Archive for February, 2018

Striking a Deal

February 24, 2018

Image result for picture of two people shaking hands

As we know throughout history, “deals” are usually between two parties. Both sides agree upon a mutual agreed idea or plan. Take for instance our current president of our country, Donald Trump. He famously wrote the “Art of the Deal” and has shown through out his career that deals can be done and often for the benefit of those concerned.

In Scripture, there is a proposal of a deal. Except this deal is made straight from God to any and all who would want to agree to it, let us read —

“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”(Mal. 3:10)

In this deal, God makes the following proposals —

  1. Bring His rightful money into His rightful Truth dispensing storehouse.
  2. God boldly says that He wants us to test Him on this
  3. If we abide by our part of the deal, he will pay us back so profoundly that we will be amazed, a blessing that reaches each one individually.

Wow, now who in their right mind would not want to reach out and say to God “You got a deal” ? Sadly there are legion within His S.D.A church who do not participate in this agreement. They ignorantly support the church which has an avowed enmity against the Lord’s Rod!

Equally amazing as well as sad, is that even some so-called present truth believers don’t take God up on this promise.

Let us discuss this very important subject more specifically.

As some are aware, we run a Facebook group with the sole purpose of spreading the Lord’s Elijah message. Occasionally we get private messages from people who profess to believe in the message yet let us know how bad off they are. Often they describe how their present circumstances are dire, specifically their financial situation. They will go on and on about this, eventually asking for help.

While we do indeed sometimes extend a helping hand, if the Lord guides us, some are told in no uncertain terms , what we point out in this post. They should trust the Lord and stop disbelieving in Him and His word. Let us review a very important lesson which Jesus gave us —

“Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts.  But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:41-44)

As we have a world-wide ministry, and as can be expected, we usually get requests from the poorer countries. But the lesson above shows that is no excuse to ignore Tithing. God will bless the mite payer as well as the wealthy payer. The message gives us another lesson —

IS SMALL INCOME TITHE EXEMPT?

Question No. 158:

   As my income is very small, am I not exempt from paying tithe?

Answer:

   God designed the plan of systematic benevolence so as to make it as equitable to the poor as to the rich, no more a tax on the mite than on the million. And we know of no Scriptural authority for exempting from tithe any income, however small. All, poor as well as rich, are given the privilege of returning to the Lord His own. Many with a “mite” income are paying both first and second tithe, and in return are receiving a rich bestowal of blessing.

   Thus reason forces the conclusion that if one is not obliged to receive charity help in addition to his income (whatever its source) to cover his living expenses, then for him not to pay tithe is to cheat Himself of the abundant blessing which attends a faithful regard for the royal privilege of being one of God’s stewards. (Answerer, vol. 5,p.86-87)

So what do we have here? A blessing just waiting to happen! God is willing and waiting. All we need is faith and belief in His word. What He said He would do–HE WILL DO!

There should be no one unwilling to put God to His word — “..prove Me now..”.

Do you not know that God is able to deliver to your doorstop a bag of money? Yes, and a myriad of other ways He can give you “..a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”

Further, we do not want to be found a “robber”–

“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed Me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed Thee? In tithes and offerings.” (Mal. 3:8)

One word of caution, we should enter this deal with the right intentions. Put the right goals in mind and that is to help our brethren get His sealing Truth. We don’t want to do it with primarily ideas of “getting something”. That part will come IF we remain faithful to providing funds for His workers to bring souls to the saving Truth. Many have “stolen”  from Him for a long time, God in His perfect judgment will recompense in His perfect timing. You’ll be more than happy on His specific plan for YOU.

SOP let’s us know how important our duty —

“Prayer offered ever so often and ever so earnestly will never be accepted by God in the place of our tithe. Prayer will not pay our debts to God.” — “Messages to Young People,” p. 248. 

Lastly we read what is often a pondering question of us S.D.A —

“If I am responsible for the light which is now shining upon my pathway, and if my S.D.A. brethren must have it, should I pay my tithe to the denomination so that the ministry can have more money to fight against the message and against my personal endeavors to reach the people and thus help them deceive my brethren, or should I pay it to the “storehouse” of present truth where it is most needed to facilitate its speedy deliverance and rescue my brethren from eternal ruin?

If neither our S.D.A. brethren nor those in the world are saved and no better prepared to meet the Lord than the ministry themselves, shall my tithe go to the church in behalf of the heathen and ultimately both be lost — the church and the heathen — or to the message of the SRod which is to save the church first and then the heathen?____ If I as a believer of the message dare not support it by my tithe, then who will?____ Where will my tithe accomplish the most good?____ If I pay my tithe for the benefit of the heathen to the neglect of my own brethren would I be saying by my own actions, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”____

Shall I respond to the call and go in search of the lost sheep of the house of Israel, or after the lost sheep in the house of Baal?____ In which one of these two fields would my tithe entitle me to the words: “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.” (Matt. 25:21.) (Symbolic Code, vol. 1 no. 14, p.10)

For those who are moved by the Spirit we once again provide two sites that we recommend to return His money to His storehouse. These are “storehouses” indeed! We can only say that personally we have witnessed the Mal. 3:10 promise by doing our part.

God will do His, just reach out your hand and make that deal.

http://www.shepherds-rod-message.org/index.html

http://davidiantoday.org/

Posted in God's storehouse, Tithes and Offerings | 1 Comment »

The Love of Money

February 17, 2018

Image result for Picture of someone loving money

In 1 Timothy 6:10 we read —

“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

As some of you may recall, we have often mentioned that our brother Doug Batchelor has done some good things in His long time ministry. The subject of the Sabbath is one good example of Doug’s expertise.

When I first came into the S.D.A faith, I was soon drawn to Amazing Facts and their leader. Soon I discovered the many videos and books Doug had out on the subject of the Sabbath. As a newbie in the faith, I wanted to learn all I could about God’s holy day. Doug’s teachings more than filled this desire.

However as we have posted many times, we are to continually move up the ladder of Truth and knowledge. Just like the trees in nature, if we stop growing (learning) we can die — spiritually. So it is that the Spirit of truth has guided me to be here today, writing of His wondrous Truth and His prophecy pathway to the very soon to come kingdom.

Fast forward to right now. Just recently, I went to the mail box and saw once again the 3rd or 4th mailer from Amazing Facts within the last month. This has continued for several years now. But instead of quickly glancing at it I decided to focus on it. It was a simple newsletter of 4 pages.

The first thing one sees is their donation slip, this is purposely put in the first slot. It’s complete with space to put your donation amount — 10.00 to 100.00 or even a space for up to 9,999.00 and of course the credit card number info spaces.

As I began to read my eyes got wider and wider. Soon I counted 8 requests/suggestions for donations! Something didn’t ring right. I recalled how I was taken aback in past mailers with an overdoing of requests for donations, in fact I called Amazing Facts and let them know it.

Let us read —

“Since the Bible does not teach any plate gatherings, but only freewill offerings (and not for your own use either), then by high pressuring the laity with your speeches, your pleas, and plate-passing all in the name of Christ, you make Him an extortioner of the worst kind.  And by your harvest ingathering and other such campaigns to get money from the Gentiles, you make Him also a begger of the worst kind.” (Jezreel Letter, no. 3, p.3)

Let us  review the words contained in this newsletter.

1)”Consider how your partnership with Amazing Facts is already changing lives and touching people..”

2)”One method that Amazing Facts is effectively pursuing –with your support–is television.”

3)”..a friend shared Amazing Facts media with Kamesh, and he now believes in Jesus and the Sabbath. But he needs our continued support and prayers because of family pressures to remain a Hindu.”

4)”I’m thrilled to tell you that God has just opened a door for Amazing Facts to expand onto a Hindu-language station to reach the people of India, I hope your heart is moved.”

5)”Your gift this month will help us reach this goal while also continuing our outreach around the world.”

6)”..ask God what He would gave you do to be a vital part of this mighty work. Your gift of $50, $20,$100, or more will make a profound difference in the lives of these dear people who need to know Jesus and hear His last-day truth.”

7)”Will you join me–through God’s power– in changing more lives in India?

8)”Will you help us touch more lives for Christ in one of the largest countries on earth? Thank you in advance for your precious gift today.”

Wow, are these not “squeezings” of the worst type?? What part of “freewill” do we see here? No! We see begging and pressuring over and over again in this short 4 page report. And this is continual in nearly all of Amazing Facts newsletters and other media.

Make no mistake this is a two prong violation of God’s end time Elijah message, it’s robbery and not providing current manna from heaven (present truth). The worst part is that it’s asking for funds to proclaim a message that God is not sending right now!

“The Lord does not now work to bring many souls into the truth, because of the church members who have never been converted, and those who were once converted but who have backslidden. What influence would these unconsecrated members have on new converts? Would they not make of no effect the God-given message which His people are to bear?” (Testimonies, vol. 6, p.371)

Time and again I have watched Amazing Facts online presentations and we see the head man, Doug Batchelor, walk right up there onstage for his sermon,  following the young ladies who were up on that very stage  complete with mini-skirts singing their praise songs. He’s smiling as if saying “oh God does not care, he does not see these things”. Do you see why SOP was right? Bring em in and let them be transformed not to Christ, but to the world! Yeah that’s it.

The message speaks of this again —

“O My people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.  The Lord standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the people.   The Lord will enter into judgment with the ancients of His people, and the princes thereof: for ye have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor is in your houses.  What mean ye that ye beat My people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor?  saith the Lord God of hosts.” Isa. 3:1215.

   This scripture itself, you note, points out that it is speaking to the people at the commencement of the judgment of the living.  The charge is that ye have misled the people, that ye have “eaten up the vineyard,” that “the spoil of the poor is in your houses.”  The rest of the chapter goes on to say that in some instances you have taken the living of the poor and have bestowed it upon your daughters, the which they lavish and wickedly display upon themselves.  Since it is obvious that you will not much longer be allowed to “grind the faces of the poor,” why not repent now? Why keep on with your wickedness, and why perish in it?” (Jezreel Letter, no. 3, p.6)

Misled indeed! The S.D.A church is about to experience the “great and dreadful day of the Lord” yet we see organizations like Amazing Facts, 3 ABN, Secrets Unsealed –Stephen Bohr, Amazing Discoveries–Walter Vieth, etc, etc. totally ignore the message of judgment to occur FIRST in our own churches. They may speak of 1 Peter 4:17 but they do not place it in its rightful context–before the Sunday Law and Plagues. The wrath of the Lamb is the next event to take place (Mal. 3:1-5) within our church yet few of our people know about it! Thanks to these leaders who are derelict of duty and who want your money anyway. I am sorry to be so blunt my people but the Truth MUST be proclaimed.

Let us read what is soon to befall us unless we wake up. Many are often hooked by solicitations that go into something other than God’s “storehouse” by greedy people out for their own ideas and plans. May we awake soon!

“The Lord commissions His messengers, the men with slaughtering weapons in their hands: “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.

Here we see that the church–the Lord’s sanctuary–was the first to feel the stroke of the wrath of God. The ancient men, those to whom God had given great light and who had stood as guardians of the spiritual interests of the people, had betrayed their trust. They had taken the position that we need not look for miracles and the marked manifestation of God’s power as in former days. Times havechanged. These words strengthen their unbelief, and they say:

The Lord will not do good, neither will He do evil. He is too merciful to visit His people in judgment. Thus “Peace and safety” is the cry from men who will never again lift up their voice like a trumpet to show God’s people their transgressions and the house of Jacob their sins. These dumb dogs that would not bark are the ones who feel the just vengeance of an offended God. Men, maidens, and little children all perish together.” (Testimonies, vol. 5, p.211)

We see that today our leaders are asking for money which is not spiritually helping the flock even though they think it is, the message clearly spells out what our duty is today —

“..to devote our time to evangelizing the world while neglecting the church, would be a criminal act, one of highest treason both to God and to His people. The church must first be saved from her Laodicean condition of being “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” She, not the world, is just about to be spued out. She “is the only object on earth on which He bestows His supreme regard.”-Testimonies to Ministers, p. 15.

But in her present deplorable state of blindness and destitution as exposed by the True Witness (Rev. 3:14-18), she is utterly unfit for the task assigned her, and must be rescued from her sad deception before she can become a safe refuge and a saving influence to those who would join her ranks. Should God leave her in the Laodicean condition in which she now languishes, not only would she herself be lost but, in consequence, so also would the whole world along with her. He must therefore rouse her up or else raise up another to do the work which remains to be done.” (Answerer, vol. 2, Q-32)

For those who are led by the Holy Spirit to “return” God’s money to His rightful storehouses, we provide two worthy sites. By way of disclosure we return the Lord’s money to the below sites and have truly experienced the fulfillment of His promise (Mal. 3:10). Sometimes we say “Lord this is too much” just like He said we would. He is indeed faithful!

“Will a man rob God?  Yet ye have robbed Me.  But ye say,  Wherein have we robbed Thee?  In tithes and offerings.  Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed Me, even this whole nation.  Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” Mal. 3:8-10.

The phrase, “even this whole nation” robbing God is so because the old message, the “Judgment for the Dead, (for the proclamation of which the Seventh-day Adventist Denomination was specifically called forth), is now out of date as is the message of Noah’s flood, and as Denominational officials have already rejected the message of the Judgment for the Living but are still collecting tithes of the people, they as a nation (as a Denomination) are robbing God.

   There are many precious truths contained in the Word of God but it is present Truth that the Flock needs now. (“Early Writings,” p. 63).

   Note that not to the Levites, or to some other place or people but into God’s storehouse are the tithes and offerings to be brought.  And for no other reason than that His storehouse may have the means to dispense spiritual food, “meat in due season.”  These words definitely and positively show that the only support which the message of the purification for the church has for caring on its work is the tithes and the offerings from His faithful people; that in no other way could the message be dispensed; that in no other way could the expenses be paid.

This is God’s reason for no plate passing now in our gatherings, for no money raising in any form, and for scattering our literature everywhere as the leaves of autumn without money and without price to the people.  In other words, the literature, the ministers, and the Bible workers — those who bring the message of the hour to your door, are to be paid by the tithes and offerings that come to the Lord’s storehouse.  God, therefore, asks His faithful people to gladly respond to His call and sufficiently to supply the need.  He asks this not only for the prosperity of His storehouse, but for His people’s prosperity as well.” (Jezreel Letter, no. 9, p.3-4)

http://www.shepherds-rod-message.org/index.html

http://davidiantoday.org/

Posted in God's storehouse, Tithes and Offerings, Useful sites | 2 Comments »

Water Off A Duck’s Back

February 10, 2018

Image result for picture of water off a duck's back

Many of us have heard the old saying “like water off a duck’s back”. This is often saying that something is not being comprehended, instructions or warnings not followed or acknowledged by someone.  This saying is applicable to our discussion in this post, allow us to explain.

Those of us whose passion is to spread the final message of Elijah to our church are all too often aware of this exact symbolic action. We try to spread the word to all listening ears within our church, yet our counsel, advice, warnings, etc fall on deaf ears. Scripture tells us of our duty and the consequences we may encounter —

“And He said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against Me: they and their fathers have transgressed against Me, even unto this very day. For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD.

And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them. And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.” (Ezek. 2:3-6)

Although spoken to Ezekiel in ancient days, these words directly apply to us modern-day Elijah messengers in anti-type. We are to speak the prophetic words to our brethren whether they hear or not. The “not” of course is the aforementioned water off their backs. The message tell us more specifics concerning giving this life and death message —

“The Responsibility of Those Who Bear the Message.

   Since Ezekiel represents those whose hearts the message has reached, then to them the Lord is speaking when He says: “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at My mouth, and give them warning from Me.  When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.  Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

   “Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die: because  thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.  Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.” Ezek. 3 :17-21.

   Because of the unfaithfulness of the former watchmen, the Lord makes the antitypical Ezekiel — he and she who “sigh and cry for the abominations  that be done in the midst thereof” (the church) — a “watchman” (Ezek. 3:17) in their stead.  Be careful, therefore, Brother, Sister, lest you also betray your trust and find yourself thrust out.  “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” 1 Cor. 10:12.  Only those who thus humble themselves now, will the Lord exalt in due time to be His Faithful Watchmen to Stand Before the Unfaithful.” (Tract 1, p.41-42)

Here in clear words we see that our job is to give the warnings, regardless of what they say or do. If they let the water(Truth) slide right off their back, so be it, our job is to put the water on them to see if it soaks in. Praise the Lord when it does!

Recently on our sister blog site “HearYetheRod” we had a long discussion with a brother who we at first thought wanted to know more truth in regard to the message. Yet after a few back and forth it was clear he was just there to prove how his version of the truth was right, not ours. We carefully explained that the message must be in accordance with the writings and what It says in total (weight of evidence), not our own ideas of what It says and in this case not specifically using one or two verses to turn the other 8 or 10 off.

Long story short, after a couple of weeks of this, the Lord “supped” with me and said –enough. All it was was a round and round circus. It was due to the fact that clear straight references were not being comprehended or acknowledged. Instead false interpretations of clear texts put forth.

Let me briefly give some specifics. SOP has this quote —

“Your work, my work, will not cease with this life. For a little while we may rest in the grave, but, when the call comes, we shall, in the kingdom of God, take up our work once more.” (Testimonies, vol. 7, p.17)

As we present truth believers know, when we want the right context and interpretation of God’s word, we go to His spokesmen –the prophets. This whole lesson is taught in Zech. 4 (see this post for more info)

Zechariah 4 (God’s Method of Revealing Truth)

But the brother did not do this. He instead decides to make his own ideas and interpretations. He told me that this could very well be about EGW talking about “heaven’s work”. He supported this by jumping out of context over to Education, p.15 where she talks about further work to do , including in heaven. So then according to him she was not talking about further work on this earth after she is raised but about heaven’s work.

Even though the context of SOP’s Testimonies quote in that chapter 7 clearly shows that she was talking about work as in here on earth, trying to help save lost souls, it didn’t faze him. So after seeing that he denied EGW’s own contextual meaning I continued with the Rod quote, surely he wouldn’t deny this also would he?

“Dan. 12:1-3 — “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great Prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.  And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.  And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”

   In these three verses several things clearly stand out: (1) Only those whose names are written in the books are delivered; there are therefore no “foolish” ones among them; (2) Those who are resurrected, however, are mixed, both foolish and wise come up; (3) The statement, “and they that be wise [implying that some be foolish] shall shine as the brightness of the firmament” indicates that these “wise” ones are from among the raised; (4) That if the wise are from among the resurrected and turn many to righteousness, then they must be resurrected in probationary time, in time of salvation.

   “Your work, my work, will not cease with this life.  For a little while we may rest in the grave, but, when the call comes, we shall, in the kingdom of God, take up our work once more.” — Testimonies, Vol. 7, pg. 17. (TG, vol. 2, no.7, p.13-14)

Obviously the “context” of that statement in the Lord’s Rod shows what work she was talking about. For it is in the “time of trouble, such as never was..” Yet after this powerful clear statement what I saw was a clear case of water off a duck’s back. He remained steadfast that the Testimonies quote was not speaking of EGW working again in probationary time but after , in heaven.

Time wasting is what we’ll get if our clear references are ignored , twisted or not addressed. Now if this brother had admitted He did not know about the Lord’s Rod, then I could see his dilemma and understand his limited light, but he professed knowledge/belief (ie he has studied some of the writings).

“..let us remember that no revealed Truth ever came, nor ever will come through the halls of learning.   It is, therefore, of vital importance that you let alone the Angel of the Laodiceans lest you, too, be spued out (Rev. 3:16).  If he chooses to feed on his empty sermons, still teaching that the church needs no more Truth, that she has enough to carry her through the pearly gate, that he can without Inspiration interpret the Scriptures and know what Truth is, then let him himself eat his unholy feast.  Tell him that you prefer to live on “meat in due season” (Matt. 24:45) direct from the Throne of God. (TG, vol.1, no.12, p.17)

“Unbelief and indifference in revealed Truth is an insult to God and a sin against the Holy Ghost Who leads into all Truth.” (TG, vol. 1, no.41, p.25)

In closing, we are to continue our work helping others see/listen and learn this message but sometimes we run into “ducks” and this should be a signal to us to “let them alone.”

“Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? But He answered and said, Every plant, which My heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” (Matt. 15:12-14)

 

 

 

Posted in Proper teachings, Truth telling vs. lying | 2 Comments »

An Example of Truth Restoration

February 3, 2018

 

Isn’t it wonderful brethren that the Lord has kept His word and blessed us with Truth restoration (Matt.17:11) ? Of course if we are not interested, this idea of such restoration mean little if anything to us. Yet those who “thirst for the Truth” do indeed recognize this wonderful restoration.

“And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elijah truly shall first come, and restore all things. (Matt. 17:11)

The following is from the Elijah message showing a correction in the S.D.A historical misunderstandings of parts of Revelation 13 and Daniel 7. It’s a striking and clear rebuke of some mistaken ideas that we have allowed over the years to stand as “truth”. Take your time and read carefully, you’ll be blessed.

“…The Shepherd’s Rod” gives a clear explanation of the beasts of Revelation 13 and 17, and by its light on these symbols adds power and force to the Third Angel’s Message, yet you are determined to war against it from the pulpit and by the printed page, while holding to an interpretation of the beasts, which adds nothing to the message and which, therefore, as far as anyone’s salvation is concerned, is of no consequence, thus making no difference at all whether or not anyone knows, accepts, or rejects it.

  Though I hate to contradict you, my brethren, I would not be true to God, fair to you, or honest to myself, if I should shrink from speaking the truth, and from telling you wherein lies your trouble with “The Shepherd’s Rod.” 

  You are broadcasting far and wide that “The Shepherd’s Rod” is not in perfect harmony with the Spirit of Prophecy, whereas, in fact, as already seen in the above paragraphs, your theories, and not the Spirit of Prophecy, are at war with “The Shepherd’s Rod.” You allege that “The Shepherd’s Rod” sets aside some of the doctrines which we as Seventh-day Adventists have believed for many years. In this you are but partly right; that is, “The Shepherd’s Rod” does set aside some doctrines which we as Seventh-day Adventists have believed for many years, but only those which have crept into the ranks of the denomination through uninspired men; whereas it not only retains, but also adds “power” and “force” to, all the doctrines which have been authoritatively given to the denomination.

Thus “The Shepherd’s Rod” is in conflict with your private interpretations, and they with it, just as some of the Seventh-day Adventists’ doctrines are in conflict with those privately interpreted doctrines, which most of us and our fathers believed while in other denominational churches. 

  If you will bear with me, my brethren, I shall endeavor herein to show you where you are making your mistake. You are advocating an interpretation of the heads of Revelation 13 and 17, which holds that they are successive, but if you will free your minds from preconception and prejudice, and just stop to think for yourselves, you will readily see how illogical it is for you to insist that the heads represent successive secular powers. And then, I think, you will not dare any more to teach your interpretations of these symbols. 

  Is it natural, my brethren, for a beast to have his heads in existence before he himself is, as would necessarily have to be the case in an interpretation which holds the heads to be symbols of successive governments which existed before the beast himself? How could a beast lose or grow any heads, seeing that after he comes into existence his heads neither multiply nor drop off, as do horns? 

  You admit that one of the heads was wounded in 1798 A.D., but at the same time, you accept the claim of your preferred interpretations, which teaches that at that time (1798) five of the heads (governments) had already fallen, that one was, and that the other was yet to come; whereas, the revelator was shown that at the time the one head was wounded, all seven heads were present on the beast, for he says that the beast had “seven heads,” and that one of them “was wounded,” showing that the beast had all his heads (governments) intact during the time in which one of them was wounded, which fact symbolically proves that the objects symbolized by the heads cannot be successive. Hence, as the period of the wound is since 1798 then the other six heads (governments) must also be in existence since 1798. 

  In the beast of Daniel 7, the three horns which were plucked up (v. 8), symbolize three kings who lost their kingdoms, after which came up “the little horn” (v. 20), showing that after the three horns, or kings, passed off the stage of action, a “little horn,” came up and look their places. This symbolism shows that governments are symbolized by horns, not heads, and that when they are successive, the symbolism does not fail to reveal so.

Where, though, either on the beast of Revelation 13 or on the beast of Revelation 17, is there any such symbolism to show that the heads are successive? Look honestly at yourselves, my brethren, and you will plainly see that you are doing with the Bible the same as you are doing with “The Shepherd’s Rod”–reading into it that which it does not contain. 

 Still further, because of the fact that the head which was wounded represents an ecclesiastical power, it is altogether illogical for the other six heads to symbolize powers of some other nature. Any fair minded person who would, on the one hand, accept the wounded head to be a symbol of ecclesiastical power, must, on the other hand, to be consistent, reject the idea that the other six represent civil governments. And, on the contrary, if he should, on the one hand, accept the six heads as symbols of civil powers, he must, on the other hand, to be logical, reject the idea that the one stands for ecclesiastical power.

An interpretation which is inconsistent with itself will not establish anybody’s confidence in any message, and therefore, for a Seventh-day Adventist to teach in one instance that out of the seven identical heads, one symbolizes a religions power, and in another instance that the other six denote secular kings, would be to be building up with one hand, and tearing down with the other. 

  The seven kings cannot be synonymous with the heads, for all the heads were present at the time of the wound, whereas, the kings were not; that is, five of the kings had fallen, one was, and the other had not yet come. The king James version shows this to be the fact, for it does not say, “They are seven kings,” but rather, “There are seven kings.” In other words, these particular kings are not symbolized either by heads or horns, but only referred to. But in order to support your theory, you quote from the Revised version, yet even it cannot help you very much. 

  Moreover, the King James’ version is the one to be depended upon, for the other translations of the Scriptures were in some instances interpreted in the light of sectarian views, and thus, instead of being exact renderings of the Scriptures, they contain thoughts in favor of the translator’s personal belief. — {3SC7 4.2}

  I shall now call your attention to another inconsistency. The seven heads which the angel interprets as seven mountains on which the woman sits, you insist are symbols of the kingdoms of the world, but herein you will see that that interpretation does not prove true. Number seven, Biblically denotes completeness, and as Papal Rome never ruled over or sat upon all the kings of the world, the symbolism defiantly shows that the kings are not synonymous with the heads. 

  Moreover, you believe that the woman is a symbol of Papal Rome, and that the heads are successive, and that five of them symbolize ancient empires which had gone out of existence long before Papal Rome was ever thought of, and that the seventh is not yet come. If the heads stand for ancient empires, and the woman for papal Rome, then please explain how the woman (Papal Rome) could sit on or rule over those long disintegrated kingdoms before she, herself, came on the stage of action?

And how could she have then sat on the seventh, or last one, before it comes into existence? for papal Rome is now in the past, but the seventh king has not yet come! 

  O, my brethren, will you not see and confess the foolishness of such interpretation, and accept the truth while it can still save? 

  Still further, my brethren, your making the beast of Revelation 17 to be the same as the one of Revelation 13 is a most inconsistent and illogical interpretation of the Scriptures, for the one beast came from the sea and the other from the desert. The one has a wounded head, whereas, the other has not. The one has crowns on his horns, whereas, the other has not. The one has blasphemy over the heads only, but the other is full of names and blasphemies. The one is scarlet, but the other is leopard-like. 

  If the heads stand for kingdoms, then for what stand the horns? And if both horns and heads symbolize secular kingdoms, then why should God use two symbols, diverse one from the other, to symbolize objects of like nature? Again, if the symbols–heads and horns–on the same beast can interchangeably symbolize religious and secular powers, then where is the key of interpretation? 

  However, these inconsistencies are not the worst, for in one instance you teach that the papal head is the fifth, and in another that it is the eighth! (Rev. 17:11.) My brethren, let us take God for all He says. Note that He does not say, The head is the eighth, and that the head is of the seven, but that the beast is the eighth, and that the beast is of the seven. The object symbolized by the head, the symbolism shows, is less than one-nineteenth part of that which is symbolized by the whole beast, whereas the term “beast,” takes in the beast as a whole. Hence, the whole beast, instead of only one of its heads, is the eighth, and the whole beast is of the seven. 

  You, yourself, know that such keyless and thoughtless interpretations, which pay no attention to language, and which obey neither rule nor logic, are not inspired, but are private, and thus inevitably false. Why then, Brethren, continue to hold to your foregoing theory of the beast, which is so manifestly contrary to all that is logical? 

  The interpretation which “The Shepherd’s Rod” gives does not run rife with such inconsistencies. Besides, it brings out many valuable lessons for the church of God at this time; whereas the interpretation which you prefer, brings out nothing, and rather than adding to, only subtracts from, the message which the denomination is endeavoring to carry.

Hence, seeing that your long cherished ideas are not Biblical, logical, or beneficial, why do you so tenaciously hold to them? Moreover, though “The Shepherd’s Rod” is entirely free from such hybrid elements, and though it claims inspiration, yet you turn against it, calling it “private interpretation,” at the same time preferring, that which does not even claim inspiration, and which is not amenable to rhyme or reason.”  (Symbolic Code, Vol. 3, p.3-4,  1937)

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