1977

William Branham believed that the world would end in 1977. Prediction vs. Prophecy= William Branham said "I predict (I do not prophesy)". William Branham said ‘Thus saith the Lord” many times during his ministry. It is interesting that he actually realized he could completely destroy his legacy with a prophecy that was incorrect as to exact timing. As a result, he waffled on the date. 2) "These visions" are true prophecy William Branham's prediction was about the timing of the series of seven visions given to him in 1933. While the timing of the fulfillment was a prediction, the underlying visions were prophecy which have been and are being fulfilled. William Branham knew that destruction would come to the United States as fortold in the 7th vision. However, like the Prophet David fortelling the death of Saul, he could only guess as to when this would happen, but knew for sure that it would happen. David said furthermore, [As] the LORD liveth, the LORD shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish. (I SAMUEL 26:10) 3) The Sign of Jonas Jesus said A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. (Matthew 16:4) The question stands - what is the sign of the prophet Jonas (hereafter referred to as Jonah)? For those who don't know who Jonah was, Jonah was a prophet who received a message from God to deliver to a non-Jewish city called Nineveh. Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. (Jonah 1:2). Instead of running to Ninevah, Jonah took a boat in the opposite direction. A great storm came and Jonah was thrown into the sea at his request. A great fish swallowed Jonah, and Jonah lived in the fish for three days after which the fish spit Jonah out on dry land. Jonah then went to Ninevah at God's second request and preached to the city, which was saved. The 'Sign of Jonah' given to the people of Nineveh was preaching, and a prophecy that was delayed in its coming. And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time, saying, 'Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.' So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. (Jonah 3:1-3a) However, when Jonah went into Nineveh he cried Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown. (Jonah 3:4). When the people of Nineveh repented, the prophecy of destruction was delayed. Nineveh was finally totally and utterly destroyed in 612 B.C., which was a number of years after Jonah prophecied, rather than the 40 days he predicted. God's mercy to Nineveh displeased Jonah, and his story ends up with God teaching Jonah a lesson on the value of human life. Perhaps the destruction of America was delayed as the destruction of Nineveh was delayed. Perhaps there were 10 righteous people in America in 1977, and God had regard to those people as he promised to Abraham that he would not destroy Sodom if he found 10 righteous people abiding there (Genesis 18:32). Whatever the reason, America has been given the sign of the Prophet Jonas, destruction has been delayed, but destruction has been prophecied and will come quickly based on the fulfillment of the 7 visions given to William Branham. 4) Delay of Judgement Apart from Jonah, there are other Biblical examples of prophetic judgment being delayed. For example, King Hezekiah pleaded for and was granted more years from the Lord when a prophet told him he was going to die. Still another example would be King Ahab, who when told of his fate, clothed himself in sackcloth and ashes. The word of the Lord then changed from judgement on Ahab, to a judgement on his children after his passing. 5) William Branham spoke as a man William Branham made this statement as "a private student of the Word" and not as a prophet. This is scriptural as the Bible records other times when prophets spoke as men, rather then as prophets. When they did speak, their words were fallable, rather than when the Lord spoke through them making their words infallible. What is the 'Ushering in the the Millenium'?= William Branham plagiarized a lot of his doctrine from Clarence Larkin and this is another clear case of stealing wording directly from Larkin: We must not forget that the “SEVENTH SEAL” includes all that happens during the sounding of the “Trumpets,” and the pouring out of the “Vials,” and so extends down to the ushering in of the Millennium. To illustrate, a rocket fired into the air may burst into “seven stars,” and one of these stars into “seven other stars,” and one of the second group of stars into a third group of “seven stars.” So the “Seventh” Seal includes the “Seven Trumpets,” and the “Seventh” Trumpet includes the “Seven Vials.” Intentional stumbling block Jesus said Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. (John 6:53) The Bible then records that From that [time] many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. (John 6:66) probably on the basis that they could not accept cannibalism as a doctrine. Jesus was not wrong in his teaching, but intentionally said hard words so that the people could not receive or understand. Jesus specifically said that his teaching was such that some would turn away: And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. (Luke 8:10) Even after saying these hard teachings, Jesus still required the people to believe and obey. However, he never asked that they understand, but just believe. Say ye...Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father [is] in me, and I in him. (John 10:36 - 38) Regarding 1977, this may have been an intentional stumblingblock that William Branham was allowed to speak to let the people fall away. God has never asked for understanding, only faith: For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; (I Cor 1:22, 23) Secondly, if William Branham was so wrong in stating the importance of 1977, the angel would have informed him of his error, and caused him to reorder his words, just as he did numerous other times. One such example is when he was answering questions on the Seven Seals, and accidentally interpreted one of the questions wrong; however, before anyone could tell him of his error, he felt moved by the Holy Spirit of the error he had made. His words are as follows: QA.ON.THE.SEALS_ JEFF.IN SUNDAY_ 63-0324M There's something wrong. There's something wrong. Now, that's just all there is to it. There's--there's something's happened. See? There's something that went wrong somewhere. Everybody feeling all right? There's no--there's no sickness or nothing? [A man in the congregation requests that Brother Branham read Revelation 5:9 again--Ed.] Let's see, Revelations, where was it, brother? 5... The... Oh, the question. Oh, the question I was answering. Now, let's see... Oh,... See, I only read the first part of that verse...and I was trying to get through, looking at that clock. But you see Him stop me on that? Glory. I never read the other part of that. Another example is when he was studying for his message on the seven seals. SEVENTH.SEAL.THE_ JEFF.IN SUNDAY_ 63-0324E Now, I say this...Looking over old notes that I preached on many years ago, I was just coming in and saying what I thought was right and going on. It was away off of the line. And now, all four of them Seals, I had it in about twenty minute sermon...But my, when the Word really was opened up, it was a hundred miles away from it. So it behooves us to watch and wait...There may be many things that's been said that might be disagreeable with other people, but I believe when the great windup time comes and we meet our Lord, you'll find out that it was right. It really is. 9)1977 as the start of the 'Bride Age' Another alternative is that there is more truth to what William Branham said than has been revealed, and time will prove him correct. One interpretation of what this means is as follows: During his teaching on the seven church ages, William Branham drew a picture of the moon to illustrate the church’s battle between light and darkness in each of the seven church ages. This picture is as follows, with each circle representing a different church age: 10)Conclusion From this discussion, we can see that 1977 is irrelevant from the standpoint of a catastrophic or noticeable event. However, 1977 could possibly be a) The date when the iniquity of the United States was full, b) The date when the iniquity of the World was full, c) The date after which the bride of Christ realizes who she is. Point c) can be linked to Joshua leading the people of Israel into the promised land (the fullness of their inheritance) a few years after Moses had died. Again, claiming the promised land (making herself ready) is a process, not an instant event. William Branham is not the only prophet to have controversy surrounding dates. Examples of similar controversies include both Samuel and Jesus. I SAMUEL 13:8 And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel [had appointed]: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. JOHN 21:22 – 23 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what [is that] to thee? follow thou me. Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what [is that] to thee? The ministry of William Branham was much like the ministry of Moses in that the people, upon listening to his ministry, inquired “hath he not spoken also by us?” NUMBERS 12:1-2. 6-9 And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman. And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard [it]. And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, [I] the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, [and] will speak unto him in a dream. My servant Moses [is] not so, who [is] faithful in all mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses? And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed. Moses was not allowed to lead the people into the promised land, but died in the wilderness. Joshua, who was a type of the Holy Spirit, led the people into the Promised Land. In much the same way John the Baptist and William Branham were taken off the scene once they had fulfilled their ministry, as the Lord once again would come and lead the people Himself. William Branham taught that the second part of Malachi 4:6 “And he shall turn…the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse” relates to the Lord’s promise to restore the Christian faith at the end of days to what it was when the Holy Spirit first fell at Pentecost (children to fathers). ACTS 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. All William Branham’s ministry was trying to accomplish was to bring the Christian church back to the place were it was in one accord and in one place, so that the Holy Spirit would feel welcome once again to have compete control in the church. When William Branham prophesied in the name of the Lord, that prophecy was 100% correct. A "seer" in the Old Testament means, "one that the Word is revealed to." Based on this interpretation, William Branham’s ministry as a seer (a prophet) was more than to heal the sick – it was to teach the Word of God. Therefore, for the things he said which you do not understand, consider the possibility that the error lies in your understanding rather than in his words. Your duty therefore is to pray for revelation, and hope to be present when the truth of those prophecies is finally revealed. Do not call Elijah “old baldhead”, or even disregard one aspect of his ministry. Judgement is reserved for the Lord, not man. The scripture says that: MATTHEW 10:41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. Therefore, please receive William Branham in the name of a prophet, have respect for the message he spoke, and when rewards are given in heaven you will not be disappointed. Quotes Then I seen the United States as one smoldering, burnt-over place. It will be near the end. (Then I've got in parenthesis: "I predict that this will take place." Now, remember, the Lord ne... That's what the Lord showed, but "I predict this will take place before 1977.") Upon this prediction, I base, because of the onrushing slaught that's coming now, how fast that it was moving, how long it'll take till this nation meets its place. Then I turned to look and I seen the United States was a smoldering something had burned it up. And down beneath there I said, not in the trance, but, "I predict..." (remember this, I guess this is taped too), "I predict that these things will take place between now, 1933 and 1977." Which will give us sixteen more years if my prediction strikes right. Now, there was seven things spoke of that would happen. Five of them has already happened. There's two left to take place. It'll be that way. That's in the Name of the Lord it shall be that way. See? Oh, He's great. [Someone speaks in tongues--Ed.] [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] Father, for Your Spirit for the... [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] Upon the people, the gifts that's in the Church. We thank Thee, Lord, for they speak in unity. They speak in unity of Thy coming. The prophets, the speakers with tongues, the interpreters, all are warning us. The hour is at hand, and truly we believe that it's later than we think. May we prepare our hearts and souls for the coming of the Lord. And at 1906 the Laodicean church age set in, and I don't know when it'll end, but I predict it'll be done by 1977. I predict, not the Lord told me, but I predict it according to a vision that was showed me some years ago, that five of those things has (out of the seven)--has already taken place about... We believe that the Laodicean church started in A.D. 1906. I predict... Now, remember, "predict," especially you listening at the tape. I don't say it will be, but predict that it will end by 1977, that the church will go completely into apostasy, and she'll be ousted out of the mouth of God. And the second coming, or the rapture of Christ, might come any time. Now, I could miss that a year; I can miss it twenty years, I could miss it a hundred years. I don't know where. But I just predict that according to a vision He showed me, and taking the time, the way it's progressing, I say it'll be sometime between '33 and '77. At--at least, this great nation is going to strike a war that's going to blow it to bits. See? Now, that's pretty close; it's awful close. And I could be wrong; I'm predicting. Everybody understand say, "amen" if you do. Now, counting the time, we find that we have exactly (Listen.) seventeen years left, and we will have the same span of time given to us as God dealing with us in the power of the Holy Spirit since A.D. 33 until 1977, the same span of time of 1954 years. God deals with us the same as He did with the Jews. See? How about that? Now, mark down in your book a little Scripture here I want to give you. Leviticus 25, begin with the 8th verse. God calls a jubilee every forty-ninth year; the fiftieth year was the jubilee. We know that. We understand that. From the first jubilee of Leviticus 25:8, in 1977 will be the seventieth jubilee, making exactly 3,430 years. Jubilee means the going up, the release. And I predicted that there would be some great tragedy happen to this United States before or by the year of 1977. How many remembers me saying that? Look at the hands. Sure... And here comes around and shows, and then I predicted... I never said the Lord told me that, but standing that morning in the church, I said, "The way progress..." I got back to one end of the wall and run to the other end of the wall, and I said, "The way progress is going on, I'll predict that the time (I don't know why I'm saying it.)--but I predict that that'll all happen between right now, 1933, and 1977. And not knowing it, God knows my heart, I never knowed it until yesterday, that 1977 is the jubilee, and exactly the same amount of time run out that He give with Israel and everything at the end. So we're at... And here we are at the end of the age, at the coming in of the seventieth week. We don't know what time that the church will be gone. Oh, my. What can we do, friends? Where are we at? Now, what's the next thing? The Seven Seals now. We drop right in on them when the Lord will permit. When that'll be, I don't know. Just whenever He delivers it, then we'll go right into it. Then we're going to have a long, long meeting, 'cause we're going to take from the 6th chapter through the 19th to get through it. And as slow as I am with it... Now, I do not want anyone to go away misunderstanding this. Tape's still playing? I don't want anyone to misunderstand it. Don't misunderstand now, and say, "Brother Branham said Jesus will come in 1977." I never said no such a thing. Jesus may come today. But I have predicted that between '33 and '77 something would take place, that these things that I seen come to pass in the vision would take place. And five of them has already took place. The Laodicean Age began around the turn of the Twentieth Century, perhaps 1906. How long will it last? As a servant of God who has had multitudes of visions, of which NONE has ever failed, let me predict (I did not say prophesy, but predict) that this age will end around 1977. If you will pardon a personal note here, I base this prediction on seven major continuous visions that came to me one Sunday morning in June, 1933. The Lord Jesus spoke to me and said that the coming of the Lord was drawing nigh, but that before He came, seven major events would transpire. I wrote them all down and that morning I gave forth the revelation of the Lord. The first vision was that Mussolini would invade Ethiopia and that nation would "fall at his steps". That vision surely did cause some repercussions, and some were very angry when I said it and would not believe it. But it happened that way. He just walked in there with his modern arms and took over. The natives didn't have a chance. But the vision also said that Mussolini would come to a horrible end with his own people turning on him. That came to pass just exactly as it was said. Based on these seven visions, along with the rapid changes which have swept the world in the last fifty years, I PREDICT (I do not prophesy) that these visions will have all come to pass by 1977. And though many may feel that this is an irresponsible statement in view of the fact that Jesus said that 'no man knoweth the day nor the hour.' I still maintain this prediction after thirty years because, Jesus did NOT say no man could know the year, month or week in which His coming was to be completed. So I repeat, I sincerely believe and maintain as a private student of the Word, along with Divine inspiration that 1977 ought to terminate the world systems and usher in the millennium. References Navigation Home Our Podcast The List of Problems Life Story Prophecies & Visions Seven Seals Was William Branham Honest? Doctrines Church Ages Jesus Languages Videos Print Resources Help! Facebook Contact Us