Mystery of Iniquity #1 Preliminary done - Final Proofreading needed Bro. Lee Vayle Erie, Pa. March 1972 a. Thank you again. I know it’s a little while, it’s actually about two weeks overdue. But, sometimes it’s just doesn’t work out. Uh…took my little trip out to California, and I guess I just preached out there one time. Then I visited in the jail for about six hours answering questions. And then of course, in Tucson for three services. But that was all the preaching I did out west, because I wanted to get back home. Sometimes it takes a little while to get things worked out, but they always get worked out eventually. That’s the main thing. And of course, in January, I was quite busy trying to help out two or three times in Indiana where they had a problem, and a pastor left the church there. And of course, he’s got another work started. And so, I was able to do a little bit there. So, I didn’t go any distance afield. I’m about ready to go down and make one of those itineraries in the south that I don’t even like to think about. Because there’s so many places to go to. And so many places I won’t be able to go to, even though they asked me to come. And then of course, later on into the Carolina’s, where there are so many places and this is always not only a chore. But it’s …well it’s a chore. [Bro. Vayle chuckles] It kind of scares me, so many, many places, and you don’t go to one, you feel very bad. You have to go to all of them. And it’s pretty difficult. But, the Lord will help me to work it out. At least if I can go in this next month now, and get into Louisiana, and to Texas. And that will pretty well take quite a bit of time. But I feel it’s time to go down there and I believe the Lord will give me real good meetings. b. A little later, I’ll get into Tennessee, part of the Carolina’s and through there. Maybe around April…about April I suppose, and so I look for a real busy time. And try to get up here within the six to eight weeks again, and then to Toronto. I won’t be taking the Toronto meeting this time. So, the Lord keeps me very busy. Although I’ve been home, as I say, a little bit. And then well sometimes we’ve little problems come up, such as dental work, and things like that. So, that keeps me at home. But then, I’m always busy in the weekends. I think I’ve had two weekends off, I don’t know how many months or years…I know last year I didn’t have any weekend off until I’m sure I didn’t have one weekend off until this December. It’s one weekend. That’s all I had off. I started the New Year pretty good, by having one weekend off so far. But I think that pretty well takes care of it. So, I know you’re busy, but, sometimes we have fellows like me who have it nice and easy get a little busy too, and then that's a little problem. …this is life, I had it easy in many respects. But in many respects it’s not. I know I have the prayers of the people, that’s always a great consolation. I know that if it wasn’t for people praying, and helping me, I wouldn’t be able to be in the ministry at all. I particularly think myself very fortunate to come to you folks here. You’ll maybe never know how much help you’ve been to me in many ways. Spiritually, and financially, I don’t think anybody has ever helped me, the way that you have helped me. In fact, I know that to be a fact. c) And this has been very gratifying to me, because it helps me to help others. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be able to help other preachers, who have had problems in other people. It's easy to say, “Well, I’ll do so-and-so.” And it’s nice to do so-and-so for people. I think it’s good. But oftentimes, you don’t have it, to do it with. Then like Paul said. He said, “It isn’t he that hasn’t got that’s obligated, it’s he that has it.” And this is why I’m very happy and appreciate you people, because you’ve made it possible for me to help others, and I haven’t been any John D. Rockefeller mind you, or any Mellon Foundation to gives away vast sums. But, I want to let you know, that what you’ve helped me with here, which has been far beyond what you’ve should have done. I know that you have sacrificed to do it, that I want you to know that it’s helped others too. And this will make you feel…happy to know that, and I know it would make me happy, to know that others have been helped too. And we’ve been able to do it, just because of folk like you people here. I just want you to know that. Appreciate from the bottom of my heart. Lord bless you for it, and the other folk, they won’t know where it’s coming from. They don’t even know why I’m sending it. So, maybe so on Judgement Day, the Lord would get all the glory and you'll be rewarded. Because we’re all in things together. If actually, everybody did right, all the ministers and all the people, we would have a…I mean that includes me, if we all did exactly right, what a blessed thing it would be for all those that are laboring in the Word. And all those that are listening to the Word. d) And together it would be a wonderful display of godly concern, affection, and all those things. And so, we thank the Lord, at least there’s some trying, and some doing. And if we all don’t get around to it, then all right, there’s some doing to it. I always say myself, “If I don’t make the Rapture, somebody is going to make it.” I can tell you that right now, there’s no doubt about it. And if I’m not in that First Resurrection, there’s going to be a certain multitude in there that is. It certainly is, absolutely, there’s no doubt about it. Because that’s ‘Thus Saith the Word’. And so, we know there are certain things that are standard, they’re foundational with the Word of the Lord, and we’ll want to stick with them. Now, tomorrow I’ll start on what could be a very lengthy message. We’ll take it into two parts. I want to speak on ‘the Mystery of Iniquity’, in a series of three. Tonight, we’ll just sort of go into it, and cover it in a measure, then tomorrow, we’ll get right into some real strong material…that I say strong, it’s more detailed, and I think very interesting. Because, it will show us some things that perhaps we have not known before. I know myself, as I studied, I got an insight that I never realized before. And I started out by just taking the message I’ll bring you tonight, on the ‘Mystery of Iniquity’. And then I realize that there was so much more to it. I would never be able to cover 2 Thessalonians without a far longer message. So, that’s why it’ll be in three parts. But it'll all be the ‘Mystery of Iniquity’ from the Word of the Lord. So, let’s bow our heads in a word of prayer. Gracious Eternal Father, we look to You now to be with us, and the meditation of Your Word. The study of It, O God, that we might really understand. Not just to think we understand, but to really understand. That It might be revealed, something, Lord, that becomes a substance. Something we know God. This is what we want, because this is where they were in the day of Paul, when he said that You took joy at the spoiling of goods, because You knew in Yourself, that You had reserved in heaven…a more enduring substance. And, Lord, we want to come to that place of knowledge, where we don't speak, because we think we know, but we do know. And that’s why we speak, because, Peter said, “If any man speaks, let him speak with the oracles of God. ” [1 Peter 4:11] Let it be ‘Thus Saith the Lord’ not that we’re producing it, but that it is, ‘Thus Saith the Lord’. Because It has been brought to us, by the irrevocable revelation which was absolutely vindicated to be such. And this is what we have our hearts tonight set upon, O God. Now, bless those Lord, who couldn’t be with us tonight. We know that some longed to be with us, and could not be. Certain circumstances changing things, but that’s all right. We know that You’re a God that’s above circumstances, and through the blessing, Lord, of their needs and whatever they might have garnered in the message. I know You would be able to get it to them, were able to bring it to them in other channels, not necessarily by the tape, even might be by that. But, Lord, all the ways we know that You are working out, that people might receive from You. Opening all doors and channels, for this end-time. So, there’ll be no doubt whatsoever, but there’ll be a real in-depth revelation, by the Holy Spirit. Now, Father, we’re trusting that tonight to continue the opening of our understanding. To be stronger and stronger, till light fills every block in the temple coming together. No matter what it was, all the beaten gold, and all those things that were already prepared ahead of time. And they all fit together. Lord, we’re looking for every little particle of the Word to fit together, to bring us into the complete revelation. Because we believe this is promised us for the end-time. Grant it, O God, that men’s minds flow in the channel of divine revelation by the Spirit of Jesus Christ in it. No other channel, O God, put a block there we pray. We are of those tonight, Lord, who believe we’ve put our ear to the door, Your door, and the awl mark, the puncture had been in our ear Lord. We cannot ever hear anything else, ever again. But the Word of God, that has been delivered to us by the prophet. We don’t want anything else, Lord. We’ve been spoiled for anything else. Now, help us, Father, to receive It all. And above all, Lord, we pray to help us to live it all, if that be necessary also. In every way, to stand up to the full stature of that man, which is in Christ Jesus. So, Father, we rest ourselves in Your hand tonight, knowing that You heard us, and since we know You’ve heard us, we know we have the petition You desired of us. So, guard every Word is out of our mouth now, Lord, we pray, and match the hearing with It, in Jesus’ Name. Amen. 1. Now, in 2 Thessalonians 2:7 (7) For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth (hinder) will (hinder), until he be taken out of the way. Now, man is so engrossed with creation, because of what he can do with it, and get out of it, that he has lost all sense or sight of reality. And, because of his scientific prowess, …which of course is how he is able to deal with nature, creation. And get so much out of it, such as an excellent living of good things. That he’s living in a dream world, with impending judgement hanging on him. He is so engrossed, he doesn’t know that judgement is just around the corner. And we’re about to come into the greatest catastrophe the world has ever known, or actually will know, in relationship to mankind. Now, this is not an original sin of the Twentieth Century. This is the same sin that brought about the flood. And it’s about to bring about …(as I mentioned) the destruction of our own civilization very, very soon. 2. Now, you can see this from the 1st chapter of the Book of Romans. And beginning at verse 15, we’ll read through to verse 23, Paul says; (15) So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. (16) For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (17) For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (18) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; (19) Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. (20) For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (21) Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (22) Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, (23) And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Now, Paul is telling the Roman church here, or rather, telling the people at Rome, that what they need is a revelation of the true God. Because you can see from here that they do not have a revelation of the true God. And this condition of course, is the same condition that we have today in the Laodicean Church Age. It is the lack of a real definite revelation, from the Lord. This is why Paul said, [Romans 1:] (15) …as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome… (16) For I am not ashamed of the gospel of (Jesus) Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also the Greek. (17) For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 3. Now, the Laodicean Church Age is as I said is in need of a revelation of God, just the same as Paul knew that Rome was in need of a revelation of God. And the reason we need this revelation, is because of our materialism. Of which, I said a while ago, we parallel the day of the flood, who in the day of their wisdom, and their great ability where it became entirely lacking in the real understanding of God…what He was, Who He was, and the relationship of man to God. Now, our materialistic age has led us to believe that communism is the major problem in this world. And it absolutely, is not. Because, this is the thing that’s leaping up the spider web, when you should kill the spider. And the spider web is simply communism, the spider is Romanism. Because, if you were to take a map, and you were to put an ancient map of Catholicism in purple, and then paint the same map in red you will find everywhere where Roman Catholicism is, there is absolutely red-ism. Why? Because, communism was raised up to burn the flesh of the harlot, which it will eventually do. In a very, very short time I believe within the next decade, which is a period of ten years. So, there is a …as Paul was noting here, the Roman people needed a true revelation of Almighty God. So, we today, need a true revelation of Almighty God, because of our materialism. Because the Laodicean Church said, “We’re rich in goods, we’re increased, and we don’t lack a thing.” [Rev 3:17] And they didn’t even know, that God was not even with them any longer, but He was absolutely outside of the church. 4. And this is where these people were too. They did not know, but they thought somehow that God was with them, and they were alright. Now, a true revelation, comes from the revelation of Jesus Christ Himself. There is no other way to get It. You go over to the Book of Galatians 1:6, Paul said, (6) I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: (7) Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. This is a most tremendous thing here, you notice, that Paul marveled that they were literally removed from him, who brought them the Gospel. Who brought them the Gospel? Paul did. And how were they removed from him? By going to another gospel, which meant it was perverted. Because there is only one real Gospel. Paul said, (8) (If) we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. (9) As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that (you) have received, (notice, you have received) … 5. They didn't think they're going up, they came second handed. There’s many people boast of a firsthand information. This, is not Scriptural. It’s secondhand. (9) … let him be accursed. (10) For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. (11) But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel 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. (13) For (you) have heard of my (behavior) in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted … (14) And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. Now, you will notice, that Paul was steeped in the traditions of the fathers. Then he thought that was all right that therein he had a revelation of God. Because you see, God was to him, according to the tradition. Do you follow me now? God, was to him, according to tradition. You see? God has to be according to revelation. Can’t be reproduced. It’s got to be by revelation. And you’ll notice what Paul was doing, when the revelation came. He was persecuting the Christians, and he was living in the tradition of the elders, when God gave the revelation. And he said, “The revelation, was absolutely, one hundred percent different, from what he was in.” It certainly was. And this came of course, by Jesus Christ, Himself. 6. Now, notice how the revealed Word, reveals the very righteousness of God. We’ll go back to Romans 1:17. Paul speaking of this revelation, now notice, keep your finger in Romans here, while I read again, a little bit in Galatians [1:]. [ (6) I marvel (you) are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: See? Now, that gospel…what is that gospel? Let’s find out. [Romans 1:] (17) For therein is the righteousness of God revealed… “I’m going to preach to you the Gospel,” said Paul. Why? Because the Gospel is the revelation of the righteousness of God. This is what the Scripture says. Now, what is this righteousness to God? 7. Keep your finger there, and we’ll go to, 1 Corinthians 1:30, and It says, (30) But of him (that’s God) are (you) in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, … (See?) What’s wisdom? That’s the Word. The Word was made flesh. And Christ is that Word there. (30) … and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: Christ is the righteousness. Now, Paul said that the righteousness of God is revealed in the revelation. The same revelation he had. The same one that he preached. And we know that that righteousness is Christ, Himself. 2 Coranthians 5:21 You get the very same thing repeated. (21) For (God has) made (Jesus) to be sin for us, (a sin offering) who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. What is the righteousness of God? Christ, is the righteousness of God. What has the Gospel revealed? It reveals the righteousness of God. What is the righteousness of God? It is Christ…the person Himself. 8. Now notice, when Paul speaks of this righteousness of God, he goes to verse 18. [Romans 1:] (18) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Now, Paul speaks of a type of righteousness here, …there’s two types, actually…one, is the righteousness of God, and one is the righteousness of man, which God calls unrighteousness. Now, I know it doesn’t seem to say that here. But you just wait, and you will find how this works around that being the truth. Because you see, man has a certain type of a righteousness. Like he worked out his own revelation of God. He didn’t hold the true revelation. He put it out of his mind, and then he walked like Paul did, in no revelation at all. See? Now, the revelation comes. So, there are two righteousness’s. Two types of it. One, is righteousness, and one God calls unrighteousness. And the righteousness of man, is what God actually calls, the unrighteousness that He hates. And he explains them in there. Now notice, It says here, (18) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and (even) unrighteousness … 9. Now, the reason I don’t use that word ‘and’ as a conjunction is, because I believe the word here in the Greek is 'kai', which means ‘even’. And ungodliness is unrighteousness. It’s the same thing. Of man who hold the truth in unrighteousness. Now, God’s righteousness, is a true revelation of Himself to us. Which is the revealed Word. That’s exactly what Paul brought out here. That’s what Bro. Branham brought out. You cannot separate Christ, and that Word. Because He is the Word. I don’t care what He’s dressed up in. You could put the Word under the skin of a man, or the skin of a goat. I’m talking now of goat skins and sheep skins and badger skins. They wouldn’t make any difference. It is still the Word. And that’s what we’re dealing with tonight. The word 'righteousness'…Christ, is the Word revealed. And Christ, is the righteousness of God revealed. And so therefore, it is the Word revealed. Paul brings us this revelation. Now notice, what It says in here about the other group of people. He says: (18) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 10. Now notice this, God calls these unrighteous men, ungodly, because they hold the truth in unrighteousness. Now, what does this mean…to hold the truth in unrighteousness? Now this is where we’re going to get our understanding of the righteousness of men, which is unrighteousness before God. And what God call righteousness, and what God calls unrighteousness. See? Right in here. Now, it’s the refusal of the truth, and the repression of the revelation. See? You follow now? How could one man have righteousness, and the other unrighteousness, if there wasn’t …if they didn’t have something to do with each other? You couldn’t have it. Do you follow me? It’s just like it’s a breed of cattle. There’s Herefords, and there’s Angus, and there’s Short-horns, …they are all in there. Then you can take a buffalo and go cross it with a cow, or visa versa, and you’ll get a [beefalo]. You see? What I’m trying to show you here, which we’re getting into, is that a fact of perversion, stronger and stronger. The more you study this Message, the more you’re going to find the thing is perversion. There is nothing but perversion. So, you didn’t have righteousness, what is unrighteousness? See? You see there’s got to be a root in your life, the true Word. They both come from the fact there is a root word ‘right’. Rightness, and unrightness. See? There’s a root in here. So, when we deal with righteousness, you’ve got to deal with it as unrighteousness and righteousness, and they’ve got to come together somewhere, in order to create an understanding. 11. Now, here it says here, “God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness even all unrighteousness…who hold the truth in unrighteousness.” [Rom1:18] Now, there’s your key right there. The unrighteousness of men, is are men and women holding the truth in unrighteousness? See? Like Bro. Branham said, “There’s only one sin, it’s unbelief.” Every other sin is an attribute of unbelief. See? Like robbing, “Thou shall not steal.” Why? Well, God says a man’s got to work to live. He’s going to have an inquisitive nature that God gave him to acquire things. What does he do? He goes to the fields, he gets it by stealing, instead of working for it. See? It’s a perversion. There’s no such thing as sin outside of unbelief. There’s only one sin. See? It is so. So, what is it? It’s belief, and unbelief. People gave that unbelief. What man’s unbelief? When you follow right down to it, what is it? It’s that which is based upon true belief, but rejected. What’s unbelief in divine healing? Now, if there’s no divine healing at all, you couldn’t have unbelief. Do you follow me? If there’s no…if there was no divine healing, you would be a believer to deny it. (See?) There’s only unbelief, if there’s something there to begin with. So, there’s only unrighteousness there when there’s something there to begin with. Do you follow now what I’m talking about? All right, that’s good. We’ll go from here again. Now, It says here, that these people, they not only refuse the Truth, but they repress It. They stop others from getting It. Why? Because, they want their own way, and they go about doing their own will. This is exactly perversion. See? Right back to what Bro. Branham taught us. 12. Now remember, what we talked about here the last time, In 1 John 3:7-12, this will come out more and more. It’ll come right up to the end time in the Laodicean Age, and it’s absolutely fantastic. (7) Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. Now, there’s a hook-up here, with us and God. There’s something in here, that makes us equivalent to Jesus Christ. Right? It says here, (7) … he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. Puts you right on par with Jesus. No, (8) He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, … 12. Now, which beginning of course? The beginning of sin. That’s where it all came from. We’ll watch it. Now, this purpose was the Son of God manifested, or revealed. What purpose? (8) …(they) might destroy the works of the devil. What works? Unrighteousness. See? Brings you right back to where you were taken away from it. Is that, right? Now, is that right? Do you follow me now? Okay…good. Now, (9) Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: (that tells you why he can’t do it. Then It says) and he cannot sin, because( he's) born of God. Any more than a rock can fly, because, it hasn’t got any wings. It’s incapable. (10) In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: (one will do it, one won’t) whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. (11) For this is the message that (you) heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. (12) Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous. So therefore, the evil work was called what? Unrighteousness. Is that, right? Certainly. That’s all there is to it. Now notice, he killed his brother. Why? Because his work was unrighteous. The killing his brother wasn’t the unrighteous work. Do you follow me? That was the attribute that came into manifestation, because of his unrighteousness. Like Bro. Branham said, [correction] “What is adultery?” He said, “That’s not the sin.” He said, “It’s a perversion.” See? Unbelief is the sin. Getting your perversion in here. 13. Now, look at this then. Let’s go back to see what happens back there in the day of Cain. So, we turn back to the day of Cain, like we did the last time. We went to Genesis 4:7 (7) If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? … Now, there you are right now. One man is not doing it. What’s he doing then? Unrighteousness. Is this right? Certainly. (7) …and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door… There’s something that’s going to help you. There’s a sin offering. Now, what is our sin offering? Now tell me, who is he? Christ…right? And what was He? The Word. Isn’t that what God was telling Cain right here? If He wasn’t, why is He talking to him? What is He doing? He is giving him instruction. Now He said, “Do you want to know how to be right? I’m going to tell you how. I don’t care what a man does, I don’t care what any man does, if it’s not based a hundred percent on the Word…out. Out.” Now, this sounds tough, but, I’m preaching what Bro. Branham taught. I’m not preaching my own ideas. But I accept what he taught. And when I accept what he teaches, I find the whole Bible from Genesis to Revelation, is nothing but what Bro. Branham taught. Right? Certainly. He gave an instruction. (7) …And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. (See?) In other words, you’ll take absolute full advantage, the absolute full advantage of Jesus Christ, will make us as righteous as He is. Is that, right? Now, this is all this guy has got to do. Now, what does the Septuagint say…which is the Greek to the English. Which is the best. Thou hast offered right. Yet, if thou hast not rightly divided, (what? The Word) hast thou not sinned? Now, what was this man doing? He was outside the Truth by refusing the Truth. Now, is that correct? All right. Cain was holding the Truth in unrighteousness. Why? He refused to abide by the revealed Word of Almighty God, in his day. He wouldn’t accept it. And he went about doing what he wanted to do. Now, notice though. 14. Let’s go back to Romans 1:17-18 again. I just want to check this out to see our point because, no use not using the Book every minute we’ve got a chance to. Now notice, and 18th (17) For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: (In where? The Word.) The just shall live by faith. Now notice, verse 18 again. (18) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness (even) unrighteousness… Because there is nothing ungodly…which is apart from God unless it’s apart from the Word, and if It’s the Word, it’s got to be God. Is that, right? Huh? Certainly. I don’t care what anybody says. Because we know we’re standing on the ground that Bro. Branham taught us. And notice now these people, these unrighteous men who hold the truth in unrighteousness. Now what is it 'holds the truth' in the Greek mean? As I said, it means the refusal of the truth, and the repression of it. Now, I want to ask you a question. Did Cain refuse the truth? Certainly did. Did he repress it from those who wanted it? He killed his brother. What more could you want? Right back to the beginning. Tracing the whole thing through, and showing you. See? Refusing it. Thereby refusing identification with Christ. Because remember, the animal was the type of Jesus. See? You can tell…listen, Jesus hadn’t even died in those days, just an animal took His place. And if they could get by on the blood of an animal, you know they only got by for one reason. The Word. The Word is the only reason. You see? Follow? Because that's what they had. Isn't that what he said here? "The sin offering, (he said) you offered right, (he said) you made the right sacrifice which was grain, and the nice pretty things.” But he said, “You’ve got it wrong, because you didn’t divide the Word. Put the blood first.” Now he said, … “Now, you do this and you’re okay.” But Cain wouldn’t do it. See? He went his own way. 15. Now, let’s go to Romans 10:1-7 (1) Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. Well, if they’re going to be saved, why pray for them? Let’s read now. (2) For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. So therefore, Paul says here, “I don’t care how much zeal you’ve got, and how much you try to serve God, and anything else, you’d only have the zeal, but you’re not saved.” Because it’s not according to knowledge. What knowledge? Divine knowledge. Revelation. Now listen. (3) For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. So, what is their righteousness? It is unrighteousness, or God would have accepted it. See? (4) For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth. Believe what? The Word. But, they wouldn’t do it. See? (5) For Moses (ascribes) the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. (6) But the righteousness which is of faith… Which is what? To believe the Word, apart from works. Nothing to do with works. (6) … (think upon) this wise, Say not in thine heart, (don’t puzzle it. See? It doesn’t ask questions.) Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down.) (7) Or, Who shall descend … (that is, to bring up Christ from the dead.) Faith, does not ask questions. Believers, don’t ask questions. The Elect, don’t ask questions. They believe. You say, “Well, can’t I ask a question?” No! You may seek information, but you don’t ask questions. Because, to question, is to doubt. Because that’s what they’re doing here. Questioning is to refuse the vindicated promise. So, this was a vindicated promise. Who’s going to bring Him down? When He dies, who is going to bring Him up? Why, I could have a great time here. Who is this fellow you talk about, this Jesus? Oh, He was God manifest in flesh. Well, I heard they killed Him. You mean, God’s dead? Well, who’s going to raise God, if we killed God, who’s going to bring Him alive? You could ridicule, you could argue, you could question. To seek information, is a different thing entirely. You don’t question, the vindicated revelation. You take further information on a point, you don’t understand perhaps. 16. Notice, but what said It? [Romans 10:8-10] (8) The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, (You simply become a parrot.) and in thy heart: that is, if you have the word of faith, which (He preaches) in your heart. See?) (9) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, … That simply means the word ‘confess’, to say the same thing. Same thing as what? What Paul said. (9) …and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; … Where is it now? It's faith, it's a heart faith, that brings you righteousness. Then, what brings you unrighteousness? It’s the lack of a heart faith that dispute the revealed Word. (10) …and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. What confession again? Saying the same thing. (11) For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (See, notice, that Word, now) believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (12) For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. But notice, in the 11th verse now, (11) For the scripture (says) Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. That’s good. That’s a fine verse. 17. But, let’s go now to John 7:37 see what It says there. (37) In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. (38) He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, … What does It say? Believeth on Me, as the Scripture has said. If you don’t believe on Him, according to Scripture, …your faith is vain. Your believing has got to be as the Scripture teaches. Paul’s gospel. See? Jesus said that. Not a matter of a man believing. See? It’s what the man is believing, because everybody believes. See? 18. Now, with that, let’s go to John 8: and follow this through. Beginning at verse 37. Jesus said, (37) I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but (you) seek to kill me, because my word (has) no place in you. That’s what It says. Right? Listen to John 5:38 (38) And (you) have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him (you) believe not. What if God sent a mule down the road? That He had the truth, you didn’t believe it? It proves you wouldn’t have His Word in you. Right? And if God sent a prophet, and you didn’t believe him, what would that prove? Prove you didn’t have His Word in you. Jesus said here, (37) (My Word He said)… you seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. What place was there in those men? The place, was for the creeds and the dogmas. (38) I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and (you) do that which (you) have seen with your father Jesus and the Pharisees and the Scribes had two different fathers. (39) They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If (you) were Abraham's children, (you'd) do the works of Abraham. 19. What were Abraham’s works? Faith. Because if faith…let’s look at that. Romans 4:2. Now: (2) For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. (3) …what (says) the scripture? Never mind, anybody else, what does the Bible say? Say, "I’ve read all about Abraham." I don’t care if you ever read about Abraham. That has nothing to do with it. I read about Abraham Lincoln too. That didn’t make me Lincoln. Read all you want about Abraham, what does the Bible say? (3) …Abraham believed God, and it (the believing) was counted unto him for righteousness. (See?) 20. Okay. Back to John 8: (41) (You) do the deeds of your fathers… What were the deeds of their fathers? What did Cain do? Mis-divided the Word. Repressed the truth, refused the truth and repressed it. Right? Certainly. Now, (41) … Then (they) said … We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. They were going to tell Him right there, that we can pray for our ancestry back to Abraham. That makes it, that we’re not what You say we are. It makes it what we say we are. And He said, (42) … If God were your Father, (you'd) love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Now, everybody cannot say that comes as a messenger to the ages, that see He proceeded from God, but, they can say, (42) … I (did not come) of myself, but he sent me. And that’s what Jesus said. He said, “If you don’t receive Who the Father sends, you've turned down God.” (43) Why do (you) not understand my speech? even because (you) cannot hear my word. Hearing, and understanding are the same thing, as Bro. Branham taught us that. (44) (You) are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father (you'll) do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, (notice that?) because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (45) And because I tell you the truth, (you) believe me not. (46) Which of you convinceth me of sin?... 21. "Which one of you can refute me, or confute me in one single word?" Said Jesus, “Where can you find Me in one word?” Notice that, this is the very thing that Bro. Branham taught. One word is all it took to destroy the human race. Then, if it took one word, if we can find one man that is not off of one word, we can come under him, and come right back in. Why? Because we were not the ones who did this. We’re the silent victims, that stand by…as I preached here a long time ago, ‘the righteousness of God’, imputed showed you, that you were heir to your disgrace, and sinful nature, the same as you were for your height, and your girth, and your color of your eyes, and your hair. You fell heir to it. See? So, one word that you can confute in one word, or, …it’s not ‘refute, it’s confute’…which finding in one place, as Bro. Branham said, “Show me one Word, I failed to fulfill.” (See?) (45) (And if) I tell (say) the truth, (why do you not) believe me. (47) He that is of God, heareth God’s Word. (Now, there you are.) He that is of God heareth God's words: (you) therefore hear them not, because (you) are not of God. 22. Now, let’s just keep our finger here, and swing back to that verse in 1 John again. Let’s take a look at that. [1 John 3:] (9) Whosoever is born of God doth not (commit sin) … What is it then? Whosoever is born of God does not refuse truth, does not refuse to listen. That’s right. See? Right down the line. Now, see what Israel did there in Jesus’ day. When Jesus…this is John 8: They were just like kings dead, and so there is death to all, who hold the truth in unrighteousness. That is being perverted by their creeds and their dogmas, and they sell it to others. 23. This is exactly, what happened in the beginning, because everything had to go back there. Genesis 2:9 See? You always go back to the beginning, as Bro. Branham taught us. (9) And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Verse 17 (17) But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day (of the eating of it, dying) thou shalt surely die. It says right here, if you eat of this tree, it’ll kill you. Anything that’ll kill you is not good to eat. Now It says, that every tree that is good to eat, grew out of the ground. So therefore, this tree did not grow out of the ground. And there’s no such thing as a tree that doesn’t grow out of the ground. Right? So, therefore, the tree is a symbol, (its esoterical) Hasn't got a thing to do with eating. See? What is it? It’s perversion. Because if God made everything good, then there was nothing in this earth that was evil. Right? So, there was nothing in the earth that was good and evil. So therefore, everything that was good, and it was what you did with it that made it good or bad. Now, what is a knowledge of good and evil? The knowledge of good and evil is nothing but the use of the right knowledge in the wrong way, turning it down, whichever way you want to put it. All there is to it. There’s nothing else, or place you can go. 24. There’s nothing in this world, there’s not one thing in this world right now that's bad in itself. Radium, that it’ll kill you, not if you leave it where God put it. Certainly not. Arsenic, not a thing wrong with it. Leave it where God put it. Noticing, there isn’t one thing that God made that you can lay a finger on. There isn’t a thing right now, you can lay a finger on. It’s what man has done is what God put here. That’s why I said a while ago, the preoccupation with what man can do with nature, has so mislaid him from a true revelation of God, it's heading right to another deluge, it is going to be a fire instead of a flood it's going to wipe them all away, and they won't even know what hit them. See? What is the secret? It’s the complete perversion of reality. There’s no reality left. See? Now what did Eve do? She took the knowledge of the good...See? ...and perverted it. You can argue and say, “What did God give them sex organs for?” What have I got breasts for? They're not to feed the baby or anything else. What if it had enough strength to kill a man for? Take a knife and hack her to pieces. Just because I’ve got something, and I’m able to do something, does that mean I’m supposed to do it? See? You’ve got eyes that can see, so you’re supposed to look at the wrong things? The mouth that can talk, will say wrong things? Feet that can go down wrong paths. The right path, …you’re supposed to take the wrong path? There’s nothing evil in itself. The Bible says that. You know that as well as I do. There’s nothing evil of itself. And there was nothing evil here, because God did not create an evil thing. And the whole thing lies in what? The knowledge of good and evil. Refusing the truth, and suppressing it. That’s right. 25. Eve received the truth, heard the devil’s lie, and what happened? The kid came by the womb now, instead of out of the ground. See? Now, watch what Bro. Branham said in 'The Greatest Battle Ever Fought' [ 62 03 11] page 21. "A man cannot sin until he first casts aside God’s Word." Watch just what Eve did. (See?) Now, how was this done originally? By side-stepping it. See? Side-stepping it. This is exactly what Bro. Branham said. He said, "He stepped aside." You know, that man, did not know one word of the Greek, but every word he said, was perfect with the Greek. That’s why I say this, “If I cannot find what Bro. Branham said in the Greek, I know I’m not hearing him right.” Now, I’m not hearing him right. But he couldn’t make one mistake in the Greek or the Hebrew. For that’s original Word of God. Check it out for yourself, he never has made a mistake in it. This is exactly what Paul is trying to tell us. Disbelieve one Word…now listen, disbelieve one Word, misplace one Word, misinterpret one Word, misapply one Word, and it spells unrighteousness. Which spells death. Why? Because they’re not identified with the Word, which is righteousness. Right? Now remember, what I said about this Word a while ago. The blood of an animal, never did it. Couldn’t do it. Where do they get the results? Believing that Word. Identification with the Word. Then the Word which was symbolized by animals became flesh. Now, you’ve got perfect identification. How? Through the Word. Because the Word became flesh. That animal wasn’t the Word. No. But the Word became flesh. Now through identification. 26. Now, let’s go back to the revealed Word, that same Word revealed by the Holy Spirit. You’re right back to where God wants you. Right? Sure, because that’s where you went from. Certainly. See? It is clear, just coming as we go on, becomes clearer and clearer. Now, Bro. Branham said, “Misplace, misinterpret, misapply, it spells death.” Notice, back here again in [Romans 1: 19-21] (20) For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (21) (But) because that, when they knew God, … (I read 20-21, let's read 19) (19) Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. Notice, notice how it was, it is known in them. Because God showed it to them. And how does God show things? Through revelation. Now, for the invisible things Him the creation the world, are clearly seen. Being understood, by the things they usually do, eternal power and Godhead, they are without excuse. 27. Now, It says that they knew better than, to do this. See? They knew better. Now, let’s watch it now. What? Do what? To hold the truth in unrighteousness. Is that what we’re talking about? To turn it down, and to request it. Is that, right? And It says, they knew better. What did Bro. Branham say to these Pentecostal preachers? He said, “They knew better.” Certainly, he’s right. Absolutely. They knew better. They already had it. They knew that he was that one. They knew he had the Message. And they knew he had the vindication. Don’t tell me they didn’t. So, I said, "They can consider what they want." Back in that same meeting when I was in Canada, the first time with Bro. Branham, he stood up there, and he said, “I challenge you to bring twenty-four of your worse cases, I’ll guarantee healing for all. Or, (he said) let them go through the prayer line and take their chance. Where fifty percent get healed.” What do you want, audience? Would you take twenty-four. Oh, I wished to God they would’ve taken those twenty-four. If they’d ever taken that twenty-four. No, they all got selfish. But do you know what? A hundred percent got healed. You'd have torn the building apart. If they’d ever taken the twenty-four, that thing would’ve rolled around the world like a thunder cloud, and a Pillar of fire, and God knows what it would’ve looked like. And blazing across the horizon, until every person was jolted. Twenty-four miracles, guaranteed, everyone. The ...?... even turned down. Something happened, something screwy happened. Man I…twenty-four…listen, what would happen if in your faith, twenty-four were healed? You'd have torn the building apart. There wouldn't have been one person wouldn't have been healed. See, they turned down God’s greatest vindication. He said one time, “Bring me your worst case, he got just little girl got healed, but, bring me twenty-four.” 28. In that meeting, there was a Pentecostal preacher’s polio daughter. (Polio case, crippled up) was healed, from a terrible condition. But he couldn’t wait to run Bro. Branham down, because Bro. Branham preached one God. He knew better than that. Not judging the man. But he knew better than that. When he saw a man stand there saying, “Bring me twenty-four of your worse cases.” If this man was wrong, how could God back him? Because there’s no man can guarantee the reason I’ll walk out of this door tonight. The best he can do is say, “Under the present condition, I’m a hundred percent certain I’m going to go.” And I’d say, “A hundred percent? Well, ninety-nine and ninety-nine percent.” But you couldn’t be a hundred. Because there’s nobody knows this. You walk out there, “Well, I did it, didn’t I?” He had his day coming though. He’ll carry you. Head or feet first, but you know, you’d be carried. See? 29. Now listen. They knew it took a revelation from God. And they knew how God gives the revelation of His Word. Because it’s over here in Deuteronomy 18: all laid out for us. Verse 15. (15) The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; (16) According to all that thou (heard) in Horeb (and so on) … Now, verse 19 (19) … whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him. In other words, In My name is ‘Thus Saith the Lord’. Now, verse 20. (20) But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. (21) And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? 30. Now, here’s your test. When a prophet speaks in the Name of the Lord, ‘Thus Saith the Lord’, if the things fall not, nor come to pass, that is the thing that the Lord has not spoken. But the prophet spoke it presumptuously…thou shall not be afraid of him. But, if such a man appears on the scene, you’re supposed to be afraid of him, and you’re supposed to hear him. They knew how it came. Israel knew how it came. This age knew how it came. See? But notice in [Romans 1:] 21. (21) Because when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, (their reasonings, see?) and their foolish heart was darkened. See? This was identical to Cain. Because Cain turned down the revelation. And when he did, his foolish heart was darkened. In other words, you don’t have to be a fool, which in the Scripture is, “The fool said in his heart, there is no God.” [Ps 14:1] You can be absolutely a fool, by turning down a revelation. See? 31. Now, but by the time the flood came, through scientific reasoning, they have got a new kind of a god. Which was the god of their own imagination, which is reasoning, and not the Word. See? What happened? When the time came, after they turned down the true revelation, what happened? God sent the catastrophe, because they made the God of their imagination. You always come to catastrophe. Just like God wiped out Israel 70 AD, scattered them around the world. Blood flowed in the streets, just like water. It’s going to flow again, too. See? It was the god of their reasoning. Some made men God. It said, "The human race is God." Others became pantheists. Others degraded Him to a lowly type of worship which is ridiculous. In other words, the things of their hands, even what they made, they called God. But, as long as you worship some kind of a god, you were accepted by the crowd. That’s right. The same thing today. This brought on depravity, immorality, murder, anarchy until God in mercy, destroyed them. The same thing happens right today again, in 2 Timothy 3: But, before the flood, there were two prophets that came to warn them. Two times. Enoch typing the Rapture, and Noah typing the one, that appears to the Jews before the flood. Before the fire…see, before the final end. 32. Now, notice what came next, after this great flood. God revealed Himself to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And the children of Jacob, until he gave a natural revelation of himself through Moses. He revealed himself by the Word. That’s all they had left. The Pillar of Fire wouldn’t work anymore. It was called off. God speaking by thunder, wouldn’t work anymore. It was called off. So, God had to use the prophet. It became then a revelation by the Word. But what did Israel do? They sinned at Baal Peor, which is fornication with a group that was so much like them, they got taken in. Said, “Join us, we’re related, we believe in one God, (See?) we’ve got a lot of points together in common”. So, they committed spiritual fornication, and God never did forgive them, because it hybridized the people. It’s a type of the world religion. Then there was Korah and Dathan, and Abiram, they left the Word for the gifts. Then Israel left the Word for the miracles. And at Kadesh Barnea, though they had the blood sacrifice. see? and came out, they never went in. They died because of unbelief. The Bible says, they did not believe the Word, preached. That’s all they had to do, is, believe the Word. People says, "Well, the thing is they should’ve gone out and defeated the other nations." That didn’t have anything to do with it, all they had to do, is believe the Word, God would take care of the nations. See? You read it for yourself. Hebrews 3:7 (seven verses); 4:2. Now notice, these all died in the wilderness. But, history goes on. And God sent them a messenger again, before He revealed Himself in human form. That’s right. God sent a messenger again. For had He not done so, He would’ve had to destroy everybody, because of their unrighteousness. 33. Let’s go to Luke 1:13-17. Now, notice what I said, there? God sent a messenger before He revealed Himself, came on the scene in human flesh. Had He not done so, He would have destroyed them, because of unrighteousness. (13) … the angel said unto (Zacharias), Fear not, …thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. (14) And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. (15) For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. (16) And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. (17) And he shall go before (the Lord, God) in the spirit and power of (Elijah), to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; … Notice the disobedient. What is disobedience? Those who step aside, even through ignorance. What’s He going to do? To turn to the wisdom of the just. The wisdom of God. What is the wisdom of God? That’s Christ. What is the wisdom of God? The Word. (17) …to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. In other words, there was nobody ready for God, unless John came. Now, if they weren’t ready for God, what’s going to happen? 34. Well, let’s just find out. Malachi 4:5-6 (5) Behold, I send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: Any day that God comes, can be a great and dreadful day of the Lord. (6) And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. Now, what was He going to do? He was going to come. Now, did the Lord come? He came as the Holy Ghost in the form of a dove, which was God Almighty. Because God filled the vessel. Remember that God, according to the Scripture, that Jesus Christ was the fulness of the Godhead bodily. That’s right. Now then, when God appeared as the dove, then He would have destroyed, except for the fact that He had His messenger. See? That’s exactly right. Now, this is no idle assumption, on my part. 35. Let’s go back to Romans again. Romans 1:18. Now, he’s said, Paul speaking here ahead of this Gospel, for he reveals Him face to face. Now listen. Here’s why you’ve got to have what we’re talking about. (18) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness (even) unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Now, what’s the wrath of God? Not the judgement of God, that’s the White Throne. But the personal anger of God. Now, if it weren’t for the fact, that God has sent His messenger, and there were people, who were already to hear the Word. In other words, when God appears, that the people would be there, waiting for Him. All you could do is just destroy every single person, lock, stock, and barrel. Why? Because of His personal anger. He couldn’t do it. How can God come today, without personal anger? Because at the end-time, there’s nothing here to come to. That’s why He sent a messenger, …?...with the Word. 36. Now notice, what happened under John, as John the Baptist. The Elect, came to the revealed Word of God. Christ was the revealed Word. Who came? The Elect. Why? Because John was there, to turn their hearts through the bringing of the truth for their day. What to look for. “Behold the lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world.” [Jn 1:29] There, He’s standing among you. See? And those that John brought to Jesus, were the Elect. And because he brought them, then when the Holy Ghost fell upon Jesus, making God in their very presence, then He could not destroy through His personal wrath and anger, because, there’d be no one there to accept. And He couldn’t just take John. Because John was a clear case of…well it’s so strange… John’s part of his case was so strange, and so different from yours and mine, because, he had the Holy Ghost before he was even born. See? You can’t number him, quite like us. See? He’s farther in God. See? Now, but then after Pentecost. Notice again now going up in history. After Pentecost, the same thing happened to the church, as happened in Eden. Remember, this is to the church. See? Because Israel is the church in the wilderness. Acts 20:30 Paul saw the elders perverting the gospel. In Revelation 6:2 John saw the white horse rider, which was so close to reality, as to deceive all, but the very Elect. Peter prophesied concerning the end-time, that God would pour His Spirit upon all flesh. And there would be two groups of people identical, except for the Word. 37. Now, Paul gives us the exact account of all of this, in 2 Thessalonians. Now we go to 2 Thessalonians [2:], I’m doing it this way to try and trace the history and show you all I can. How this thing is working. (1) Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, Okay, Paul said the same thing. [1 Thessalonians 4:] (14) (Do you) believe that Jesus died and rose again(?) Even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. (See?) God coming. Peter coming. Now, the complete gathering. [2 Th 2:] (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: (don’t let it happen at all) …that day shall not come, except there (be) a falling away first, (because the) 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 sitteth 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 (hinders) will (be hindering), 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, 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; (See, your key words in there?) because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. Isn’t that exactly what Paul said about the Israelites? See? All their zeal and everything else, wouldn’t do them any good because they didn’t have the revelation. (11) And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe (the) lie: … Not a lie, but, the lie. (12) That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (See?) Now, notice that…this is that mystery of iniquity. This is what we’re talking about, at the end-time. 38. Now, what did Jesus say, back here in Matthew 7: Let’s go back and look at It. (21) Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? in thy name have cast out devils? in thy name done many wonderful works? (23) …then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, (you) that work iniquity. (See?) 39. Now, Mattthew 24: 24 (24) For there shall arise false Christs, (even lying) prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (25) Behold, I have told you before. Now, let us take a good look at that unrighteousness, that man calls righteousness. Because that’s what he’s depending on. His own perversion. It is the mystery of iniquity. Is what it is. It is men and women worshipping God, doing the works of God, claiming to be God’s own Elect. But the true revelation of the Word, has been rejected. And is suppressed. In other words, the Word test failed them. They can do everything, but stay with the Word. They say they are in the Word, just like Cain. They act just like Israel. They preach and teach, and carry out the commandments of God in their own ways. But they can’t go Word by Word, with the revelation, as It says in Isaiah 28: 40. Now remember, Isaiah 28: …we don’t have time to go into it tonight…is the end-time chapter. Notice what It says., verse 12. (12) To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith (you) may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. (13) But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken. Now, how in the name of common sense, can you have the Word of God come in you, and you be taken in a snare? Only one way. Because you’re rejected. He hammers it down, precept upon precept, line by line, Word by Word, hammers it down. They just turn it down, turn it down. Just like the serpent, if you can believe that whether that's spiritual. The woman never did get with the serpent…that’s a lie. For that would offend her, it degrades womanhood. That doesn’t degrade her at all. I bet he was a finer man than all the skunks they are living with right now. So, close to man, you couldn’t tell them apart, except that one looked like a giant. Great big huge fellow, handsome guy. Sure, he was just a seducer. Some of these guys are worse. See? 41. Now listen, back here again to this 2nd chapter of 2 Thessalonians, verse 7, (7) For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: … Where is it working? In the church. See what the God of their imagination has done? This takes us to communism. This is God…this isn’t God as they know it. This is godlessness, which is unrighteousness. See? It’s in the church. It’s iniquity…the mystery of iniquity, in the church. 42. Let’s find out if this is right. Turn to Matthew 13: might as well nail it down. No use teaching the thing half way, we’re going to teach it more than half way. Verse 24. (24) …(The) parable …saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: What is? The kingdom of heaven. What happened? A man sowed bad seed. Let’s go to verse…same chapter. Turn now to verses 31-32. (31) Another parable … The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: (32) Which is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and (becomes) a tree, so that the birds of the air (and every time you see a bird in the air, it means something foul and rotten, devil, wickedness, rottenness) lodge in the branches… Okay, verse 33. (33) Another parable …The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman … hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. Trinitarian gospel. Trinitarian dogma. Until there’s nothing but Trinitarian at the end-time, or you’re going to die. It’s in the church. The mystery of iniquity is in the church. The white horse. 32. I want to show you how Bro. Branham…the Greek was so perfect, he didn’t even know it… he said, “First of all, came forth the white horse. Right? Then, came a red horse. Then, came a black horse. Then came what? Pale horse.” Do you know what he said? He said, “These were all the same horses poured in one.” You know what the Greek says? Brindle. And a brindle horse, is all colors in one. He didn’t know one word, about the Greek. As I said a while ago, “Check it out, to see if you’re believing right.” See? Not trying to make knowledge, some kind of a criterion. Well, let’s see if this man’s such a great servant of God, he shouldn’t say one thing off that Word. I’ve yet to find in just one place, off the Word. Notice, the mystery of iniquity in the church. And the Bible speaks of a fouled up, church at the end-time. That’s where it is. See? It’s your church system, that started out as the Bride. Until she ends up as a rock and roll filth. Filthy trap of some description. Notice, in verse 7. [2 Thessalonians 2:] (7) …mystery of iniquity… Iniquity in the Greek, is ‘lawlessness’. Also, that word in the 8th verse, ‘wicked one’ means also, lawless one. See? It’s called ‘lawlessness’. 44. Let’s go to1 John 3:4 (4) Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: … Breaks the law. How in the world can you break a law? If you ever broke a law, the law would be finished. You can’t break a law. You take the law and use it the way God didn't intend it to be used. For sin is lawlessness. How can you have lawlessness? There’s no such thing as ‘lawlessness’. Everything has got a law behind it. Nothing that doesn’t have a law. or it wouldn’t be here. Lawlessness, is annihilation. Let God pull back His laws, there's nothing. All things were made by Him. All things maintained by Him. Take that away …phfft…gone. There’s no such thing. Tells you what it is…lawlessness. That’s why he’s the lawless one, it’s iniquity, it’s unrighteousness. It’s perversion. See? 45. Isn’t this exactly what we saw back in Matthew the 7th chapter? (22) Many (shall come) in (my) name, (and say), Lord, (haven’t I) cast out devils? (and done these things?) (23) (He doesn’t deny it, He said) unto them, I never knew you (though): (you) (worker of) iniquity. You lawless one. Now, they did it by a law. See? But they were wrong in what they were doing. They did it outside of the Word. See? 46. Now, notice in that 12th verse, down here in, 1 John [3:] (12) Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, …(that lawless one.) Who was that lawless one? The devil. See? What did he do? He had charge of angelic… all the host of heaven, worshipping God, and guarding the Word. What did he do? He took his authority and power, and perverted it, according to what he did against the Word. See? That wicked one. That lawless one. What did he do? Because of his evil works, which is what? It’s a perversion of the Word. The unrighteousness. See? Now, man so taken…listen now, what I started with, …man with his mind, looking at nature, loving all these things, failing God. Now, in the Laodicean Age, materialism, turns to a Spiritualism, …and I’m using it in a good sense now…not devil spirit. See? Is they’re so preoccupied with gifts, and signs, and wonders, and big programs, and everything going for God. Then, what happens? They take creation, more than the Creator. They take the gifts, instead of the Giver, which is the Word; cast the Word outside, worship the God of their imagination, and end up in the anti-Christ’s lap. See? God’s chosen place of worship, is Christ the Word. His Name is only in one gate. 47. All else offends and must be gathered up and burned. For every plant which My Heavenly Father has not planted, must be burned. And you could only plant the plant by taking the laws of God, and perverting it. It’s exactly, because, the woman has reproductive organs, and the serpent had reproductive organs. But they should never have come together. See? Nor should Adam have touched his wife. I never could figure some of those things. But pondering it today, I’ve got some thoughts on it, beginning to clean up the Book of Life now. Think I understand but, seeing some more light on it now. But, that’s beside the point, this minute here. Just keep my point in mind, that never should’ve happened. See? Except under God’s order. That’s why you’ve got such a mess today for. See? All else, offends. And must be gathered and bound and burned. But beloved, we do not need to be in doubt about the end-time. We can be sure, because God promised us in Malachi 4:5-6, there would be a restoration of that which is lost. See? 48. In Revelation 10:7 the last age messenger, revealed all the mystery. See? Revealed who is Elijah, and sows the seed of the entire Bible. He revealed Luke 17:30, which is the Son of man. The vindicated prophet William Branham, came just like Luke 1:17. Let’s watch this now, to get what we’re supposed to do. Because you’ll see as John the Baptist was the forerunner of the end-time, Elijah, then it’s got to be the same thing, because, they’re both Malachi 4:5-6. And He shall go before him, 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 a people prepared for the Lord. What was he going to do? He was going to turn the hearts of the children, back to the fathers. Which was what? The disobedient to the wisdom of the just. Because that’s what turning the heart is. Is to turn the hearts of faith, back to the original Pentecost. Which would get them right back to the Word. Why? In order to make them ready for the Lord. Otherwise, He would come in anger and destroy all. How can the Bride therefore, have any righteousness, but the revealed righteousness of Jesus Christ? You can’t have it. Anything else, nothing else will do. It must be the revealed righteousness, of Jesus Christ. 49. Now, let me show you this by very important Scripture, which I brought to you before. But, I’m going to bring it out here now to show you. In Malachi 3:17-18 (17) And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; (What’s that? All the Elected, from all the Ages.) and I will spare them, (notice now, spare them. How can you spare something that is worthy? You can’t do it. To spare, means 'they’re unworthy'. See? There’s a problem here.) …as a man (spares) his own son that (serves) him. Now, he doesn’t say they’re serving him. It says he’s going to spare them as the man spares his own son that serves him. In other words, it’s like looking at this person’s worth and saying, “Well, tell you what I’m going to do. I’m going to serve him, and save him, because of a certain condition.” That’s when I look at his picture. Notice in verse 18 now, because this is the crux of it. (18) Then shall (you) return, … What day is that? In the day when God makes up His jewels. Hold your finger there a second. And turn to the Book of Acts 3: Don’t go away from Malachi. 3rd chapter of the Book of Acts, notice what it says in verse 19. (19) Repent (you) therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. Same thought. See? Then shall you return, at that time, that end-time. When He makes up His jewels. See? (18) Then shall (you) return, (now what’s going to happen?) and discern between the righteous and the wicked, … No sir, that’s the wrong translation. When you return you’ll discern between righteousness, and wickedness. Now, at what time is He going to make up His jewels? Just exactly, before the mystery of iniquity becomes a man. When it’s right at the end-time when all but the Elect are deceived. Right at this time here, It says, “You will turn back, …you’ll be turned back.” Who’s going to do it? Elijah. And it’s at that time you’ll know the difference between righteousness and wickedness. Which is at the time Bro. Branham came, and we didn’t know him. And between him that serves God, and him that doesn’t serve God. That’s right. 50. So, is it not true then, according to Scripture, that iniquity, that is righteousness, and unrighteousness, are going to be so, close that only those turned back will know it. And serving God is going to be so close, that only those who have been turned back, will know the difference. And that’s exactly what it said. [Matthew 24:] (24) (In the last days, it’ll) arise false Christs, …(who'll show) great signs and wonders; (that all but the very Elect will be deceived. See?) Now, here is the simplicity of the whole Gospel for us. As we see as taught by Bro. Branham. That the mystery of iniquity in its full panoply of …its full manifestation before the World…headed up in a world system. Is true, the very thing that came from the Garden of Eden, it came way back before the Ages came upon this earth. Which was, the perversion of the Word. See? Man, apart from that Word, as we said a while ago, you can take it any way you want to take it. Look at any Hindu, he’ll show more love and sacrifice, than many a Christian do. Except for men like a Polycarp maybe. You’ve got the Buddhists right now, who’ll even destroy themselves, set themselves on fire, for the good of others, to bring public opinion against what they think is wrong. “And greater love has no man than this, to lay down his life for his friends.” [Jn 15:13] But they’ll never make it. Why? Because they’re not in that Word. See? You say, “Well, what about God?” They believe in God. But, not according to knowledge. What knowledge? Revealed knowledge. See? 51. Look at these people who are out here today, that Bro. Branham had to talk so strong against. Very strong. Doing all these great, wonderful works. He had to brand them. Not that He wanted to. But he had to show where they were out of order. What is it? The Work of unrighteousness, it is where man, attempts to build his own righteousness, by serving God apart from that Word. Now, you could take all the sermons Bro. Branham preached, 'Doing God a Service' 65-11 27] See? That’s one of them, he preached that two or three times, especially Shreveport…very, very good. 'God’s Chosen Place of Worship 65-02-20; 'Anointed Ones at the End Time' 65-07-25] See? Take all these major sermons that he preached. Even ['The Token' 63-09-01], take them all and you will see that everyone comes to the very place we’re talking tonight, which is the simplicity of the very Gospel that we preach. And people will pass it by, because it’s too simple. Too simple. But remember, the prophet came to restore all that was spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets, since the world began. And that’s where Cain went off the tracks. God said, “If you had rightly divided, what you did was right.” Raising the dead, that’s right. Sure. Didn’t God say, “The fruit would multiply?” What if she had gone back to God and said, “Just a minute here, didn’t You say for me to multiply? Well, I'm doing it.” Why didn’t she do it? She could. That’s what Cain did. 52. Well he said, “You said for me to give the offering, I’m doing it.” He said, “Look, the blood comes first.” Do this. No. I’m not interested. See? He held the truth in unrighteousness, he repressed it. And still, you’ve got the same thing right today. God has spoken by a vindicated prophet. And the men that know better, have turned it down and repressed it, and they’ve gone on serving God. You watch that. The mystery of iniquity, right there. See? How are you going to make it without that Word? Never make it. There’s no place we can go. Stick with that Word. Upsets all the theories that men have. But, you believe what the prophet taught us. You see how it is, you can take Scripture by Scripture, falls in line. Thank God for the Word. Because He said, “When man leaves man cannot sin, until first of all, they leave the Word”. Then how will we get back to where we belong in Eden? Back under that Word. Well, “I’m going to do this.” No. That’s not it at all. Get back to the Word. See? That’s what he said, “No matter you’ll never get this thing by trying, it won't work. You’ll never get it by fussing, and puzzling, you’ll never do it.” He said, “There's just one thing, just be as sweet as you can. Just show all the love you can. And (he said) just wait on God.” No way else to get out of it. Because, this is where they went off. And this is where they’ve got to get back. You shoot that rifle, he said, “If it’s the barrel, or even a puff of wind, (he said) you’ve got to take the bullet back to where you got off course.” Where did we get off course? We got off course, right on that Word. I don’t care what came out of it. That bullet off its course, could destroy a building or a thousand lives, a million lives, it might be a bullet that hit an ammunition plant, and wipe out twenty thousand people, and a vast city. (See?) 53. What did it? The bullet off of course did it. If the bullet stayed on course, it would not have hit the ammunition dump. See? It wouldn’t have done it. Getting off of course, and God’s getting us back on course. (See?) Get us back on course. To just, he himself, look at the ministry he had. The greatest ministry the world has seen since Jesus Christ. But he said, "I’ve given everything over to the ministry of this Word." He said, “This is the one thing I’m waiting on, it’s the one thing I put first. Is this Word.” Why? What did He do with William Branham? He always did have that love way back there. It didn’t increase his love...not to my knowledge. It didn’t increase his power…not to my knowledge. No sir. Even the very spoken Word, in creating the squirrels, and the giving to those who said the right thing, was only a matter…See? ...of God doing that supernatural thing. See? 54. People look for power, they look for gifts. Look for this, look for that. That’s fine. Certainly, one day there’s going to be ‘Thus Saith the Lord’. Not that she’s going to say, “Thus Saith the Lord, Thus Saith the Lord.” I don’t see that. Maybe some will say it…I don’t know. You’ll never say, ‘Thus Saith the Lord’ this is the Word, though. They’ll never say that because, that takes a prophet to do that. They might say, ‘Thus Saith the Lord, there’ll be a squirrel out there.’ Sure, that’s fine. They will never get to the Word, because the Word has already been given. I don’t even believe you can say, ‘Thus Saith the Lord,’ there’ll be a squirrel out there. I believe there will be a squirrel out there. There might be a squirrel out there. Then it was God doing it, the squirrel would be there. See? Out of our hands. But you see, in this Word here, to get back to the Word. Sure, love, I believe in love. I don’t believe we got near enough love amongst us as this group …?... …?... That’s what I said, I’ve always said it. But I’ll tell you one thing. Remember that love is not one of the seven steps. It’s the eighth. And Bro. Branham likened every age, to one of those seven steps. Won’t work. There's only Seven Ages. The Eighth is love. That’s when God Himself comes down. See? There’s a Bride. See? The Bride’s waiting now, with the Spirit of Christ, to come in and take that over. And that cannot happen until the Bride and the Word are one. Won’t happen. Why? Because she’s got to be Word, to be united to Him. And we’re coming to this stage now. 55. So, I hope you see this, and understand what the mystery of iniquity is. It’s because there is. It’s a group of people, it’s the church headed up by an anti-Christ world system. Wherein, this end-time Gospel tremendous manifestation, and power and all…I’ll show more of it tomorrow. Even beyond tonight. It’s coming in and the people are going to be absolutely deceived. Because they turned down the truth. And they’re going about establishing their own righteousness. What is their righteousness? It’s unrighteousness, holding that Word, the revealed Word, holding it up in unrighteousness. May God have pity on them. May we tonight, not be guilty of suppressing it, but getting it out all we can. How are we going to do this? It’s up to the individual, godly individual. I deplore the fact, there aren’t more advanced among us, the way God wants it. And I know, God’s in control. And I know this is what the prophet taught. So, Amen, the Lord bless you. Gracious Eternal Father, we thank You now, for having allowed us to have been together tonight. Knowing, Lord, that we seek to come back tomorrow, to continue, Lord, to study which You’ve given us by grace, through revelation. We thank You, Lord, as we know now, what it is at the end-time, coming upon the scene. We know now why the prophet said this. “After he is gone, you’ll really see Jannes and Jambres.” Lord, that is true in a measure. That we have seen much. But I believe that according to his statement, according to Your Word, we’re going to see a whole lot more. Lord, I hope that something like those who watched Babylon fall, stood afar off. Help us, O God, to stand afar off, while this thing increases, and get bigger and bigger. May we stand with Thee, as Abraham stood, on the plains of Mamre. Let others go down to Sodom. Lord, help us to stay away from Sodom. To be one hundred percent un-perverted. One with that Word. Which we know then, we’re one with Thee. O God, grant it. Help us, Lord. Make every motive of our heart pure. Sanctify our very brains, O God. As the prophet once cried out, “They needed their brains baptized.” God, baptize our brains, we’re not ashamed of it. Baptize us all over, O Christ, that we might be one with You. This is what we want. And unto Thee, we shall ascribe the honor and the glory, because, we ask It in Jesus’ Name. Amen. Mystery of Iniquity #1 (1272 ) Page PAGE \* MERGEFORMAT 1