We pray, God, that You'll take these words now that has been said, and make them real to the people. Let them see It, Lord. Being pinched for time, and, You know, Father, so I pray that enough has been said that the Holy Spirit will take It and reveal It into hearts. Those who are writing the Scriptures down, may they study Them. Those who are making tapes or--or--or hearing the tapes, may they study It; not put their own interpretation to It now, but just study the Word. Grant it, Father. In Jesus' Name, I commit it all to You, and for Your glory. Amen.

63-0318 The First Seal

We hope you are receiving as much from your study of the Seven Seals as we are. There is so much to take in that it often seems a little overwhelming, especially with some of the history Brother Branham quotes. The following is a brief description of some of the things Brother Branham mentioned that might not be immediately familiar to you.

A few facts about March of 1963:

John F. Kennedy was president (the first and only Roman Catholic President of the United States).

Pope John XXIII was the pope when the Seals were preached, but he died in June of that year. He was known for establishing the Second Vatican Council (ecumenical council), and inviting outside denominations to attend.

Brother Branham mentions a local basketball event that made it difficult to find a hotel in the area when the Seals were originally preached. That event was the national championship of college basketball, which was played in Louisville on March 23, 1963. Louisville lies on the other side of the Ohio River from Jeffersonville.

Emperor Constantine (272-337AD)

Most believers know that Constantine was the one who gave power to the Catholic Church, but some historians shows Constantine in a different light. He became emperor of Rome when he defeated two of his rivals during a civil war. Just before one of the final civil war battles, he had a dream where a white cross appeared before him. He felt it was an omen that if Christians prayed for him, he would win in battle. He painted crosses on his shields and then defeated overwhelming odds to win rule over the Roman Empire. As the new emperor, he quickly stopped the rampant killing and torturing of Christians, and gave them freedom of worship. Constantine’s greatest asset was his ability as a master politician. He is known as the first “Christian” Roman emperor, however his “Christianity” was most likely political. He was emperor from 306-337AD.

The First Council Of Nicaea, (325AD)

Nicene Council was headed up by the Emperor of Rome, Constantine. He saw division in his kingdom between the different sects of Christianity, as well as the pagans. In a move to strengthen his kingdom, he brought religious leaders together (ecumenical council) to resolve religious differences. Among the things they debated were: the Deity of Christ, Godhead, Eternal Sonship, date of celebration of Easter and other holidays, and others. This was the first time that the power of the state (Rome) was used to convene a large number of religious leaders (bishops) to come to an agreement on doctrinal issues (ecumenicalism). The council mixed the power of the state (Rome) with the church to give authority to enforce the Catholic doctrines on the common people. Thus, we see the horse rider was given his sword to kill.

But this freedom from persecution and death was not as magnanimous as it first appeared. Constantine was now the patron. As a patron his interest was somewhat more than that of an observer, for he decided that the church needed his help in her affairs. He had seen them disagreeing over various matters, one of which involved Arius, Bishop of Alexander, who taught his adherents that Jesus was not truly God but a lesser being, having been created by God. The Western Church held the opposite view, believing that Jesus was the very essence of God and as they said 'co-equal with the Father.' With such matters, along with the intrusion of pagan ceremony into worship, the emperor called for the Nicene Council in 325 with the thought that he would bring all groups together where they could iron out their differences, and come to a common understanding, and all be one. Isn't it peculiar that though this started with Constantine it didn't die but is very much alive today as the "World Council of Churches"? And where he failed to truly achieve it, it will be achieved in this day through the ecumenical move.

Pergamean Church Age CPT.5

Rome

Rome sits on seven hills. In fact, the seven hills are named: Aventine Hill, Caelian Hill, Capitoline Hill, Esquiline Hill, Palatine Hill, Quirinal Hill, and Viminal Hill.

Vicar of Christ: 666

Vicarius Filii Dei literally translated from Latin is “instead of Christ.”

The words, “Vicarius Filii Dei” were first used when Constantine turned over a large part of the Roman Empire to the pope’s leadership.

Here is how it adds up in Roman numerals: VICARIVS FILII DEI. “V” is put in place of “U” (“V” and “U” were the same letter, “V”, until the late middle ages). No value is given to letters that are not Roman numerals.

V(5) I(1) C(100) AR I(1) V(5) S F I(1) L(50) I(1) I(1) D(500) E I(1) or 5+1+100+1+5+1+50+1+1+500+1 = 666.