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The Tent Vision: Difference between revisions
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William Branham explained the tent vision in a letter he wrote to C. Parker Thomas in 1958: | William Branham explained the tent vision in a letter he wrote to C. Parker Thomas in 1958: | ||
Jeffersonville, Ind. | Jeffersonville, Ind.<br> | ||
Box 325 | Box 325<br> | ||
June 30, 1958 | June 30, 1958<br> | ||
Rev. C. Parker Thomas | Rev. C. Parker Thomas <br> | ||
Box 685 | Box 685<br> | ||
Southern Pines, N.C. | Southern Pines, N.C.<br> | ||
Brother Thomas, your meeting in Southern Pines was unique in that I feel it was the last of this particular kind which I have held for several years. I have been led of God through two phases of a threefold ministry. As I look to the future, I am confident the third phase is upon me. Now, if you do not mind and would even go so far as to publish this letter in your paper, I would like to acquaint you and your friends with certain information that should give you a clearer knowledge and understanding of the ministry which the Lord has given me. | Brother Thomas, your meeting in Southern Pines was unique in that I feel it was the last of this particular kind which I have held for several years. I have been led of God through two phases of a threefold ministry. As I look to the future, I am confident the third phase is upon me. Now, if you do not mind and would even go so far as to publish this letter in your paper, I would like to acquaint you and your friends with certain information that should give you a clearer knowledge and understanding of the ministry which the Lord has given me. | ||
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People responded in a tremendous way. They were startled but edified. Nothing like this was known since the time of Christ. But a peculiar thing happened. After a few visions I was so weak that I could not pray but for a few. This was hard to understand for if the second sign was greater than the first then the results should have been greater – greater crowds, and more healings. But as so few were personally ministered to each night the crowds fell off. People could not understand why I was weak and so few were touched. I must admit this puzzled me too until God showed me in His Word the truth of the second sign. | People responded in a tremendous way. They were startled but edified. Nothing like this was known since the time of Christ. But a peculiar thing happened. After a few visions I was so weak that I could not pray but for a few. This was hard to understand for if the second sign was greater than the first then the results should have been greater – greater crowds, and more healings. But as so few were personally ministered to each night the crowds fell off. People could not understand why I was weak and so few were touched. I must admit this puzzled me too until God showed me in His Word the truth of the second sign. | ||
Then too, I want to give you a clear idea why I get weak when I minister in the spirit. Contrary to popular opinion that man is strong in the spirit and very mighty, he gets weak. Samson slew a thousand and then became so weak that he felt he would die over a bit of thirst. Daniel, after one vision, was sick many days. Elijah, after the Mt. Carmel experience, crept away and tried to die. | Then too, I want to give you a clear idea why I get weak when I minister in the spirit. Contrary to popular opinion that man is strong in the spirit and very mighty, he gets weak. Samson slew a thousand and then became so weak that he felt he would die over a bit of thirst. Daniel, after one vision, was sick many days. Elijah, after the Mt. Carmel experience, crept away and tried to die.<ref>Branham’s assertions are incorrect. Judges 15:15-19 tells of Samson killing a thousand men. One can imagine that killing that many men with the jawbone of an ass would be a bit of a workout, so it is not surprising that Samson was quite thirsty when he was finished. Daniel 10:2-19 explains that Daniel had mourned and fasted for three weeks as a result of the vision. The passage tells us that he was filled with terror and anguish as a result of the contents of the vision. Finally, 1 Kings 18:46 states that after the experience on Mt. Carmel, “the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel,” a distance of approximately 50 kilometres. The reason for his running away is explained in 1 Kings 19:3 - he was afraid and ran for his life.</ref> | ||
Mortal man is not sufficient for a prolonged overwhelming experience in the spirit, even though saved and Spirit filled. Visions weaken me. I won't try to make you understand. You just must accept it, I know. There is nothing I can do about it. Even as Jesus felt power leave Him when one little lady came for help, even so when hundreds pull on me and by their faith they operate the gift in me, they break me down-I lose strength. I grow weak. But God has promised to change that. | Mortal man is not sufficient for a prolonged overwhelming experience in the spirit, even though saved and Spirit filled. Visions weaken me. I won't try to make you understand. You just must accept it, I know. There is nothing I can do about it. Even as Jesus felt power leave Him when one little lady came for help, even so when hundreds pull on me and by their faith they operate the gift in me, they break me down-I lose strength. I grow weak. But God has promised to change that. | ||
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Your humble servant and Brother, | Your humble servant and Brother, | ||
William Branham<ref>The contents of the letter were obtained from Bible Tabernacle Books, P.O. Box 1010, Eppindust 7460, Cape Town, Republic of South Africa</ref> | William Branham<ref>The contents of the letter were obtained from Bible Tabernacle Books, P.O. Box 1010, Eppindust 7460, Cape Town, Republic of South Africa</ref> | ||
=Quotes of William Branham= | =Quotes of William Branham= | ||