Archive for March, 2012

Thy Kingdom Come (Part 1 of 2)

March 31, 2012

“Thus says the LORD of Hosts: ‘Peoples shall yet come, inhabitants of many cities; The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying,”Let us continue to go and pray before the LORD, and seek the LORD of hosts. I myself will go also.” Yes, many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD.” (Zech.9:20-22)

Perhaps the greatest light given in the last message from God, was the fact that the Lord will establish His long sought after and desired “earthly kingdom.” Before you start thinking that we are talking about the kingdom when the earth will be made new–think again. What you are about to see will probably either confound you, enlighten you, or both.

This belief of a premillennial kingdom is one of the hallmark beliefs of the Davidian Seventh Day Adventists.  A definite stand apart belief from the vast Christian word, including the regular SDA. When this subject is mentioned to most, they usually say “Huh? What are you talking about?”  Well, there is alot to talk about! Let us look into this great light that was revealed by way of God’s last messenger –Victor Houteff. He was inspired to diligently search Scripture and Ellen White, and now we can learn and share this light of the kingdom on earth.

Let us begin with the book of Daniel. In  (Dan 2:44) we read “And IN the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.”

Notice that this prophecy is to occur while “in”  the days of the kings being upon the earth. These kings are represented by the toes of iron and clay. EGW in (Test. for the church, Vol. 1, p.361) says “our present world is represented by the toes”. Now, here is where we must see the clear meaning of the word–in.  If, as is commonly believed, the stone is Christ and smites the kingdoms, then the popular view is our Lord then grows into a great mountain and fills the earth.

However,according to traditional interpretation, when our Lord comes and smites the kingdoms of these kings, they will no longer exist. The Lord will finish the earth’s governments and the wicked and establish His kingdom(grow into a great mountain-a great people).  So if we are to hold that view, then after the smiting  or destroying by the Lord of the king’s kingdoms, there will be no more wicked Gentiles or heathen, or even other nations at all. Keep this view in mind and see if it stands as we look at further explanations from Scripture and EGW.

In the above Daniel prophecy, the Davidian view is that the stone is not our Lord but His 144,000  last day servants. They are “cut out without hands” (meaning separated by God per Ezekiel chapter 9 -no man does this) from the “mountain” (meaning God’s people or church-see Dan. 9:20, Zech.8:3) and empowered by God, through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (latter rain), they go forward with much power to “break the kingdoms” in the midst of the kings existing days.

Let us stop here for a moment to discuss the word-mountain. In scripture the Lord often has used the word mountain (by way of the prophets) to describe His people or church. It is also used to describe Peoples in general, and of course the literal application. Let’s look at Micah, verse 4:1 to get a perfect example.

“Now it shall come to pass in the latter days, that the mountain of the LORD’S  house  shall be established on top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; And peoples shall flow to it. Many nations shall come and say ‘Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.’ “For out of Zion the law shall go forth, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”

So now that we know the proper meanings of mountain,let’s translate the above. “Now it shall come to pass in the latter days, that the “people” of the Lord’s house shall be established on the top of the “world’s people”. And shall be exalted above the hills (this means the Lord’s people will be VERY highly exalted) and peoples shall flow to it. Many nations shall come and say, ‘Come, and let us go up to the “people” of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; He (The Lord) will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.’ For out of Zion the law shall go forth, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”

So in understanding Daniel 2:44, we  must always remember the cardinal Bible rule of interpretation, that is to read the words as they read not as we want them to read. Notice  it specifically says–  In the days of the kings  =  God setting up His kingdom  not after the days of the kings  =  God setting up His kingdom. The devil is so crafty, and if he can throw us off in one little word, we can be led down a whole different direction. Such as in the long-held traditional interpretation of Daniel’s prophecy.

Notice a perfect description found in (Jer.5:20) speaking of these 144,000 warriors that closely describes the same thing Daniel saw. “You are My battle-ax and weapons of war: For with you I will break the nation in pieces: With you  I will destroy kingdoms.”  Has this ever happened since Jeremiah’s time? No. It is yet to come. Very important to notice that these words aren’t saying that “you”  is describing the Lord. Who else after Jeremiah’s time  can scripture point to that will go out and “destroy” kingdoms and break nations in pieces, nothing else makes sense except the 144,000 servants of God.

Let’s continue with the prophecies of Jeremiah.  (Jer. 7:7-8) “For thus says the LORD: “Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations; Proclaim, give praise, and say, ‘O LORD, save Your people, the remnant of Israel!’  Behold, I will bring them from the north country,and gather them from the ends of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and the one who labors with child, together; A great throng shall return there.”

What strikes out to us from the above?  First, the return “there” is Zion, as it describes it in the verses before (Jer. 31:5-6).It is not heaven where He returns them. Has our Lord ever gathered His people (remnant) from “the ends of the earth” and brought them to Zion, after Jeremiah’s time? A “great throng” returning there? Not yet. Some may say “Yes, in 1948 the people God is talking about,the Jews were gathered back to Zion”.  No it cannot be. The people of God, are not the unbelievers who deny God’s Son and willfully reject Him. Secondly, the above Scripture cannot be describing the earth made new, because there will be no blind, lame or children.(for no children see 1 Selected Messages, p.172-173)

Ellen White clearly states who is the Israel of today. “…Seventh Day Adventists must have the Holy Spirit in their hearts and in their homes. The Lord has given me light that when the Israel of today humble themselves before Him…” (Test. for the Church, Vol. 9, p.164) Clearly the Jews of old are not the Israel of today. This area has continued to be a giant deception that most of Christendom has bought hook, line, and sinker from the great deceiver.

Let us keep in mind that because the  Seventh Day Adventist’s are the Israel of today, all God’s promises made to His people are to be fulfilled through the Israel of today. As we continue let us be confident that what the Lord said He will do–He will do. EGW confirms this ” That which God purposed to do for the world through Israel, the chosen nation, He will finally accomplish through His church on earth today…These witnesses for God are numbered among the spiritual Israel, and to them will be fulfilled all the covenant promises made by Jehovah to His ancient people.” (Prophets and Kings, p.713-714)

Let’s continue with Jeremiah. “For the LORD has redeemed Jacob and ransomed him from the hand of one stronger than he. Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, Streaming to the goodness of the LORD— For wheat and new wine and oil, For the young of the flock and the herd; Their souls shall be like a well-watered garden, and they shall sorrow no more at all.

Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old, together; for I will turn their mourning to joy, will comfort them, and make them rejoice rather than sorrow. I will satiate the soul of the priests with abundance, and My people shall be satisfied with My goodness, says the LORD.” (Jer. 8:11-14)

Again we notice the exciting pure joy of what the Lord will do when He brings His people back to Zion. tradition has said that this is describing the earth made new. But that cannot be because during the earth made new world, there will be –no old people. So obviously these promises take place in the future, yet cannot be in the “earth made new” after the millennium –so it must occur in this world and in the future.

In Zechariah (8:3-8) we find revealing descriptions of how life will be in the earthly kingdom. Before we quote this, keep in mind this “kingdom” will not be a worldly government kingdom per se, it will be God’s church kingdom. There will still exist “other worldly nations” as Satan will be countering this kingdom, setting up “his” own kingdom of Sunday worshippers, and eventually mandating this around the world- the mark of the beast decree (this is a whole other in-depth area). But keep in mind that due to the power God has enabled His 144,000 servants, the world’s kingdoms shall be “broke”, in other word’s –turned on their head as they observe the awesome power of the Lord and the many people coming out of babylon (false churches and religions). This power does indeed cause a “break” in the world’s long held religions.

“Thus says the LORD : ‘I will return to Zion, and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Jerusalem shall be called the City of Truth, The Mountain of the LORD of hosts, the Holy Mountain.’ Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Ol men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each one with his staff in his hand because of old age. The streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets.

Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘ If it is marvelous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, will it also be marvelous in My eyes?’ says the LORD of hosts. Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘ Behold , I will save My people from the land of the east and from the land of the west; I will bring them back, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. They shall be My people and I will be their God, in truth and righteousness.”

Once more we can see without doubt that this cannot be describing anything but during our current world. For the old men and women are dwelling in Jerusalem, and our God has brought them there.

They say that to  prove something out, there must be a preponderance of evidence. Next week we’ll bring more Scripture evidence, showing our Lord will indeed establish His Church Kingdom on earth before He comes in the clouds.  The Lord must finally clear His name among the heathen and leave them with no doubt His is the–King.

“He will set up a banner for the nations,and will assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth” (Isaiah 11:12)

Continued next week….

Posted in Final Events, Our Lord's kingdom | 4 Comments »

The Converted Life

March 24, 2012

Note: This post comes with a plea, that we must realize that there is a cost to enter God’s kingdom–it costs you your life, that is, a changing from a sinful life into a holy life. A careless attitude of “I got my Jesus free pass card” must be  changed to a ” I want to walk upright with my Lord everyday”.

It really saddens me to think that being called a “Christian” or even a “Seventh Day Adventist”  will soon be a thing of the past. Sadly, the Lord will finally have had it , with those names. The degrading and mis-representation of those who profess something wonderful, yet do what is wrong in our Lord’s site, will have finally reached the heavens.

Speaking to those who falsely profess His name, He says ” You will leave your name for a curse to my chosen ones, and the Lord God will slay you. But My servants will be called by another name. ( Isaiah 65:15) And just so you don’t think our Lord means calling us a new name in heaven, but here on earth (Isaiah 62:2) reads “The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, and all kings your glory.You shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD will name.”

So we see the converted life really involves careful warnings to our brother and sisters.

One of the great deceptions produced from the evil one, is the old belief we have no accountability per se.We think  ” Our Lord died for me and paid my price, therefore I’m safe. I don’t have to be concerned with my walk, just as long as I’m fairly good and live a good clean life, I’m fine.” It’s the twisted belief in “righteousness by faith”. A  completely false idea of just what that means. Let’s look at how narrow the path to life really is. But as narrow as it is, anyone can stay on it, they just have to want it badly enough.

How bad? Let’s let scripture answer this. ” If you look for Me with all your heart, you will find me”. (Jer.29:13)  How about when we seek Him with half our heart, what then? Well, I don’t know about you but that sounds like lukewarmness to me. The kind our Lord will sprew out of His mouth.

The purpose of this post is not to make you feel all is helpless, rather it is a real account of what it takes to enter the kingdom. The solemn fact is that our Lord cannot compromise on His word, and it specifically call us to repentance. Repentance that is true, a turning away from sin.

Let us remember, there was one family in all the world saved in Noah’s time. There was very few saved in Sodom and Ghamorah. There was only two (above the accountability age of 20) that God allowed into the promised Israel. He has always been loving but He cannot compromise with sin and unrighteousness.

It’s so sad that many of us think our Lord is but a big Santa Claus up there in heaven saying ” Oh, Oh, Oh, come on in all you sinners, no need to repent, just some on in, Oh, Oh, Oh”.

Ellen White says “If we have any regard for our soul’s salvation, we must make a decided change. We must seek the Lord with true pentience; we must with deep contrition of soul confess our sins, that they may be blotted out.” (1 Selected Messages  p.125) Should we be so foolish to think we can continue to purposely sin and without repentance be forgiven? No, true repentance means we’re sorry for doing a certain sin, and then turn away from that sin. Asking our Lord to help us with His power to overcome.

Sometimes I truly wonder how many in our church, in God’s true loving way, reach out to a wayward brother or sister and say ” You know brother, you rally shouldn’t be smoking, that’s not right before the Lord.”  Or “you know sister, you shouldn’t be listening to that rock in roll music, the Lord can’t be pleased with that music.”

(Isaiah 58:1) tell us what we must do about this. “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up your voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob thier sins.”  Some  may think this verse describes our Lord showing His people their sins–it does not. The “your” in your voice is not captilized in the scripture. So it’s a direct plea to–us,  His people.

As we have wrote about in  a prior post, the sealings of God is happening now. This sealing is not being lightly and carelessly placed on His people. A converted life is the foremost requirement to receive this eternal seal. Just how converted ? Let’s look at the prophetess’ inspired words.

“…everyone must deliver his own soul by his own righteousness.” (Test. for the church, p.215)  Whoa, wait a minute. What about Christ righteousness is our righteousnes? He’s our righteousness, so we are always righteous.

Yes, our Lord’s righteousness is ours indeed! But we claim that righteousness (which means –right doing) ONLY when we have made a full commitment to live a right doing life. You see, even after we make that commitment we’ll fall short, but then we can claim His righteousness because we are striving with our whole heart. His righteousness is no longer a cop out or convient excuse and claimed by us as we walk sinfully through our professed “Christian” life.

Let’s now look at some examples of a “converted life”.

— You know the Holy 10 Commandments  1 to 10  and 10 to 1. If someone asks you–“What is Commandment no. 7?”  you know immediately. For the original short form of the 10 Commandments, see this link http://www.levitt.com/hebrew/commandments.html

— Come Friday sunset, you are well aware this is the Holy Sabbath, honoring God is the primary focus you have, and this lasts through out the Sabbath

–At the store the cashier gives you back 10.00 extra, you notice it after you get to your car. You walk back in to that cashier and hand it back.

–A close friend or relative calls and invites you to their wedding this coming Saturday. You don’t even hesitate, and politely decline.

–At work you notice a co-worker wants to take a small item from the office, you gently remind them that they shouldn’t do that, and you have a chance to share God’s Law with them (No.8 -Thou shall not steal)

–On Friday, you know it’s preparation day, so you make sure to get gas, meals ready, clothes ready, etc. It is dreadful to you if you do these things on Sabbath

–You no longer watch TV every night, instead you are studying God’s word, alone or with family or friends.

— You bring your bible with you each and every week to church. Your bible is marked up, due to numerous passages you have noted and love. His word is in your mind and heart. Especially each and every Commandment.

— A  Friend calls you on Friday night to fill you in on the big news at work, you politely explain it’s the Sabbath and you’ll call them back on Saturday night or Sunday

–You dress on the Sabbath as if you are going to see the president of the USA. But in this case you know you are seeing a much greater than that!

–Worldly music is out, you shun it in the car, home and work.

Those are just a few of the examples. The Holy Spirit will guide you on so much more as you make an effort to convert.

I gave a short sermon in our church a few weeks back explaining how many members look at going to Sabbath services as “punching in their time card.” They do as they please during the week, and when Sabbath comes they get well dressed and “do their time” and so the Lord is pacified. No, the Sabbath is the culmination of our “right doing” during the week, and so we come before the Lord, arms stretched out and ready to faithfully worship Him. This is the converted life in action!

We must remember the devil has took over Christianity to a great degree. This has been so at least from the 2nd or 3rd century. And one of his greatest deceptions is to get you to feel complacent.  Our Lord described His people in His last church (the Laodicean church)  “Because you say, ” I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing” — and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.”(Rev.3:17) This lukewarm attitude tells us to relax, don’t worry about our walk, or even learning new light and truth. We’re safe, no need to search any further for His truth.

 We should “fear” Him in a healthly way. Frequently we should ask Him to guide us, and warn us. This is so important in our walk. We are admitting we can’t rely on our own strength and even our own knowledge, we need more! Why do I  bring up knowledge?  His solemn words.  “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou has rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee..”(Hosea 4;6) The ones who come to us seriously saying “listen brother or sister, I want to show you this light that has been revealed to me” –we should not blindly ignore them, if it is something we don’t agree with or understand, we must search it out. Zealousness comes from the Lord, and if someone has it and wants to share it, it should always be listened to, and studied.

One of the most solemn areas of study, we will do once we are converted is the upcoming Ezekiel prophecy. In Manuscript releases, Vol 1, page 260, Ellen White says “Study the  9th chapter of Ezekiel. These words will be literally fulfilled; yet the time is passing and the people are asleep. They refuse to humble themselves and be converted. Not a great while longer will the Lord bear with the people who have such great and important truths revealed to them, but who refuse to bring these truths into their individual experience.”

In case some of you are not familiar, Ezekiel 9 is the sealings of the 144,000  as spoken of in Revelation 7:3. This is where are Lord will begin the judgement of the living in the house of God, His church. EGW knew this, yet today very few speak of this from the pulpit  — Study the 9th chapter of Ezekiel.

What are some of the keys to knowing a brother or sister is coming to us with a message from God?  1) They are zealous (Rev. 3:19)  2) They are “blowing the trumpet” (giving many warnings) “Set the trumpet to your mouth! He shall come like an eagle against the house of Israel. Because they have transgressed My covenant and rebelled against My Law.” (Hosea 8:1)  3)They stand solidly on the Law and the testimony (Isaiah 8:20)  4) They are willing to study with you and want to share knowledge (Hosea 4:6).

When  a brother or sister comes us to do a study, engage it, find out the matter. Don’t  think you’re above it and don’t need it. Afterall how do you know, that the Lord Himself did not specifically send that person into your life to learn some important truth you need?

“Whatever may be a man’s intellectual advancement, let him  not for a moment think that there is no need of thorough and continuous searching of the Scriptures for greater light..” (Gospel workers, p.300)

“We should now feel the responsibility of laboring with intense earnestness to impart to others the truths that God has given for this time. We cannot be too much  in earnest.” (Test for the Church, Vol. 6, p.16)

EGW was given these words from the Lord, please read and understand them, as it clearly shows our path we must follow will require a sincere effort.

“In concluding this narrative, I would say that we are living in a most solemn time. In the last vision given me, I was shown the startling fact that but a small portion of those who now profess the truth will be sanctified by it and saved.” (Test. for the church, Vol.1,p.608) Why is this so startling? Because sadly, few of us want of make the whole hearted effort to live the converted life to the Lord.

Does that mean our own individual life will become a never ending struggling tight rope, always worrying about whether we are right with God? No, when we convert and start overcoming temptation after temptation, we gain a power from God, a type of momentum that keeps us strong and steady. A true feeling that we are indeed walking on that straight and narrow path.

My brothers and sisters, let none say what EGW pointed out in (Christ’s Object Lessons, p.331) “Let no one say, I cannot remedy my defects of character. If you come to that decision, you will certainly fail of obtaining life.”

So in closing, we must realize that just going through the motions won’t do it now. Anyone of us could have tomorrow be the “close of probation’ for us. Our Lord said near the end of His final book (Revelation) “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be My son.” (Rev.21:7)  Overcome what? It can be none other than- continual sinning.

I remember my Dad told me something when I was a kid that really stuck with me. He said God gave us only one thing that is only ours, and everything else is His. That one thing is our will. When we will truly want to find the Lord with all our heart, we’ll find Him. This half way stuff won’t cut it. We’ll no longer cherish sins, rather we’ll change and commit to the life we must have—  The Converted Life.

In Christ, from Whom all knowledge flows, –Rob

Posted in Christian walk, once saved always saved fallacy | 2 Comments »

God’s Storehouse blessings

March 17, 2012

Note: This post is for SDA and Davidians, if you are not one, it may not be understandable to you.

She said again and again “I can’t believe I did that”.  We were both in a bit of a haze, she had just broadsided me on my drivers door as we came toward the intersection. Thank God she  did it at an angle and no one was hurt. This accident happened about 2 months ago, little did I know at the time, God’s hand was in it.

One of the most emphatic promises made by our Lord was given in His last Old testament book – Malachi. In (Mal 3:10) we read “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food  in My house, and try Me now on this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessings that there will not be room enough to receive it.”

As I had mentioned above, little did I know that through this accident , God was keeping His word in that Malachi promise. And I have no doubt , this is just the beginning! I’ll finish a bit later on this story.

Today in our “Christian” world the promises of (Mal.3:10) have been so perverted and mis-aligned that the Lord Himself must be in utter disgust, to see how the many false teachers and sooth sayers (especially on TV and Radio) are using these words to scam the people into pouring out millions and millions of dollars each and every year. It’s the ol “give to get” philosphy that these twisted men and women use to line their, and their croonies pockets.

One thing is sure, almost all of these scammers have luxury homes, and very expensive cars, not to mention the large annual salaries. It’s a pathetic misapplication of God’s word. They speak  nothing of present truth in regards to God’s storehouse.  Let’s look at the real intented meaning of this clear promise.

First we notice God tells us the “bring all the tithes into the storehouse.” Two things here we notice, all our God intended funds (tithes) should go into to His storehouse.  We should know just what is God’s “storehouse”.

In Timely Greetings, Vol. 2, No. 30:18, we read ” The statement, “bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse,” implies that some are already bringing  into it, but not all. This, along with the charge that the whole nation is robbing God, positively shows that the tithes are now brought, not to God’s storehouse, but to some other house. To repeat, God’s storehouse has ever been and ever will  be where “the message of the hour” is, where “Present Truth” is, the house from which “meat in due season” is dispensed at the time the tithes are paid.”  – Victor T. Houteff

Also brother Houteff says we can deceive ourselves by thinking our charitable gift can replace the tithes to God. His command is, “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse,

Tract 4                            43

that there may be meat in Mine house. “Mal. 3:10.  The storehouse is the only place designated where one may bring the tithes and offerings and unload from his shoulders the heavy responsibility which a faithful stewardship imposes.  To do otherwise with them, is to leave one’s account in the heavenly ledger standing in the red, even though one may appropriate them to some meritorious work of charity.  While it is yet today, therefore, flee from this sin of Achan before it is forever too late!  “As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?” Ezek. 33:11.

So we see that the real storehouse brings the present truth to the people and fills the people up with their “meat in due season”. This being the case, can we see that almost all of the churches today are not speaking and dispensing “meat in due season”, therefore can’t really be called God’s storehouse.(For info on what is present truth -please see our last post)

God’s storehouse is currently teaching the “Elijah meesage” or also know as the Davidian message. This is the solemn warning message of the Lord’s imminent return to His churches to begin the beginning phase of the judgement for the living. The old past truths being taught week after week to satisfy the lukewarm laodiceans, is not where God’s storehouse is.

But we must be ever understanding that almost all of us today within the SDA, are currently going to a local church that is not preaching and teaching present truth. What to do? Well,  I stand on solid ground when I say —do not quit that church.  But what to do about the tithe? Here’s the best answer God has inspired me to give.

Week after week we go to our local SDA church, we use their electricity, their pews, their carpet, their meals (at times), their ac./heating, etc.  Would it be right in God’s eyes to take and take, without contributing? I would say not. Therefore we should give  weekly to our local church for their expenses. Many of us feel we are not contributing to God’s storehouse, but we are paying our dues, to fellowship with our friends and family.

But let us be mindful of our Lord’s quote “Give to Ceasar what is Ceasar’s give to God what is God’s” (Mark 12:17). On God’s intended funds to His storehouse we can send it (most likely by mail) to a real storehouse of God. Then and only then can God keep His promise to pour out  blessings that we have not have room enough to receive it.

Where then is the storehouse of God? As we read above, it’s where present truth is taught, the message of the hour. Not stale old messages consisting of present truth for a generation past, but our meat in due season. Lukewarm sermons are certainly not the “message of the hour”.The Lord is about to enter upon His churches –He want’s this message out there now.

Here’s a short list of 2 of God’s storehouses, which I have found are teaching present truth.

1) Original Shepherd’s Rod Davidian http://shepherdsroddavidian.org/index.html

2) G.A.D.S.D.A  http://www.shepherds-rod-message.org/

Ok, back to the story. As we had just collided, we got out and inspected each others truck/car. I remember her in a stupor saying more than once “I can’t believe  I did that”. Those words somehow struck me as a message to me for some reason. We politely exchanged info, and even called the police for a report (she requested it).

We were both going toward the upcoming intersection, but she was ahead and had stopped , due to the backed up traffic at the red light ahead. I was behind but saw that it was better to go on the right side passing lane because I was going to be going right ahead. As I pulled over and continued on ahead, she all of a sudden pulls out of her lane and goes right, into my left side door.

So after the accident we were able to (fortuantely) drive our vehicles home. But as I got home, thoughts started to swirl in my head. I knew it was her fault and she did have insurance but even still doubts creep in as to the final outcome. I really didn’t need this headache I thought. Then the Holy Spirit spoke. I listened.

It reminded me that I had just recently started sending my tithes to the above mentioned storehouses. Suddenly I understood! This was from God! The plan shown me was that I would receive a large check , much more than it would cost to fix the truck, and that I would be able to funnel much of that back into God’s work, what an excellent blessing!

The final blessing was this — I got to keep my truck amd get 2314.00 check, which the actual repair will be close to 500.00 to fix. God had poured out a blessing, and I will use much of it  for God’s purposes, maybe even alittle treat here and there too 🙂

So my brethren God keeps His word, and if we start putting HIS tithes into HIS storehouse, we shall reap His promises.

In Christ, Whose guidance makes possible this post –Rob

Posted in God's storehouse | 4 Comments »

What Is Present Truth?

March 10, 2012

If someone was to give you a 1 year old newspaper, or even a 5 or 10 year old newspaper, while intriguing, could you expect to gain knowledge of current events, local and worldwide? If that is your latest information or knowledge of current events, would you be in a position to really know the “current” situation? Obviously not. Present truth is much the same way, it’s the current or latest unfolding of God’s scroll of truth, the “latest” newspaper as it were. And who are the delivery people? You got it, the prophets and prophetesses. By them God’s latest “news”(truth)  is announced.

The question is– do we want to read it and understand it? Pilate asked our Lord -“What is truth?”  Today our Lord is asking each of us— ‘What is present truth?”  Can we say “We know exactly what that is Lord.”   Let’s look deeper into this most serious subject- present truth.

The term “Present Truth” has been a term particularly exposed by the SDA church. Wikipedia in describing “Seventh Day Adventist theology” states the following:

“The founders of the Seventh Day Adventist Church had a dynamic concept of what they called ” present truth”, opposed to creedal rigidity, and had an openess to new theological understandings that built upon the landmark doctrines, or Pillars of Adventism that had made them a people.”

Here Wikipedia describes even better than most within our SDA community the term “present truth”, noting that this present truth isn’t rigid and has an openess to new theological understandings, as long as it “builds upon” the solid established doctrines.

I would whole heartedly agree that present truth must stand upon established truths exposed by our SDA church. With truth being light, present truth must be a  brighter form of that light, a clearer focusing of that light upon our path, as we walk ahead in our Christian walk.

If we call our selves Christians, we must ever be striving to walk onward and forward, not walking in place. And this forward walk can only be done by walking on God’s unfolding scroll of truth, the latest “news” as delivered by His messengers, the prophets.

As we look back into time we can learn two great examples of  God’s people not advancing in present truth. The most important example was our Lord’s message He gave Himself. The Jews were full of themselves, as to knowing the truth of God, and then Jesus came with a present day truth. He announced He was sent of God, the great “I AM”.  He taught day after day the presnt truths with so much light. But it was rejected by most of the people. They were content with what the “leaders” were saying, as to Jesus not telling truth. That day’s present truth–flatly rejected.

Scroll ahead to 1844. The SDA movement announced God’s revealing of present truth- the cleansing of the Sanctuary. The beginning of the judgement for the dead, in God’s Holy Temple in heaven. The people were as one, for great light of present truth flooded their souls. They accepted it! But this unity would soon die out. Particularly in 1888, when the understanding of  Dr. Waggoners  “The Righteousness in Christ by faith”, caused division among the people. This was that day’s present truth-a deeper understanding of the righteousness of Christ in us. The present truth after 1888 became hazy and dimmer. No real advancement took place, and they (SDA people) wandered in the anti-type desert for about 40 years until about 1929.

Again, we must understand that the powerful present truths are not revealed to ordinary man. Yes, many men and woman have revealed light given to them in different times, in different areas, but the most sacred and powerful light for His people  come –from — the –prophets. This is a most solid truth. “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He revealth His plans to His servants, the prophets.” (Amos 3:7)

In the above scripture we see a powerful key. Notice that the Lord will “do” something, in other words act in some way, and He won’t do that thing until He reveals it first, to His prophets. Obviously this thing to be done is important for all of God’s people to know, because it announced by His servants, the prophets. Many have been revealed things from our Lord (dreams, signs. etc.) but those are for us privately, not for the whole people. This is the big difference, the prophet messages are extremely important for all of us. Hence present truth will be found in their messages they bring from God.

In 1827 God raised up a woman named Ellen Harmon (Later to be Ellen G. White). She was one of the founders of the SDA church.Visions and profound writings would flow from her, starting in 1844,  in such power that the people were amazed. She gave the flock of God it’s present truth for that period (approx. 1850 to 1915)

Each prophet prepares the next prophet, kinda like they set the table for the next. The unfolding of the truth scroll is handed to the next messenger.  Ellen did her job superbly. She time and again had many warnings to her people (particularly in the Testimonies for the church series-9 volumes and Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel workers). God was setting the people up for the final prophet, the one who would come to “prepare the people” for the great and dreadful day.(Mal. 4:5)

Let’s look at what EGW had to say about present truth. “Their are many precious truths contained in the Word of God, but it is “present truth” that the flock needs now. I have seen the danger of messengers running off from the important points of  present truth, to dwell upon sujects that are not calculated to unite the flock and sanctify the soul. Satan will here take very possible advantage to injure the cause.”(Early Writings, P.63)  (This quote has direct implications to the Davidian messengers, to remain united on the main points).

” In every age there is a new development of truth, a message of God to the people of that generation. The old truths are essential; new truth is not independant of the old, but only an unfolding of it.” (Christ’s object lessons, p.127-128)

So the prophetess, EGW, was a superb listener to our Lord. She knew that God had a messenger to come after her and she announced it! “Prophecy must be fulfilled. The Lord says; “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.” Somebody is to come in the spirit  and power of Elijah, and when he appears, men may say; “You are too earnest, you do not interpret the scriptures in the proper way, let me tell you how to teach your message” (Testimonies to Ministers, p.475).

Now let’s look at that profound statement. She directly states a “somebody”  not a group or even somebodies. One person, and it’s a HE .(Note- the then SDA general leadership put out a * asterick by the above statement, claiming EGW really was talking about herself when she mentioned “he”. Shows the desperate acts they were doing to counter this message).

What is the outstanding characteristic of this somebody? He will “interpret scripture.” What is  his purpose? He has a “message” for the people. And it is a Elijah-type message. What was Elijah’s message in the OT? A warning to His own people, get right with God, quit following  false leaders(Baal leaders)  and their ways! What will happen when he trys to give this message? The people will interupt and claim he is all wrong in his interpretations. This somebody will be mostly ignored by God’s people. How much clearer can it get in identifying this next messenger (prophet) and his message,  God’s latest present truth?

Again God explains how He sends His most important messages to His people. “But in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets.” (Rev.10:7) So if each and every prophet carries a most important message, should we sincerely try to find out who EGW was pointing to–to come after? Yes indeed!

In about 1929, a man began to look upon scripture in a whole different light. The great scroll of present truth was being handed to him from God. He saw new light on many prophecies previously hidden from view. Like EGW, he began to write and preach. Soon the SDA leadership interupted. “Stop” they cried “you interpret wrongly, let us tell you the message.”  —Just as prophesised!

Some may say that’s not enough proof that Victor T. Houteff was the man EGW prophesised about. Have you looked into his work?Do you say that some leaders of the church tell you, VTH was a false prophet? Or do you say “I will investigate this myself” (just as we are told to in sripture) We are promised that the  “Spirit of Truth” is to come to us are we not? So if we have this Spirit can we trust that when we read brother Houteff’s work, it will guide–yea or nay? But be  aware, recently we did a post called ” Help I can’t see” and the point was directly made that if we are living a non-converted life(cherishing sins), we very likely will not be able to understand God’s present truth. The Spirit of Truth is stymied.

The whole present truth message (this last one) is directly pertaining to preparing the people before the Lord comes in that great and dreadful day. The “Elijah”‘s  main purpose was thus –preparation of the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord (the day of execution of the judgement for the living in His church). Brother Houteff did this superbly–the center of his message. His present truth, given by God was to be given to God’s people not to the world (just like the first Elijah’s message).

In speaking of the Elijah message, we read near the very end of God’s last book of the old Testament, Malachi 4:5 –“Behold I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and dreadful day of the LORD.”  Knowing that Elijah’s coming right before the  end of the world will come, we must ask our selves what kind of message will he bring from the Lord? As many of us know, God provides types and anti-types. The first message of Elijah was given how?

1) He spoke only, I repeat only to his own people, the house of Israel. He did not speak his message to babylon, the world’s heathen.

2) He spoke of warnings to his people, that they were worshipping a false god and trespassing God’d Law.

3) The message was given loud and clear right before God’s judgements came down and destroyed the wicked from –His — Own –People (church)

So the anti-type message must be the anti-type, or similar type of message. This message is going on right now, and those who accept these warnings and turn from their backslidding will be sealed and protected in the near judgements that will fall on His church. Remember the upcoming  judgements starts first in the house of God  (1 Peter 4:17)

Today ten’s of  thousands have taken up this end time message. The Lord is getting His “elect” together right now, in preparation for the final “Loud Cry”. The elect 144,000, who have made the decision to wholely convert to the Lord, watching their own lives carefully, shunning sin whenever possible, are being sealed. This my brothers and sisters is —PRESENT TRUTH.

Let us not delay. Come as you are , asking our Lord “Lord , I want to be a part of your last day people, the elect. I am willing to search and learn your present truth. Guide me and send me the Spirit of Truth.”

In Christ, Whose guidance makes possible this post–Rob

Posted in End times, Present Truth | 7 Comments »

The Sealings of God

March 3, 2012

As we are quickly approaching the prophetic great and dreadful day of our Lord, many are discovering the importance of being “sealed” by our Maker. This  work is being done right now and it should be thoroughly understood by all who want to know about this important marking by our Lord. This is indeed a serious subject. It can be viewed as kind of a “holy branding”, with the Lord declaring who is and who is not His people.If we want to be with the Lord, and stand in that day, we must have this seal. Let us look into this most important area.

We shall look at this subject from God’s last two spokespersons, Ellen G. White (hereafter referred as EGW) and Victor T. Houteff (Hereafter referred as VTH). “Surely the Lord will do nothing, but He reveals His secrets unto His servants, the prophets.” (Amos 3:7)

First let us look at a direct description from EGW about the sealing, taken from Vol. 4, Bible Commentary , p.1161.

“What is the seal of the living God, which is placed in the foreheads of His people ? It is a mark which angels, but not human eyes, can read. For the destroying angel must see this mark of redemption (Letter 126, 1898) The angel with the writer’s inkhorn is to place a mark upon the foreheads of all who are separated from sin and sinners, and the destroying angel follows this angel- just as soon as the people of God are sealed in their foreheads — It is not a seal or mark that can be seen, but a settling into the Truth, both intellectually and spiritually so that they can’t be moved.

The above is packed with telling information. First we notice that this seal is placed in the forehead. A direct sign of the thinking or intellectual area of our body. It appears that these sealed ones have been active in studying and abiding in the Truth (Word of God). For she makes very clear that “truth” is indeed deeply inside these chosen.For they have “settled” into it. So much so that they are so convinced, and rightly so, that their studying has revealed to them the perfect solid truth, and no one can shake them out of it.

Next, notice the circumstances of this sealing. It is placed by “angel with the writer’s inkhorn.” Where does those exact prophetic words come from? None other than the writings of Ezekiel, chapter 9, verse 3-4. “And the glory of the God of Isreal, was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed in linen, which had the writer’s inkhorn by his side. And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men , who sigh and cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.”

We know that scripture sometimes refer to angels as “men or man”. See (Dan 9:21)  (Joshua 5:13) (Gen 18:2) for example. The Bible and EGW squarely places the sealings by angels as preceeding the destroying angel. But notice this sealing must come first and be completed before the destroying angel does his work. The sealed ones are to be “separated” for sin and sinners.

Let’s look further at when and where these sealings take place.

One of the main reasons I was brought into the Davidian truth (of which they are active in spreading), was the discovery that EGW said something that profoundly changed the end time scenario for seekers of the Truth. It was (Testimonies to Ministers, p.445)   where she said the Rev. 7 sealings of the 144,000 was the same as what Ezekiel saw in vision (Ezek. 9). Meaning there is a concurrent  one-two action of the sealings. With that being truth, we see that the 144,000 must all be sealed first then right after the dreadful act of the destroying angel takes place.

Who are sealed? The 144,000 of all the tribes of Israel(Rev.7:4). Who is Israel today? EGW states that it is the SDA people (Test. for the church, vol.9, p.164) What about the rest of the SDA? This is sadly spoken of in Ezekiel 9.

Some may say, “Well that’s your opinion, I’ll stick to Stephen Bohr, John Bradshaw, Dwight  Nelson, and the other leading men of the SDA who don’t believe what you say here.” I recently listened to Mr. Bohr, and was quite impressed with his sermon. I was thinking “so close yet so far”. He spoke of the need for conversion first, before coming into the church, which was spot on. But he made mentioned that the “shaking” is soon to come, and equated it to the “Sunday law”. But strangely, they ignore the “church judgement” by our Lord which are contained in the scriptures and SOP. They do not put the solid obvious prophetic time line into it’s proper place. The only ones that I know of who do,  is the Davidian Seventh Day Adventists.

Once more our beloved prophetess explains more on the seal of God. “Not one of us will ever receive the seal of God while our characters have one spot or stain upon them. It is left with us to remedy the defects in our character, to cleanse the soul temple of every defilement. Then the latter rain will fall upon us as the early rain fell upon the disciples in the day of Pentecost.” (Test. for the church, vol.5, p.214)

In the above statement, we must understand that EGW is not talking about our “occasional” sinning, because we all are guilty of this. She is describing “spot or stain” as a continual repetive sinning. In other words, we desire to sin time and again, thus it becomes a spot or stain on our character. “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:18). So to be clear, it is our responsiblity, as shes says “it is left to us to remedy”, but definitely with the power of the Holy Spirit, to overcome our defects.

Here we are made to see that we must overcome sinning. Our Lord didn’t mince words when He said in (Rev.3:21) “To him that overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne”.  Overcome what? It is the continual sinning in our lives. We are placed a God given conscious, and when we do something we know we shouldn’t we cross that warning barrier, leading us to sin. If we continue in this way, that God given barrior is broken and we find we are in a most serious condition. Eventually we grieve away the Holy Spirit.

The last prophet, Victor T. Houteff, the interpretive prophet, who EGW described would come after her ( see Test. to Ministers, p.475, 1 Selected Messages, p.412) sheds more light on the sealings. In fact, he shows through scripture and EGW how there is to be “two” end time sealings. One for the 144,000 and then another for the “great multitude”, which are called out of babylon (the world) into God’s end time kingdom. A pure church kingdom, not a government kingdom. The following link shows brother Houteff’s report on the two sealings. http://shepherds-rod-speaks.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/two-sealing-reports.pdf

In the above report, VTH carefully points out that  EGW’s description of 144,000 seal and the endtime seal (the great multitude) is separate. Some have tried to show there is just one sealing in the last days, this report clearly show that there are two distinct sealings.

So my dear brothers and sisters, let us seriously study as never before. Put away earthly distractions as much as you can, and devote yourself to the inspired word’s of the Holy Scriptures and His prophets.This way you can know the truth and live it daily. The Lord has His arms stretched out right now, calling each and every one of us to learn, know and obey His truth. Can we know we are sealed?

I have been led to say that if you are at a place in your walk with the Lord, where sin done by you or in  your sight,  makes you truly sad, thus making you sigh or cry, then  you are well on that straight and narrow path, which our Lord promises us we can take right up to the kingdom.

Through the completion of His prophet’s messages to us, we now know what is required of us to be sealed. This revealing light is made clear to any and all who look for it. Can we afford to be lukewarm about our salvation? Or should we search and study the messages He has sent us through His last two prophets, whom the sealing message has clearly been shown? We were promised a end time “Elijah”, with a message.(Mal 4:5)  That my brethren, has come.

There is now coming a time when those who are serious enough to pursue His truth, will indeed find it and then settle into it and thus be forever—sealed.

In Christ, and Whose guidance makes possible this post- Rob

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