Spiritual Food in Due Season is a transcribed sermon by William Marrion Branham, delivered on July 18, 1965, at the Branham Tabernacle in Jeffersonville, Indiana1. The sermon, published by Voice of God Recordings, focuses on the themes of faith, divine vindication, and the importance of receiving “spiritual food” in its appointed time2. Branham uses the biblical story of the prophet Elijah to draw parallels to what he sees as the spiritual condition of his contemporary world and his own ministry3.
The Core Message
The central thesis of the sermon is that just as Elijah was provided with natural food and protection during a physical drought, God’s “Bride” (the true believers) is provided with “spiritual food” during the current “spiritual drought” in the world4. Branham argues that this “spiritual food” is the true, unadulterated Word of God, which is being revealed and vindicated in his ministry5.
He teaches that the prophet and the message are one and the same, and that God’s Word is its own interpretation, proven by its fulfillment6. He contrasts this with the modern church, which he describes as being led by educated theologians and denominational organizations that have strayed from the true Word of God7.
Key Themes and Analogies
Branham frequently employs powerful analogies to convey his points:
- Elijah and the Ravens: Branham repeatedly references the story of Elijah being fed by ravens at the brook Cherith during a drought8. This serves as the primary metaphor for how God provides for His chosen people, the believers, by giving them “hidden food” that is not available to the rest of the world9.
- The Compass and the North Star: He compares Jesus to the North Star and the Bible (the Word) to a compass that always points to Him10. This highlights his belief that the Word of God is the only reliable guide for Christians.
- The Spiritual and the Natural: Branham connects the natural drought in Elijah’s time to a spiritual drought in his own day, which he attributes to sin, unbelief, and false teachers11. The promised famine in the land would not be for bread but for the “hearing of the Word of God”12.
- The Message and the Messenger: A core tenet of the sermon is that a true man of God is inseparable from his message. He states, “the message and the messenger are one and the same”13. Branham uses this to emphasize his own ministry, suggesting that because God has confirmed his words through signs and wonders, his message is the Word of God for his generation14.
Discussion of Miracles and God’s Power
A significant portion of the sermon is dedicated to validating the existence of miracles and God’s power in the present day15. Branham shares several personal anecdotes to demonstrate that God is still active and performing supernatural acts. He recounts an instance where he correctly identified a man’s cancer and a child’s epilepsy without prior knowledge, and another where he received a vision that foretold an earthquake on the West Coast, which he claims occurred shortly after16.
He also uses the story of Elijah blinding the Syrian army to illustrate that those who do not believe are “spiritually blind,” unable to see God’s power even when it is manifested before them17.
Conclusion
Spiritual Food in Due Season is a passionate and declarative sermon that aims to reinforce the faith of its audience by presenting a strong case for the direct and visible intervention of God in the modern world18. Branham positions himself as a divinely appointed prophet whose ministry is the fulfillment of biblical prophecy, providing the “spiritual food” necessary for believers to withstand the coming judgment19. The sermon’s repeated emphasis on faqith, the power of God’s Word, and the vindication of his own ministry serves to both instruct and inspire his listeners to accept his teachings as God’s message for this day20.
Here’s the booklet, courtesy of www.Branham.org.
