Question 6 (ABM) - Revelation 10:7
The following are a series of questions and answers between one of our editors (referred to as BTS) and an anonymous Branham minister (referred to as ABM). This series of Q&A relates to William Branham's doctrine and teaching. The full text of this question and its answer is below.
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Q&A relating to William Branham's Prophetic Ministry
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Question 16 - The Vision of the Plum and Apple Trees
Question 24 - Grounds for Divorce according to William Branham
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Question 27 - Are the rules for remarriage different for men and women
Question 31 - What is the significance of a Seven-Lettered Name?
Question 6 - Revelation 10:7
Dear ABM,
This question follows on from your response to Question 5 and specifically to the interpretation of Revelation 10:7.
In 1962, William Branham states:
- The seventh angel of Revelation 10:7 is the seventh church-age messenger. See? Now watch. “And in the days…” Now watch here: But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished,… Now, sounding forth, this messenger, the seventh angel here is sounding forth his Message to the Laodicean church. Notice his type of Message. Now, it wasn’t to the first angel, wasn’t given That; second angel, third, fourth, fifth, sixth. But it is the seventh angel that had this type of Message. What was it? Notice his type of Message, “Finishing all the mysteries of God, that are written in the Book.” The seventh angel is winding up all the mysteries that’s laying loose-ended, all out through these organizations and denominations. The seventh angel gathers them up, and finishes the entire mystery. That’s what the Bible said, “Finishes the mystery of the written Book.” (62-1230E - Is This The Sign Of The End, Sir? - Para. 241-242)
Revelation 10:7 states that:
- But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.” (NIV)
I understand from your response to Question 5 that you believe William Branham to be the angel of Revelation 10:7.
The Bible speaks of an angel (or messenger) to each of the churches in Revelation chapters 2 & 3. There is no indication that these are the same angels as the seven trumpets in Revelation 8:6 which states:
- Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to sound them. (NIV)
William Branham also taught that the two witnesses of Revelation 11:1-14 were on the earth during the tribulation period:
- During the Tribulation period…Here is what I want you to notice now, a little thing I’ve dropped in here. During this Tribulation period, after the Bride has been called out, and the church goes through the Tribulation period, the hundred and forty-four thousand is called by the two witnesses of Revelation 11. Now look. They’ll prophesy, one thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. (63-0318 - The First Seal, para.232)
It is clear from scripture that the sixth trumpeting angel sounds in Revelation 9:13 and the seventh trumpeting angel (the one spoken of in Revelation 10:7) does not actually sound his trumpet until Revelation 11:15:
- The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven... (NIV)
The sounding of the seventh trumpet takes place AFTER the two witnesses of Revelation 11:1-12 have been resurrected and leave the earth.
How do you explain that William Branham is the angel of Revelation 10:7 when the seventh angel does not sound his trumpet until after the ministry of the two witnesses.
Shalom,
BTS
Response
BTS,
You are correct, the seventh trumpet sounds after the two witnesses have prophesied. The seventh trumpet sounds in parallel with the occurrence of the sixth seal and the seventh vial. These three are all connected to the end of the tribulation and the wrath of God and return of Christ to earth.
Doctrinal background
The difficulty you explain only arises if you view Revelation 10:7 as connected to the seventh trumpet. I am aware that some translations translate the word "voice" in Revelation 10:7 as "sound of the trumpet," or similar. I can fairly understand why one may make that interpretation. Most interpretations though do not translate it as "trumpet", but rather as "voice". The Strong's Word (5456) occurs 139 times in the new testament, and it is never translated elsewhere in connection to a trumpet, but in connection to a voice. The minority of translations that use the word "trumpet" are inferring the word based on their perceived context of the verse. Their perception is incorrect.
Bro. Branham taught the trumpets were "for the jews". Otherwise he never dealt with the subject in detail. But his position that the trumpets were for the Jews should be adequate to establish that he did not view Revelation 8-11 in chronological order. Otherwise his position does not make sense.
We accept that the book of Revelation is not written entirely in chronological order, but it delves backwards and forwards. Revelation 8 and Revelation 9 occur generally in parallel with Revelation 10 and Revelation 11. This is not something that can be fully explained in a brief email. But I will relate some key points. Revelation 8:1 begins with the Christ in heaven opening the seventh seal in heaven. From there, the scripture forks. Revelation 10 and 11 relate the scene that occurs on earth, as you see Christ descending to earth with the open book. While Revelation 8 and 9 relate the scene that occurs in spiritual realm following that descent to earth. I trust you are familiar with these topics, otherwise I can elaborate.
So in the layout of the book of Revelation, chapter 10 follows chapter 9 and the seventh trumpet. But chronologically, Revelation 10 is aligned to Revelation 8:1-6. For example, you see the thunders in Revelation 8:5 which correspond to the thunders in Revelation 10:3. Then you see the trumpets, which are related to the two witnesses. We can see their relation by comparing the plagues of the first four trumpets to the plagues of the two prophets. You find they are the same. Fifth and sixth trumpet occur at the time of the death of the two prophets. One way we can see this is by comparing the three woes which happen in rapid succession following the death of the two prophets. Compare Revelation 11:14 to the fifth trumpet. (This also permits us to see how Revelation 12 fits chronologically also by placing the third woe in the same time frame as the first two, following the death of the two prophets.) There are multiple other scriptural clues to let us establish these chapters are occurring in parallel, but I am trying to relate just some basic ones I hope you see.
The seventh trumpet occurs in Revelation 11:15-17, which is after the breaking of the seventh seal, and after the message of the two prophets.
So, if we view Revelation 10:1-7 as occurring in parallel with Revelation 8:1-5, we see that both of these events occur before the first trumpet ever sounds. Furthermore, Revelation 10:8-11 as the calling of the two witnesses (compare this to Revelation 11:1-4, it is the same one which descended in Revelation 10 going into the explanation of the ministry of the two witnesses. Also compare the eating of the book to Ezekiel 3.) So, if Revelation 10:8-11 is the calling of the two prophets, and we can establish that the first six trumpets are all directly connected to their message, then we can say Revelation 10:18-11 is in parallel with Revelation 8:6, etc.
I am just hoping to convey a basic framework so you can understand the scriptural logic behind the answer I am going to now give. I understand this explanation is unorthodox, and also cannot be fully found within Bro. Branham's teachings because he never ministered on the trumpets. . Unfortunately the idolaters only eat the rotten 50 year old rotten manna. But there has been more revealed since the passing of Bro. Branham.
Conclusion:
You ask: "How do you explain that William Branham is the angel of Revelation 10:7 when the seventh angel does not sound his trumpet until after the ministry of the two witnesses."
Answer: Revelation 10:7 is not the seventh trumpet angel, and this verse occurs chronologically before any of the trumpets have sounded. Connecting it to the trumpets is not easily supported by the text of the verse itself, it is supported only by the perceived context of its chronological position between the sixth and seventh trumpet. Secondly, Revelation 10:7 is parenthetical. The angel descended from heaven is connecting his declaration that "time should be no longer" to the events that preceded his declaration. So even if you view it as in the time frame of trumpets, you can accept our interpretation by viewing it as parenthetical.
Ultimately, this is a matter of scriptural interpretation. I hope though you can see some logic to this interpretation. This interpretation is widely accepted in the messages churches which are in fellowship with us.
Regards,
ABM