A prophet's reward?
Voice of God Recordings had this question on one of its Young Foundation's quizzes (questions for kids):
- Jesus said, "Whosoever receive a prophet in the name of a prophet, receives a prophet's reward."
What is a prophet's reward?
- To be a friend with the prophet
- To become a prophet
- Talking directly to God through the prophet
- To have Eternal life like the prophet
According to William Branham, the correct answer is "1" - To be a friend with the prophet.
What the Bible is referring to
When Jesus speaks of receiving “a prophet’s reward,” he’s referring to the reward that awaits those who support God’s messengers — not merely the prophets themselves, but those who recognize and aid them. The reward involves becoming partakers of the same reward laid up for the prophets.
The specific nature of this reward becomes clearer when we understand what “receiving a prophet in the name of a prophet” means. This involves not only receiving the prophet’s message and ministry, but also showing kindness to the prophet as a person through hospitality or by meeting his needs as a minister of the gospel. The key is that the support flows from recognizing the prophet’s role and God’s commission, rather than from personal or worldly motives.
Those who receive a prophet as God’s messenger and servant—not for carnal or worldly reasons—shall receive either the same reward the prophet receives, or a large, ample, and noble recompense befitting one who received a prophet sent from the Lord. Just as those who give honourable reception to ambassadors of earthly kings raise themselves in the favour of those kings, so those who receive God’s faithful prophets as his ambassadors become highly favoured by God and nobly rewarded by him.
Why did William Branham say it was to be the friend of a prophet? So how does this make sense? Would a prophet receive a reward from God by being a friend to himself (narcissism) or by being friends with other prophets? Where did he get this from?
Quotes of William Branham
People send and give me nice ties, shirts, socks. I was a little afraid to say anything about it from the platform. Maybe somebody thought that I was… get the wrong impression, that I was just saying it just because maybe… Oh, no. Just don't think that. But it—it's so appreciated. I just couldn't let the people do things like that, and then let me not mention it in some way. You know, some of don't even put their address on it. I couldn't say the woman's name that bought me that suit of clothes. I—I couldn't never let her—let the—the right hand… left hand know what the right hand was doing, I suppose. But I—I appreciate it from the depths of my heart. And I'll say this, my dear sister, and to all you others. You never give anything to anyone in your life that appreciated it any more than I do. That's right. I do. And the Bible says, "Insomuch as you have done unto the least (That's me.) of My little ones, you have done it unto Me." He who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man receives a righteous man's reward. Whosoever receives a prophet in the name of the prophet, receives a prophet's reward. Now, I trust that God will return it to you a hundredfold.[1]
321. Brother Branham, if you have time please explain Matthew 10:41. I would like to know what is a prophet's reward?
Well now, Jesus said, "Whosoever receive a prophet in the name of a prophet, receives a prophet's reward." A prophet's reward is to be a friend with the prophet. Whosoever receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man, receives a righteous man's reward. Is that right? And if they want to know what a prophet's reward is, is to be a friend to the prophet. See? That's a reward. He's your friend. Like the Shunammite woman, it might come in handy sometime. See? It did with her. See? Watch God's servants.[2]
Footnotes