Birth Pains

January 24, 1965
Lily Pond

Deep in the dirt and muck of the muddy waters lays the lifeless germ of a flower. This little structure catches a small glimmer of hope and begins working its way up from the bottom of a dark world. It toils and pushes its way through all the muck and debris, as a powerful force from above draws it to the surface. When it finally gets into the presence of the sun, the little seed burst open into life; it is born into a beautiful lily.

Water Lily

The birth pains that the lily must go through are necessary for it to breach the water's surface and shine forth its brilliant life. Upon breaking through these barriers, it meets the supplier of its life and is so full of happiness that it freely offers its beauty for all others to see and enjoy. In the midst of all the grunge and hopelessness, life prevails.
Water Lily

"I think that's a beautiful type of Christian life. When, Something is drawing you out of the world, until one day you're born right into Its presence, by the Holy Spirit. How beautiful!"

Just like John the Baptist, Brother Branham often used nature to type and explain the ways of God to the people. He could relay a message in this simple way that would help to understand God's purpose for us through the laws of His creation. The birth pains that take place for the lily and when a newborn child is born, brings to light a greater birth pain that is taking place among the church world and among God's growing Bride in this last age.

It is also in this message, "Birth Pains" that Brother Branham begins to read from his Bible, when he realized he was missing the portion of Scripture he wished to read. After several attempts to locate the right passage, a Catholic archbishop approached him and said, "Just--just draw a breath. There's a reason why it was done, and you know it. God will show you something to bring out of this, that's wonderful." Brother Branham accepts the Bible from the priest and reads the Scripture. It wasn't until that evening on his trip home that God revealed to him the purpose for this strange occurrence. You can read an eyewitness testimony from a brother who attended this service in 1965 on the past article, This Day This Scripture Is Fulfilled, the tape on which Brother Branham explained the incident.