Archive for September, 2017

The Spirit of Stupor

September 30, 2017

Image result for people asleep in church

In Romans 11:18 we read —

“As the Scriptures say, “God has put them into a deep sleep. To this day he has shut their eyes so they do not see, and closed their ears so they do not hear.”

1 Cor.15:34 —

“Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.”

Make no mistake this stupor is not limited to our members but is also among our S.D.A  leaders and proclaimers —

“Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink. For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered. And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed..” (Isaiah 29:9-11)

Today, unfortunately this spiritual stupor is very much alive among us as God’s remnant people. As the weeks and months go by I am seeing this to a greater and greater extent. Let us look at how this spirit is active and making God’s people to snooze while they should be wide awake.

Brother G is a long time friend, over 8 years now. He is one of a very few remaining S.D.A friends whom I have stayed close to over the years since disclosing to the church my affiliation with the Lord’s final message of Elijah–the Shepherd’s Rod (Micah 6:9). As we have posted many times, this message will cause negative feedback from our brethren, most particularly from the leaders.

But brother G has remained faithful and over the years we have had a few Bible studies. While not completely, or even to a large decree, acceptful  of the message, he has been listening. But the ol “let me think about it for a while” time drag is shown to be a bad potential trap as Scriptures gives us a lesson.

“And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.” (Acts 24:25)

For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. (Acts 26:26-28)

Once the message of Truth is shown us, it is at that time we must embrace it because we love the Truth (Jesus), not delay and do it tomorrow. Tomorrow may never come as they say. The Spirit of Truth is real, and those who walk daily with Christ are to be guided into it and by it daily.

But brother G, has a particular sinful problem–gluttony. Although he has lost some weight, he still over eats and there are many signs of a physical and mental stupor. For a long time now while the sermon address is being preached from the pulpit, one can find brother G’s head slumped down or over to the side–fast asleep.

Although, today’s sermons are void of exciting present truth, one must not fall asleep while in God’s house for worship. Being concerned about this failure to honor God in His temple, I mentioned this a few years ago to brother G. He gratefully acknowledged it, and said he would “work on it.” Nothing changed.

But a few weeks ago, we decided to enter another study. He came over to my home and we went into a study of Rev.12. I pulled out the dry erase board and we pulled out our Bibles. For those who are doing studies with newcomers to the message, it is always best to show them present truth from the Bible and SOP. The Lord’s Rod (brother Houteff’s writings) is too much meat for them as they are just babes in the present truth. We don’t want to bring unnecessary confusion. Once progress is made then of course we can do advanced studies.

As I started to go into the lesson, I noticed a blank look on his face. Then I sat down and showed him areas of Rev. 12. As I read the selected passages, he said , “let me see that.” I handed over the Bible and he sat and just stared at the passage for what seemed like 10 minutes! His power of concentration seemed severely blurred. Anyway, this is how the study went, the main clear points were not comprehended much. I knew that the powerful lessons would not reach him.

Over the weeks I have thought about this, hence the Spirit leading to post about it. There is a true need of “wisdom” among us today. Sins such a gluttony, idol worship, a regular sin indulgence, etc. are stopping the Spirit of Truth from working!

“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that he will not hear.”(Isaiah 59:2)

But the answer to this is clearly given in the Word.

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.” (James 1:5-6)

Wow! Do we really understand this? This is THE ANSWER! If you or one of your close friends or relatives appear to be under a stupor, just pray and believe! We have wrote many many times that prayer is just half of the equation, the other half is to–believe. The Lord does not ONE soul to perish!

So what I have done recently, thanks to the Lord’s Spirit letting me know, is to go before the Lord in prayer for brother G. At least my submission will be heard and if the Lord’s will be done in this regard, all praise and honor to Him that saves!

Granted, some are blessed with discernment and teaching abilities because they “get it” quickly but many are not. So if you find yourself or your friend, neighbor or relative  struggling to understand God’s Truth, just pray for wisdom!

To be sure, there are others from my area such as sister M, brother W and sister L, who have yet to fully comprehend the message, please join me in prayer for all these souls that they are given wisdom.

In closing brethren, our message is the one that gets God’s people sealed today and we need to understand it. The spirit of stupor  is like a widespread communal disease among our people. God wants us to have wisdom and all we need to do is–ask, let’s do that.

Posted in General thoughts, Warning our brethren | 13 Comments »

Two Hundred Million Horsemen

September 23, 2017

Image result for two hundred million horsemen

One of the most mysterious and awesome mental pictures in the Revelation is that of Rev.9:16 –the two hundred million horsemen. What does this mean? Who are they and what do they represent? Do not worry, the Lord through His restoring prophet comes through for us. Let us look at this subject.

“And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. And the number of the army of the horsemen were  two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them. And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.” (Rev. 9:15-17)

There has been many theories put forth and our own S.D.A church is without exception. But the message gives us warning and counsel in regards to privately interpreting subjects such as the two hundred million horsemen —

“Ever since John recorded this imposing symbolization, church history has repeatedly throughout her pages had to make the entry that every attempt made to unlock its mystery has but resulted the more in barricading it with mysticism and confusion.  It is necessary, therefore, in clearing the mysticism, first of all to find

THE REASON FOR THE CONFUSION.

   The very fact that nineteen centuries of prying at the subject to open it up has only made it the more impenetrable, is the strongest possible evidence that God controls the Scriptures and reveals Them only at the divinely appointed time.  The truth of this statement is conclusively substantiated by the angel’s words: “I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your Prince.” Dan. 10:21.

   And “when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come,” says Christ, in broader statement of this same truth, “He will guide you into all truth.” John 16:13.

   Having been put forth prematurely and without the prompting of the Spirit of Truth, human efforts have accordingly failed to discover and explain the truth of “the trumpets.”  And no scripture ever being unfolded without Inspiration, the expositions of uninspired minds are hence of private interpretation, in forewarning of which the Bible says: “….no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” 2 Pet. 1:20.

So before a person can climb the ladder of Truth, he must first of all free himself from erroneous theories, which keep him bound in darkness.  And to loose himself from such weights of error so as to reach the top step of the ladder of Truth, he must carefully investigate and “prove all things” in

Open-Mindedness.

   “Do not read the Word in the light of former opinions; but, with a mind free from prejudice, search it carefully and prayerfully.  If, as you read conviction comes, and you see that your cherished opinions are not in harmony with the Word, do not try to make the Word fit these opinions.  Make your opinions fit the Word.  Do not allow what you have believed or practiced in the past to control your understanding.” — Messages to Young People, p. 260.

   This prime necessity urgently confronts those who have been disposed to accept, as unquestionable Bible truths, theories which are the results of

Adding To and Taking From the Scriptures.

   Any explanation of a prophecy which adds to or takes from any part of relevant scripture in order to harmonize the interpretation, can only be false. When the Spirit of God interprets the Scriptures, He does not in any way need to alter any part of Them in order to make the explanation fit that which is being unfolded.  When, moreover, the true interpretation of a prophecy is made, it always contains a lesson of present truth “adapted to the necessities of God’s people” (The Great Controversy, p. 609) at the time the scripture is revealed.  Knowing this, Satan is continually

Paving the Way for Sinning Against the Holy Ghost.”

No one is lost for believing a false interpretation of a prophecy before the truth of it is revealed, provided the false interpretation does not draw him away from some other truth.  Such individuals, however, are in great danger because, as history reveals, very few who become thus involved in error are willing to humble themselves by renouncing their errors and accepting the truth when it is made known.  They are consequently in constant peril of sinning against the Holy Ghost.  And being acutely aware of this, Satan misinterprets the prophecies before they are divinely revealed.  He realizes full well that many, unwilling to be corrected and to exchange their errors for revealed truth, will thereby be led to eternal ruin.  All-important, therefore, is the need that the student of the truth fortify himself with all honesty and humility as the light of truth is now turned searchingly on

Popular Theories.

(Tract 5, p.4-7)

Now we shall look at what our church has supported even though it is deceiving error. This will enable us to see the folly of such understanding that we as Adventists have been exposed to through the years on our subject. Let us read —

“To begin with, the reader’s attention is called to Elder Uriah Smith’s book, originally entitled Thoughts on Daniel and The Revelation, and later Daniel and The Revelation, in which is explained, among other subjects, the subject of “the seven trumpets.”  Here one will notice that Elder Smith is not the original author of the exposition of the trumpets.  The originators were Messrs. Keith, Clark, Barnes, et al.  “Thus far,” says Elder Smith, “Keith has furnished us with illustrations of the sounding of the first five trumpets.” — Daniel and The Revelation, p. 506.

   Then further in the same chapter, and in explanation of Revelation 9:17, we read: “As the Turks discharged their firearms on horseback, it would appear to the distant beholder, that the fire, smoke and brimstone issued out of the horses’ mouths, as illustrated by the accompanying plate.” — Id., p.510.  “Barnes thinks this was the case,” remarks Elder Smith; “and a statement from Gibbon confirms this view.” — ld., p. 510, footnote.

   Thus, plainly, the interpretation of the seven trumpets, as it is found in Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation, was not originated by the Seventh-day Adventist denomination.  But their placing upon it their endorsement makes it appear as Seventh-day Adventist doctrine.  In other words, the theories of uninspired men having the S.D.A. stamp of approval, are made to appear to the S.D.A. laity as genuine S.D.A. Bible doctrines.  This goes to show that the majority of Seventh-day Adventists, right along with others, do not ask, “Is it true, — in harmony with God’s word? but, By whom is it advocated?” — Testimonies to Ministers, p.106.  And if the theory comes through a popular channel, they as a rule unquestionably accept it!

   A fair example is their unhesitatingly applauding such manipulations as rationalizing “the heads of lions” (in the symbolism of Revelation 9:17) into heads of Arabian horses, and the serpent-like tails (Rev. 9:19), into common horses’ tails (as evidenced by the accompanying illustration) in order to connect the trumpets with the battles of the Turks!

   But even worse, they unhesitatingly agree that the “fire,” “smoke,” and “brimstone” did not issue, as John saw them, from the lion-like mouths, but rather from a gun in the hand of a Turk!

   Their accepting these additions and subtractions to and from Holy Writ, a practice condemned by the Scriptures (Rev. 22:18, 19), shows that they are victims of a faulty vision, which causes them to think themselves right when they are all wrong (Testimonies, Vol. 3, pp. 252, 253).

   Their subscribing to such a practice, moreover, undermines faith in the Bible, for if the Revelator be wrong in one instance, then can he not be mistaken in other instances also?  And if we cannot depend upon the book of The Revelation

 

just as it reads, then how can we put confidence in any of the Bible?  And if inspired prophets cannot declare the positive truth of what they see, then how can uninspired students of their writings declare it?  So, those who learn “to give an answer to every man that asketh…a reason of the hope that is in” (1 Pet. 3:15) them, will have no trouble answering  the question:

Did John See Correctly?

   True, the seer of Patmos was an erring human being like ourselves, but the one who dictated His writings — the great and infallible I Am, Overseer and Proof Reader of the Scriptures — was there to see that John made a faithful record of what he saw, for the exact truth of the symbolism means our very life.  Indeed, it is not possible that the Lord would jeopardize our salvation by displaying the symbolism so far removed from John’s sight that he could not accurately see and record it, and yet expect to save us by it.

   If John failed to see correctly the symbols in the vision, as these supposed-to-be men of learning and experience speciously explain, then does it not imply that God is indifferent as to whether or not He reveals in a misleading way truth which is essential to our salvation?  If not, and if John was wrong, why, then, did not God correct him?  Was it impossible for Him here to correct His prophet?

   “The second angel,” says the Revelator, “poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.” Rev. 16:3.

If John could not, as is contended, see exactly where the “fire,” “smoke,” and “brimstone” came from, then how could he see that “every” creature, as he says in the words just quoted, died in the bottom  of the sea?  Which condition is the more difficult to see with exactness?

   The acceptance and the teaching of such interpretations  is signboard evidence that there is today gross darkness throughout the church, enveloping both the laity and the watchmen who claim to be the “men of experience” mentioned in Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 293, and elucidated in Tract No. 4, The Latest News for Mother Revised Edition, pp. 32-35.  These men, though exceedingly “unskilful in the Word,” as is seen from the foregoing observations, forbid that anything new in which they see no light, be brought before the people. 

And despite the fact that such utterly unlawful and light-obscuring restrictions are devised to keep the people forever in their errors, the laity nevertheless accept them without question, and esteem those who devise them as wise and true friends.  And all who refuse to be bound by such restrictions  are “cast out” (Isa. 66:5), while multitudes who disbelieve the Spirit of Prophecy are retained,  and other multitudes of like unbelief are accepted as members in approved standing!  Thus is reenacted the outstanding sin of the Jews, which called forth from the lips of the Saviour the piercing pronouncement:

“If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!” Matt. 6:23. (Tract 5, p.7-13)

Ok let us now turn to the truth of the matter —

“Rev. 9:15, first clause. “And the four angels were loosed.”

   The execution of the command, “Loose the four angels,” meaning to set the church free from her captivity in Babylon, resulted in her being liberated from her long bondage to the tyranny of church-state rule, and in the Bible’s being restored to God’s people, so that they might study and worship in fear and in favor of no man, and in accountability only to their conscience and to their God.  In the consequent dissolution of the church-state union, the “four angels” were loosed.(Tract 5, p.81)

   Rev. 9:15, last part. “…which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.”….

The marginal rendering gives the preposition “at” for the preposition “for,” making the verse read: “At an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year.”  Still more exactly rendered, it would read: “At an hour, at a day, at a month, and at a year.”  Thus are designated four points in time “at” which the four angels were to prepare “for to slay the third pan of men.”  And as the “third part” in the trumpets represents, as we have seen, those who reject God’s appeals to them to repent and be saved, then, accordingly, the angels’ preparing themselves on four successive occasions for the eventual execution of death upon “the third part of men,” shows that the men are to reject a four-phase (four-doctrine) message, each phase being revealed successively:

   (1) The only revelation of truth pertaining to and coming “at an hour” is the proclamation of the angel’s announcement: “Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come.” Rev. 14:7.

   (2) The only revelation of truth pertaining to and coming “at a day” is the warning of “the day of vengeance” (Isa. 63:4), “the great and dreadful day of the Lord,” which is to be heralded by the promised “Elijah the prophet.” Mal. 4:5; Testimonies  to Ministers, p. 475.

   (3) The only revelation pertaining to and coming “at a month” is “the latter rain in the first month” (Joel 2:23) — the light of the angel who is to lighten the earth with his glory (Rev. 18:1; Early Writings, pp. 277, 278).  Then “afterward,” says the Lord, “I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh.” Joel 2:28.  Glorious prophetic promise, it envisages the power that God is to bestow upon His messengers who are to proclaim  the message that is revealed in the time “of the latter rain.”  “At the right time” says the Spirit of Prophecy, “He sends His faithful messengers to do a work similar to that of Elijah.” — Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 254. (For further study on the latter rain, see The Shepherd’s Rod, Vol. 2, pp. 256, 257.)

   (4) And, finally, the only revelation pertaining  to and coming “at a year,” and preparing the four angels “for to slay the third part of men” is says the Lord, “the year of My redeemed.” Isa. 63:4.  And this “year” at which His people are redeemed is, of course, the time of the sealing and of the deliverance of the 144,000, — those who are redeemed who escape the slaughter decreed in Ezekiel 9.  Of these, the Lord says: “I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations,…to the isles afar off, that have not heard My fame, neither have seen My glory; and they shall declare My glory among the Gentiles. And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the Lord out of all nations

…to My holy mountain Jerusalem,…in a clean vessel into the house of the Lord.” Isa. 66:19, 20.

   These four messages prepare the four angels “for to slay the third part of men” — all who fail to receive into their lives the saving truth of the gospel as revealed in the four messages.  They are, to recapitulate, (1) those who close their ears to the proclamation of the judgment, which is revealed “at an hour”; (2) those who heed not the solemn warning of the day of God’s vengeance, which is revealed “at a day”; (3) those who receive not the latter rain, which comes “at a month”; and (4) those who do not join “His redeemed”  (the 144,000), who are sealed “at a year.”  All these who fail to make the needful preparation for gloryland after the truth is proclaimed to them, shall perish at the command of the angelic horsemen whose army numbers “two-hundred thousand thousand.” (Tract 5, p.87-89)

Rev. 9:16-19. “And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.  And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.  By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.  For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.”

   These verses immediately evoke the question Who are these “horsemen” and “horses,” numbering  200,000,000 each, “the army” which is to “slay the third part of men”?

   In answering this question, it is to be remembered that likewise the “four angels” were to “slay a third part of men,” also that they symbolize the fourfold message brought to view in preceding  paragraphs.  Unmistakably, therefore, the “army”  of “horses” is figurative of the workers who proclaim the final message.

   That the symbol, horses, is correctly interpreted to represent gospel workers is further borne out by Zechariah 14:20.  There, horses are used to symbolize preachers, those who sound “the bells” — the alarm of warning, the message of salvation.  Like the “locusts,” therefore, they represent the messengers of God, but under different  circumstances. (For more ample treatment of this  symbolical meaning of the horses, read Tract No. 2, The Warning Paradox of Zechariah 6.)

   So as the horses are representative of gospel messengers, and as they are controlled and guided by their riders (divine beings), then the “horsemen,” it automatically follows, are figurative  of the angelic host who lead and direct the saints in their work of proclaiming the message and, subsequently, in killing the third part of men who reject it.  But since riders, not horses, do the killing when engaged in battle, these supernatural beings, the angelic horsemen, are the ones who actually do the slaying.  Hence, their having “breastplates of  fire [protection of the Spirit], and of jacinth, and brimstone.”

   What, then, we may ask, is the “power” of the horses?  These 200,000,000 horses, we have learned, symbolize a great army of gospel workers, from whose lips go a message which means life or death.  That, therefore, must be the power in their mouth.  Consequently, the “fire,” “smoke,” and “brimstone,” which issue “out of their mouths,” are figurative of the message which they proclaim: the power of the Holy Spirit (the “fire”), the sacrifices of Christ (“the smoke”), and the destructive judgments of God (“the brimstone”).  By this three-fold message “was the third part of men killed.” Rev. 9:18.

“The nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted.” Isa. 60:12.

   “Lift ye up a banner,” saith the Lord, “upon the high mountain [God’s holy church], exalt the voice [the proclamation of the gospel] unto them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.  I have commanded My sanctified ones [the ministry — “two hundred thousand thousand”  “horses”], I have also called My Mighty ones [the angelic host — “two hundred thousand thousand horsemen”] for Mine anger, even them that rejoice in My highness.  The noise of a multitude [the army of Revelation 9:16] in the mountains, like as of a great people; a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together: the Lord of hosts mustereth the host of the battle.  They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, even the Lord, and the weapons of His indignation, to destroy the whole land.

   “Howl ye; for the day of the Lord is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.  Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man’s heart shall melt: and they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.  Behold, the day of the Lord  cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and He shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it. 

For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.  And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.  I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.  Therefore, I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of hosts, and in the day of His fierce anger.” Isa. 13:2-13.

   “And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray Thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.” 2 Kings 6:17.

   If our eyes were opened as were the eyes of “the young man,” we, too, would see an angelic host round about the “Elishas” of today.

   And now as to what swelled the number of preachers from 144,000 to 200,000,000, the Lord says: “I will also take of them [of those whom the 144,000 shall bring from “all nations,” after the fulfillment of Isaiah 66:16 — the purification of the church] for priests and for Levites.” Isa. 66:21.  The very fact of such a multitude of workers speaks for itself that they are engaged in reaping the harvest of the world.

   Here in pledged word, God foretells in clearest tenor that many of those whom He brings into the church after the purification, will join the 144,000 in proclaiming the message to the whole world, when the earth is lightened with the glory of the angel (Rev. 18:1).

Then shall “the sons of strangers,” says the Lord, “build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in My wrath I smote thee…. The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the Lord, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel…. Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders;  but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.  The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.” Isa. 60:10, 14, 18, 19.

   “And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on My name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is My people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.” Zech. 13:8, 9.

   Two parts lost and one part saved make three parts in all.  The “one third” (Rev. 9:15) shall be slain by fire, smoke, and brimstone (Rev. 9:18), before probation closes.  The remaining wicked who are slain by the seven last plagues (Rev. 16) and by the brightness of His coming (2 Thess. 2:8), after probation closes, make the other third. The saved, the last third, are “the third…left therein.” Zech. 13:8. (Tract 5, p.89-95)

So there we have it the two hundred million horses are gospel workers. The horsemen, the riders, are the angelic host, divine beings, guiding them in proclaiming the message and then executing God’s judgment upon the wicked. Wow, this packs a “truth punch” doesn’t it? The Loud Cry of the 144,000 will soon produce 200 million gospel preachers!

Although we now have a little over 7 Billion people on our planet, the 144,000 and the gospel workers will reap a harvest known as the “Great Multitude” which no man could number (Rev. 7:9). What a time to be alive and witness what God’s full Spirit poured upon His vanguard the “first fruits” and His “great army of gospel workers” can do.

Let us thank the Lord for our understanding of this most mysterious and long-held confusing topic. His promise to restore “all things” including the full truth of the Scriptures is a real blessing for those of us interested in prophecy.

Posted in Elijah Interpretations, Revelation teachings | 1 Comment »

Returning to the Land

September 16, 2017

Image result for picture of Jerusalem

As we have posted so many times, the above destination is what we as Seventh-day Adventist and Davidian Seventh-day Adventists, must strive for and often think about. But the Lord’s Word, surprisingly gives much Scriptures on this returning. In fact, it is one of the main themes in God’s Word, yet how few of us as God’s remnant people really know about it!

We have been told about these references “Oh that was conditional, that was classic to the Jews” etc. Unfortunately Satan has blinded so many of God’s remnant people in regard to this very important understanding. But now is time for us to know this “meat in due season”. Let us look at His Word and how repeatedly It emphasizes this goal for us.

ISAIAH

“And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 2:3)

“And there shall be an highway for the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt…Cry and shout, O inhabitant of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel in your midst.”(Isaiah 11:16, 12:6)

“For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob.” (Isaiah 14:1)

“In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks. Open the gates so a righteous nation can come in– one that remains faithful.” (Isaiah 26:1-2)

“For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: He will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when He shall hear it, He will answer thee.” (Isaiah 30:19)

“Art thou not it which hath dried the sea, the waters of the great deep; that hath made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over? Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.” (Isaiah 51:10-11)

“Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.” (52:1)

“Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 52:9)

“For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth…Nor shall your land any more be termed desolate..” (Isaiah 62:1,4)

JEREMIAH

“In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers.” (Jeremiah 3:18)

“Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that they shall no more say, The LORD liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; But, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.” (Jeremiah 23:7-8)

“For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.” (Jeremiah 30:3)

“The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry. Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mountains of Samaria: the planters shall plant, and shall eat them as common things. For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the LORD our God. ” (Jeremiah 31:3-6)

“And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me. Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul. For thus saith the LORD; Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them.” (Jeremiah 32:40-42)

“In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together, going and weeping: they shall go, and seek the LORD their God. They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, saying, Come, and let us join ourselves to the LORD in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten.” (Jeremiah 50:4-5)

EZEKIEL

“For in mine holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, there shall all the house of Israel, all of them in the land, serve me: there will I accept them, and there will I require your offerings, and the firstfruits of your oblations, with all your holy things. I will accept you with your sweet savour, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen.” (Ezekiel 20:40-41)

“Thus saith the Lord GOD; When I shall have gathered the house of Israel from the people among whom they are scattered, and shall be sanctified in them in the sight of the heathen, then shall they dwell in their land that I have given to my servant Jacob. And they shall dwell safely therein, and shall build houses, and plant vineyards; yea, they shall dwell with confidence, when I have executed judgments upon all those that despise them round about them; and they shall know that I am the LORD their God.” (Ezekiel 28:25-26)

“For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel.” (Ezekiel 34:11-14)

“And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.” (Ezekiel 36:27-28)

“Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities I will also cause you to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be builded. And the desolate land shall be tilled, whereas it lay desolate in the sight of all that passed by. And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited. Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I the LORD build the ruined places, and plant that that was desolate: I the LORD have spoken it, and I will do it.” (Ezekiel 36:33-36)

HOSEA

“For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim: Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.” (Hosea 3:4-5)

“They shall walk after the LORD: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west. They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, saith the LORD.” (Hosea 11:10-11)

JOEL

“So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.” (Joel 3:17)

AMOS

“In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old: That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this.”(Amos 9:11-12)

MICAH

“But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”(Micah 4:1-2)

ZECHARIAH 

“Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD. And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee. And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again.” (Zechariah 2:10-12)

“Again the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury. Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the LORD of hosts.Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country; And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness. ” (Zechariah 8:1-8)

What we have read is truly a great promise. It shall soon come to pass and this kingdom will be as real as the nose on our face.But some may need more clarification.

  1. Isn’t this describing the kingdom in the New Earth or Millennial heavenly reign?

No, it cannot be. There will not be any “heathen” in either of those  kingdoms. Neither will there be “old men and old women”. As we read, this is in front of the heathen as a final witness to them.

2. If this kingdom is to be set up premillennially then doesn’t that change our Adventist teaching of the 1000 year reign in Heaven?

No it doesn’t. This kingdom will be of a very short duration. Some say 7 years , others like yours truly think it will be much shorter, maybe 2 or 3 years max. Although we aren’t given any time schedules in regards to length of time, the message (SOP and Rod) tells us “the final movements will be rapid ones”. It’s sole purpose is to bring to the world a final witness of God’s glory and power. The final Loud Cry will “lighten the world” and this kingdom will be a big part of this final witness.

3. If this kingdom is to be set up before Christ’s second coming, how does it fit in with our S.D.A understanding of the mark of the Beast world wide system which Satan is to set up?

This will be the final spiritual war, the “great controversy”, God’s kingdom church versus Satan’s kingdom Sunday church. Two groups of people all over the world who will have to pick one side or the other, no fence sitters. As we read, God’s Gospel headquarters will come from Israel. Likewise Satan’s headquarters will be a counterfeit. Both sides will have many miracles performed and the only way that one can be safe from deception, is to be grounded in His Word- Commandments. Our understanding is correct, the Sunday Law will be the great test. But this test is for the world not our own church, which has experienced the church purification (Ezek. 9) prior to this kingdom set up.

4. We read of our Lord saying He shall be “in the midst” in this kingdom. Will He actually be there in person in Israel during this time?

No He will not be “physically” there, but He will be there as He was when Moses led the people out of the land of Egypt. The well known “second coming” remains as such as He will come for His people–physically (Bodily form) for the second time. But as we know, His next presence will be invisible  in the church for judgment (1 Peter 4:17), then in His kingdom as the invisible leader, then His “second” coming. As Christ is able to travel beyond measure He will no doubt go back to the heavenly sanctuary to later announce —

“He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” (Rev. 22:11)

And then lay off His priestly garments for His kingly garments. This brings on the seven last plagues–end of the world’s probation.

5. How soon will this kingdom come?

The Word shows us  good sign posts and the kingdom appears very near. First, the nation “not desired” has gathered and fulfilled this prophecy —

“Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired; Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD’S anger come upon you. Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’S anger.For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up.Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites! the word of the LORD is against you; O Canaan, the land of the Philistines, I will even destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant.” (Zeph. 2:1-5)

The unbelieving Jews have gathered themselves as a nation in His holy land since 1948.

Second, as we know the above foretells a “decree” from the Lord will be issued over His holy land, a war to clean out those unbelievers for His people to return there. Right now we see many nations (Russia, USA, China, Nato, Iran, Israel,  etc.) stationed in this region with their  military activity. In other words the pieces are in place for the decree to be issued and then the last great world war over this land shall take place and Israel will get the worst of it. Yet miraculously it will be transformed quickly into a paradise. The headquarters established, beautiful sights such as —

“The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.” (Isaiah 11:6)

6. Will this kingdom just be in Jerusalem or all of Israel?

It will be all of Israel. In Ezek. 48 we read of the new land division. Below is a map showing the final boundaries compared to the ancient parcels of the tribes.

 

12 tribes Ezek 48 vs Solomon (3)

7. If this kingdom will come, how come only a few know about it in the S.D.A Church?

It is similar to the Jews back in Christ’s first advent. The leaders, corrupt and selfish, read into the Word only what they wanted to instead of humbly seeking God’s guidance in understanding it. The people were misled by these false shepherds and told that the Messiah would come as a conquering King and would free them from the Roman bondage. Thus Christ came as they did not expect Him.

So too today, our S.D.A leaders, being selfish false shepherds, have read into the Scriptures a false idea of the next and only coming being the second coming. The only people among God’s remnant church who correctly understand the next “surprise” coming to His church and then to His pre-millennial Kingdom is the Davidian Seventh-day Adventists. It’s amazing to think about, the Jews wanted the kingdom and did not get it, the S.D.A leaders do not want a pre-millennial kingdom here on earth but will get it!

“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matt.6:9-10)

In closing there is so much joy and excitement ahead for us. Only those who believe in His Word will experience it though. May the Lord’s Word and promise be our hope and destiny.

Posted in Final Events, Our Lord's kingdom, Prophecy study | 10 Comments »

“THE CHURCH ENTERING INTO AND IN THE HARVEST PERIOD”

September 9, 2017

Image result for picture of a wheat harvest

Brother Houteff gave this sermon on Dec. 28th , 1946  on the Church Harvest. May you be blessed.

Matt. 25:1-5 — “Then shall the Kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.  And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.  They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.  While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.”

Again it plainly appears that the church membership is divided into two classes, the wise and the foolish.  The wise take no chances; they continually search for oil (Truth) and they fill their vessels with It at first opportunity.  The foolish, though, see no need for any more than what is in their lamps; they are satisfied with what they already have.

The oil, a substance which lightens ahead one’s path, obviously is figurative of prophetic Truth, Truth that lightens the heart by unveiling the future.  Concretely speaking, the lamp filled with oil denotes the individual’s reservoir of Truth in action, Truth that meets his needs only for the time then present.  The extra oil in the vessels, therefore, represents additional Truth, Truth that takes up where the old Truth leaves off.  In other words, the oil in the lamps and the oil in the vessels represent two revealed truths, at two different times, one following the other.  For example, while the Judgment for the Dead is Truth in action, the Judgment for the Living is Truth to go into action as soon as the Judgment for the Dead is over.

Obviously, oil that has been consumed, as is the oil in the virgins’ lamps, represents past Truth, Truth that has accomplished Its purpose; but the oil in the vessels represents Truth ready to be activated and made to shine immediately after the oil in the lamps is consumed.  Since the ten virgins represent the church membership during the Judgment for the Dead, the oil in the lamps manifestly represents the truth of the Judgment for the Dead.  The extra oil, that is in the “vessels” must, therefore, represent the truth of the Judgment for the Living, the additional Truth (Early Writings, pg. 277).  Plainly then, the lamps gone empty represent the Judgment for the Dead passing away, and the oil in the vessels represents the Truth of the Judgment for the Living going into action.

Since all ten had oil in the lamps, but only half of them had the oil in the vessels, the symbolism clearly discloses that, as always, the whole church membership did not accept the message of the Judgment for the Living.  The foolish virgins were satisfied with the Truth they had acquired while joining the church that bore the message of the Judgment for the Dead, but failed to acquaint themselves with the additional message — the message of the Judgment for the Living.  Finally, after the necessity for It became imperative, they began to search for It but it did them no good, they were too late getting It.

These were left out with the tares only because they let the Devil sow in their hearts seeds of foolishness, seeds of contentment (lukewarmness) with the initial truths by which they joined the church; thus they mistakenly felt no need of additional light from the Lord.  But when prophecy began to fulfill itself beyond their scope of Divinely revealed knowledge, and as they saw the events of the gospel shaping themselves contrary to their expectations, they became alarmed and confused, saw themselves in darkness.

The lesson is unmistakable: Those who for ever feel “rich, and increased with goods, and in need of nothing more, will not get to the “door” on time.

Besides the tares among the wheat, there are idlers, inactive folk who are to be cast out and destroyed with the tares.  Let us read–

Matt. 25:14-30 — “For the Kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, Who called His own servants, and delivered unto them His goods.  And unto one He gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took His journey.

“Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.  And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.  But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his Lord’s money.

“After a long time the Lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.  And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, Thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.  His Lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.

“He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, Thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.  His Lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.

“Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew Thee that Thou art an hard man, reaping where Thou hast not sown, and gathering where Thou hast not strawed: and I was afraid, and went and hid Thy talent in the earth: lo, there Thou hast that is Thine.  His Lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: thou oughtest therefore to have put My money to the exchangers, and then at My coming I should have received Mine own with usury.  Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.  For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.  And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

From this parable is seen that when a Christian falls asleep, Satan comes along and sows seeds of idleness in his heart so as to cause him to be cast out with the tares.  At the commencement of the harvest, therefore, this class of tares is the first to appear as such.  It is high time to learn that religion is not an opiate.

There is still another class of church members who in a different way fall victims with the tares.  This we shall see from–

Matt. 25:31-46 — “When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: and before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: and He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.

“Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was an hungered, and ye gave Me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took Me in: naked, and ye clothed Me: I was sick, and ye visited Me: I was in prison, and ye came unto Me.

“Then shall the righteous answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we Thee an hungered, and fed Thee?  or thirsty, and gave Thee drink?  When saw we Thee a stranger, and took Thee in?  or naked, and clothed Thee?  or when saw we Thee sick, or in prison, and came unto Thee?

“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.  Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was an hungered, and ye gave Me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took Me not in: naked, and ye clothed Me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited Me not.

“Then shall they also answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we Thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto Thee?  Then shall He answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to Me.  And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”

The most outstanding sin of the goat class of professed believers is that they are all for self and none for others. The sheep class are the opposite in character.  Since those who do charity work are not to make a display of it — not to let the left hand know what the right hand is doing (Matt. 6:3) — and since the system of such benevolent work is clearly pointed out in the Hebrew economy, we would do well to look there for it: “To promote the assembling of the people for religious service, as well as to provide for the poor, a second tithe of all the increase was required. 

Concerning the first tithe, the Lord had declared, ‘I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel.’  But in regard to the second he commanded, ‘Thou shalt eat before the Lord thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the Lord thy God always.’  Thus tithe, or its equivalent in money, they were for two years to bring to the place where the sanctuary was established. 

After presenting a thank-offering to God, and a specified portion to the priest, the offerers were to use the remainder for a religious feast, in which the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow should participate.  Thus provision was made for the thank-offerings and feasts at the yearly festivals, and the people were drawn to the society of the priests and Levites, that they might receive instruction and encouragement in the service of God.” —  “Patriarchs And Prophets,” p. 530.  For this work to be carried out systematically by the Lord’s treasury through gifts and free will offerings, sometimes called second tithe, we cannot but do likewise if we are to find favor with God.  Now back to–

Matt. 13:44 — “Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.”

Matt. 13:45, 46 — “Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.”

These parables distinctly point out that those who do not care to invest everything they possess, if need be, to obtain the Kingdom, are to be cast out with the tares.

Matt. 13:47, 48 — “Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.”

A net cast into the sea naturally catches good and bad, small and large fish.  But fish, like all other living creatures, move in families, each species with its kind, and so each time the net is cast, it catches families of fish.  So it is that the gospel net in many instances naturally brings in families and relatives all in one catch; that is, as parents accept the gospel of Christ, along with them are often brought the children, and even relatives and friends.

The bad fish represent those who, with no real knowledge, conviction and conversion of their own but through emotion and the influence of others join the church.  So it is that those who never studiously, whole-heartedly and zealously take hold of the principles of Christ are cast out, there to perish with the tares.  All who are too lazy to study, and who give the Devil a chance to sow devilish seed in their hearts, making them believe that the preacher or the minister will take them through the Pearly Gates, having no experience of their own, are cheated of eternal life; they instead get eternal death.

True enough, the Spirit of God causes people to become one thing, and the spirit of Satan causes them to become another thing, but the difference is discernible only as the harvest time approaches — when the Truth of the harvest is revealed.

From these simple parables comes the fact that Satan raises tares in the church and ever tries his level best to keep them in it.  Why? — Let us find the answer in Revelation 12 —

Rev. 12:13 — “And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.”

When the Devil saw that he was no longer permitted entrance into Heaven, he went to persecute the church after she brought forth “the man child,” Christ.  The dragon, therefore, is to persecute the church in her Christian period.

Rev. 12:14 — “And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.”

Because of the persecution, the church was given the means by which to take her flight from the promised land (the vineyard) into the land of the Gentiles (the wilderness).

Rev. 12:15 — “And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.”

At the beginning, the serpent persecuted the church, but as he saw that the church still grew and prospered, he reversed his tactics, and began instead to persecute the Pagans who would not join the church, and raised ministers by whom to bring in a flood of unconverted by which to paganize the church, so that she could not Christianize them.

Rev. 12:16 — “And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.”

Thus is the church purified and thus are the tares destroyed.  As tares they are burned; as unprofitable workers they are cast into outer darkness there to weep and gnash their teeth; as unfit guests for the wedding they are bound hand and foot and cast out into outer darkness; as foolish virgins they are refused entrance; as goats they are sent into everlasting punishment; as dragon’s flood, they are swallowed by the earth.  But the actual thing that happens to them all in common, is fully described in Ezekiel’s prophecy, chapter 9.  Let us turn to it–

Ezek. 9:1-11 — “He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand.  And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer’s inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brasen altar.

“And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon He was, to the threshold of the house. And He called to the man clothed with 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 that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.

“And to the others He said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary.  Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.  And He said unto them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth.  And they went forth, and slew in the city.

“And it came to pass, while they were slaying them, and I was left, that I fell upon my face, and cried, and said, Ah Lord God!  wilt Thou destroy all the residue of Israel in Thy pouring out of Thy fury upon Jerusalem?

“Then said He unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for they say, The Lord hath forsaken the earth, and the Lord seeth not.  And as for Me also, Mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity, but I will recompense their way upon their head.  And, behold, the man clothed with linen, which had the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter, saying, I have done as Thou hast commanded me.”

The promise to purify Jerusalem, Judah and Israel stands as sure as any promise in the Word.  The terms, Jerusalem, Judah, Israel you know, cannot be applied to anything but to the church, the place where everyone should sigh and cry against abominations.  Those who do not sigh and cry are to be left without the mark, and then the angels who have charge of the church smite everyone of them — “old and young, both maids and little children, and women.”  Only those who have the mark shall be left.  They are the remnant.  The angels are thus to take care of both the wheat and the tares.

Yes, there is to be a clean riddance of every sort of tare just as anciently there was a clean riddance of all the first-born in the households that failed to paint the doorpost with the sacrificial blood on the evening of the Passover in the land of Egypt.  So shall it be at the commencement of the harvest, in the purification of the church: The angels shall smite everyone who fosters the abominations “in the midst thereof.”

When is this thorough purging to take place?  For the answer let us turn to Zephaniah, chapter 1.

Zeph. 1:2, 3 — “I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the Lord.  I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumbling blocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the Lord.”

Here is a promise that the Lord is to thoroughly cleanse the land, and I am sure none of you will say that these prophecies have ever been fulfilled.

Zeph. 1:4, 5 — “I will also stretch out Mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the name of the Chemarims with the priests; and them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops; and them that worship and that swear by the Lord, and that swear by Malcham.”

Not only the land but the people that are to make up the house of Judah, are to be cleansed: There is to be a clean land and a clean people as well.

Zeph. 1:6 — “And them that are turned back from the Lord; and those that have not sought the Lord, nor enquired for Him.”

The backslider and the indifferent, those who are unstable and those who see no need of God, are to perish along with the tares.

Zeph. 1:7 — “Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord God: for the day of the Lord is at hand: for the Lord hath prepared a sacrifice, He hath bid His guests.”

This is the long-expected great and dreadful day of the Lord.

Zeph. 1:8 — “And it shall come to pass in the day of the Lord’s sacrifice, that I will punish the princes, and the king’s children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel.”

Zeph. 1:9-11 — “In the same day also will I punish all those that leap on the threshold, which fill their masters’ houses with violence and deceit.  And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord, that there shall be the noise of a cry from the fish gate, and an howling from the second, and a great crashing from the hills.  Howl, ye inhabitants of Maktesh, for all the merchant people are cut down; all they that bear silver are cut off.”

The great crashing shall be from both the fish gates and from the hills — from land and from sea.  Both, the servants that bring violence and deceit upon their master’s houses, and the wicked masters themselves, shall be punished.

Zeph. 1:12-18 — “And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The Lord will not do good, neither will He do evil.  Therefore their goods shall become a booty, and their houses a desolation: they shall also build houses, but not inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof.  The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the Lord: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. 

That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers.  And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the Lord: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.  Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord’s wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of His jealousy: for He shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.”

The time of the day of the Lord is pointed out by increased “wrath,” “trouble,” “distress,” “wasteness,” “desolation,” “darkness” and “gloominess,” — a time in which no one knows what to do to avert disaster, a time of so much fear even by the cities that are best fortified.  So far as I know there has never been the like.  The world’s condition of today is the only condition that meets the challenge of these prophecies.  Since this is true, then this is the day in which the Lord is to search Jerusalem with candles.  This is the day in which he is to cleanse His people from sin and sinners.  It is “the great and dreadful day of the Lord.”

Mal. 3:1-5 — “Behold, I will send My messenger, and he shall prepare the way before Me: and the Lord, Whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.  But who may abide the day of his coming?  and who shall stand when he appeareth?  for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ sope: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. 

Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years.  And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not Me, saith the Lord of hosts.”

Should we not now consider ourselves the most fortunate people in the world for knowing these things beforehand?  Shall we not be glad and thankful for having been warned beforehand that we have come almost to the time of the harvest, and that we have been given the opportunity to make ready for it?  Shall we not be glad that we are not left in darkness, and that we are now plainly shown that these are the closing hours of the pre-harvest period, that the harvest will soon begin?

Rev. 18:1 — “And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.”

The fulfillment of this scripture is what is called the Loud Cry of the Third Angel’s Message.  But note that the whole earth is lightened with his glory.  Let us now take notice of what happens after the Three Angels’ Messages permeate the earth, after the earth is thus lightened with the glory of the angel.

Rev. 18:2 — “And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.”

Ah, after the earth is lightened, then it is that Babylon falls.  Plainly, then, Babylon has not actually fallen as yet.  In fact Babylon has not even come into existence yet, for she is yet to mount (rule) the beast (the world).  See Revelation 17 and Tract #12, “The World Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow.”

Rev. 18:4 — “And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.”

This voice from heaven, you see, comes to God’s people after the earth is lightened with the Loud Cry of the angel.  The burden of the Voice is that God’s people should come out of Babylon so that they be not partakers of her sins, and receive not of her plagues.  If on this account they must come out of Babylon, then it must be that the place into which they are called to come is free from sin and thus free from danger of the plagues. 

And where could that be but in the purified land and church of God, where there is no more sin and no more sinners to endanger the peace of God’s people?  Vain, indeed, it would be if the people were called from one place of sin and brought into another place of sin.  As clear as crystal it is that the purification of the church (“cleansing” — Dan. 8:14; Judgment of the Living — 1 Pet. 4:17) takes place before the Loud Cry of the Third Angel’s message begins in the world, before God’s people are called out of Babylon.

“The third angel’s message is to lighten the earth with its glory; but only those who have withstood temptation in the strength of the Mighty One will be permitted to act a part in proclaiming it when it shall have swelled into the loud cry.” —  “The Review and Herald,” Nov. 19, 1908.

Most Christians know that there are two classes in the church — wheat and tares — but few, if any, seem to care.  We, as reformers though, especially since we have been given this great light on the subject, cannot afford to be indifferent.   We may now intelligently choose to be “wheat” or choose to be “tares.”  If after knowing this Truth, some choose to be “tares,” they, of course, will have gained nothing and need not be surprised when they land in hell.

At the time labor and capital are in a clash, then it is that Jerusalem (the church) shall be searched, as it were, with candles.  Consequently, the men who have settled in their houses, those who act as though the Lord has forsaken the earth shall have their punishment.

Not only do we behold and feel the day of the Lord approaching but even hear Its Voice.

(Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 21. page 5- 21)

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Understanding Revelation 6:12-17

September 2, 2017

Image result for picture of scared people hiding in caves

As the picture shows above, we see a opening into a cave. The Bible speaks about this as a refuge for the wicked in Revelation chapter 6. Yet once again we are blessed to now know the meaning and full ramification of this. The Lord’s final message has expounded upon it. It is deep, it is not as we have generally understood it to be. It is bountiful in glorious truth, solemn yet instructional of what lays ahead for those who have and are now–fighting God’s truth.

Let us read our subject text–

“And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;

And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” (Rev. 6:12-17)

We as Seventh-day Adventists have generally understood this to be of Christ’s second coming. Just as the general whole Christian world has. But God wrote it as Truth, not mankind’s idea of it. His prophets declared His things, not us frail and mistaken prone people. Let us now see what these things really mean.

What is the earthquake, sun darkened, moon as blood, stars fall to heaven?

“The sixth seal opens with the Lisbon earthquake of November 1, 1755.  Following the earthquake the sun was darkened, May 19, 1780, and the moon appeared as blood the following night.  The “falling of the stars,” has reference to the great meteoric shower of November 13, 1833.  Jesus, looking forward to the fulfillment of these signs, said: “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.” (Matt. 24:29.)  Therefore, under the sixth seal came the signs of the time of the end — the great earthquake in 1755, the dark day in 1780 the falling stars in 1833, and the beginning of the judgment in 1844.” (SRod, vol. 2, p.213)

As our Lord prophesied, all these events are recorded as phenomenal events in our history. The judgment was about to begin in the heavenly sanctuary. A review of all the records of the professing people of God starting with Adam.

What is the meaning of heaven departing as a scroll and every mountain and island is moved out of their places and the men running to the dens and caves?

   “On Rev. 6:14-17, comment is found in “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. 9, pp. 267, 268: ” ‘And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were removed out of their places.  And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bond man, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? (Rev. 6:12-17.) 

After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb…. These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.’… Revelation 7:9-17.”

   According to the following testimony, Revelation 6:12-17, has a double application, and it is clear that these verses also refer to the time of the purification of God’s church, for the servant of the Lord says, “In these scriptures two parties are brought to view.  One party permitted themselves to be deceived, and took sides with those with whom the Lord has a controversy.  They misinterpreted the message sent them, and clothed themselves in robes of self-righteousness.  Sin was not sinful in their eyes.  They taught falsehood as truth, and by them many souls were led astray.” — “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. 9, page 268. 

It is inferred, from the testimony just quoted, that they have taught falsehood.  We ask the reader to consider what has been taught by the symbols found in the books of Daniel and Revelation.  For instance, consider the truth brought to view here, as compared with what has been taught for some years.” (SRod, vol. 2, p.213-214)

The message explains more–

“In these verses are pictured the fate, the fear, and the smitten conscience of all who are not able to stand in the day of the Judgment of the living, the great and dreadful day of the Lord — the wrath of the Lamb in the great “time of trouble such as never was” (Dan. 12:1), the day following the appearance of the antitypical “Elijah the prophet” (Mal. 4:5) — yes, the day in which those who have not clad themselves in the wedding garment, are cast into outer darkness, there to gnash their teeth (Matt. 22:11-13).” (Tract 15, p.57)

“..while the first four seals carry us through the periods of the day in which the works of man are made manifest, the last three seals carry us through the day of God, the day in which His Truth and His works are made manifest.

   That there should be a climax of some kind in the Judicial work at this particular point of the Scriptures (Rev. 6:14-17), is not a mystery.  Its being stamped with the events which end the reign of sin, and this being realized by even the sinners  themselves, is a very good indication that during the sixth seal the Judgment of the dead closes, and the preparations for the Judgment of the living begin.  It is the “dreadful day” for the wicked.

 Moreover, as the first phase of the Judgment passes with the sixth chapter of Revelation, the second phase begins with the seventh chapter; that is, it begins with the sealing of the living saints, the first fruits.  It is the “great day” for the  righteous.” (Tract 15, p.57-58)

We want to focus on one area. Did you notice that the above describes the wrath of the “Lamb”(verse 16) written as “arnion” meaning Lamb in Greek? Notice the different depiction of wrath and the judgment given by the Lamb.

“And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.” (Rev. 15:7)

“And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.” (Rev. 14:14-16)

What we want to point out is that unlike the pouring out of the plagues from the wrath of “God”, written as “Theos” –God in Greek, Rev. 6:12-17 and Rev. 14:14-16 is about the church judgment, the wrath of the “Lamb”. Yes, there may be a secondary application as the message says above but the primary application is the church purification.

It truly is a marvelous thing to understand the Word as God wrote it for us. As we put the whole picture together we know as present truth believers that there is to be TWO harvests producing TWO fruits. The 144,ooo from the SDA church in the first harvest, and the Great Multitude from the world in the second harvest. Two close of probations and subsequent wrath of the Lamb and of God.

Let us remember that when the Bible speaks of Jesus as the “Lamb” it is referring to a time of open probation. For it as a Lamb that the Lord sacrificed Himself for us, and that sacrifice is only available to us as Jesus is still able to grant it–as a Lamb.

Rev. 6:12-17 therefore describes the events that will ultimate in the SDA church  purification, the close of probation for the church yet a time of open probation to the world, thus Jesus can still provide His sacrifice to those in the world. John in the last verse 17 asks “..who shall be able to stand?” Malachi confirms Rev. 6:17  and gives  clarity to it —

“Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.” (Mal. 3:1-3)

If we look closely at Malachi, we see – a) the Lord sending a prophet to prepare the people for His coming b) The Lord suddenly coming to His church  c) The church being purified (refiners fire, fullers soap, refiner of silver d) that the church may finally glorify God in righteousness.

In closing brethren, the Lord loves His church exceedingly. Going so far as to give us a detailed account of the events to take place, warnings that are to help us awake, be ready, and to show others. We should be prudent and prepared now as this is our opportunity. The Word says we must be able to “stand” and only those who know His Word will be prepared.

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