Deuteronomy 18:20-22

Deuteronomy 18:20-22 reads:

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But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.  And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?  When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

Summary: The "One Mistake" rule

A true Prophet must be 100% accurate. There is absolutely no margin for error.

Deuteronomy 18:20-22 states:

But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die. And if you say in your heart, ‘How may we know the word that the Lord has not spoken?’ — when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him.

The true Prophet of the Lord predicts that which does come to pass. If the Prophet's predictions fail, they are exposed as NOT of God. Jeremiah 28:9 tells us:

The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him.

Ezekiel 13:2-9 is also an interesting passage:

Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel, who are prophesying, and say to those who prophesy from their own hearts: ‘Hear the word of the LORD!’  Thus says the Lord GOD, Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!  Your prophets have been like jackals among ruins, O Israel.  You have not gone up into the breaches, or built up a wall for the house of Israel, that it might stand in battle in the day of the LORD.  They have seen false visions and lying divinations. They say, ‘Declares the LORD,’ when the LORD has not sent them, and yet they expect him to fulfill their word.  Have you not seen a false vision and uttered a lying divination, whenever you have said, ‘Declares the LORD,’ although I have not spoken?” Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: “Because you have uttered falsehood and seen lying visions, therefore behold, I am against you, declares the Lord GOD.  My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and who give lying divinations. They shall not be in the council of my people, nor be enrolled in the register of the house of Israel, nor shall they enter the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord GOD.

God says a false prophet can actually say they are hearing from the Lord but it really is their own spirit.

In 1 Samuel 3:19-20, the Bible says this of the prophet Samuel:

As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him, and everything Samuel said proved to be reliable. And all Israel, from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south, knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the Lord

In the Old Testament, prophets prophesied within three time frames: their own time, for the 1st coming and the 2nd coming. The test of a prophet was his near prophecies which would be fulfilled in his own lifetime. Obviously, if it was beyond his lifetime, he wouldn't be around to have to answer for it. Prophecy was very specific in the Old and the New Testament. They would foretell God's revelation to the people and if one looks back at the Biblical record to study a prophet's calling, it was God who picked them and they are often found arguing not to have the office. In contrast, there are now schools to train new prophets because the people desire this office.

Another test used on would be prophets, found in Deuteronomy 13:1. In addition to whether or not their predictions came true is whether they used signs and wonders as tools to draw people to other gods or a different representation of God. (Such as Jannes and Jambres in 2 Timothy 3:8). Here, God is testing the people to see if they love only Him. This is probably the most overlooked scripture pertaining to examining the claims of those who profess supernatural powers that come from God. If they were to contradict the teaching that had already been revealed - which had provided knowledge of the one true God then they were seen as false prophets. God did not, and still does not tolerate false prophesying. If they wrong once, they are false, they were to be stoned. If this occurred today many if not all who lay claim to this position would have a quick end to their so called anointing!

Remember: just because one performs miracles, even inside a church, does not mean God is working. We should be more on guard inside the church than we would like to think. In 1 Corinthians 4:6, we are told no to go beyond what in written. If one contradicts the apostolic writings and teachings, then they are false (2 Cor.11:14). Those who go beyond the word having God speak to them directly with new revelation, become puffed up with self-deception. There is something called humility that is practiced when one adheres to the same standard that everyone else does. Isa.8:16” bind up the testimony (of the Prophets) seal the law among my disciples”. (Moses) vs. 20 “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because their is no light in them.” This standard distinguishes a believer from an unbeliever. The test of the prophet was his conformity to the word of God, he condemns sin, he comforts the brethren, and he speaks of things in the near future and later than his life. A prophet, like an apostle, not only functioned as a gift, but as an office. A prophet would declare God's will for his generation, addressing idolatry or lukewarmness. We see this personified in John the Baptist who warned and rebuked the people preparing the for the Messiah.

Methodology

In all things, we follow the instruction of Isaiah:

Isaiah 28:10 (KJV)

For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; Line upon line, line upon line; Here a little, and there a little

This informs us that we need to make sure as we study that Scripture is supported throughout the Bible. And we will show the specific references.

As we look at the Book of Deuteronomy, we see that God is defining His laws and regulations for the Nation of Israel.

God is clear in his COVENANT RELATIONSHIP with the Nation of Israel (the OLD COVENANT RELATIONSHIP) that there are ONLY two ways in which God shall interact with the Jews:

The High Priest in the Holy of Holies to sacrifice in atonement for sins; Through specific commissions directly to God’s true prophets.

This COVENANT RELATIONSHIP replaces the One-on-One communion which Adam and Eve shared with God in the Garden of Eden prior to the Fall of Man (see [[1]]. The reference provides several specific Scriptural references to substantiate that precept.

Chapter 18 of the Book of Deuteronomy discusses how the Nation of Israel shall evaluate those who claim to be God’s prophets in addition to the relationship the High Priests will have with the people. This is important to make sure the Nation of Israel does not follow a false prophet, a false teacher.

Before we look at the specific verses in Chapter 18, let’s take a look at what we know about the attributes of how God used His prophets.

GOD HOLDS HIS PROPHET RESPONSIBLE FOR CARRYING OUT THE SPECIFIC COMMISSIONS WHICH HE GIVES TO THEM.

The Book of Jonah is particularly instructive for the purposes of illustrating this precept.

Jonah 1:1-4 (KJV) :1 Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,

2 Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.

3 But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.

4 But the Lord sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.

Throughout the Book of Jonah, we see that God gave Jonah a commission, and when Jonah attempted to disregard God’s commission, God caused Jonah to go where God had originally instructed him to travel, and to deliver God’s message to the king of Nineveh.

The next precept we have to examine is WHAT DOES GOD DEMAND OF HIS PROPHETS OTHER THAN TO DELIVER HIS COMMISSION?

The answer is: NOTHING! But we know that God DEMANDS his commissions to be carried out.

DOES GOD EXPECT THE RESULTS OF A PROPHET’S MISSION TO BE FIXED IN STONE PRIOR TO THE DELIVERY OF THE COMMISSION?

The answer is: NO!

The Book of Jeremiah, Chapter 18, speaks to this very issue:

Jeremiah 18:7-10 (KJV)

7 At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it;

8 If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.

9 And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it;

10 If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.

And so, we see that God ONLY HOLDS A PROPHET ACCOUNTABLE FOR DELIVERING HIS COMMISSION! The prophet IS NOT responsible for the outcome. We can again look at the Book of Jonah for instruction:

Jonah3:3-10 (KJV)

3 So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days’ journey.

4 And Jonah began to enter into the city a day’s journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.

5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.

6 For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.

7 And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water:

8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands.

9 Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not? 10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.

We see here that God MAY RELENT, and DID RELENT in the case of Jonah’s message of judgement against the Ninevites.

This demonstrates that what happens AFTER the prophet executes God’s commission is UP TO GOD, and NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PROPHET. The ONLY responsibility of God’s prophet is to deliver faithfully God’s message, his specific commission.

This now raises the question: WHAT IF THE PROPHET DOES NOT “FAITHFULLY” EXECUTE GOD’S COMMISSION?

Let’s look at God’s commitment to the prophet and to God’s people. We look at the 1st Book of Samuel for instruction:

1 Samuel 3:19-20 (KJV)

19 And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.

20 And all Israel from Dan even to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord.

Who knew Samuel was a prophet of the Lord? ALL ISRAEL…

And how did they know? NONE OF HIS WORDS WERE ALLOWED TO FALL TO THE GROUND!

That means that EVEN IF the prophet DOES NOT execute his commission faithfully, God will provide what was intended in His commission through the prophet.

We can look at the example of Moses for this precept:

Numbers 20:7-12 (KJV)

7 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

8 Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.

9 And Moses took the rod from before the Lord, as he commanded him.

10 And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?

11 And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.

12 And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.

Here we see that Moses WAS NOT FAITHFUL in his execution of the specific commission which God gave him. Moses was told by God to SPEAK to the rock, and Moses STRUCK the rock.

But because, as we see in 1 Samuel, God WILL NOT ALLOW A TRUE PROPHET’S WORDS TO FALL TO THE GROUND, God delivered the blessing to the people and water came forth from the rock.

What was the price which Moses paid for NOT EXECUTING THE COMMISSION FAITHFULLY? He was not permitted to accompany the Nation of Israel into the land the Lord had given them.

Even though Moses was not faithful, GOD WAS FAITHFUL because His commission to His prophet WILL ALWAYS COME TO PASS (even when in Jonah’s case, the prophet tries everything in his power to avoid the commission).

Now, let’s refer this back to the Book of Deuteronomy, Chapter 18. We will start a little earlier than the 20th verse to make sure we have the proper context:

Deuteronomy 18:18-22 (KJV)

18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.

19 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.

20 But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.

21 And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken?

22 When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

Verse 18 is where God illuminates His intention to raise up prophets from among the Nation of Israel. Verse 19 clearly speaks to the consequences of the people in the Nation of Israel for ignoring God’s prophet. And then we get into the relevant passage, verses 20-22.

Deuteronomy 18:20 (KJV)

20 But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.

Here we see that God is clear that men will presume to speak on God’s behalf who clearly do not have the authority of God when they speak. The consequences for this behavior is dire.

God then clarifies for His people what the correct question is to ask of such a person who claims to speak in the Name of the Lord:

Deuteronomy 18:21 (KJV)

21 And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken?

God here instructs the Israelites HOW they will know whether a prophet is FROM GOD, or is a FALSE PROPHET:

Deuteronomy 18:22 (KJV)

22 When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

God is VERY CLEAR… Just as he affirms in 1 Samuel chapter 3, God tells us that a prophet’s words MUST NEVER FALL TO THE GROUND… MUST ALWAYS COME TO PASS JUST AS GOD GAVE THE COMMISSION! If this is not the case, then the prophet is a FALSE PROPHET, and the consequences according to Verse 20, “THAT PROPHET MUST DIE.”

Notice that this is a ONE-AND-DONE examination. Find ONE SINGLE EXAMPLE of failure according to this Scripture, and the person proclaiming themselves a prophet, as William Branham did over 400 times in his 1,205 sermons, must pass this examination EACH AND EVERY TIME!! One failure, and THEY ARE A FALSE PROPHET. And God provided an awfully dire consequence.

Let us remember Isaiah 28:

Isaiah 28:10 (KJV)

For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; Line upon line, line upon line; Here a little, and there a little

Where is another example of where God realizes FALSE PROPHETS will arise?

The 13th chapter of the same Book of Deuteronomy is instructive:

Deuteronomy 13:1-5 (KJV)

If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder,

2 And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them;

3 Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

4 Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.

5 And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the Lord your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the Lord thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.

Again, a dire consequence. I will address more of this when I provide the quotes where Branham minimizes the Ministries of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. But I digress…

Isaiah also tells us we need to look FORWARD in Scripture to where we can examine these precepts. Let’s take a look first at the 1st Letter of John the Evangelist, Chapter 4. Remember now, John the wrote this letter AFTER JESUS CHRIST USHERED IN A NEW COVENANT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD! I will similarly address this issue of a NEW COVENANT RELATIONSHIP when I provide the quotes where Branham minimizes the Ministries of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. And again, I digress…

1 John 4:1 (KJV)

1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

John confirms that THERE WILL BE FALSE PROPHETS… his instruction is to TRY THE SPIRITS, to examine them against the Scriptural examination that we just described culminating in the Book of Deuteronomy.

When the Apostle Paul and Silas travelled to Berea, the Bereans took this examination very seriously as well:

Acts 17:10-11 (KJV)

10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Notice that the Bereans did not “ONLY BELIEVE” Paul and Silas,” they did what God had instructed and examined what they said against SCRIPTURE… they examined what was said. This was THE APOSTLE PAUL! How much more today should we examine those who come forward and tell us that they are God’s prophet??

Let’s also look at what Jesus Christ Himself tells us about FALSE PROPHETS.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is instructing His disciples in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus tells us this:

Matthew 7:15-23 (KJV)

15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Jesus considers this SO IMPORTANT that he repeats that we will recognize a FALSE PROPHET by his fruits. An interesting moment, but for another time.

What we CAN see here concerning Branham and other false prophets is that they can USE THE NAME OF GOD to perform “SIGNS AND WONDERS,” even if they claim a position for themselves which is not true.

We KNOW that the NAME OF GOD is sufficient for all sorts of “SIGNS AND WONDERS” as we see here:

Acts 3:4-8 (KJV)

4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ancle bones received strength.

8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

Philippians 2:8-11 (KJV)

8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Proverbs 18:10 (KJV)

10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower: The righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

And there are plenty more examples…

When the FALSE PROPHETS in Matthew, Chapter 7, are described by Jesus Himself even though they used the Name of Jesus to perform all manner of “SIGNS AND WONDERS,” Jesus declared that HE NEVER KNEW THEM!

Matthew 7:22-23 (KJV)

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

WE know, therefore, that “SIGNS AND WONDERS” are not used to vindicate anyone let alone God’s prophets. And in fact, SATAN CAN PERFORM SIGNS AND WONDERS:

Matthew 4:5-6 (KJV)

5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,

6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Satan took Jesus UP INTO THE HOLY CITY AND SETTETH HIM ON A PINNACLE OF THE TEMPLE!

Satan and his legions are also able to do GREAT HARM through their “SIGNS AND WONDERS.”

Matthew 8:28-34 (KJV)

28 And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.

29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?

30 And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.

31 So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.

32 And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.

33 And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils.

34 And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.

“SIGNS AND WONDERS” are not an examination to prove someone is a TRUE PROPHET OF GOD, only those examinations outlined as discussed.

Now we finally come to the issue concerning William Branham and whether he can pass the examination of being a TRUE PROPHET OF GOD.

We need to remember what God Himself expects of His prophets.

They will carry out faithfully the specific commissions they receive from God; Their WORDS WILL NEVER FALL TO THE GROUND; They are NOT to be held accountable for what God chooses to do AFTER the commission is complete.

Remembering that the Scriptural examination of a prophet according to Deuteronomy, Chapter 18 is a ONE-AND-DONE examination, let me show JUST ONE example (there are LOTS OF THESE, but we’ll take a look at one which is plenty) of where William Branham’s WORDS FELL TO THE GROUND, FAILED TO COME TO PASS… in other words, where William Branham DID NOT FULFILL GOD’S SPECIFIC COMMISSION which Branham spoke using one of his 1,616 uses of “THUS SAITH THE LORD.”

William Branham spoke about visiting Durban, South Africa to hold a tent revival 30 times, many times using his “THUS SAITH THE LORD.” Here is a couple of examples:

And I said, "Oh, are they all black people?" Then He turned my face here in front of me, to Durban again, and there was beautiful white men and women, standing with their hands up in the air, praising God. Then He turned me back again, and the great Light started going way back over the hills and showing. Then the Angel drew near. And I heard Him scream with a Voice, that shook me from the vision. Said, "There'll be three hundred thousand of them in that meeting. THUS SAITH THE LORD mark it in your book." EARLY.SPIRITUAL.EXPERIENCES_ HAMMOND.IN SUNDAY_ 52-0713A

And this Angel, above me, turned on a great big operating light, and begin to show back, like that. And just as far as I could see, was nothing but people. And it was up over hills and valleys. And they looked like Indians. And then when this Angel above me spoke to the Angel that's always with me, up side the big fellow, kind of dark complected, hair down to His shoulders, folded His arms, He was standing here by my side. I heard Him tell this One standing by me, and the Voice was so strong that it broke me out of the vision, said, "There's three hundred thousand of those in that meeting." Mark that down, for it's THUS SAITH THE LORD. His Word comes to pass.

And I’m trusting, and know that in India this time, will be the greatest meeting that the Lord has ever let me minister in all my life, for this time. And I have the vision wrote out here; I believe, which most of the people has it wrote in your own Bibles. And you can see whether it will be that way or not after it’s over. And if it’s not that way, then you can say I didn’t speak to the Lord, or He didn’t speak to me, rather. But if it does, then you remember that—that He talked with me.

The 31st time William Branham spoke about this event, William Branham admits that HE DID NOT PERFORM THE SPECIFIC COMMISSION WHICH GOD GAVE HIM concerning the meetings in South Africa, which he asserted 30 previous instances, many using his “THUS SAITH THE LORD” as I have shown:

I had planned on, so hard, coming back; burdened in the heart. I just returned from Africa, as you all know. And when I got over there, I had a restricted visa, and wouldn't let me, wouldn't let me preach because it gathers too many together. They're expecting an uprise there at any time, and--and they--they wouldn't let me preach because of that gathering too many people together. The only way I could, would to have some organization that's represented by the government, in the government, to invite me over, then that would automatically let the government send out a militia for protection. See, they're just... There is just going to be an uprise, and that's all there is to it. It's just right in hand, see. That government man said, "The last time he was here, he had about a quarter of a million people together." And he said, "Then, you see, that would just be the very thing that communism is looking for, for an uprise." So, I couldn't preach. And so I, when I started to go over, I'm telling you, I never had so much trouble in all my life, of trying to get there. And then at the very last minute, very last minute to go, here was wrote across my visa, "Cannot anticipate in any kind of religious service; can only come hunting." Well, then, it was rank.

But I said, "I don't care what the Devil does, I--I can't... I can't voucher for what Brother Jackson said about yellow-mane lion, and this, that, or the other. I--I can't vouch it. But I do know God told me to 'see Sidney Jackson, and go hunting.'"And I said, "I'm going." And sometime... And I had one of the greatest trips.

I found out what the trouble was. Now I think, about October, the Lord willing, I can go back and have a meeting and everything, full cooperation, everything else, see, in Africa now. I got to the bottom of it and found out where it was at, what caused it. Up here, writing, this one has got this to say, and something's got something to say, and this one there. The best thing to do, is go find out, yourself. And I know where the trouble was, and what the reason of it was; it was because of so many people gathering together, the government wouldn't let me have it.”

We can look back on the Book of Jonah as instructive here. We can ask these questions:

• Had GOD HIMSELF given William Branham a SPECIFIC COMMISSION to visit Durban, South Africa during his lifetime, would there be ANY CIRCUMSTANCES which would have stood in the way of William Branham having held meetings?
• Remembering that William Branham spoke about this event in 30 sermons prior to 1965 when he spoke the sermon ASHAMED, and remembering that William Branham told us several times that GOD HAD SPOKEN IT, THUS SAITH THE LORD, is there a power on earth that would have held William Branham back from being able to preach those meetings?
• Is there a GOVERNMENT ON EARTH that is not subject to the Will of God, if God in fact intends His TRUE prophet to hold meetings?
• Did William Branham FAITHFULLY EXECUTE the specific commission that he himself told us GOD gave him?

Since William Branham’s words were permitted to “FALL TO THE GROUND” can we assume that this was a message which God did not instruct William Branham to speak?

• And finally, CAN WE NOW USE THIS AS AN EXAMPLE WHERE WHAT WILLIAM BRANHAM SPOKE USING HIS “THUS SAITH THE LORD” ACTUALLY FAILED TO COME TO PASS?

Ministers and believers of Branham’s End Time Message give us many excuses and justifications for this “prophecy” to have failed. But none of the excuses or justifications align with Scripture.

One of the examples is the “400 YEARS” which Abraham spoke concerning the Jews and their captivity. You can read about it in our article on "Red Herring Arguments."

The Vision of the Meetings in South Africa is but one of the failed visions and prophecies which Branham spoke using his “THUS SAITH THE LORD” which failed to come to pass. Others, including the Brown Bear Vision, Los Angeles in the Pacific Ocean while Billy Paul was a “young man” although Billy Paul recently died, the world ending in 1977, etc, etc, etc, and on and on… (see the list below).

There is a group of message believers who believe that William Branham will rise from the dead and ALL OF HIS HERETOFORE PROPHECIES WILL COME TO PASS prior to the return of Jesus Christ. Known colloquially as the “RETURNED MINISTRY” denomination of the message, at least this group understands that his prophecies FAILED TO COME TO PASS.

I will close this by stating Scripture has an explicit examination of how a prophet of God is vindicated. SCRIPTURE IS CLEAR THAT A TRUE PROPHET OF GOD WILL NEVER BE ALLOWED TO FAIL, ESPECIALLY WHEN HE ATTRIBUTES GOD’S NAME AND GOD’S PROMISE TO A “PROPHECY” OR VISION.”

And this is why we can say with complete confidence that William Branham is a false prophet.

Where William Branham's visions and prophecies failed

Here is a list of questions related to William Branham's visions and prophecies. Please click on the link in each question to go to an article containing a detailed analysis of the issue:

1. Did "Thus Saith The Lord" fail Donny Morton? (Failed Thus Saith The Lord?)
2. Did "Thus Saith The Lord" fail Agnes Shippy (Failed Thus Saith The Lord?)
3. Did William Branham make any REAL prophecies? (Why can't we find any before the fact prophecies!)
4. Why did William Branham say that the municipal bridge vision was fulfilled when it clearly wasn't? (Failed Prophecy?)
5. Why did William Branham say "Thus Saith The Lord" that he would shoot a large brown bear, when he didn't? (Failed Prophecy?)
6. Why did the vision that William Branham had of the meetings in South Africa fail to be fulfilled? (Failed Prophecy?)
7. If the vision of the Plum and Apple Trees was from God, why did William Branham change his mind about it in 1965? (Prophecy Changed?)
8. The Prophetic Visions of 1933
   1. Why did William Branham prophecy that America would start World War 2? (Prophecy Changed/Failed Prophecy?)
   2. Was Mussloni's invasion of Ethiopia really his last invasion? (Prophecy Changed/Failed Prophecy?)
   3. Why did William Branham's prophecy of Hitler change over time? (Prophecy Changed?)
   4. Did Facism, Nazisim and Communism really unite into Communism? (Failed Prophecy?)
   5. Did the prophecy of egg-shaped cars come from William Branham's visit to the 1933 World's Fair? ("After the Fact" Prophecy?)
   6. Was William Branham's prophecy of a driverless car based on a Disney TV program? ("After the Fact" Prophecy?)
   7. Are women really going to wear a fig leaf apron and go topless? (Failed Prophecy?)
   8. Did women elect the wrong person or was it the men's vote? ("After the Fact" Prophecy/Failed Prophecy?)
   9. Why did William Branham state that the prophecy of the rise of the cruel woman in America was already fulfilled? (Failed Prophecy?)
   10. Why did William Branham change his prophecy of the destruction of America? (Prophecy Changed?)
9. Why is Los Angeles still above water if Billy Paul is an old man? (Failed Prophecy?)
10. Did William Branham prophesy the election of Kamala Harris? (Vague Prophecy?)
11. Why did William Branham predict the Catholic church would never apologize when they did? (Failed Prophecy?)
12. Did William Branham predict his own death? (Prophecy about William Branham?)
13. Will the Roman Catholic church take over the world monetary system? (False Prophecy?)
14. The Tent Vision (Failed Prophecy?)
15. What did William Branham prophesy about Billy Graham? Did the prophecy come to pass? (Failed Prophecy or a Lie?)
16. Was William Branham's death before the Rapture a failed prophecy? (Failed Prophecy?)
17. Why did William Branham state that Martin Luther King, Jr. would cause the death of millions, when this didn't happen? (Not a prophecy?)
18. Was William Branham's vision of Marilyn Monroe's death accurate? (Failed Prophecy?)
19. Why did William Branham change the vision of the angels appearing? (Prophecy Changed?)
20. Why did William Branham predict that the USA would be destroyed by 1977? (Failed Prophecy?)
21. Was the meeting of Nikita Khrushchev and Dwight Eisenhower the fulfillment of Daniel chapter 2? (Failed Prophecy?)
22. Will Russia destroy the Vatican? (Failed Prophecy?)
23. Why did William Branham say that man would never land on the moon... but the communists might? (Failed Prophecy?)
24. Was the prophecy of the World Council of Churches accurate? (Failed Prophecy?)
25. Did William Branham ever pray for "kings, monarchs, potentates, and great men of the world." (Failed Prophecy?)
26. Was the prophecy of the 1964 Alaska earthquake made after the fact? ("After the Fact" Prophecy?)
27. What is the Third Pull? Was it prophetic? (Vague Prophecy?)
28. Did William Branham really prophecy where he would live? ("After the Fact" Prophecy?)
29. Why did William Branham mention the Ohio river flood years before he told of his prophecy without saying anything about it? ("After the Fact" Prophecy?)
30. Is Florida going under as well? (Ambiguous prophecy?)
31. Did William Branham prophesy his own death? (Not a prophecy?)
32. Why did William Branham's original commissioning vision disappear? (Vision abandoned by William Branham?)
33. Was the birth of Joseph Branham foretold? (Ambiguous prophecy?)
34. Was the death of Florence Shakarian prophesied before she died? (Ambiguous prophecy?)
35. Was William Branham's ministry foretold in a Santa Rosa church? ("After the Fact" Prophecy?)
36. Were Dead Raised in William Branham's Ministry?
37. Q&A with a message minister relating to William Branham's prophetic ministry
38. What if William Branham was a Prophet?

If you have a question regarding William Branham's prophetic ministry that is not listed above, please contact us by clicking here.

William Branham applied the Deuteronomy 18:20-22 test to himself

It is clear that William Branham considered himself to be an Old Testament prophet and that as a result he was not subject to the judgment of the church. He also stated the test in Deuteronomy 18:20-22 applied to him:

“Let one speak and two or three judge,” said Paul. Now, those are the spirits of the gifts that’s in the Church. But the only person that has a right to say, THUS SAITH THE LORD, is an a vindicated prophet. You never seen anybody judging Isaiah, or Jeremiah, or those people. They were prophets, foreordained and borned in the world to be prophets. And they foresaw the thing by a vision, and then said, “THUS SAITH THE LORD,” for the Lord had already said it.

You can go to my hometown and find it one time, in all the times that It’s ever told anything, that didn’t come to pass just exactly the way It said. Now, you pin a sign on my back as a false prophet, and I’ll walk through your streets. Cause it’s not myself, I’m a man, but He’s God. And He’s the One Who does the saying. If I would say it, it could be a lie, ’cause I’m subject to any—any mistakes, lies, anything else, like anybody else.

Prophets are foreordained. They’re prophets. Now, there’s a gift of prophecy in the church, that could be on one, then the next one, the next one, the next one, and so forth—of prophecy. Paul said you may all prophesy one by one. But there’s a lot of difference between a prophet and a prophecy. A prophecy has to be judged by three witnesses (two or three) before it can be given or accepted in the church, according to the Scriptures. But a prophet, like the Old Testament prophet, they had the Word of the Lord. The translation was right to them. And they were known, because the Bible said, “If there be one among you spiritual or a prophet, I, the Lord, will make Myself known unto him, speak to him in visions, and reveal Myself in dreams. And if what this man says comes to pass, then hear him, for I’m am with him. If it doesn’t, then don’t hear him. I’m not with him. Don’t fear him.”

And you who will not come back, I want you to do me a favor, mark a little piece of paper, and put it in your Bible, and say, “Brother Branham said, ‘THUS SAITH THE LORD.’” Then if God lets us live, watch what this thing’s coming to. If God lets us live for a few more years and I pass through Phoenix, get that—get a little yellow piece of paper out, and walk up to the pulpit and say, “What about this, Brother Branham?” Then I’ll tack it on my back, and you get in your car, and drive me down the street, as a sign on my back, “A false prophet.”

God always sends a prophet. The Word comes to the prophet; the written Word, a discerner of the thoughts of the heart. Did you always notice? The prophet, being that he knowed that he was a prophet, is because that the Word of God discerns the thought that’s in the heart, foretells things, forth-teller and teller-forth. Did you ever take the dictionary, the old Hebrew dictionary, and see what the word seer means? It’s the one that has the Divine revelation of the written Word. And how it’s vindicated, he foresees things that he foretells, and they come to pass. 42 Now, how does that type in with the Scripture? Just exactly. “If there be one among you, who is spiritual or a prophet, I the Lord will make Myself known to him, speak to him in visions. And if these things comes to pass, then it’s God. If they don’t come to pass, then don’t hear him; don’t fear him at all, but just ignore it.”

The Bible said, “If there be one, and what he says comes to pass, then you hear him; but, if it doesn’t, don’t believe him, don’t fear him, but My…if—if My Word is not in him. But if it does come to pass, then My Word is in him.” That’s his identification. That’s the characteristic of a prophet.

Now, prophets. There’s such a thing as “gift of prophecy” in the Church; but a prophet is predestinated and foreordained for the hour. See? Yes, sir. Now, if a prophecy goes forth, two or three has to set and judge whether that’s right or not, ’fore the church can receive it. But nobody set before a prophet, ’cause he was—he was absolutely the Word of God. He was that Word in his day. You seen God reflect. Now, God has promised to send us that again in the last days, to bring the Bride out of that ecclesiastical mess, in the only way it can be done.

Quotes of William Branham

So as Christians we must be reverent; we must be honest, and everything up and aboveboard, so everyone can examine and look in and see that Christ is the—is the virgin born Son of God and His Words are perfectly and absolutely true. I was on my road to see Brother Bosworth in Miami, Florida, for my first time. I was passing down through Kentucky and Tennessee here on a train. I saw a vision of a little boy; he’d been killed in an accident, seen where he was laying. Just like this I have written here… Comes, many, many, times and tells things. And I don’t live far from here, a hundred and nineteen miles. You can go to my hometown and find it one time, in all the times that It’s ever told anything, that didn’t come to pass just exactly the way It said. Now, you pin a sign on my back as a false prophet, and I’ll walk through your streets. Cause it’s not myself, I’m a man, but He’s God. And He’s the One Who does the saying. If I would say it, it could be a lie, ’cause I’m subject to any—any mistakes, lies, anything else, like anybody else. 11 But when He says it, it’s not me talking; it’s Him. And when He speaks I’ll stand by His Word. And I know that It’s true. It never fails. Watch It on the platform. Many times It’ll tell the people just what’s—what’s wrong with them. I pray for the person. But when you hear It speak out of, THUS SAITH THE LORD, you watch what It says, just lay your life right there, because it’ll be just that way.

There is no such a thing as three Gods: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. That’s not even in the Scripture, nowhere. Nowhere is it. Nowhere was we ever commanded to baptize, “In the name of the Father, and in the name of the Son, and name of the Holy Ghost,” not nowhere in the Scriptures. It’s a Catholic creed, and it’s not for the Protestant church. I’ll ask anybody to show me one Scripture where any person was ever baptized any other way than in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Come, show it to me, and I’ll put a sign on my back, “A hypocrite, and a false prophet, a false teacher,” and go through the streets. There’s no such a thing. Never was anybody baptized that way. It’s a Catholic creed, and not a Protestant doctrine.

Oh, my. Oh, God, get the church in that state. Let me stay in that place. I said, “You speak right quick, Sister Isaac, interpret for me.” I said, “If the Lord God in a land of America, two years ago, here it is wrote on these brothers’ Bible leaf, see if that little boy isn’t on his feet alive in five minutes, I’ll leave Finland with a sign on my back, ‘False Prophet.’”

Never was anybody, any page of the Bible nor in history, until the Catholic church, was ever baptized by immersing in the name of “Father, Son, Holy Ghost.” 249 If you show me the page or anything, you write it, lay it up on here to me, tonight, and I’ll walk out of this church, saying, “I am a hypocrite; I have taught people wrong.” If you can show me one text of Scripture, or bring me one history, authentic history, that’ll show me that where that people ever baptized, in the Bible, in the name of “Father, Son, Holy Ghost.” Or, bring me one Scrip-…or, one book of history, one page, one quotation in history, where anybody was ever baptized in the name of “Father, Son, Holy Ghost,” until the Nicene Council of the Catholic church. Come, bring it to me; and I’ll pin a sign on my back and walk through Jeffersonville, and you behind with a horn, blowing. I’ll put on there, “A false prophet, misleading the people.”

Now, on down, as I made that quotation about the sprinkling, and baptism in the name of “Father, Son, Holy Ghost” being a Catholic baptism and not a Protestant or a New Testament baptism, I hope I’ve made that clear. And I’ve asked any person that would show a text of Scripture where anybody was ever baptized in the Bible or until the Laodicean Council where they formed the Catholic church, where anybody was ever baptized in the name of “Father, Son, Holy Ghost,” please come show me. And I’d put on my back, “a false prophet,” and go through the street. Now, I just make that…not to be hard, but just to show you that it’s the Truth. See?

Now, God in all ages gave the people signs, bear record of it (Deuteronomy 18:22, also 13:1, if you want to put these Scriptures down). God gave Israel an assured sign. He said… Now, God sends His Word by His prophets. Is that right? It’s exactly what the Bible said. The Word of the Lord come to the prophets. He said here was the test of a prophet: if a prophet prophesied, and that what he said come to pass, then hear him. But if it don’t come to pass, then God hasn’t spoke. That’s all. So don’t—don’t fear him. That’s right. “If there be one among you who’s spiritual or a prophet, I, the Lord God, will make myself known unto him in visions, speak to him in dreams. And if it comes to pass, then I—that’s Me speaking.” Sure, God ain’t going to lie. You know He can’t lie there’s nothing in Him to lie. He’s the Fountain of all purity, all truth, is God. So it can’t be a lie come from God. He’s perfect, pure.

I said, “If this child doesn’t raise up from this dead, then I’m a false prophet, I’m a misrepresentation of God. For, in the homeland, two years ago, He told me this would happen. And there these ministers, and all, it’s wrote on the flyleaf of our Bible, and here it is exactly. Read it off the flyleaf, how it would ‘be in a country, lapping rocks, and so forth, be killed, and on…be on the right-hand side of the road.’” I said, “There it is. Nothing can stop it. The situation is already under control.”

Quotes - William Branham applied Deuteronomy 18:22 to himself

The Bible said, "If there be one spiritual or a prophet, and what he says comes to pass, then believe him." Is that right? Well, I'm with that. "But if it doesn't come to pass, don't believe it." Those things are born; you're born to do that.

Then somebody--spiritual judgment, raise up and say, "Was of that of the Lord?" Each one. If three good men will stand and say, spiritual judges say, "That was of the Lord," then the church receives it; and everybody in that end of town moves out, gets away from it for that time. Then if it doesn't come to pass you'd better check that person. You've got another spirit among you. But if it comes to pass, then bless God and thank God for letting you escape the wrath that was to come. See? Watch those things. That's the church in order.

"If I am the truth..." The Bible says, "There be one spiritual prophet among you, and if he declares something, and it doesn't come to pass, don't you listen to him, because he's false. But if does come to pass, know that I spoke through him." Is that right?

I want you to take It to record. The Bible said, "If there arise one among you, and he says such-and-such, and it doesn't come to pass, don't hear it, for I haven't spoken. But if he speaks in My Name, and what he says comes to pass, then hear It." Amen. "For I am with that prophet, or preacher, whatever it may be. If what he says comes to pass, then hear him."

God's anger is kindled against the nation. And you're going to receive punishment and judgment. Write it in the fly leaf of your Bible and say that, "Brother Branham said so." If it doesn't come to pass, I'm a false prophet, for I have THUS SAITH THE LORD.

Because he was called "god," because he packed within him the Word of God, THUS SAITH THE LORD. Therefore, the word "prophet" means a... His--his interpretation isn't to be mingled with. See? If the God... He says, "If there be one among you who's spiritual, a prophet, I the Lord will speak to him. What he says comes to pass, then hear him because I'm with him. But if it doesn't come to pass, then don't hear him; I haven't sent him. That's the way you know it.

THE.EPHESIAN.CHURCH.AGE JEFF.IN 60-1205

But the Bible said, "Try a man. If there be any among you who's spiritual or a prophet, or says he is, I the Lord will make Myself known to him. I'll speak to him in visions and in dreams. And if what he says comes to pass, then hear him; don't be afraid of him (See?), because that I am with him. But if it doesn't come to pass, then don't hear him; he hasn't got My Word." See, if it's His Word, it happens.

THE.THYATIREAN.CHURCH.AGE JEFF.IN 60-1208

How a person can call one, somebody a prophet, and then say they have the wrong revelation? Just as much sense as eternal sonship again. You see? See? See, it's--it's the... A "prophet" means "the correct Diviner, the one that the Word of the Lord came to, the revelation came to him." The word "prophet" means "a Diviner of the Divine Word." Jesus said, "If there be one among you who's spiritual or a prophet, I the Lord will speak to him. And if what he says comes to pass, then hear him; I'm with him. If it doesn't come to pass, then don't hear him." That's all. It was the--it was the Divine Word of God, and the Word of the Lord came to the prophets.

QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS_ JEFF.IN COD THURSDAY_ 61-0112

Now, to be sure that it's of God (See?), 'cause if it's just foolishness it ain't of God. If it doesn't come to pass, it's not of God. See? It's got to come to pass. And--and therefore in our churches (You see?), brother, we got a solid church then (See?), where nobody can say that anything is ever said or done...

MARY'S.BELIEF BEAUMONT.TX 61-0121

Now, remember, this Angel has to be a Scriptural Angel. Besides that, we are warned of God about false prophets. The Bible said, "If there be a man among you who thinks himself to be a prophet (or so forth), and what he says doesn't come to pass, then don't fear him. I'm not with him. But what he says comes to pass, then I'm with that prophet. Hear him." That's true.

IT.IS.I.BE.NOT.AFRAID_ LONG.BEACH.CA MONDAY_ 61-0213

...when our prophets speak and what he says comes to pass, then God told us to hear that prophet. 'I'm with him.'"

"'But if he speaks, and it doesn't come to pass, then don't fear that prophet.' But if it does come to pass...

WHY BLOOMINGTON.IL 61-0413

Some man speaks in tongues, then let him... It's a message to the church; everybody keep still; that's God speaking. And listen and see if it's not to the church, then it's in the flesh. See? If it's something to the church, and it doesn't come to pass, then that's a foul evil spirit 'cause God won't lie. Then you'll have your church setting in order. See?

JESUS.CHRIST.THE.SAME.YESTERDAY.TODAY.AND.FOREVER GRANDE.PRAIRIE.AB 61-0516A

And Moses (and if you'd like to refer to it, Deuteronomy 18:15-22), his words in quotation to Israel, he said, "The Lord your God, shall raise up a Prophet liken unto me; it shall come to pass that whosoever will not hear this Prophet will be cut off from amongst the people."

Now, all Israel--that was taught in the Word (now don't forget this, class); they knew that the Messiah was to be a prophet. Now, Israel was to hear their prophets. The Bible said, God speaking to Israel, "If there be one among you who is spiritual or a prophet, I, the Lord God, will make Myself known to him in visions, speak to him through dreams; and if what this prophet says comes to pass, then hear that prophet. But if it doesn't come to pass, don't fear that prophet; because I'm not with him. But if what he says comes to pass, then you be careful. I've sent that prophet."

A.TRUE.SIGN.THAT'S.OVERLOOKED JEFF.IN V-6 N-2 61-1112

There's something that's fixing to happen around here. And I want to know what it is, and I want to know directly from God, so that I can say it's THUS SAITH THE LORD. See? And then--then you can--you--the people then will know that it--it isn't me.

So I want to try to make it so that--or hear from Him first; 'cause if He puts His words in a--in a person, well, then it's not the person any more, it's Him. Then if the man's saying it in himself, then it won't amount to anything anyhow. But if he's--the Word of the Lord is in the man, it'll come forth, and then it'll be--it'll be just exactly right. That was what we were commissioned in the Bible over about the 20th chapter of Deuteronomy. I believe it said, "Watch, and if one speaks in the Name of the Lord, and it doesn't come to pass, then don't pay any attention to that person. (See?) But if they speak it, and it comes to pass, then you better hear it (See?), because it's coming from God."

...First, let's take--let's take Deuteronomy the 18th chapter and we'll find out just in a minute, just so--before we close here, so that I can read this Scripture to you. In Deuteronomy the 18th chapter (All right.), and let's see now, the 20th verse of the 18th chapter: Deuteronomy 20.

But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods... (Plural)... even that prophet shall die. (That's right. Spiritually gone. "The soul that sinneth, it shall die." We got one God, not gods.)

And if thou sayest in thy heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD has--hath not spoken? ("How will we know? There'll be so many of them, how will we know? This one says that and another says this, like... One says this and the other one said that, and so forth." Now, watch. We'll know.)

When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken, but the prophet has spoken it presumptuously: thou shall not be afraid of him.

If God hasn't said it, then don't be afraid of it; it--it's all right; just go ahead and forget about it. See?

PRESUMING PHOENIX.AZ 62-0117

Now in Deuteronomy 18:22 you can find (18:15 to 22), you will find out the Bible said that, "The Lord your God will raise up a prophet liken unto me," Moses speaking. "And he the people... Ever who will not hear this prophet, will be cut off from amongst the people." Then He goes ahead and said, "If there be a prophet among you, or one who professes to be, and what he says doesn't come to pass, then don't you fear him. It's not right. But if the Lord has spoke to him, He will bring it to pass." See? That's the way you will know it. God give us instructions whether to know. Where we don't have to presume anything, nothing. You don't have to just imagine; you can have an experience to know it. Yes, sir.

...God had said, "If there be a prophet, one that raises up among you, and what he says doesn't come to pass, then don't hear him. But if it does come to pass, I have sent him."

FORSAKING.ALL TEMPE.AZ 62-0123

And we know that we've been taught if there's one among us who is spiritual or a prophet, what he says comes to pass, then hear him. If it doesn't come to pass, then don't hear him.

THE.SIGNS.OF.HIS.COMING CLEVELAND.TN 62-0407

Now, God in all ages gave the people signs, bear record of it (Deuteronomy 18:22, also 13:1, if you want to put these Scriptures down). God gave Israel an assured sign. He said... Now, God sends His Word by His prophets. Is that right? It's exactly what the Bible said. The Word of the Lord come to the prophets.

He said here was the test of a prophet: if a prophet prophesied, and that what he said come to pass, then hear him. But if it don't come to pass, then God hasn't spoke. That's all. So don't--don't fear him. That's right. "If there be one among you who's spiritual or a prophet, I, the Lord God, will make myself known unto him in visions, speak to him in dreams. And if it comes to pass, then I--that's Me speaking." Sure, God ain't going to lie. You know He can't lie there's nothing in Him to lie. He's the Fountain of all purity, all truth, is God. So it can't be a lie come from God. He's perfect, pure.

HAVE.NOT.I.SENT.THEE_ PHOENIX.AZ WEDNESDAY_ 62-0124

Lord, I've just got through preaching, when a prophet, or preacher goes forth and preaches the Word, and if it doesn't come to pass then don't hear that prophet. That's what Your Word says. But if it does come to pass, then hear that prophet for I'm with him.

PERSEVERANCE S.PINES.NC 62-0608

Now, our Bible tells us if a man claims to be a prophet, and what he says comes to pass, then listen to him, because you can fear him because he's from God. But if what he says doesn't come to pass, don't pay attention to it. Just go on (See?), 'cause it's not right.

PRESUMING CLEVELAND.TN 62-0408

We don't know where--which is right then, which is right? Give them the Word test. That's the One tells whether it's right or not. You see?

Deuteronomy 22:18, you know, said, "If there be one among you who's spiritual or a prophet, I, the Lord, will speak to him. Then if he's with the Scripture, it'll come to pass just what he says. It'll be all right." See?

PRESUMING S.PINES.NC 62-0610M

So many prophets today, telling so many different things, gets the people confused. Don't presume. Just watch His vindicated promise. Let's see. Deuteronomy 18:22, God said, "If there be one among you spiritual or a prophet, and what he says comes to pass, then you hear him. If it doesn't come to pass, then don't hear him."

...Nathanael didn't have to presume, not at all, when He told him. He knowed--he knowed what Deuteronomy 18:22 said.

BE.NOT.AFRAID SOUTH.GATE.CA 62-0620

And how you'll know He will be a prophet, because Moses has told us, and the Scriptures tell us, that if there be one among you who's spiritual, or a prophet, and what he says comes to pass, then hear him. But if it doesn't come to pass, then don't fear him, because the Word of the Lord is not with him, because God cannot lie. God has to be truth. And if a man tells it, and it comes to pass, then it--it wasn't the man; it was God.

PERSEVERANT SOUTH.GATE.CA 62-0623

The Bible says, "If there be one among you who's spiritual or a prophet, I, the Lord will make Myself known unto him, and speak to him in visions, and so forth. And if what he says comes to pass then you hear him. But if it doesn't come to pass then don't fear that prophet, because I haven't spoke to him." Well, that's just only sense (See?), that it would be.

WE.WOULD.SEE.JESUS_ SANTA.MARIA.CA WEDNESDAY_ 62-0627

Now, we know that all Israel, all the Old Testaments, always depended on their prophets. Hebrews 1 said, "God, in sundry times and divers manners, spake to the fathers by the prophets, but in this last day through His Son, Christ Jesus." See?

Now, the Hebrews, the way that they could tell--we're taught over in Deuteronomy, about the 18th chapter, "If there be one among you who's spiritual or a prophet, I, the Lord God, will make Myself known unto him in visions and speak to him in dreams. And if what this prophet says comes to pass, then you hear him. But if it doesn't come to pass, don't you listen to him." See? because... "Don't fear that man, because I never sent him."

WE.WOULD.SEE.JESUS GRASS.VALLEY.CA 62-0704

Now, the Bible had taught those Jews, "If there be one among you who's spiritual, or a prophet, I the Lord will make Myself known to him. And--and in prophecies and visions, dreams, and so forth, and what he says comes to pass, then hear him." Now, that's only sense. "But if it doesn't come to pass like he said, then don't hear him." 'Cause God can't lie; He's God. But if a man says a thing, and it comes to pass, and then you watch it in him, coming to pass, coming to pass, coming to pass, then you know that can't be that man. That's got to be God.

WE.WOULD.SEE.JESUS SPOKANE.WA 62-0712

And Israel was taught to believe their prophets. Now, what did He say? "If there come one among you who is spiritual, or a prophet, I, the Lord, will make Myself known to him in visions, speak to him through dreams. And if what this prophet says comes to pass, then you hear him. But if it doesn't come to pass, then don't hear him." That's only sense. Sure.

If he said it and it don't come to pass, it's wrong. If a prophet comes by prophesying, it don't come to pass, then watch and see if it comes to pass. If it doesn't, then it's wrong. If it does, it's the truth.

FROM.THAT.TIME SPOKANE.WA 62-0713

God said, "If there be a prophet among you, and if he says--what he says comes to pass, then you hear it," 'cause the Word of the Lord came to the prophets. And if there... And if it doesn't come to pass, then don't believe it.

A.TESTIMONY.ON.THE.SEA SALEM.OR 62-0720

The Bible said, "If there be one among you who's spiritual, or a prophet, and what he says comes to pass, then you hear him. If it doesn't come to pass, then don't you fear him, 'cause I'm not with him." That's no more than sense (See?), because if God's there He will make it true. Now, you just pray.

WE.WOULD.SEE.JESUS_ VICTORIA.BC FRIDAY_ 62-0727

And our Bible tells us over here also that if there be one that's spiritual or a prophet among you, I, the Lord, will speak to this prophet. And what he says comes to pass, then hear him. And if it doesn't come to pass, then don't hear him.

CONVINCED.AND.THEN.CONCERNED SHREVEPORT.LA 62-1125M

And just anything will raise up they call it a message, when a message should be taken down. And if it doesn't come to pass, you got a evil spirit there. God said, "If there be one among you who's spiritual or a prophet, I, the Lord, will speak to him. And if it doesn't come to pass then it's not Me. But if it does, then fear him, because I'm with him," 'cause God is truth. We just raise up. And you see, it's just become just... like slop. That's right.

INFLUENCE PHOENIX.AZ 63-0112

Now, we're at the time of the Rapture. It's going to happen. Because it's been perfect, every other time, it's got to be perfect this time. God is calling out a people, see, and it's the time. We got to be sincere. [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]... the Lord. Now, you've got something, but be careful with it. You'll ruin your influence if that thing doesn't come to pass. You know what I mean? [Congregation says, "Amen."] "Oh," you say, "I belong..." I don't care where you belong, brother, sister. It's got to happen exactly the way you said it. If it isn't, you've only made yourself a laughing stock. You've only brought disgrace upon yourself, ruined your influence, and ruined the testimony of Jesus Christ that you're bearing.

AWAKENING.JESUS TEMPE.AZ 63-0117

And all down through the Scriptures, they had a commandment, the Jews did, that, "If there be one among you who is spiritual or a prophet, I, the Lord, will make Myself known unto him in vision. And what he says comes to pass, then hear that prophet, for I'm with him. But if it doesn't come to pass, then don't hear him." Now, that's just logical. That's just sensible.

JESUS.CHRIST.THE.SAME.YESTERDAY.TODAY.AND.FOREVER TUCSON.AZ 63-0604

And the Bible said, 'If there be one among you who is spiritual or a prophet, I the Lord will make Myself known unto him, speak to him through visions, and so forth. And if what he says comes to pass, then hear him. But if it doesn't come to pass, then don't hear him.'"

That's just as honest and just as... That's sense. If what he says is right, it has to be right every time. You just can't guess at it. It's got to be right. If it is right, it's got to be God. And if it isn't right, then it isn't God.

CONFERENCES TUCSON.AZ 63-0608

And then, again, if they say it, and it doesn't come to pass, then get that evil spirit away from you. You don't want that. In my tabernacle, when one speaks like that, he better have it. It's wrote down. If it doesn't come to pass, they get that evil spirit out of them. It's got to be exact, not some repeating.

JESUS.CHRIST.THE.SAME.YESTERDAY.TODAY.AND.FOREVER HOT.SPRINGS.AR 63-0627

Now, Israel was always taught to only believe the prophets. You Bible teachers know that. And a prophet could only be identified, a prophet, that when he prophesied and the thing he said come to pass. The Bible said, "If there be one among you, who is spiritual or a prophet, I the Lord will speak to him, make Myself known to him, in visions and dreams. And what he says comes to pass, then hear him. But if it doesn't come to pass, don't fear him."

Now anyone knows that the Word of the Lord comes to the prophet; not to the priest, but to the prophet. The Bible said so. The Word of the Lord came unto the prophet. And we know, if it's the Word of the Lord, and the prophet is true, then his words are true, then his words comes to pass. And that's his credentials, that, first, it's the Word. And, first, God is the Word. And then if he speaks a word, and it happens, then that shows that God has Divinely set that man.

THE.THIRD.EXODUS_ JEFF.IN V-2 N-21 SUNDAY_ 63-0630M

God said, "If there be one among you, is a prophet, or spiritual, I'll speak to him. And what he says comes to pass, then hear it. That's it. But if his prophecy is wrong, then..." God can't be wrong. He's infinite, infallible, omnipotent, and He cannot be wrong. So, if the man is speaking, then it shows the man. If he spoke his own words, it'll fail. But if he speaks God's Words, it can't fail, because it's God speaking. Then, his inspiration comes from God, and it--it has to be right. That's the way God said to tell it.

WHY.CRY.SPEAK_ JEFF.IN V-2 N-26 SUNDAY_ 63-0714M

And remember now, (we're closing), it was that same He. It was He that said, in John 14:12, the... "He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also." Is that right? [Congregation says, "Amen."--Ed.] It was He that said so.

It was Jesus, in Mark 11:24, that said, "If you say to this mountain," not if you pray to this mountain. "If you say to this mountain, 'be moved,' and don't doubt in your heart, but believe that what you've said will come to pass, you can have what you've said." Now you, if you say it just presumptuously, it won't happen.

INVESTMENTS CHICAGO.IL 63-0803B

He sent us the prophets because the Word of the Lord comes only to the prophet. That's right. And He said, 'If there be one among you, is spiritual or a prophet, I the Lord will speak to him. And what he says, if it comes to pass, then hear him. But, if it doesn't come to pass, don't hear him, don't fear that man. But fear him if you... if it comes to pass, what he says.

SIR.WE.WOULD.SEE.JESUS NY.NY 63-1112

Now, the way they told whether that prophet was right or not, was because they watched the prophet. And if he said anything, prophesied, and it come to pass, God said, "You hear that prophet, for I'm with him. But if it doesn't come to pass, then ignore what he says." That's no more than right, see. "If there be one, a prophet among you, spiritual or a prophet, I the Lord will make Myself known to him in visions, speak to him through dreams. And if what this prophet says comes to pass, then hear him, for I'm with him. But if it doesn't, then don't."

THE.SIGN.OF.THIS.TIME_ NY.NY V-18 N-8 WEDNESDAY_ 63-1113

They'd always go down and find out where this prophet was. A seer means--a seer means to either "foretell or tell forth," he is a seer that sees things that's going to happen. And he predicts it to the people. And the Bible said, "If it doesn't come to pass, then don't you hear him." It has to be every time. God cannot fail, see. "And if it doesn't come to pass," then He said, "He wasn't with that person." So upon that, the people knew that the Word of the Lord was with this seer that He had, the Old Testament seers. Now the Holy Spirit doesn't change that trend.

THE.WORLD.IS.AGAIN.FALLING.APART_ SHP.LA V-17 N-4 WEDNESDAY_ 63-1127

" When the Word of the Lord came to the prophets, and them only, because they was anointed with the Word, they had the right to interpret the Word. And God worked through them, proving that the Word was right. "If I the... there be one among you who is spiritual, or a prophet, I the Lord will make Myself known to him. And if what he says comes to pass, then hear him. If it doesn't come to pass, don't hear him." That's no more than good reasoning, to any man.

CHURCH.ORDER_ JEFF.IN COD THURSDAY_ 63-1226

Now, then if someone writes a message that's been given in tongues or given in prophecy, and lay it up on the platform, it must be read by the pastor before the service starts, of "THUS SAITH THE LORD" from these people who spoke and interpreted. And if that comes to pass exactly the way the interpretation said, we'd raise our hands and give thanks to God for His Spirit among us. If it doesn't come to pass, then don't do it any more till that evil spirit's out of you. God don't lie, He's always truth.

THE.VOICE.OF.THE.SIGN_ BEAUMONT.TX FRIDAY_ 64-0313

God's way of doing it! Ever true to His sent sign, He followed by His voice; every, since, that God sends a sign in the earth. "Now God never does nothing," the Bible said, "until first He shows it to His servants the prophets." Now that, you... If that's wrong, then the rest of it's wrong, see. He never does anything until He shows it.

And that seer, prophet, is to be identified, that what he prophesies, we find out in Numbers 12:6, that what he says comes to pass. Then, believe it. But if it doesn't come to pass, then don't believe it. And it must be for that, His... No matter how much he says, and it comes to pass, and whatever; if it isn't according to the Word, then it's still wrong. It must be with the Word. It must be set in order with the Word for the sign of that time, the time that they're living in.

THE.VOICE.OF.THE.SIGN TULARE.CA 64-0214

See, he goes by impression, see, the way he feels, "Why, the Lord will do that, THUS SAITH THE LORD." That's a lie, see. You, when... You can't say THUS SAITH THE LORD until God, in His Own language, has spoke to you and told you that, then it's not you saying it, not your impression. The Bible said if a prophet did that, was going on presumptuously, that is presuming, and presume is "to adventure without authority," he is going upon his own.

But when you see the man speaking what's going to happen, in the Name of the Lord, and it happens day in and out, week in and out, month in and out, year in and out, then you know that come from God. See? That's God's credentials to the man, that he is the interpreter of the written Word for that day, because God sent the man to do it.

THE.INVESTMENTS BEAUMONT.TX 64-0314

God Jehovah had said that, "If there raise up one among you, who is spiritual, or a prophet, I the Lord will make Myself known to him in visions. And if what he says comes to pass, then hear that prophet, for I'm with him. But if it doesn't come to pass, then do not hear it." That's plain language. It's only sound thinking. If he said it, and it doesn't happen, then it's a lie; God did not say it. But if he says, and it--it does happen, that's truth; and nothing is more, more truer than truth.

THE.VOICE.OF.THE.SIGN_ DENHAM.SP.LA SATURDAY_ 64-0321E

Again, the coming of a prophet is a sign. Did you know that? The coming of a prophet, to the age, is a sign.

...But a prophet is a sign. The Bible says so here. And what's the sign of? It's a sign that His Word is fixing to fulfil, be fulfilled by the voice of this prophet's sign.

Remember, he has certainly, first, got to be vindicated by God and the Word for that day, and then he does the sign. And then watch that sign, what he predicts. He said, "If it comes to pass, then hear him." Numbers 12:6. "If it doesn't come to pass, forget it." It's got to be a Scriptural sign that He gives.

THE.IDENTIFICATION.OF.CHRIST.IN.ALL.AGES_ BIRMINGHAM.AL THURSDAY_ 64-0409

Now we find, then, that the unchanging God always does the same. ...In the beginning He spoke to the prophets, and the Word of the Lord came to the prophet. And the prophet, being able to foretell, divine things, and it happened just like that, was his identification. A prophet, seer, means, "one who forthtells or tells forth," and also is "a Divine interpreter of the written Word." Anybody knows that, that knows what a prophet means.

Now the English word, prophet, p-r-o-p-h-e-t, means, "a preacher," just anybody a preaching.

But a seer of the Old Testament, which was referred to as a prophet, he was the one that foresaw things. He said, "If there be one among you who is spiritual, or a prophet, I the Lord will make Myself known unto him. And what he says comes to pass, then hear him; but if it doesn't come to pass, don't hear that prophet, see, 'cause he's prophesying falsely. But if I have sent him, that'll be My identification, what he says will come to pass. He is born in the world, ordained, foreordained of God to do that." Cause, "All gifts and callings are without repentance." They are foreordained of God.

LAODICEAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK CPT.9

First of all, that messenger is going to be a prophet. He will have the office of a prophet. He will have the prophetic ministry. It will be based solidly on the Word because when he prophesies or has a vision, it will always be "Word oriented" and it will ALWAYS come to pass. He will be vindicated as a prophet because of his accuracy.

...As a prophet, every revelation will be vindicated, for every revelation will come to pass. Wonderful acts of power will be performed at his commands in faith.

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