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<div style="border-bottom:1px #B87333 solid; text-align:center; font-size:140%; padding:1px; margin:1px;">The reason for suffering</div>
<div style="border-bottom:1px #B87333 solid; text-align:center; font-size:140%; padding:1px; margin:1px;">William Branham talks about suffering</div>
The reason for suffering is that the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, disobeyed God's one commandment.  As a result, both they and their offspring were subject to a number of curses, abbreviated as follows:


#Both Adam and Eve, and each of their offspring, would be subject to death,
The following quotes are a very short sample of what [[William Branham]] had to say about suffering.  For more of his teaching on this subject, it would be best to read his life story, which tells of his own sickness, the death of his wife and daughter, his search for truth, and his childhood as the son of an alcoholic.
#Eve's sorrow would be multiplied, and she would be subject to childbearing, and
#Adam was cursed to a life of toil, and sorrow would accompany his labours.  


But knowing the cause of universal suffering is like knowing that a shark ate your arm: something bad happened that you have no power to change, and you now have to deal with the consequences.  If you do not deal with the consequences, it will jeopordize your life, and if you don't learn from what happened, you will probably make the same mistake again.   
'''Working together for God'''
:''Look at the world in the condition it's in: poor suffering humanity. Help everybody you can. Everything that helps is of God. Let's help; let's do everything we can and pray for men. The thing to do, brethren, is get our arms together, both medicine, doctors, hospitals, nurses, church, and all together, and put our faith in God and move forward. That's what we need. God's going to ask us why we didn't do it some of these days.''  (WHY_  BLOOMINGTON.IL  THURSDAY_ 61-0413)




<div style="border-bottom:1px #B87333 solid; text-align:center; font-size:140%; padding:1px; margin:1px;">How to deal with suffering</div>
'''The price for rejecting God's word'''
:''Now, then when Moses went down to deliver them, why, they--they refused him, rejected him. And it cost them forty years more suffering.''  (MOSES_COMMISSION  HOUSTON_TX 01-10-50)


The book of Job is probably the oldest book in the Bible, and it deals with the suffering of one man, Job, who lost his wealth, family, and health, and had all of his friends turn against him.  At the end of the book, a young wise man named Elihu and God reveal to Job the folly of blaming God for his problems.  If you have any of the same problems that Job had, it would be good for you to read his story.   
:''God was "Long-suffering, not willing that any should perish, but that all might come to repentance." {FOR_HIM_WILL_I_ACCEPT HAMMOND_IN 07-18-52)


Here is Elihu's secret:


:''The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life...Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying, I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me. ... Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man. Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.'' (Job 33:4, 8-9, 12-13)
'''Promise of freedom from a dying wife'''
:''I said, "Hope, Hope, honey." I said, "Speak to me once. Well, just speak one time, won't you." I was shaking her. Friends, if I will live a hundred years, I'll never forget what happened. Those two big brown eyes looked up at me. She was so weak she couldn't say nothing. She was smiling. She took her finger and she motioned. And I got down, and she said, "Why did you call me, honey?" And I said, "Well, they..." I said, "I don't know." She said, "Oh I--I was in another land." She said, "It was so peaceful. I wasn't suffering."  (LIFE_STORY  LITTLE_ROCK_AR 02-00-50)
 
'''Promise of freedom from sickness'''
:''There's a real power of the Holy Spirit that delivers the sufferer from his suffering. …It will change a cancer-eaten person, when a lovely doctor has done all he could do and burnt with radium and x-ray and everything; it'll bring that person to normal health again'' (I_WAS_NOT_DISOBEDIENT_TO_THE_HEAVENLY_VISION  ZION_IL 07-18-49)


Elihu continues:
:''What if the express agent would come down to your house and say, "How do you do, are you Miss John Doe?” “Yes.” “Well, I have something here for you." And you looked at it, it'd be a great big box full of rattlesnakes. Well, what a present. There's your name tacked on them. "These are yours." Are they? In one sense they're yours, in another sense they're not. Now, you say, "I don't want them.”
:''“Well, they're yours; your name's on them." Well, that's one way it's yours, but still it isn't yours till you sign for it.
:''And if you don't sign for it, he will have to take it back. You might see all your symptoms, the devil says, "Here it is; here's your cancer; here's your heart trouble; here's your crippled condition." Refuse to sign for anything the devil brings. He will have to take it back. Say, "I refuse to have it. I just won't have it, no, sir." He will have to take it back in the Name of the Lord. If you believe it, and confess it, and say, "I've accept Jesus Christ as my Healer," there's no affliction or disease can stay on you. Stay right with it.'' (The Second Miracle, Erie, PA, 07-29-51 evening)


:''For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment. ... What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water? ... For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God. Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity. ... Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly? How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.'' (Job 34:5,7,9-10, 18-19)


The Lord also answered Job, out of a whirlwind, and confirmed Elihu's preaching.  God said:
<div style="border-bottom:1px #B87333 solid; text-align:center; font-size:140%; padding:1px; margin:1px;">Scriptures on Suffering</div>


:''Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it. ...  Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?'' (Job 40:2,8)
{|style="background-color:#cedff2; border:1px #a3b0bf solid; text-align:center;"
|''For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us.'' (Romans 8:17)
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So, as far as suffering goes, we are subject to the law of death as a result of the decision of our forefathers.  In justice, God could have condemned the whole human race to annihilation, or simply left us in our anguish.  However, God, in His mercy and grace, sent His only Son Jesus Christ to suffer and die for our sins so that we might be reconciled to God.  Because of this, suffering shouldn't matter to anyone that has accepted the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, as we have been promised a new body and life eternal. 
*'''Job 19:25-26''' ''"For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:"''  


Complaining about suffering, for a Christian, is like complaining about your job the day before your retirement.  
*'''Job 33:12b-13; 34:7,9-10''' ''God is greater than man. Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters...What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water? ... For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God. Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.''


*'''Job 40:2,8''' ''Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it. ...  Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?''


<div style="border-bottom:1px #B87333 solid; text-align:center; font-size:140%; padding:1px; margin:1px;">The end of suffering</div>
*'''Matthew 25: 34b-40''' ''Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.''


If a shark ate your arm, you should probably do two things: first, deal with the wound, and second, avoid shark infested waters.  The same holds true with human suffering, first, we need to deal with the wound - if we are able, and second, we need to avoid the cause of the wound.
*'''Luke 10:8-9''' ''And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.''


Humanity's wound was caused by disbelief in the Word of God, which is more commonly known as sin.  On our own, we have no way to deal with the wound of sin.  The only way to effectively deal with sin is to accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ the Son of God.  The Bible says that Christ is the firstfruits of the resurrection, and that the last enemy to be defeated is death (<KJVBible>I Corinthians 15:23-26</KJVBible>).  So, God will defeat death in his own time, and until that time we must live like Abraham by believing God's promise is true even though we may see no physical evidence of the reward. 
*'''I Corinthians 4:12b, 13a''' ''Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: being defamed, we intreat:''  


The only way to avoid sin in the future is to believe in the Word of God. Just as Jesus' death brought his resurrection, the scriptures invite you to die to the lusts of the flesh in order to live in righteousness.  This is called the new birth - it is God living in you through His grace.
*'''I Corinthians 15:26''' ''The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.''


Like a seed, you need to die in good ground in order to bring forth life.  That good ground is the Word of God.  Die to yourself, surrounded by the Word of God, and your life will bring forth good fruit in the midst of a suffering generation. A seed has no part in becoming a tree - it simply dies.  You have no part in becoming a new creation - just accept Jesus Christ in faith, and he will raise his own life inside you.    
*'''Hebrews 12:1-3''' ''Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.''


*'''James 2:8''' ''"If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:"''


{|style="background-color:#cedff2; border:1px #a3b0bf solid; text-align:center;"
*'''I Peter 2:21-25''' ''For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: ''  
|'' For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: ''


''Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: '' (I Peter 2:21-25)
*'''I Peter 2:21-24''' ''For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.''  
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*'''Jude 1:21-24''' ''Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling [them] out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present [you] faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,''


After the "day of vengeance", there will be an end of suffering.  Job's revelation mirrors the vision of heaven in the Book of Revelation.  Job said: ''"For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:"'' (Job 19:25-26)  The book of Revelation reads: ''"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."'' (Revelation 21:4)
*'''Revelation 21:4''' ''And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.''  
   
   
The "day of vengeance" will either be a wonderful day, or it will be a terrible day - depending on who you are.  If God has saved you, there is no doubt that it will be a day to remember. 


<div style="border-bottom:1px #B87333 solid; text-align:center; font-size:140%; padding:1px; margin:1px;">The Infidel's Question</div>
:''The old infidel has said, many times, “Why would a just God do a thing like that, and had all the suffering that's gone through the age?"''
:''God didn't do that. Man did that, himself. God wasn't willing for him to do that.''
:''"Well then, if God was omnipotent, why did He let it even happen? Why didn't He make man perfect?"''
:''Because, in the beginning there was nothing but God. And in God was attributes, His attribute to be a Saviour. We know it's so. He is a Saviour, and that was in Him. And there was nothing lost, to be saved. In Him was attributes to be Father, and there was nothing He could father. In Him was attributes to be a healer. There was nothing lost, nothing sick. So the only thing He could do was make man on the basis of free moral agency, knowing that he would do it. God didn't do it, Himself. Man done it, himself.''
:''And you're the same way this morning. You can accept Life or turn Life down. But God made man thus, that he'd... knowing he would do it, not willing that he should do it, but knowing he would do it, that it would display His attributes. So there's nothing out of time. Everything is ticking just exactly according to God's great timepiece. See? And this only displays His attributes, to select His children who really love Him and believe Him. And every man has an equal right.''
:''God being infinite, knew from the beginning what would be and what wouldn't be. So therefore He wasn't willing that any... But being infinite He'd have to know. So, therefore, He could say that He would have a Church without spot or wrinkle, because He knew He would have it. He is God.''
(CONFERENCES_  TUCSON.AZ  SATURDAY_  63-0608)


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