Archive for April, 2015

666 and the Two-Horned Beast

April 25, 2015

666 and two horned beast

“We have many lessons to learn, and many, many to unlearn. God and heaven alone are infallible. Those who think that they will never have to give up a cherished view, never have occasion to change an opinion, will be disappointed. As long as we hold to our own ideas and opinions with determined persistency, we cannot have the unity for which Christ prayed.”(Testimonies to Ministers, p.30)

As our counsel shows us, we as SDA must be prepared to re-think our old traditional understandings of certain Scriptures and lessons. One such area is the understanding of 666 and the Two-Horned Beast. The Lord’s Elijah uncovered the rubbish that had hidden the truth from this most important prophecy. Let us look at 666 and the Two-Horned Beast of Revelation chapter 13.

No doubt many of us are aware of our SDA historical belief that the number “666” represents the Papacy.

For example, adding up the numbers (Roman numerals) of an alleged title of the Pope, Vicarius Filii Dei, equals 666 (if letters with no value are rendered 0 and the U is rendered V). Many think this to be a basis for that belief.

The Scripture says–
“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you..” (Matt 7:7)

I have recently received a booklet called “A Word to the Little Flock” A reprint of the FIRST PUBLICATION of the SDA as jointly prepared in 1847 by its founders James White, Ellen G.White, Joseph Bates, from a sister in the faith who is an active researcher and Bible student who seeks Truth.

Published by Willis Printing Co. 724 19th St. Denver Colorado, published– 1935

The introduction is from a W.S.Butterbaugh, M.D. who was a prominent physician and member of the SDA organization back in the early 1900’s. The introduction begins as follows.

“The following twenty-four pages are an exact word-for-word reproduction from a photo-engraved copy of the original 1847 print, which contains certain words, phrases, clauses, sentences,and paragraphs omitted from “Experience and Views” and later from “Early Writings.”

The primary purpose of the republication of this tract is not so much to call attention to these omissions, as it is to create and to foster in the minds of all sincere Bible students more of a desire to seek after the great truths which were opened up and revealed in part in this the first vision given to Miss Ellen G. Harmon– a mere school girl but seventeen years of age!…

The omission on page 19 of an entire paragraph on the subject of the “mark” and “number” of the image beast is the very work that impairs correct prophetical interpretation, to the unity of inspiration, undermines faith in its manifestations, provokes to controversy, leading successively to perplexity, confusion, bewilderment, incredulity, disbelief and apostasy, of which viscious progression there are numerous tragic instances in the history of Seventh-day Adventists…

Hence, the moral obligation to republish this tract , which has never heretofore been published by the denomination. It will assist all candid and honest Bible students within the church to arrive at a correct conclusion after further comparative study.

The true light on this one question of the mark and number of the IMAGE BEAST was first given on pages 8, 9 and in the expunged paragraph, (p.19) and is nowhere else obtainable in early denominational exposition.

W.S. Butterbaugh, M.D.
1070 Acoma St.
Denver, Colorado
October 15, 1935

The following is very important, as it is the paragraph that was omitted from page 34 of Early Writings.

“I saw all that “would not receive the mark of the Beast, and of his Image, in their foreheads or in their hands,” could not buy or sell. I saw that the number (666) of the Image Beast was made up; and that it was the beast that changed the Sabbath, and the Image Beast had followed on after, and kept the Pope’s , and not God’s Sabbath. And all we were required to do, was to give up God’s Sabbath, and keep the Pope’s and then we should have the mark of the Beast, and of his image.”(Page 19)

We  must now go into a little history concerning the above quote. In April of 1847, the first print was made of EGW’s  vision of 1847. SDA author/editor Francis D. Nichol , considered the leading twentieth-century apologist for the prophetic ministry  of EGW, in his report on this omission wrote.

“..we may conclude that in 1851—the crucial date in the charge—and before and after that date, there was held by various Sabbath keeping spokesmen the idea that the number 666 applied to the second beast of Revelation 13, and that the 666 represented that number of churches. We cannot say to what extent the view was held before 1851. But this much we can say, that there is no evidence to support the idea that the view had suffered any eclipse or abandonment in 1851.”

Apparently the Revelation chapter 13 beasts were not a clear issue, with varied opinions. So down through the years, many church leaders rallied behind a few different ideas on this matter. But for whatever reason the prevailing idea was not in accordance with what our prophetess wrote there in page 19. Hence the omission. In Mr. Nichols report , he concludes that EGW knew about this, and the evidence suggests that her role in  this regard was not of suppression due to change in her beliefs.

Mr Nichols ends with, “We think that the unprejudiced reader will conclude that this mark-of-the-beast paragraph was dropped out, not with evil intent to conceal, but simply to save space or to avoid repetition or perhaps to avoid ambiguity until a more comprehensive statement might be made.”
http://pdf.amazingdiscoveries.org/eBooks/EGWhite/Ellen_White_and_Her_Critics.pdf (report number 18)

In 1881, a final version of “Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation” was published by Uriah Smith. Here, I believe lies the basis and foundation for today’s traditional belief that 666 represents the Papacy.

Brother Houteff comments after quoting the above original EGW quote, ”

“Contradicting this heaven-given view Thoughts on Daniel and The Revelation applies  the number “666” to the pope. From this we see that Elder Smith did not share in the same Inspiration which guided Sister White.  Though as her follower he was influenced by her yet his book shows that he was also influenced by the writings of uninspired authors.  Containing doctrines from her writings as well as from theirs, the book, consequently, is an admixture of truth and error.

   But the most inexcusable part of the whole thing is that the leading brethren have entirely disregarded the inspired vision concerning the number 666 (Rev. 13:18), and in its place have almost unanimously accepted these traditions and theories of men.  The sad result is that they have become blind to the light, rebellious against the Spirit of Christ, and consequently untrustworthy servants, unfit and disqualified as leaders of His people. 

And yet, withal, they go on the while complacently assuring themselves that they are the “men of experience,” who alone are capable of investigation and deciding whether or not the messages that come to the people are from God!  An arrogation of authority which no one has a right to make unto himself, it is the despotic spawn of egotism and

Glaring Inconsistency.”(Tract 5, p.21-22)

So we are left with a “jury is out” as far as why the important paragraph was omitted. But it is clear Uriah Smith became the general leader in promoting 666 as the pope , not Ellen White. But we see God’s hand in this because , His Elijah would come and “restore” the knowledge of the beasts of Rev. 13, just as he restored  many traditional SDA lessons we have assumed as truth.

The following report from Mt.Dale DSDA organization unveils a most compelling Rev. 13 report, based on Scripture, SOP and the Elijah message, may you enjoy.

**********************************************

It is well known, particularly in Adventists circles, that this two-horned non-royalist power, represents our blessed country, the United States of America. (9) No doubt you’re also familiar with the reasons. Unlike the first beast, he comes from the earth, the new world-the domain away from the sea, the old world.

The two crown less horns show two non-royalist rulers, while their lamb-like appearance forecasts youthful innocency–Christian–established upon the principles of peace and liberty. And his having the power to dictate who should buy and who should not, shows that he represents a nation that leads in controlling the world’s wealth and industry.

Having only two horns, not ten, the beast therefore depicts a local, not a universal government. Nevertheless, he will influence all Christendom to “make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.” That is, he will engineer a worldwide government setup, re-enthroning the principles of the church-state rule of Ecclesiastical Rome; a system now characterized by Catholicism, apostate Protestantism, and Capitalism.

In other words, the world will copy the Leopard-like beast. (Verse 12) Put still another way, it means that America will urge the world to reestablish a apostate religious-political system after the model of Western society, with principles imagining those of the Dark Ages. (Verse 12).

Note that it did not say that the Two-horned beast urged the world to worship the “head”-the Papacy, but the”beast”- the system-Catholicism, apostate Protestantism, and Capitalism, topped off with Spiritualism!

This is when, “Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government . . .” (10)

Time or space will not allow us to delve into the identity of the false Prophet–the one who deceived the world through his “miracles.” (Compare verses 13, 14 with Revelation 19:19, 20), except to say, that he will be revered as a great religious leader, although in reality he will be Satan’s chief agent.

Now that we have looked at the context of Revelation 13, we are now better prepared to identify the 666. “Here is wisdom,” says the Scriptures. “Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.” (Verse 18).

To identify this “man,” we must identify the “beast”–the power the “man” represents and leads. Thus we must ask, to which power is Verse 18 referring? The Leopard-like or the Two-horned? Look at it again! Note that it did not say, count the number of the beast with the wound! Or count the number of the beast which had his deadly wound healed! It just states, “count the number of the beast.”

Whenever the Bible refers to the Leopard-like beast, it always mentions the wound! (See verses 3, 12). In contrast, “the beast” is the Two-horned Beast or the Image Beast” without mention of the wound. So the beast or power in verse 18 is the Two-horned or the United States of America-not the Papacy!

Furthermore, if this is not so, why so many symbols for the Papacy? We have the little horn of Daniel 7. We say that the Leopard-like Beast, the 666, the Woman of Revelation 17, the seven head on which she sits, and the Scarlet-colored Beast are symbols of Rome! Why? What about the rise and fall of Protestantism? What about the rise of Western culture? What about our present world? Why would God leave them out?

Still skeptical? Consider the following inspired references: “This power is the last that treads down the true church of God and as the true church is still trodden down, and cast out by all Christendom, it follows that the last oppressive power has not ‘come to his end;’ and Michael has not stood up. This last power that treads down the saints is brought to view in Rev. 13:11 -18. His number is 666. . . (11)

“I saw that the number (666) of the Image Beast [the two-horned] was made up; and that it was the beast [Leopard-like] that changed the Sabbath, and the image Beast had followed on after, and kept the Pope’s and not God’s Sabbath.” (12)

These two statements make a very pungent point: that the number 666 is the power found in verses 11 – 18, and that this beast is the two-horned which we all know is the USA; otherwise known as the “Image Beast.” So the number 666 is not on the Leopard-like Beast who is found in verses 1 – 10 of Revelation 13 who changed the Sabbath during the Dark Ages, but on the “Image Beast who followed. This is Clear, logical, and Biblical! After all, the context of verses 11 -18, reveals the identity and work of the United States, not the Leopard-like!

So the “man” who stands at the head of the USA would be the 666. Biblically could not be the Pope! Yes, the Bible does state that the USA will pay homage to the Leopard-like Beast, but, we have already seen that the Leopard-like Beast is not the Papacy alone, but in fact, represents the Western world model or system. Again, the Bible did not say that the USA will tell the world to worship the “head” but the “beast”-the system!

The truth is that the Papacy will never again rule like she did in the Middle Ages. That’s right! Never! Her time for dominance is over. Yes, she will be influential. Yes she will probably gloat over the homage paid her through a Sunday law, however, she will never again sit atop the world. We know. About now you’re probably saying that old ideas die hard. Well, that may be true, but don’t keep them alive.

“I saw that the two-horned beast had a dragon’s mouth, and that his power was in his head, and that the decree would go out of his mouth. Then I saw the Mother of Harlots; that the mother was not the daughters, but separate and distinct from them. She has had her day, and it is past, and her daughters, the Protestant sects, were the next to come on the stage and act out the same mind that the mother had when she persecuted the saints. I saw that as the mother has been declining in power the daughters had been growing and soon they will exercise the power once exercised by the mother.” (13)

Obviously the Enemy wants us to focus in one direction while he attacks from another. While we trace the Papacy’s every move, the real danger lurks behind us, waiting to snag our unwary souls into his honed craws.

“All who will not bow to the decree of the national councils and obey the national laws to exalt the Sabbath instituted by the man of sin, to the disregard to god’s holy day, will feel, not the oppressive power of popery alone, but of the Protestant world, the Image of the Beast.” (14)

“why does the Latin numerals on the Pope’s title, Vicarius Filii Dei, add up to 666? A fair question indeed. But somehow it seems, we have forgotten that this phenomenon is replete throughout the long history of Paganism, Astrology, and Witchcraft. The numbers 6, 36 and 666 are sacred in these circles. So why would it be strange for the Pope’s title to equal 666, when the Papacy is itself fraught with Paganism!

Furthermore, there are countless names that numerically compute to 666-it is not restricted to the Pope alone! XIUN, one of the names for the Sun-god in Greek, numerically added to 666 ( Higgins, Anacapypsis, Vol. 2, p. 210.)

The Mythological bird of the Egyptians, Phoenicians, and many of the Indian tribes of North America, was the Phoenix, worshiped as the bright and morning star. In Egypt it was the representation of the nocturnal symbol of the Sun-god Osiris. In Greek transliteration, the Phoenix was spelled the FENEX, whose numerical value equaled 666. (16) An ancient Greek name for Satan was TEITAN, which equals 666 in its numerical values. Even the original Roman Numerals, IVXLCD, also equaled 666.

Astrologers commonly used 6, 36, and 666 for their divinations. “They invented magic charts. . . Like the roulette wheel, the charts were divided into 36 numbered divisions. There were 6 columns in all directions with the numbers 1 to 36 placed inside the entire chart. Any direction you add the columns, they add to 111.

There are six squares in each column and 6 times 11 equaling 666. If you add all the numbers from 1 to 36 they will also add to 666. . . .the number 666 was the summary number of the sun-god, because it was his sacred number as the Ruler of the Zodiac.” (17)

The Bible places the number on the Two-horned Beast-the United States, not the Papacy. So the prevailing belief that the number 666 is the numerical identification of some other power is the spawn of the Prince of Darkness, and is calculated to conceal if possible the identification of this two-horned power. God places the number on the United States, and there we must leave it.

Thus The Beast’s civil authority–the man 666–combined with the False Prophet’s supernatural power, points to a union of beast and prophet-an affiliation of state and of church representatives. Together they, leading the United States, will control the world’s politics, economics, and religion, and will seek to compel all to bow to the “Image of the Beast.”

Maybe we need to look less at the Pope and more at ourselves and apostate Protestantism. No wonder Inspiration intimated that if we studied Daniel and Revelation more closely, we “may have less to say in some lines, in regard to the Roman power and the Papacy.”(6)

6. Evangelism, p.577

9. E.G. White, The Great Controversy, pp. 440 -442.

10. E.G. White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 451.

11. James White, A Word to the Little Flock, pp. 8,9.

12. E.G. White, Ibid. p. 19

13. E.G. White, Spalding-Meagan Collection, “Copy of Three Visitors.”

14. E.G. White, Selected Messages, Book Two, p. 380.

15. Higgins, Anacapypsis, Vol. 2, p. 210.

16. Mythology of All Races, Vol. 12, p. 54.

17. W. J. Sutton, The New Age Movement and the Illuminati 666, pp. 66, 67.

Posted in Proper teachings, Revelation teachings | 4 Comments »

The Few, the Proud

April 18, 2015

EGW vision -144,000

As many are aware the Marines have a saying called ‘The few, the proud”. Although this saying is known as representing these warriors, soon the world will know about a different group of people also known as–the few, the proud.

In 2 Corinthians 10:17, we read-

“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

Before we touch on the meaning of the few, let’s look of the meaning of proud. The Bible is full warning against pride in the human character. Pride is what caused Satan to drop from his exalted position, to become an enemy of God.

“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.”(Isaiah 14:12-15)

His talent, his beauty, his intelligence, all this and more welled up inside of him to the point where his pride consumed him, eventually demanding worship. But there is a pride that is good before the Lord. It is as said above–pride in the Lord. Of this we can be–proud.

In other words, our life should be Christ centered and we should be willing to “boast” of what Christ has done in our life. We tell of our Lord’s great prophecies, His signs, His love, His guidance in our life, etc. In other words we have real and well founded pride.

Now, lets’ look at the few. Before we talk about this, let it be known that the Lord has expressively made it clear that He wants ALL souls saved and to live forever more.

“For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord GOD. “Therefore, repent and live.” (Ezekiel 18:32)

Our Lord  describes the meaning of few.

Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.”(Luke 13:23-24)

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matt. 7:13-14)

In the book of Revelation, we see a specific prophecy that also describes the “few”.

“And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed:and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.” (Rev. 7:1-4)

As we have shown in this report https://godsloveandlaw.com/2014/08/09/who-comprises-the-s-d-a-church/ the Spirit of Prophecy and the Elijah message clearly shows beyond doubt that the “Israel of today” is the SDA church.

So once we know that “all” the tribes of Israel is ALL the church, we see a most startling prophecy. Yet if we are truly objective and know our history, we know that such low numbers “few” were delivered by God in times past. Noah’s time produced 8 people from the whole world (some estimates are in billions). In Lot’s day one family was saved out of the whole city. From out of Egypt there may have been close to one million people, yet two adults  (over 20 years old)  made it to the promised land.

Just so we are not confused, the Scripture foretells a “great multitude” that will be called out of “Babylon” (world false churches and religions) by the few (144,000) when they will be proclaiming the Loud Cry. The few we are discussing is concerning the church.

The Spirit of Prophecy  declares plainly what the word few means. These Inspired words were given to the remnant church, our beloved Seventh day-Adventist church.

“I have tried in the fear of God to set before His people their danger and their sins, and have endeavored, to the best of my feeble powers, to arouse them. I have stated startling things, which, if they had believed, would have caused them distress and terror, and led them to zeal in repenting of their sins and iniquities.

I have stated before them that, from what was shown me, but a small number of those now professing to believe the truth would eventually be saved–not because they could not be saved, but because they would not be saved in God’s own appointed way. The way marked out by our divine Lord is too narrow and the gate too strait to admit them while grasping the world or while cherishing selfishness or sin of any kind.

There is no room for these things; and yet there are but few who will consent to part with them, that they may pass the narrow way and enter the strait gate.” (Testimonies, vol. 2, p.445-446)

“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 be saved. Many will get above the simplicity of the work. They will conform to the world, cherish idols, and become spiritually dead. The humble, self-sacrificing followers of Jesus will pass on to perfection, leaving behind the indifferent and lovers of the world.

I was pointed back to ancient Israel. But two of the adults of the vast army that left Egypt entered the land of Canaan.” (Testimonies, vol.1, p.608-609)

So we see that ultimately His word says that few of us will find life. Yet, there is hope. How? By believing and obeying His last message of mercy from His Elijah prophet. It’s in our hands right now.  Our destiny depends on our decision now while we are under our SDA probation.

“..Look, now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor. 6:2)

So who are “the few, the proud”? It will be the 144,000. Our prophetess was given her very first vision from the Lord showing the end time result of our church, unfortunately we as SDA either blindly ignore this, or explain it off as “well, that was just a vision for back then.” Let us review this very important SDA church vision.

“While I was praying at the family altar, the Holy Ghost fell upon me, and I seemed to be rising higher and higher, far above the dark world. I turned to look for the Advent people in the world, but could not find them, when a voice said to me, “Look again, and look a little higher.”

At this I raised my eyes, and saw a straight and narrow path, cast up high above the world. On this path the Advent people were traveling to the city, which was at the farther end of the path. They had a bright light set up behind them at the beginning of the path, which an angel told me was the midnight cry.

This light shone all along the path and gave light for their feet so that they might not stumble. If they kept their eyes fixed on Jesus, who was just before them, leading them to the city, they were safe. But soon some grew weary, and said the city was a great way off, and they expected to have entered it before.

Then Jesus would encourage them by raising His glorious right arm, and from His arm came a light which waved over the Advent band, and they shouted, “Alleluia!” Others rashly denied the light behind them and said that it was not God that had led them out so far. The light behind them went out, leaving their feet in perfect darkness, and they stumbled and lost sight of the mark and of Jesus, and fell off the path down into the dark and wicked world below.

Soon we heard the voice of God like many waters, which gave us the day and hour of Jesus’ coming. The living saints, 144,000 in number, knew and understood the voice, while the wicked thought it was thunder and an earthquake. When God spoke the time, He poured upon us the Holy Ghost, and our faces began to light up and shine with the glory of God, as Moses’ did when he came down from Mount Sinai. 

 The 144,000 were all sealed and perfectly united. On their foreheads was written, God, New Jerusalem, and a glorious star containing Jesus’ new name.”(Early Writings, p.14-15)

Let us now carefully review this. Several facts  and possibilities are examined here.

1) This vision is about the “Advent people”only.

2) Why would she have to look “higher” to find them?  Could it be that they were taking the higher road, ie. the more pure upright walk with Jesus? Their spiritual condition was found higher and closer to God? Obedience to His word, especially His final word spoken by His Elijah? Remember this was vision for the future.

3) The path was “straight and narrow”. Does this sound familiar?

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”(Matt. 7:13-14)

4)  The 144,000 are led by Jesus, yet the others “fell off the path into the dark and wicked world below.”

How many make it to the heavenly destination from the Advent people? 144,000. Did not God know that there would be a vast multitude within His last remnant church? Of course. But He also knew not many would make the effort to obey His final sealing message and walk in its requirements.

So where does the problem lie? How come it will be only “the few, the proud”? Let read some the Lord’s pleading Elijah message of hope.

“Be not like the Jew.  But open your heart; cast out its pride, its prejudice, and its self-conceit; let them not deprive you of eternal life at such a late hour as this.  If you repeat the mistake of the Jews, your shame and your loss will be much greater than theirs–as much greater as are your light and your opportunities and privileges.  Yea, beyond comparison!

So will you not, then, we plead with you, end your long Laodicean sickness and poverty, and no longer imagine that you are

RICH, INCREASED WITH GOODS.

Never do you even so much as intimate that you have all the buildings, all the institutions, all the money, all the workers, all the converts you need!  Your only boast is of having no need of truth!  This attitude, therefore, God says, is the way in which you are saying, “I am rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.”  It is the source of your trouble, and the thing which the Lord expects you to confess and to repent of.

The angel’s (the ministry’s) false claim of being rich and increased with goods, and in need of nothing, does not make him a liar, but rather shows him to be a victim of ignorance and delusion.  But his thinking that he has and knows all the truth, makes his condition even more perilous than a liar’s, for a liar knows that he is lying.  O awake, Brother, Sister, awake!  awake!” (Symbolic Code, Vol. 7, no.7-12, p.4)

The door is still open, the call for the elect is still being made, will you and I  agree to His terms and conditions? Do we even know them? It’s all there in the Elijah message for any who want to know it. All we have to do is forget about TV, social events, worldly time-wasting activities and pick up His written material that He spoke to His Elijah prophet and start seriously studying as if our life depended on it!  It does.

For the scoffers who say “Listen we only need Jesus and to live a good clean life and we’re good to go”, I submit to you I too once believed this. Until I started to notice and was bothered by “sins in the midst”. Then I found out that ONLY sighers and criers for sins done in the church and our own life will make up His few from our church. (See Testimonies, vol. 3, p.265-267, vol. 5, p.209-214, Ezekiel 9, Testimonies to Ministers, p.445)

The ultimate trap for us as Laodiceans is that “lukewarm” trap. We must escape that. In Revelation chapter 3 the Lord saw down through history to our very day, that few would awake from this condition and accept His Elijah message. Will you or I accept it and obey it? We must.

Help us Lord, to let go of our Laodicean pride and self-complacency  and become one of  –the few, the proud.

Posted in The 144, Who are the 144K? | 1 Comment »

Persistence Pays Off

April 11, 2015

knocking on door

“And he said unto them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs. And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” (Luke 8:5-10)

Here we see that Jesus gives us a lesson in persistence. A trait that surely is a God send to those who use it. And again in Luke, Jesus also tells the story of the persistent widow of Luke 18:1-8, who continues to ask the judge for justice and relief, and finally he hears her and grants what she wishes for. Let us look at this desirable trait and what comes from it should we heed our Lord’s lesson.

Through out history, there are legions of stories of the faithful man, who falls in love with the woman of his life, yet she does not initially reciprocate. He gets rebuffed time and again, yet does not give up! Finally after much sweat and tears, he successfully engages the dream girl of his life. What was one of the things that won her heart? No doubt–persistence.

Or how about the many stories of the Billionaire, who had to file bankruptcy once even maybe twice before he made all those billions. Again, persistence is the main ingredient.

So if persistence is often very important for success in worldly endeavors, how much more will it be for the eternal spiritual life? Let us look at a couple specific examples.

Recently I have become friends with a brother in the faith, let’s call brother B. He is a SDA who seems to genuinely love the Lord, possessing a Burean spirit. During our conversations, I found out that he has been working Sabbaths in his line of work. This to me was a serious concern.

As many of you know we have posted several posts concerning the keeping of the Sabbath, and specifically the dire results that will occur to those who haphazardly keep it. The Numbers 16:32 story should be all the proof we need to know,  the Lord does not take this issue lightly.

I had known him at least 3 months prior to finding this out and had met with him in our weekly church studies at least 10 times. How I found out was I invited him to come to my home for a prophecy study. It was to be a Friday evening (Sabbath). he casually said “Sorry, but I am working Friday night.” Huh? I thought. So I began to find out a little more about his circumstances.

As we showed last post , SOP showed how we should feel in knowing about sin–

“The true people of God, who have the spirit of the work of the Lord and the salvation of souls at heart, will ever view sin in its real, sinful character.”(Testimonies, vol. 3, p.266)

So this bothered me and I found out that he had been doing this for quite some time. The next week, I determined to have a talk with him. I had just completed my “Bible study presentation room” and invited him to come over during the week. He said he would. Later he came over.

As we sat down in the room, and after showing him the room and the certain equipment I had set up to present the studies in the future, I got down to business. I looked straight at him and told him he must start praying and pleading with the Lord to be released of this sinful burden. I told him that the Lord is done “winking” at sin. If it’s in our power to do something we must. We cannot carelessly sit back and think the Lord will accept our indiscretions.

I said, “You must plead and pray constantly for the Lord to help you get out of this situation. He will help you but you must take the first step of serious pleading.” You see, brother B had become complacent. Careless and stupid is the right description, harsh yes, but exactly true.

“Men and women are in the last hours of probation, and yet are careless and stupid,..” ( Testimonies, vol. 2, p.337)

Where was brother B’s persistence in prayer and pleading? Where was his sorrow and disgust that he has to do such things Sabbath after Sabbath? It largely did not exist.

But apparently God had used me to awake him. Four weeks later, at church service, he told me he had good news, that he got his schedule changed and no longer had to work Sabbath. “Praise the Lord”! I said.

You see, brother B did not really need me to come along and tell him what the right thing to do is. All he needed to do is pray constantly, even with sweat upon the brow, that the Lord would help him to get out from this trap! Persistence and pleading, knocking at 12 midnight again and again upon the Lord’s door, and He will answer and give that which is right according to His will.

But prayer without action can sometimes be mis-guided. I am reminded of an old Christian saying. There were two men in a small boat and it developed a hole in it out at sea.  One man said to the other let us pray and God will save us. The other said “let us pray as we bucket the water out without delay.” In other words action in addition to prayer is often the right ingredients.

Brother B should have become a persistent fellow just like that widow in the above parable. He should have continued to ask about a schedule change, inquiring often to let the boss know he meant business. in other words, a man on a mission to get right before God–THEN– wow what things would take place! Prayer and action–powerful!

“Therefore I say unto you, What things so ever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”(Mark 11:24)

The next example comes from a sister we’ll call sister T. She’s a single mother and has been a long time SDA who has learned the Elijah message and has advanced in the light of God’s end time message. As she has continued her progress in knowing and walking in the advanced light, about a year ago she learned the real meaning of God’s prophecy in Malachi. How He made a promise that when one brings their Tithes and offerings in His real storehouse(s)  He will fulfill His promise to send blessings so good, you’ll hardly believe it.

But things did not go so well even after becoming a faithful giver, she experienced some rough times financially and otherwise. But she persistently continued to do her part in paying what was due God. She did not give up. She was believing His word. Then recently it was God’s time to “pay back” that which He promised. Recently she let me know that she is starting to receive much blessings in her new line of work. Things are starting to brighten up for her, and our watchful Lord is orchestrating it as only He can do.

As we have learned, our faithful Lord  responds to persistence. But He knew that we would, in these last days, become careless and stupid. In Rev. 3:19 our Lord said”..be zealous and repent.” What is zealous? Is not persistence one of the main ingredients of zealousness?

In closing, if there is something desired and in line with our Lord’s will, let us remember this most wonderful trait–persistence. For by practicing this, in prayer and action,  our Lord will “awake” even at the most late hour and give that which we desire according to His will.

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Posted in Christian faith, Christian walk, Prayer, Tithes and Offerings, Warning our brethren | 1 Comment »

Why Elijah?

April 4, 2015

Ravens_bringing_food_to_Elijah

This week the  thought occurred–why did the Lord promise to bring the anti-typical “Elijah” as the last prophet instead of say, Noah? Or Deborah the prophetess, for example?

The last suggestion begs a timely review because we, as Seventh-day Adventists, have been largely led, falsely by our past leaders, to believe that Ellen White was the “Elijah” to come as prophesied in Malachi 4:5.

Let us look more deeply into why the Lord decided to send someone who would exemplify and typify the original Elijah of the Scriptures. Before we do let us briefly look at why He did not promise to bring Noah for example.

We know well the basic story of Noah. He was found to be walking upright by the Lord and the Lord used him to warn the evil world to repent or die. But Noah did not face a specific group of God’s people, ie. His chosen people. He faced the world, the heathen world.

So today, if the anti-typical Noah was to be sent, he would obviously have a similar message and to the basic same people–the heathen. In other words, God would have determined that a general message of repentance would be needed to go to everybody and not just God’s remnant church. Therefore, the obvious conclusion is that Noah would not have been the fitting type, for the anti-typical last day messenger, lest God bypass and stop caring about His own people who are “wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked,..” (Rev. 3:17)

True, there is to be a great last proclamation to the world–the great Loud Cry, but that is after His Elijah does the anti-typical work that the original one did.

Back to our Deborah idea. As mentioned many times in our posts, the Satan trick has been one of perverting the truth, and certainly this theory that Ellen White was the Elijah to come, does not disappoint for him. The SDA church has largely bought this idea, but there is some history that needs to be brought to view. As the word says, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32).

In Testimonies to Ministers, p.475 she wrote–

“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.”

The above quote originated in the 1890 and was put into her work, known as “Special Testimonies to Ministers and Workers, also known as “Special Testimonies, Series A.” Then in 1923, due to the high demand for a book that would have many of  these special instructions, the first edition was made and called “Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers.” The above quotation was added in this volume just as you see it above, pure and unaltered.

In 1944 the second edition was completed. Again the subject quote was as shown. Now, we shall examine the trickery that those who fail to search for truth as golden treasure, become entangled in and ultimately can lose their way and thus fail to be sealed.

We , as present truth believers know that Victor T. Houteff was the only clear and convincing SDA member to announce his message as that of Elijah throughout our church history. Just as our prophetess never claimed to be a “prophet” (or prophetess) we well know she was by studying her writings, same with brother Houteff. The ones who take up his writings are simply “bowled over” with the spirit and power that accompanies his writings. Simply put, both writers exemplified a “higher knowledge” than what is common to man. A divine knowledge that surpassed their 3rd and 4th grade education level. You can only know this by prayerfully reading their works.

History shows that after Victor Houteff died in 1955, a slow downhill developed. His wife , Florence, usurped the head office of the organization and it was all downhill sliding from there. To the point where ultimately she went apostate, in that she did not recognize either Ellen White or even her husband as legitimate prophets. Such was the scenery in 1962.

The Davidian cause had suffered its famous “knock out blow”, which brother Houteff had predicted many years prior to come from within the Davidian movement itself. Here’s his prediction–

“Everything that can be done against God’s message of today will be done with even a greater vengeance than was manifest against Heaven’s message in the days of Christ’s first advent, for the Devil knows that if he loses now, he loses forever — that he is to have no other chance. Unparalleled, therefore, is the urgency that every eleventh-hour church member now quickly and solidly brace himself against the Enemy’s effort to deliver a knockout blow.

We must be alert, too, to realize that the blow is to come from surprisingly unsuspected foes — from professed friends of the gospel, who are no less pious than were priests in Christ’s day. It is, moreover, but to be expected that the Adversary will employ every agency possible to prevent the Lord from disclosing to view His now obscure 144,000 first-fruit servants, who are to go gather in the second fruits (Rev. 7:9). The Enemy will try everything conceivable to confuse, becloud, and cover up the Truth, especially on the subject of the 144,000.” (White House Recruiter, p. 33, 1951)

The knockout blow came in 1959. Florence Houteff and her handpicked counsel falsely predicted Ezekiel 9 to occur in April of 1959 and basically placed brother Houteff and the Lord’s Elijah message on the altar, so to speak. Of course, it did not happen and she and her cronies on her counsel were left shamed and disillusioned. Over one thousand believers came to the organization’s property in  Waco Texas in April of 1959, many having sold everything, on the advice of Florence and her counsel.

Much as a professional boxer sees his opponent hurt and seizes upon the moment, to inflict further damage, so too did the unbelieving SDA leaders. This was their moment to strike, to put a final dagger in the Shepherd’s Rod message brought from the Lord through His messenger, Victor Houteff.

So the SDA leaders at that time took full advantage of this fiasco. Just as Satan had planned no doubt. It was his workings, to be sure, that had been sowing the seeds for the Lord’s message and messenger to be much maligned .Thank the Lord, a small faithful group relocated to California and kept the Truth, His Elijah message, from collapsing altogether.  So at this time, 1962, the third edition of the Testimonies came out.

The later copies of the third  edition boldly now had an * asterisk * by the above statement which now read like this —

“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,[*SEE APPENDIX.] 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.”

And it read in part–

PAGE 475. SOMEBODY IS TO COME IN THE SPIRIT AND POWER OF ELIJAH: THESE WORDS HAVE BEEN MISTAKENLY APPLIED BY SOME TO SOME INDIVIDUAL WHO IT WAS THOUGHT WOULD APPEAR WITH A PROPHETIC MESSAGE SUBSEQUENT TO MRS. WHITE’S LIFE AND WORK. THE THREE PARAGRAPHS COMPRISING THIS ARTICLE TITLED “LET HEAVEN GUIDE” ARE ONLY A SMALL PORTION OF A TALK GIVEN BY ELLEN WHITE IN BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN, THE MORNING OF JANUARY 29, 1890. 

Then they go on to explain that Ellen White was really talking of herself as “Elijah”. But let us take note here. First, the original words of her writings were left untouched for approximately  72 years. Secondly, as mentioned above, when their opportune time came to put out any ideas of Victor Houteff being the true Elijah to come, they seized the moment.

Third, not once during Victor Houteff’s  ministry (1930 to 1955) did the denomination dare to even think of adding anything to that statement. Why? Because they knew brother Houteff would have exposed how ridiculous  such a thought. Even prior to VTH (1890 to 1929), the denomination knew full well that EGW never claimed to bring the Elijah message, directly or indirectly.

Ellen White herself said, as the statement shows,  a “he” would appear after her  (“to come”) bringing the Elijah message. Look at her own inspired words describing how we are to read the Bible–

“The language of the Bible should be explained according to its obvious meaning, unless a symbol or figure is employed.” (GC, p.598-599)

To believe that she herself believed that she was the Elijah, not only mocks Ellen White’s divine comprehension of the Truth, but mocks God Himself! For this would mean God decided to use the original male type “Elijah” to show a female anti-type with a female name–Ellen. True nonsense with no “obvious meaning”!

As mentioned before, if God had designed that Ellen White would be the last messenger and the final prophet, would it not had made  sense to say –“Behold I will send you Deborah the prophetess, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.” ? At least the Lord would have not mixed us up with gender. Of course this all proves that those who follow such shallow reasoning of saying Ellen White was the Elijah to come, really are not being led by the “Spirit of Truth”.

Ok, now that we’ve cleared the two possible scenarios of why God did not send Noah or Deborah, let’s look at the “why” of His decision to send the anti-typical Elijah. Why Elijah?

Elijah , as we all know, was a simple man with great courage. But it is important to realize  that he went solely to his own people.   Elijah did not send his message to the heathen. This is another difference between Ellen White and Victor Houteff. Our beloved prophetess spent much time in her ministry giving her message to not only the SDA church but to the outside world, those not aligned with the SDA church. Books such as the classic “Steps to Christ” certainly were meant for ALL people around the world. Victor Houteff concentrated his message solely to the SDA church throughout his ministry. Anti type doing the type in God’s fulfillment.

Elijah’s core message was–repent and reform before God’s judgments fall upon you. The exact message of brother Houteff. Victor, as many who have read his writings know, was guided by the Lord to uncover many prophecies pertaining to the “great and dreadful day of the Lord.” (Such as Hosea, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Daniel, Revelation, Malachi, Zechariah, etc.)

Just as in Elijah’s time, our church as fallen so far from true worship and obedience to God’s word, that God saw that he would have to send the anti-typical Elijah to awake His people. Our church today, has basically abandoned Dress, health, worship,Sabbath and other reforms. Many of our pastors today even wink at abominations done in the midst, such as buying and selling on the Sabbath, short dresses,women without head covering, talking business on the Sabbath, etc, etc.

But only those who are striving with all power God has given them to be among the 144,000 (RH, March 9, 1905), will clearly see all these abominations done in the church.

“The true people of God, who have the spirit of the work of the Lord and the salvation of souls at heart, will ever view sin in its real, sinful character. They will always be on the side of faithful and plain dealing with sins which easily beset the people of God. Especially in the closing work for the church, in the sealing time of the one hundred and forty-four thousand who are to stand without fault before the throne of God, will they feel most deeply the wrongs of God’s professed people.“(Testimonies, vol. 3, p.266)

In closing the prophet speaks concerning our subject–

“It is therefore only to be expected that the predicted Elijah will be denounced as a false prophet, perhaps even as the anti-Christ, offshoot, or what not…Every wind of doctrine will be blowing, false revivals and reformations will be at their peak.  Everything that can be done will be done to distort the Truth and thus distract and dishearten believers and draw their attention to something other than the message of Elijah.

   Thus will be the Devil’s deal while the day of God is approaching, and while Elijah is making the announcement of it as the scroll unrolls and while the prophecies concerning the day of God are being unsealed.   His work and his interpretation of the prophecies for the great day will identify him as the promised Elijah the prophet (“Testimonies to Ministers,” p. 475), and this will enrage the Devil as never before. 

Nevertheless, one’s only safety will be in the teaching of Elijah, for there will be no other voice of timely Truth and authority to whom one may turn.  Any others will lead their victims blind-folded into perdition…Finally, for what other purpose could any right thinking minds suppose the Lord would send His prophet if not for them to give ear to him, that they might thereby survive the great and dreadful day of the Lord?   For what else, indeed, could the Lord have made a record of prophecy and promise of His last-day prophet?  Ponder this, Brethren; think it through.(General Conference Special, p.7-8)

Posted in Elijah, Elijah Interpretations, Victor T. Houteff | 3 Comments »