Righteousness and Unrighteousness Bro. Lee Vayle, July 9, 1971 Let’s stand for prayer. Heavenly Father, we thank You now for the Lord Jesus Christ in our midst, by the Holy Spirit. We thank You Lord, that we’re one of His tonight. We’re identified with You. Not that we identified ourselves Lord, by ourselves. But You identified us, called us, to keep hearing the Voice. Now, tonight, Lord, we want to continue hearing that Voice. Because we know if we come by hearing the Voice, and we’re going to stay by hearing the Voice. And so, we pray, Lord, our minds shall be enriched, enlivened by Your Spirit revealing to us the Word. O God, may each one tonight, have a portion allotted unto them, of revelation of Thy Word, O God. Give them the insight, Lord, and a new depth we pray. And then Father, may all of us so stirred by the realization of the revelation, walk all the more softly, and carefully, before Thee. Being our best, O God, to serve Thee in Spirit, and in truth. Yielded fully, in body, mind and Spirit, every part of us, Lord, wholly sanctified by the Word of Almighty God. Our lives be identified with You in this manner, Lord Jesus Christ. Now Father, give us the words to speak we pray. And the words to hear, O God. May we be blessed in what we say and in what we hear. May we be careful of what we say, and careful how we hear. Knowing that it’s going to be added to us, Lord, exactly what we say, and how we hear. Very serious Lord we know, that Your prophet often prayed, ‘who You could shut the lion’s mouth’. Shut Lord, our mouth tonight, that something might be said, not to be said, O God. Then, Lord, open the ears we pray, let there not the be all puncturing in the ear lobe tonight, lining up with creeds and dogmas. But, O God, may we proclaim our jubilee this day, being set free from every thought, every counterfeit, to walk in the full reality of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This is what we long for Lord. We thank You, that You heard us. Now Lord, we believe You’ve answered our prayers, in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen. You may be seated. a. It’s always a great privilege to be in the house of the Lord with the people of God. And the great responsibility of course, to attempt to show the Word of the Lord. We know we have to be judged by what we say, and yet we’re also judged by the Word of God. So, if we say the Word of God, how can we be judged? You can’t be judged. You’re free. This is where we are today. We’re one with that Word. and It has to start somewhere. It has to start in the mind, as we receive It. You know, many people are afraid to have an open mind. Christian Science you know, sort of tricked a lot of folk. In fact, the devil’s very clever, you know…very, very, clever. He likes to use every ruse he can, every trick in his book, to keep people away from reality of the revealed Word. You know, God revealed the Word to Adam, and Eve. Came to Adam, and He said, “Now don’t touch of that tree in the midst of the garden, because it’s death.” Of course, the devil came right along and pitted the Word against the Word. And you know, ever since then, people have been afraid to really trust Almighty God. And because Christian Science is made so much of mind, and called ‘universal mind’, and shown where faith and the mind must be coordinated. Then, people are afraid to even talk about the mind. Then when you’re afraid to talk about the mind and give it its rightful place with the Word of God, there’s only one place it could go, and that’s to your feelings. Then when you go by your feelings, then you see you’re all wrong entirely. You can’t go by your feelings. Eve, went by her feelings…so to speak…she felt it’d be a very good thing. And I suppose today, that many people have attempted to serve God. They’ve gone by their feelings, they haven’t gone by the Word. And we must learn to go by that Word. And don’t be afraid to open up our minds to It. When Stephen was preaching his memorable sermon, he said, “You stiff-necked and hard of heart, you always resist the Holy Ghost.” [Acts 7:51] b. Resisting the Word of God, as revealed for that day. And then what happened…in their resisting? It wasn’t too long that as soon as they resisted, they denied. And in denial, they blasphemed. And their blasphemy, they killed. And I know that people find it difficult, and say, “Well, do I have to really bring my mind into that place?” You absolutely have to do that. You line your mind up with the Word of God. We remember Abraham considered not his own body, now dead. In other words, the mind had the five senses, and that mind with its five senses could have said that there’s no use trying to believe God. Because the Bible said the literal translation, “Who when hope was gone, hoped on in faith.” [Rom 4:18] There wasn’t any more use hoping. Now, the word 'hope' doesn’t mean 'well', I just sort of think it will take place. The word ‘hope’ in the Bible, is a very deep and beautiful word. Because faith, hope, and love, you couldn’t possibly have a little two-bit word, usually, well it could be or, couldn’t be. The word ‘hope’ is in one of the trinity, is one of the greatest words in the Bible. Faith, hope, and love. What is hope, then? It’s earnest expectation. Now, what is an earnest expectation, in relationship to God? It’s what God said we could have, which are the promises of the hour. See? So, when any of you isn't suspecting any longer, He still expects it, through faith. He went on. The mind, might have said a million things, but you know what? He lined that mind right up with the Word of God. See? And if you don’t line your mind up, there’s only one place you can go. And that’s absolutely into unbelief. See? c. How many people today are suffering with bad nerves? Every last person now. You get a peculiar feeling down here, and right away you can see something is wrong. You’ve got a feeling like a hammer being held over your head, or just some kind of a sword, a power over you. And it worries you. You know what? Because, if you do a little bit of study, you find out that man has energy. When that energy goes down, it’s called ‘nerve energy’, and you’re tired, you’re practically over worked, been in a stranger, a burden, or some kind of a bind. And then that feeling you get in here, that’s a physical feeling. And because you don’t know the Word, or won’t stand on the Word, then you think that feeling is some kind of condemnation. Or some impending disaster, and you put that feeling, instead of the Word of God. You’re shot right there. Opens the doors to devils and everything else. I hope you’re catching what I’m saying. I hope some of you are, anyway. This might actually, take a lot of explanation. A lot of teaching on it. But I know what I’m talking about. That mind must come into subjection, every thought must come into captivity, to the obedience of Jesus Christ. Every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, the highest point in your body is your mind. And your mind can exalt itself against the knowledge of God, or you’ll say, “Yes.” The greatest battle ever fought is in the mind. Bro. Branham preached that sermon. I think I expected a sermon like that, many, many, many, years ago. Because I had an interest in the fact what faith plays, and what the mind plays, over many, many years. And so, the devil came along and he’s got the Christian Scientist to come along and say things that rather God is universal mind. And then begin teaching a wrong or erroneous doctrine. “You only think you’ve got cancer.” Look brother/sister, you and I can look cancer right in the eye admit it’s there, and then laugh at it. d. We don’t deny anything, we just stand with the word of God. When that doctrine came out, then anybody said, “Well, I’ve got to get away from that entirely.” If they said, then it’s got to be wrong. Look, the devil quotes Scripture day and night. And the Scripture is a hundred percent, it's only the devil’s wrong, for putting it in a wrong place, or applying the wrong meaning to it. See? So, we stay with the Word of God. Because the only thing that’s going to tell, if we could just really make a very simple statement concerning the Word of God. We just read in the Book of Colossians [1:16] “All things were made by Him through the Word.” He’s the Word. And all things are maintained by Him. If all things were made by It, and all things are kept by It, then, give me back and I've got everything. Well you see, a little trouble comes along, shrug it off. Shrug what off? Not the trouble, the Word. Throw away the good, keep the bad. Now, that’s not what Jesus said. He said, “You throw your net in the water, and you pull up a lot of things in that net. He said, "You keep the fish and throw away the bad." A lot of people throw their net out, their Spiritual net, in that Word of God, and draw it in. And then, pretty soon without knowing it, you’re drawing in a lot of things with it. And usually, ninety percent of the time, the Word of God goes out the window, and all the junk stays in. Now brethren, these things ought not to be. It’s time to stay with the good Word of God. That’s what we’re trying to do here. Line up with the precious Word of the Lord Jesus Christ. And what a great thing it is to do that. e. It’s not just enough to look at the heroes of faith in the Bible, and admire them. But it’s only enough when you realize, that we too may be a hero of faith. That’s right. Oftentimes people look back upon their failures as the worst thing in the world. If you only look back upon the failures to learn by, how to perceive a little more carefully next time, and then to do right. That’s the way we do it. Sometimes it’s hard to learn these lessons. I learned some very bitter lessons, but I'm learing to stay with what God showed me. And I’m actually glad I learned it, I’m very sorry I had to learn it in the bitter way I learned it. You know, Bro. Branham preached a sermon quite some time ago, 'Trying To Do God a Service Without It Beings God’s Will' [65-11-27] Do you know that? He did it. Preached that sermon. I recognized what he’s talking about. I appreciate it very much. Turned right around and applied it to lady preachers, and everybody else I could think of. And I forgot to apply it to me. Yeah. The Bible says, “A man’s gifts will make room for Him.” [Prov 18:16] Just what It says. And you know, for years I’ve had a generous spirit, of putting people forward. I put them forward on the testimony of those men that I thought I knew as my friends, and were discerning. I have made some of the greatest blunders of my life, by putting people forward. Never, again. You say, “Bro. Vayle, you’re getting hard.” No, not when God speaks. He said, “You try to do Me a service apart from My will”. If that man’s got something from Me, it’ll make room for Him. You keep your hands off. I want to challenge you on that. See? f. Some of you may be soft-hearted, and I hope you’re not soft-headed. You show me one person Bro. Branham put forward. Now, go ahead. Go ahead. You had to make room by your own comment. You say, “He put you forward.” You’re wrong. You did not. I sure served because faith and was not put forward. When nobody could do that book, …the two boys thought they couldn't do it, Anna Jean Moore, and Mary Anne, and Mrs. Price could not do it. She said, “Lee, I think you know a bit of doctrine. Could you help Bro. Branham?” I said, “I’ll try.” Never was put forward. I stepped forward on my own. Do you hear what I’m talking about? We have to learn our lesson. And some of those lessons, we think that we’re in the will of God, by doing certain things, because they’re nice things. And some would think, "I’m very considerate, I do wonderful things." Nope, they do the very wrong thing. David said in his heart, “I’m going to serve God, and bring that ark up, that’s a wonderful idea.” He went ahead on his own. He said, “Here’s …?... water, and bring the ark.” The Levites put a step forward said, “Sir, we are the ones to bear It. Make way, this is our gift.” He went right on, on his own, as though he had a gift. And his gift did not make room, because his gift was not in the ministry, his gift was in the kingdom. A man died for it. See? It’s good we learned our lesson. I don’t want to make another mistake. See? Not in this way, anyway. I’d be pretty desperate, if a man learned his lesson in one realm, and then had to go back and learn the lesson all over again. We’re not in the business of forgetting, we’re in the business of learning day by day. We want to go all the way with the Lord Jesus Christ. 1. Now, I’ve got a message tonight, and it’s a little unusual, but I think it’s elementary in the Word of God. It makes a good basic study. And open our eyes to the day in which we live. And I want to entitle my message, ‘Righteousness and Unrighteousness’ Now, if we turn to the Book of Malachi 3:16-18 (16) Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. (17) And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; … Now, when are the jewels made up? They’re made up at that day, when the Bride all comes together, in the Resurrection. And we all sit down at the Marriage Supper, with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And every last one of the Election, is going to be there. And He said, (17) … and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Notice, ‘serveth him’. (18) Then shall (you) return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. Now, the text is the verse18 (18) Then shall (you) return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. 2. Now, my text is a very obscure verse, because I don’t know that I could look in any book of sermons, or any commentary, and find much upon this verse. In my time, I read many sermons, they’ve been a delight to my heart. But I don’t know that any man ever picked this actual text to preach upon it, because it’s such an obscure text, and it doesn’t seem to contain very much. Just as it were, a general statement. Not only obscured. but it has a very wrong translation in the King James version. Now, I’m not fussing at the King James version, but when there’s an error in the translation, that doesn’t mean that the Bible is wrong, it means the interpreter, or the translator is wrong. Just like when a preacher reads the Bible, and then he misinterprets It, it doesn’t make the Bible wrong, it’s just the interpretation is wrong. So, if the interpretation from the original is wrong. And here is how It should read: ‘Then shall you return, and discern between righteousness and wickedness.’ Not between the righteous and wicked, but discern between righteousness and wickedness. Discern between him that serves God and him that serves Him not. In other words, saying, you’ll be able to judge between the two. You will be able to know the difference between righteousness, and wickedness, and between him that serves God, and him who does not serve God. Now, to understand this, actually shocks us. What kind of a person is incapable of knowing right from wrong? Also, if he is so darkened spiritually, that he cannot tell who serves God, and who does not serve Him, this is like saying a man does not know his left hand from his right hand. Or worse still, he cannot even tell his hand is right before his face. But there it is. God says, there is a people, or there is a group…there’s a people, who are going to be that way. 3. Now notice how the Spirit of God puts it. He said, “You shall return, and then you’ll be able to tell the difference between righteousness, and wickedness, between him that serves God, and him who serves Him not.” And you’ll not get able to do this until you do return. Now, also notice, yet the people have to return, they have to be away from something. Because you cannot return to a point, until you leave it. So therefore, these people are away from something. This is absolutely true, they are away from God. Absolutely, away from Him, given then, the spiritual blindness. Now, if you look at the 3rd chapter, and in verse 7, in Malachi, you will see this: (7) Even from the days of your fathers… Who’s he talking to? Children. Right? Children, even from the days of your fathers, children. You children… (7) … are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them… (You’ve turned away from My Word, and not kept It.) Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts… 4. Now, It tells you this, that the people have turned away from God. Now, how’ve they turned away from God? They have turned away from God by turning away from His Word. To turn away from the Word of God, to disbelieve the Word of the hour is to turn away from God. And you know this is true, because Malachi was the prophet of the hour, and in typing his day… although it’s actually factual too…Israel had turned away from the Word. They had turned away from Almighty God. Because this is why God sends His prophet. He sends them order to turn the people back to Him by the Word. So therefore, if they are turned back to Him by the Word, they are turned away from Him by leaving the Word. That is just absolutely factual, simple, a-b-c. They have left God. They have turned away from Him. They have left Him. Is it not strange, that many people do not understand this? They say they leave God, because you leave some kind of experience, perhaps. Or you lose your rank, or, you’re doing something different from them. Just like they said to Paul. “You are a heretic.” He was not a heretic. He was the A-1, absolute, man of his day. And those who said against those things, "you're a heretic," they themselves were the heretics. They were the ones that apostatized, and gone away. So now, listen, you notice here, that God has said to the children. He said, “You have turned away from My Word. You have absolutely left Me, and I want you to turn back to Me.” 5. Now notice at what time this occurs. It occurs at the time of Malachi 4:1-6. (1) For, behold the day cometh… Now notice, he said, “Turn unto me that you shall discern and actually know righteousness from wickedness.” Because at this time, you cannot tell the difference, between wickedness and righteousness. Now listen, …?... (1) For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; (Now, you know right away that when the Fire of God descends in judgement.) and all the proud, … Who are the proud? They who don’t want the Word. ‘I am increased in goods, I am rich, I don’t need a thing.” See? Now, (1) …yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. As Bro. Branham said, “Where do you get ‘eternal hell’ out of that?” If you haven’t got a root, you can’t have a branch. So, if you burn the root, what have you got left? Nothing. (2) But unto you that fear (my righteousness, fear) my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and (you) shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. (3) And (you) shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts. (4) Remember (you) the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments. (5) Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: (6) And he shall turn the heart of the (children back to the) fathers … lest I come and smite (utterly) the earth with a curse. 6. Now then, you’ll notice, that in this tragic condition of such spiritual darkness, when men cannot tell the difference between righteousness and wickedness, abounds just before Jesus comes. Do you follow that? Now, note also, how the people are turned back to God. He promises that this day, shall not obtain. It won’t be with everybody, if you’ll only turn back to God. You can tell. You can know. What an insult from God to tell the people, “You don’t know righteousness, from wickedness. You don’t even know who serves me, and who’s against me. You can’t tell them in the days just before I come.” That goes over like a lead balloon. The Word of God, is going over like a lead balloon. And they say, “Just, …” Listen. They don’t know what they’re saying. Then they say to Him, “Who do You think you are?” Proud, arrogant, rebellious, despicable, know-it-all. Can’t be taught anything. You know so much of God, yet you cannot tell righteousness from wickedness. Now, who’s going to turn them back? Elijah. Not a group, but, Elijah. (5) … before (that) great and dreadful day… 7. Now, brother/sister, when people are so absolutely, spiritually void, that they can’t tell righteousness from wickedness, if I were God, I’d come to and I’d destroy utterly. Wouldn’t you? Now, don’t pretend you’re, sweet people. Just be honest. If you were a righteous God, and you come to the end of ages, where there wasn’t one person who could discern between righteousness and wickedness, what would you do? Huh? Am I teaching you the Bible? You agree It’s the Word of God? Then what kind of a mess at the end-time just before Jesus comes? Absolutely no spiritual discernment whatsoever, if you can't tell right from wrong. Where is this quote? Turn to me. How? By Elijah. If the church knew what I’m preaching tonight, if they would dare to believe, that this is the Word of God, …which indeed It is, they’d be screaming, “Send me Elijah, O God,” Bring him on the scene. Do something, Lord, I don’t want to go up as chaff and stubble.” But they’re too busy telling everybody, how spiritual they are, how wonderful they are. How everything is so great, and so marvelous. And God says, “That there’s not one of you knows the difference between right and wrong.” But He said, “I’m going to send Elijah, and he will turn you back to Me. And he will get you to know the difference between righteousness and wickedness. If you’d only listen to him.” 8. Now, this is absolutely correct, because, over here in the Book of Matthew 17:11, which we read many times, (11) And Jesus answered and said unto them, (Elijah) truly shall first come and restore all things. Now, what is the condition? The condition is a people who have turned from the Word of God, they do not have the revelation. So therefore, they do not know righteousness from wickedness, they cannot tell who’s serving God, and who’s not serving God. So, Elijah must come and restore. He’s got to put the people back in touch with the reality of the Word of God, so they will now know, what is the difference between righteousness and wickedness. Which they formerly did not know…thought they did. And they will now know who serves God, and who does not serve God. Thereby brother/sister, being able to identify themselves with the faithful ministry in the body of the Lord Jesus Christ. Or you could identify with the wrong person if you didn’t know who’s serving God, and who’s not serving God. Because many only serve people for filthy lucre. Many only serve because, there is pre-eminence there. And believe me, in the ministry, there is great pre-eminence, and men can be betrayed by popularity, and women, and money. And many are. The majority fall, because there’s very few in the five-fold ministry. 9. In the Book of Acts 3: which we read the other night, Acts 3:19 (19) Repent (you) therefore, and be converted, … Change your mind and be turned back. How do you change your mind? Get something new in there. Put something new in your mind. Dump out what you’ve got. You need a mental catharsis. Clear that mind out. Why? So, you can be turned again. You can’t get back to God unless you tell by your mind. This is why I want the Bible interpretation…what these words mean. I don’t care how you might feel about it. Challenge it! Get back to the Word of God, not to your ideas, your feelings, and your thoughts. What exactly does It say, and why does Ilse. It’s not the goose bumps, and your ideas. It’s your mind, m-i-n-d. Not your heart. Some place. Now, He said, “Then, your sins will be blotted out.” If you don’t know righteousness from wickedness, man oh man, you’re in trouble. You can be sitting, thinking you’re just absolutely on top. You can be a mess and think you’re absolutely right. You can be absolutely going to hell. You think you’re going to hell if you don’t know right from wrong. 10. Now, he said, "I'm going to block this in now, when the times of refreshing, and I’ll have to blow a fresh record again." Why? Because everybody’s dead, and God’s got to bring every man back, like He did in the day of Pentecost. Oh my, it will be a scene. And then He said, “At this very time, this man will come. With what? I can behold of Almighty God, signs, wonders, miracles, 'Thus Saith the Lord', to bring you right to restoration, so that Jesus can come.” Huh? Remember the old days, when you could hear impassioned preaching, that was a million miles off the mark. You’d be screaming and shouting, and stomping, and talking in tongues. But you’re all silent…aren’t you? You’d better stay that way. Because if you miss the Word, you’ll miss a whole lot more than the little fellow shouting, …?... Yet, I said enough to make everyone in this tent stand up and scream. I mean screaming to God. Just because the throat gurgles, you can’t say a word, but, just gurgle. Your breath catches. Because of what our eyes have seen, and our ears have heard. We know, that we know, where we stand. Certainly. Now, he said that Jesus was appointed, you’ve turned down. But He's retained in Heaven, He's kept up there. 11. So, the times of restoration of all things, as God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets. God is going to restore that Word to the people. He’s going to bring that Word, which brother/sister alone, knows the difference between right and wrong. That old tree, back there in the garden, the knowledge of right and wrong. That tree that brought death, is so rampant at the end-time. There isn’t one of us that’s not …?... getting through all those branches. But He said, “I’m going to send a man, and I’m going to cut those old branches off.” He said, “I’m going to see that there’s living branches in Me. I’m going to send Elijah to do it, because I’m going to send a fresh breath out of Heaven.” Absolute, manifestation. But these people will know that they’re going to be turned right back to Almighty God, by the Word. Now, I mentioned to this period of spiritual blindness, and just before Jesus returns. I said they are so spiritually blinded, they cannot tell righteousness from unrighteousness. They cannot tell righteousness from iniquity. They do not know righteousness, from wickedness. They have turned from God. 12. Here, is what It says about the end-time, in Revelation 3:14-[19] (14) And unto the (messenger) of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, … It’s all over. Amen, means 'it’s finished'. Amen, means 'it’s done'. He’s the Alpha, and the Omega. He’s the Alpha and the Amen. (14) …These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; (15) I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: … No, they so mixed up everything, they can’t tell righteousness from wickedness. Everything looks good. That’s right. Even slacks, and hot pants, and bobbed hair, and every type of filth in the world. It’s all good. And pretty ladies tippy, tippy, toeing across the stage. Leading songs, and preaching, they’re leading mamby, pamby men. And Hallelujah, they look so sweet, they’re sure to win souls. They’ll lead them right to hell, with their stinking flaunting of their sex. Not you women. None in this building, but those outside there, woman typing the church. Ecumenical beauty, bringing them all down into hell. (16) So then because thou art lukewarm, (he mixture of right and wrong. No separation, no difference. See? I’m going to) spue (you) out of my mouth. 13. How often do people use that text there, to prove there is no eternal security. When were you ever in God’s mouth? Such nonsense. You’re in His bosom, carved upon His hands. But you never were in His mouth. Mouth speaks of a mouthpiece. And God uses the church as His mouthpiece. Now He’s spewing you out. “There’s none of you in My mouthpiece, there is nobody knows the Word.” He said, “There’s none of you fit to do one thing. Every table full of vomit and you are so terrible, I come and kill the whole bunch of you. Destroy the whole plan. But I’m going to send Elijah, and give you one chance to turn back together.” No more lukewarm. There’s going to be hot, and there’s going to be cold, pretty soon. (17) Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; … Look at the pride and the arrogance. Look at the spiritual blindness, (17) and knowest not that (you are) wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 14. By the time I preach on the Laodicean Church Age, and bring every one of those words out, I’m going to show you something in there. Showing what things, are like. What kind of a mess is a person in as Bro. Branham said, “He’s poor, wretched, blind and naked, and doesn’t know it.” A blind man knows he’s blind. A naked person knows he’s naked. But spiritually, they’re absolutely undone. They don’t know wickedness from righteousness. But they say they do. They don’t know who’s serving God and who doesn’t serve God. But they say they do. They say, “You can’t tell me nothing. Who do you think you are anyway? Trying to tell me I don't know right from wrong.” Huh? Do you know, when people talk like that, they’re telling God, He’s a liar? They’re telling the very God, that they say, “Oh He’s the source of all intelligence. He’s the source of all wisdom. Oh Hallelujah, He’s my perfect Jesus.” And He said, “You don’t even know right from wrong.” Now, well you’re saying, “Hallelujah, He’s so sweet.” He’s saying, “You nothing, you big blabber mouth. You unbeliever, posing as a believer. You make believer, acting as though you’ve got it. You hypocrite. You’ve voiding My Word, when I said at the end-time we wouldn’t be one of you would know your right hand from your left hand, spiritually speaking. You’re blind, you’re miserable, you’re wretched. How’d you like to have a man come in your house, and he’s your husband. And suddenly he turns on you and says, “What kind of a woman are you, anyway? You rotten, you immoral, filthy creature, posing as my wife, you harlot. Exposing yourself to every dog or man on the street. Acting as though you’re out there living in prostitution, and living in my home here, and calling yourself my wife.” 15. You’d say, “Go, get that man.” Why did he say it? Because it’s true. You’re rotten. You say, “My priest wouldn’t say that.” Are you kidding? He said it. What does a woman uncover herself for? To temp a man. Her nakedness is her sex act. Her filthy fornication with the world systems. Her harlotry, with her creeds and her dogmas. Her whoring mind. A receptacle to every filthy seed, until she’s a hybrid, and the mother of complete corruption. The old whore, with her daughters. But we’re so sweet, and… Oh yeah? Look, here’s what He said. e’s my perfect Jesus. (18) I counsel thee... How do you counsel? You give Word. Who gives the Word? The prophet gives the Word. What prophet? Elijah. Listen to Elijah. (18) … buy (gold) of me tried in the fire, … Real faith, based upon a living Word. Remember it’s, (18) … white raiment, that (can make me) clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and (also come to me for) eye salve, … Anoint your eyes, and you won’t be blind anymore. You won’t be so befuddled anymore, because you can’t tell righteousness from wickedness. But the way you are, you cannot tell righteousness from wickedness. And I challenge any man to prove the Word of God wrong. The Bible says you can’t do it at the end-time. (19) As many as I love, … 16. It doesn’t say one thing about loving Him. Does it? It does not. It doesn’t say one good thing about this age. Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing. Rotten. Is that right? Let’s get the whole horrible picture. “If I don’t send Elijah, I’m going to come, and I’ll curse the whole bunch…lock, stock and barrel. Bypass the Resurrection. Bypass the Rapture. Bypass the Marriage Supper. Bypass everything but those that are already ascended…I’ll get rid of the whole stinking bunch.” What kind of a condition? There’s …?... spirit, to make us God’s justice and love and compassion, and beauty, and glory and honor, integrity, wisdom, and power and honor. Make such a flat statement like that. And brother/sister, the people have got to be, pretty awful rough, in spirit. But He said, “I’m going to send Elijah.” (19) As many as I love, … And as many as lie in the election. "Because Esau have I hated, and Jacob have I loved." So therefore, the love of God is elective love. So therefore, (19) As many as I (have elected), I (will now) rebuke… Oh, we were there, we were smart and arrogant too. For a while we said, “Don’t tell me anything. Well, he’s got a great ministry, I think he’s got a great message, but I can’t see some of those points.” Yeah? Yeah, I’m going to, (19) … chasten (you: going to whip you, train you) be zealous (to change your mind.) Have a zeal to change your mind. See? Bring every thought into captivity, to the obedience of Jesus Christ, through the prophet Elijah. 17. Now listen, what Jesus said about this same period in Luke 17:26-[29] (26) And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. (27) They (ate), they drank, they married wives, they (gave) in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Now, are you going to apply this to this day of course, it means you’re married, you’re going from one church to the other. They don’t like the Baptists, so they go to the Presbyterian Church. Don’t like the Presbyterian Church, put it to the Nazarenes. Don’t like the Nazarenes, go on down and see the Seventh Day Adventists. Can’t stand them, take a crack at the Missionary Alliance. If you don’t like them, try the Missionary church, the United Church. Oh, the United Church in Christ, or the Church of Christ, the Pentecostal church. If you can’t stand oneness, try twoness…if that’s no good, try threeness. Just get married, bless God, just have a great time. Sure. They didn’t know about it, they didn’t know, ‘in that day you’ll know’. Noah went in the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 18. Listen, they’re going to wise up too late. They’re going to find church membership didn’t do it. They’re going to find their creeds and dogmas didn’t do it. Why? They’re too busy marrying. Sure, don’t like the Baptists, come over to the Presbyterians. As Bro. Branham said, “A million more in ’44.” Five million more in ’54. Ten million more in ’64. And maybe, eighty million more in ’74. I wouldn’t be surprised if it did, by ’74. (28) … as it was in the days of Lot; they (ate), they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; We’re rich, increased in goods, don’t need a thing. We’re having a great time. The commerce was going on forever. Hallelujah. There’s no longer boom and bust. It’s just boom, boom, boom, and no bust. We won’t stand for bust. Oh no, we’ve got science. We’ve got love, we’ve got this, we’ve got that. It’s just up, up, up, up, up, and on. You know that’s a slogan this day, supposed to be, and everything else. You know what I’m talking about. And who started most of this bunk? The United Church of Canada did. The Canadians did with their old CCF [political party] social gospel. Getting ready for the pope. Listen, if you think Canada’s not in tough shape, you’re wrong. It’s in awful tough shape. I think it’s one of the toughest shape nations in the world. You’re fortunate you even had a chance to hear this Message. You thank God, day and night, in this day when no one knows his left hand from his right hand spiritually. It’s God spoke to you. And gave you an opportunity. See? Yes sir. Now listen, (29) But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brim- stone from heaven, (couldn’t do it again, …so to speak, it had to be fire) and (it) destroyed them all. Now, we’re at the end-time. This is what Jesus said about it. Now, watch closely. Remember what I read in the Book of Acts 3: Peter preaching. Remember? 19-23. He elaborated upon what Jesus said, Elijah would do, when Jesus said in Matthew 17:11 that Elijah would restore. Now then, I have a suspicion, that if Peter spoke on restoration, he also speaks about this time, when you don’t know your right hand from your left hand, spiritually speaking. You see, he spoke on restoration, …it’s about a million to one or million to nothing, that he also spoke about the time when restoration would come. Is that, right? It certainly is, brother/sister. Absolutely true. 19. So, let’s to 2 Peter 2: and read about it. Notice the continuity of God? If Peter preached a sermon on restoration, then he has to preach a sermon…what needs restoring. Right? Certainly, anybody would know that. Let’s go to 2 Peter 2:1-2 (1) But there were (no, the Greek says ‘arose’, there arose) false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. When William Branham stood before the world, and proved absolutely, completely, finally there was one God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and they turned down one God in the Godhead, that’s the time this Scripture became fulfilled. Swift destruction is going to hit us. Denying the very God that bought them. Jehovah God, manifest in flesh, not one of three, but ‘the’ God. The God of gods, Lord of lords, King of kings, Alpha and Omega, the One and only. And His name is Lord Jesus Christ. They denied Him. And they took the trinitarian club and they beat the poor woman…the church… over the head. Who did it? The preachers. Who was it, took Bro. Branham’s crowd, when he said, “Who dismissed that crowd?” They did, the preacher did. Why did he say, “Every time I get around a bunch of preachers, they get all messed up?” He couldn’t get messed up amongst a five-fold ministry Bride. There’d be something wrong with him. 20. No, those preachers out there, always trying to explain things, and show things. You won’t do it, it’s a revelation. How can you explain what only the Holy Ghost can impart? Oh brother. See? (2) And many shall follow their pernicious ways; … You know what pernicious anemia is. Takes up all the blood cells until you die. (2) …many shall follow their … ways (of death, swift death); by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. Christ revealed in His own Word by the prophet, is evil spoken of. Serpent seed, filthy, rotten. “One God…who does he think he is, trying to tell us this nonsense?” All the while not knowing they’re Catholic. The Roman Catholic church now accepts every Protestant that is properly baptized, because they’re all baptized according to Catholic dogma. They wrote in the paper not so many years ago, and I read it. Their theologians laughed and said, “You Protestants make us laugh. You really make us laugh, because you have our baptism, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. And then say you protest, but you’re one of us.” Oh, the mother knows the daughter, because she bore her. Don’t tell me she doesn’t know the kids she brought to birth. Shee…come on! (3) And through covetousness…with feigned words make merchandise of you: … They pretend they want Jesus. And they’re all for your good. But they just want you and your money to make a show in their flesh. (3) …whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their (condemnation) slumbereth not. 21. Their judgement is right at hand. (4) For if God spared not the angels 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… Oh, that’s Luke 17:26-30. So, he’s talking about the very thing that Jesus was talking about. And he’s talking about the end-time. So, let’s hear about this wonderful thing. (5) ...the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, … What’s going to happen at the end-time brother/sister? This terrible condition. There’s going to be a preacher of righteousness, not a doer of it, essentially… no. No, the refreshing is not doing, doing, doing, doing. The refreshing is preached, line upon line, word upon word. The Word of God in full Holy Spirit revelation. (5) … a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; 202. Righteousness, ungodliness. One preacher bringing righteous preaching, everybody else ungodly. Unless they turn to the righteous preacher. (6) And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an (example) unto those that after should live ungodly; We’re in a Sodomite condition right now, so, therefore, we’re in the ungodly condition, and it’s going to take somebody to come on down and show us that we’re ungodly, to get us back to being with God. (7) And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: They don’t know righteousness from wickedness. That’s why God is overthrowing the country, and preparing an army. (8) (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) What’s the unlawful thing? Perverting of the Word. (9) The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: (10) But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in (pleasure) of uncleanness, and despise government… 23. What government? Oh, what’s he talking about? God’s government. God’s Word. Because God’s governed by His Word. “Obey them that have the rule over you…” [Heb 13:17] Who teach to you the Word of God. You’re governed not by your preacher, but by the Word. Did you ever wonder whether the preacher’s saying the right thing, and go to the Word? And he tried to tell you to do something that’s not in the Word, then go to the Word and show him. Certainly. It’s your privilege. And not only your privilege, your obligation, according to Bro. Branham. “If you find me one place off that Word, you come and tell me.” Huh? There's a lot of people have…they feel very insulted if somebody come and said, “Well brother, and is the church doing right by the tithes?” Well, what's it to you? Oh, you Nicolaitan spirit amongst you preachers. Don’t tell me you’re in the Message, if you’ve got an attitude like that. Huh? Oh, I like to the expression on your face, …?... keep listening. Keep listening. As God said an awful lot about that tithe, when He said, “When you get turned.” And if we never get turned, there’s going to be one time when money is going to be used right, in the Bride. Oh, thank you, a little warm now. Yeah. I see a real …?... about now. (10) …Presumptuous are they, … Venturing where they have no authority. Isn’t that what the prophet said presumption was? To venture where you have no authority. Men invading the pulpit, who were never called. (10) …self willed, (not…willed, self willed) they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Who does that man Branham, think he is? A man with ‘Thus Saith the Lord’, and they don’t listen to him? And they don’t take every word? And they don’t respect him? And they don’t fear him? They don’t tremble? God has become so casual, the power of the Word so indifferent. (11) Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. (12) But these, as natural brute beasts, … Serpents, smart, subtle, Adamic creation so close to human, his seed can mingle with the human race. At the end-time, they are all standing back on the earth, …looks like. 24. Now listen: If you wonder just how this thing is done, then remember, natural election brother/sister, brings about spiritual election. The male ejaculate in one lifetime, they tell me will go out into space laid end to end, millions of miles. That’s the number of lives one male could procreate. More than this world has ever seen, and birthed, or ever will see. So therefore, all those natural brutes, and all the Elect, are in the males of this world, and they’ve got to come forth some time in God’s season. And in the end, they're just literal serpents again, …so to speak. Almost, I don’t say they really are. But they’re just natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed. No ruler-ship involved. No responsibility involved. No reality there. They’re just like animals, sensual, doing what only animals can do. Does an animal know right from wrong? No, he doesn’t. Then brother/sister, what age are we in? That animal beast age, that'll bring forth the beast. That bringing forth the wrath of God, that God said, “There’s not one of you, because, you’re all one lump. You don’t know your left hand from your right hand.” You don’t know righteousness from wickedness. And you absolutely don’t. (12) … (now they’re) made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; … There’s no revelation there, they speak evil of. Yeah, Oh, my. (12) … and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; What corruption? The corruption of the mind, which brings reprobate faith. Right? Absolutely, the Word of God. (13) And (they) shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time… 25. "At evening time there shall be light," [Zech 14:7b] but they’ve got such great pleasure rioting against the prophet. “We’re having a ball.” Bro. Branham said, of that red coat, at that meeting I told you the other night, …he said, “You women, that come every year and I bawl you out, I warn you. Stop chopping off that hair. Lower those skirts, don’t wear those slacks. Act like Christians. And every year I come back, they say, “He…he…he…titter…titter…titter. We’re having a ball.” Vindicated prophet of God with ‘Thus Saith the Lord’ because, our little TV preacher...” What would you think of a man that procures for a women of the red- light district? You know what they call them, don’t you? I won’t mention his names. That’s what the preachers are…procuring for the denominations. You talk about despicable preachers. False and arrogance, smug. “Well …?..., I didn’t say he could come.” I wouldn’t give you two bits for the wheat in your shield. The whole stinking mess, Springfield, Mo. thrown in with their Bible college in Winnipeg, Saskatoon sharing the whole bunch of them. What did they produce? Bastard children. It’s all it can be. Why? Because they want a smug relationship and get away from the persecutions and the suffering in this world. Now listen. They riot, they are [2 Peter 2:] (13) …Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; Sure, they’ll come out, “I’m a Christian, glory to God.” What’s your vindication of what you believe? Say "Where’s yours?" I don’t have any, but I’m following the man that’s got it. I can remember Timothy. They might have said to Timothy, “Timothy, that was some sermon you preached. Where did you get it?” “ I got it from Paul.” “ You mean you don’t preach what you think?” “ No. I preach what Paul said.” “Why? I’m not vindicated, he was. “ (13) … (by) their own deceivings … Their inabilities, their interpretations of the Word of God. No point do they get stuck in it. 26. Listen, you know folk, let’s make a little confession here. I haven’t done this for a long time so I can tell you about it. I just want to see the preacher who’s got the guts to tell me that when he’s two thirds the message on prophecy, he doesn’t suddenly realize, he blew it. But he wouldn’t tell you. I’ve never preached a message in my life on prophecy, but when I blew it, and I suddenly realized I crossed myself up, that I got away from the crowd, they couldn’t follow it anyway. They didn’t know I was blowing it. Where’s your vindication? There’s only one man can interpret this Word, and he had ‘Thus Saith the Lord’. (14) Having eyes full of adultery, and (they) cannot cease from sin; … Adultery, a whoring mind. Always trying to learn some new little wrinkle, to put in the pulpit. While William Branham, he rebukes too much. I can show you something brother/sister, there is no one major theme in the Bible, but is exactly to every other major theme, because by the time you study one major theme, you study the whole thing. The Bible is nothing but a repeat in various manners the way he puts it. And Paul the apostle said, “I’m going to repeat, and repeat, and repeat, because it’s good for you.” Because every major doctrine, goes right to Jesus Christ. I don’t care how you take it. I don’t care what one you follow, every single thread goes through Jesus Christ, because He is that Word. But it’s a multi-faceted Word. It’s the same Word. 27. Now listen. They cannot cease from sin. Do you know what the Bible says? "They can’t stop sinning." How can they stop? They don’t know what they’re doing. They don’t know righteousness from wickedness. So how can they tell brother/sister, they just keep on doing it. (14) …unstable souls (unstable, they’re not established. Like I spoke on the present truth,) an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; … As Bro. Branham said, “The Methodists want the Baptists, and the Baptists want the Presbyterians, and the Pentecostals want them all.” And I think you’re going to get them all, because that’s the …?.... Look it…cursed, children. Who was the first child cursed? Cain. Canaanites in the land. Canaanites. What does God say about the Canaanites? “Exterminate them.” What is He going to do? Exterminate. I’m not preaching tough to you. Get this in your hearts and minds, right now. I’m not trying to say, “Look, I’ll be happy when they’re all done away with. Glory to God, let’s go take a sword and bump them off, if God does it.” No, no, no. I’m just trying to show you what the Word says about the conditions, in order to get you to understand my text. The subject of righteousness and unrighteousness, which have forsaken the right way. Isn’t that exactly what Malachi said? Certainly, they have gone astray. Certainly, they had it, and they left it. Now, following the way of Balaam, the son of [Beor] …who loved the wages of unrighteousness. What did he do? He had a gift ministry. A genuine gift ministry that he exploited to his own end, and thereby destroyed the children of God. Led people into sin. A genuine gift ministry, leading people to the gates of hell. God never did forgive them for this sin of adultery at Baal Peor. But was rebuked for his iniquity. A prophet, a genuine gift, rebuked for iniquity. Using a gift for money, and of power to lead people into sin. Leadership leading people to death, ecumenicity. 28. Now, see he loved the wages of unrighteousness. The dumb ass speaking with man’s voice, forbade the madness of the prophet. These are wells without water. No Holy Ghost, I don’t care how many gifts they got…they don’t have the Holy Ghost. Clouds that are carried with a tempest. See? Their minds are never settled. They are always looking, looking, looking, for something. Because they can never get rid of the contradiction. But with a ‘Thus Saith the Lord’ prophet, you don’t worry about contradiction. You just believe what he said. I don’t care how crazy it sounds, how stupid, or what it looks like. It doesn’t matter. 'Thus, Saith the Lord', is 'Thus Saith the Lord'. And listen brother/sister, it better looks pretty contrary, because God said, “He takes literally nothing to bring our wisdom to nothing.” Foolishness of God to bring our wisdom to nothing. Listen, to whom the mists of darkness. The mists, it doesn’t say pitch black. It’s misty. A day that is neither light nor dark. They are going to go on and die in that condition. And they’ll stay there in that eerie place that Bro. Branham spoke of, reserved until the end of their ages. 29. For when they speak, ‘Thou sayest, thou sayest, thou sayest.’ The Book of Malachi has roughly about twenty-four times ‘Thou sayest’. And the only church that says, ‘Thou sayest, thou sayest’, is the Laodicean. So therefore, Malachi concerns the Laodicean church and the end-time prophet. ‘Thou sayest’, So they say these great swelling words of vanity. What’s a vanity? What’s the words of vanity? Pride. They allure through the pleasures of the flesh, those good feelings, great healing campaigns. Oh, sure. All of those things. Much wantonness. Those who would soon escape from them who live in error. Come up to justification, come up to sanctification. But they’re wells without water. And they can only take you as far as they’ve gone. Listen, answer this question. How far did William Branham go? How far did he go? Do you want to go that far? Then you better follow the man that went that far. These guys didn’t get anywhere. They didn’t get anywhere. The prophet said so. They only got as far as restoration of gifts, and stopped right off there. Wells without water. What’s that? It's a well. Oh, goody, I’ll get a drink. No water. And that’s no well, as far as I’m concerned. See? 30. Listen. While they promise them liberty, they themselves, are the servants of corruption. Corruption, what? Corrupt minds. Corrupt faith. You corrupt Word. No gold brother/sister, no gold of faith…corrupted. Not fourteen carat, not eighteen. Corrupt. See? Did you hear what I said? Corrupt minds, corrupt faith. Is that, right? Servants of corruption. Creeds and dogmas. Preach your calendar, preach your book. You talk about people not believing this Bible. We’ve got a brother from Newfoundland here, supposed to be at the meeting tonight. I’ve got this very precious brother from Newfoundland, in Toronto. I go up there and preach for him, in a few weeks, months…whenever I can get around to see him. One young brother went home and told his father about this Message. His father argued against him. But the boy was very keen, he knows this Word quite well. And he tied his father’s hands, and said, “Well Dad, let’s go get the Bible.” He said, “What’s this Bible? Put that Bible down, here’s my Bible.” And he pulled his little Pentecostal book out, with three Gods, all three which are figments of his imagination, and therefore void and vain. He didn’t care two cents for the Word of God. And when you and I say, “Listen brother, (to a man who says) I believe this Message.” And he said, Bro. Branham took us back to the Bible. So that means you put the tapes to one side, and the books to one side, he said, “No, brother.” When he brought us to the Bible, he brought us the telescope, he brought us the interpretation. Now you read the books, and then you go to the Bible. Oh, you watch their spirits rise up. They’re not one of you. I said, “They’re not one of you.” They don’t belong. No, they don’t belong. Because they don’t know their left hand from their right hand either. You’ve got to come by the prophet. See? Not because I say so. That’s because the Word says so. 31. Now listen. They become overcome by the bondage. They are brought into bondage. They’re trying to get free. These people, they promise them freedom. But they’re in bondage, because the antichrist net has already got them in there. And they’re going to get the Great Tribulation. They promised liberty, they themselves the servants of corruption, for whom this man has overcome, their same is bought in bondage. Now, look it. If you’re overcome with the Word of God, you’re brought in bondage to the Word of God. Right? Now, if you want to put your ear to the door knob in the year of jubilee, to the door jamb. Then the man will come along and he’ll jab an ice pick through there…or some little thing he’s got, some sharp thing, makes a bump on your ear, and you’ll never hear the Word of God again. Now suppose you come to the prophet in the year of jubilee. And you say, “I want my ears open.” Then you’re overcome with that. If they can get overcome by the wrong Word, then, you and I can be overcome by the right Word. If they can be destroyed by the wrong Word, we can be brought into His kingdom by the right Word. Give credit where credit is due. “By grace you’re saved through faith, not of yourself ”. [Eph 2:8] If Abraham had the where for to boast concerning the bread, he might have, but not before God. You could do lots of wonderful things and be a sweet person, kind and everything else. That’s great, so you should be. But don’t try it before God, if that’s your salvation. Your salvation is Jesus Christ. Put it where it belongs. See, I don’t even care what you can produce by Him. You can have an anointing upon you, and produce so wonderful, you’re the world’s greatest producer… and still go to hell, according to my Bible. You’ve got to have Him. See? A little different. 32. Well, let’s go on. Now look how they escape the pollution of the world, through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. They sure do. They’re not down there. They’re not down there blaspheming…although they really do, and don’t know it. They’re not down there, boring holes in the bank to get the money out. They’re not down there, mugging old ladies, or robbing them of everything they’ve got. Or, standing back having a great time, because they don’t know how to do anymore sin. So, they kill people, or watch them suffer. Say, “Well I got a kick out of that, let’s try it again.” That’s not what they’re doing. These are religious people, nominal Christians. Denominational Christians. They’re religious. They’ve got a certain spirituality about them. See? They’ve got the justification, sanctification, but they never got to the Baptism. If they had It, they’d have the Word. They can't, they're wells without water. Clouds without water. Tempest song. See? Now they get entangled. What do they get entangled in? They get entangled in the very thing that brought on sin and degradation. You’re right back to where you were, whether you want to know it or not. Says, “You didn't make it” 33. And it says, [2 Peter 2:] (20) … the latter end is worse than the beginning. (21) For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, … It was better they had never heard the Word of God, to give them the truth. See? (21) … than, (having heard) it, (to turn) from the holy commandment(s) (that were) delivered unto them. It was better you never heard It, than, to hear It and turn away. Because the Bible says, “They that are without the gospel, are judged without the gospel.” [Rom 2:12] And those that don’t have the law, are judged without it. But when you come into the light of the end-time, and you turn It down, there is no hope. You’ll end up just where the Bible says, it happened unto them as the true proverb, “The dog.” They always were dogs. And they’ll end up with dogs. Because when you’re born again, you were sheep that was lost, you’re not a dog that turned into a sheep. Neither were you a sow that got lost and turned into a sheep. You were a lost sheep…period. Because dogs are dogs, and sows are sows, and sheep are sheep. Now, do you see where they are at? That fifth verse, "Noah a preacher of righteousness." [2 Peter 2:] Verse 13 (13) … the reward of unrighteousness, … So, here is the picture of the end-time, when men do not know righteousness from unrighteousness. And you’ve got a group of people that lure them, lure them through pleasure and corruption of the Word, and therefore, corruption of life, into the same pit that they’re in. And they love it. And they go on all the while thinking they are exactly right. That they’ve got everything they need from Almighty God. 34. Now then, let’s take another witness…the apostle Paul. 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12 (8) And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: (9) Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, (10) And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; … How deceived are you about a man, if he comes into your home and takes a big club and bashes your brains out? You’d say, “Well, buddy, if I were deceived about that guy, I would certainly be crazier than he is.” And I said, “Amen honey, you said it perfectly right.” So, then it’s not that type of unrighteousness. It’s a kind that deceives you, and makes you think you’re righteous. That makes you think you’re doing righteousness. Huh? But you’re not. And you think it’s righteousness, that you’re doing. But you’re not. And it makes you think you’re serving God. But you’re not. And you’re caught in a trap. But Bro. Branham said, "The two spirits are so close, that only the very Elect, cannot be deceived." Huh? Well c’mon now, am I preaching the truth? I’ve got to be because I’m telling what the prophet said. I’ve got no problem. I’m vindicated. You say, “Bro. Vayle, you talk like you know it.” Sure do, honey. No problem here. I know what I’m talking about. He said it. Here it is. 35. Listen,: (10) … because they received not the love of the truth, … Noah, a prophet of righteousness. Huh? And they deceived through unrighteousness, that was so close to Noah’s. That they said, “Who do you think you are?” And they said, “Who needs this William Branham? We’re doing everything that he did, and better.” Then he's got a fifty-million-dollar university, and was turning out those sweet little dogs. Pardon the expression, for saying this, …these unrighteousness ones. If they bounce back and forth like little Lady Godiva’s almost, before a camera, and had unregenerate people saying things, and call it God. Well they prayed a lot of tongue talking experience, and blaspheme the very Lord God Jehovah, who came in the person of Jesus Christ, making Him free. And then ignoring Him, calling Him a third spirit, or something. I don’t want to advise people to blaspheme brother/ sister. He said, “I’m going to have cutting words.” I’m going to use them, remember Bro. Branham once used that word. He said, “I’ve never saw so illegitimate.” As if the polite word for bastard. And that’s a person who thinks he’s a child of God, but he’s not. He’s taking everything the Father’s got, and acting as though he was. But he’s a make believer. (10) … because they received not the love of the truth, … 36. They wouldn’t take the thing my brother, my sister, that could turn them to God, to make them know the difference between righteousness and wickedness. To know the difference between those who serve God, and those who don’t serve Him. They turned it down. And God says, (11) (Because of this, I will) send (you) strong delusion, … He already sent it. And the delusion was the very truth that He presented. He was hidden in simplicity, and they couldn’t see Him. Now listen, (12) That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, (who believed not the righteousness) but (had) pleasure in unrighteousness. That right? I’m not really changing the Bible. I’m just getting you to see the words here. Because if the antithesis is unrighteousness, then the other is righteousness. So therefore, truth is righteousness, because that’s what’s been preached, that’s what Noah preached. He preached righteousness, which is truth, and they preferred their own ideas. They’re wrong. 37. Now, I think that’s exactly what Peter said, over here, we see in [2 Peter 2:] 10 (10) But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government… Godly governments, those in authority…the prophet of this age. (10) …Presumptuous are they, (walking where they had no authority) selfwilled, … Not of God, they just say that they are, but, they’re not. (10) … they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. (12) But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; … Did they understand Bro. Branham? I can prove it, they speak evil of him. They didn’t understand. They still don’t know. They think we’re following a man, just as though it was nothing but a man. They think we're putting him ahead of Jesus Christ. Well, I’m going to tell you something brother/sister, Elijah’s got to come ahead of Jesus Christ, or Jesus Christ could only come in wrath. So, I’m glad there’s been somebody ahead of Jesus, and the fact of walk two follows one. See? 38. Now, all right. We’ve established the end-time condition of Christianity. The Laodicean Church Age ends with a great deception. Spiritually blinded people, that can’t tell righteousness from unrighteousness, wickedness from truth, and so on. Right in the church, they fail to see those who serve God, and those who do not serve Him. Now, we come to the harvest, the great harvest that Peter said, (12) … brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, … Now comes the question. Where does this harvest come from? What is this all about? We’ve got the truth of the condition today. There’s no one I believe in his right mind, could disagree with what I said tonight. Explain an evidence, that this is a condition of this age. What brought it on? What is behind this? Listen. If there is a harvest, there has got to be a seed. If there’s a seed, there’s got to be a harvest. See? “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” [Gal 6:7] There’s got to be a sowing, for a harvest. I have described the harvest. Based upon what the prophet taught us. What was the sowing? 39. We go to, 1 John 3:7-12 (7) Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he (Jesus) is righteous. (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, that he might destroy the works of the devil. (9) Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; … Now, that’s a plain, blunt statement. If you are born of God, you do not commit sin. Why do you not commit sin? Because you cannot commit sin. The reason I do not jump over this tent, is because I cannot jump over this tent. The reason I do not sing beautiful hymns, is because, I cannot sing beautiful hymns. I’ve got a poor voice. The reason I don’t sit here, sit and play that organ, is because I cannot play the organ. I can’t. That’s a mighty good reason. Now the reason you…don’t commit sin, is because you cannot commit sin. You haven’t got the capability. You haven’t got the ability in order to do it. There’s nothing there to do it with. See? (9) …(because the) seed remaineth in him: …(he’s) born of God. But over in [1 John 2:1-2], It tells you that you can commit sin. And It tells you if you do, you’ve got an advocate. But where you can’t commit a certain thing, you don’t need an advocate. If I never run afoul of the law, I don’t need a lawyer. If I can’t do a certain thing, you can’t accuse me, I’m free. But if I can do something else in its stead that’s wrong, then I'll need an advocate. So, over here it tells you in our message tonight, there is some one thing that you cannot do. And you don’t need an advocate for this. See? You follow me? You don’t need an advocate. No, you’ll never come into judgement. Why? Because this thing cannot be imputed to you. No! Justified! Perfect! Do you follow me? You’ve got to follow me, because the Bible doesn’t contradict Itself, to a viewpoint. 40. You’ve got a viewpoint here, where something can be done that you’ve got to ask forgiveness for, and Jesus pleads for you. Over here, there’s something you cannot do, so you don’t need Him to plead for you. Because in this you are identified with Him. You’re one with Him. You’re perfect with Him, and He with you. There’s no mark against you. Why? Because this is one place where no mark can come. Why? Because you’re incapable of producing a mark against yourself. Do you follow me? All right. Now, we’ve got this point. I know a lot of folk won’t agree…they don’t know the Word. They haven’t got the Holy Ghost, so that lets them out. All right. I’m not talking smug now. In this, now watch, I’m proving my point. (10) In this (thing) the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: … He said right here, you’re going to tell them apart. This is one thing here that children of God, will never do wrong. They’re always perfect in it. Absolutely, just like Jesus. The children of the devil, here’s where they boo-boo every time. (10) … whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. 41. Now, right here, you’ll boggle your mind now, if you don’t believe what the prophet said, “Love is not the evidence.” Now, you read this all you want. And say, “But, Bro. Vayle, ...but, Bro. Vayle, …but, Bro. Vayle.” See, it just shows, you haven’t got it. I’m glad you sat with us, but you won’t be long with us. You’ll be leaving us. You won’t stay with us, because you can’t. Because you won’t take what the prophet said. You think you can read the Bible the way you think It’s read. And therefore, you’ve got to be right. So, was Israel. Jesus came according to Scripture. But not according to their interpretation… so, they crucified Him. So, go ahead, …He doesn’t mind. Huh? You with me? Are you really with me? We’re going to circumcise your minds tonight. We’ve got no room for your thoughts, your ideas, and your experiences. I said, your experiences. I don’t care about your experiences. You don’t care about mine. Because the prophet didn’t care about his. Neither did Peter. Now, do you believe He’s here now? That’s taking the Word. 42. Okay. (11) For this is the message that (you) heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not true evidence, but you’ve got to love them. (12) Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother... wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil (unrighteous), and his brother's righteous. Now, let’s go over this. Verse 7. (7) Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. Verse 7 makes the dynamic statement about identification with Jesus. It said, (7) Little children, (don’t) let (any) man (fool) you: (It says) he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as (Jesus Christ) is righteous. You are as righteous as Jesus Christ, if you can conform to what this Scripture indicates. Now, what does It say about the subject of righteousness? 43. Paul says in, 2 Corinthians 5:21 (21) For (God) hath made (Jesus) to be sin for us, (a sin offering. See? This Jesus) who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God (by our union with) him. Because, ‘the Word in Him’ means ‘union with’. So therefore, we are the very righteousness of God, because of our union with Christ. As I’ve said so many times, ‘he that is joined to the Lord, is one Spirit.’ Now, if you are joined to God, you and He are one Spirit. I ask this question: Did you make God dirty, or, did He make you as clean as He is? If you’re willing to believe tonight that you’re joined to the Lord God, by the Holy Ghost. and you have only one thing to say. “I am as righteous as Almighty God, by the Spirit of God.” And you don’t pull your horns in and suck air in your lips, and say, “Ah...ha…ha…ha, I won’t go. I want to under certain conditions.” See? You blew it right there. Because the condition is, you’ve got the Baptism with the Holy Ghost, and you’re joined to Him. 44. That’s the condition, and the result is, you’re righteous as God. Does that circumcise your mind? Bury your corruption. Lay a scoop shovel to the Word, and shovel all that junk out of your mind, that corruption. That’s right. So, your faith won’t be reprobate. Because if you’ve got that Word exactly right in your heart, you’ve got perfect faith. Right? Is that, right? That’s right. “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” [Rom10:17] And hearing is understanding. So therefore, revelation makes faith. Is that, right? Faith is a revelation. So therefore, we will accept circumcise our mind, bring every thought into captivity. And look to yourself right in the face the way Abraham did. He said, “I am a father of nations.” Listen you old bearded goat, you’re just about dead now. You say you’re a father of nations, you haven’t had one son even, by this woman. You call yourself a father of nations.” He said, “Bless God, that’s what I am.” "On what authority?" "On the authority of the Word of God." The others coming saying, “Well now, now Abraham might have said, now surely… aha… you see it's this way, God made a promise. Well…now, it’s kind of embarrassing. I know, but, well it’s been you know…well…” [laughter] What kind of a father of faith would that kind of a bird be? The one minute before he was changed into a new young man, he was in the worse shape he ever was, in those hundred years of that man. Yeah, and He changed him. The righteousness of God. Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit baptism, …Christ in us, the hope of glory. Absolutely is, our righteousness. 45. Now, Paul gives the doctrine. And John is going to tell us the manifestation, or the evidence of the identification. All right, listen. The Baptism with the Holy Ghost. Right? What is the evidence of it? It’s right here. Do you believe it? It’s what it is here. Now listen. It tells you. It says now, [1 John 3:] (7) …he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. (8) He that (commits) sin is of the devil; for the devil (sins) from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might (undo) the works of the devil. And the devil traps us into what? Unrighteousness. Now we know how he did it. Of course, we’ll talk about it. Now, God is going to undo that work. Christ was made manifest to that end. Now, He was manifest to that end, then brother/sister, can He fail? No, He can’t fail. He’s going to make us, and bring us to the confirmation of the Son, until we stand with the same body He’s got. Well listen. Can He fail? Was He manifested? To what end was He manifested? To undo the work of the devil and bring us right back to Eden. Can He fail? No! God never did get that seventh day rest. We bunged it up, and messed it up. He turned around and gave us the whole six thousand years, so, go ahead. Now, He’s going to get that day back. Right? Christ was manifested to do it. Would He do it? Has He done it? Certainly. And that takes care of it. Comes by the mind. Right? You’ve got to bring it, and circumcise your mind. Don’t say He won’t do it. Say, He has done it. 46. Now, let’s read further: (9) Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; … Certainly not. Why? Because he can’t sin. Now listen. (10) In this (there’s your evidence) the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. Now, notice that. ‘Loveth not his brother’ is thrown in there. It wasn’t up here. So, that tells you, your motivation has got to be love. But your evidence, is elsewhere. Well, isn’t it? Is this what the prophet said? Did he say he had a vision to correct it? Is that, right? In 'Broken Cisterns' [64-07-26] did he tell us he had a vision that corrected him, that the evidence was not love, but, it was the lining up with the Word? Is that, right? Then, say, “Amen.” [congregation replies ‘Amen’] Thank you. When did he say it? 1964. Now, listen to me: 1961, I went Bro. Branham broke an artery, I had a terrible tragedy in my life, I knew that I didn’t have the love that I should’ve had…though I wept for days and days, over the condition in my heart. I said, “Bro. Branham, I have got to have help.” I’ve never asked for a vision. I’ve never asked for help before. But would you be so kind as to see if God would give you a vision? “You know Lee, that I would do that.” I said, “When will I come down?” He said, “I’m leaving next week.” I said, “Could I come today?” He said, “Come right today.” It was Sunday. I got in the car, drove to Jeffersonville, about four and a half hours in those days. He took me right out to that place where he goes towards the cave, where the visions never fail. He stopped the car, now he said, “You know Lee, it might not come.” I said, “Bro. Branham, I’m only asking you to try. You won’t push it. That’s all right, I’ll understand.” 47. The minute he said that, he turned to God, the vision broke in a spit second. He said, “Lee, God showed me a pyramid, and here is the message to you. He said get out of British Israel, you’ve got a fine inquiring mind, you like to study. (That was a compliment, but, not the truth. Studying so hard, in my mind nay be inquiring, but it’s not too fine.) And he said, “Lee, don’t fool with it, leave it alone.” Now listen. I was going to God, for the evidence of the Holy Ghost, in my life. And He came back, and corrected the Word. What’s the evidence of the Holy Ghost? C’mon, go ahead, what is it? [inaudible response from the audience] Do you believe that? Are you going to stand on it? Are you going to circumcise your minds to it? It doesn’t say throw out love. My God, that’s why we cry day and night, and sigh. And hate ourselves, because we’re not walking in the full complement of the marriage to Christ. But brother/sister, we are one of them. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves." [Eph 2:8] 48. Now, he says right here: The children of God are manifest in this righteousness. And the devil’s children can’t produce it, but buddy, they’ll still hate you. Because you’ve got it, and you’ll be in love because, you have it. Now listen. [1 John 3:] (11) For this is the message that (you've) heard from the beginning,… The message of righteousness and unrighteousness, goes right back to Genesis, like marriage and divorce. “It was not so in the beginning.” [Mt 19:8] Now, it’s in the beginning. What’s in the beginning? ] (12) Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, (of the serpent, not Adam) and slew his brother. (Now listen:) wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous. Now, it doesn’t say the killing was unrighteous. It says, Abel did a righteous work, and Cain did an unrighteous work. And therefore, Cain killed Abel, because Cain had done an unrighteous work which Abel could not do. 49. Let’s go back and find out about it. Because that’s the only way, we’re going to know the truth. Genesis 4:1 (1) And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. (2) And she again bare his brother Abel. (now listen) And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. (3) And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. (4) And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: (5) But unto Cain and to (Cain’s) offering (God did not have) respect. And Cain was very wroth, (Huh? There it is) his countenance fell. (6) And the LORD said unto Cain, Why (are you) wroth? and why (are you showing it all over your face)? You can’t help but show what you are. (7) If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. (8) And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and (killed) him. Why did he kill him? Because Abel did a righteous thing, and Cain did an unrighteous thing. Now, you’ll notice here, there’re two people; one righteous one, one unrighteous. There were two acts; one righteous, one unrighteous. Now, why was one act righteous? And why was one act unrighteous? Here is where you will get your evidence, of identification with Jesus. And your identification, or evidence, of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost. Now, Cain was a worker of the soil. He brought the fruit. Abel killed sheep. He didn’t produce a thing. Something else produced it for him. He merely took it, and applied it. 50. Now listen, let’s read It verse 7, though, the way it’s written in the Septuagint. And remember the Septuagint is the Hebrew translated to the Greek. And remember, Jesus used the Septuagint. And Peter used the Septuagint. And Paul used the Septuagint. They all used the Septuagint. And I’m going to use the Septuagint. Now listen. Here’s how It should read, verse 7. (7) Thou has offered right, said God to Cain. Yet if thou hast not rightly divided, hast thou not sinned? Now, don’t you think that I’m telling you a lie. Because I’m going to go to the New Testament in one minute and prove that I’m telling you the truth on this translation. ‘God said, “Not if thou doest well, thou shall not be accepted.” Although that’s kind of accurate. “If thou doest not well, sin liest at the door.” He didn’t say that. He said, honest before God, here’s what God said, “Cain, you’ve offered right. What you did was right. But, you divided the Word wrong. You’re in sin.” 51. 2 Timothy 2:15. Do you love the Lord? Do you love this Message? You couldn’t love the Lord, if you didn’t love this Message. All right. (15) Study (What? The Word) to (show) thyself approved unto God, a workman (doing what? Righteousness or unrighteousness.) that (he need) not to be ashamed, (is he ashamed? Was Cain ashamed? Yes) rightly dividing the word of truth. You cannot possibly be approved of God as Abel was, unless you divide that Word. As Bro. Branham said, and I’ll prove it. They both have the same Word…from the same God. But Abel had a revelation. And by revelation, divided the Word, and offered right, and God accepted him. But He turned the other man down. Are you ready for the proof? Do you believe I can prove it? Thanks for your confidence. I’m going to prove it. Do you believe it’s the Holy Ghost that you believe, instead of Lee Vayle? Huh? If I don’t tell you what the Holy Ghost does, do you believe what the Holy Ghost said? C’mon now, honest? Will you take it, that this what I’m saying is right? 52. Then listen. Verse 4. [Hebrews 11:] (4) By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice… If Abel’s was more excellent, then Cain’s was excellent. You with me? I didn’t tell you, who told you that? The Holy Ghost told you. Why? He wrote the Book. Is that right? Then if a man offered an excellent sacrifice, then he offered right. What was wrong with it? Cain offered a sacrifice of the first-fruits, prior to the blood. Both are in the Word of God. And both are demanded by God. See? But you’ve got to have them in their place. Now, there’s only one way you’ll ever stand with God, and do righteousness. Because though Cain’s act was a beautiful act, and it was right in the Bible, and he could prove it was in the Bible. He was wrong. He was really wrong, because he didn’t have a revelation. Brother/sister, you can have all the gifts of the Holy Ghost you want. You can walk as sweet and nice as you could want to be. But brother/sister, when there comes a showdown from this Word, you’re going to hate somebody about it, if you haven’t got reality, you’ll turn on them. 53. I know a man that is so sweet, it’s almost unbearable. The minute he crossed swords with a sweet little boy that I know, that’s in this Message, who proved to him conclusively from the tapes of William Branham, what he was saying. This man still turned and said, “This little boy is off the deep end.” And the preacher himself was critical. It’s so far off the deep end himself, that it’s pitiful. And people are now believing that little church, is full of gold. When I heard that thing, and I crossed my heart with fear, and I wondered…Oh God, have I called somebody a goat. Have I already, have I de-Christianized that person, or un-Christianized, is what Bro. Branham said? You can have all the love you want. You can have all the gifts you want. You can have every single thing you want. But the difference between the children of the devil, and the children of God, in this end-time as it was in the very beginning, when that truth of absolute purity was there. There was also brother/sister, that other thing so close, that you could have been deceived, both offering to God, both praising God, both in the Bible. What’s he talking about? One man had a revelation, the other man didn’t. And brother/sister, the evidence of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost, and the evidence that you’re identified with Him, and Job’s righteousness lies in only one thing. It lies in a revelation of that Word, so that whatever we do, is it's based upon the revelation of the Word of Almighty God, and that ends it. You can see how today, people can have the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and not put the church in order. Where’s it not …?... “Well, bless God, we’ve got gifts of the Holy Ghost. And it’s in the Bible… Hallelujah. And we’re doing it. And we’ve got results here.” 54. Okay, Cain. Okay, brother Cain, okay. Then you watch Bro. Branham give the truth. They hate him. And they hate us. They sneer and they mock. When the day comes, they’ll kill us. All for the glory of God, "Hallelujah, Jesus we got rid of those guys". Did they not? Why did Jesus in John 16:2 say, “There comes a day, when they think they’re doing Me a service by killing Me?” Why do you think they got rid of Paul? Because he worshipped God according to heresy…according to them. But he worshipped God according to truth. Here is where your battle always is…over this Word by division. Misinterpret one Word. Misplace one Word. Off, goes your name. What brought this whole thing into trouble? What brought everu murder? What brought every assault? What brought every robbery? What brought every sickness? What brought every broken home? What brought every broken life? A woman, …changed one Word. And her son followed in her footsteps. And he said, "I’ll worship God, and I’ll offer." And he offered a wonderful sacrifice. Oh, those grapes and those pears, and those sheaves and everything, were beautiful, and they were wonderful. And God said, “That offering is exactly right. Those gifts are exactly right. Everything is exactly right. But you are exactly wrong because, you’re not interpreting My Word according to My revelation.” 55. Now brother/sister, this is why the Bible said, “Only the Very Elected, cannot be deceived.” [Mt 24:24] And my friend, Dave Mamalis, the Greek. He’s Greek by birth, and studies in the Greek, he said, “That’s a very special word, it comes from ‘ek’ and ‘logos’ ‘those who come out by the Word’.” So, here’s your identification, and here is your proof. That this is what constitutes a man doing righteousness. Now, back in the days of Abel, God showed His approval. Sure, he did. How did He do it? We know how He did it. The Pillar of Fire came down. Didn’t It? Remember, Abraham made a sacrifice? Pillar of Fire came down, like a smoking furnace; and a lamp; went between the sacrifices; certainly. So, did God’s fire come down. But, how does He do it today? What is that evidence today, where we know where men stand? How do we know they line up? We know it, by their lining up with the Word. 56. Let’s go to 1 John now, 4:1-6 (1) Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. He doesn’t mean to just take them out and see how they talk and all. Ha, ha, ha, oh brother. Even these men that really think they know so much, and then they come and tell us so many things, pulling off things like that. Read your Bible. Read your Bible. Not some nonsense. “Well, I was around Bro. Branham for years, and years.” [blank spot] …Some man around Bro. Branham is going to try your spirit. He hunted, he fished. Jesus Christ turned and said, “Flesh and blood didn’t reveal this to you. There was nothing I said or did. It wasn’t the way I lived, the way I acted, it was God that showed you who I was.” He’s not interested…interested in you. (1) … try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets… 57. There you are right there. What was the false prophet? He’s a fellow that tells you something that’s wrong about the Word of God. He could come to you with signs and wonders, bamboozle you. See? (2) Hereby know … the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: (3) And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof (you) heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Now listen: (4) Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. Now listen: (5) They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. Now listen: (6) We are of God: (now watch) …he that knoweth God (said John; hears me); he that is not of God (won’t hear me). Hereby (we know) the spirit of truth, and…error. …?... as we see the day approach. Those same people try to attract you all the time. You watch how they parade around, they don’t have one ounce of Word. Not trying to run them down, I’m just showing you the truth. I’m not worried about them. I’m worried about me, I’m worried about you. Because my job is to show you these things. I’ve got to show them by precept and by example. John said, “I’ll tell you how we know they’re not of God, because, they won’t hear me.” You say, “Wow, that sort of bumps you.” Oh, that fellow really thinks he's somebody. Certainly, he ought to, too. Certainly, he knows it. He is somebody. He’s the messenger. He’s a messenger, a prophet. As John the prophet, we know that. And he said, “If you hear me, and you line up with what I say,” he said, “That’s proof that you’re of God.” Listen, I can’t help what I read. I’ve just got to read iI. 58. Let’s go to 1 Corinthians 14:36-37 (36) What? came the word of God out from you? … Did you produce It? Did God talk to you and tell you these things? Or did It come to you only? Or did I tell you, because, God told me? (37) If any man think himself to be a prophet, or (even) spiritual, (got the Holy Ghost, never mind an office) let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. You’ll know right now, whether you’ve got the Holy Ghost or not said Paul. How do you line up with what I’m teaching? “Well, Bro. Branham we see, I think it’s okay for your church, to put those ministries in another room, but you see, we say different.” “Yeah, but Bro. Vayle, they’re so lovely.” I didn’t say they weren’t lovely. They’re so zealous, they’re so anxious, they’re so pitiful…meaning they’re full of pity. They’re so gracious, they’re so kind. I know they are. I’m not arguing that. I’m preaching the Word of God. I’m not here to argue. Now, this isn’t arguing. I’m only quoting what John said. I’m only quoting what John said. 59. Now listen. John that wrote this. Revelation 1:10,12 (10) I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, (he was looking right down at the end of time, that great day.) and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, And remember at the end-time, the trumpet is going to sound. And that voice is a trumpet. And that voice, is a Voice of Almighty God. And it’s a voice of the Seventh Church Age messenger, and in verse 12, I turned to see the voice. He did not turn to see the man. He turned to see the voice. So, you’re not going to look at a man. You’re not going to look at a certain thing. You’re going to look at the Voice, which is the Word. (12) And (being) turned … I saw seven golden candlesticks; He didn’t see Jesus. He saw a church. And in the midst of the church, one like unto the Son of man. That in the Greek, can be translated ‘he says the same things as’. He said the same thing as the Son of man. 60. All right, now listen. [Revelation 1: verse 20, (20) The mystery of the seven stars which (you saw) in my right hand, and the seven … candlesticks. The seven stars are the (messengers) of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which (you saw) are the seven churches. Okay, [Revelation} chapter 2, (1) Unto (the messenger) the angel of the church (which is in) Ephesus… He introduces Himself, gives His own personal revelation Himself. Gives them the Word of God. And then says. (7) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit (says to) the churches; But the Spirit did not say it to the churches. The Spirit said it to the messenger. And the people heard what the messenger said. And when they identified, they heard God, therefore, they were of God. That’s your identification. That’s your righteousness. Proves that you’re one with Him. Absolutely proves. And where do these people go that won’t listen to the man of God for the Age? What happened to those people that turned down Luther? You know what happened to them. What happened when they turned down Wesley? You know what happened. What happened when they turned down restoration of gifts? You know what happened. What happened when they turned down William Branham? You know what happened, right now. 61. The Voice of the Lord Jesus Christ, is in the church...in every single age. And it’s His Voice, and He is speaking to the messenger. But at the end-time, He’s got a special messenger like the first time…which is a vindicated prophet, according to Deuteronomy 18: Luke 17:26-30, Revelation 10:1-7, and so on. The last age Message is come forth. And it came forth by a Trumpet, through a vindicated prophet. It came forth with a Pillar of Fire proving that the Pillar of Fire was there. Because no man could do the works that he did. It took God. His vindication, was so fantastic. I read it to you in Hebrews 6: It says, (4) … (The enlightenment came with the taste) of the heavenly gift, … (partaking) of the Holy Ghost, (5) …(tasting) the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, And they still fell away, when God put every single ounce of His ministry, into a man. And they still ?me how He divides the Word, by the Holy Spirit. They turned it down. 62. They said so in 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12, they received not the love of the truth. (10) (They loved their deception) of unrighteousness… They said, “Don’t tell me, I can read the Bible. Don’t tell me, we're not following a man…but you are.” They’re dropping like ten-pins. Just like Cain, they take pleasure in unrighteousness. They take pleasure in the wrongly divided Word. They take pleasure in standing on It. That’s why I can’t stand promise boxes. If you do yourself a favor, junk them. Because every single one is simply a word out of context. “I am the Lord that healeth thee”. The angel of God said, “Have them confess their sins.” Put that on your promise box. Thank you. Junk it, or put it the way it should be. Rightly divide the Word. I’ll send Elijah, goodie. …?... Never was, and never will be. I'll send Elijah Oh, that’s been done with John the Baptist. No, it’s going to be done again. Because that great and dreadful day, wasn’t there in the days of John. And Jesus has got to come three times Himself. He came one time as they said …?... here. He had to come and proclaim the vengeance of God. And He’s got to come yet again, to comfort those that mourn. In the atonement of mourning, when they see Him for Whom He is. 63. We’ve got a lot more comings than you thought. He came down on Pentecost. He came down to Paul. He came down to William Branham. He’s here now. Praise the Lord. Such vindicated ministries, men could not realize, took place in Hebrews 6: yet they turned It down, they took pleasure in unrighteousness. They were so close to the real thing. They said, it’s the real thing. And they turned the truth down, because brother/sister, if you misinterpret the Word, it’s no longer truth. How many folk tonight, still don’t have trouble looking at a map, to realize which is north, east, and south? Now, I know this is as good as any, I get mixed up too, just wondered. And if they give a certain instruction, I think I’m going this way, I think I’m going south. If I’m going south east that’s what happens. I wouldn’t do that. And if I boo-boo a bit, suddenly I say “That was west wasn’t it?” Might be going in the wrong direction. See? 64. Missing that Word. And when you miss the Word, you have missed things. And listen. Then your faith is reprobate. What’s a reprobate? Says that [inaudible comments] Has he? As long as what he hears is of God. He that doesn’t hear God, is not of God. Didn’t Jesus say the same thing? How close can a man identify with Jesus? Jesus said, “You don’t hear God’s Word,” so He said, “Therefore, you don’t hear Me, is not of God." Then when God turned around He said, “If you don’t hear Me, you’re not of God.” How close can these messengers identify with God? They identified so close, that when William Branham ccame, many people thought he was the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, you heard him talk. He said that Spirit was near him. It sounded like they both said, “That he was Jesus Christ.” Because I was in Iowa in '58 when that Spirit hit, and up in Canada. Now, Bro. Branham was preaching 'Identification' [64-02-16], that Spirit was telling me, and will sound like he’s calling himself Jesus Christ. And I said, “What kind of a deal have I got into?” What’s going on here? He’s saying that he's Jesus Christ. Use the platform? Bro. Branham, dear sweet saint. Next night, going crazy sitting there. Until somebody said, "Lee, do you know that those people think he's Jesus Christ?" And I smiled, and I said, “So that’s really …?... …?...” That identification is so close brother/sister. Listen, you and I have got an identification too. And that identification, is union with Jesus Christ. That He has become our righteousness. And we are one with Him. See? 65. Now listen. Their lies are bound in their creeds and their dogmas. To which at the end-time they will ask about miracles and great ministries, according to Matthew 24: 24.” But remember, the prophet said, “Give them the Word test.” Like Cain, they cannot take the Word. And John said, “If they don’t hear us, they’re not of God.” And that same Voice, went through Seven Church Ages, until It came at the last time, where It said, “Behold, I show you a mystery, we shall not all sleep. We shall all be changed in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye. At the last trump, the trumpet shall sound.” [1 Cor 15:5-52] When that voice, that trumpet message, of Revelation 10:7 goes into effect, brother/sister, then the whole Word of God, will go into effect in your life, and God has designated you one of His, because you identify with the Voice. 66. Now listen: The Shout is the Message, but the Voice is the Resurrection. Do you want to live and not die? Then, get with that Voice, brother/sister. That’s the Word. What was that thing that Cain did…the unrighteous thing? Beautifully took the Word of God. Beautifully misinterpreted the Word of God. Beautifully followed out his creeds and his dogmas, because that’s all it was now. And terribly, horribly, reprobated himself, because his faith was reprobate, because he mis-divided the Word. Now brother/sister, listen to me, and let’s get this very carefully. Because we took you back to the beginning, and showed you what It’s all about. Would you be willing now to stand to your feet and say, “Bro. Vayle, I don’t need anybody.” How anybody could have that kind of courage, shows that you are reprobate. You might as well pull the thing all the way down the line. One day you may be shocked as to what we're saying and prove whether we've got the Word or not. …?... When you say, “I don’t go for that nonsense, I can divide the Word myself.” When ninety-nine percent of you sitting here would never do that. Perhaps one hundred percent wouldn’t do it. Because from this Message, the Word of God that I taught tonight, based on what the prophet taught us, you know this is the truth. And it is the truth. 67. You would not dare risk yourself, one moment to interpret that Word. You’d want some-body who could prove that he had the right to interpret It, to do it for you. That’s why I don’t interpret this Word, nor do I explain this Word. I teach It. Because I do not have the interpretation, ...uh uh…it wasn’t given to me. I take from the man who had the interpretation, then I teach It. None of us would dare to stand and say, “Bro. Vayle, I’ll stand with Cain.” Would you? Do you want to stand with Abel, to speak of better things? Then stick with the prophet. Stick with the prophet. If you know only that much, and you really know it by revelation, that’s all, don’t worry. Just let the rest wait. It might not be yours to get. And if you know this much already, don’t get smug, because oh brother, there’s yards up there yet. 68. And the more you get, the worse you believe you haven’t got more. But don’t let it bother you. Stick with that sweet revelation, that prophet divided that Word. And brother/sister, listen, here is nobody but those people who stand with righteous Abel. Then get this, and then we’re going higher. Until one day we see Enoch. And Enoch walked with God and was not. And how can you walk together, except you be agreed, and how can you be agreed, except your minds be one? There’s a Bride walking right in to the fulness of revelation, according to each member’s necessity. And there a fully revealed Word Bride, will stand, to walk right into eternal life, and you know that’s the truth. May God hasten the day. Though, we don’t want anyone to miss it. Brother/sister, circumcise your minds tonight, lest you be of corrupt mind and reprobate faith. Give to God your own thoughts. Don’t be afraid to stand with the prophet. Don’t try to put your own interpretation on it. Just believe It. Just believe It, and the Holy Ghost will quicken It. And one day there’s going to be a Bride, spotless, with a wedding garment, who walks in. Do you know what? Let’s go all the way. Let’s believe it’s us. The Lord Bless you. Shall we rise? How about “We’ll Walk in the Light”? Now that’s one verse I can get. [audio ends] Righteousness and Unrighteousness (1471) Page PAGE \* MERGEFORMAT 1