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 The Quote: (Experiences, Phoenix, AZ, 48-0302 (can be found on the internet message search [http://www.branham.org/MessageSearch.htm by clicking here].))
-:''here's three words that I have to repeat at that time. See? And it's the three high words of the Bible. No mortal on earth know it…I stand still just for a few minutes and repeat these three words that the Angel of the Lord told me to repeat. Then if I feel it come back, then I know it's done.''
+:''I want to tell you something now. Watch. Here's what takes place. See, it's... I want to know if you all noticed this. We're fixing to close, you know, fixing to go into the meetings. Have you noticed, always, after I ask or rebuke over a spirit, I'm always perfectly silent for a few moments? Who's noticed that in the meetings, let's see your hands. Have you noticed that?''
+:''Now, here's what it is. There's three words that I have to repeat at that time. See? And it's the three high words of the Bible. No mortal on earth know it. See? And when I ask that, and then I feel that drop, then it comes shakes back to a place in return of that spirit. Then the...?... healed. That's the reason you hear me say that. See? That's what takes place.''
-'''The Simple Answer:'''
+===Speaking in Tongues?===
-William Branham spoke in tongues.  As far as I know, there is nothing wrong with this.
+Was William Branham referring to speaking in tongues?
-*''I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:'' (I CORINTHIANS 14:18)
+This does not seem to be the case as he states that these three words were "the three high words of the Bible".
-*''forbid not to speak with tongues.'' (I CORINTHIANS 14:39b)
+*''Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?'' (I CORINTHIANS 14:6)
+William Branham also said: ''...back all through the ages, Angels has visit men...an Angel of God will testify to the truth of God. (That's right.), and it'll declare God. It won't have some kind of mythical something and no one understands.'' (GOD_IN_HIS_PEOPLE  LITTLE_ROCK_AR 02-27-50)
+His comment is confusing as no one really knows what he is talking about, which then only proves the following scripture:
+*''He that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.'' (I CORINTHIANS 14:4 )
+===What is he talking about?===
+The Bible says ''"But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen [do]: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking."'' (MATTHEW 6:7)
+William Branham states that '''" No mortal on earth know it".'''
+So it appears that he is the only one on earth that knows these "secret" words.
+We had never heard of "high words" before reading this quote so we did some research and the results are very surprising.
+It is well known that the practice of magic is based on three false assumptions:
+#That natural substances possess moral and spiritual qualities or that such qualities can be imparted to them;
+#That God is capricious and that His laws are whimsical and easily circumvented;
+#That there are invisible beings who can be persuaded to aid men or injure them if certain gestures are made '''or if certain secret words are mumbled''', or if some object is worn, caressed or hung on the wall.
+In 1945, a collection of ancient papyrus codices were found near Nag Hammadi in Upper Egypt.  The papyri are dated to the period between the 3rd and 5th century, AD, and contain in various degrees of preservation over 40 (mainly Gnostic) works, nearly all previously unknown.
+One of these documents, was the ''Gospel of Thomas'', which professes to contain the ‘secret words’ spoken by Jesus to Judas Thomas and written down by St Matthias:
+:''These are the secret words which the living Jesus spoke, and [which] Didymus Judas Thomas wrote...''
+This presumably refers to the Matthias, who is named in Acts 1:23–26 as the man chosen to replace Judas among the Twelve.  According to Eusebius, Matthias was one of the Seventy (Luke 10:1).
-'''More Involved Answer # 1: Speaking in Tongues'''
+Another passage from the Gospel of Thomas states the following:
-From the scriptures, speaking in tongues is only profitable for the congregation where it is accompanied by something that the people can understand.  Otherwise it does not edify the Body of Christ.
+:''Jesus said to his disciples: “Compare me and tell me whom I am like.” Simon Peter said to him: “You are like a just messenger.” Matthew said to him: “You are like an (especially) wise philosopher.” Thomas said to him: “Teacher, my mouth cannot bear at all to say whom you are like.” Jesus said: “I am not your teacher. For you have drunk, you have become intoxicated at the bubbling spring that I have measured out.” And he took him, (and) withdrew, (and) he said three words to him. But when Thomas came back to his companions, they asked him: “What did Jesus say to you?” Thomas said to them: “If I tell you one of the words he said to me, you will pick up stones and throw them at me, and fire will come out of the stones (and) burn you up.”'' (The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas, Saying #13)25
-*''Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?'' (I CORINTHIANS 14:6)
+This strange passage represents the type of secret knowledge that the Gnostic Jesus supposedly imparted to his disciples when he thought they were ready for it. In many ways this example is not unlike the mantras handed out to the followers of Hindu gurus who have reached a certain level of so-called enlightenment. Hindu mantras, or secret words, like those given to Thomas in the saying above, are not meant to be shared with anyone else.
+However, isn't it completely out of character for Jesus to behave in this manner?  Jesus freely gave His wisdom to all who would listen and hoped that they in turn would pass on the lessons to others.
-William Branham also said: ''...back all through the ages, Angels has visit men...an Angel of God will testify to the truth of God. (That's right.), and it'll declare God. It won't have some kind of mythical something and no one understands.'' (GOD_IN_HIS_PEOPLE  LITTLE_ROCK_AR 02-27-50)
+There is a work referred to as ''The Traditions of Matthias'' which is referred to by some ancient writers.  According to Clement of Alexandria, a student of John the Apostle, the teachings of Matthias were used by the Basilideans and perhaps other gnostic groups.  According to Hippolytus, the heretics Basilides and his son Isidore claimed to have learned “secret words” from Matthias, which he had received in private teaching directly from the Savior.
-In this case, when William Branham spoke in tongues it was followed by a healing - which was edifying.  On the other hand, this comment is confusing as no-one really knows what he is talking about, which then only proves the following scripture:
+The Roman Catholic church also had "secret words" referred to by Martin Luther
-*''He that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.'' (I CORINTHIANS 14:4 )
+:''But see what they have made of the mass! In the first place they have hidden these words of the testament and have taught that they are not to be spoken to the laity, that these are secret words to be spoken in the mass only by the priest. ''
+Did Jesus teach secret words?
-'''More Involved Answer # 2: Repeating Words'''
+Jesus states in John 18:20:
-The Bible says ''"But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen [do]: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking."'' (MATTHEW 6:7) Shortly after the quote about repeating high words, William Branham prays for a long line of people.  The text (somewhat condensed) goes like this:
+:''I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.''
-*"Father, heal our sister in the Name of Jesus Christ...
+That seems pretty plain.
-*God, I pray that You'll heal our sister in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen....
-*God, heal our sister in Jesus Christ's Name....
-*Dear God, heal our sister in Jesus' Name...
-*In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth...
-*You shall have it, in Jesus Christ's Name...
-*Father, I pray in Jesus Christ's Name...
-*God, heal this woman, I pray, Father, in Jesus' Name...
-*And heal this man, Father, in Jesus Christ's Name
-*I ask You Father. Heal our brother, Father, in Jesus..."
-From these quotes, the only words that are repeated in prayer are "Father", "Lord", "Jesus" and "Christ".  Furthermore, the people were healed - which means any repetition could not have been in vain, otherwise the Lord would have not heard William Branham for his "much speaking".  In every subsequent message, William Branham repeats the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, but never again mentions the "three high words".  Perhaps when the Angel gave William Branham the commission to get people to believe, he also gave William Branham something to help him believe first - sort of like Gideon placing a fleece before the Lord.
+So what is William Branham referring to?
-William Branham said: ''"And just say, "I believe You, and by faith I believe what that man said today." That's what the Angel told me. "Get the people to believe you." And if I tell the Word of God, it ain't believe me it's believe the Word."''  (THE_ODDBALL  JEFF_IN 06-14-64 Evening)
+Honestly, we don't have a clue but it should make us all take a very close look at what he taught.
-'''More Involved Answer # 3: High Words'''
+==References==
-I had never heard of a "high word" before I read this quote.  That said, I have no problem with prophets knowing "secrets" or being able to talk to angels - as those are fairly consistent themes in the Old and New Testaments.  For example, Elizabeth "knew" John's name before it was revealed to the people, same with Mary and Jesus' name, and Moses knew of name of "I AM" before he went into Egypt.
+Tozer, A. W. 1995. Of God and men (99). WingSpread: Camp Hill, PA
-*''Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.'' (AMOS 3:7)
+Cross, F. L., & Livingstone, E. A. 2005. The Oxford dictionary of the Christian Church (3rd ed. rev.) (1136). Oxford University Press: Oxford; New York
-Because Bro. Branham does not describe the nature of the three words, they could be either non-name words such as "Holy, Holy, Holy", or name words such as "Lord Jesus Christ".   There are the following precedents in scripture for both:
+Daniels, J. B. 1992. Matthias, Traditions of. In D. N. Freedman (Ed.), The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary (D. N. Freedman, Ed.). Vol. 4 (644). Doubleday: New York
-*''To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth [it].'' (REVELATION 2:17b)
+Luther, M. 1999. Luther's works, vol. 35: Word and Sacrament I (J. J. Pelikan, H. C. Oswald & H. T. Lehmann, Ed.). Vol. 35 (90). Fortress Press: Philadelphia
-*''And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.'' (2 Corinthians 12:3-4)
+Guelich, R. A. 1998. Mark 1–8:26. Word Biblical Commentary. Vol. 34A (xxi). Word, Incorporated: Dallas
-If this is that William Branham was repeating, then there is no way anyone will ever figure out what he said because the prophecy of Revelation says that ''no man knoweth saving he that receiveth [it]'', and Corinthians says that these are ''unspeakable words''.
+LaHaye, T. 2009. Jesus. David C. Cook: Colorado Springs, CO