) that there is a place of reality, and he attains to it. Now, of course, there's some here who think they are saved, I don't care about them, we're going to have them anyway. 16. You're going to have those who think they are born again, you're going to have them anyway. But, there's a Bride who knows she is. They are in every age, along with the foolish virgin. Now, the Bride in every age gets sealed in. Now, this end time, there's a final sealing in of individuals. A final sealing in of the whole Bride of the Lord Jesus Christ. Now at that time, there is one step, there is one step between immortality, and what we have now. Now, just as Jesus closed the Book and stopped, reading at a certain place; God also stopped man at a certain place. And that man could not live in that condition that he was in for the six thousand years allotted to man to live, as man in flesh. Now, there's only one thing God can do because His plan was higher. Which would bring him to immortality. And, man could not be in immortality in the way that he was. So therefore God, had already foreknown in order to institute a plan of perfect redemption and salvation. So that when the last elected member was in, then God Himself, would take down the barriers, so that man could make that one step, between him and God. Between him and immortality. Now, that's why, you have at the end time here, "Elijah turning the hearts of the children back to the fathers." [Mal 4:6b] So that he can be absolutely in a position, to come to the place of that one step which was originally, a true knowledge of good and evil; which Cain did not know, but, Abel did know. Now we've come back to the knowledge of Abel. ( See?) We've come right back. Therefore as Abel, had the only revelation. (See?) Only true revelation. The revealed Word, an understanding of the sacrifice, and the principles of God. 17. Let's go to Hebrews 11: and see it. (1) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, (that's the under girding) the evidence of things not seen. (2) For by it the elders obtained a good report. Now notice, they obtained a good report. Over in Hebrews 5: there isn't a good report, when it's time you were mature; in other words, you've gone through the process mentioned in Romans 5: Now, all right, they didn't have it there. (3) Through faith we understand the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that things which are seen are not made of things which do appear. Now watch: (4) By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying to his gifts: and by it he being dead, yet speaketh. Now, you notice that Abel absolutely, understood emphatically, at that time, of one step away from God. (See?) One step away from immortality. He understood perfectly, the difference between righteousness and wickedness. And, who serves God, and who didn't serve God. That's why Pentecostals and everybody, can sit in a church pew and hear Bro. Branham say, “There is only one sin, it's unbelief. And, everything else is merely an evidence or an attribute of that sin.” Smoking is not sin, adultery is not sin, lying is not sin. They are the attributes of sin. There's only one sin, and that's unbelief. 18. Now, God was the One that put the barrier up. Now then, if one step away to immortality, is the knowledge of good and evil, then the return to Cain representing his lineage, and the Bride, her lineage. Revelation returning, will bring God down and man one step from immortality. Do you follow what I'm saying? Well that's exactly what we're looking at here. One step. Now, in this chapter here, love is God Himself. Now, it has to be, because he was there, acknowledging the sacrifice. He wasn't there acknowledging the Bible, un-interpreted, and unrevealed. He absolutely repudiated the Bible unrevealed. Because that fellow had a very good sacrifice. And he killed his brother, because his deeds were evil. Now, you're right back again today, the lack of revelation, is what brings on spiritual death. Now, the ages are over. So therefore, God is obligated now to remove anything that's in the way for man, to walk into immortality. Why? 19. Now look, I trust you understand what I'm saying, because, let's go back to the Book of Malachi, and just show you. Just in case you're not getting what I'm saying. All right, he says right here, in chapter 4:1, “For, behold, the day cometh...” Now listen, that's not the fourth chapter per se, there's no such thing as chapters in the Bible. There's no such thing as verses. Some places not even upper and lower case letters. In fact the Hebrew doesn't have it. And, it's done in pictographs. Now It tells you right there, what we call the third chapter, speaking of John the Baptist, and so on. And then, it comes over here, talks about the day when the Lord is going to make up His jewels in verse 17. In verse 18, It says, "they'll return and discern between righteousness and wickedness, between him that serves God, and him who doesn't serve Him." It says in other words, there's going to be an understanding for the first time of Cain and Abel. There's going to be a definitive understanding of Melchisedec and the whole thing is going to open up. [Malachi 4:] (1) For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly... Now this up here, is a bunch that won't do wickedly. Why? Because, they discern between righteousness and wickedness. And remember, Cain's deed was wicked. Not the killing of his brother. That's a lot of hogwash. The wicked deed led him to killing his brother. The wicked deed was unbelief. Not that the deed was, but the spirit within him was unbelief. Now: (1) ...the day cometh, (it'll) burn as an oven; and all the proud...) that's that bunch up there that do wickedly.) 20. Now listen, it doesn't even mean that they know they're doing wickedly. You say, “[I] don't think that's right Bro. Vayle?” I can prove I know what I'm talking about. I don't care what anybody else says. I'm not interested what anybody else says, that's why I tell Pete you're going to come down and talk with me? Like... I told this fellow, I said, "Now, you come to come and argue with me, you try to tell me something, just stay away. Ain't going to do you no good, because nobody's going to tell me nothing. You say, “Do you think you've arrived, Bro. Vayle?” What do you think? No, I haven't arrived, but, at least I'm not stupid. My God, you think that after seventeen solid years, I don't know this Message? What do you think I get all this flack for? Because, I do know the Message. Now It says right here, that John the Baptist Luke 1:17, (1) And he shall go before (the Lord God if Israel) in the spirit and power of (Elijah), to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, (even) the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready (the prepared) people (to get a Bride ready)... 21. Now listen, He doesn't get a Bride, the Bride's there to be made ready. Do you know we do more proselytizing than soul winning. Where did Bro. Branham's three million converts go? To Trinitarian Pentecost. How many Bride's there? That wasn't the call. It was “Come out of her, My people.” [Rev 18:4] How many under his ministry, really saw the light? Very, very few. I'm not faulting anything. I'm just bringing something to your attention. Now, It tells you that there was a Bride already here. And the word 'disobedient' doesn't mean those people that are willfully going against the commandments of God, they are the ones that just don't know any better. They're ignorant. So therefore, Elijah comes at this hour, in the Presence of God, to give people a revelation of that God. Who He is, the purpose, and the ministry and so on. Which you can read just what John the Baptist said. 22. Now, let's go back here again. Now: [Malachi 4:] (1) ...(they) that do wickedly, (going to) burn them up,... (leaving) neither root nor branch. (2) But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings;... At the same time, from the same Presence, the judgement unto final destruction of burning of this earth; both in a brushfire burn over, and a complete dissolution. There's got to be a prophet named Elijah, who will turn the hearts. And, the One that is the Judge and the Executioner, gives immortality to a Bride. And, all we had to do is get, right back to that one step, of the knowledge of good and evil. For the first time, we're empowered to do right. Because, for the first time, the Bride is filled. Because, this has been going on for ages. And, for the first time, from the beginning, the Bride has the definitive, revelation of the Word, per se mechanically, and beyond that, because they didn't have Ephesians 1:15-23. All they had was Ephesians 1:1-14. Ephesians 1:15-23 is Malachi 4:1-2. (See?) Okay, we go back now again to Peter. Now, to brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness, love. And, Bro. Branham categorically said, “ That was God, Himself, for God id love.” 23. Now, that brings us over here to 1 Corinthians 13:8, now watch what he says here. (8) (Love) never (fails): but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether (they're) tongues, they shall cease; knowledge, shall vanish away. (9) For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. Now, you'll notice up there, that belonged to the part. And, he's telling you “ For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.” Now, let's just watch. Keep your finger there. Let's go back into 2 Peter 1: (1) Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: (2) Grace and peace be unto you through the knowledge of God, and of (our Lord Jesus Christ,) Now notice, “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge.”) (3) According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: (4) Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these (you) might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (5) And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to you virtue knowledge. (6) And to knowledge temperance; temperance patience; patience godliness; (7) And godliness brotherly kindness; brotherly kindness (love). (That's God Himself, coming down.) (8) For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that (you) shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24. Now notice, it starts with knowledge, and it ends with knowledge. (See?) Now, and in between there's all these parts, and things in there of knowledge. Okay. In that ninth verse, [1 Corinthians 13:] (9) ...we know in part, and we prophesy in part. Now, let's get this flat. You don't prophesy from what you know. You prophesy from what you don't know. Because, holy men of God did not prophesy because they knew something. They prophesied, because they didn't know anything. For prophecy does not come by the will of man, it comes by the will of God. And they're swept into it. And they can't stop, if they tried to stop. All right. (9) ...we know in part, (even) we prophesy in part. So that, what you know comes from the prophecy that which you're supposed to have, you will know. (10) But when that which is perfect is come, (completed and there aren't any more parts. So that everything that came in part is done away.) Justification gave way to sanctification. Sanctification gave way to the baptism with the Holy Ghost. And the baptism with the Holy Ghost gives way to the Holy Ghost, Himself. 25. Now, that's what it says in Ephesians. (See? Just keep your finger in there in 1 Corinthians 13:) Ephesians 1, It tells you emphatically: (13) In whom (you) also (hoped), after that (you) heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that (you) believed, (you) were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, (14) Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. (Now, right in there comes 2 Peter, which we won't read again.) (15) (Now,) Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, (16) Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; (17) That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: Now, It tells you right there, that there's a knowledge to come. And, when that knowledge comes, there comes immortality. Because, that's what Resurrection is. Now then, at that time when that knowledge comes, we'll know the power of the Resurrection, and the Catching up. All right. Now watch, It tells you here, when the knowledge has come finally, there's no more parts. Then, He Himself, Comes. See? Now, when He Comes, there is a further knowledge which is the revelation of Him, that turns us back. Within that one step, to get immortality. Now, that's where Elijah comes in, with that one step. Because God doesn't communicate to individuals, He communicates to a prophet. 26. Now then, [1 Corinthians 13:] (10) ... that which is perfect is come,... Bro. Branham said, “ Who is perfect but God. And, who is God, but the Word.” (10) (Now) ...then that which is in part shall be done away. (11) When I was a child, I (spoke) as a child, I understood as a child, but when I became a man, I put away childish things. (Now you're back to Romans 5: and maturity. Now you're back to Hebrews 5: and maturity. And now you're here where It says:) (12) ...we see through a glass, darkly; (because we only knew in a part. See?) but then face to face:... (Face to face with what? The Person. See? Now, and at that time, you don't know in part anymore. The whole thing is fulfilled. And, at that time, you know as you are known.) (13) (Now, It says) ...abideth faith, (earnest expectation and love), but the (great one) is (love.)  27. All right. Getting back to Peter again. Now, he said, [2 Peter 1:] (8) For if you abound (in these things), they make you that (you) shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Now, a Bride is coming up through Seven Church Ages. If she comes up with the knowledge and understanding, of what Peter has laid out here for us; she will be at the place of maturity, which is as far as she can go; which is brotherly kindness. Now, that's what Cain didn't have. Abel did. But it wasn't enough. It wasn't enough. Can't do it. This is where people are so thoroughly, (in my understanding) messed up with the Presence, they don't know it still takes the Presence. Well, how do you expect the dead to come out of the ground? How do you expect them to be raised, to be brought forth like Jesus? How's that going to be done? There's only one Person that can do it, and, that's God. (9) (Now,) But he that (lacks) these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that (he's) purged from his old sins. (10) Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if (you) do these things, (you) shall never fail: 28. Now watch, "to make your calling and election sure." Now, let's just keep moving, don't stop at one certain place here. Because that's what's wrong with people. They stop in one place, and they get all messed up. There's a continuity here. (12) Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though (you) know them, and be established in the present truth. And, that 'present truth' means, the truth that is presently with you, and being viewed. Now, he's viewing what he is into here. To revelation, and a progression, in people, that are children of God. (13) Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; (14) Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ (showed) me. (15) Moreover I will endeavour that (you) may be able after my (death) to have these things ... in remembrance. (16) For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the (dunamis) and (the Presence) of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. (That's the majestic One, the Master) (17) For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (Now, Bro. Branham said that was the manifested Son.) (18) And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. (19) We have ... a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto (you) do well that (you) take heed, as unto a light that (shines) in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Now, he says, "You've got to watch right to this particular time, until this thing takes place." Now he said: (20) Knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of any private interpretation. (21) For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. And, Bro. Branham taking this, brought us to the point, (at least my understanding of this, it is) that some of these things that occur, vision and great portance, and phenomena, all very well. But, you've got to take it to the Scripture. The same as Peter did. Now, that's what we're looking at here. Now watch. He's telling you, that we're coming from knowledge, to knowledge. And then he throws in the illustration, of Christ on the mount. 29. Now, let's go back to where that happened. Matthew 16:28. (28) Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, (that will) not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. All right. He says, he's talking about the Son of man coming in his kingdom. Okay, just hold your finger there. 30. Now let's go to Luke 17:20. (20) And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: (21) Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is (in the midst of) you. (22) ...he said (to) the disciples, The days will come, when (you'll) desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, shall not see it. Then he said, it's going to come as light, and the Son of man has to suffer, and so on. 31. Let's go back to Matthew 17: (1) ... after six days Jesus (takes) Peter, James, and John (now, that's after six days, is six thousand years, one day for a [thousand] years) ... (takes) them up into a high mountain apart, Then bears them up, and if He takes them in His arms, and goes up to the top of the mount by anti gravitational forces, that's dunamis. (2) (He) was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as light. (3) ...behold, there appeared (there) Moses and Elias talking with him. (4) Then answered Peter, and said Lord, it is good for (we) to be here: if (you will, we'll) make here three tabernacles; one for (You), one for Moses, one for (Elijah.) That would be a great kind of religion, wouldn't it? Three tabernacles, which one would you go to? Whatever one you weren't mad at. Or the one you thought the most of. Oh, I can tell you one thing, Moses and Elijah would've soon kicked you out trying to get in their tabernacle. And I'll tell you another thing, you wouldn't even get to the resurrection in their tabernacle. Because, Moses was only faithful over somebody else's house. But, Jesus was the head of his house. And remember, the word 'lord' means; the head of the house. He's back. All right, (5) ... a cloud overshadowed...a voice said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. (6 ) ...the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. (7) And Jesus said, Arise,... 32. Now listen, go back to Peter now. Now, what he's talking about, he's already talked about here; and said: [2 Peter 1:] (15) Moreover I will endeavour that (you) may be able after my (death) to have these things ...always in remembrance. What he's talking about here, and he's brought this down to a source of knowledge. A recognition, and, a co-operation with that recognition. A consecration to it. Everyone of those takes a consecration because you're birthed into it. Took me a long time, because of the errors of Pentecost. My, my, my. What a mess. Just like here, Bro. Branham used the word, 'virtue' as 'dunamis', but he said, “Everybody does not pray for the sick.” But, every born again person, believes it's possible that the sick get healed through divine intervention. And, they say, “The days of miracles are past.” They are liars. They haven't got any faith. 33. See? Okay we're reading; (16) (Now, we've) not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and (Presence) of our Lord Jesus Christ, ... Now he's telling them, based upon this which is real, the other is also real. And what he says is real. Is based upon this here which was real, which was this transfiguration experience. He said, “We're eye witnesses.” (17) For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (18) And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy (mountain.) Now, remember what he's talking about. See? He's talking about the fact here, the knowledge of Him that called us unto glory. [Romans 5:] (2) By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 34. Now listen, do you follow what I'm saying? He finalizes this thing in the illustration of the glorification of Jesus. Now that's what he says this is all about to get glorified. These are processes. Involved in the Bride individually, and collectively. Now, we believe it. See? Now he said, “We saw it, we heard the voice.” [2 Peter 1:] (19) We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto (you) do well that (you) take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Now, watch what he is saying. “We have a more sure word of prophecy.” Or, we have the word of prophecy made absolutely made sure unto us. What's he talking about? This glory. “Where unto you will do well to take heed, as unto a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.” 35. All right, listen. Luke 17:20 again: (20) ... the Pharisees (demanded), when the kingdom of God should come, (and he) said, (it comes) with(out) observation: (21) ...(it's already here in the middle of you.) (22) ...The days will come, when (you're going to want) to see one of the days of the Son of man, and won't) see it. (23) And (they'll) say to you, (Go) here; or, (go) there: (do this and do that)... (24) (But) as lightning, (shines from one) part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day. All right. Let's go back to Matthew 24:26-27. (26) Wherefore if they say, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. (27) For as the lightning (comes) out (even shines on the one part of the (west) [east]so shall also the (presence) of the Son of man be. Now listen, he's talking about glorification, and Presence. And he's telling you, that what he saw, the kingdom, in preview, as Bro. Branham saw the Bride in view and review. A preview. (See?) Now watch: A prophet back there, a prophet here. He saw what was coming. Now, we have the Word of prophecy, made sure to us. That you take heed, (now watch how you take heed,) you take heed of the light at the time of darkness. (Huh?) You begin to understand now. Now, keep your minds open and understand. I took you back to Cain and Abel. Why he said, “You'll be like God.” You'll know the difference between righteousness and unrighteousness. And, at that time, they could've reached out and taken the Tree of Life. God stopped it. And Abel had the revelation. (See?) 36. Now Cain was of the wicked one. He had a wicked revelation. And his impertinence to go before God, is what was wicked, in the light, of a demonstrated revelation. Because, the fire came down and took the sacrifice. Now, Elijah comes at the end time. And, at the end time, they know the difference between righteousness and wickedness. Do you understand what I'm saying? That's why it's two churches, and it's spiritual. Never mind communism, it's nothing. (See)? Now, Peter is taking you right through to the day of glorification, the same as Paul was back there. Now he said, “We saw it.” Now he said, “Here we have the word of prophecy made more sure than ever.” [2 Pet 1:19a] Why? Because at the end time, light is going to break upon darkness. Now, what is darkness? Cain! And wickedness? The worship of God, apart from a definitive, genuine, God permitted, revelation. 37. I know the world doesn't believe this. I don't care what it believes. Then drop dead, it's going to hell anyways. What do I got to do with it. Bro. Branham said, “I don't pray for America.” Why should I pray? Oh you say, “Be nice.” I am nice. That's as nice as nice is, in the whole world. Because, God gave it to me. Not some shyster stuff out there. That goes away from the Word of God, because, he wants to please ...?... nice, I don't care if anyone's preached here or not. If you weren't pleased you wouldn't be here. If you're sitting here, just waiting to catch me sometime, I've got news for you, you'll still be sitting here. And I'll be gone. Go ahead. Be my guest. I've got no problem. People around me have got problems, and I can prove it. Every time they rise up, and they'll keep rising up too. Smart mouth men, and stupid old ladies. Both the same thing. Now, the light shines in a dark place. But, the day will dawn, and the Day Star arise in the hearts, knowing this first: "that no prophecy of the Scripture, is of any private interpretation. [2 Pet 1:20] Well, how in the world is it going to come? "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." [2 Pet 1:21] Then, if it took the Holy Ghost to bring It, through special men, it's take the Holy Ghost through special men to give It. Now watch, but there were false prophets among the people. He tells you how it was done. (Huh?) All right, keep your finger there. 38. Let's go back to Matthew 24:3. (3) ...(and they) came (to) him (and said), what (will) be the sign of thy (Presence?),... And in verse 23-27. (23) Then if any man shall say, Lo, here (He is), or there (He is); (don't) believe it. (24) For there shall arise false Christs, (even lying) prophets, and shall (show) great signs and wonders; (and they'll be there to) deceive the very elect. (But they can't do it.) (25) Behold, I have told you before... (26) Wherefore if they say unto you, Behold, (he's here:) behold he's there. Don't you believe it. But how will he be there?) (27) ...as lightning (comes) out of the east, and (shines) unto the west; so shall also the (Presence) of the Son of man be. (And, that's the same thing he's talking about, over there in Peter.) Now, he said there were false prophets back there. When? When the Word was originally given, which came to the place of the Presence of Christ, spoken about, the Word made flesh. It wasn't in parts anymore. Every prophet had a part, of the Word. But now the Word Himself, was there. Now remember at the end time, He doesn't come in flesh, He comes in Light. And it's Light that brings the glorification. Now do you understand? When you get to the place of discerning righteousness and wickedness; and those that serve God, and those that don't, just standing right there, ready for the Resurrection. 39. All right, there were false prophets. Even so, there shall be false teachers among you. Why? Not prophets now, teachers. The Bride is too cotton picking smart, to ever fall for a guy that comes in with miracle, and signs and wonders, and tell him anything. Says, “Get out of here, drip.” You ain't got nothing to prove nothing. It's already been proved. But, a teacher can come by and quote, quote, quote, and be right amongst us. Like this idiot woman wrote, “You call yourself a teacher, and, believe this.” Sure I'll believe that exactly, that's why I am a teacher. She's sick, and I'm not. If I can find a certain cartoon, I'm going to send it to her. Expresses my sentiments perfectly, and that takes care of that. And then, she'll send it around and tell everyone, what a rotten skunk Lee Vayle is. “I told you all the time, bless God.” [laughter] Now you know. Some people think that Peter was very nice. Peter wasn't half as nice as they think he was. All right, false teachers, who privately shall bring in damnable heresies. Even denying, (which is refusing) the Lord that bought them. And, bring upon themselves, swift destruction. Now, how do you refuse Him? That means to say "no" to, or to decline Him? 40. Let's go back to Hebrews 3:7. Okay: (7) Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, (8) Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: (9) When your fathers (put me to the test , (See?) and) proved me (denied me,) saw my works forty years. Well, did Moses do the works, or did God do the works? Then, who was there to do it? God was there. See? (10) ... I was grieved with that generation...They do alway err in their heart; they (don't know) my ways. (11) (So,) I swear in my wrath, (They'll) not enter into my rest.) (12) Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. Now listen, you know jolly well, that the Scripture says, if you're absolutely born again, there's no way anybody can pluck you out of your Father's hand. There's no way you can get away. But, It says right here, "you can get away." So we're going through the same thing at the end time. They'll say they are born again, and everything else, and they'll depart from the living God. (13) But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. (14) For we are made (companions) of Christ,( not partakers, companions) if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast (to) the end; (15) While it is said, To day if (you'll) hear his voice, harden not your hearts, in the provocation. Now It says, “Hear his voice,” 41. Let's go to Hebrews 12: Now, this is that statement concerning the New Jerusalem. (24) (Concerning) Jesus the mediator the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things that that of Abel. (Now, He takes us right back to Abel, the man that knew the difference.) (25) See that (you) refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away (not from him that speaketh, but that One) from heaven: (26) Whose voice then shook the earth: but now promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. (27) And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. (28) Wherefore we receiving a kingdom... This is just before the kingdom, he's talking about here in glorification, type, going into the Promised Land, which is a type of the Millennium. 42. Now, Hebrews 3:16. (16) For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. (The mixed multitude was there.) (17) ...with whom was he grieved forty years? with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? (Foolish virgin, also.) (18) ...to whom sware they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? (19) So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. What unbelief? They didn't believe over here. They saw His works, but they wouldn't stay with the Pillar of Fire. They wouldn't stay with the prophet. Bro. Branham said so. They wanted a law. Now, [Hebrews 4:] (1) Let us ... fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should (fear you) come short of it. (or, failed already.) (2) For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. (3) For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 43. Now, he's going now....let's go back now to Peter. He's talking about that time. Especially in Numbers, where they rose up against Moses, refusing the Lord, "that brought upon themselves, swift destruction." [2 Per 2:1b] Now notice, those that rose up categorically were like Balaam, and also Korah, Dathan and Abiram, "whom the earth opened up and swallowed in a fire." [Num 26:10] Okay. That was under Moses. Moses didn't bring a lot of fire, but fire was that way like Elijah brought fire. Moses brought miracles, hailstones and so on. So we see this is in the great tribulation. Now: [2 Peter 2] (2) ...many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. Now watch, “by reason of whom the way of truth.” “I am the way the truth and the life.” [Jn 14:6] They are literally going to be speaking evil of the Logos. 44. Now come on let's go back to Matthew 12: Now, this has already occurred in our day. It occurred in Jesus' day, and here it is again over here. Verse 22. (22) (They) brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. (23) And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? They said, “No, this is the other fellow.” They said, “Isn't Messiah here?” And they said, “No, Messiah is not here.” He was there and he turned him down flat. They said, “It's the other one.” (25) And Jesus (knowing) their thoughts, said, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall [not] stand: It says over here: He said, "If I by the finger of God cast out devils, the kingdom of God is come unto you. [Lk 11:20] And showing, (and Bro. Branham had perhaps the greatest ministry of casting out devils the world has ever seen outside of Jesus Christ, Himself.) No man ever had it. Because, there wasn't one devil could stand in his presence. And furthermore,...he didn't have to cast them out, but, virtually he stood there and he could have cast them out. Because he said, “I take every spirit in this building, under my control, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, for the glory of God. ” And that's the same as casting devils out, because, when you bind them, you don't have to cast them out. They just stand right there and shut up. And Bro. Branham did it. Now, he said at that time, “The kingdom of God, is in the midst of you.” And, it's life. 45. Back to Peter [2:] again. He said it's life. Now, they're going to turn down the way, the truth and the life. Evil is going to be spoken. (3) And through covetousness shall with feigned words make merchandise of you:... You know what the hardest thing in my life was to turn around and tell people what Bro. Branham said about me. I kind of regret I ever told anybody. It's far better that they go ahead and believe the lies that come out of Tucson, that says that, Bro Branham said that “Lee Vayle's soul is as dark as night.” And he said, the person that told it, said it four of five times in the last year. I phoned that person, that person denied it. And said, “That was said about somebody else entirely.” A woman, not a man. Now, why does is this all go on? Listen, you understand why I want to quit preaching and maybe not even any more tapes go out of here? No more tapes maybe. Just... even turn the machines off. If you can't pick it up by ear, it's your tough luck. Because when I repeat, it'll be all gone. Because I'm sick and tired of it, that's all. I don't want anybody around me, because somebody thinks Bro. Branham said something nice. I believe he told the truth. I don't believe he ever lied to me. 46. Now, if I'm telling you a lie, I'm making merchandise of you. Did I make merchandise of you when I walked out? What hold did I have upon you? If I walk out today, what hold do I have upon you? Have I taken your money? There's still money in the treasury, I'll write you a check for the rest of it. I took out twenty-five hundred dollars the other day, do you know why? Because, that's money from the outside that came in here. You say, “ Bro. Vayle, you against my tithe?” I'm not against your tithe. I want you to know this one thing: I'm not here to make merchandise of you, and you won't make merchandise of me either. Let's get that flat. You see, this is one place that you're going to be treated as a grownup. You get your lumps, you go get your own lumps. But, when you get your lumps, smarten up. If you're doing something that's not right, quit doing it. Or, try. Nobody's perfect. But I'm even getting worried about cookie jar lies now. Because, God didn't like Bro. Branham's cookie jar lies, maybe not in that category. Through covetousness, with feigned words, make merchandise of you. Well I don't know what I'd sell you for. By the head, two bits apiece, would be a pretty good offer. [laughter] 47. Remember years ago, I went to Canada, I went back home. I don't feel insulted, I just like to kid you. I went back to Canada, they treated me so good, I almost died. I almost had a heart attack, everybody was treating me so good. I said, “Where were you when I needed you?” [laughter] I could say the same thing to anybody, “Where were you when I needed you?” Always needed you. In a different way than I'm speaking of. True. (See?) But this merchandise, feigned words. [2 Peter 2:] (3) ...whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and damnation slumbereth not. Now watch the wording, “whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not,” because, he was the Son of man, He already was Judge. (Oh yeah.) Like Bro. Branham said, “That little orange seed that brought a tree. In that seed already lay, every single orange that tree would produce, and it might have produced a million oranges.” Already, way back there. Already way back there in eternity, the Judge. (3) ... their damnation slumbereth not. (4) For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; (5) And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; Now, there's two worlds; ungodly and godly. Not Communism and Christianity. Religion. All the way through. Because the Commies will bow before it's over, don't worry. And then they'll be smart enough to wipe the whore out. That serves her right, and her lousy daughters with her. 48. Now listen, let's get this straight. He is talking about the fact of a glorification. He is talking about seeing it is brought in an example, according to a precept. The precept was, there would be glory. The example was Mt. Transfiguration, and He turns right around, brings it to this place here and then said, “I'm going to tell you something, (He said,) this is assured unto you, that at the time of darkness, when light is going to rise in your heart. The eyes of your heart being illumined, (your very soul,) with the revelation and knowledge." Now, and as there were false prophets, we know about them. The big thing is teachers. How come everybody is running around teaching these days? Strange thing. Now, God spared them not. Those angels that sinned. The messengers of sin. For if God spared not the messengers of sin. Now why do they want to make it angels here, when he's talking about teachers here. Oh, it excuses everybody. It's going to be somebody flutter down, fluttering down. Ah, fap! Anything flutter down, he got into somebody's body, making him a phony false teacher. I've been called that. Guy should wash his mouth with soap. Yeah, listen, I'm not kidding. (4) (And) if God spared not (those messengers) that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; (5) And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; Now, It tells you who stood there when others stood there, and It tells you who else stood there. Now, I'm going to tell you something: I'll tell you who stood there before that flood. Elohim stood there. Elohim was there with Noah. Yes sir. Don't think He wasn't. Because, you link the whole thing up and you can see it. (See?) Get it over here a little here further on. 49. Now, the eighth person, the eighth a preacher of righteousness. A preacher of righteousness! The man who brought them, what it took, to save them, took them to the one step, where God could intervene, and build him an ark. The knowledge of good, contrasted to evil. True worship, in contra-distinction to false. You read Wilkinson and Mallus, if you ever get the books. The best you'd get on that I suppose, is from Hyssop's Two Babylon's. I'll read it, the same as I had to read that. Now, (5) ...bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; Now listen: (6) And turning the cities Sodom and Gomorrah... What did it? Phony teachers. What happened at Sodom and Gomorrah, happened before Noah, at Noah's time. He was there, Elohim was there. And, He's here now. Now, condemning them with an overthrow, making them examples under those who should live ungodly. (7) ...delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (8) (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds.) (9) The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgement. 50. Now what are the just? Those that are justified on the grounds of faith. These, are not justified. (10) But chiefly them that walked after the flesh in lust and uncleanness, and despised government. Presumptuous are they, (that are selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. (Or as messengers that are greater in power and might. That was back in the days there.) (11) (That would be) angels, bring not railing accusations against them, before the Lord. (12) But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and to utterly perish in their own corruption; (Who? False teachers and their gangs that follow them.) (13) They shall receive the reward of unrighteousness,... (The mark of Cain.) as they count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceiving while they feast with you; (14) Having eyes full of adultery. (they) cannot cease form sin; beguiling unstable souls: an hearts they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children. (Now, this is at the end time. A bunch of teachers that come in.) (15) Which have forsaken the right way, and have gone astray, falling away as in the days of Balaam, the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; See they made merchandise. These men didn't care where they broke up homes, and everything else. And, what they did. Why? Because all they want is money to fulfill, their lust. Merciful God, if I knew exactly what people tell me, going on some places in the Message. I'd go directly to the Attorney General of Ohio, and I would level a complaint. And, I would say, “Come to this church here, and you'll find how the Branham Message is preached.” We don't believe in these things, that these men are pulling off. Because when the chips are down, they'll soon be down, you and I are going to be branded as adulterers and believe in polygamy, and, God knows what. (Yeah.) Don't think that you won't be hit. The squeeze hasn't hit yet. Well if you want to leave tonight, go ahead and leave tonight. You wonder why I'm nervous, and I can't seem to get anything off my mind anymore. Because I know it's going to hit. I'm being hit for no reason at all by the stuff around me. But, wait until these birds are exposed. 51. Not too long ago, a guy out in Arkansas beat a kid up. The District Attorney went after him. He had to escape the country. Then when that District Attorney, they got a new one, of course, no one was worried about the case. Well, if you think you can beat people up and pull all kinds of stuff? You say they're doing it? Yes, sure they're doing it. Merciful God, I'm not stupid. And, you heard they're going to fall back on fall back on you and me. (15) ... (having) forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; (This is Laodicea, there's lots of money out there.) (16) But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. Now, a prophet got rebuked. But, these guys don't get rebuked. Unless God deals with their heart. (17) (They) are wells without water, clouds carried a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. (18) For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. (19) While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 52. Yeah. And then, people are so scared of preachers. Preacher tells them all kinds of stuff. “If you leave me, you'll be in darkness.” (Ah..Fap!). You can leave any time you want, for all I know you'll be set free to get some light. You want to go? Good bye. Be my guest. Just do me one favour, tell me you're going. I won't have to worry about you. Then don't bother coming back. I'll have one less to worry about. You think "you just smarten up." I'm not smartening up. I don't care if I preach another sermon as far as I'm concerned. There's only one thing that causes me to preach and that's a call to preach. You say, “What about people?” Well, they're secondary. Because, if I've got a call to preach, then there's somebody to preach to. If man's got a call to feed sheep, there'll be sheep to feed. If the man's called to bring in lost sheep, there's lost sheep out there. It's not that they're secondary in a certain sense of the term. But I mean to say, if there's a ministry, there's got to be something out there, that needs a ministry. So I suppose, it's a fifty, fifty proposition. 53. Now, (20) (Perhaps) they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge (from our) Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse...than the beginning. (21) ... better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. (22) But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog (returned) to (the) vomit; and the sow washed her (wallow to) the mire. It tells you right there, they went so far, and they wouldn't go any further. They come right to the place of going in. And who took them in? The Pillar of Fire. And Bro. Branham says categorically, four solid pages, from about 38-42 in Exodus 3, "The Pillar of Fire, takes us into the Millennium." 54. Okay that's as far as we're going to go. Because that's the end of the chapter. I want you to know something: let's understand brother, that Presence was there before Noah. It was there before Sodom and Gomorrah, the Presence was right here on earth on that Second Exodus, and He's right here today. And, the earmarks are all here. And It says, you've got that one sure thing, which you stand on. Which is that Word revealed, which is that Word vindicated. And, the first time anybody opens their mouth and tells you they've got some big revelation you've got to have, you know right then. He hasn't got it. I've never told you one time that you've got to have a revelation, that I have concerning His Presence. I believe with all my heart, I am preaching the truth, there is no way I can understand that I am wrong. But yet, I could be wrong. I could be wrong. I've got no proof. I also told you that Bro. Branham said, “Once you see this Message, that's all you'll see in the Word.” But, the Seventh Day Adventist's can do the same thing. That's all they see it their law. All Pentecost can see is their tongues. All the Baptist can see is eternal security. All anybody can see, is what he believes. So what's the big deal? But, Bro. Branham said, “My ministry is to declare that He is here.” I don't know. I believe He is. I believe He descended with a Shout. I believe He gathered around the Word. I believe the prophet has gathered us in. I believe the Holy Spirit is in our midst, in the sense of the Person, Himself. I believe He's going to change the dead, when He gets through working with us. I believe He'll Rapture us. Takes the Wedding Supper, and when He takes us up there, I believe He's going to incarnate Himself, in the Lord Jesus Christ, our blessed Saviour, He's that one who died upon Calvary, and shed His blood. And, I believe we'll crown Him, King of kings and Lord of lords. He'll be All in all. We'll see Him. I believe that. You believe what you want. And, I thank you very much for being here, so I can talk to you. And, I wasn't mad at anybody. And, I wasn't saying anything to anyone in particular tonight. I was just preaching. And, I have preached, what I wanted to say, and I'm finished. Let's rise. Dear Lord, again we thank you for the love, mercy and grace. We know, Lord God, that we don't have a chip on our shoulders, as far as the people here are concerned. But we do have a right to speak out. I feel I do, Lord, if I say those things that have been brought to my attention. And, Lord, I don't think I'm too wrong in doing it. If I am, I ask you to forgive me, I'm not trying to kick anybody's head off, but, I am, if you allow me to do it. And, to this point, You haven't struck me down. I would not want to have You strike me down, Lord. I would sooner have You talk to me, as You have done previously. And, I know You can tonight. To lead, guide and direct in the way I ought to go. So Lord, and God in heaven, I commend myself to you in this last hour here, in which we're living. To preach the Word of the Lord. As we see them in the Scripture, everything is so very, very clear. Everything is dovetailing. There's not a thing that doesn't harmonize, Lord, as far as we can understand. But, Lord, I do know at this point, I do not have a definitive, revelation as though I've certainly arrived, and all these things. I don't do it, I have not. But, I see, Lord, these things in a degree, and I know, Lord, is You help me that they'll become clearer. I am not afraid to look at them, in the light of what has been presented. For the glory of Almighty God. And, You said, Lord, if a man brings himself to the Light, that's when the sacrifice opens right up. And, as our sacrifice, and, Lord, tonight I know that I've been just as guilty as a lot of people. Just afraid to come to it. And, by that way I'm condemned. If I come to it, then I'm not condemned. So, Lord, tonight I'm ready to come with open heart and open mindedness of every single thing that I've preached. And, I come right to the Blood tonight, to the sacrifice, that has been sacrificed for me and the people here. And, ready to lay everything that I teach right here on the line. And, everything that is in my life. And now those things, Lord, I know a lot of those things are not good, which I have in my life. And I would suppose that there's some, pretty well everybody around the world, has a whole lot less wrong than I have, but, what little wrong they have, has to come to the light too. And so, Lord, tonight I'm willing to come to the Light. And, to bring everything to the Light. For mercy and grace, because I know there's no judgement if I do that, and here's where the devil would try to trick me and everybody else. And so, Father, tonight we commend ourselves, we commission ourselves, and we consecrate ourselves, whatever word we can use, Lord, meaning that we bring ourselves under subjection. Now, to the Light of God. And we just do Lord. Anything at all you can take from us in this hour. You can put the bullet back on track Lord. I mean it, because, Lord, I got to mean it. How could I mean anything else but this, O God? And if anything else is trying to stop me from doing it, it's got to be the devil, because, Your Word said, “This is the condemnation, that Light's come into the world, and men would not come to the Light. Father I'm coming right to the Light, with everything the prophet said, O God. Right to the Light, Lord. In my heart and mind now, I'm giving it to You Lord. That You would just rip off the scales of the inner eye. You rip off the hardness of the heart, to circumcise it, O God, with everything, shape and form, Lord. I'm bringing it right to the Light tonight. That is indeed if I'm understanding the Light. And that is Your job to me, Father. It's Your job, to the people, I can't do anything else. It was Your job to the prophet. How can there be a Light, if You didn't bring it? And, if he wasn't able to be a vessel that could bring it, then no prophet. And if there's not a people then, that could receive a Light, then, it still means there is no prophet. But, Lord, if there is a Light, and a prophet, there's a people for the Light. I stand here before you, to bring everything to the Light. Knowing that, I myself, can be wrong. But, You said, there'd be no condemnation, if we come to the Light. We stand before You tonight, Lord, not to downgrade anybody. But, particularly to warn, and to exhort and admonish. And we, ourselves, know that we are not infallible. We ourselves know, Lord, that we are the least amongst the brethren. But, here we are, Lord, as a little, tiny, tiny group. And we see it very, very clearly etched in Scripture, there's no way around it. And we praise thee, O God, that these things certainly, Lord, that come to our attention, can be inculcated into our very lives, until we become the living Word of God. Right to the very glory that Bro. Branham spoke of. When we shall receive that glory of 2 Corinthians 3 & 4. Now, Lord, we just love You tonight, because You love us. The Word peace, Lord, because You give us peace, rest only because You give us rest. Going on, only because You take us. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be all power and honour and glory through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen. Do You love Him tonight? I think we should love Him tonight, we see the Word of God so clear. You know. I think it's clearer anyway. And if I put my spiritual glasses on which is open my heart to Light, I can begin to know, you can begin to know. If we were blind, or a little bit clouded in our eyes, we can have a cataract operation. We can put on lenses and different things, tone our eyes up in the natural, God made a spiritual way. And, I'm so glad tonight, that everything He does, is so good. You see, there's always some kind of fear, the devil puts upon us. But, there's no fear, brother/sister, of condemnation, if you come to the Light. That's when you can't be condemned, but you're already condemned, even to the Blood stands there, unless you come to the Light. That's why I see people worry, “Where is the Blood? What about it?” What does the Blood do for those who won't come to the Light? It hasn't been any available for a long, long, long, long time. On the Mercy Seat, off the Mercy Seat, what does it matter? He said, “There's condemnation, unless you come to Light.” What Light is there? So, I hope you got something tonight. I talk awful fast, but, I hope you can follow the continuity now, because, it's there brother/sister. You can't escape it. He's here. As far as I'm concerned, and, I'm glad He's here. I'm glad He's here, brother/sister. I'm glad we know righteousness from unrighteousness. That means we can go to the Tree of Life. Right back. Immortality. No theories, no hypothetical premises. Reality. (Yup.) I believe it. I believe it with all my heart. Pretty small heart, but, better exercise, get a bigger heart. (Huh?) Sure, the Lord love you. 2 Peter: Thoughts on the Coming - (3483) Page PAGE 1