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First Seal: Difference between revisions
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{{7 Seals}} | {{7 Seals}} | ||
William Branham preached a series of sermons in March 1963 on the Seven Seals of the book of Revelation. This article contains a summary of these sermons as taught by William Branham, who taught that each seal identifies a religous disturbance. Much of William Branham's teachings on the Seven Seals can also be found in the works of Clarence Larkin, a dispensational Baptist author. | |||
Each seal opens a new chapter in the book sealed with seven seals. This page reviews William Branham's commentary on the first seal, as found in the first two verses of Revelation Chapter 6. | |||
<div style="border-bottom:1px #B87333 solid; text-align:center; font-size:140%; padding:1px; margin:1px;">Revelation Chapter 6 Verse 1</div> | <div style="border-bottom:1px #B87333 solid; text-align:center; font-size:140%; padding:1px; margin:1px;">Revelation Chapter 6 Verse 1</div> | ||
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====The Lamb worthy to open the Seals==== | ====The Lamb worthy to open the Seals==== | ||
William Branham taught that the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Lamb of God and the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, is the only one worthy to open the book sealed with seven seals. When Revelation 6 speaks of the Lamb opening the first seal, it is Jesus himself opening the book. | |||
====Noise like thunder==== | ====Noise like thunder==== | ||
William Branham taught that the noise of thunder is the voice of God from heaven, bringing the Word of God. The voice of God is only heard once at the start of the seals, and is not heard again until all of the seals are opened. | |||
In the book of John, Chapter 12, Jesus says ''Father, glorify thy name.'' | *In the book of John, Chapter 12, Jesus says ''Father, glorify thy name.'' | ||
*Immediately a voice speaks from heaven saying ''I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.'' | |||
Immediately a voice speaks from heaven saying ''I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.'' | *The people listening to Jesus didn't necessarily hear a voice, but some said ''that it thundered'' and others said ''An angel spake to him''. | ||
The people listening to Jesus didn't necessarily hear a voice, but some said ''that it thundered'' and others said ''An angel spake to him''. | |||
Other thunderings in the Bible include: | |||
*'''II Samuel 22:14''' The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice. | *'''II Samuel 22:14''' The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice. | ||
*'''Job 37:5''' God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend. | *'''Job 37:5''' God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend. | ||
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Four beasts, full of eyes before and behind, are around the throne in heaven. Each of these beasts have six wings, but are different in their appearance. The first beast is like a lion, the second like a calf, the third has a face like a man, and the fourth is like a flying eagle. (Revelation 4:6-8) | Four beasts, full of eyes before and behind, are around the throne in heaven. Each of these beasts have six wings, but are different in their appearance. The first beast is like a lion, the second like a calf, the third has a face like a man, and the fourth is like a flying eagle. (Revelation 4:6-8) | ||
William Branham taught that these beasts are Cherubims, or covering angels, whose job is to protect the testimony of God. Unlike people, Cherubims can appear in many different forms: | |||
#The Cherubims that Moses comissioned to cover the mercy seat had only one face, which were turned toward the mercy seat. | #The Cherubims that Moses comissioned to cover the mercy seat had only one face, which were turned toward the mercy seat. | ||
#The prophet Ezekiel saw four Cherubims each with four faces. These faces were of a lion, ox, man, and eagle. | #The prophet Ezekiel saw four Cherubims each with four faces. These faces were of a lion, ox, man, and eagle. | ||
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====A white horse==== | ====A white horse==== | ||
William Branham taught that a horse represents a power, and white represents innocence. Unlike the white horse rider in Revelation Chapter 19 whose name is called the Word of God, this rider does not have a name. This rider is the Spirit of the Antichrist impersonating Jesus Christ. Attenpting to blot out His name, the rider instead uses the titles "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit". | |||
The white horse rider cannot be Jesus Christ, who is opening the seals at the time of this prophecy. The Antichrist is is so close to true Christianity, that it would deceive the very elect if possible (Matt. 24:24). | The white horse rider cannot be Jesus Christ, who is opening the seals at the time of this prophecy. The Antichrist is is so close to true Christianity, that it would deceive the very elect if possible (Matt. 24:24). | ||
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====A bow with no arrows==== | ====A bow with no arrows==== | ||
William Branham noted that this rider, who again is the spirit of the Antichrist, has a bow with no arrows. Without any arrows, he is powerless to persecute other Christians on his own, and he is also not directly responsible for the blood of the martyrs at this time. | |||
Between 325 A.D. and 800 A.D. the Catholic Church relied on the military power of Christian nations to enforce its doctrine. Contstantine I began this tradition, and by 385 A.D. Emperor Maximus executed Priscillian of Avila on charges of heresy, even though both Martin of Tours and Pope Siricius appealed on his behalf. By 700 A.D., however, the Popes were no longer condemning execution for expansion, as evidenced by the baptism of Caedwalla of Wessex, a ruthless warlord who conquered southern England in the name of Christianity, by Pope Sergius I. By 800 A.D. Charlemagne was crowned as the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, and Rome's direct association with enforcement became official. | Between 325 A.D. and 800 A.D. the Catholic Church relied on the military power of Christian nations to enforce its doctrine. Contstantine I began this tradition, and by 385 A.D. Emperor Maximus executed Priscillian of Avila on charges of heresy, even though both Martin of Tours and Pope Siricius appealed on his behalf. By 700 A.D., however, the Popes were no longer condemning execution for expansion, as evidenced by the baptism of Caedwalla of Wessex, a ruthless warlord who conquered southern England in the name of Christianity, by Pope Sergius I. By 800 A.D. Charlemagne was crowned as the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, and Rome's direct association with enforcement became official. | ||
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====Conquering and to Conquer==== | ====Conquering and to Conquer==== | ||
William Branham said: | |||
:''When he starts off as a Nicolaitan spirit in the church, he's a spirit. You can't crown a spirit. But three hundred years later he become a pope. And then they crowned him. He had no crown to start with, but he got a crown later (See?), when that spirit become incarnate. See? He become a man. Nicolaitane doctrine become a man; then they could crown it.”'' | :''When he starts off as a Nicolaitan spirit in the church, he's a spirit. You can't crown a spirit. But three hundred years later he become a pope. And then they crowned him. He had no crown to start with, but he got a crown later (See?), when that spirit become incarnate. See? He become a man. Nicolaitane doctrine become a man; then they could crown it.”'' | ||
::'''Sermon: the First Seal''' | ::'''Sermon: the First Seal''' | ||