The Testimony of James Bernard Manuel: Difference between revisions

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[[File:James Manuel.jpg|480px|thumb|right|James Manuel of Capetown, South Africa]]  
[[File:James Manuel.jpg|440px|thumb|right|James Manuel of Capetown, South Africa]]  
This is the testimony of James Bernard Manuel of Cape Town, South Africa.
This is the testimony of James Bernard Manuel of Cape Town, South Africa.


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One day, out of nowhere Joey Nair asked us, “How were baptized? And do you know God sent a prophet?” At first, we did not answer. Some of the other brothers told us this man is a Jesus only and we should get rid of him. We did not, so they all left. We found ourselves stuck together. Steven Staines, Joey Nair and myself.
One day, out of nowhere Joey Nair asked us, “How were baptized? And do you know God sent a prophet?” At first, we did not answer. Some of the other brothers told us this man is a Jesus only and we should get rid of him. We did not, so they all left. We found ourselves stuck together. Steven Staines, Joey Nair and myself.


Brother Joey kept on with his questioning and eventually I got tired. “ If you can show me in the bible where people were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ I will do what you say.” Confidently, Brother Joey opened my bible and showed me.
Brother Joey kept on with his questioning and eventually I got tired. “ If you can show me in the Bible where people were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ I will do what you say.” Confidently, Brother Joey opened my Bible and showed me.


“Now what about this story about a prophet,” I retorted. Again, confidently he turned in my bible to Malachi 4:5-6. “You see, this scripture has a two-fold purpose. He said he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to the fathers.” “ Now when did this take place.” I said. He turned to Matthew 17:11. “ You see, Elijah must first come and restore ALL things. John the Baptist only foreran the first coming of Christ. But a prophet came with Thus Saith the Lord to restore us back to the Word that was lost through the apostolic ages.”
“Now what about this story about a prophet,” I retorted. Again, confidently he turned in my Bible to Malachi 4:5-6. “You see, this scripture has a two-fold purpose. He said he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to the fathers.” “ Now when did this take place.” I said. He turned to Matthew 17:11. “ You see, Elijah must first come and restore ALL things. John the Baptist only foreran the first coming of Christ. But a prophet came with Thus Saith the Lord to restore us back to the Word that was lost through the apostolic ages.”


“And who is this prophet,” I enquired. “ His name is William Marrion Branham from Jeffersonville, Indiana, in America” he replied. “Now how would I know you’re telling me the truth?” I asked. “ By taking every scripture back to the Word,” he hit back.
“And who is this prophet,” I enquired. “ His name is William Marrion Branham from Jeffersonville, Indiana, in America” he replied. “Now how would I know you’re telling me the truth?” I asked. “ By taking every scripture back to the Word,” he hit back.
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From that time the brothers started having informal meetings at different brothers’ homes. We were invited. In those days they had the big eight track tape recorders and reel to reel tapes. One evening we sat till the wee hours of the morning listening to sermons of Brother William Branham. Then there was the healing and discernment portion of the message right near the end.
From that time the brothers started having informal meetings at different brothers’ homes. We were invited. In those days they had the big eight track tape recorders and reel to reel tapes. One evening we sat till the wee hours of the morning listening to sermons of Brother William Branham. Then there was the healing and discernment portion of the message right near the end.


I remember sitting and listening with my mouth open. It was awesome. It was holy. It was mind-boggling. I would sit glued to my seat and oh, what a sweet anointing would sweep into the room where we were sitting. It was literally impossible and unthinkable for a  mere mortal man to know what someone else was thinking or what their ailments were. I was convinced that bible days were here again. At the end of the service when Brother Branham sang Only Believe, Only Believe, All things are possible, Only Believe, we would join in and sing from the depths of our hearts. Yes, It was truly possible if we could only believe. We met some more message believers and they were too happy to welcome us into the fold.
I remember sitting and listening with my mouth open. It was awesome. It was holy. It was mind-boggling. I would sit glued to my seat and oh, what a sweet anointing would sweep into the room where we were sitting. It was literally impossible and unthinkable for a  mere mortal man to know what someone else was thinking or what their ailments were. I was convinced that Bible days were here again. At the end of the service when Brother Branham sang Only Believe, Only Believe, All things are possible, Only Believe, we would join in and sing from the depths of our hearts. Yes, It was truly possible if we could only believe. We met some more message believers and they were too happy to welcome us into the fold.


Early 1973 Brother Steve and myself were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ according to Acts 2:38. An old veteran, whom I respected and loved, Brother John Hopley, did the honors at Princess Vlei on the Cape Flats. We were now baptized according to the Word. But we went back to our denominations. Brother Steve was Pentecostal and I was Docks Mission which is similar to the Baptist Church.
Early 1973 Brother Steve and myself were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ according to Acts 2:38. An old veteran, whom I respected and loved, Brother John Hopley, did the honors at Princess Vlei on the Cape Flats. We were now baptized according to the Word. But we went back to our denominations. Brother Steve was Pentecostal and I was Docks Mission which is similar to the Baptist Church.
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==Leaving denominations behind==
==Leaving denominations behind==
   
   
The brethren came to see us and explained, “Now that you are baptized and you accept Brother William Marrion Branham as the end-time prophet you cannot stay in a denomination, because the bible says you must come from out amongst them”. It took a few more months before I finally broke loose and came into the message 100%.
The brethren came to see us and explained, “Now that you are baptized and you accept Brother William Marrion Branham as the end-time prophet you cannot stay in a denomination, because the Bible says you must come from out amongst them”. It took a few more months before I finally broke loose and came into the message 100%.


==The messenger's vindication==
==The messenger's vindication==
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=Confronted with a question=  
=Confronted with a question=  


Fast forward to 2007 - A sister comes to me with a question. “Brother James can you tell me where to find a direct scripture in the bible and a direct quotation where Brother Branham says the Seven Thunders of Revelations 10:4 were opened and revealed.”
Fast forward to 2007 - A sister comes to me with a question. “Brother James can you tell me where to find a direct scripture in the Bible and a direct quotation where Brother Branham says the Seven Thunders of Revelations 10:4 were opened and revealed.”


This question stunned me. I could not give her a scripture or a quotation but yet I believed and preached it. I went to my pastor, instead of answering me, he treated it as a threat and warned his church board not to let me preach because I don’t believe the Thunders. I knew, after I heard this that there is something not quite right with this message. I realized there were more than meet the eye.  I would not rest until I get to the bottom of this.
This question stunned me. I could not give her a scripture or a quotation but yet I believed and preached it. I went to my pastor, instead of answering me, he treated it as a threat and warned his church board not to let me preach because I don’t believe the Thunders. I knew, after I heard this that there is something not quite right with this message. I realized there were more than meet the eye.  I would not rest until I get to the bottom of this.
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One Sunday morning during one of those days when I was so hungry and desperate, I decided to listen to a message. I thought I typed in Voice of God but for some unknown reason, I landed on a site where I saw the book Legend of the Fall, written by Peter Duyzer. I started reading and stopped. Did I just see this man saying William Branham was not telling the truth when he said he was hunting when the cloud appeared? How rude, how dare this man say such nasty things.
One Sunday morning during one of those days when I was so hungry and desperate, I decided to listen to a message. I thought I typed in Voice of God but for some unknown reason, I landed on a site where I saw the book Legend of the Fall, written by Peter Duyzer. I started reading and stopped. Did I just see this man saying William Branham was not telling the truth when he said he was hunting when the cloud appeared? How rude, how dare this man say such nasty things.


I knew from almost 40 years ago, how those brothers explained what happened. I saw the face of Jesus. He was there, on a hunting trip when this all happened. The brothers showed it to me. I saw the eyes, nose and mouth. I saw the wig, like the English Judges. I saw that mighty angel with the swept back wings. Who is this man and how dare he open his mouth against my prophet.
I knew from almost 40 years ago, how those brothers explained what happened. I saw the face of Jesus. He was there, on a hunting trip when this all happened. The brothers showed it to me. I saw the eyes, nose and mouth. I saw the wig, like the English Judges. I saw that mighty angel with the swept back wings. Who is this man and how dare he open his mouth against my prophet?


I went from chapter to chapter. I could not get away from this website. I was fighting inwardly but I could not get away. Slowly the reality sunk in. I was conned. I was lied to. This made me very angry and depressed. I could not pray or read my bible for weeks. I wanted to have nothing to do with religion. Yet, I still held on.
I went from chapter to chapter. I could not get away from this website. I was fighting inwardly but I could not get away. Slowly the reality sunk in. I was conned. I was lied to. This made me very angry and depressed. I could not pray or read my Bible for weeks. I wanted to have nothing to do with religion. Yet, I still held on.


==The truth hits home==  
==The truth hits home==  
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One day I came across a site with some writings of John Kennah. The one single item that attracted my attention again was the cloud. I noticed Mr. Kennah saying that Rebekah Branham-Smith and Pearry Green changed the history of the message to hide the facts from their followers.
One day I came across a site with some writings of John Kennah. The one single item that attracted my attention again was the cloud. I noticed Mr. Kennah saying that Rebekah Branham-Smith and Pearry Green changed the history of the message to hide the facts from their followers.


I did some research and discovered what Mr. Kennah said, was correct. That was the end of the road for me.
I did some research and discovered what Mr. Kennah said, was correct. That was the end of the road for me.


In February 2012, we returned to South Africa. I laid low for two months because I was so weak and vulnerable that I did not want to come into contact with any believers. Actually, I was seriously considering just turning my back on religion completely, but God just would not let me.
In February 2012, we returned to South Africa. I laid low for two months because I was so weak and vulnerable that I did not want to come into contact with any believers. Actually, I was seriously considering just turning my back on religion completely, but God just would not let me.
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==No one answered my questions==  
==No one answered my questions==  


I phoned Pastor Stephen Delo and told him what I learned and he promised to get back to me so that we could talk about it. To this day, I’m still waiting for the call. I then phoned Pastor Harold Beckett and spoke with him. He was not willing at all to talk about this and told me it’s an individual matter. It is every man for him self. I eventually got some confession out of him that he knew about the discrepancy with the date of the cloud since 1992. He was not prepared to say more.
I phoned Pastor Stephen Delo and told him what I learned and he promised to get back to me so that we could talk about it. To this day, I’m still waiting for the call. I then phoned Pastor Harold Beckett and spoke with him. He was not willing at all to talk about this and told me it’s an individual matter. It is every man for himself. I eventually got some confession out of him that he knew about the discrepancy with the date of the cloud since 1992. He was not prepared to say more.


I phoned Brother Keith Hearn of Voice of God Recordings in Cape Town, South Africa. He said to me, Brother James, do not listen to anybody. Put on your tape and listen to the prophet. That is the only voice that matters.
I phoned Brother Keith Hearn of Voice of God Recordings in Cape Town, South Africa. He said to me, "Brother James, do not listen to anybody. Put on your tape and listen to the prophet. That is the only voice that matters."


I wrote letters to Pastor Stephen Delo, Pastor Harold Beckett, Brother Keith Hearn, Bother Joseph Branham, Pastor Ron Millevo and various other Pastors and a few webmasters.
I wrote letters to Pastor Stephen Delo, Pastor Harold Beckett, Brother Keith Hearn, Bother Joseph Branham, Pastor Ron Millevo and various other Pastors and a few webmasters.
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I have spent 40 years of my life in the message. I believed it, I lived it, I preached it. The message is all my wife knew, it is all my children knew, it is all I knew.
I have spent 40 years of my life in the message. I believed it, I lived it, I preached it. The message is all my wife knew, it is all my children knew, it is all I knew.


Since leaving the message, I have embarked on a mission to expose the lies, deception, fraud and corruption in the message wherever and whenever I get an opportunity. I have challenged pastors all over the world. I have been active on many websites and I make my voice known wherever I go. Thus far, not one pastor in the message can explain why they believe the Municipal Bridge vision after Brother Branham said he saw it as a young child. And later in his sermons he said that it happened 22 years later exactly as he saw it. A section of the bridge collapsed while they were building it, and 16 men fell into the water and drowned.
Since leaving the message, I have embarked on a mission to expose the lies, deception, fraud and corruption in the message wherever and whenever I get an opportunity. I have challenged pastors all over the world. I have been active on many websites and I make my voice known wherever I go. Thus far, not one pastor in the message can explain why they believe the Municipal Bridge vision after Brother Branham said he saw it as a young child. And later in his sermons he said that it happened 22 years later exactly as he saw it. He said a section of the bridge collapsed while they were building it, and 16 men fell into the water and drowned.


Did it happen like that??  NO.  What do you say when you listen to the prophet saying: “It did??”  What do you do when the pastors make all kind of excuses and you can see they are lying, but you still believe???  What is wrong with you??? You don’t need a revelation to see when someone is lying!!!
Did it happen like that??  NO.  What do you say when you listen to the prophet saying: “It did??”  What do you do when the pastors make all kind of excuses and you can see they are lying, but you still believe???  What is wrong with you??? You don’t need a revelation to see when someone is lying!!!
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==My challenge to you==
==My challenge to you==


I challenge any pastor, deacon, elder, trustee, treasurer, usher, believer of the End-Time Message of William Branham to disprove what I said. I am willing to publicly repent, recant and return to the message if you can convince me with hard evidence that my claims are false. Likewise, if you fail to disprove what I claim, are you willing to turn your back on the message and follow the Lord Jesus Christ.
I challenge any pastor, deacon, elder, trustee, treasurer, usher, believer of the End-Time Message of William Branham to disprove what I said. I am willing to publicly repent, recant and return to the message if you can convince me with hard evidence that my claims are false. Likewise, if you fail to disprove what I claim, are you willing to turn your back on the message and follow the Lord Jesus Christ?


The past few months have been challenging. I have had a few threats on my life because of my stand against the message. I receive constant messages in my inbox warning me of imminent danger. I have never taken these threats seriously. I believe that God is in control of my life and I want to do whatever His will is for my life.
The past few months have been challenging. I have had a few threats on my life because of my stand against the message. I receive constant messages in my inbox warning me of imminent danger. I have never taken these threats seriously. I believe that God is in control of my life and I want to do whatever His will is for my life.
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I ask you, dear message believer. Is this even Christian to threaten someone who believes different than you??  Is it even common decency to threaten someone with his life just because he is highlighting severe problems of what you believe??
I ask you, dear message believer. Is this even Christian to threaten someone who believes different than you??  Is it even common decency to threaten someone with his life just because he is highlighting severe problems of what you believe??


I have decided after much prayer and advise from my friends, to go public. I want you all to see what is really happening around you. If the message is 100% correct and 100% in line with the Word why is it so difficult to give answers to simple questions?? It is time that you check what you believe against the Word of God the bible.
I have decided after much prayer and advise from my friends, to go public. I want you all to see what is really happening around you. If the message is 100% correct and 100% in line with the Word why is it so difficult to give answers to simple questions?? It is time that you check what you believe against the Word of God: the Bible.


==Why trash the Bible?==
==Why trash the Bible?==


Atheists and Muslims claim there are contradictions in the bible. Message believers from the headquarters at Voice of God to the pastors and preachers to the laity are now agreeing with these people and try and point to what they perceive as discrepancies, as justification that the lies and deception of William Branham is acceptable.
Atheists and Muslims claim there are contradictions in the Bible. Message believers from the headquarters at Voice of God to the pastors and preachers to the laity are now agreeing with these people and try and point to what they perceive as discrepancies, as justification that the lies and deception of William Branham is acceptable.


I humbly ask, have you got a tape recording of the voice of Jesus? Or a tape recording of the voice of Paul?? But I have almost 1200 taped messages of Brother Branham. So, it is easy to verify what he said. It is either the truth or it is not. The stories are all beautiful and touching but on close examination after you compare the stories, it is not hard to tell that it was only stories.
I humbly ask, have you got a tape recording of the voice of Jesus? Or a tape recording of the voice of Paul?? But I have almost 1200 taped messages of Brother Branham. So, it is easy to verify what he said. It is either the truth or it is not. The stories are all beautiful and touching but on close examination after you compare the stories, it is not hard to tell that it was only stories.