The Gospel and the Message: What's the Connection?
The followers of the ministry of William Branham are more popularly known as “Message believers.” They believe that God gave His servant a message that must be preached to and heared by everyone who waits for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. But how is the Message related to the Gospel?
It was Brother Branham who used the term ‘message’ to mean not only his particular sermon but the content and purpose of his preaching. But this was not even his own idea. The term actually from the supernatural visitation which took place during his earliest baptismal service in the bank of the Ohio River.
Records and testimonies confirm on that fateful day of June 11th 1933, while brother Branham was baptizing the 17th person on the Ohio River, a light shone above him and a voice spoke to him declaring: “As John the baptist was sent to forerun the first coming of Christ, you are sent with a Message that will forerun His second coming.” The event was not only seen by hudreds of witnesses, it was also captured and reported by local newspapers.
Supernatural signs and events have followed all the days of the life of brother branham from birth up to his last days on earth. His life was arguably prepared for a unique purpose in God’s plan of salvation. His ministry was not only to preach the Gospel of salvation and deliverance. His was to prepare God’s people for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Gospel is a Message from God
The Gospel was first used by the angel of the Lord who announced the birth of the Son of God to the shepherds who were watching over their flocks at night. Since then the term has been used to refer to the life, death and resurrection of the Lord and the message that it declares to the world: that God has sent His Son to die for the sins of men and that forgiveness, salvation and blessings and are available and given to those who will believe. The Gospel is clearly, and quite simply, a message from God.
But while there is only one Gospel (although others try to preach another gospel), God has at various times and means, sent his servants, both divine and human, to deliver His message to his recipients. Israel has received numerous words of warning and exhortations from God through the mouth of His holy prophets.
The End Time Message
The message that we proclaim today is also appropriately called “end time message” because we believe, as many other churches do, that we are now in the end time according to the Bible prophecies. But the message is not a mere declaration that we are now in the end time. The Message declares most importantly the time and season of the coming of the Lord has arrived. The parable of the ten virgins is a beautiful picture of the brother Branham’s ministry. (See Matthew 25.1-13)
This Message is also a word of restoration of all things that concern the people of God as well as His Word. The apostle Peter prophesied in Acts 3.19-21: “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.” (NIV) Jesus also declared that Elijah will come first and restore all things. (Matthew 17.11)
It is interesting to note that the Message and the Gospel share things in common: (1) both were announced by the angel of the Lord; (2) both announced the presence of Christ; and (3) both were proclaimed in the evening time.
The Message, therefore, is not another gospel, as some might doubtfully think. The Message in fact calls us back to the true and apostolic faith as revealed in the Scriptures. Also, It is not a replacement of the Gospel. On the other hand, it vindicates the Gospel of the Lord Jesus when it declares the Lord’s return is very close t our time.
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