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One Man's Influence On Another (62-1013)
| One Man's Influence On Another (62-1013) |
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1 Thank you, Brother Neville. The Lord bless you. Good evening, friends. It's very nice to be out here again tonight at the Tabernacle to speak again about our Lord and Saviour, Who we are all in love with I'm sure, or we wouldn't be setting here in this hot building, jammed in the way we are tonight, if we didn't love Him. Because that's our purpose of being in, is to express to Him that we love Him. And our anticipations are--are greatly moved when we think of His approaching time. As we see the signs appearing of His advent, we are longing for that great hour that when we shall see Him. 2 Since I was here the other Sunday a week, there's been more has gone on to meet Him. One was Mrs. Ford, Mrs. Levi Ford. She was eighty years old, a precious woman. Her husband passed away some time ago. He was a veteran of the Spanish-American War. And in my life's story I mentioned her son's name. He's the one that was going to save me that suit, you know, after he wore it out, that--the--the suit of a--I believe it was a boy scout suit. And he... When I went to get the part of it, there was only one legging left in it. 3 Lloyd's perhaps here tonight, the same boy. And I had his mother's funeral the other day. And he asked me, said, "Billy, I wish you would speak on something that proves that my mother rises again." And the Lord gave me a message for it on a exact, positive... When the Bible, all nature, everything that God created speaks it, she'll rise again, who--who's going to speak against it then? God says so, proves it by His nature, proves it by His Word, proves it by her life, everything else, she's got to raise. Just--there's no way, there's nothing... Heavens and earth might fail, but that won't fail. She's got to come forth again. 4 Then day before yesterday, a manager that used to be with me, Mr. Baxter (Many of you remember him; he spoke right from this platform.), his wife died suddenly with a heart seizure. And he's very tore up and very sad; and I hope--trust you'll remember Brother Baxter in your prayers as you pray, 'cause he's one of our brothers. And he lives in Vancouver, British Columbia. And he hasn't been with me now for a number of years. And I heard that his wife had had a kind of a nervous break or something, and then all of a sudden she took a heart seizure and was gone. We just can't tell what time it's going to call. And then when it--He calls, we must be ready. That's the reason that we're here tonight. 5 I was in the study there--the office, rather, talking to Mr. Moore. He'd persuaded me... I had...?... I was trying to get away from Thanksgiving; I wanted to have a meeting here for Thanksgiving Day, and then go on to Shreveport. 'Course, I'd--wouldn't hardly be able to make it. And finally he said, "Well, if you're--got three meetings now and going have them Seven Seals later, then you could give us that one day anyhow." So finally, we was going give him that Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. And now, I promised him then Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. And it'll be... Pentecost will be fifty years old in Louisiana the--Thanksgiving Day. It fell fifty years ago in Louisiana. 6 Now, tomorrow morning we're going to kinda press that everybody that doesn't have a--a Sunday school you're attending... I see our precious Brother Don Ruddell here, and I know he has Sunday school in the morning. And perhaps there's other ministers in here from around the neighborhood that have Sunday school. Now, we want you to go to your own Sunday school if you have one. But if you have no Sunday school, and you like to be with us, I want to speak in the morning, and put out a blackboard, and teach on "The Full Statue of a Perfect Man," and draw it out in--on the blackboard, and show God's requirements and how we come to the perfect statue of--of a perfect man before God. 7 And then tomorrow night, the Lord willing, I want to speak on the subject of "My Guide." So if some of you that's out of town... And we want to try to start these services early if... I haven't talked with the pastor yet, but I wish you would start Sunday school real early in the morning. And church tomorrow night, maybe, if possible, begin at 6:30 or something. And that'll give the people an opportunity so if they want to stay... We can be out maybe by 8:30, and then some of them...
8
I met a lady today that's driving three or four, about... She said, if
we got out 8 o'clock or 8:30, she'd get home around 2:30 or 3 o'clock
the next morning, her husband going to work. So we won't be doing
anything anyhow but loafing around, so--so let's just come on to church
early. And we don't have... You know, we don't have to have a form
about this; God is without form, you know, the Bible...?... So we hope
that you're all here, and--all that can be. 10 Well now, if there happens to be a stranger here, I want to show you something. And I've just walked to the platform and I don't see a--I don't see ten people that I know. How many people here is from out of the city of Jeffersonville, raise your hands. See, ninety-nine per cent. See? See? It's just friends. How many's here from a hundred miles away, raise up your hands. There's fifty per cent of that, from over a hundred miles away. How many's here for over two hundred miles away, raise up your hand. Three hundred miles away, raise up your hands. Looky there. Four hundred miles away, raise up your hand. Looky here. Five hundred miles away, raise up your hand. Looky there, over a third of the congregation over five hundred miles away. See, it's just friends that gathers in from around...?... we're going to be here. So we're grateful for you, and we're here to help you. We're here to do all that we can for you.
11
And now, I just was reading back there some--a letter that my son just
handed me of a lady that said this--coming this time will be
thirty-five trips that she come hoping to be prayed for. Thirty-five
times she's drove for hundreds of miles, thirty-five trips.
13
Wonder if that lady's in the building tonight (thirty-fifth trip), that
wrote a letter she'd be here tomorrow? For thirty-five times she's been
here without being prayed for. I guess she's not in the building, maybe
didn't even get to come. But I was just reading her letter back there. 15 Oh, we just come through a whole series of meetings where thousands of people attending. And no matter if you had two or three million people, if there's no revival, that's just what we used to call down in Kentucky, a protractive meeting. You know, we all go out to a protractive meeting we'd call it. And we want a revival where the Spirit of the Lord is moving upon the people, and people are being saved, and great things are being done to accomplish something for the Kingdom of God. 16 And now, in the prayer services, usually, we... You can see why we couldn't hold a prayer line here. See, it's just so jammed up, you couldn't do it. See? But usually in the prayer lines is people who are--comes and they find the--the Lord to be real. And we find that the Lord Jesus hasn't changed one bit. From what He was, He is today, and always will be. And the Bible said in Hebrews 13:8, that He's the same yesterday, today, and forever. And in the congregations of the people that gathered to hear Him in them days, maybe they wouldn't get into a prayer line; but they would have faith to believe. And our Lord would turn, as their faith would touch Him, and would turn, and tell the people that there was certain things wrong with them that they had done, and for them to go and be healed, or go do something, make something right, or something. 17 We know about the woman at the well, and the woman with the blood issue, and, oh so many, of blind Bartimaeus, that their faith touched Him. And tonight He's still the High Priest of our confession and just as great as He ever was. Now, we got to let ourselves be His servants. He is the Vine, the--the resource of Life. We are the branches that receive that Life. And the branch bears the fruit, not the vine. And now, Christ works through His Church. And then, if we can yield ourself in such a way that the Holy Spirit can take complete control of us in our faith in Christ, He'll do the same thing, because it's Christ.
18
And if you're here a stranger and with us... Now, usually the people
here...?... in the tabernacle... Our pastor here has prayer for the
sick practically every night, and you get prayed for by our gracious
and beloved Pastor, Brother Neville, a man that God hears and answers
prayer for, Brother Orman Neville. And--and Brother Don Ruddell, and
those other brethren who pray for the sick... And Brother Jackson, I
guess he's around here somewhere from the other sister church down in
Howard Park... 20 Now, tomorrow we're going to teach how you become that vessel, that God, the Holy Spirit...?... work through you. And so... See, He was...?... God was in a Pillar of Fire, then He was--dwelt in His Son, Christ Jesus; and now in His Church. Once He was called the Father, then the Son, now the Holy Spirit. It's God projecting Himself to the world. The only way He could get into the Church was first die for the Church to sanctify It, that He might project Himself through His Church. Then He said in St. John 15, "I am the Vine; ye are the branches." (See?) And the branch just bears the fruit. The Lord bless you.
21
And now, before we...?... For the lesson tonight... And I don't want to
keep you long, 'cause I see the people standing up, and one taking his
place, and then another set down, so forth. We're trying hard to get
a--a permit to seat about three or four hundred more people, but the
city seems to hold us back on it, because we haven't got adequate
parking room. We got the permit from Indianapolis, and then the city.
We have to have parking room. Oh, when we put four people in here, we
got to have enough room to put a car out here. And this parking lot
here really belongs to the city, so, see, they... We're--our church
here is just about one foot from the city line. And the--really, the
highway, the reason it's built out there... 'Course some of you people,
young fellows here, wouldn't understand this, but this used to be a
pond. And I remember when I was a boy; we'd ride down here, and we had
to go around out there in the field and get around the pond. They built
the road right around--the road around the pond.
23
Now, the Lord bless you. I want to (if it would be called a text, for
some of the...) read some of the context on notes; I would like to
speak to the audience tonight upon the subject of "The Influence of
Another." And before we speak or read the Word, let us bow our heads
and talk to the Author of the Word.
25
Our heavenly Father, we are approaching Thee. Now as we leave this
little tabernacle of clay that we dwell in, this little ship that's
sailing life's solemn main, by faith we're coming up above Mars,
Jupiter, Venus, the moon, the stars, the milky...?... way, and arriving
now by faith at the throne of the Father. See setting there, His
pierced hands and His feet; may that Blood now make intercession as we
lay our gifts upon the altar of gold around His throne.
27
And now, as we assemble, Lord, tonight for these three gatherings, we
are here in this hot building tonight for no other purpose but a closer
walk with Thee. Knowing what to do...?... Lord, what to do... As the
prophet said, "They that wait upon the Lord, they shall renew their
strength. They shall mount up with wings as an eagle. They'll run and
not be weary; they'll walk and not faint." Lord, teach us how to wait
after we have asked and...?... have faith to know that You heard, and
in Your own good time You'll send our answer right down the golden
stairs from the corridors of Heaven right into our soul. And we shall
receive what we ask for, because we believe it. 29 I would like to read tonight a portion of Scripture found in the Book of Isaiah. Tomorrow, be sure if you have a paper, I want you to... I'm going to have a chart up here or a blackboard to kinda draw out the lesson. And I want you to get it if you possibly can, because you can study it after you get home.
30 Isaiah the 6th chapter, I wish to read a few verses out of this chapter to draw the context to--for tonight. 31 This is quite a--a undertaking when we think of the--what it's going to mean as we study this vision of Isaiah. It's... I've always liked Isaiah. He was one of the major prophets. Isaiah wrote the complete Bible. There is sixty-six Books in the Bible, and Isaiah wrote sixty-six chapters. He begins with the beginning of creation; in the middle of the Book he brings forth the New Testament and John the Baptist; and at the 56th and 60th chapter he ends up in the great millennium: Genesis through the New Testament into Revelation. Great man was this Isaiah, finally died as a martyr under capital punishment.
32
Every spirit-filled man of the Bible died or was persecuted under the
federal government. Every one of them that you can think of: Moses, the
Hebrew children, and Daniel, and Isaiah. Isaiah was sawed to pieces
with a saw. And on down, John the Baptist, every one of the apostles,
Jesus Himself, all died under capital punishment or punishment from the
federal government. And according the way things are heaping up,
there's going to be more testimonies added to theirs one of these days.
See? And if there ever was a time that we must stick together, it's now.
34 Back to this subject (We'll get that in the Seven Seals.) to this subject of being influenced. 36 Now, now, we find out that this young man taken the throne. If you want to take some of the Scriptures down, it's II Chronicles the 26th chapter. You can read where tells that King Uzziah after his father died A-m-a-z-i-a-h, Amaziah--after he died, being a righteous man and had turned from the Lord, and was slain by his own people--Uzzikiah taken his--or Uzziah, rather, taking his place as king. And he was set on the throne and anointed at the age of sixteen years old, just a boy; but he was in line to be king, yet being just a lad. And he did well. The Bible tells us that he had a godly father and a godly mother, and he could be nothing else hardly with such influence as to be a godly boy, because that had been what had been placed before him at all time.
37
You know what I think? Everybody has their own opinion. But one of the
greatest, and to my opinion, the greatest president that we ever had in
this nation was Abraham Lincoln. Now, not because he was a Republican,
but because he was what he was, a godly man. And he was raised, and
he--to serve God. And he said, "If there's anything that I want to give
praise to," he said, "or my life was influenced by, was a godly mother
who taught me to pray and to know Jesus as my Saviour."
39
Now, many times children are prone to copy off of one another, and--and
try to press their way through school. But you know, I think if you'll
just get it yourself, then it's something that you--you can appreciate
your good graded paper.
41
Remember, we can have what we want if we will ask in faith believing.
Jesus said, "All things are possible to them that will believe. You
have not because you ask not, and you ask not because you believe not."
He said, "Ask abundance that your joy may be full." I like that.
44
So this young king, being influenced by his father when he was a young
man and--and taught Israel the precepts of God... And then all at once
he turned in his last days and taught against God. And his own
people... He was slain by his own people. It looked like that would've
been a great lesson to Uzziah about this. But we find that when Uzziah
taken the throne, that he started right in the way his daddy did,
bringing back the things of God, bringing Israel back to the worship of
God. He strengthened himself.
46
And Isaiah went to the castle to stay with him, to the king's palace.
He called him in; he liked Isaiah. Isaiah was young also, and--and
he... They was chums together. And how that king... When he would go
out there, and they--some of the men of politics would come in and say,
"We must do so-and-so," King Uzziah first sought the Lord. "Lord, is it
Your will that we do it thus-and-thus?" God, give us a president like
that, not only that, but give us preachers. "Seek first the Kingdom of
God and His righteousness, and all other things will be added."
48
Oh, how it's too bad when we think of the church. Sometimes if the
pastor belongs to a certain organization or a clan, and this
organization sends him to a certain church, and sometimes that pastor's
hands is tied by that organization. And the little fellow wants to
serve the Lord, and he thinks--been taught that's about the only way he
can do it, is by serving his organization. And if he got up and
preached what the Word said, the church would vote him out; and then
he's afraid he wouldn't have a chance then to preach the Gospel. 51 I was getting after somebody the other day. In a certain neighborhood they'd had a... A great denominational church had a big rock-and-roll party down here, and they were dancing till about 1 o'clock in the morning. And they'd been teasing someone that comes to the Tabernacle, and said they were holy-rollers that came down here, because we have no denomination. And, oh, did that give me a chance. You can just about imagine what happened. But the thing of it is... Now, those people... No doubt, that the young lady that made the remark, if she only knew what was Truth... 52 I was in the mountains a few weeks ago. And way back when I was coming home, we went back (the family and I) to rest a little, where we're going again, the Lord willing, next week. And then, back there one night, I saw a vision. And it was a--a lovely, pretty woman, looked young woman running; she had her hand here, and she was perishing with a heart attack, a beautiful woman. And she dropped and was gone. And the Angel of the Lord said, "Now, when you hear of this, remember, they're going to say that she committed suicide, but she died in a heart attack. And it's almost 4:00, so you just say 4 o'clock," and then He left me. 53 And I didn't wake the family up in the little cow camp (or where the cowboys stay, where we'd go back there to round up the cattle), I--I just let them sleep until morning. And then, the next day I mentioned it, and I said, "Some young woman, very attractive, is going to die in a heart attack." And on the road out two days later, there it come in on the radio that this Miss (I can't think of her name.) Monroe, Mrs. Monroe. I think that was her stage name, or whatever it was; her name was something else. And she had died, and they said she committed suicide.
54
Now, it don't make any difference how much I'd say it; they're still
going to say she committed suicide. But the child did not; she died in
a heart attack. And if you'd watch, she had her hand, trying to get to
the phone--the phone in her hand. She'd had a heart attack. They said
sleeping pills was there; she'd been taking them for a month (See?) or
more, out of that bottle. She died in a heart attack, and she died
about four or five seconds before 4 o'clock, exactly. 56 Maybe members of the churches of fame, finest--famous Hollywood, where all the decoration and tinsel is on... But they seen those people... She could see they lived no different life than what she did. It takes influence. It takes the power of the resurrection of Christ amongst the people, that they see that Christ is not a statue hanging in a building, but He's a living Being in the form of the Holy Spirit, living in men and women, bringing peace, and contentment, and happiness. Oh, if we could've only got to the young lady before she left the world. 57 Now, influence... We find out that--that Uzziah's life influenced this prophet and till such a place that Ukkiah--Uzziah, rather, built walls and strengthened himself, and took back the grounds and the possession that belonged to them from the Philistines, and so forth, until his fame went all the way to Egypt. And I tell you, of all--the chronicles of the kings, there was none of them outside of Solomon, that spread forth like Uzziah. Why? Because he set the example. He stayed with God, no matter what his people thought, what anybody else thought, what his politicians that tried to influence him. He stayed directly with God, and God blessed him. It was a great help to this young prophet. 58 How God blesses a man that will be true to the Word of God. Now, he may not be very popular, but he'll be blessed. And now, people has to take their choice, whether you want to act like the rest of the fellows or whether you want to be blessed of God. Now, you can just take your choice. If you're going to live like the rest of them, you'll be blessed of them; but you turn your--all your desires to God, and you'll be blessed of God. So you have to "Choose you this day who you serve," as the prophet said. "Always remember thy Creator first, always." 59 Now, but the... When this king got to a place, being such a great man and influencing Isaiah and the righteous, of course, of his kingdom, he got to a place--he got feeling self-secured. And there's where you make your mistake. There's where so many righteous men bite the dust of shame, bite the dust of defeat, is because they begin to feel self-secure. You begin to think that you have lived so long for Christ, that no matter what He presents before you, you'll take your choice whether you want it or not. You've got to continue to serve God. No matter what you was back ten years ago; it's what you are now.
60
The king got to a place that he thought within himself, that he got
lifted up. Pride got in his heart. And that's what happens to us. If
you'll pardon this expression, that's what's happened to our churches
throughout the country. They're fine people in there; some of the best
in the world goes to church. I think the best in the world goes to
church. But the thing of it is, the--the organization system gets
lifted up. That's what's happened to the--the Methodists; that's what's
happened to the Baptists; that's what's happened to the Nazarene, to
the Pilgrim Holiness, to the Pentecostal: lifted up, self-willed,
self-centered, pride, that you can't tell nothing to. God can't find a
way to get into their hearts. It's because they become so know-it-all
that nobody can tell them anything. And by building themself around
reasoning with brethren, they build themselves around their creed. And
when they do, they leave God in the back. 62 So many today... You take a--a family of people that'll start going to church. And God will heal the little family. He'll bless them, and give them the Holy Spirit in their lives. The little children will pray around the table; they'll pray before they go to bed. Mother and father will join hands and pray. And as long as they continue like that, they'll stay a family; but you let them get... First thing you know, they didn't have nothing, an old junk car, maybe, riding around in it, or maybe walking. Finally they'll get a good car, a better home. And the first thing you know, then they want to get to what they--the world calls, a better class to associate with. They move into a different neighborhood, and in there they find out they become influenced by the wrong influence. You must always stay where the Kingdom of God is and where the glory of God is pouring out. Stay where you can be spiritually fed day and night. Then the first thing you know, separations comes in the home, and worldliness, and they get lifted up. Uzziah did that; he got lifted up, much pride.
63
And now, we see what he tried to do. Now, what really got him when he
got lifted up in his heart (we're told in the Bible, in Chronicles the
26th--we find out--II Chronicles 26), we find out that he went into the
temple of the Lord with a censer in his hand to burn incense unto the
Lord. And when he did, the minister of the temple with fourscore other
ministers followed him and told him, "Don't do that; you're wrong. You
are not a minister. You are a king, not a minister."
65
There's where we want a lesson now. If this man which God had blessed
in his capacity... But he wasn't satisfied with that, he wanted to take
somebody else's place. You can't be nothing... As Congressman Upshaw
(You remember him, the one that was--was crippled for sixty-eight years
and was healed in the meeting out there, you know. He was a Congressman
of the United States.) He said, "You can't be nothing that you hain't."
So that's about true. You've got to stay in your calling, where God
called you to.
67
When you're playing a ball game (as it's football season), the thing we
want to do, is not everybody try to take the ball away from the man
that's got it; it's trying to guard that man. Protect him; let him get
through. We're trying to make a goal. See? 70 I speak worldwide, you know, for the Full Gospel Business Men, around the world, organizing chapters. And not long ago when, I believe, it was at Kingston, Jamaica, when they had Castro and all of them up there at this meeting (Or we'd been down to his place, that's the way it was.), and the celebrity of all through the islands was up there; and those businessmen was trying to preach the Gospel. He's out of his place. We preachers have hard enough time to keep it level. And they use every little influence they can find, and every little technique this way and that way, and it keeps it so scrupled up you don't know what to do. 71 Many times at a--in a church--a little church can have a revival going on; someone will want to go out here and lead a prayer meeting, And then, he's got a different idea from what really the Bible says, but he believes it this way anyhow; and he'll start an influence and draw others away from it. The thing to do is protect this Message the way It's a-going, stay right with It, and block everything away from It, if we're ever going to cross the goal line. 72 And I said, "Brethren, there's something wrong. You fellows are businessmen. The first place, you don't understand the approach. You don't understand the approach to the ministry, because the ministry is a God-called gift. God hath set in the Church first apostles, prophets, teachers, evangelists, and pastors." God set them in there for the perfecting of the Church. Businessmen should testify. Women, housewife, no matter if you're the maid in somebody's house, testify. Do everything you can for the Kingdom; but don't ever inject your own ideas; just say what the Message says and keep going on. (See?) And then maybe you'd have some influence. Well, don't try to preach now until God, you know calls you. Just stay right with that, your testimony, because if you don't, you'll get off in the wrong category; and then you'll mess up everything. That's it. And it doesn't please God at all. This proves it here.
73
When this king... Now, when he was rebuked and told the truth by the
minister of the building, and tried to tell him that he was wrong, that
God called that for Aaron's descents only, and they were consecrated to
that service only... That's all they was to do; they were consecrated
for that. And a king, no matter how righteous he was, or how much God
had blessed him, he had no right to burn incense. He was taking the
priest's place, and he should not do it. And when he was rebuked, he
got wroth; his temper flew up, and right while his temper flew up,
leprosy appeared in his face. He broke out with leprosy, and then he
dropped the censer and run out the building. See? Trying to impersonate
somebody else, we shouldn't do that.
75
I realize this is being taped, and I know it'll--goes all over the
world, back into the jungles, and Hottentots, and everything else. This
message here tonight will be translated into languages. But I say this
with all my heart, how could... Many people saying, "Why don't you join
certain organizations? Why don't you come on with the Pentecostals? Why
don't you come on with this group? Why don't you just let these little
things go?" How can I do it? I've got to stay with that Message. 77 So now, you see the reason that it's a dangerous thing to try to compromise and do something else, or try to get lifted up within yourself, and say, "Oh, I can do this and make more money. I can do this, and all the brethren will agree with me." I can compromise on this Word, and--till ninety-nine per cent of the ministers will turn right. "Oh, that's fine, that's good." And I know now, many of them call... What is it? Loaves and fishes, seeing the people healed, and the discernments, and the powers of God, and so forth, manifested. They get you there to get meetings and to get people in the--their churches and things; but when it comes to agreeing upon the Word, they'll get away from It. See? You can't do that. Stay with the Word. 78 Now, this was a lesson to this young prophet, that no matter what he tried to be, he must stay in his calling. Oh, my, he learned the--the God's order of men. God's order to men is stay in his place. God's order to women is stay in their place too. You can't take a man's place. They're trying to do it, but don't do it. Men, don't take women's place; don't dress like women. And women don't dress like men. The Bible says it's wrong to do that. The Bible says, "A woman that puts on a garment pertains to a man, is filthiness before God, an abomination." See? But now you can hardly tell one from the other. See? Now, how you going to do, but just call out against it? Well, then when you do that...
79
Did you see this court order this week here in Indiana? What a shame.
Less than fifteen years ago a family here in Port Fulton (I think some
of the family's setting here tonight.)--here in Port Fulton, they sent
a little girl home from school for wearing shorts to school. And
to--this week they're trying to sue and put out of the school (and they
did it), a little girl that refused to wear shorts in school. What's
the matter with our nation? I thought this was a land of free; I
thought we had a right--religious freedom. 81 I understand that everybody that won't agree and come into the--to the--the international agreement of this fellowship that they're trying to form to put--and unite all churches together, the federation of churches, that all that won't come in and unite with it, they're making them a little province; they're going to send them to Alaska. You might as well get ready for cold weather, 'cause it looks like it's coming. So what a disgrace. 82 My lifelong friend, Jim Poole, his son stands here tonight. I wished his dad would only come and do what his son did. And we were talking today by telephone conversation, and he was remarking about a, I believe, a news commentator or someone (I don't remember just who it was now), but said, "It used to be that--that the American people taken a bath once a week and prayed everyday," and said; "now they take a bath every day and pray once a week." I believe I'd rather do without the bath. But just shows how we have fallen. What's happened to this nation? 83 About five years ago I was in Ohio, and I was having a meeting up there at the (What is the name of that place where I had it out there on that?) [Someone says, "Chatauqua"--Ed.]--Chatauqua. And I was listening to a newscast in the hotel, and it said, "The flower of freedom died this afternoon in a court here in Ohio. The Amish people, they don't believe in sending their children to these public schools. They have their own schools. And in this certain neighborhood where these were at, they didn't have any high schools. It's the law of Ohio and Indiana (I think a national law) that all children must go to school till they're sixteen. And this man had a couple of children, boy and girl, that wasn't sixteen; and they refused to send them to the public schools where they teach the ethics of Darwin (that man descended from a single cell, be a monkey; that's all he is, just a glorified monkey and...). And so, they didn't agree with that, and they won't let their children hear it. And so the courts pulled them in. And this little smart-aleck judge said to the old aged father and mother, with his crock haircut and his overalls on; he said, "Sir, this state of Ohio has a law that says that the child must attend school till it's sixteen," and said; "you refuse to send your children. What do you answer?"
84
He said, "Honorable sir, I respect the laws of this lovely state in
which I am a native." He said, "But we come here years ago, our
forefathers, for freedom of religion, and that's why we are here for
freedom of religion. Our religion teaches us that we don't believe that
we come from animals to be man that... We believe that we were created
in the image of God. Therefore, it's against our religious beliefs to
send our children to a school that teaches such. Therefore, we don't
have any high school here for our children to go. And it's not because
we don't respect you; we respect what you believe; but for us, we don't
believe that, and we don't want it taught to our children."
85
After all, the Dunkards--or the Amish, rather, no matter how peculiar
they are, they believe in holy living. And there's not one record
nowhere in the United States to where they ever had any juvenile
delinquency. Not one person, one child, from their religion was ever a
juvenile delinquent. Let them be peculiar whatever they want; they're
raised right. I don't blame them. 87 Did you notice the other day when that wise old Methodist Bishop, what he said about that--saying that prayer in--in church--in school? That wasn't the Methodist Church. That Bishop was wise enough to know that. That was another group seeing how far they could get to force a certain prayer in--in schools. If they'd pass on that, they'd pass the other just as quick as they could. They're probing every outlet they can. Don't worry, they'll get it. 88 Oh, we want the cross. We want Christ now while we can. Don't be influenced by men who maybe can send a--more pottage down. Don't be influenced from men that'll give you a better machine to ride in, or a better home to live in, and sell your birthrights to Christ. Don't you do it. Watch what you're doing. Always follow that one who's influenced and is backed up by God, that you know what--God is with them. Don't follow wrong influence. Yes. All right. Don't try to take another's place.
89
The vision at the temple, he saw on--on a throne God lifted up, God
being lifted up. Now, you see, this king that... He had made an example
before Isaiah, and Isaiah seen that that king as soon as he got out of
his calling was--God smote him with leprosy. Then Isaiah thought, "What
must I do?" Uzziah was dead; he'd leaned heavy on his arm. And he
thought he was gone; what would he do? Life itself was gone for him
nearly. So what did the young prophet do? He made his way down to the
temple to pray. He fell down at the altar, and he cried out.
91
Notice, Isaiah knowed that he must find something different. So what
did he do? He went to the temple; he raised up his hands, and he cried
out to God. And he fell into a vision. And as he fell into the vision,
he saw God, not on a throne down here, but lifted up, way up. Oh, my.
His train was following Him and lifted up into the heavens. And he saw
back and forth through the temple, Seraphims flying. Oh, my.
"Seraphims" it means "burners," the word "Seraphim" means. Which it is
next to the altar. Actually, the Seraphims is the one who receives the
sacrifice, and cleanses the worshipper, and then presents him to God,
the Seraphim does. Now, this Seraphims was angelic beings, and they are
the very next ones to God, right at the altar. And they receive the
sacrifice. It shows the justice of God, that sin cannot come in His
Presence unless it's been atoned for. See? And these Seraphims...
93
And Isaiah, that great prophet, when he fell into the Spirit, he saw
first God setting way up into the heavens, above any earthly king.
Said, "I saw the King, the Lord setting high and lifted up (Then he saw
the real King), and His train was following Him."
97
Notice again, Isaiah who'd been leaning on Uzziah's arm and saw him die
under the judgment of God, and then saw these holy beings that was next
to the side of God, the Seraphims crying, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God
Almighty."... And them holy Angels covered their face. Holy Angels
covered holy faces in the midst of a holy God, then who are we? And
now... 99 Now, I want to say this right now: the Blood of Jesus Christ is all-sufficient. See? Christ never died for them Seraphims. No, no. But they were created beings; He never died for Angels; He died for sinners. See? He never died for holy people; he died for unholy. And long as you think you're holy, He never done you no good. But when you realize you're nothing, then He died--He died for you. See? When you realize that you're nothing, then He's the One--you was the one He died for. God's all holy. There's nothing to Him but holiness; that's all, purity. 100 Now, let's note these wings for a few minutes. We find out that two wings he covered his face with. My, think. Even holy Angels covered their holy faces in the Presence of a holy God. And the only thing they could say was, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty." And we're told that they cried day and night. That's the first step from God coming down. Day and night, no letting up, and you think that we make a lot of noise. What do you think about millions of those around the throne with a voice that shook the temple pillars when only one of them cried, "Holy, holy, holy"? You know, his voice shook the temple, when millions of them crying around the throne of God: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty," with wings over their faces, wings over their feet, with wings in reverence, respects. Oh, my.
101
Now, there's no reverence or respects for anything that talks about
holiness. You talk about holiness, you're called a holy-roller. There's
no reverence, no respects for neither God, His people, or His Word.
103
You know, it used to be if a woman or a man said they was a Christian,
people respected it; but today they just like to see how much fun they
can make out of it. See? Irreverent group... My. Why? You know what?
This is the reason. They're not conscious that that's the Truth.
They're not conscious of God. They don't remember that the Bible says
that the Angels of God are encamped about those who fear Him. They
don't only just come and visit them; they--they stick their tents down.
Amen. The Angels of God are encamped about those who fear His Name.
They stay there day and night.
105
Now notice, they don't even believe that. They've lost all decency, all
respects, all reverence, and yet go to church. The most irreverent
bunch there is is them that goes to church. That's right.
107
Now, these Angels, when they're in God's Presence, they was... Believed
it... David said (You remember we had here a few nights ago when I was
preaching on something.), and he said--David said, "I place the Lord
always before me, that I shall not be moved. Moreover," he said, "then
when I do that, my flesh shall rest in hope." Yes, sir. "Because I know
what... He will not leave my soul in hell, neither suffer His Holy One
to see corruption. For the Lord is always before me."
109
Now, watch. Two wings he covered his face and two wings... That meant
reverence, reverence before God, bowed--covered his face. Now, we--we
don't have any wings to cover our face with; we bow our head at His
feet, bow our heads and pray in reverence, respects. Yes, sir.
Recognize it. And two wings he covered his feet, His feet... Covered,
his feet--represented humility and respects.
111
Oh. Be conscious, here's only one thing to be conscious of: your
littleness. If you want to get somewhere with God, make yourself real
little. Don't make yourself big like Uzziah. He got in there, and
he--he said, "I'll do this anyhow, whether I... You ain't got no
business telling me." See? He should've made hisself humble. "Yes,
servants of Christ, pardon me." He'd have never took leprosy. No. "I
know that's your job; God called you. That's your office. You go ahead
and do it, sirs. I'm very, sorry." Backed off, there'd been a different
writing in this Book. But when he was corrected, he got angry.
113
A lady went here some time ago. I sent my wife down. We was in a
meeting; she didn't have time to wash her hair, and she... I told her
to go to one of them there beauty shops and get her hair washed. She
went over there, and that lady didn't even know how to put her hair up.
She had to twist it around on top of her head. "Come on," said, "I
never did wash anybody's hair, with long hair." She didn't know
anything about it. I don't know. Oh, my. See?
115
Leprosy, why, I'd rather have leprosy anytime than that kind of
leprosy; well, that's leprosy of the soul. See? When you go up and
broke out... You're right there broke out again in leprosy: sin, which
is worse than leprosy. It's a leprosy of the soul.
117 I told someone not long ago... They said, "Brother Branham, I understand that you're Jesus Only?"
120
Yes, sir. Moses humbled himself in the Presence when he heard the voice
of God come forth like that, said, "Take off your shoes." Moses reached
right down and jerked his shoes off. See? That's right.
123
Always notice, a big man humbles himself. The way up is down always.
Make yourself little, and God will bring you up. "He that exalts
himself, shall be abased, but he that humbles himself shall be
exalted." Oh, my, I like that. 126 Make yourself little, He covered his face with two, reverence. He humbled himself by covering his feet. Now thirdly, with two he did fly. He put hisself in action with two of them. He was reverent before God. He was humble before God. Not only that, he just didn't set there, but he put hisself in action. Talk about a Church. Amen. Put hisself in action. Whatever he had, he was ready to go with it. Yes, sir. Only thing he could say was, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty"; but he put hisself in action with that. That's right. He got in action. That's what the church needs tonight, is first be reverent, next thing, be humble, then get yourself in action. Yes, sir.
127
He showed the prophet. When He showed the prophet how He represented
His servants, how He was going to do, what did this guy do, this Angel?
They see... Prophet saw his voice shake the pillars in the temple when
he hollered, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty." And the building
shook, and the... He hollered again, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God
Almighty," and the building shook.
130
When he saw a vision be made manifest, a manifested vision (Oh, God,
have mercy on this sinful world.)--a manifested vision, he cried out,
"Woe is me, for I'm a man of unclean lips, and I dwell among a people
of unclean lips. I'm all undone; there's nothing good about me."
133
And we can see the glory of God, and we'll go around and say, "A bunch
of holy-rollers, people that's crazy." No wonder we don't get nowhere.
135
"Woe is me," said Isaiah. "I'm in a building here tonight (or today or
whenever it was), and I see the glory of God. I see an Angel speak, and
I see something move. And I look up there, and I see God manifested
right here. Woe is me, because I'm a man of unclean lips, and I dwell
among an unclean people."
137
Like the woman at the well, when she saw something happen, brother, she
had two wings. She got away with them right quick. She come out there
at Jacob's well to get some of that contaminated water that they was
arguing about; but when she got a drink out of that Fountain of Life,
she went in action right quick. She didn't say, "Sir, please tell me
where you got your education. Where did you get this stuff at? How'd
you learn it?" or, "How'd you know that I had five husbands? How'd you
know what was wrong with me? How'd you know I was a woman of Samaria?
How'd you know these things?" She never questioned. She said, "Sir, I
perceive that You are a Prophet. We know when Messiah's comes, He'll
tell us these things." Oh, my. She recognized it by the Scripture. And
she said, "I know when the Messiah cometh, He'll tell us these things."
138
She went in action. Right down into the city she went as hard as she
could go, said, "Come, see a Man Who told me the things that I've done.
Isn't this the very Messiah?" When she saw Truth, she didn't try to
pack the ball, she--but she was sure giving It some--some--a lot of
respects. And she was sure giving It a lot of support, 'cause she went
down in the town and saying, "You, come see. If you don't believe it,
come, go with me."
140
Look at that Angel of the Lord standing there in the corner right over
a man setting over here. His name's... He's a reverend, Mr. Witt. He's
from up in Virginia (Right.) suffering with a nervous breakdown. If you
believe with all your heart, you can go home and be made well. Do you
believe it, sir? All right, go home and get well; your nervous
breakdown's finished...?... That's right.
142
No matter what the persecution is, no matter what the cross is, "Send
me, Lord; here am I." No matter how many turns you down, how many this,
that, or the other, "Send me."
147
There's a pool full of water here. If you've never been baptized in
Jesus' Name, it's time to get in action. If you're just a church member
and don't know God by the baptism of the Holy Ghost, it's time to get
in action. Right? Cover your face in reverence. Cover your feet in
humility, and bow your knees and go in action. If you don't know God,
get in action.
149 One time a blind man was healed and said... "That man's a sinner; you don't even know him."
151
The people at Pentecost, they didn't know very much. They couldn't sign
their own names, some of them. They was scared. They got in the upper
room. But one day what'd they do? They went up there in obedience to
His Word. They took His Word. Oh, if the people today would just take
His Word, then they'll get in action. "Tarry ye in the city of
Jerusalem." Luke 24:49.
152
Luke 24:49 said, "Behold, I send the promise of the Father upon you:
but wait up at the city of Jerusalem until you're endued with power
from on high." How long? One hour, two hours, ten days, four months,
six months, didn't make any difference: until. How long's that? Just
until. When you ask God for anything, stay right there until.
Amen...?... Stay until. Until what? Till it happens. Claim it. Believe
it. Hold on to it. Go in action. Testify about it. Yes. Testify. Don't
be afraid. Get in action.
154
If you believe God heals, stay in action. If you believe He's going to
call you out now, and you're holding on to Him, stay in action. Amen.
Stay in action. You got two wings, so use them. Stay in action. Wave
them back and forth. "Lord, I believe; Lord, I believe." You can't just
holler, "Holy, holy, holy" yet, say, "Lord, I believe." Stay in action.
Amen.
157
The Seraphim's at the brazen altar. But you as the son or daughter go
right into the Presence of God. You don't have to go through any priest
and all these things. He is your Priest. See? Right there in His
Presence as sons and daughters... Brother, I believe we got more than
two wings. Amen. We got the Holy Ghost. That's right.
159
We've seen more happen that's ever wrote in... Why, we seen more happen
in one meeting with them things than that wrote in the Bible. That's
right. More in one meeting than was wrote in the thirty-three and a
half years of His Life. That's right. Think of it. We seen it with our
eyes. We seen it happen. We seen it foretold, come to pass, watch it.
Lame, blind, halt, withered, things foretold that happened exactly on
the dot, never failed. Brother, that ought to put us in action with
humility and reverence.
162
With two he covered his face in reverence. Two he covered his feet,
humility. And with two he went to work. Away he went, put it in action.
165
No more than twenty years ago right from this same building, It told of
President Kennedy coming in. It told exactly what would take place,
that the women and so forth would put this fellow in, and exactly what
he would be. And we knowed it all along, and told just exactly what
would happen. And here it is today. And here is that conference coming
up, the Federation of Church and all coming together. Why don't that
put us in action? That's right. Uh-huh. Word by Word as He spoke, has
been fulfilled right by us. It should put us in action. 168 Like Isaiah stood there, he was a--a denominational man to start with. He leaned upon the king, because he was a good man. But he seen what self-exaltation did to him. It took him off forever. And we've seen what self-exaltation of denomination has done to the church. It's took the so-called denominational church out of the ring forever. Tell me when one ever rose up after it fell. Where's it at? Look back through the histories and see any church that ever fell. As soon as it organized, it fell, and it never did come back again. Uzziah never did return to the--to the temple again. He was a leper the rest of his days and was buried a leper. Yes, sir.
169
Now, the prophet saw what that did. He saw that--what that exaltation
did. "Why, we are..." or, "Nearly every... Nobody can come into our
denominations 'less it takes a--a test before the psychiatrist to see
if his IQ's right or not. He has to have a D.D.D., Ph.D. before he can
even come to--talk to us. Our boards will not have him if he doesn't."
Oh, my. "The best--best crowd in the country comes to... Look at the
cars that set around our places; they're Cadillacs, and Rickenbackers,
and so forth."
171
We see them loose their hold on--grip on the Word of God and exalt
creeds. What did we see it do? Struck with leprosy, unbelief. Huh. My,
oh, my.
173
Them denominations try to take the place of the holy church. "We
believe in God the Father, Almighty, Creator of heavens and earth, and
Jesus Christ His Son. We believe in the holy Roman Catholic Church,"
and all these different things. "We believe in communion of saints."
175
The effects of the vision upon the prophet (oh, my.) caused him to
confess that he was a sinner (anointed prophet). He said, "I'm a man of
unclean lips; I'm wrong. I've done wrong. I'm unclean myself." He was a
sinner. He confessed his sins. Yes, sir. 'Caused a prophet of God to
confess that he was a sinner; that's what the vision done. Some D.D.D.,
Ph.D. will laugh at it, supposed to be some hierarchy of some church.
177
Watch, come in just as tricky as it can be. They got the hold right
here in that last place, where they'd form an image to it by taking the
Confederation of Church, and making it speak just the same as the beast
did, and give it power to persecute all the godly people, and will
change the times and laws of God. Just exactly what it said. We'll get
to that later; it's too late tonight, but we'll--you know it anyhow.
Yes, sir.
179
Don't you think that. He is my Guide. (I'm preaching on that tomorrow
night.) Yes, sir. He'll guide you through all the muddy waters there is
to go through, all the dangerous shoals, and all the high places, and
low places. Wherever it is, He will guide me over death's river. Amen.
Oh, yes, sir. He'll guide. "When death comes I'll fear no evil for Thou
art with me. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of
death, I'll fear no evil; Thou art there." 182 Um-hum. I want you to notice, when this prophet... Think of it, a--not... A man that stood with the federal government, a vindicated prophet, and as soon as he saw that first vision... He'd never saw visions before; he'd had otherwise. He'd felt the leading of God and went according to the Word. But this time was an open vision, and he screamed, "I'm a man of unclean lips and I--all these people are unclean. Woe is me, 'cause I see the glory of God made manifest." And we just look at it. We ought to be flying away. See, see?
183
"I'm a man of unclean lips." He went down to the altar, and he said,
"I'm a man of unclean lips, Lord. What can I do, what can I do, for I
have seen You manifested right here? I see an Angel shake the thing. I
seen him speak, and something moved back yonder." Amen. (I hope you're
not asleep.) Oh, my. Speak and something happened. Glory. What happened?
185
Notice, he never sent him off to get a Ph.D. degree. He never give him
a book of rules to learn; but He--God was showing the prophet that His
cleansing power was by fire off the altar. Amen. God's cleansing power
today is not recite a creed or join a church; it's the power of the
Holy Ghost and fire that comes down and cleanses a man from all of his
unbelief. Amen.
187
Confession first, then cleanliness by the fire. Glory to God. Oh,
watch. Confession first, cleansing second, commission third. Amen.
There you are. First confessing, "I'm wrong." Second, cleansing:
justification, Sanctification, and the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. See?
Confession, cleansing, commissioning: "Go ye into all the world and
preach the Gospel. These signs will follow them that believe." Amen.
190
Remember, it was when Isaiah made his confession that he was wrong.
He'd been altogether wrong; he'd been leaning upon his creed (See?),
leaning upon the--the man, a manmade affair. He had saw a king that was
a great man; he was a religious man. But he saw that all men will fail.
See? But when he changed that, and looked up here, and saw a vision Who
God was, then he said, "I want to confess that I'm wrong. Them old
creeds won't work no more, 'cause they're done dead and failed. (See?)
They're leprosy stricken, but I've seen the glory of God made
manifest." A creed can't manifest that. A creed can't say it that way.
A creed can't do it that way. It takes Christ to do it that way. And as
soon as he saw that, he said, "Now, I've been altogether wrong, Lord."
And then come the cleansing; then come the commission. Oh, my.
192
Oh, don't you see "Influence." Don't take the influence of Marthela. (I
hope that's not a name in here.) Don't take the names of--of--the
influence of some little girl that goes to high school with you, or
common school, or the next door neighbor that cuts her hair and wears
shorts; don't take that influence. Don't take the influence of some
creeded pastor that would deny the Word of God and give you a creed;
don't take that influence. But stand there until you see the glory of
God fall, see something move by it's effects, and see it happen just
the way that God said it. Then cry out, "Woe is me, Lord; I been wrong.
Cleanse me now, Lord. Cleanse me. Spirit of the living God, fall fresh
on me."
193
Something's got to be done. It's later than we think it is. May the
vision of God so influence the people, that they might see that the
same God was in the temple with Isaiah is the same God in His holy
place today. He's in the holy place of the Holy Spirit. He is the Holy
Spirit. He once was flesh; now He's Spirit moving among His people,
showing Himself alive, not a dead creed, but a living Christ, same
yesterday, today, and forever. Oh, Isaiah, quickly answer, "Master,
here; send me."
194 Now, it might be your neighbor; it might be the woman you work with, the man you work with, but they're... 195 Now, with your heads bowed, I wonder tonight, as I told you coming down, I try to study something I think would help you. You seen that prophet; he was a great man. He was born for the purpose of being a prophet. He found out that he'd took the wrong road; he was leaning on the arm of Uzziah, a king. He saw you can't lean upon the arms of flesh. It's perishable. It's wrong. But look high and see God setting high upon His throne. Look up there at Jesus; He said, "I'm the same yesterday, today, and forever." Let Him pick you up in the Spirit. Watch and see if He ain't the same yesterday...
196
When that little Isaiah saw God's vision move down and into that
temple, he was ready to confess his wrong. He was ready to confess that
he hadn't did nothing right. And did he fly to the nation then; did he
do everything that was right then. Everything that he could do, till
finally he sealed his testimony with his blood.
198
In this respect let's all stand then and make ourself a consecration
service to God. The Almighty is here. Do you believe it? We're in His
Divine Presence. Don't forget that now. His Presence is right here just
the same as it was... Frankly, since I've been standing here, I saw
four or five visions already happen. That's right. That's right.
There's been over two or three people that belongs here at church that
didn't say nothing; but It's here just the same. All right. 199 Wipe off that denominational smoke. Wipe off that worldly smut. The Blood of Jesus Christ is more than sufficient to cleanse you. Look up. Let your lights be shining. Take those wings and fly to | ||||||