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MISCELLANEOUS QUESTIONS
Questions Nos. 672 to 683


CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT


Question # 672: "What is a heresy? Please explain this. It means to cause divisions. God allows that in the church."


E.O.D.H. Answer: A Heresy means doctrinal departure from revealed truths or erroneous views. A heresy is a lie injected into the Word of truth and the Message of the hour. A Heresy is invented by Satan to misconstrue the truth to cause mankind to lose the way, or mistake the way of truth and salvation. A heresy is a lie.
In other Scriptures, heresies are called by different titles. Doctrines of devils (1Tim:4:1) Private interpretations (2Pet:1:20) another gospel (Gal 1:1-9) Spiritual darkness (Jn. 3:9-20) Deeds and doctrines of the Nicolaitans (Rev 2:6) they are all one and the same and pertains to the same subject and that is perverting the Word of God. Perverting the truth, perverting the Bible and perverting the message that God sends to mankind. So heresies are based on truth but are doctrinal departure from truth. The power of a heresy is greater than the atomic bomb. Peter, the man with the keys to the kingdom of God called a Heresy "Damnable Heresy." Therefore the power of a heresy is expressed in the word "damnable" and that says a lot. "Damnable heresies". Right there, we can see that the power of a heresy is damnable. Damnable to what? The souls of mankind.
It is the power of Satan to enslave souls to himself, his religions, his organizations, and his servants until he takes them to hell and the lake of fire. Satan comes in by his cunning devices and tries to change that one way of salvation. If he can change that one way of salvation to mankind then he shuts up the kingdom of God toward men.


Question #673 : "Is the church of God run democratically or theocratically or how?"


E.O.D.H. Answer: 
Quote W.M.B.: "But in the Word I find that God did not intend for the church to be governed by intellectual or by any theology of man, but the Holy Spirit was given to the Church to govern and control the body of Christ." (What Does Take Make Christian Life 57-0113 P:12).
Even within the true church, men whom God had called as overseers were holding that title to mean a little more than just a local responsibility. It was not the clear understanding of Paul that existed in the church at this time. For Paul had said, "And they glorified God in me." No matter what authority Paul had, he kept the people looking to God from Whom is all authority. But the clergy was always looking to Divine Leadership PLUS HUMAN, and thus in giving honor where honor was not due, we find that the true church was spotted with humanism. With Nicolaitanism established--apostolic succession--placed ministers--pastors voted in, etc., it was only one step for the false church to proceed to Balaamism. The second step to the `depth of Satan' was now in full progress." (Church Ages Book Chapter 10 - Resume of the Ages P:15).

God is a Dictator. The Church of God is not run under democratic rule but theocratic rule; under God's dictatorship. God laid down His Word and one has to follow that. He does not change His Word to suit anyone. You have to comply with it or perish.


Question #674 : "What is the message of the Hour's stand on the location of a church? What is the distance that must be maintained between a message believing assembly and another in a particular state or locality?"


E.O.D.H. Answer: I think you asked a very good question that probably many people would not think off. The Bible or the message did not specify what distance should be maintained from one assembly to the next that contends for the message and faith of Jesus Christ.
I noticed that the Branham Tabernacle was five minutes drive away from two other churches in Jeffersonville, Indiana, USA; one pastored by Junior Jackson and the other by Donald Rudell, and Brother Branham referred to them as sister churches. He did not make any comments about them being too close to the tabernacle or to each other. I trust that this helps.
I noticed something very ridiculous however on a Caribbean island: Grenada, where I visited. Some had a little difference on doctrine on the message, and the break away group built a church directly opposite the former assembly, about twenty feet across the street. Now, something like this is a great shame to the message and a great stumbling to the people who understand that both churches belong to the message. I would not do something like that. I would say that is too near and a great reproach to the message.


Question # 675: "Please Pastor, what to do as a church member who believes that all the Message fellowships in my country are not preaching the full truth as God has dealt with you? This is because Brother Branham said you must serve the Lord the best you know how to. Will you go to the church that you believe preaches much truth or what do you do? Please, give me a sincere answer from both the Message and the Scriptures? Thank you."


E.O.D.H. Answer: Yes, my Precious Brother, I know how that could be for a believer. When you see the truth of the Message of the Hour and you see how wrong ministers and churches are in their doctrine, then it becomes hard as a believer of the Message to be identified with one of those churches and pastor. It's hard to address such a man as 'pastor', because you have little or no confidence in him. Yet you want to fellowship with your brothers and sisters. You want to take communion, feet washing, pay tithes etc. Several people whom I dealt with faced similar situations. Churches around them with ministers preaching all kinds of heresies, others were a little better so they were puzzled about what to do.
There is a difference in belonging to a church and having a pastor. In this case it would be appropriate just to be a visitor and go and visit assemblies that are not so out of line on the Word. Try to shine your light among the people with the hope of winning them to the truth, not wanting to stir up trouble, but be wise in saying what is needed. In such case a person can even partake of the Lord's Supper since they are doing it as unto the Lord and not unto the pastor. Then, I would find some faithful minister that preaches the truth even in a foreign land and let him have my tithes. These things I will do with the hope that the Lord can open up a way that I can fellowship under a pastor with the Word and true Message. I trust that this have answered your question. May the Lord bless you.


Question # 676: "What is the evidence of a true church?"


E.O.D.H. Answer: :
"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place." (Acts 2:1)
This is a nice question. You will like to know about which church is true. There are so many churches and so many doctrines and claims that it puzzles one to know that true church today. Now Jesus left one church and that was in the Book of Acts 2. That church was endued with power of the Holy Ghost by the outpouring of the Holy Ghost. They demonstrated the Gospel. They were witnesses of Jesus Christ.
The true church today will strive to be like that original church. It will strive for a return of another outpouring of the Holy Ghost as it was in Acts 2. That church today will establish the highlight message of Malachi 4:5 & 6 - "The Token or Perish." It will look forward for another Book of Acts to demonstrate the Gospel. "The works that I do shall you do also." (John 14:12)
This is what the true church will be looking forward too. Brother Branham also preached a message - Five Definite Identifications of the True Church of the Living God. In this message he outlined what the true church will look like.

Quote W.M.B.: 68-1 "The True Church will always try to be like the original at Pentecost. The True Church of today will try to approximate that early first one…You have to work from the original. As like begets like, the True Church will always be the one that tries to follow in the steps of her founders at Pentecost… It is that simple, and that wonderful." (Ephesian Church Age - Church Age Book Cpt.3).


Question # 677: "This is very important. Please what will you advise a believer to do in this age full of heresies - darkness, to emerge as an overcomer of this age? Is it necessary to know all about every mystery, even if illiterate, to become an overcomer?"


E.O.D.H. Answer: 
Quote W.M.B.: "The thing you have to overcome is yourself, your ideas, your things, and surrender yourself to Him. He overcome for you. He knows the way; we don't." (How Can I Overcome 63-0825M P:48).

Quote: "Jesus told us how to do it. He overcome. Mean... "Overcome" means "to stand the test," (That's right.) like all the old saints did, like Jesus did. In the midst of all of His enemies He stood the test." (How Can I Overcome 63-0825M P:67).

Quote: "Overcome" means "to recognize the devil at every one of his tricks." (How Can I Overcome 63-0825M P:68).

Quote: "He in the Laodicean church that overcomes what? Overcomes the Nicolaitanes, overcomes the things of the world, overcomes these denominations, overcomes these priesthoods, overcomes everything of the world, and sells out, and loves Christ, he'll not be hurt of the second death." (Smyrnaean church age 60-1206 P:63).

Overcome means to prevail. When you have a revelation or understanding of the Word by which to overcome, the Gates of Hell cannot prevail against you because a revelation of the Word is overcoming power. We have to fight a battle to be an overcomer. We have to wrestle against the temptations of our age, the evils, self and show off today. We must wrestle and overcome unbelief in the present revealed truth.
The weapon to fight with is the Revealed Word of our day and humility. 1John says, 'whosoever is born of God overcometh the world'. To be born of God, John says that, 'whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God'. Jesus was the Word of God made flesh two thousand years ago in His first coming.
Today we are living in another day and time, two thousand years after His first coming. To be an overcomer you must be born again. What is the new birth?

Quote W.M.B.: "The new birth is Christ, is a revelation. God has revealed to you this great mystery, and that's the new birth." (Christ Is The Mystery 63-0728 P:124).


Question # 678: "What about Mathew 25? Tell me which is fulfilled and those yet to be fulfilled?"


E.O.D.H. Answer: There are two main parables in Matthew 25: Ten Virgins and the Unprofitable Servant. The parable of the Virgins is yet to be completely fulfilled for the Endtime. However, there were wise and foolish virgins from the inception of the Gospel of Christ throughout the Ages. The unprofitable servant is the parable that deals with the elect and non-elect which was manifested throughout all the Ages, but has its true fulfillment in the Endtime.


Question # 679: "In the book of Revelation the angels were asked to hold the four winds so that they do not blow. What do the winds symbolize?"


E.O.D.H. Answer: 
"And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree." (Revelation 7:1).

Quote W.M.B.: "Oh, be sure, this is a wonderful question. See? Now, that's a dramatic picture; John set out here away from the earth now, in Spirit, looking back to the earth. And he saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth. Now, "winds" in the Bible... I haven't got time to run the Scriptures for you. But we can get to this. If it isn't answered correctly, then I'll get it some other time. The "winds" in the Bible means "wars and strife." Like in Job's time, you remember, winds came down and took the sons. And you know what I mean; it's trouble. See?" (Questions and Answers COD 54-0103M P:77).

Quote: "And He said, "Hold. Stop it, until we have seal the servants of our God." Other words, "We're ganging them in from all the nations, everywhere, bringing them in, 'cause we got to get them right in here to seal that hundred and forty-four thousand. Hold it." And the World War I stopped on the eleventh month of the year, the eleventh day in the month, the eleventh hour in the day, that the eleventh-hour people could come in, the last call for the Jew. And he's going to receive the same baptism of the Holy Ghost that they got back at the beginning back yonder at Pentecost, be baptized the same way, and everything, the eleventh-hour people moving in. He said, "Hold it now, until we have sealed."
"How long You going to hold it?" "Until we have sealed the servants of our God." Now, we're sealing the Gentiles; they've been sealed away, thousands times thousands through these persecutions and tribulations; they're sealed away. But wait a minute, just a minute. Don't let the time come till we seal these servants." And he sealed a hundred and forty-four thousand. Then the winds were let loose again. Now, notice, and since the First World War there has constantly been a persecution against the Jew. Up raised Hitler for the Second World War, and when he did, he begin to... What? He was going to tear the whole world right around. Is that right? He was going to tear it up, and right around. Yes, he was. (Questions and Answers COD 54-0103M P:85).

The Book of Revelation is a book of symbols, and 'winds' are a symbol used to say something or to bring out a certain meaning. The 'winds' mentioned Here in Revelation 7:1 are symbolic to wars and strife.


Question #680 : "The word 'Parmeshwar' used in the Hindi Bible; is it correct or should it be substituted or replaced by Khoda, Khuda or any other word?"


E.O.D.H. Answer: 
"Kyunki Parmeshwar nay jagat say, aisa prem rakha, ki unsay apna ek lowta putra dey diya, taki jo koi uspar vishwas karay, who naah na ho parantu anant jeewan paayay."
"For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (Yohanna teen:solah/ John 3:16)

"Parantu Parmeshwar hum par apnay prem ki bhalaaie iss riti say pragat karta hai ki jab ham papi hi thay toe masih hamaaray liye maraa."
"But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet siners, Christ died for us." (Romiyon paanch:aath. Romans 5:8).

Quote W.M.B.: "In India it was Isi and Iswara. (Note the similarity of names even.) In Asia it was Cybele and Deoius. In Rome and in Greece it followed suit. And in China. Well, imagine the surprise of some Roman Catholic missionaries as they entered China and found there a Madonna and Child with rays of light emanating from the head of the babe. The image could well have been exchanged for one in the Vatican except for the difference of certain facial features." (Church Age Book Chapter 5 - The Pergamean Church Age P:88).

Quote: "It now behooves us to discover the original mother and child. The original goddess-mother of Babylon was Semiramis who was called Rhea in the eastern countries. In her arms she held a son, who though a babe, was described as tall, strong, handsome and especially captivating to the women. In Ezekiel 8:14 he was called Tammuz. Amongst classical writers he was called Bacchus. To the Babylonians he was Ninus. What accounts for the fact that he is represented as a babe in arms and yet described as a great and mighty man is that he is known as the "Husband-Son". One of his titles was "Husband of the Mother", and in India where the two are known as Iswara and Isi, he (the husband) is represented as the babe at the breast of his own wife." (Church Age Book Chapter 5 - The Pergamean Church Age P:89).

The Two Babylons, Ch. 2-Section 2-Sub-Section 1-The Child in Assyria P:6.
"This still further casts light on the fact already noticed, that the Indian God Iswara is represented as a babe at the breast of his own wife Isi, or Parvati."

There are many words for God in Hindi:- Parmeshwar, Vishweshwara, Jugdeshwara and Bhagwan, are just some.
Parmeshwar is a compound word made by combining two words 'Param' and 'Ishwar' together. Ishwar/Eshwar means God. Param means great or best. So, Parmeshwer means 'Great God'
The word Ishwar/Eshwar refers to God with attributes: 'Father, Saviour; Healer'. The Sanskrit Lexicon says that the word 'Ishwar' means God, Lord, Powerful and Capable Ruler. These words have philosophical and common everyday meanings. We have to understand the word as it is used in its context.
When we speak of Parmeshwar Bhagwan we mean the Supreme Being - God. Bhagwan means God, or the Supreme Being.
'Khuda' is an Urdu word meaning God.
Some people, especially Hindus, when they come across the word Parmeshwar, they don't say Parmeshwar, but in place they substitute the name of one of their gods like Vishnu or Ram.
'Shaitan' is the Devil, Satan, Lucifer. 'Bhut' is a word that is also used for Satan. Many people say that Ishwara here refers to Lucifer.
The words 'Isi' and 'Ishwara' here refer to Mother and Child of the idolatrous Babylonian worship, 'Isi' being a goddess and her child 'Ishwara' a god. Ishwara is not a name of a god in the Hindu Pantheon but it is used to personify a god of Indian origin in the Hindu pantheon. It seems that certain people think that the word 'Ishwara' is the name of an Indian or Hindu god and since this god is connected to the idolatrous Babylonian gods here, is the Devil, Lucifer or Shaitan.
Hence the reason for substituting the word 'Khuda' for 'Ishwara'.
The word 'Parmeshwar' used in the Hindi Bible is correct and it should not be substituted or replaced by Khoda, Khuda or any other word. To do so is erroneous. Any person doing so is wrong, firstly by not applying the word correctly in its context, and secondly he is not understanding the use and meaning of it. I am reliably informed that Pastor Praveen Lall of Delhi Church is guilty of such a practice. I admonish you to desist from such a practice. This is misleading and you'll endanger your soul.


Question #681 : "Explain, 'the meek shall inherit the earth'? After the millennium, what happens to the earth? Are there some people to inherit this earth forever?"


E.O.D.H. Answer: Earth is the dominion of man. 'Let us make man in our own image. Let him have dominion' (Genesis chaps 1 and 2). Man forfeited his estate, it was purchased by Christ and it's to be restored today.

Quote W.M.B.: 83-3 {102} "Adam lost his inheritance: the earth. Now, it passed from his hand to the one he sold out to: Satan… his right to the earth belonged to him, and he forfeited it every bit to the hands of Satan... It returned and has been polluted, and the seed of Adam has destroyed the inheritance that Adam should've had; that's the earth." (The Breach 63-0317E).

Quote: 86-1 {115} "The meek and humble will inherit the earth…Now, they've polluted it, and God will destroy them, but the meek will inherit the earth after it's been purified." (The Breach 63-0317E).

Quote: 24-5 "And thirdly, to restore the Kingdom to its rightly position that fell by sin by the first Adam, back to where He walked in the cool of the evening with His people, talked with them, fellowshipped with them." (Christ Is The Mystery 63-0728).

Quote: E-25 "Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth." Someday Jesus Christ will come to the earth, and the dead that's dead in Him, shall rise and come forth with Him, and He is the King. We're now candidates and His subjects in His Kingdom, and we shall return to the earth someday and be immortal beings." (Testimony Raising Dead Boy 53-1203).

After the Rapture goes to Heaven to escape the Tribulation and other reasons of rewards etc., the Bride returns to the earth with Christ after a burning of one third of the earth, end of Sixth Seal (Revelation 19). Mortals will be living on the earth who were not destroyed, (Isaiah chapters 65 and 66). The Bride will be living in Jerusalem, that's cleansed by fire, through the 1000 year reign, over such mortals, nations, also the Jews (Revelation 20). After the Millennium is the Gog and Magog Battle; mortals that inhabit the earth are destroyed. Then comes the White Throne Judgment. After that, the Bride inhabits New Jerusalem that comes down. (Revelation 21 and 22). The Foolish Virgins and all other people that inherit life, will live outside of the City to the end of the earth. The Bride will rule and reign over it. All the proud will be destroyed, (Malachi 4). Only "the meek (humble) shall inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5).


Question # 682: "I used to believe that the Bride will not go through the Great Tribulation but rather the church or the foolish virgins. But I read from Mathew 24:29-31 and I am confused about this Scripture and what the Prophet taught, since I believe the Prophet restored unto us the faith of the Apostolic Fathers. So, please explain, since it seems that the Elect go through the Great Tribulation?"


E.O.D.H. Answer: 
Quote W.M.B.: E-46 "The Bible teaches that the Church will be raptured before the tribulation… Jesus said, "As it was in the days of Noah, and in the days of Lot, so will it be at the coming of the Son of man. In the days of Noah, not one drop of water fell from heaven till Noah went in the ark. In the days that Lot, not one bit of fire fell from heaven till Lot got out of Sodom. And not one bomb can drop until His blessed Church be resurrected and taken in the rapture to see her Lord." (Sign Of The Time 58-0520).

Quote: 91 "As it was in the days of Noah." Remember, Noah wasn't the type of the church; Enoch was, that didn't go through the tribulation, but was translated before the tribulation set in. Enoch went home; he didn't go through the tribulation. Noah carried through." (Hear, Recognize, Act On Word 60-0221).

According to all Brother Branham's teachings based on the Scriptures, the church will not go through the Tribulation. The Bride, in type of Enoch, is translated and leaves the earth before one speck of judgment falls.
W.M.B. interpreted the Tribulation spoken of in Matt 24:29-31 to mean a pre-tribulation that the Jews went through when they were killed during the world war.

Quote W.M.B.: 406-2 {106} "And then we find out that they were martyrs that had been killed… and they were given white robes… And we took that, and there's nothing in the world, I don't believe, but that bunch of--of--a--the--the Jews has went through a pre-tribulation period. When during the time of this last wars… And Eichman killed millions of them in Germany (You just heard the trial.), millions of innocent people slain, Jews… it was a--the martyrs in the tribulation of the pre-tribulation of Eichman." (The Sixth Seal 63-0323).

Quote: 416-2 {178} Now, you see, under the Fifth Seal we find--we find here martyrdom… Now, listen at this. Now, it's what Jesus said in Matthew 24:29 and 30.
Immediately after the tribulation of those days... (What... When this--this tribulation, this amateur tribulation they've went through here. See?)... the sun shall be darkened… It's perfectly. Turned right back over--see what Jesus said here now in Matthew 24:29. Listen. After this Eichman case and so forth" (The Sixth Seal 63-0323).


Question # 683: "Is it right to call Holy Ghost fire when praying against the kingdom of darkness?"


E.O.D.H. Answer: I am not sure about this question; but if you are asking should we call down fire for our enemies, this is what Jesus said. If this does not answer your question, please rephrase and resend it
"And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village." (Luke 9:51-56).
Here in Scripture, His Disciples, James and John, had the same aspiration. They also wanted to call down fire from Heaven and consume the people. The Lord rebuked them saying, ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. In other words, the Lord was telling them that they were of a contrary spirit to do such a thing like calling down fire from Heaven to consume the people. It was a spirit of the law, but they were under the spirit of grace by Christ ministry.

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