Context:

The following is a comment by William M. Branham about loving and serving all people while remaining obedient to God to teach and prophesy about the Nicolaitan church system.

Nicolaitanism is the hierarchical dominate-the-laity control system that originated in the early church at Ephesus and Pergamum (Revelation2,6 and 15). It continues up to the present day and is a temptation of every religious system, every denomination, every pastor, and every church in every age.

We at Zion Pentecost Mission express our present day agreement with Br. Branham's assessment of non biblical Nicolaitanism this way: Jesus said "I will make you fishers of men." So, our shared Christian faith and gospel mission is not about hierarchical pastorianity but catch and release, not conquer and fleece. 

The Revelation Of The Seven Seals, Voice of God Recordings, 2012, Jeffersonville, Indiana

Text Excerpt p.335-36 begining at para. 46

   "A- boy who is a-a Catholic, a real royal friend of mine, was talking to me. Had a certain hardware store; before I left. He said, 'Billy, I-I know you don't believe in our system of religion." He said, 'But I'm telling you right now,' said, 'God has honored your prayers so much for us! I belive, if you get in trouble anywhere in the nation, ' said 'Every Catholic in the country would come to you.' So you see, that's...

   He said 'Every crossback,' he called it. I'm going to tell it just the way he did. Course they claim to be that because the early Christians packed crosses on their backs. We know that by history. And they claim to be the early Christian which they were, but the system has go them off of that path, you see.

   And them people, a Catholic, or Jew, or whatever it is, they're a human being off the same tree that we come from. See? That's right. They're people who love, and eat, and drink, and sleep, and just like anybody else. And so we must never condemn individuals, no, no one, see. But we mustn't condemn individuals.

   But as a minister, I have to strike that serpent out there, that's biting into those people, you see. And I don't- and I don't even... Just me, and myself, I wouldn't do that if it wasn't a commission from God, that I'm duty bound to do it, see. And I must hold that true and faithful.

   But if a Catholic, a Jew, or whatever he was, come here; if he was a Moahammedan, Greek, or Orthodox, or whatever he might be. If he come here to be prayed for, I'd pray just as sincerely for him as I would my own. That's right. Certainly, because it's a human being. And I've prayed for Buddhists, and Sikhs, Jains, Mohammedans, and- and every kind, you see, like that. And I don't ask them no questions; I just pray for them, because they're somebody, a human being that wants to get well, and try to make life a little easier along the road for them."  

*used by permission

William Branham (1909-1965) was to 20th century American preaching what Frank Capra (1897-1991) was to 20th century American film-making.

Today is our sixteenth in a series of excerpts from William M. Branham's two principal written works. We're not going to take time explaining his life or the miracles that attended it, or defend his preaching style or grammar, his doctrines or vice versa.

That's all being said and done, and likely will be until Jesus comes back.

Rather than get distracted, our aim is to see Branham's gift of in depth discernment, study, and then fully shouting from the rooftops about biblical passages that Christians historically, and to this day, avoid, gloss over, explain away, or outright change, according to denominational and political fault lines.

Having said that, there might not be two bible expositors or students across the whole Christian spectrum who agree with half of what Br. Branham preached.

Yet and still, in an age where preaching has become so tepid, so nuanced, so easy-pleasy, so cookie-cutter and prosperity bound, there seems to be a famine of the prophetic word, his voice is somehow still welcome. (As for this famine: https://vimeo.com/126142650 ) Why? I'm not sure, but it has something to with the fact that his preaching still prods and wrankles all, just like Jesus', and even galvanizes some to get serious about salvation from our savior who said "not everybody who says 'Lord Lord' will get into the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew7,21)

Long before anybody heard about "the prosperity gospel," Branham was preaching against it. Instead, he preached for all God's people, for humanity, not for pastorianity or churchianity, not for secular power and wealth on behalf of the potentates of the world, but for humanity, poor as well as rich. In this homespun humanity and the breath of his gospel vision, he shares much with the renown American film-maker Frank Capra.

One note of caution, Branham's ability to communicate, especially vocally, is so effective, so boiled down and rich, the apparent temptation of some is to preach his words rather than the same written word and gospel that he so loved.

In sum, anyone who hasn't sampled Branham's vast gospel output has missed something of the potential breath, vision, and import of our individual faith witness according to the word of God.

Hope you enjoy this series.

Br. Tobin

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