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. Were his seven visions 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.
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:
Intentional stumbling blockJesus 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
Another example is when he was studying for his message on the seven seals. SEVENTH.SEAL.THE_ JEFF.IN SUNDAY_ 63-0324E
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)ConclusionFrom 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
JOHN 21:22 – 23
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
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
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
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. QuotesThen 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.[2]
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.[3]
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.[6]
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.[7]
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.[8] References
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