The Occult Allure Of False Prophet William M. Branham

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WILLIAM M. BRANHAM, A FALSE PROPHET WITH A NEW WORLD ORDER PLAN    

By Synthia Esther

Original Article was first written in Feb. 2010. The New,  Expanded and Completed Article on Feb. 1, 2016.  A new addition of a  book review of "God's General's" by Robert Lairdon, was written and  added on July 4, 2016.

SYNTHIA ESTHER'S INTRODUCTORY NOTE:  

William M. Branham and his ministry "Message", has  common links with the 11:11 New Age - New World Order, 1,111 Midwayer  Angels and Oneness, Gaia Deception Message... (For additional educational insight into the New Age "Oneness" unity  message please visit the www sacredpursuit.org website page : "Oneness -  Gaia - New Age Theory")   "This article contains conclusive evidence that proves William M.  Branham's "Message" comes from the same demonic, fallen angel source as  the New Age - New World Order, 11:11 Signs and Wonders deception  movement!  William M. Branham confirmed his angel spirit guide, was  Michael the Christ.  This is also the same message promoted by 11:11  followers of the Anti-Christ  Bible, Urantia, who also worship Michael, as Christ.  It is also the same angel Michael, who is claimed to be the Lord -  Jesus Christ, by Charles Taze Russell, and The Watchtower, Jehovah  Witnesses.

"The books of Daniel and Jude (Jude 1:9) clearly show  Michael (which many faiths call Saint Michael - the archangel), was a  mighty angel used in service by God, however, he was not, and is not  God.   To worship Michael as God, is clearly angel worship.  Such was  Satan, the fallen angel's plan from the beginning!  Only through our  confession of Jesus Christ as Lord can we be saved (Phil. 2:11; Romans  10:10).  Additionally, Branham preached a universal, ecumenical oneness  message he believed would be brought about by and through the signs and  wonders movement.  The 'oneness' movement is also one of the core  messages of New Age 11:11 faith promoters, and the New World Order  promise of the Anti-Christ as foretold in the book of Revelation.'"  -   Synthia Esther, January 29, 2016.

FOLLOWING QUOTES ARE CITED FROM THE  BOOK, "WILLIAM BRANHAM - A MAN SENT FROM GOD"  BY GORDON LINDSAY, IN  COLLABORATION WITH WILLIAM BRANHAM, PUBLISHED BY WILLIAM BRANHAM,  JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA, PAGE CITATIONS PROVIDED.  

Channeling, Seer,  William Branham, is helpless without the help and presence of his  guiding Angel:  "...Brother Branham is a channel for more than the mere gift of healing;  he is also a Seer as were the Old Testament Prophets" (page 172).   

"He  does not begin to pray for the healing of the afflicted in body in the  healing line each night, until God anoints him for the operation of the  gift, and until he is conscious of the presence of the Angel with him on  the platform.  Without this consciousness, he seems to be perfectly  helpless" (page 169).   

William M. Branham  Sought to Unite  the World for the Kingdom of God Through and by Supernatural Signs and  Wonders, which was goal of the angel "Michael the Christ", who directed  him.  The following are a few of William Branham's Ecumenical Oneness -  New World Unity (by way of supernatural signs and wonders) quotes:

"The angel further told him that this was the Spirit  of Christ working through him, that he had been called from birth for  this purpose, and that the last days were here, and that this was the  sign of the last days, and by this gift God was calling all His people  together into unity of the Spirit" (page 83).   

"Also they were given for the purpose of bringing together  all the church that people should no longer be separated by creeds and  denominations.  Certainly Brother Branham's heart goes out to all his  brethern who have separated themselves one from another.  He believes  that God will bring together all those of His church into the unity of  Spirit and then Jesus shall come for His church." - (Page 83).

"Up  till this time, few union Full Gospel campaigns had been undertaken.   Doctrinal differences and other reasons had caused one group to be  suspicious of the other.  If all were to get the benefit of these  services, we saw it would be necessary for the campaigns to be organized  on the inter-envangelical  basis, where all concerned would agree not  to precipitate debate on controversial subjects, but would join together  in a united effort to bring this message of deliverance to all the  people.  Could this be effected?  We thought it could.  Brother Branham  was enthusiastic about the idea, for indeed the uniting of believers had  been the burden of his heart from the time that the angel had visited  him." - (page 118).   

"His message was not to bring something new to the Church  which would involve the creation of a new organization. ....rather it  was that the people of God who had separated themselves one from the  other, would now recognize the fact that they were of one body and  become united in spirit..."  "He sought not only the healing of the  physical bodies of believers, but also the healing of the Mystical Body  of Christ - which is His Church" (page 15).     

New Age - Occult Reincarnation:

The  demonic angel -  "Michael the Christ", sent to William Branham,  confirmed he would have the supernatural power and ability to discern "past lives"  of those who came to him, as part of his gift:  Memorial Sunday night, 1946, William Branham told of the meeting with  the angel who told him the Gift of Healing was to take to the peoples of  the world, that many thousands would believe, by means of supernatural  power.   "And that he would be able to discern the thoughts of the  people's hearts and tell them of their past lives, and that many would misunderstand him". - (page 82).    

William  M. Branham "Michael is Christ" quotes as retrieved 1/29/2016, from tape  record documentations which were, and are at the time of this writing  posted on several internet William Branham websites:   

Beginning and Ending of the Gentile Dispensation,  Jefferson, In. - Sunday - 55- 0109E, "And at that time Michael shall  stand, the great prince.'  Michael was Christ of course,  who fought the angelic world in Heaven with the devil.  Satan and  Michael fought together, or fought against each other, rather.   And  now.. 'And at that time.'  He said, 'as many was found written in the  book was delivered, and those who had done righteous...'.  Watch at  this.'"  

Christ is The Mystery of God Revealed, Jefferson, In. - V-3  N-7  Sunday, 63 - 0728, " ...the first thing that Lucifer had done to  separate the fellowship of God and man, he wanted to build him a united  kingdom. a greater splendor and seemingly cultured, a greater kingdom  than Michael, Christ had."    

William M. Branham, New Age, Gaia - Earth, Pantheism comparisons -  Speaking of the sin of the world, Branham concludes:

"The  thing is polluted, and the world, the nature ... God have mercy!  The  whole world in its birth pains.  The world is trying; she's travailing.   Isaiah said, What's the matter?  She's trying to bring a new world for  the Millennium where all the sin is purged out, trying to birth a new  world for a new people that won't sin and pollute her.  That's right.   She's in travail." - ("The Revelation of the Seven Seals", spoken word  publications, Tucson, Arizona, published December, 1967, page 439).

"William M. Branham brought forth, preached, taught, new,  mystical, extra biblical, channeled, signs and wonders revelations that  are contrary to the word of God.  We are told not to despise prophecies  but to test everything in accordance with God's word (1 Thessalonians  5:20-23).  William Branham's 'message', fails the test set forth by God.   Blessed are they who hear the word of God, and keep it! (Luke 11:28).   Trust God's word, not mans." - Synthia Esther, 2/1/2016

THE  LATE DAVID WILKERSON WARNED OF STRANGE SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATIONS  ENTERING INTO THE CHURCH...SUCH IS NOT OF GOD, HE STATES, AND WEEPS IN  SORROW (AS VIEWED ON A YOUTUBE VIDEO RETRIEVED JAN. 29, 2016):

Within  this documentary video, I viewed Peter Wagner, who is head of the New  Apostolic Reformation (NAR) movement, and clearly lacking spiritual  discernment, as he is pronouncing blessings over false prophet, Todd  Bently (former, Landland, Florida revival preacher, who was caught  having an affair with a staff worker, left his wife and married his  lover).  Also viewed, is a demonic manifestation of charismatic mania,   taking over Stacey Campbell's body, as she loses complete control,  shaking her head in convulsive movements.  Much the same can be seen in  Hindu possessed followers who willingly provide their body to the snake  "kundalini" spirit.   "

New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) -   Charismatic Mania,  I define as inscrutable 'witchcraft', in that it  has an over powering, demonic spiritual take over effect of a persons  body, soul, and spirit." - Synthia Esther

"William Marrion  Branham was a false prophet with pagan, and occult leanings.  He desired  to unite the world for Christ through false signs and wonders.   Unfortunately, his god was the angel Michael, and his hyped up visions,  dreams, and folklore, lead many people far astray from God and His word.   All of which was Satan's plan." -  Synthia Esther.

"He  (William Branham), does not begin to pray for  the healing of the afflicted in body in the healing line each night,  until God anoints him for the operation of the gift, and until he is  conscious of the presence of the Angel with him on the platform.   Without this consciousness, he seems to be perfectly helpless," (page  169, book referenced, William Branham - A Man Sent By God).     

Please Note:

The reader may find the nature of my documentation of  source redundant within this article of research.  By way of repetition,  I hope to note facts by quoting both source and links.  In order to  further emphasize the need for educated knowledge concerning "false  prophetic" New Age - Metaphysical seer ministries, outreaches (both  secular and Christian alike), and the lack of Biblical knowledge within  the minds of the people they often attract.  One must be leary of those  who post information and resource on the Internet, without documentation  of both evidence, fact, and source.

 I invite my readers to  check out my research sources, as well as any additional cited sources,  to learn for themselves the truth inherent within the words I write.      As is written, Hosea 4:6, "My people are destroyed for lack of  knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject  thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me; seeing thou hast forgotten the  law of thy God.  I will also forget their children."      

Strong verbiage?  Yes, it is.  Therefore, I urge you to  study God's word in order to learn of His will, and show thouself  approved.   For I truly believe Satan is literally planting leaders and  teachers among the Christian flock.  We are wise to remember God's words  in Matthew 7:15, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in  sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."   There are  many ministries and New Age outreaches appearing on the spiritual scene  within what many call "these last days," that have leaders and teachers  who practice both occult and psychic methods of magick, divination, and  seership.  Which is a practice God strictly forbids (Deut. 18).      

I pray those who read my free investigative, apologetic,  educational research resources will gain knowledge and insight, as their  spiritual eyes are opened to the wisdom, truth, and importance, of  adhering to God's word, in order to not be deceived.  Having been  forewarned by the power and providence of the Holy Spirit, in relation  to devious and deceptive means of manipulation by which these ministries  and prophetic voices derive.   I pray you pass your knowledge forward  in love, to those whom God sends within your circle of influence.      

God bless you,   

Synthia Esther        

Much  like Mormon Joseph Smith, William Marrion Branham, believed in self  promotion by way of other worldly messengers and methods.   He was a  humble country boy, who was raised in a suffering, troubled, poverty  stricken home.  Charles, William's father was gone a lot of the time, as  a logger and an * addicted alcoholic.  While Ella, his superstitious,  young, uneducated teen age mother (she was 15 when she gave birth to  William, who was her first born), was often left high and dry to care  for her son, whom she fondly called Billy.    When born, an open window allowed the sun light to creep in their tiny  wood cabin, which in part, rested on baby William's head.  Mother Ella,  related this common day experience as evidence of a "super natural"  event.  

"Peculiar Birth and Childhood", as it is referred to  in the book, "William Branham - A Man Sent From God," Chapter 2, page  28, by Gordan Lindsay, "in collaboration with William Branham".   One  reads, "As the neighbors gathered in to see the new born babe, there  seemed to be, as it is told, a strange feeling of awe in the room.  Who  can say that it was not the presence of the angel who under the  direction of God, has guided William Branham in the many events of his  life, and who later was to speak to him in person?"  More hyped up,  superstitious speculation, I term, "The Sunlight Hoax".    

THE SUNLIGHT HOAX

After  reading much about Ella, I conclude, "The Sunlight Hoax", was only the  beginning of projections placed on her first born male child, William,  who seemed to serve as a  replacement for her abusive, addicted, husband  Charles.  This is not an unusual family dynamic in homes plagued with  addiction problems, and an absent male role model.  William Branham's  mental constructs, as a child, were built upon such projections.  As an  adult William Branham (which from hereto forth I shall refer to as WB  when not quoting a direct source), went on to claim, angels as  messengers to the churches appearing to prophets throughout history in  order to issue and usher in prophetic revelations that would lead and  direct the church in accordance to God's hidden knowledge - which was  given to His chosen prophets.  And behold, he concludes, by way of inner  knowledge, that he is one of those special, God ordained prophets, with  his own God sent,  "personal angel spirit guide".    

*  If in doubt what an addict  can and does do to the heart, mind, and soul of close family members,  please consult my free addiction ministry-outreach website at:  www.synthiaesther.com .      

So it seems Ella's  spiritual longings and naive, uneducated Biblical insights served as a means of *psychosomatic  projections by which young WB was conditioned within his mind to both  confirm and believe.   His mother's self appointed,"golden child"  prophecies were made real to WB, being ongoing through out his lifetime.   Many of Ella's dreams and visions are documented on pages 205-206, of  the above mentioned book.  WB confirms (page 205), "I went home.  My  mother met me and remarked, 'Son I have had a dream about you.'  Once  before she had had a dream about me.  It was a few days after my  conversion, when she saw me standing on a white cloud preaching to all  the world (This has practically been fulfilled now.  I hope soon to be  able to tour the European countries as well as Africa and Australia.)"

* Psychosomatic  medicine is an interdisciplinary medical field studying the  relationships of social, psychological, and behavioral factors on bodily  processes and well-being in humans and animals.  The influence that the  mind has over physical processes including the manifestation of  physical disabilities that are based on intellectual infirmities, rather  than actual injuries or physical limitations, are manifest in phrases  such as the power of suggestion, the use of "positive thinking" and  concepts like "mind over matter,"  - Wikipedia.

Once again I quote from the book, "William Branham - A Man  Sent From God," by Gordan Lindsay, in collaboration with William  Branham, in which this angel is discussed in detail.  Chapter 20, Gifts  of Healing by Evangelist F.F.Bosworth,  page 169, "On May 7, 1946, an  angel who had spoken to Brother Branham in audible voice at intervals  from his childhood down to the present time, finally appeared to him  and, among other things, told him that Christ's Coming was near at hand,  and the Heavenly Messenger said: 'I AM SENT FROM THE PRESENCE OF  ALMIGHTY GOD TO TELL YOU...THAT GOD HAS SENT YOU TO TAKE A GIFT OF  HEALING TO THE PEOPLES OF THE WORLD.' (caps are inclusive, as written in  the book).  ...He (referring to WB), does not begin to pray for the  healing of the afflicted in body in the healing line each night, until  God anoints him for the operation of the gift, and until he is conscious  of the presence of the Angel with him on the platform.  Without this  consciousness, he seems to be perfectly helpless."      

According to WB, "he always had his angel around giving him  this transference of power".  Before WB claimed the power of deliverance  upon a young curly-headed girl, who was said to be skin and bones,  clawing at her face like an animal, screaming at the top of her voice.   WB prayed, then came into the home of the dying child (page 85) and  stated, "Your child shall live for God has sent his angel to me and told  me that your child shall live."    

God sent WB a healing angel?

No  place in the Bible is an angel needed for healing.  For the utterance  of the name of "Jesus" was and is given unto us "all" power and  authority (Acts 4:1-14. Psalm 103:3).  Exodus 15:26, "I am the God who  heals."  Praise God for His healing power.  However, it is a praise to  Satan when one confuses a false light for good, when it is indeed, very  dark (2 Corinthians 11:14).   Dependence upon angels to evoke the spiritual commission and power to  heal, is an activity that is contrary to the word of God, for it is God  who heals, not angels.  As such, this type of spirit is "Anti-Christ" in  nature.  Another important note, is the fact Satan can provide, through  his power, the "miracle of a false healing" (Revelation 13:13-14).    Satan, by God's allowed will only, for a time and season,  has all  manner of magick (which is how occultist spell "magic" when used in  casting, spells, rituals in order to produce desired results) and power  at his disposal (Exodus - Chapters 4 and 5).         

SEEKING ANGELS OR ANIMAL SPIRIT GUIDES  HAS BECOME A COMMON OCCURRENCE AMONG "MANY" METAPHYSICAL, NEW AGE -  THEOSOPHICAL, OCCULT  CONVERTS, AND  SO-CALLED CHRISTIAN MYSTIC  MINISTRIES (NEW APOSTOLIC REFORMATION MOVEMENT, BEING ONE SUCH EXAMPLE)     

WB was grossly deceived into believing and depending  on what God has created (in his case, the works and words spoken by a  demonic fallen angel), was equal to dependence upon God and His word.  This is an un-holy abomination and error.  We must yield and depend on  God's word, and the Holy Spirit alone, to lead, guide, and direct us, or  we too can be lead astray by our own great, deceptive, magick and folly  (John 17:17).  There are many new age, pagan, occult, religious and  spiritually seeking people, that search after supernatural signs and  wonders.  They call upon animal and angel spirit guides, make use of  physic birthing, hypnosis, past life regression,  occult -  magick  divination and rituals, astrology, numerology, tarot cards, palm  reading,  try to contact and talk to the dead, make use of brain wave  technology  (hemi-sync per one such example), induce astral travel and  out of body experiences.  Instead of walking by faith and not by sight,  trusting in God alone (2 Corinthians 5:7).

A prime example of this anti-christ false spirit entering  the church can be seen in the life of Todd Bently ("Fresh Fire  Ministries"),  and his demonic angelic spirit guide,"Emma," (also known  as Emma-O).  After preaching in a Lakeland, Florida revival, which much  like WB's ministry attracted millions, Bently was caught in an  adulterous affair.  Instead of repentance, he left his wife, Shonna, and  children and married his lover, Jessa.  

Shortly after his  "discovered and reported" fall from grace, Bently, sought and received  counsel from another false prophet, Rick Joyner, only to return shortly  thereafter to christian ministry promoted as recovered, and a new man.     Rick Joyner, is author of the occult - claimed christian "magick" book,  "The Finial Quest" (TFQ), with a hook and story line recounting an eagle  animal spirit guide, named "Wisdom".   Joyner penned TFQ after  receiving a vision from god (reference my book review of "The Final Quest",  on this website www.sacredpursuit.org).  My use of a small "g" in  spelling "god" being deliberate.  For when one has visions, dreams,  prophecies, words of knowledge, that do not line up with God's word,  they are not sent by God! (Isaiah 8:22-22).

NEW APOSTOLIC REFORMATION MOVEMENT, MASONIC, LINKS

 Rick  Joyner and Todd Bently both followed and noted Willaim Branham's  ministry as a forerunner of their own.  Joyner has given testimony that  he is a Malta knighted Templar, which is considered by some to be  Masonic Rosicrucian linked.  William Branham confirms he held services  for several days in a "Masonic Auditorium, in Elgin, Illinois".  After  these services held in the "Masonic Auditorium",  it is reported they  went south to minister, and state they were... "not aware that we would  see no more of our beloved evangelist for many months during which time  his life and valuable ministry would almost be snuffed out " (William  Branham - A Man Sent From God, by Gordon Lindsay, in collaboration with  William Branham, page 133).    

Additionally, "When William Branham was 14 years old, he was  shot in a hunting accident, and spent several months in the hospital.   His hospital bills were paid for by the Ku Klux Klan and the Masons ." -  (William Branham, November 10, 1963, in a sermon titled "Souls in  Prison", retrieved 1/29/2016,  from the website: en.believethesign.com).     

SATAN DESIRES WE TURN AWAY FROM GOD AND WORSHIP HIM (JOHN 8:44; 2 CORINTHIANS 11:3; EPHESIANS 6:12; ISAIAH 14:12-15)  

Much like William Branham, Todd Bently was told by  his demonic angel guide (named Emma), to get the people to believe in  Angels.  Why does Bentley, under the guise of asking God, “command, and  direct Angels” to appear?  Saturday, January 24, 2004, at Harvest Rock  Church in Pasadena, California, we learn of Bentley's intent through his  sermon, “God Desires Us To Experience The Reality of the Supernatural”,  in which he stated God told him the following discourse in angel  theology: “You have to get the people to believe in the Angels because they already believe in Jesus”. “...Todd, if you can get people to believe in the angel, I will bring miracles.”    “Now listen: It's not about believing in the angel in the same way we  believe in Jesus. We don't put our faith in angels – they are agents  through which Jesus works.  But often we won't be able to receive and  walk in what God is doing in His supernatural power until we hear  testimonies of powerful works that God is doing, and our belief in the  unseen realm begins to grow,” Bently stated.

Read Bently's words over a few times, and you will "get it".  The  method used by Bently is deceptive double talk.  And it is a method  used world wide by con artists and some preachers of ill repute.  Bently  says one thing while expressing another concept all together.  He mixes  God's truth with lies.  This is "psychological manipulation, plain and  simple!" Get the people to believe in angels because they already  believe in God...takes the mind away from belief and worship in God  alone, and into the realm of belief in, and the worship of angels.  If  we build up faith by believing in the power of angels our faith becomes  skewed, misplaced, resulting in idol worship, replacing and taking us  far away from the worship and adoration of God!     

REMEMBER ... SATAN  IS A CREATED ANGEL, WHO IS VERY DECEPTIVE (REVELATION 12:8-9).  HE  DESIRES US TO WORSHIP HIM, IN PLACE OF OUR HOLY FATHER, JESUS CHRIST!   (ISAIAH 14:12-15).  HE PLANTS HIS SPIRIT AND PEOPLE IN GOD'S CHURCH  (MATTHEW 13:38-39).

 It is another 'god' who does  such bidding, that seeks hearts and minds who will gladly follow down  the "magick" path of un-holy destruction (2 Corinthians 11:14). The  calling upon "Guardian Angel Guides, Nature Guides, Animal Guides  (promoted by many Native cultures), Higher Self Guides", is a prominent  practice and magick ritual among many New Age converts, and pagan and  occult practitioners.  For additional information on God's instruction  concerning such blasphemous actions please reference the  www.sacredpursuit.org website page: "Contacting Angels".

WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW WILLIAM BRANHAM MET HIS ANGEL SPIRIT GUIDE

 "William  Branham - A Man Sent From God," by Gordan Lindsay, in collaboration  with William Branham, chapter two, pages 30-31, reveals WB was about  seven years of age, having just entered school in a rural section a few  miles north of Jeffersonville, Indiana.   WB tells his story,"I had just  gotten home from school and the other boys were going out to a pond to  fish.  I was crying to go but dad said that I had to pack water.  I  stopped under the tree to rest when all of a sudden I heard a sound as  the wind blowing the leaves.  I knew that it wasn't blowing any other  place.  It seemed to be a very still afternoon.  I stepped back from the  tree and noticed that in a certain place about the size of a barrel,  the wind seemed to be blowing through the tree leaves.  Then there came a  voice saying: "Never drink, smoke, or defile your body in any way, for I  have a work for you to do when you get older."     

WB was frightened and ran home crying.  He states,   "Falling into the arms of my mother, who thought I had been bitten by a  snake.  I told her that I was just scared, so she put me to bed, and was  going to call a doctor, thinking I was suffering from nervous shock.  I  never did go by that tree any more.  I would detour down the other side  of the garden to avoid it.  I believe that the angel of God was in that  tree, and in later years I was to meet him face to face and talk with  him," (page 31).   WB recounts this same wind blowing of leaves sound  when he was offered a drink of whiskey by his dad and another man, and  put the bottle to his lips.      Then there was the time when he told his "youthful girl friend" he  didn't smoke.  Once again WB was arrested by the familiar wind-leaf  blowing sound.  He recalls (page 31), "There was always that peculiar  feeling, like someone standing near me, trying to say something to me,  and especially when I was alone."

NATURE  AND SPIRIT SEEMED TO BLEND AND PLAY A LARGE PART IN WILLIAM BRANHAM'S  VISIONS AND VOICES - AS HE THOUGHT GOD WAS IN A TREE     

Nature and the spiritual went hand in hand,  playing a large part in WB's visions and voices.  This seed was  implanted within his young impressionable mind, as he first equated "God  was in that tree"- (William Branham - A Man Sent By God, page 31).   Wind-leaf blowing, always having the "peculiar feeling" like an  invisible someone was standing near by, striving to get his attention  and speak to him, "especially when he was alone", reveals both a  credulous, and apprehensive mind set.  Unlike Moses and the God  ordained, burning bush biblical account, WB's many false prophecies  involve pagan nature themes, coupled with occult overtones, both of  which are not God inspired spiritual fruit!    

These facts cannot be denied nor ignored.  "Ye shall know  them by their fruits.  Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of  thistles?  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a  corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.  A good tree cannot bring forth  evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.  Evey  tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the  fire.  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them," (Mathew 7:16-20).     

ANTHROPOLOGY - THE STUDY OF WILLIAM BRANHAM'S LIFE, HIS  CULTURE AND UPBRINGING, HOLDS KEYS TO UNDERSTANDING HIS BEHAVIOR AND  MENTAL CONSTRUCTS:

WB is quoted as stating (page 182), "One night, not long after  my conversion, I returned from a place under an old oak tree, where  'before' I had engaged in secret prayers.  It was some time between one  and three A.M."  In researching WB, I found he related many dreams,  visions, stories, often documenting times, numbers, merging his thoughts  into a belief system of his own making.  His mind was consumed with  mysterious configurations of self deluded logic.  All of which reflects  his rural country roots, culture, and uneducated upbringing.  He often  quoted the bible mixed with an under girding of nature and folklore,  which offered up an obscure mixture of pagan - occult beliefs.     

Examination of WB's mental constructs offers additional insight, in the same way * anthropology study does.   Such background study offers keys to better  understanding both behavior and mental constructs as well as related  culture relevance.   To better understand WB and the purpose and scope  of his ministry, one must evaluate the details of his life, as well as  his coping skills, in answering why WB was the way he was.  Behind his  public persona, his writings and recorded words confirm he had a very  superstitious persona, much like his mother.  Such revelations being  pertinent in answering any questions in regard to his supernatural  revelations.

 * Anthropologists  study both people and culture, relating links to both, and more, in  examination of human nature.  Anthropology being defined as,  "the study  of humankind everywhere, throughout time, seeks to produce useful  generalizations about people and their behavior and to arrive at the  fullest possible understanding of human diversity" - William A.  Haviland, University of Vermont, "Anthropology", Eighth Edition,  Harcourt Brace College Publishers, 1997, page 5.  Haviland's book, also  provides a useful introduction, on page 2, citing:  "Anthropology is the most liberating of all the sciences.  Not only has  it exposed the fallacies of racial and cultural superiority, but also  its devotion to the study of all peoples, regardless of where and when  they lived, has cast more light on human nature than all reflections of  sages or the studies of laboratory scientists."  The Bible itself  contains vast background on the people and cultures written about, the  Babylonians being one such noted example.   

Educational Side Note:

New  Age/ Pagan - occult beliefs relating to the oak tree:  New Age Metaphysical/ Nature & Tree Spirit Beliefs of Divination:  Oak Tree Divination Spirit explained (Source:  http://www.treedivination.com/oak.htm )  "Oak - Might - A tree that is a  gateway to power.  Key phrases:  Strength, might and wisdom; potential  in leadership; authority, strong morals and male ambition."   

ADDITIONAL QUOTES RELATING BRANHAM'S "PAGAN NATURE, MENTAL CONSTRUCTS":

Page 40, "God Speaks In The Hospital Room - It began to grow  darker in the hospital room, as though it were a great woods.  I could  hear the wind blowing through the leaves, yet it seemed a great way off  in the forest.  You probably heard a puff of wind blowing the leaves,  coming closer and closer to you.  I thought, 'Well, this is death coming  to take me.'  Oh! my soul was to meet God; I tried to pray but could  not.  Closer the wind came, louder and louder.  The leaves rustled and  all at once I was gone.  It seemed then that I was back again a little  bare footed boy, standing in that lane under the same tree.  I heard  that same voice....  And the leaves I heard were the same that blew in  that tree that day.  But this time the voice said, 'I called you and you  would not go.'  The words were repeated the third time."     

Page 186, WB's vision included "Looking down again I saw  that I was in the midst of a grove of trees and in the center where I  was standing, was an aisle.  The trees were planted in big green pots.   ....Then as I looked again I noticed that the trees looked like pews, in  the vision of my tabernacle.  Down at the end of the row was a big tree  standing and it was full of all manner of fruit.  On either side of it  were two little trees with no fruit..."        THE SPIRIT SPOKE TO WILLIAM BRANHAM, "EAT NO FOOD NOW, BUT GO TO THE  WOODS AND PRAY"

Page 198, "After the baptizing was over, I went to Brother  Wright's home for supper.  Brother Brace, who had been with me during  the fulfillment of the other vision, was also along.  But at this moment  the Spirit spoke to me, saying 'Eat no food now, but go to the woods to  pray.'  ....I then went into the woods some distance and started to  pray.  ....I started praying with all my heart, and soon I was lost in  the Spirit.  Finally I heard a voice calling from somewhere in the  woods.  I raised up; the sun had gone down and it was getting dark.  The  dinner bell  had rung but I had never heard it, and searchers had been  sent out to find me.  As I raised up I saw a yellowish light, shining  down into the woods out of heaven.  A voice spoke saying , 'Go by the  way of Carter's.'  That was all.  ....We told the others to eat and then  come on to church.  We couldn't wait for them, as the vision spoke for  me to go then."  

WB prays for the girl, and reports she is  healed.  The young girl gets out of bed and walks, and is playing the  piano when her father walks in, who almost fainted.   After which we  read, "The girl went out into the yard, sat down on the grass and began blessing the grass and the leaves."  She looked up into heaven and said, "Oh God, how good You are to me."- (page 200).    

When God so provides me with a healing (which He has), I do  not go outside and begin to bless the grass and leaves!   The bible  states to remain pure in allegiance to Him alone, so as not to give the  enemy a foot hold. We are to examine the life and ministry of those whom  we seek out for consultation and prayer, and those whom we allow to lay  anointed hands upon us.  As such anointing may come from Satan and not  God!  Anointing by oil, laying hands upon those in need of prayer,  is  God ordained (2 Timothy 1:6).  

However, unholy impartation  can occur (1 Timothy 5:22).  There are those who work in the realm of  the God's Church, who are not sent by our Holy Father , Jesus Christ.   Entire books have been written relating ministry con artists, some of  which I have met personality!  The documentation of such is beyond the  scope and limits of this article.  Suffice to say it does happen, as the  word of God warns (1 John 4:1-6; 2 Peter 2:1; Matthew 7:15; Matthew  24:24; Mark 7:6-9; Deuteronomy 18:20-22; Jeremiah 23:26; Romans 16:18;  Revelation 2:2).     

THE VISION OF THE DOG WHO TURNED INTO A MAN WHO WORE BLACK - WILLIAM BRANHAM'S "MAN IN BLACK" SIGHTING:

In another vision WB was going out to a dark road (  page 201), "suddenly it seemed that a big black dog ran out to me.  I  thought it was going to bite me, and I kicked at it and shouted, 'Get  away, dog.'  When I did this, it raised up and I saw it was a big, tall,  dark-looking man, dressed in black.  He said, 'You called me a dog did  you?'  I answered, 'I am sorry, I thought it was a dog because you were  down on your hands and knees.'  He snarled, 'You called me a dog; I'm  going to kill you.'  And from under his belt he drew a long saber blade.   ....As he got closer to me, he seemed to look like a demon.  ...I  cried out, but just at that moment, I heard a noise coming from heaven,  and down out of the skies right by my side came a mighty angel, and he  just looked with a stern gaze at that man with the great knife in his  hand.  The man moved back, dropped his knife, and ran as hard as he  could."  "This angel appeared to be the same one that visited me later on.  ...I  truly believe that this vision was fulfilled about two years ago, when  the devil had me backed up in the corner, with that hideous nervousness  that was about to take my life" -  (page 202).     

WILLIAM BRANHAM'S NERVOUS CONDITION?

GOD'S  SPIRIT IS ONE OF PEACE (JOHN 14:27; JOHN 16:33).   SATAN'S SPIRIT IS  THAT OF DEATH AND DESTRUCTION (JOHN 10:10; 1 PETER 5:8).      

Within the book, "William Branham - A Man Sent  From God", by Gordan Lindsay, in collaboration with William Branham,  chapter 21, we read WB's words concerning his nervous condition:     

"In fact, my nervous energy was so far gone that in my own mind I  wondered if I could ever return to the field again," (page 202).

"Curtis Hooper, came down and asked, 'Aren't you any  better?'  I replied, 'No, I am not.  It seems that I cannot get hold of  myself,'" (page 202).

"I prayed, 'Lord, You have never shown me a vision of my own  deliverance over this terrible nervousness.'  My strength was so far  gone that it didn't seem that I could get a hold of myself to believe  God's word,'" (page 203).

Jack Moore wrote and is quoted in this same book.  He states  (page 111), "How could we know very soon our brother would be called  from us to pass through the dark shadows of the valley of death, no  longer able to bear the load that had exhausted his physical capacities,  and that the memory of these days would comfort him during long months  of struggle with strained nerves and mental depression."   

ADDITIONAL REPORTS OF WILLIAM BRANHAM'S HARDSHIPS, HIS DEPRESSIVE STATE AND TWO SUICIDE ATTEMPTS:

From the website: en.believethesign.com  (retrieved 1/29/2016), one can read a report about William Branham's  life under the subsection "Tragedy and Recovery".   And I summarize:  During the 1937 Ohio River flood (Jan. - Feb. - 1937), Branham lost  contact with his wife Hope and eventually found her in a hospital dying.   After fighting pneumonia, she lost her life in July 1937.  Sharon  Rose, Branham's 8 month old baby girl also died from disease a few days  latter on July 26, 1937.  After which, Branham had a period of "severe  trial, depression, and responsibility as he worked and looked after his  son and pastored a Pentecostal church."  It is reported that William  Branham blamed the death of his wife, Hope,  and baby Sharon,  on his  "decision to respect his mother-in-laws request to not associate with  Pentecostals".  William Branham said that he tried to commit suicide  twice during this time (quoted reference: William Branham, April 15,  1951, in a sermon titled "Life's Story").   

Branham is also quoted as stating, "And--and there, friends,  is where my sorrows started. I listened to my mother-in-law in the  stead of God. He was giving me the opportunity. And there this gift  would've been manifested long time ago, if I'd just went ahead and done  what God told me to do. But instead of that, I didn't want her to be  angry, and I didn't want to hurt nobody's feelings. And so I just--just  let it go like that. Just walked... Just said, "All right, we won't go."  And right then, sorrows started. Immediately after that, my father  died. My brother was killed a few nights later from that. Almost lost my  own... I lost my father, my brother, my wife, my baby, and my  sister-in-law, and almost my own life within about six month's time. And  just started going down. My church, pretty near everything went down,  down, down. Hope taken sick. Just about after that, the 1937 flood come  on." -  ( Sermon: Life Story, Phoenix, Arizona, April 15, 1951,  Retrieved from the website: believethesign.com, January 29, 2016).     

WB offers us an explanation concerning his nervous condition  by way of a vision he says God gave him:   "Suddenly I was in a vision.  The first thing I saw was a little boy  about seven years of age.  He looked just like I did at that age.  I was  standing by him teaching him to hunt.  Nearby was an old snag of a  tree, and I said to the boy that he should not go near the tree because a  dangerous beast lived there.  I picked up a stick and rapped on the  side of the tree.  Suddenly, out on a limb ran a little animal about six  inch's long.  It seemed to be a weasel, and it had tiny black,  sharp-looking eyes.  ...Next I saw he was going to attack us." ( page  203).  

Branham then pulls out a small six inch hunting  knife, heard the angel of the Lord speak on his right side, saying  "Remember, its only six inches long," (page 204).    He stated the weasel was a sly looking creature and when he sought to  protect the boy behind him with the knife, the boy seemed to disappear.   When the animal made a dive at him, he couldn't stab him.  WB then  claims he opened his mouth to speak and the animal ran down his throat  into his stomach and began to "Gurgitate, over and over and over and  over".  He  cries out, "Oh what can I do?".  He then hears a voice  saying, "Remember, it is only six inches long."  

Upon waking  up, he remembers the angel said "Remember, it is only six inches long",  and concluded this vision and message was a word from God that he would  have to suffer his nervous condition six times.    In his own words, he confirms he has nervous energy, feared a loss of  ministry due to his mind being "far gone", and sought the Lord's  deliverance in healing of the terrible and hideous nervousness that was  about to take his life.   He further admits nothing would stay on his  stomach, and he had dropped in weight to about "a hundred pounds" (page  204).

He confirms, "Up until that time I had never  thought of how many times I had had these nervous spells", and then  begins to reflect on the times he had "the nervousness".   He concludes,  "The first time had been when I was about seven years of age.  At that  time I was crying because things had gone wrong in our family - my dad  drank very heavily, and I became melancholy and very nervous. About  every seven years this nervousness had returned.  I counted and this was  exactly the sixth time.  I rejoiced, for at once I became convinced  that the Lord by the vision had shown me this would be the last time of  the nervousness."

A significant note of interest, in his vision was "a little  boy about seven years of age ...who "looked just like I did at that  age."  WB was seven years old, when he first heard "the voice", and  confides he was seven years old when his first bout with this severe  nervous condition began.  Which in the book confirms included a serious  stomach/digestion problem), due to his father's "heavy drinking" and  family dysfunction.  Under stress, WB has yet another vision, with a  "man in black"- demon type symbolism/sighting (he said the man seemed to  look like a demon).    He then states he thought "the doctor will want to operate and cut some  of those nerves to the stomach", and concludes, the doctor's knife was  related to his little knife in the vision, both being helpless to  protect him (page 205).  

WB's psychosomatic disorder was  made clear by evidence of his own words.  His  mental states were  obviously under heavy emotional distress, and he was plagued with  spiritual oppression.  Psychological profiles are vast confirming the  minds ability to survive and thrive despite such trauma wounds.  Our  soul and tripartite nature (body, soul, spirit), is all affected by  trauma and abuse.    The fact that WB tud to God under such emotional distress and demonic  oppression, was the Holy Spirit's saving grace made manifest.  However,  if one does serious study in review of WB's words, claims, voices and  visions, his mental condition created a false religious construct that  included every fraction and facet of his life.  Another words, his  troubled, uneducated, anxiety, often depressed state of mind created a  convoluted mind.  And in turn, a convoluted false cult like religious  world view and following, which I shall further document in this article  and relate back to.      

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RELATING TO WILLIAM MARRION BRANHAM'S BIRTH AND TUMULTUOUS CHILDHOOD:

 William  Marrion Branham was born weighing only 5 lbs to fifteen year old Ella  Branham, in rather humble beginnings in a log cabin, in Burksville,  Kentucky on April 6, 1909, ("William Branham - A Man Sent From God", by  Gordan Lindsay, in collaboration with William Branham, chapter two, page  27).  The first of nine children, his father Charles, was a logger and  an alcoholic addict, which made WB's childhood tumultuous.  WB as a  child seems to have suffered from low self-esteem and a sense of  abandonment and depression.    "The Revelation of the Seven Seals," Spoken Word Publications, we read  on page 570,  WB's sad confession:

"When I was a little boy, I  loved people, and I always wanted somebody to love me and talk