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. So how does this make sense? Would a prophet receive a reward for God by being a friend to himself (narcissism) or by being friends to other prophets? Where do you get that from?
What William Branham was referring to
William Branham again appear to be pointing people to himself by saying, "the gift will be given not only to the prophet, but to the one who accepts the prophet and aligns himself with him."
A “prophet’s reward” in plain English means either:
- the sort of reward a prophet can give (the blessings conferred on those who welcomed prophets in the Old Testament: 1 Kgs 17:8–24; 2 Kgs 4:8–37)[1], or
- to put oneself in the position of receiving the same reward as the person received, whether prophet, righteous person, or disciple, just as not to receive such a person means future judgment (v 14–15). Possibly behind this idea of reward to those who show hospitality to prophets are the stories of those who did so to Elijah (1 Kgs 17:9–24) and Elisha (2 Kgs 4:9–37).[2]
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.[3]
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.[4]
Footnotes
- ↑ R. T. France, The Gospel of Matthew, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publication Co., 2007), 414.
- ↑ Donald A. Hagner, Matthew 1–13, vol. 33A, Word Biblical Commentary (Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 1993), 296.
- ↑ William Branham, 50-0822 - Faith Without Works Is Dead, para.6-7
- ↑ William Branham, 64-0823E - Questions And Answers #2, para.220