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William Branham: 20th Century Charlatan by John Collins

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Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1

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Table of Contents The Facts and the Fiction ..................................... 5 The Basics ................................................................ 10 Toddler Prophecy ...................................................... 11 Bridge Prophecy ......................................................... 14 Ohio River Baptism ................................................... 16 Prophecies of 1933 ................................................... 18 The Flood of 1937...................................................... 21 Faith Healing ................................................................ 24 The Halo ......................................................................... 26 Mystery Cloud ............................................................. 28 Marks of the Beast ..................................................... 30 Ground Rules ............................................................... 32 Jehovahs Witness ...................................................... 35 Stuck in the Elevator ................................................ 36 Easy Questions ....................................................... 38 The Cloud ...................................................................... 39 The Bridge .................................................................... 42 The Church Ages ........................................................ 46 Columba ......................................................................... 47 The Man From Windsor .......................................... 48 The Tragedy of Donnie Morton ........................... 51 Driverless Eggcar ....................................................... 52 California: Still Standing ......................................... 57 Twisted Scripture ...................................................... 60 Dig A Little Deeper ............................................... 66 Birth ................................................................................. 67 Childhood ...................................................................... 69 Fatherless ...................................................................... 71 The Commissions ....................................................... 72 Moving Targets ........................................................... 75 Franklin D. Roosevelt ............................................... 77 John F. Kennedy .......................................................... 86

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Reverend Jim Jones ................................................... 93 Deep Study .............................................................. 96 Physical Abuse ............................................................ 97 Hybreeding ................................................................... 99 Creation ....................................................................... 105 Enoch ........................................................................... 109 Job .................................................................................. 110 Moses ........................................................................... 112 Balaam ......................................................................... 116 Elijah ............................................................................. 120 The Prophets ............................................................ 124 Back To The Bible .............................................. 128 The Gospel ................................................................. 129 The Achievement Of The Holy Spirit .............. 135 Divorce Your Wives ............................................... 138 Pretending To Be God ........................................... 140 King James Only ....................................................... 143 Temporary Hell ....................................................... 148 The Evening Light ................................................... 150 Branham Vs. The Bible ..................................... 157 About The Author .............................................. 225

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The Facts and the Fiction

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As a person who was born and raised in the Message of the Hour, or M.O.T.H as some like to call it, one gains an interesting perspective into the world of United States Pentecostal cults. One cannot claim to have knowledge of every cult that has been birthed by the religious system of the nations past, but having been a part of this particular cult, it seems that one can truly claim greater insight. There is a great pride in being part of any movement that claims absolute truth, and an even greater pride in considering yourself different. Some in the cult following of William Branham pride themselves in being oddball, taking the word from the title of a famous sermon preached in the commune that became the skeleton in the Message cults closet. A follower feels a sense of achievement to be different in this world while longing to be like the other oddballs in the world to come. So much, in fact, that invisible fences are placed between the cult member claiming to be Christian and other Christians who are not part of the following. Living in blind faith, believing every word spoken by the cult leader or the elders appointed, one could easily claim an undying faith and devotion to the following. When there are no obstacles in the way of faith, one starts to mistake faith for truth. But truth is a fixture, one that cannot be moved. Truth is based upon facts, and facts are based

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upon solid information. Faith in truth is incredibly easy as more information presents itself, there is an increase of facts that lie in favor of truth. No matter which viewpoint is taken, if the information is accurate, the end result of researching facts will end in proving truth. Facts themselves cannot change. They are the solid foundation of truth. If one tries to hide the facts, then one also hides the truth. If one tries to move or change a fact, then one also moves or changes the truth. When this becomes necessary for faith, then ones faith cannot be considered faith in truth. For the first thirty-something years of my life, I had faith in the Message Of The Hour. My faith was built upon facts, but they were built upon facts that were given to me. Each fact I claimed as a foundation pointed to what I believed to be truth, and with the facts collected, it was undeniable truth. When I discovered that facts were hidden from the followers of William Branham, I grew concerned. If a fact presented to my collection exposed an angle hidden from view, the picture might look very different. But this did not shake my faith. I believed that every fact including those hidden from view would support the knowledge that I considered to be truth. It wasnt until I discovered that some facts were changed that my faith was shaken. When

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changed, a fact is no longer truth. A changed fact becomes fiction, and faith in fiction cannot equal faith in truth. This was not an overnight process, although my journey out of a religious cult happened rather quickly. The events leading up to my exit was not based on time or situation. It was based upon the number of facts collected. When a child is collecting the pieces to a puzzle, the picture painted on the entire set of pieces is not obvious. If the child were to be given only the blue pieces, and told that these puzzle pieces were that of an ocean, he or she would have no reason to question. All the pieces are blue, all show only one small portion of truth, yet each piece in of itself is a fact. When the child is suddenly given a brown or green piece of the puzzle, a question would quickly form: what in the ocean is green? Is it an island? Is it a piece of debris? When given a full set of pieces of earth and sky, the child can no longer believe they have a puzzle of an ocean. In the case of the Message, not only was the child given a set of blue pieces, it is evident that some pieces were spray-painted blue to hide actual fact. The broad scope of these facts would consume several series of books, each from the different viewpoints of the different divisions in the cult itself. No two churches in the following can

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agree on doctrinal points or spiritual secrets, and each of these divisions are based on the conflicts in the cult leaders sermons and discrepancies between recorded history and his tales of the supernatural. But there are a series of facts that most can agree upon, and those are the facts presented in this book. Each of them fundamental elements to the beast that grew into the M.O.T.H, and when removed, cult doctrines cannot stand.

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The Basics

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"The Message" is the religious movement that follows the teachings of William Marrion Branham, which originated in the small city of Jeffersonville, Indiana, in the United States. Through various outreach programs, this movement has spread into all parts of the world. Between two and four million people are involved with this movement worldwide. It is largely unorganized, based simply on Branham's recorded sermons, which have now printed and digitized into several types of media. While this religion claims to be founded in scripture alone, it will not take you very long to realize that followers are asked to adhere to a combination of scripture and William Branham's recorded words. These include accounts of Branham's personal life and events he claimed to be spiritual. These events are believed by his followers to be another "chapter" of the New Testament. Toddler Prophecy Followers of William Branham believe that as a toddler, young William became the mouthpiece for God to his parents, telling them that they were to move near a city called 'New Albany'. In the accounts given on recorded tape, Branham claimed that a voice spoke to him from a tree and gave him this prophecy. According to Branham, this event happened at the early age of fifteen months -- a time when most children are

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learning motor skills and attempting to grasp the basics of language. As you will find with the descriptions of many of Branham's prophecies, the details of this prophecy change over time, and it was not a gradual progression of change; the changes in detail seem to differ from telling to telling. While sometimes he claimed this vision came to him at fifteen months, in other sermons he described this prophecy being given around age four. And while age four would seem more likely at an age when the language skills would have developed enough to correctly communicate this prophecy to his parents -- The Branham family had already been in Indiana for almost a year. The birth of William's younger brother, Melvin Branham, took place after their move. If we examine the birthdates of his siblings, combined with Branham's descriptions of the toddlers in the log cabin, we find several conflicts with the idea that Branham had sufficient language and motor skills to properly relay this vision to his parents, or to even understand what a 'city' meant. Branham would often describe himself as wearing a toddler's dress, and described "Humpy" as crawling around in the same outfit. According to Branham, this vision took place while Humpy was still crawling on the floor in that dress. Humpy was born in Kentucky on May 12, 1910. During these life stories Branham would claim to have been born April 6, 1909. He claimed that the family moved less than a year later, which would place the family's

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relocation around May 12, 1912 -- assuming Humpy was walking by the age of one year. The next brother born into the family, Melvin Branham, was born in Indiana in 1912. Only William and Humpy were born in Kentucky. But if we bind these prophecies to a 'toddler prophet,' we create other major conflicts with the life stories. Branham claimed to have supported his poor mother and siblings after the death of his father, Charles, and this support came through hunting and trapping to sell the skins of his prey. While it would be a phenomenon for a toddler to have the language skills necessary to understand and relay a prophecy from God, it would be an impossibility for his tiny arms to carry the rifle as he wandered through the wilderness. These stories of his childhood included accounts of his other siblings in the log cabin, but with only Branham and "Humpy" being born in Kentucky, the other children in the story did not yet exist. As this prophecy is tested, we find several major issues. And unlike with the prophets of the Bible, this prophecy was not written down by scribes, handed down through time until the event happened. This prophecy was not tested according to the vision's accuracy. The only way we have to test this particular prophecy is through Branham's accounts of the vision, which would imply that we are studying a fictional prophecy.

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Bridge Prophecy William Branham claimed to have been given a vision by God concerning the construction of the Clark Memorial Bridge that joins Southern Indiana to Louisville Kentucky over the Ohio River. In his descriptions of this vision, Branham claimed to have seen the deaths of sixteen men as they fell from the bridge and drown. It was a prophecy of destruction, similar to other prophecies given by Branham to his followers -- a proclamation of death from God through this prophet without reason or a plea for repentance. The George Rogers Clark Memorial Bridge began construction in June 1928, and was finally opened to the public on October 31, 1929 as a toll bridge. According to government records, William Branham was 20 years old during the final stages of the bridge's construction. This would have given plenty of time to warn the authorities of the men whose lives would otherwise be lost and their families. We find no record of warning, only the description of what he claimed to have been a vision from God. But history tells a much different story. During its construction, the United States Coast Guard monitored the operations. Their observation of the construction is recorded in a series of logbooks. The logs were entered every two hours of every day, and those logs recorded everything from the daily barometric pressures to the groceries and other supplies used by the men at work. While the logs do record deaths, none of

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them were caused by drowning. Instead, they describe several rescue operations and only two fatalities. History does not record sixteen men falling from this bridge. It is common knowledge that several men died by falling from a bridge that spans the Ohio River from Kentucky into Indiana. Those events have been recorded in the historical records of Jeffersonville. There were over thirty fatalities during the construction of the Big Four Bridge. Twenty of these fatalities occurred in a single incident. The Big Four Bridge was built in sections placed upon pillars, and during severe winds one section was damaged. Forty-one workers were standing on this section when it fell. New construction came to a halt when the bridge was repaired with additional support. The subject of William Branham's vision, Clark Memorial Bridge, was not constructed in this manner. According to the local bridge authorities, the method used during its construction is the same method used today, and this type of bridge construction has endured due to its increased safety. The Clark Memorial Bridge was seen as a huge success with a limited number of fatalities, none of which were a result of drowning. This prophecy is clearly the result of the words of a man, not the Word from the Lord. Some have claimed that he was mistaken about which bridge the prophecy described, but the Big Four Bridge ended construction in 1895, long before

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William Branham was born. In addition, there is no record that this prophecy was given before the event. It would seem as though William Branham claimed an event in the history of the city as a new 'prophecy,' but like the other prophesies we will examine, the facts do not match its declaration. The prophet has spoken presumptuously. Ohio River Baptism William Branham claimed to have held a baptismal service in the banks of the Ohio River that drew international fame. According to the story, thousands attended and over five hundred were baptized. As Branham was immersing the seventeenth person, a light shone from the heavens and God Himself spoke from the heavens. In a story that parallels Jesus' baptism by John, Branham claimed that the Father announced his ministry by saying, "As John the Baptist was sent forth to forerun the first coming of Christ, you have the Message that'll now forerun the second Coming of Christ." This supernatural event, according to Branham, gathered a very large crowd in Jeffersonville. Five hundred people were baptized, the local news arrived, and the Associated Press quickly picked up the story. And according to Branham, these reporters printed the story of the mystic light in an article that quickly spread throughout the United States and Canada.

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Those who study this event quickly find great difficulty, due to the fact that the Associated Press archives contain no such article. And while one would assume this edition of the newspaper would be found on display in the ministry headquarters, Voice of God Recordings, it is not to be found. We can only rely on the statements made by William Branham himself, along with the actual story that was printed in the newspapers -- which seems to have not gained national attention. The reporter who described the baptismal service did not take notice of a massive gathering, an unusual number of converts to Christ being baptized, a light shining from the heavens nor a voice announcing William Branham's ministry. In fact, according to the reporter on the scene, there were not even seventeen converts, no mention of the baptism, and even more interesting, no mention of the tabernacle which supposedly held the meeting. A scan of the article:

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Prophecies of 1933 Around 1951, William Branham started claiming to have had a series of prophecies in 1933. From events in the World War to the rise in technology to the complete destruction of the United States, some of these prophesies were proclaimed as the coming future for mankind while others were abandoned by Branham in the latter part of his ministry. As a follower of William Branham you are asked to believe in a partial list of these prophecies, which consist of the following: 1. Roosevelt (later changed to Hitler) would take America into a second world war 2. Mussolini would invade Ethiopia and that would be his last invasion 3. The Maginot or Siegfried Line would be built 4. Cars will become shaped like an egg (later changed to automatic guidance systems) 5. The United States would be ruled by a woman (later changed to President Kennedy and the Catholic Church) 6. A progression of decay in the morality of women 7. The United States would be smoldering and burning Towards the end of his ministry, two additional prophecies were added to this list, both of which are required by the followers of William Branham. Branham claimed that in this same series of visions, he saw the Pope leaving Rome,

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and the Protestant churches abandoning their belief systems to join into Catholicism. Also, he claimed to have seen women reducing the amount of clothing they wore to nothing more than a fig leaf, and pointed out that the fig leaf garments were already displayed in Life magazine. Additionally, Branham appended another two prophecies, claiming that they were also given to him in 1933, and thankfully these added prophecies are not required in his following. Branham claimed to have given a warning from the Lord to avoid eating eggs, and another prophecy as warning against living in valleys. Branham himself did not participate in these warnings that he claimed to have received from God, eating eggs frequently and living in the Ohio River valley for most of his life. Many of his followers also believed these prophecies would all come to pass by the end of 1977, based on a prediction he made in 1963. Since then, the followers of William Branham ignore all references to the year 1977. Although William Branham himself claimed to have had only six (or seven) prophecies, if we combine all of the accounts of these prophecies he claimed had been given to him by God in the year 1933, and separate them by internal conflicts, we end up with a much larger list: 1. Roosevelt would take America into a second world war

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2. Hitler would take America into a second world war 3. Mussolini would invade Ethiopia and that would be his last invasion 4. The Maginot would be built 5. The Siegfried Line would be built 6. Cars will become shaped like an egg 7. Cars will have automatic guidance systems 8. The United States would be ruled by a woman 9. The United States would be ruled by the Catholic Church 10. The United States would be ruled by president Kennedy, whose wife was the "Jezebel" for this "age." 11. Women will wear fig leafs 12. United States would be destroyed 13. Do not eat eggs 14. Do not live in valleys Branham claimed that these prophecies were written in the flyleaf of his Bible in some of his sermons, while in others he said that they were in a notebook in his desk drawer. Towards the end of his ministry, these claims changed to an account that he buried the paper containing the description of these prophecies in the cornerstone of the Branham Tabernacle in Jeffersonville. This cornerstone was purportedly placed in the year 1933, so the tale is plausible, and some followers accept this statement. In other instances of his retelling of these prophecies, however, Branham specifically claimed to be reading from the original piece of paper, pronouncing and spelling the words as though he were having difficulty in reading his

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own handwriting. But in fact, that the deed to the Tabernacle was not issued until years later, and the newspapers describe William Branham preaching from tents in 1933. Branham himself claimed to have been pastoring from a Masonic Temple during this time, and when combined with the 1936 deed, there are several discrepancies. Those familiar with Mormon apologetics will recognize this strategy. As the Mormon faith cannot produce the Word from the Lord that Joseph Smith claimed were inscribed on the metallic plates, the following of William Branham cannot produce the original copy or copies of the written Word from God to William Branham. The Flood of 1937 Followers of William Branham believe that the 1937 flood in Southern Indiana was the result of the wrath of God against him for heeding his mother-in-law's advice and refraining from associating with the Pentecostal movement that was taking the nation by storm. According to Branham, his wife Hope's mother was strongly opposed to her daughter becoming associated with those "holy rollers," and Branham did not heed the calling by God. Branham claimed that because of this, God was angered, and He sent the 1937 flood as punishment. In a tragic tale, Branham described

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being marooned on an island while his wife was caught in the storm, unable to reach her and protect her. Branham then described Hope and his daughter Sharon Rose dying in his arms in a hospital. This horrific turn of events became the turning point in his ministry: Branham's conversion to Christ by joining the Pentecostal faith. It would seem that this emotional story was given to produce an overwhelming feeling of compassion in his listeners, because very little of the story matches historical fact, and Branham's accounts of this life-changing event do not match in his numerous versions of his life story. He describes a dying Hope speaking to the nurse, who happened to be a life-long friend of the family, instructing her to find a man like Branham. However, the name of the nurse changes between different recitations of the tale. One might expect that he would not forget the identity of this nurse, considering her supposed close association with his family. But the most conflicting information to be found on this subject concerns the period of time that William Branham was the assistant pastor to Roy E. Davis. In many of his sermons Branham mentioned that Davis was a Baptist minister. However, according to contemporary newspaper advertisements, Hope was an active leader in the youth ministry in Davis' church, which was already affiliated with the Pentecostal movement.

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After Davis left the scene, Branham started his own fellowship, and it was not called the "Branham Tabernacle" as his followers assume Branham's church was the "Pentecostal Tabernacle" at the corner of 8th street and Penn street.

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Faith Healing Partnered with Ern Baxter, William Branham travelled the world to pray for the sick. While Baxter filled tents, auditoriums, and open spaces with people eagerly listening to his preaching, Branham would follow up with prayer lines for those in need of healing. Through the widespread reach of the Apostolic Faith Missions, the Baxter-Branham campaigns quickly spread into South Africa, which would produce a large number of followers in the southern regions of the African continent. Joining them was Frank Francis Bosworth, whose background to the faith healing ministry would become a fundamental element to the religious teachings of William Marrion Branham. Bosworth himself was a depression-era "faith healer," receiving his doctrinal teaching from the world-renowned faith healer, the late John Alexander Dowie. Through Bosworth, Branham became familiar with Dowie, his teaching, and his once great following in Zion City, Illinois. Branham's own faith healing-ministry was in full swing in 1945, as described in a pamphlet, "I Was Not Disobedient To The Heavenly Vision." In this pamphlet, Branham described a vision that he claimed was been given to him by God, in which he saw a large group of people in white robes -- which represented his followers. In 1949 Branham updated this commission to include the story of an angel visitation, which

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Branham would later claim was the beginning of his faith-healing ministry. Through the years, the description of this angel and the description of the surroundings frequently changed, from a clean-shaven man to a man with a long, black beard or a long, white beard, sometimes wearing a turban. This life-changing event happened, according to Branham, in either a cave, a cabin with a window, or some other unknown location, but all described the same underlying story: An angel in the form of a man instructing Branham to elevate the people's faith in William Branham. Branham would often quote this angel as saying, "If you can get the people to believe in you, then nothing will stand in your way, not even cancer." Branham's campaign would issue "prayer cards" to the sick and afflicted, asking them to describe their illness and give their name and address. These cards were taken up by the ushers and would then be given to Branham for prayer, and Branham would call the numbers associated with each prayer card. As people approached the pulpit, Branham would claim God had revealed the information written on those same cards to him, a gift Branham called "discernment." Though it is not often mentioned in the churches in this movement, during the early part of his ministry Branham claimed to have experienced vibrations in his hand as a person approached the platform. These vibrations, Branham claimed, would cause the color and the temperature of his hand to change. This "gift,"

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according to Branham's story about the angel, was a parallel to God speaking to Moses. Branham would often describe the words of the angel, "As Moses was given two signs, so are you given two signs." Because of this, pastors in the Branham movement teach that of the three signs given to Moses, only two of them were truly "signs," the other was simply another plague. (God's signs to Moses included the staff of the serpent, the leprous hand, and the turning of the water of the Red Sea into blood.) The Halo In a January 1950 meeting in the Houston Coliseum, a photograph was taken of William Branham as he stood behind the pulpit, preaching. The photograph contains a streak of light above William Branham's head, and the Branham's followers believe that the photographer captured the same "Pillar of Fire" that led the Children of Israel out of Egypt though the photographer and those seated in the photograph did not see it themselves. According to Branham, this was the same light that the Apostle Paul witnessed in the desert, and God allowed it to be photographed as a supernatural sign to his followers. Followers believe that this picture was authenticated by the "head" of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, sent immediately to Washington, DC for verification, and hangs still today in a place called the "Religious Hall of Art."

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Branham claimed that George J. Lacy, the man who examined the photograph, was called in from California specifically to examine the photograph. Though Lacy was not employed by the FBI and was local to Houston, he did sit on the board for The American Society of Questioned Document Examiners, which was engaged by the Bureau from time to time. In his examination of the photograph, Lacy confirmed that the photograph had not been altered, but did not confirm the source of the light. And though the photograph is similar to other pictures taken in the Houston Coliseum, followers of Branham believe that the source of this light was a supernatural being. Though William Branham claimed that this photograph was the only one God allowed to develop, other photographs of the event were printed and published in the local newspapers. After taking this particular picture, however, the photographer would not release it until the photo was copyrighted by the Library of Congress. Because of this delay, an issue of Branham's magazine, The Voice of Healing, was held back until the photo was released.

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Voice of Healing, December 1950

Houston Press, January 1950

Mystery Cloud In late February of 1963 a strange cloud formed over Northern Arizona. This cloud slowly formed into a ring, floated across Arizona from west to

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east, and drew nationwide attention as scientists tried to determine its origin. Though examination of his recorded sermons prove that he was in Houston, Texas at the time, followers of William Branham believe that he was standing underneath this cloud as it passed by. According to Branham, he was hunting javelina during this angelic visitation, and he witnessed the event as it took place. However, hunting season fell in March that year not February when the cloud occurred. Nevertheless, followers of Branham are taught to believe that this cloud formation is actually a photograph of angelic beings. Branham claimed that seven angels visited him on the day the cloud appeared, and that the cloud was a trail of water vapor they left behind as they exited the Earth's atmosphere. Incidentally, Branham's first mention of this cloud did not take place until June, when he was given a copy of the Life magazine article that described the cloud formation. Prior to seeing the magazine article, Branham claimed that these seven angels met him in his room in Jeffersonville to give the revelation of the Seven Seals. After the publication, the story of the cloud and hunting trip became integrated into his sermons with descriptions of his seeing this cloud form in the skies as the angels made their ascension.

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Marks of the Beast Followers of William Branham are trained to believe that the parable of the "foolish virgins" in Matthew 25 is referring to the churches of the twentieth century, the followers of Branham being the virgins who kept their lamps trimmed, and all other Christians who did not accept William Branham's teachings being the foolish virgins who were caught unawares. According to Branham, those who believe in the "prophet for their day" will be raptured before the tribulation, while all other Christians will suffer torment. In the early part of his ministry, William Branham claimed that communism was the Mark of the Beast, and claimed that he prophesied of the rise of communism in his prophecies of 1933. But in the latter part of his ministry, Branham claimed that all denominations that rejected his message had already taken the Mark of the Beast, promoting the idea that there were two classes of people: us (those who did not have the Mark), and "them" those that rejected his ministry and had taken the Mark of the Beast. Branham's timeline for this event to take place is difficult to pinpoint due to his varying thoughts on the subject. In some places, Branham promoted the idea that the Mark of the Beast would come after the Bride had been raptured and the Great Tribulation had begun, while other places Branham claimed that all other denominations had already taken the Mark. When Branham started promoting the Jewish

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Mysticism teaching of "Serpent's Seed," Branham began to promote the idea that the Mark started in the Garden of Eden, and those that were from the seed of Abraham were the only ones who did not have the Mark within them. Throughout his ministry, Branham taught that one or more of the following was the "Mark of the Beast": Communism Apostasy Union of Churches Unbelief Catholicism Rome Not having the Gift of the Holy Spirit To blaspheme the Holy Spirit Any denomination of faith other than Branham's Not descending from the seed of Abraham Over time, this teaching resulted in a strong separation between Branham's following and other Christians. While Branham claimed that the Mark of the Beast would happen after the rapture, he began to promote the idea that denominational churches had already taken the Mark of the Beast. Those inside the churches were already condemned to eternal separation. The churches Branham name specifically as the "evil ones" were: Pentecostals, Presbyterians, and Baptists.

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Ground Rules William Branham promoted the idea that an ascetic lifestyle would produce "rapturing faith." Throughout the course of his ministry, Branham listed several forms of entertainment, articles of clothing, sports, and other forbidden pleasures that he believed true Christians should refrain from. Though many of these are no longer required in the denomination of faith that follows William Marrion Branham, some isolated churches remain who mold their lives to these extra-biblical doctrines. Since Branham's death, those who firmly support this doctrine include additional requirements for their members and expand upon Branham's rules to create a stricter code of conduct. According to William Branham, the following are not permitted. Some of the items listed bind closely to his latter description of the "Mark of the Beast": Entertainment

No watching television No watching movies No comic books No rock music No telling jokes Dress Code For Women No trousers of any kind No shorts No low cut, sheer or form fitting clothing

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Any garment that shows the knees is forbidden No painting fingernails No fake fingernails No "booster" bras No high-heeled shoes No open-toed shoes No earrings No cosmetics No haircuts, trimming, or split-end removal No dying your hair No wearing "dime store jewelry" No wearing the latest fashion Dress Code For Men Must wear pants No shorts No suede shoes for men No sideburns for men No bangs No flat-top haircuts Eating Rules No eating hybrid food No eating eggs No soup suppers No drinking alcohol Women In General No washing machines No dishwashers Women are forbidden to work Women are forbidden to vote

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No birth control No loving dogs Must be divorced if they cut their hair THUS SAITH THE LORD Men In General Naming your son "Ricky" is forbidden Naming your son "Elvis" is forbidden Aging In General False teeth are forbidden Dying your hair is forbidden Sports And Recreation No baseball No basketball No bowling No ball games in general No "bodily exercise" No pool games No bingo No bunco No dice No cards No dancing No parties No sunbathing No hula hoops No swimming parties Men swimming in the same pool with women is forbidden Dating Rules No kissing (before marriage)

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No marrying a woman who has been kissed Interracial marriage is forbidden Breaking a marriage engagement is forbidden Household Rules No Easter bunny No Santa Claus No animals in the house Putting fuel in your vehicle on Sunday No living in valleys

Jehovahs Witness William Branham promoted the idea that Jesus Christ of the New Testament was Jehovah of the Old Testament, which is the fundamental teaching of Charles Taze Russell. While Branham taught that Jesus was the fullness of God, he also taught that Christ was not eternal. According to Branham and Russell, Jesus was the archangel Michael, who fought the angelic wars in heaven. Satan, who was equal in rank to Michael, became consumed with his beauty and was cast down from the heavens. While Michael remained at the side of the throne, Branham taught that Satan designed women, caused her to fall, and turned the entire earth into his own "Eden." Branham taught that Christ was born by Immaculate Conception, yet was nothing more

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than a man. It was not until his baptism that God "poured Himself" into the man, Jesus Christ, and according to Branham, this is when Christ became the "god-man." But this "god-man" was limited in power. According to Branham, Christ did not have the power to heal unless first having seen a vision from the Father. And at an ultimate showdown in the Garden of Gethsemane, angels sat around watching as the "god-man" was changed again into a mortal human being. Jesus, according to Branham, died as nothing more than a man.

Stuck in the Elevator Before the climax of his ministry was completed, and before Branham's visions concerning his own ministry were fulfilled, God removed William Branham from the scene. A tragic car accident claimed his life in December of 1965, leaving the recorded sermons to the control of his sons. It was an atomic bomb that scattered the sheep, leaving each group in a state of limbo as they struggle to reconcile the unfulfilled visions with the removal of their leader. Some are forced to believe that Branham will rise from the dead to finish the prophecies, while others believe that viewpoint is heresy and do not attempt to reconcile. Some claim that they alone have the mystery behind the "Seven Thunders of Revelation," which Branham never declared, while others claim that these mysteries were never meant to be known until after we enter

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New Jerusalem. Some claim that Branham was misleading in his teaching concerning the last messenger, and have elected a new leader in Branham's place. Others claim that William Branham was the complete fulfillment of the return of Christ, and that we are now living in eternal bliss. But all are pillars in the foundation laid by William Branham, and all are upholding the same body of members that stand firmly on the idea that one must believe in William Branham to merit salvation and enter the rapture when Christ returns. It is an elevator that started to rise, but did not make it to the top. The door is open, the people are peering outside, but none are willing to accept the fact that this lift will not make the next floor. You are asked to stand with them, peering outside the open door, holding hands of faith and watching with eager eyes to see if it has budged even a single inch.

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Easy Questions

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When you first stumble onto your first discrepancy in the doctrines, prophecies, or life stories of William Branham, it can be overwhelming. One false statement exposes another, and another after that. Very soon, you find yourself digging through mounds of information to find very little that is not fiction. Sadly, there are many who start digging only to find themselves consumed with questions that have no answers, and they quickly return to their former state in a worse condition than when they started. Without a clear plan of action, these people are not willing to dedicate the time to untangle the mess that is lies beneath. It's best to start with the easy questions. We've lined up the topics that are easily proven fiction by Scriptural truth, historical fact, and Branham's own words. As you gradually start to untangle the truth for yourself, the easy questions will give you breadcrumbs to follow as you dig deeper into the deceptive teachings and fictional stories. For example, when you listen to a man claiming all other men are going to hell for wearing shorts, it's very easy to identify the false doctrine when you catch the man wearing the shorts himself. The Cloud William Branham claimed to have had a vision describing the need to travel west and meet with five angels. Five, according to Branham, had a

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significant meaning in the spiritual realmsince the English word for "grace" had five letters. So he travelled west. But in later telling this spiritual event revolved around seven angels, not five. And according to Branham, these seven angels instructed him to return to Jeffersonville, Indiana, to receive the "revelation of the seven seals." During the meeting, Branham claimed that each of these seven angels met him in his room each day, and that he knew absolutely nothing about the sermon on the day prior. This description of seven angels (not five) continued until a magazine article describing a mysterious cloud was handed to him. After several sermons, and now having a photograph of a cloud, Branham started to claim that he was standing directly underneath the cloud when it had drifted overhead. In fact, he claimed that he watched this cloud being formed as the seven angels broke through the earth's atmosphere directly overhead. This event was supposed to have happened during his javelina hunt in the mountains of Arizona. And though Branham did travel west to hunt, he arrived prior to hunting season. Before the season started, Branham was asked to travel to Houston, Texas to help create support for a photographer's son who was in prison and had been sentenced to die. Ironically, that photographer is the same person who took the

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other iconic photograph used in the following of William Branham: the "halo" picture. Branham preached a sermon entitled "An Absolute" in Houston, describing his upcoming hunting trip. According to Branham, the hunting trip was in the future, and his agenda was to return to Arizona to hunt javelina hogs until it was time to return home to Jeffersonville for an upcoming meeting. There's just one problem: This Houston sermon was given on March 4, 1963, and the cloud had already passed through Arizona on February 28, 1963! The cloud was formed at Vandenberg Air Force Base. According to research, the most likely cause of the formation was due to a T.H.O.R. missile detonation which commonly produced clouds similar to the one displayed in the Life magazine. It floated from west to east over 320 kilometers north of Branham's hunting location, and was sighted several times along the northern part of Arizona in the evening of February 28, 1963. The location does not match Branham was out of state. The timing does not match; Branham claimed to have seen the cloud in the morning instead of in the evening. And the hunting season that year did not begin until March 1st, creating an impossible situation.

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James McDonald carried out research to testify in the United States Senate on behalf of Unidentified Flying Object researchers in the United States. His investigation is key to the identification of the origin of the cloud, and because this situation proved to have been caused by humans instead of Martians, McDonald abandoned research on the mysterious cloud in Arizona. With his abandoning study, followers of William Branham use the lack of investigation as proof of the unknown. Not knowing that McDonald was on his way to becoming an outcast in his peer group, they assume McDonald was a top scientist whose only purpose was to study this cloud. Sadly, McDonald was unable to prove the existence of little green men, and ultimately committed suicide after humiliating himself in the United States Senate chambers. The Bridge When God allows a prophet to see into the future, the events made known cannot be wrong; God Himself cannot be wrong. For this reason, the Bible tells us that we are to test the prophets if any single prophecy given does not come to pass exactly as the prophet has spoken, than the prophet was not speaking from the authority of God. Instead, we are instructed to avoid the prophet, because they are attempting to lead us astray.

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Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:20-22 But the prophet who shall speak a word presumptuously in My name which I have not commanded him to speak, or which he shall speak in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die. And you may say in your heart, how shall we know the word which the LORD has not spoken? When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him. Deuteronomy. 18:20-22 William Branham claimed to have been given a vision by God concerning the construction of the Clark Memorial Bridge that joins Southern Indiana to Louisville Kentucky over the Ohio River. In his descriptions of this vision, Branham claimed to have seen the deaths of sixteen men as they fell from the bridge. It was a prophecy of destruction, similar to other prophecies given by Branham to his followers: a proclamation of death from God through this prophet without reason or a plea for repentance. As Christians, we should examine every prophecy, no matter how big or small, and learn what God is trying to tell us. What was the importance of this prophecy? Did God issue a

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warning of judgment without a call to repentance? Does this prophecy lead us closer to God, or simply closer to William Branham as the "seer?" Did this prophecy come to pass as Branham claimed? The George Rogers Clark Memorial Bridge began construction in June 1928, and was finally opened to the public on October 31, 1929 as a toll bridge. According to government records, this would place William Branham at an age of 20, which would place Branham at an age to give the warning to the target of the prophecy the men whose lives would be claimed and the families that would lose their loved one. But history tells a much different story. During its construction, the United States Coast Guard monitored the operations. Their observation of the construction is recorded in a series of log books in logs that were entered every two hours each day, and those logs record everything from the barometric pressures to the groceries and other supplies needed by the men at work. The logs do record deaths, but not from a fall from the bridge. While they describe several rescue operations, they only describe two fatalities. History does not record sixteen men falling from this bridge. It is common knowledge that several men died from a bridge spanning the Ohio River from Kentucky into Indiana, however, and that history can be found in any of the historical records of Jeffersonville. There were over thirty fatalities

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curing the construction of the Big Four Bridge, twenty of which occurred during a single incident. The Big Four Bridge was built in sections placed upon pillars, and during severe winds one section was damaged. Forty-one workers were standing upon this section when it fell, and the construction came to a halt while they repaired the bridge with additional support. The Clark Memorial Bridge, on the other hand, was not constructed in this manner. According to the local bridge authorities, the method used during its construction is the same method used today, and this type of bridge construction has endured due to its increased safety. The Clark Memorial bridge was seen as a huge success with a limited number of fatalities, none of which were a result of a worker falling to his or her death. This prophecy is clearly the result of the words of a man, not the Word from the Lord. The Big Four Bridge ended construction in 1895, long before William Branham was born. Since there is no record of this prophecy being given before the event, it would seem as though William Branham claimed an event in the history of the city as a new 'prophecy,' but like the other prophesies we will examine, the facts do not match the declaration of prophecy. The prophet has spoken presumptuously.

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The Church Ages William Branham taught that the Seven Churches of Asia Minor found in the book of Revelation were symbolic of seven church "ages," starting with the time of the Apostle Paul, and ending with himself as the "messenger" for the final age. According to Branham, he was given divine revelation as to these ages, dates, and messengers, and followers of Branham's ministry believe this doctrine to be scriptural truth. This teaching is loosely based upon the doctrines of John Darby, well known to be the "father of dispensationalism." The teaching seems to have originated with a mystic named Jane Leade, who established a religious group that called themselves "The Philadelphia Society." Leade's teachings on the "dispensations of the ages" became more widely known through members of her following, and was ultimately spread by Cyrus Scofield and his Scofield study bible. Interestingly, Leade's prophesies were found among the possessions of Charles Price, a Los Angeles pastor whose church Branham frequented. Branham's timeline for the "church ages" seems to be identical to the drawings of Clarence Larkin in his work entitled Dispensational Truth. The same dates that Larkin used for his drawings are used in Branham's teaching, with the exception of the last age, which Branham pointed to himself. And while Larkin did not list messengers

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for each age, Branham chose messengers to align with these ages, picking one messenger that was not alive during his church age. Columba The most obvious error in this "revelation" is the examination of the supposed fourth age messenger . William Branham claimed that the Thyatirean Church Age lasted from A.D 606 to A.D. 1520, and that the messenger for the age was St. Columba. These dates align with those in Larkin's Dispensational Truth but with the addition of messengers to each age, Branham failed to examine the lifespans of the men he claimed to be the messengers. St. Columba (521-597) was not alive during any portion of his "Church Age". He was one of the so-called "Twelve Apostles of Ireland", taught under Finnian of Clonard, who is said to be one of the fathers of Irish monasticism. Columba became a monk, and was later ordained a priest. Tradition has it that around 560, Columba got in a harsh quarrel over a psalter (scroll of Psalms). Columba copied the psaltery, intending to keep the copy, and St. Finnian disputed his right to keep it. This eventually led to the Battle of Cul Dreimhne (561) during which many men lost their lives.

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Afterward Columba devoted his life to saving as many men as had lost their lives in that battle, and exiled himself from Ireland. The main source of information about Columba's life comes from his writings of the Vita Columbae, which are essentially three books: One of prophecies, one of miracles, and one of apparitions. Interestingly, these books are the first mention of the Loch Ness Monster. Some followers of Branham claim that messengers can live "outside" of Branham's (Larkin's) "ages," however this is in direct disagreement with William Branham: "Each age has had its message and messenger. God has seen to that. Every... Even in the church ages, we find out that each one had a messenger, and each one lived their age" 63-0116 - The Evening Messenger The Man From Windsor William Branham told many stories of the awesome power of God that offered him protection, and on the surface, it seems to be just that. God loves and cares for His own. But when you examine these tales in chronological order, details were added that seem to give the story a slight adjustment in purpose. Over time the stories changed from amazement in God's mighty power to

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amazement that any would question Branham's authority. The best example of this is the tale of the "Man from Windsor," who suffered several different tragedies for pretending to enter Branham's prayer line without actually having the diseases written on the back of his "prayer card." During the early stages of Branham's ministry, the Branham campaign would require patients to fill in "prayer cards," a small piece of paper that contained the person's name, address, affliction, and other information. These cards were handed in to the ushers, and given to Branham for "prayer." Then, during the course of the lengthy prayer lines, Branham would guess what each person wrote on the backs of the cards claiming that God had given him this revelation in a vision he called "discernment." To question this awesome power was forbidden. Followers of William Branham are trained to believe that questioning the "prophet" is to question the Holy Spirit, and by doing so they can mistakenly drive the Holy Spirit from their presence. But according to Branham, this man questioned. By heeding the instructions in the Bible to test the prophets, Branham claimed that God smote this man to the ground, paralyzed. But this was just one version of the story. In other telling the man suffered different consequences, fates that included death, running

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from the platform, a bedridden condition, pain, and suffering at the hand of Almighty God. Here is the list of fates that Branham claimed this man to have had: 1. He fell to the floor and began screaming (1950) 50-0110 MOSES_ HOUSTON.TX TUESDAY_ E-41 2. He received the diseases that were written on his prayer card and was still afflicted (1953). 53-0508 GOD.COMMISSIONING.MOSES_ JONESBORO.AR FRIDAY_ E-67 through E-69 3. He died from the diseases written on the card (1954). 54-0902 SOUTH.AFRICA.TESTIMONY_ NEW.YORK.NY THURSDAY_ E-12 through E-15 4. He was still bedfast "to this day" (1956). 56-0407 BLIND.BARTIMAEUS_ CHICAGO.IL SATURDAY_ E-66 5. He ran screaming from the platform (1956). 56-1209E JEHOVAH.JIREH_ BROOKLYN.NY SUNDAY_ E-88 through E-90 6. He died a year later (January 1957). 57-0127E BLIND.BARTIMAEUS_ LIMA.OH SUNDAY_ E-66 through E-67 7. He was still in "serious condition" (June 1957). 57-0630 THIRSTING.FOR.LIFE_ CHICAGO.IL SUNDAY_ E-4 through E-5

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8. He died 6 months later from cancer (1958). 58-0208 THE.QUEEN.OF.THE.SOUTH_ SOUTH.BEND.IN SATURDAY_ E-85 through E-86 9. He was carried from the platform paralyzed and was still paralyzed (1958). 58-0330E CHRIST.KNOCKING.AT.THE.DOOR_ MIDDLETOWN.OH SUNDAY_ E-61 10. He died six weeks later (1961). 61-0212M JEHOVAH.JIREH_ LONG.BEACH.CA SUNDAY_ E-24 through E-26 11. He died six weeks later (1962) 62-0124 HAVE.NOT.I.SENT.THEE_ PHOENIX.AZ WEDNESDAY_ E-142-143 12. He received the diseases that were written on his prayer card (1963). 63-1124E THREE.KINDS.OF.BELIEVERS_ JEFFERSONVILLE.IN V-3 N-6 SUNDAY_ 203-218 The Tragedy of Donnie Morton Reader's Digest printed the tragic story of a father's love for his child as he travelled to one of the Branham healing campaigns. In 1952, an article entitled "The Miracle of Donnie Morton" was published, detailing the account of Arthur Morton and his four-year-old son Donnie. Donnie Morton was dying of meningitis when he entered the prayer lines of the Branham camp. "Your son is suffering from a serious brain malady... But do

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not give up hope. With faith in God's power, and help from the medical world, your little son will live," Branham said. In a 1953 sermon, Branham claimed that he saw a vision of the child living through the disease. Though father was told that the boy would be healed, Reader's Digest describes how the boy breathed his last breath during complications from meningitis and pneumonia. He died of Meningitis Serosa Traumatica, the same disease that caused his father to seek out the faith healer. Though Branham announced the child would live, sadly, he never recovered. The publicity of Reader's Digest was more powerful than William Branham could overlook. The story of Donnie Morton would be retold over and over in Branham's ministry; however, the end result was often left out of the story. Driverless Eggcar In 1933, William Branham toured the World's Fair Century of Progress International Exposition in Chicago, Illinois. This fair provided visitors with a glimpse into the future, walking patrons through the latest technologies, prototypes, and future direction. One of the exhibits in this fair was the Lincoln Zephyr, which seems to be the foundation for a prophecy that Branham would claim years later. The Lincoln Zephyr, originally named "Briggs Dream Car," was a prototype that was made in honor of the biggest attraction in the 1933

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World's Fair: The Pioneer Zephyr. This train was the early model of what would become the California Zephyr, a train that would quickly transport passengers from Chicago to San Francisco. The aerodynamics of this train was state-of-the-art, its front end rounded and angled forward to allow airflow freely over or to the side of the engine. Lincoln took the same design with the cars front-end grille, but took aerodynamics to the next level with the rounded fenders, rounded top, and overall shape of an egg. For its time, this car was sci-fi fantasy, but not long after, it became reality. This aerodynamic strategy was employed in several prototypes by other manufacturers, including another egg-shaped vehicle on display in the 1933 World's Fair. The first prototype of the Dymaxion made test runs at the Fair, and was involved in an accident that killed the driver and seriously injured two passengers. The canvas top of the vehicle did not offer sufficient protection against impact, and the single rear wheel did not offer enough stability. After its accident, the investors abandoned the project. All manufacturers seemed to be competing to produce their idea of the future as described by Norman Bel Geddes, who was quickly becoming a recognized name in the automotive industry, as well as many other industries. These "egg car" schematics were already public knowledge prior to the World's Fair. In 1932, Norman Bel Geddes

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published a prophetic book of the advancements in science that were soon to become reality. In "Horizons," Bel Geddes describes the car of the future: "This form is approximately that of an egg, though the small end of the drop tapers more sharply to a conical point. In falling, the larger and blunt end of the drop is foremost. This is the shape that creates the least turbulence" Page 45, "Motor Cars and Buses" "It is my prediction that within the next two or three years some farseeing manufacturer will again turn his attention to making his machine go, that this time his design will be the result of what has been learned in this motorized-buggy era. This means that he will start afresh and that his objective will be the ultimate form of the future motorcar. This car will look very different from those you seen on the road to-day but not very different from Car Number 8 as illustrated here." Page 63, "Motor Cars and Buses" "Bel Geddes had glimpsed himself as a designer and planner on a grand scale. He adopted the stance of an adversary to the irrationalities and resulting inefficiencies and dangers of present conventions in highway building and as the champion of rational engineering and mistake-proof technologies. A system of 14-lane highways, on which drivers would respond to messages from radio control towers and find their way illuminated at night by an electric-eye

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controlled system of indirect lighting, would eliminate most of the accidents resulting from "human failure." The Designers go to the Fair, II: Norman Bel Geddes, The General Motors "Futurama" and the Visit to the Factory Transformed In 1956, Branham started claiming to have had a vision describing this shape of a car. Also, during sermons, Branham claimed that the shape had become common reminding listeners of how the early automobiles were designed. His original intent was to describe a prophecy that listeners would see as already fulfilled. Over time, this motive changed. As technology increased, and automobiles were no longer styled like the Zephyr, Branham added additional details to this prophecy. From rounded glass tops to self-guidance systems, this prophecy of a car shaped like an egg began to take other forms pointing to future innovation. When the Central Power and Light Company ran an article entitled "Power Companies Build For Your New Electric Living, Branham's telling of this vision now included details of the people sitting inside of the car. His description closely matched the scene from the article, from the rounded glass dome of the vehicle to the family playing a board game in the cab while leaving the steering wheel unattended. Again, Branham claimed that his vision had been fulfilled. This time, however, it was fulfilled by

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the driverless car. That same car was on exhibit in the 1962 World's Fair Century 21 Exposition, in Seattle, Washington. Branham toured the exhibits, and described the car as fulfillment of prophecy. But like the egg-shaped Zephyr, this technology has not become mainstream. Followers of William Branham gather great excitement when they read of any advancement in the automotive industry, hoping that these vehicles will someday become common. Printed in newspapers, it was already common discussion by an excited nation. "Republished in magazines and newspapers, these designs of Bel Geddes's "prophetic imagination," one historian noted, "struck a responsive chord in a public anxiously looking toward the better environment that was promised by an enlightened technology" Page 158, Stage Designers in Early Twentieth-Century America With the progression of science, one can raise many questions surrounding this prophecy describing an egg-shaped car. Why are cars no longer in the shape of the Lincoln Zephyr? Why would God show a vision of a family playing a board game, when modern families are more likely to be entertained by a DVD, Blu-Ray, Xbox 360 or PlayStation? Why did Branham claim prophetic insight regarding something that he

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saw at a World's Fair and in a magazine, as well as newspaper ads? California: Still Standing The last year of his ministry, William Branham condemned Los Angeles for rejecting his ministry, and pronounced judgment against the city with a punishment of destruction. Branham claimed to have been given a vision by God in which the God compared Los Angeles to Capernaum. In this vision, Branham claimed that God destroyed Capernaum by pushing it beneath the sea for rejecting Christianity. Capernaum Capernaum was a fishing village at the time of the Hasmoneans (140-116 BC). It is still located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee to this day. Archaeological excavations have revealed two ancient synagogues built one on top of the other. Capernaum was spared by the Romans during the Jewish Revolt (AD 66-70), and was referred to as a fertile spring in the writings of Josephus. Many homes were built in the 4th century, and one of the homes was greatly transformed in the 5th century. Evidence shows a constant transforming city since before the days of Christ until about the 5th Century. It has never been under the sea. It is common knowledge that California sits on a fault line that produces major earthquakes, and

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it was common knowledge long before Branham made the prediction. Los Angeles is particularly brittle under its foundation, which is a science William Branham discussed in his sermonsalso before the prophecy was given. Others have recorded predictions that an earthquake would sink Los Angeles, dating back to at least 1937. While in a hospital, a 17-year-old Joe Brandt had an out-of-body experience that was so clear to him that it was written down and formed into a book in 1965. I've been thinking about it all morning. I'm going home tomorrow. It was just a dream. It was nothing more. Nobody in the future on Hollywood Boulevard is going to be wearing earrings and those beards. Nothing like that is ever going to happen. That girl was so real to me that girl with those kids. It won't ever happen but if it did, how could I tell her (maybe she isn't even born yet) to move away from California when she has her twins and she can't be on the Boulevard that day. She was so gosh-darned real. The other thing those ham operators hanging on like that over and over saying the same thing: "This is California. We are going into the sea. This is California. We are going into the sea. Get to the mountains. Get to the hilltops. California, Nevada, Colorado, Arizona, Utah. This is California. We are going into the sea." The Coming Earthquake - Joe Brandt

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May's Department Store Branham claimed that he could see nothing past 1977 except devastation, and made that very clear throughout his ministry. According to a book by Pearry Green, Branham said he saw that Los Angeles would be under the ocean before his son Billy Paul grew to be an old man. He claimed that he saw sharks swimming in the streets where they were standing, in front of May's Department Store. One would conclude by combination of multiple prophecies that Branham believed this event would happen before 1977. "Billy, I may not be here but you won't be an old man until sharks will swim right where we are standing" The Acts of the Prophet, Pearry Green, page 119 Billy Paul Branham was born on September 13, 1935, meaning he is at a ripe old age of 78 in 2013. Yet William Branham himself claimed to be an "old man" at age 56. One would also conclude that Branham's description of the vision would picture a man much younger than his own age. Regardless, Billy Paul Branham outlived the life expectancy for men at the time William Branham made the claim to this prophecy.

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Twisted Scripture Some might argue that regardless of his failed prophecy and fictional life stories, William Branham's objective was to bring the hearts and minds of the people back to the original faith of the fathers. He would often make statements describing "No creed but Christ; no law but love; no Book but the Bible," however when you examine his teaching of scripture we find subtle differences in context. Rather than examining the entire chapter or book to read the scripture in context, Branham would often read one or two verses and claim to "build his context" upon those few words. Often, when you examine the subject matter of the sermon as compared to the subject matter in the chapter, the two seem to be in direct conflict. This can especially be found in the final sermons of his ministry, in sermons that seem to be promoting himself as our new "high priest." Branham would often describe the punishment by God for adding to or taking away from scripture. The end of Revelation 22 is quoted often in the following of William Branham, describing ministers who twist the scriptures to fit their own agendas: For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words

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of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. Revelation 22:18-19 But when we examine scriptures that are most often quoted by William Branham, we find words added or removed. Entire verses are combined with scriptures from other books in the Bible to invent new bible verses that are repeated and memorized in the following of William Branham. The three most obvious: I will be with you even in you until the end of the world. As it was in the days of Noah wherein eight souls were saved, so shall it be at the coming of the son of man This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased to dwell in. These three scriptures were the foundation for three fundamental teachings of William Branham, and while only a few words were added, removed, or changed, the entire meaning of scripture was changed by only minor alteration.

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I will be with you even in you William Branham promoted the Jehovah's Witness version of Jesus Christ, claiming that Jesus was just a man until his baptism. At baptism, Branham claimed that God poured Himself fully into Jesus to produce the "god-man," and that Jesus of the New Testament was Jehovah of the Old Testament. This teaching is modalism, which denies the triune nature of God, and was condemned as heresy by the early church. Branham claimed that the original translation included three additional words: "even in you." These words, though not found in the King James Version that followers study, are still believed to be included in the original scrolls by most of the followers of William Branham. Many are shocked to find that there are no additional words in the original translation, and that this interpretation of scripture does not match the Word of God. Only Eight Souls William Branham planted the idea that he was sent to prepare a "little bride" for the return of Jesus Christ. According to Branham, all other Christians outside of his own following were the fulfillment of the "foolish virgins" in the parable given by Christ in Matthew 25. Branham's vision of the future included a world condemned for failure to listen to his ministry, and as "the final messenger," God would close the door to the Branham's ark.

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To promote this idea of "eight souls," William Branham combined two scriptures, from two books, with two different contextual meanings. The first, Matthew 24, is describing the sudden coming of Christ that will catch many unaware. Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. The second comes from 1 Peter chapter 3. In this passage, Peter is describing God's patience and faithfulness. The entire world can be passing away, but if you are sheltered in the arms of God, you are under His protection. He will never leave you, never forsake you, and even if you are the last eight souls on the face of the planet, God is still faithful.

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For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him. "But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." was combined with "wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water" to create the new bible verse William Branham promoted: "As it was in the days of Noah wherein eight souls were saved, so also shall the coming of the Son of Man be." Born Liars Taking two scriptures from Psalms, William Branham blended them together to teach the idea that we were all born liars. Branham would often describe our "earthly tabernacles" as being "born in sin shaped, in iniquity, come to the world speaking LIES" While both portions of the combined scripture do come from verses in the

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Bible, these two scriptures are referring to two groups of people: The good and the evil. Psalm 51:5 describes the fallen state of mankind, how we are born into a sinful state that requires the blood of a lamb for our forgiveness. It continues in the next verse describing God's faithfulness even in our fallen condition, and how we are to seek truth: Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Psalm 51:5-6 But according to scripture, it is not the righteous that are born liars. While the righteous seek truth, the evil speak lies: The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies. Psalm 58:3

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Dig A Little Deeper

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Once you come to realization that more than one of Branham's prophecies have been proven false, more than one of his life stories have been proven fiction, and more than one of the spiritual events he described were nothing more than a campfire story, it's time to buckle down and examine the motives behind the deception. At this point, having been programmed to believe that this man from Jeffersonville, Indiana was a humble man who wanted nothing more than a simple life, most people ask the question, "Why would our precious brother Branham purposefully try to deceive?" This is not a question easily answered without all of the background information to the conclusion. On the surface, William Branham seemed a genuine, humble man from a poor family and an upbringing that sounds more like a Mark Twain story than reality. That reality is the part in question. Birth Starting in 1952, William Branham told a story about a mystic woman, a fortune-teller, who told him that his birthdate was significant in the world of astrology. According to Branham, the woman quickly recognized his "spirit," and asked him, "Sir, did you know that you were born under a sign?" Using this theme, Branham started promoting the idea that "before God does anything on earth,

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He declares it in the heavens," using the star that the Magi followed as his example. He then claimed that the same star that led the Magi to Christ is that which announced the arrival of William Branham to this earth. This story was tied to the birthdate that he started using in August of 1950. According to Branham, April 6, 1909 was his birthdate, and a supernatural being visited him as he entered into this world. He claimed that the "being returned to tell him that he was chosen to spread the "message of Divine healing to the peoples of the world." There is just one problem: this was one of three different birthdates he gave, all having different years, and two of which were tied to spiritual events. Only one birthdate can be correct, which would indicate that one of the spiritual events could not be accurate. In a 1949 sermon given to followers of false prophet John Alexander Dowie, Branham reminded the congregation of Dowie's prophecy regarding the coming revival. In this sermon, entitled "I Was Not Disobedient To The Heavenly Vision," Branham promoted the idea that he was to bring the revival that Dowie promised would come. Two years later, addressing Raymond T. Richey, Branham reminds Richey of Dowie's prophecy. In this sermon, Branham makes the claim that Dowie "died on one day, and I [William Branham] was borned on the next." Both Richey and F. F. Bosworth were taught

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under the ministry of Dowie, though Bosworth had co-founded the Assemblies of God under which Richey was ordained as a minister. To these men trained under Dowie, Branham's claim to be born the day after Dowie died would have been very appealing. Dowie died on March 9, 1907, placing Branham's claim of birth to be March 10, 1907. But this was not the second date Branham gives for his birthday though it was the second claim to a supernatural event. On his marriage certificate, William Branham claimed to have been born April 8, 1908. Thus, we have three different years, three different days, and two different months for Branham's birthdate all given by William Branham himself: March 10, 1907 April 8, 1908 April 6, 1909

Childhood Many in the following of William Branham are familiar with his captivating stories of his childhood days, roaming the hills of Kentucky as he supported his poor mother and siblings by hunting, trapping, selling the skins, and eating the meat. Most of Branham's claims to spiritual events involve the wilderness, and in his descriptions of the great men of the Bible, Branham was quick to point out their "love" for nature.

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Believers dedicate songs to the memory of the "Cabin's Location," a small one-bedroom log cabin where his mother poured coon grease in the matted eyes of the eight other children packed into the structure. Interestingly, the Branham family moved to Indiana before William was age three, and it is very unlikely that he would have retained any memories of the place. But the reality is that only two siblings occupied this cabin during the time William lived in it. The 1930 Census gives the birthplace for both of the parents, and each of the siblings. At the time of this census, Melvin was 18 years old, while William was 21. The record also shows that William was born in Kentucky, and that Melvin was born in Indiana. According to this census report, William Branham would have been three years old when Melvin was born in Indiana. The records for the rest of the siblings also show Indiana as the state of birth. Ultimately, census records place all of Branham's childhood stories in the category of fiction. The hunting, trapping, selling skins, and other activities of a young adult would be impossible when you consider the fact that William Branham would have been under age three.

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Fatherless Combined with Branham's childhood stories was a claim that his father died at a very early age. According to Branham, after the death of his father, he was not able to finish grade school. Everything from his poor grammar to his childhood poverty was blamed upon the death of his father, forcing a young Branham to enter the wilderness to provide for his siblings. It was this death and these wilderness experiences that enabled the supernatural. According to Branham, he met God in burning bushes, whirlwinds in trees, and more. In most accounts, Branham describes God telling him "not to drink, smoke, or defile your body in any way, because there would be a work for you to do later." But when you consider the fact that Branham's father, Charles, did not die until after William was a Pentecostal minister, these supernatural experiences are placed into question. Because William Branham was also untruthful about his own birthdate, we cannot have an exact age for "young William" who "supported his widowed mother and siblings" - but the date of his father's death places his age at between 27 and 29 years old. Branham was married to Hope at the time, and had two children. They were living in Jeffersonville, and he was working one of three jobs depending upon which life story Branham told. To say that his grammar skills were the fault of his drinking father is nothing less than a slap to his father's face. If he did not

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receive an education as a man who is almost thirty, it is no fault but his own. Both the newspaper and the death certificate clearly state that Branham's father died as the result of a ten-month illness. His father did not "drink himself to death" according to Dr. Sam Adair, one of Branham's closest friends. Charles died of rheumatic heart disease that progressively worsened until the last ten months of his life. The Commissions William Branham claimed to have been given several commissions throughout his life. Many times Branham describes an angel, or a "being," present during these events, though not all of them include descriptions of a supernatural presence involved. Some of these commissions are strikingly similar to stories found in the Bible, though in some cases the scriptural versions were focused upon Jesus Christ rather than mortal men. According to Branham, these angelic visitations or commissions happened:

Before his birth During his birth 1915 (at seven years of age) 1920 (at 12 years of age) 1923 (at 14 or 15 years of age) 1930

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1931 1932 1933 1936 19