What is your Absolute?

Last night I received an email from one missionary friend. He gave me a link to a debate of sorts that’s happening online about what’s supposed to be the Bride’s “absolute.” The page belongs to the William Branham Legacy website and attempts to show the views from both sides.

The debate centers one which should be the believers’ absolute: William Branham’s sermons or the Bible, the Word of God. As ridiculous as it may sound, the subject is a continuing controversy that divides the Message believers all over the world up to this day.

The debate also centers on the statements made by Joseph Branham, the prophet’s son, which he made in his various appearances, but particularly in St. Petersburg, Russia. In a nutshell, he declared his personal beliefs that all the words that Bro. Branham said was “Thus saith the Lord”, that the prophet’s sermons are his absolute, and that his sole motive and one objective is to promote Bro. Branham. (You can read the transcript of Joseph Branham’s speech here, or view the videos here.)

On the other hand, another contributor to the discussion brings a sermon made by Pastor Donnie Reagan of Happy Valley Church in which he touched the very statements made by Joseph Branham. The sermon was also uploaded on YouTube in five parts and you can view them here.

Does this issue mean anything? I believe it does. I also believe that the greatest battle of the Bride of Christ is not about the sins of the flesh, the worldly things, but it has something to do with what we believe in this Message.

If your absolute are the words spoken by the prophet, you stand in direct contradiction to the very beliefs of the prophet himself, that his absolute is the Bible, the Word of God. He made this clear many times during his lifetime, but apparently many have (chosen?) to overlook these statements and cling on to their fanatic ideas.

If your absolute are the words spoken by the prophet, you are bound to fail and be confounded because the prophet has repeatedly acknowledged his humanity and his limitations. He does speak the Voice of God when he says it’s ‘Thus saith the Lord’. But he did not always speak that way.

If your absolute are the sermons of the prophet, you are one step short of glorifying and a man of God above his gift and calling and be guilty of idolizing him.

If your absolute is the Word of God, then you are bound to be an overcomer and be steadfast in the faith. My words, Jesus said, will never pass away. This is the prophet’s absolute, nothing else.

If your absolute is the Word of God, you will base your beliefs and principles on the Scriptures, just as Bro. Branham did. You will check your doctrines by the Word. The Bible vindicates the Message, not the other way around.

If your absolute is the Bible, you will be branded as non-Message believer, because mainstream believers of this Message believe otherwise. You will be out of fellowship with the most popular international ministers who travel the world to propagate their stand.

Making a stand on what is True takes more than guts. We need the grace and power of God to hold on to the Truth. There is so much brainwashing among Message believers. Indeed a spiritual shaking is going on today among the Bride.

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Published:
01.26.08 / 8am
Category:
Insights