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Amos 3:7: Difference between revisions
→What the Bible says
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William Branham often used Amos 3:7 to state that God would not do anything today without revealing it to a prophet. | William Branham often used Amos 3:7 to state that God would not do anything today without revealing it to a prophet. Was this simply another case of William Branham trying to convince people that the Bible was referring to him? Are you aware that the Mormon church uses the same passage to prove they are correct? | ||
Amos 3 states: | Amos 3 states: | ||
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But is William Branham's interpretation correct? Is the Mormon interpretation of this passage, which is similar to William Branham's, also correct? | But is William Branham's interpretation correct? Is the Mormon interpretation of this passage, which is similar to William Branham's, also correct? | ||
=What the Bible says?= | |||
=What William Branham taught= | |||
William Branham believed he was a prophet and believed that God had to speak through him: | |||
:''Now, anyone knows that Amos 3:7 said that God promised that He would never do nothing until first He revealed it to His prophet. Through the church ages we’ve had reformers; but promised by Malachi 4 that there would be a prophet in the land in the last days (because it has to fit that pattern, see) before the end time come.<ref>William Branham, 65-1127B - Trying To Do God A Service Without It Being God's Will, para. 210</ref> | |||
:''If God sends anything, He says and promised in the Bible that '''He would do nothing upon the earth until first He revealed it to His servants the prophets.''' That’s Amos 3:7. He…and God cannot lie. He reveals It, that’s been His way of doing it all down through the ages. He’s never failed to do it.<ref>William Branham, 65-1206 - Modern Events Are Made Clear By Prophecy, para. 52</ref> | |||
But is this true in the New Testament? Has this held true for the last 2,000 years? | |||
=What the Bible says= | |||
Amos 3:7 is under the old covenant. We understand from Hebrews 8:13 that the old covenant is obsolete: | |||
:''In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Heb 8:13.</ref> | |||
The old covenant, which includes Amos 3:7, has expired and is outdated. It is no longer of relevance. Why would anyone want to go back to an obsolete covenant? | |||
There is nothing in the New Testament that states any similar principle. This was a case of William Branham pointing to himself, again. | |||
==Comparing William Branham's teaching with the Bible== | |||
This verse should not be interpreted to mean that God will always have a prophet on earth. In Amos 3:7 we find God about to bring judgment against the Israelites because of their disobedience. This passage affirms that God had previously warned the Israelites that judgment would follow disobedience, but they had ignored the prophets (Amos 2:12). In context, then, Amos 3:7 simply points to God’s chosen pattern of not engaging in a major action '''with the Israelites''' (such as judgment) without first revealing it to the prophets. | This verse should not be interpreted to mean that God will always have a prophet on earth. In Amos 3:7 we find God about to bring judgment against the Israelites because of their disobedience. This passage affirms that God had previously warned the Israelites that judgment would follow disobedience, but they had ignored the prophets (Amos 2:12). In context, then, Amos 3:7 simply points to God’s chosen pattern of not engaging in a major action '''with the Israelites''' (such as judgment) without first revealing it to the prophets. | ||
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:''You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you.<ref>Deuteronomy 4:2</ref> | :''You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you.<ref>Deuteronomy 4:2</ref> | ||
: | :''Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it.<ref>Deuteronomy 12:32</ref> | ||
:''Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.<ref>Proverbs 30:6</ref> | :''Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.<ref>Proverbs 30:6</ref> | ||
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:''Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith...<ref>Romans 16:25-26 (ESV)</ref> | :''Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith...<ref>Romans 16:25-26 (ESV)</ref> | ||
William Branham was simply pointing to himself. Amos 3:7 is not a promise to the New Testament church. We have the Holy Spirit today. | |||
Amos 3:7 is | |||
=Quotes of William Branham= | =Quotes of William Branham= | ||