<TITLE>11. Par 105-116</TITLE>L-105 Now, didn't Jesus say, "The Laodicea church was rich, increased in goods, had need for nothing"? [Congregation says, "Amen."--Ed.] Isn't that the condition of the church today? ["Amen."] And yet Christ has unfolded Himself through three church ages, through Luther, through Wesley, and through the Pentecostal age; has unfolded Himself in the... in His Word, of justification, sanctification, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit (the restoration to the gifts), and now His Own personal identity among them. See, trying... And you rich young ruler, businessmen of Chicago, this morning, see?

L-106   Laodicea! We find, all the other church ages, Jesus was still in the church. But on the Laodicea Age, He was on the outside, knocking, trying to get in. And this is the age that when the manifestation of Christ come so perfect in the image of Christ, in His Church, until the churches (as the brother said a while ago) is closing the door. And yet He stands with love, knocking, "If any man hunger or thirst." [Brother Branham knocks--Ed.] Do you understand? [Congregation says, "Amen."] We, you expect a closed door, it's the Laodicea Age. The Bible said it would be that way.

L-107   And now if your--if your denomination has closed the door to such a Message, and such a Messenger! Not me; I'm your brother, fellow servant with you. But the Messenger is the Holy Spirit expressing Himself through human beings, the Church that Christ sanctified for this very purpose.

L-108 And now you are presented with the opportunity to make an investment in this Eternal Life. Your business may be legitimate and great, but there is no business any greater than the saving of your own life. See? You have the opportunity.

L-109   Now your church may put Him out, but, as a whole. But Jesus never come just for a church, just any certain group. He come for individuals. "Ye shall receive the Holy Ghost," the individual. Now that's what He come for.

L-110 Now we find out that the Laodicea Church Age now is presented with the same opportunity for investment in the same Person that the rich young ruler turned down flatly. And so is the Laodicea Church Age turning It down flatly, put Him out. They love...

L-111   What did this young ruler, what--what was it he said? "He went away sad, because that he had great possession." It was--it was a great opportunity, yet he was so wealthy that he--he felt that it would mar his wealth.

L-112 I wonder if a man's popularity at the Kiwanis or--or at the lodge, or maybe his popularity in the church, even as a pastor, would be so great in that denomination, that you'd walk away from the same opportunity, and turn it down coldly, because it would--it would mar your inheritance with the church. Wonder if your--if your stewardship of the church, the organization, is great enough to you, this morning, that you would turn away from It, some of you men who belong to churches, and setting here this morning as businessmen? Think of it.

L-113 The rich young ruler was presented that, and turned it down, and Christ turns and said the church age will do the same thing in the last days. Now, it's in Chicago now, that you are faced to make a decision. The time is running out. You must do it at once. Make your decision for Christ, to be born of His Spirit.

L-114   Now, now we find out that this rich man did this because that he loved the world. He loved his fellowship with his organization more than he loved the fellowship with the Lord Jesus.

L-115 Many of them this morning, say, "Well, I would be considered one of you Pentecostals, I would be considered a holy roller, if I did such a thing."

L-116 Now, where is your treasure, anyhow? Is it in your church? Is it in your business? Or, is it in Heaven? "For wherever your treasure is, there your heart will be also." So why not make an investment this morning, of Life? Your business will go to ashes someday.


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