I should make it plain that the horse trailer experience was ONE family's way of dealing with a prodigal. I had never even heard of that until the past week (when Seek had a lunch with an interested/concerned friend who related the experience). It's not an approach recommended for general practice so far as I know. It is also a small percentage of people who pray at WMB's grave and many of those are praying for his return and presumably the 30-days resurrection of the "Bride down through the ages" prior to the catching away/Rapture. It is however common knowledge that there are a large number of "Deity" and "Joseph is My Prophet" believers (according to Berean Believer's scale) in Jeffersonville.

Many of us that have been around the larger churches have known about some of these things for years. ...it's funny when you think about it, because those that are the problem think they are hiding it from the rest of us -- and everybody knows.

That is not the reason I left, though. When most of the prophesies have been proven wrong, most of the "glimpses of his life" he gave conflicted with each other, all of the "revelations" came from copying dead sea scrolls and gnostic texts, and the major points in the Bible do not line up with the scriptures, I had to ask myself: what is left?

...all I ended up with were hunting stories that can't be proven either way -- and really didn't help me to spiritually grow.

John,

Since you were near the "hub" of the message, do you have first hand contact with those who were in the meetings? I am curious in testimonies of the healings, and reading the hearts and mind of people. When you hear the tapes, the reactions from people seem very authentic. However I understand it is an audio tape that has limitations. I just can't get past the hours and hours of healing lines and "I see you are here for your sister... she has cancer..." I understand the concept of lying signs and wonders... but personally tread "VERY" lightly here and hope all people do when addressing this subject. Because if the Holy Spirit was at work here, I would not want anyone to say the wrong thing.

Just curious overall of your first hand experience with eye witnesses.

Thanks

Thanks Life for clarifying the experiences. I think idolitry was starting to set in even before he left the scene. So it is not surprising that it is going on today as well... This is of course the most concerning thing in the message for me.

We are to pattern our life after Christ. Not to say we don't watch and model after elders in the church as Paul directed.

1 Corinthians 11:1
Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

But obviously this gets tricky when someone starts to only see and act like "Paul" and everything "Paul" did. And soon "Paul" becomes the center focus. I don't think that is the meaning that Paul intended.

@Freed,

I have been in contact with first and second-hand witnesses, and those who are working with me have also spoken to many.

Because "where two or three are gathered in my name", I truly believe that God was in those meetings. I truly believe there were vindicated healings, and some of the first-hand witnesses can confirm that with solid evidence. I myself would not be here today if my father hand not been healed in one of the meetings -- he was suffering rheumatic fever, and had only one week to live.

I have also heard some of the other accounts. It bothers me.

This is one subject that I will be very extremely reserved in what I respond, because to speak against the power of God would be to blaspheme the Holy Ghost. I will confirm that I do not believe brother Branham had anything to do with it. It was a personal experience between the sick and afflicted and God Himself.

What I would recommend is that you do some quick internet researches on the results of his "magnificent campaigns" in Canada. Take the eyewitness accounts of those who returned a month later, and what they found about those "healings". You'll find them posted in various forums.

Also, do some research on the man in Tucson that brother Branham "prophesied" would get out of his wheelchair and walk again. This poor fellow's story will truly bring tears to your eyes.

As I said, it bothers me. Badly. When you see someone who lives their entire life on this hope that never comes, what kind of message does it send to all who knew them? How many of those people will turn from Christianity altogether? How many will not only leave the Message, but will leave behind everything and turn from God?

God is a God of mercy, but he is also a God of justice. I can't judge those that deceive, but I fear there is a valid reason they are taken off the scene.

John,

I 100% agree with your reserve on responding. I completely understand your reasoning.

I have hesitated even asking this question in other forums as I don't want to provoke someone to say something they shouldn't.

Thank you for your input above.

While driving to the store today, I saw some Jehovah's witnesses going door to door.

This got me thinking about this post and subject matter: Preaching "fear". Living in "fear". Moved by "fear".

I thought to myself "I wonder if they are going door to door...

1) out of fear that if they don't they will be cast out or not make it to heaven
or
2) out of love for the savior, Jesus Christ, and a pure desire to spread the Gospel of hope and salvation found in Him.

This highlighted for me the walk of a Christian. Out of love or fear.

Even fear has (2) ways it plays out...

Fear of condemnation of God. = not "good" fear
Fear or reverence for the Living God. = "good" fear. (the book of Acts is full of references to this)

So ultimately the goal, in my eyes, is to be lead by love with a very healthy respect for God and His complete dominion over man.

Sadly I think many Jehovah's witnesses go door to door because they are fearful if they don't they won't make it to heaven.
Sadly I think many believers live in "fear" because of a lop sided idea of law and grace.
Sadly I think many "believers" warm a pew on Sunday because of a lopsided view of law and grace.

Somewhere there is a balance to fulfill the following...

John 14:15
“If you love Me, keep My commandments."
~Jesus Christ
The Son of God

John 15:10
If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

Fear of consequences is a natural teaching andlearning mechanism. When
A baby heads for The stairs, we yell, make bad faces, maybe swat that little diaper. this is natural and beneficial.
If that daughter wants to wear gym clothes at school or sneaks into jeans and you tell her she'll be left behind in the rapture and go into the tribulation, that is using fear tactics to get your way. Using religion as a club.