Three Transforming Experiences - Part 9
When we are looking for examples of what it is like to enter into the fullness of the Feast of Tabernacles experience and have the God of the Universe residing in our bodies with His authority and power, we are not limited to the testimonies from Scripture. There have been forerunners in our time who entered into this experience, at least in part. Their lives give testimony to the validity of the experience, and they give us glimpses of what it will be like when we enter into this as well.
John G. Lake
In his writings, John G. Lake spoke of becoming a “Christ-Man.” That was his term for a believer who had entered into the reality of Galatians 2:20:
“I have been crucified with Christ;** it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me;** and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (NKJV)
His miraculous life is a witness to the truth of what he proclaimed in his teachings.
John Paul Jackson
John Paul Jackson had several experiences in which people he didn’t know approached him with questions like, “Who are you?”
When he began to introduce himself and tell them what he did for a living, they interrupted him, saying things like, “That’s not what I mean. Who are you? Are you some kind of holy man? Will you pray for me?”
He agreed to pray for them, of course, but then he would often ask, “Why did you ask me to pray for you? You don’t even know me.”
They would respond by saying something like, “There’s something about you that is different. When you pray for me, I know that God will hear you.”
John Paul had several encounters similar to this. He called this the effect of living in 3rd Stage Christianity. That was the term he used. He described 3rd Stage Christianity as the Spirit of God exuding from the body of a believer in such a way that people are impacted as they come into our presence.
The fullness of this is experienced as a result of transfiguration, the Feast of Tabernacles experience.
William Branham
In 1947, there was a very large, physically imposing man in Portland, Oregon, who had a reputation for interrupting Gospel services and terrorizing the ministers, sometimes inflicting violence against them. One night in November, he stormed into a William Branham meeting, intent on doing physical harm to the man of God. Just a few days before this encounter, this man had broken a preacher’s jaw in a violent assault.
Unfortunately for this man, he now came face to face with a minister who had entered into the Feast of Tabernacles experience and carried the manifested presence of God with His authority.
It did not go well for this violent man.
This encounter was witnessed by hundreds of people and recorded in these words by Gordon Lindsay, the founder of Christ for the Nations, in his book, “William Branham, a Man Sent from God.”
“As the audience listened with rapt attention to the slight little figure on the platform, perhaps only one anticipated the startling drama that was about to unfold. Certainly the director had no such intuition, and the interruption which was about to occur could not have been more unwelcome. For suddenly our attention was directed to a man far back in the building who was making rapid strides, apparently in the direction of the platform. At first we supposed that some emergency had arisen; perhaps someone had fainted or had taken seriously ill in the auditorium. But as he drew near, we observed with no little misgiving that his countenance bore a demoniac grin, as to suggest that the man was demented, or violently insane, and apparently had broken away from those who had him in their care. We were to learn later what indeed would have been more disturbing had we known it at the time, that the man was not insane, in that he did not know what he was doing, but was a notorious and vicious character who had previously run afoul of the law for disturbing and breaking up religious services. Jail sentences had not taught him a lesson, and now seeing his opportunity to cause a large commotion and again break up a service, he had come forward for that purpose.
“Up the steps he strode without pausing. Now he was on the platform assuming a menacing attitude that by this time was attracting the attention of the entire congregation. Two sturdy policemen standing in the wings, becoming aware of the distraction, were about to come forward and lay hands on this disturber, but we could see that this would result in a scuffle and the excitement created could well ruin the service. Moreover, the evangelist had apparently put himself on the spot for he had just declared that all things were possible to him that believed, and that God would always back up His servants who put their trust in Him. Indeed, the meeting had reached such a high state of expectation, that reliance on the officers of the law, though perhaps entirely justifiable in the present instance, did not seem to be the Divine order. We knew nothing else to do but to hastily wave the officers back, and call attention to the evangelist as to what was taking place. But he himself was already conscious that something was wrong. Speaking quietly to the audience and requesting that the people unite with him in silent prayer, he turned to meet the strange challenge of this evil antagonist.
“As he did so, the man with the evil gleam on his countenance, which reminded one of the hideous grins the heathen engrave on the faces of their idols, began to impudently accuse and curse the speaker. “You are of the devil, and deceiving the people,” he shouted, “an impostor, a snake in the grass, a fake, and I am going to show these people that you are!” It was a bold challenge and every one in that audience could see that it was not an idle threat. As the intruder continued to revile the evangelist, hissing and spitting, he made motion to carry his threats into execution. To the audience it appeared to be an evil moment for the little figure on the platform, and most of them must have felt exceedingly sorry for him. The officers attempted again to come to his aid but were waved away, and now in rejecting their assistance the speaker had deliberately accepted the challenge of this wicked antagonist whose size and fierceness had convinced the audience that he was well able to carry out his boasts. No doubt, critics who had slipped into the auditorium out of curiosity expected a swift and pitiful conclusion to the unexpected drama that was now coming to a climax. Certainly they could see that there was no room for trickery. The man on the platform would have to have the goods or else take the consequences.
“In the moment of suspense that followed, one could not help being reminded of the story of the challenge of long ago, when the bold Goliath cursed little David in the name of his gods, and boasted that he would tear him limb from limb. The startled congregation, as the hosts of Israel must have been in their day, looked on the scene with wonder and amazement, hardly knowing what to expect next, but fearing the worst. The gathering of ministers on the platform reviewed the situation with no little dismay, knowing that unless God did a very unusual thing and backed up the speaker in a supernatural manner, the evil intruder, who had successfully broken up religious services in the past, would now do so again. Some were much disturbed that the policemen had not been permitted to take charge of the situation and believed that this error of judgment would allow this demon-possessed man not only to ruin the meeting and thus bring reproach on the cause of Christ, but also might actually result in physical injury to the speaker.
“The seconds passed, however, without the awaited climax happening. Presently it appeared that something was hindering the challenger from carrying out his evil designs. For some reason he was not proceeding with the execution of his boasts of physical violence, but was rather contenting himself in hissing and spitting and uttering the most fearful imprecations. Softly but determinedly the voice of the evangelist now could be heard rebuking the evil power that dominated the man. His words, spoken so quietly that they could be heard only a short distance, were saying, “Satan, because you have challenged the servant of God before this great congregation, you must bow before me. In the name of Jesus Christ, you shall fall at my feet.” The words were repeated several times. The challenger ceased to speak, and it was evident that it was now he who was laboring under a strain. Strong as he and the wicked forces were that controlled him, strengthened by every evil spirit in the building, apparently they were gradually succumbing to another Power that was greater than they, a Power that responded at the whisper of the Name of Jesus! Soon it was evident that the man realized he was being overcome, but nothing he could do apparently could reverse the situation. A tense battle of spiritual forces now summoned every bit of strength that he had in him. Beads of perspiration broke out on his face as he put forth a last desperate effort to prevail. But it was all to no avail. Suddenly he who a few minutes before had so brazenly defied the man of God with his fearful threats and accusations, gave an awful groan and slumped to the floor sobbing in an hysterical manner. For quite a while he lay there writhing in the dust, as the evangelist calmly proceeded with the service as if nothing had happened.
“Needless to say, the great congregation was awed by the scene that had transpired before them, in which God so signally vindicated His servant, and loud praises to God filled the spacious auditorium. The policemen too, startled by what they had witnessed, openly acknowledged that God was in their midst. Need we record that in the healing service which followed, a wave of glory was manifest that will never be forgotten by those who were present. Many miracles of healing took place that night as a multitude of people were ministered to in the prayer line.”
Just like Dagon in the presence of the Ark of the Covenant, and just like Ananias and Sapphira in the presence of Peter, this man had no choice but to bow, not to William Branham, but to the Lord Jesus Christ who was present in Branham’s body.
The Impact on T.L. Osborn
Daisy Osborn was present in the audience that night in Portland, Oregon. The following night, she brought her husband to the meeting. It was in that meeting that T.L. Osborn had a vision of Jesus Christ that marked a turning point in his life and ministry.
T.L. Osborn later told the story of sitting in the balcony overlooking one side of the stage. He could look down and clearly see William Branham as he shared the message that night.
And then it happened.
As T.L. looked down from the balcony, he suddenly saw Jesus Christ appear on the stage behind William Branham, and then, as he watched, Jesus Christ stepped into William Branham’s body. From that moment the meeting changed. The awe of God filled the room as Branham gave accurate, detailed words of knowledge to people who had come with a variety of sicknesses and infirmities. One by one, they were healed and restored and went away from that meeting giving glory to God.
It was that meeting that T.L. Osborn always credited as the turning point in his life that launched him into his own phenomenal evangelistic ministry filled with miracles and healings that impacted the lives of so many thousands of people.
Jesus in Your Body
Late in his ministry, William Branham explained in one of his messages that his greatest gift was not the gift of discernment or words of knowledge or even gifts of healings. His greatest gift was the ability to step aside so that Jesus could step in.
What will it be like when you enter into the fullness of the Feast of Tabernacles experience? It will be just like William Branham’s experience. It will be just like Jesus is back on Earth again, continuing His ministry just as He did during His own lifetime, only this time, He will not be in His own body. This time, He will be in *your *body.
Reference:
Lake, John G. (2013). The Collected Works of John G. Lake (Kindle Edition). Jawbone Digital.
Lindsay, Gordon (2020, December 27). Chapter 01 - A Strange Challenge. A Man Sent From God. Retrieved October 5, 2021, from https://www.amansentfromgod.com/01-a-strange-challenge/.
Three Transforming Experiences
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