Token no 9

Evening-Time Token

August 5, 2015

Brian Kocourek, pastor

This evening we will continue with our study of brother Branham's sermon The Token and we will take for our text Romans 6:16-23.

Romans 6:16-23 ¶ 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. 20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things [is] death. 22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Let us pray...

Notice that the Apostle Paul says you are not what you used to be, and what you used to be is a slave of sin, but now you have voluntarily become a love slave to Jesus Christ.

From his sermon the Token, brother Branham says in paragraph number 37 The lamb was killed in the evening time after being kept up for fourteen days. And then the lamb was killed, and the blood was applied in the evening time. You get it? The token never come into existence until the evening time. And this is the evening time of the age that we live in. This is the evening time for the church. This is the evening time for me. This is the evening time of my message. I'm dying; I'm going; I'm moving out in the evening time of the Gospel.

38 And we've come up through justification and so forth, but this is the time that the Token has to be applied. I told you last Sunday, I had something I wanted to talk to you about; this is it. The time that when you just can't play with it. It's got to be done. If it's ever going to be done, it's got to be done now; because we can see that the wrath is about ready to pass through the land, and everything from under that Token will perish. The Blood has identified you.

Notice there are two things he said here. 1: You can't play with it. And 2: The wrath is on it's way and it will be too late when it arrives because everything not under the token will perish when the wrath of God comes. We must apply it now.

Let me read again our text from the Weymouth Translation of Romans 6:17 ¶But thanks be to God that , though you used to be slaves to sin, you have wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness. For when you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at the time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and results in eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This evening I would like to especially focus our attention on verse 17 where Paul says, ¶ But thanks be to God that , though you used to be slaves to sin, you have wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrustd.

In other words, Paul is saying that we should be thankful to God for having set us free from the slavery of sin and corruption, which sin leads to death. And we are told that our being set free came through a process whereby we wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching, or as the Weymouth translation says, “you have yielded yourselves wholeheartedly to the System of Truth” and the Wuest translation says, “You obeyed out from the heart as a source, a type of teaching into which you were handed over.”

And so we see that this teaching that you have wholeheartedly obeyed is not only the True teaching of God’s Word, but it is more specifically a specific form or type of teaching, which Weymouth calls a “sytem of Truth”.

Now a system, according to Webster's Dictionary is a “set of facts, principles, rules, etc. that have been classified or arranged into a regular, orderly form so as to show a logical plan linking the various parts that there might be an established way of doing things, orderliness, in ones way of proceeding.

In other words, this system of teaching is not just a shot gun approach to the Truth, but is rather an orderly progression set forth in a logical manner in order to accomplish something.

That is why we take brother Branham's sermons in a series, "thought by thought", instead of just getting up each service and taking a random topic and preaching on that. I do not believe people are benefited by random thinking much less random teaching.

And Paul lets us know this form of teaching will produce a completely surrendered and yielded vessel.

Paul said, ¶But thanks be to God that , though you used to be slaves to sin, you have wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

Now Paul uses the word Slaves for a specific reason. The Greek word he chose to use here is the word doulos {doo'-los} which means: metaphorically, one who gives himself up to another's will; devoted to another to the disregard of one's own interests or more plainly said, One whose will is swallowed up in the will of another.

This is important to understand what Paul tells us here because after all it concerns us and our approach to God. He is telling us on the one hand that we are to be set free from the slavery of sin. This simply means that we are set free from having our own will swallowed up by the will of someone else.

You no longer feel compelled to follow peer pressure, or the ways of the world, but you have had your will set free from the bondage that the world enslaves you by and you are free to place your will wherever you choose.

Yet it is ironic that Paul also says in following this system of teaching, you will engender yourself to a full and complete surrender of your will to righteousness which is a right wise-ness and instead of this slavery bringing forth nothing for you, it produces in you Eternal Life.

I think it's important for us to know and understand these things in light of the fact that we are entering into the year of Jubilee this September. This September 13th is the Shemitah where it is the 7th 7 or 49th year where all debts are paid and begins the Jewish Jubilee. Well, basically it's over. The world financial system is about to crash and they are coming to the UN in September to kick off the agenda called after 2015. It's a global currency reset. we do not yet know the repercussions on the nations but it will not be good, because the Vatican will be in charge once they use their gold to bail out the nations.

Mark 13:28-37 26  And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27  And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. 28  Now learn a parable of the fig tree; (that's Israel) When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: 29  So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors. 30  Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done. 31  Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. 32  But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. 33  Take ye heed, watch and pray: (Notice all we are charged to do it to take heed to what is coming and watch and pray, be in a state of readiness) for ye know not when the time is. 34  For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. 35  Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 36  Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.37  And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

Now, we know that the fig tree is a type of Israel. And when it is blossoming, it means that she is in her own home-land, and the nation is blossoming as a nation.

In Hosea 9:10 God said, “I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the first ripe in the fig tree at her first time:”

And in the Song of Solomon 2:13 we see a picture of the Bride being courted by the Groom, and He says to her, “The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines [with] the tender grape give a [good] smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.”

Therefore, we know that the Gentiles days are numbered, and God will shortly turn back to the Jews. But when He does, the Bride will be off at the Wedding supper, and getting ready for her Millennial honeymoon.

Now, what is it that frees her from this slavery? It is a condition of her mind. Paul said, , “you have yielded yourselves wholeheartedly to the System of Truth. And that is the key. Yielding yourselves whole heartedly... Now, what does it mean to yield, what does the word yield yourself to mean?

And what does it mean to do so wholeheartedly..... Mark 12:28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this [is] the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.

Therefore the main thing that God wants from us is our entire heart, which is our understanding. That is why he frees us from sin which is unbelief and turns our hearts toward His Word which is Life, and right-wiseness.

So this evening we are looking at the subject of being prepared for the Feast of Tabernacle, the Feast of the tent, which is the resurrection ministry which must come before we can go home for the wedding supper.

And we are not just looking at our preparation in terms of making it through this global currency reset, and the rough times ahead, but in terms of whether or not we will be ready for a Rapture.

Matthew 24:32-25:13 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. 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 Noe [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. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed [is] that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite [his] fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for [him], and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint [him] his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 15:1-13 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

I Thessalonians 5:21-23 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

23 Desperation 63-0901E The Token, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, is among us. We should reverence that. We can't humble ourselves enough. Taking off your shoes or getting on your knees wouldn't expel it, it wouldn't satisfy; it wouldn't suffice us, but a life that brings forth the fruit of the Spirit... Now, what is the fruit of the Spirit? See? Love, joy, peace... Remember this morning? Preparation, sent the messenger with the message. Next thing He done after He sent the messenger with the message, He sent the Pillar of Fire for a vindication. Next thing was after that, was consolation. See? You knew that it was right; you was at peace. We have peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ. See?

17 Desperation 63-0901E Then the Life that was in Christ is the Holy Ghost, not the third person, but the same Person in the form of the Holy Spirit, coming upon you as a Token that your life and your fare is paid. You have been accepted. Until that Token comes, you're not permitted on the highway. You're not permitted on the--in the--the bus line. You're not permitted to go in until you can present this Token, and that Token is your fare. And now, It shows that the Blood has been shed and been applied to you, the price has been applied to you, and you have the Token that the Blood is applied to you and you're accepted. Get it now? Oh, my. Oh.

18 Desperation 63-0901E Now, now, there's just not... No certain evidence. See? You say, "Brother Branham (I feel it in your minds. You see?), why will I know?" Look. What were you? And what are you? There's how you know. See? What was you before this Token was applied? What are you after It's applied? What was your desires before, and what is your desires after? Then you know whether the Token's applied or not. And these other things just automatically go with that. See? It--it isn't...

155 Desperation 63-0901E Let us pray. In desperation watch for the Kingdom of God; It'll come upon you. Our heavenly Father, I pray Thee in Jesus' Name, be merciful unto us, Lord. And start in us a desperation. Oh, Lord God, have mercy upon us; I pray, and let the people seek Thee tonight with desperate hearts. We know You're here, Lord. You're the same yesterday, today, and forever. And now, may these people who has the Token, that they've passed from death unto Life, they've changed from the old worldly life to a new one... They have... The Blood has been applied and God give them a Token sign.

48-5 The Token 63-0901M That's what they did in Egypt. That's what they did in Jericho. If you want to read another one? Acts 16:31. Paul told the centurion, "Believe; I'm the messenger of the hour. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, thou and thy house shall be saved." Is that right? Believe for your house. Bring them all under it. Now, you've seen the God of heaven perform a miracle, just before judgment. You believed it. "Yes, what can I do?" He said, "Rise and be baptized." Paul took him out and baptized him, said, "Now, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou and thy house shall be saved." Believe what? Believe the Lord Jesus Christ for you house. Apply the Token to your house. Then what do you do when you apply It to your house? Move all the trash out. Get all the short skirts, and the shorts, and the cards, and the cigarettes, and televisions, and what evermore, and kick them out the door. You're going to apply the Token, won't stand still for it. Yes, sir. Take it all out. All the dances and the parties, and rock-and-roll, and old vulgar newspapers, and the stuff that's of the world, kick it out the door. Say, "We're cleaning out this place around here."

Prove to God that you mean it when you say you are applying the token. Prove it to him, and he shall approve you when the time comes to take you out of here.

49-5 The Token 63-0901M Apply it, create that atmosphere around you, that they'll just drop right into it. See? Oh, if you've got the Token, you create a spirit around you of power, that when you walk, people know that you're a Christian. They love for you to say something to them. They believe your word; what you say, they hold on to it. See? That is it. Apply the Token; then walk with it. Claim your household. You must do it now. This is evening time. Now, you've been listening a long time; now this is evening time. It's applying time now. The wrath will strike one of these days; it might be too late then. See, see? Apply the Token with confidence.

134 The Token 64-0208 Yes. Clean out the cupboard; clean out the house. Oh, we have a good old fashion house-cleaning. Let the Blood be applied. Then the Token will come in. Clean it out. Sanctify it. Then apply the Token in prayer, with confidence, when you've cleaned yourself up. You've got away from the things of the world. You dumped all the unbelief out. "I don't care what the people says. If the Word of God says it and promised it, I believe it. If the Word says it, that settles it. I don't care what anybody else says." See? Then when you got all that done, you've applied the Blood, and you believe every word, then take your Token in prayer, be fully convinced.

38 The Token 64-0308 Associations and ministers have let the people do anything and get by, and just put their name on a book and call them this, that, and the other, when it's a disgrace. And it's got so that faith is something that's not even, don't even, very seldom ever know what even it is. They got a hope, but no faith. You've got to get back to everything's combed out and clean. Then take your Token, that you know that it's Jesus Christ in you, then apply it. If something don't happen, there's something wrong; go back again, got the wrong thing in your hand. He promised it. He was the One Who promised it. Apply It. Read Ephesians 2:12, sometime, if you wish to, and you'll find out there.

Let us pray...