Three holy words

BACK to Questions & Answers Q: Can you help me with the three holy words Bro Branham uses when healing as told him by the angel. He narrated in the message Experience. I searched for the quote you mentioned, and I must say it was very unique for a number of reasons. First, William Branham often repeats ideas and stories in his messages, but it is very different to hear him say something out of the blue at the start of his ministry and never repeat it. Second, I watched the "Chicago Campaign" video on Youtube, and Bro. Branham definitely does not speak, mumble, or otherwise visibly or audibly repeat words after each prayer - in fact there is often no break in his words at all after a prayer. So, I have copied the quote below, and added my comments underneath as to what this might mean. However, I am not a minister, and you may wish to discuss this with your pastor should you not find your question answered. The Quote: (Experiences, Phoenix, AZ, 48-0302 (can be found on the internet message search by clicking here.)) here's three words that I have to repeat at that time. See? And it's the three high words of the Bible. No mortal on earth know it…I stand still just for a few minutes and repeat these three words that the Angel of the Lord told me to repeat. Then if I feel it come back, then I know it's done. The Simple Answer: William Branham spoke in tongues. As far as I know, there is nothing wrong with this. I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: (I CORINTHIANS 14:18) forbid not to speak with tongues. (I CORINTHIANS 14:39b) More Involved Answer # 1: Speaking in Tongues From the scriptures, speaking in tongues is only profitable for the congregation where it is accompanied by something that the people can understand. Otherwise it does not edify the Body of Christ. Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? (I CORINTHIANS 14:6) William Branham also said: ...back all through the ages, Angels has visit men...an Angel of God will testify to the truth of God. (That's right.), and it'll declare God. It won't have some kind of mythical something and no one understands. (GOD_IN_HIS_PEOPLE LITTLE_ROCK_AR 02-27-50) In this case, when William Branham spoke in tongues it was followed by a healing - which was edifying. On the other hand, this comment is confusing as no-one really knows what he is talking about, which then only proves the following scripture: He that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. (I CORINTHIANS 14:4 ) More Involved Answer # 2: Repeating Words The Bible says "But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen [do]: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking." (MATTHEW 6:7) Shortly after the quote about repeating high words, William Branham prays for a long line of people. The text (somewhat condensed) goes like this: "Father, heal our sister in the Name of Jesus Christ... God, I pray that You'll heal our sister in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.... God, heal our sister in Jesus Christ's Name.... Dear God, heal our sister in Jesus' Name... In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth... You shall have it, in Jesus Christ's Name... Father, I pray in Jesus Christ's Name... God, heal this woman, I pray, Father, in Jesus' Name... And heal this man, Father, in Jesus Christ's Name I ask You Father. Heal our brother, Father, in Jesus..." From these quotes, the only words that are repeated in prayer are "Father", "Lord", "Jesus" and "Christ". Furthermore, the people were healed - which means any repetition could not have been in vain, otherwise the Lord would have not heard William Branham for his "much speaking". In every subsequent message, William Branham repeats the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, but never again mentions the "three high words". Perhaps when the Angel gave William Branham the commission to get people to believe, he also gave William Branham something to help him believe first - sort of like Gideon placing a fleece before the Lord. William Branham said: "And just say, "I believe You, and by faith I believe what that man said today." That's what the Angel told me. "Get the people to believe you." And if I tell the Word of God, it ain't believe me it's believe the Word." (THE_ODDBALL JEFF_IN 06-14-64 Evening) More Involved Answer # 3: High Words I had never heard of a "high word" before I read this quote. That said, I have no problem with prophets knowing "secrets" or being able to talk to angels - as those are fairly consistent themes in the Old and New Testaments. For example, Elizabeth "knew" John's name before it was revealed to the people, same with Mary and Jesus' name, and Moses knew of name of "I AM" before he went into Egypt. Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. (AMOS 3:7) Because Bro. Branham does not describe the nature of the three words, they could be either non-name words such as "Holy, Holy, Holy", or name words such as "Lord Jesus Christ". There are the following precedents in scripture for both: To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth [it]. (REVELATION 2:17b) And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. (2 Corinthians 12:3-4) If this is that William Branham was repeating, then there is no way anyone will ever figure out what he said because the prophecy of Revelation says that no man knoweth saving he that receiveth [it], and Corinthians says that these are unspeakable words.