William Branham was a prophet who was born in 1909 and died in 1965. He was given a tremendous anointing to minister prophetically and in healing. He died tragically in a car wreck on Christmas Eve 1965. The late Kenneth E. Hagin was given a word of wisdom that he shared with Gordon Lindsay, founder of CFNI in Dallas/Forth Worth, TX.
The prophecy foretold of Branham’s death before 1966 and the reason for it — he had gone the way of Dowie, who thought he was Elijah.
There is often a spiritual cause for death, or any curse that is allowed to come.
“Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, So a curse without cause shall not alight.” (Proverbs 26:2)
William Branham was mightily used by God, but he started teaching when his primary call was to minister as a prophet. His teachings brought much harm to the body of Christ, so the Lord allowed his life to be cut short. Gordon Lindsay tried to convince him not to teach but to stay in his main function as a prophet, but he wouldn’t do it.
THE TRAGIC EXAMPLE OF UZZAH
It is dangerous to intrude into a ministry office or function God has not called you to. Uzzah was a Levite and not a priest. Only priests were ordained to touch the ark. Notice what happened:
“And when they came to Nachon’s threshing floor, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. Then the anger of the Lord was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error; and he died there by the ark of God.” (2 Samuel 6:6-7)
Notice the law of the priesthood:
“…but they shall not touch any holy thing LEST THEY DIE.” (Numbers 4:15)
Dad Hagin nearly died himself because he placed his teaching ministry above that of the prophet.
These things are holy, friends. No one can place himself into an office or a ministry of this magnitude. I know of a man who was a mighty revivalist and evangelist, but he started a church and began to pastor, and his life was never the same. He became sick and died prematurely before his time. I actually know several ministers who mis stepped like that. Others became money-minded and lost the anointing. Yet others succumbed to pride.
It seems unfair and mean for the Lord to deal with men this way, but once again, it’s actually his mercy. God allows these ministers to come home early so their reward can be saved.
THERE IS A CAUSE
As I’ve noted in the previous two posts on death, there is a cause for premature death and sickness and disease. God is not unjust. Often believers give the enemy access into their lives through heart issues, especially bitterness, offenses, and unforgiveness. I just won’t go there in my life. I guard my heart diligently and will not let the sun set before I make things right. I encourage you to do the same.
And please don’t blame God. He is working for you and not against you. There are many things he does for us that we cannot see. There are many ways he tries to bring us into the blessing that we are often unaware of. He give us many opportunities to make things right, but we are often dull, stubborn, and desensitized to his dealings with us.
May you always be tender-hearted.
“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)
I believe there is a Part 4 in my spirit concerning this topic. Look for it soon. All these will be placed on the blog page of our website (Holy Fire Ministries). Consider following and subscribing so you can receive these via email and file them away for yourself. Soon they will not be posted here on FB.
May we all do our due diligence to fulfill God’s plan and purpose for our lives and ministries, and run long, and finish strong.
Much love to everyone.
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