Archive for September, 2018

A Text Book Example of Bearing False Witness

September 29, 2018

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In our King’s 9th Commandment we read —

“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor”(Exodus 20:16)

Written by the finger of God, these moral laws are SUPREME in our holy walk with our King and Savior! Thus those who flagrantly or carelessly break one of them are truly walking on a dark path, lest they repent. The following post we will delve into a text-book case of a so-called leader of God’s flock giving terrible and deceptive teachings and advice to the flock. Pastor Alden Ho decided to publicly denounce and put out of God’s house a family on truly shocking grounds.

A little background on the brother and his family that Ho called out in the video. They are long time present truth deliverers. The brother has extensive knowledge of the Lord’s Rod message (Micah 6:9) and has one of the closet knit families in the message.

The kids are active in the kids programs and in all aspects represent the Lord (dress, manners, comportment, etc) as well as can be expected of a Seventh-day Adventist family. The credit goes to the parents raising them in the way they should go.

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.(Proverbs 22:6)

Yet Ho took time in a recent sermon address to “warn” the people of  a family whose main crime was representing Christ and His Word. Let us look at this disturbing occurrence.

Before we do let us remember this counsel from God’s word —

“Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Tim. 3:12)

This situation hits home because we personally know this brother and his family. We have spent many a conversations about Christ , His Word and His prophecies. There are few who , in our opinion have shown a truly sincere desire to walk the walk as well as talk the talk. So when we heard this , our jaw dropped! How can this be?? We thought!

The family had been going off and on to this particular church for three years and developed friendships within the church. They participated in church activities and did all they could to make the church pleasing to God. But being a believer in the Lord’s Rod, our brother did not shy away when the Spirit led him to spread the “message of Elijah”.  Just as we personally have experienced, someone within the church discovered that they were “Shepherd’s Rod” people.

Later this filtered down to the Pastor Ho. Our brother relayed that instead of true concern for him and his family by Ho, by informing him he’d like to discuss an issue with him in the office to get to the bottom of this, he spoke to him in the restroom on a recent Sabbath morning. He asked the brother if he was “Shepherd’s Rod” to which the brother  responded, “No… I am a Davidian Seventh-day Adventist”. To which Ho simply walked out of the restroom.

The next thing you know a Constable shows up to escort his family out of the church! No formal discussion one on one with the Pastor, no opportunity to state the brother’s case, nothing!

This is how they do it brethren in God’s house today. Let us now expose the words from Ho for all to see and be amazed. It’s a short 3 and a half minute speech given by Ho on the day the family was put out.

In the video at the 28:20 mark, Ho announces at the pulpit that he needs to let the flock know about something unpleasant that happened “about 45  minutes ago”.

Ho then goes on to tell the flock about the “modes and methods” of Shepherd’s Rod/ Davidians.

“They very lightly come , make friends with people, they don’t ruffle any feathers or anything like that for the first year or two. Then they slowly start making their way and start planting seeds and start doing their divisiveness. I would encourage you to look up Branch Davidians and Shepherd’s Rod. And to see what they are about. They believe in the Spirit of Prophecy, they believe many things that Adventists do.

But they believe that they are part of the 144,000 and they are very much into the health message. Knowing this, um, we have been waiting for them for the last couple months but they have not been around. So I was warned that they were here today, so I texted David Capps immediately, we already had a plan in mind. And David came over from across the street and I approached the gentleman and I asked him point blank, because that’s the only way to know, “are you a Shepherd’s Rod?” 

And to which he says, “I believe it”, but I said, “are you”?  He said , “No, I believe it.” I said “what does that mean?”  Then he said to me he is a Davidan Seventh-day Adventist. It’s basically the same thing. At that point I just stepped away  (meaning he stepped out of the bathroom) because if I tried to say anything more, their mode of operation at that point is to create a big chaotic scene. So I stepped away and David Capps gladly stepped in  and told him he needed to leave the premises, he and his family, and they were not allowed to step foot back here anymore.

This is not a very pleasant thing to have to do. To turn someway away from church but it is a necessity and must be done in order to protect the sheep. Now, there has not be any rifts from them that you are aware  of but we’ve been watching through Sabbath school and other things, that there has been little pokes at things. So I’ve been keeping my eye on that as well as some of the other leaders in the church. And we did talk about this at our past board meeting as well.

So this is just something that I needed to let you know and encourage you , please look them up, study what they are about. It’s very difficult to win them and to correct them because they have almost self-deceived themselves, into thinking that they are the only ones. And, um, I ask that you lift up this family in prayer, that the Holy Spirit would impress upon them what is truth.” (Ended at the 31:53 mark) (bold highlight  ours)

Let us now carefully examine what was said. Four points we’d like to make clear.

  1. Notice carefully that Ho plants his own “seeds” by saying loaded words while explaining that they plant seeds, yet we are left not knowing exactly what their “planting seeds” really means. For example, what does “little pokes” mean during Sabbath school? What is the evil of thinking they are a part of the 144,000, especially when SOP tells us to “strive with all power God has given us to be a part of the 144,000”(Review and Herald, March 9, 1905)? What does “thinking they are the only ones” mean?
  2. This family was removed from God’s house and their chance of worshiping and fellowshiping removed and forever gone at their beloved church. Does Ho think that a quick 3 and half-minute explanation is all that is needed  for such a drastic and profound action, especially when bonds and friendships are abruptly broken at his whim? With vague innuendos and confusing accusations?
  3.  Perhaps the worst of all is the following downright  terrible deceptions. Notice that Ho connects the horrible and tragic Branch Davidian history (by calling them Branch Davidians) to the Davidian  Seventh-day Adventists, which the brother and his family are not a part of. Those who know the truth  know that Branch Davidians are NOT Davidian Seventh-day Adventists, and their history and beliefs are very different. But the key point was that Ho wanted to stick in the minds of the flock, that they were trouble makers, hence the connection with the Branch.Koresh and his followers no doubt seen in the minds of the flock!The other area of falsehood was the implanting of the idea that they will “create a big chaotic scene.” Once Ho established the Branch  connection, then his logical next point was to make them out as troublemakers.  Thus he completes his unholy work of deception! Again, those who know the truth know that DSDA are all about loving and peace among the brethren. Not once during the whole time this brother and  his family worshiped there, were they ever accused of “trouble” of any kind! On the contrary, they showed a true desire to fellowship and worship in love and peace–our Creator.
  4. Finally, Ho tells his flock to “look them up” , to investigate what they are about. But he deceptively tells them to look up Branch Davidians not Davidian Seventh-day Adventists. Nevertheless, we hope that the flock does indeed look up the Shepherd’s Rod and what it is about. For the Lord’s Rod (Micah 6:9 and 7:14) is what we are told to “hear ye” today.

“The LORD’S voice crieth unto the city, and the man of wisdom shall see thy name: hear ye the Rod, and Who hath appointed it.” (Micah 6:9)

In the dark ages, the Roman leaders systematically persecuted those who they thought were heretics, yet we know as historians that often the “heretics” were just trying to obey God’s words through His holy Word–the Bible. The Seventh-day Adventist church has sunk down to this same low-level by excommunicating those they ‘think” are not in accordance with their teaching–yet they are, and SO MUCH MORE SO THAN THEY REALIZE! Is not Ho showing that instead of sincere love and caring for this family, he chooses to throw them out without a public hearing?!

We as S.D.A have publicly announced to the world we are all for religious liberty, to worship God according to our conscience. In fact we publicly produce the following —

https://www.adventist.org/en/service/religious-liberty/

Yet, away for the gazing eyes of the world, we often remove those who proclaim and desire to study Bible prophecy with deep devotion! This is  so wrong and not in Christ’s Word that to defend such behavior is impossible.

For example how about the young kids? What are we showing them with this un-biblical censorship? Do they not say “Dad, what happened?” “Why can’t we go to our church anymore”?  What can the parents tell them? Think this through brethren!

SOP is very clear about this issue —
“.. The Lord forbids us to proceed in any violent way against those whom we think erring, and we are not to deal out excommunications and denunciations to those who are faulty.” (Testimonies to Ministers, p.47)

“…The work of separation is given to the angels of God, and not committed into the hands of any man.” (Same, p.47)

In closing, as Pastor Ho advised his flock to search out the Shepherd’s Rod and see what they are about, we’d like to help the flock in this regard. Ho cannot be relied on to know the message truly, based on his deception already, so in order to get to the bottom of what they are really about they should review the actual message for themselves.

We call on Pastor Ho to prayerfully consider what he has done. Ask those within the church what was the family’s crime? Not just the leaders but those who developed friendships with this family, what disturbance and trouble did they cause? Did they show only Christ like comportment in accordance to the Scriptures? Did they force their beliefs upon others?

“Thus saith the LORD; Cursed is the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.” (Jer. 17:5)

“He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him.” (Proverbs 18:13)

“Truth is eternal, and conflict with error will only make manifest its strength. We should never refuse to examine the Scriptures with those who, we have reason to believe, desire to know what is truth. Suppose a brother held a view that differed from yours, and he should come to you, proposing that you sit down with him and make an investigation of that point in the Scriptures; should you rise up, filled with prejudice, and condemn his ideas, while refusing to give him a candid hearing?

The only right way would be to sit down as Christians and investigate the position presented in the light of God’s word, which will reveal truth and unmask error. To ridicule his ideas would not weaken his position in the least if it were false, or strengthen your position if it were true. If the pillars of our faith will not stand the test of investigation,it is time that we knew it. There must be no spirit of Pharisaism cherished among us.” (Testimonies to Ministers, p.107)

The link below is searchable websites that help explain what the message is about.

http://mtccamp.org/local_news_modified_004.htm

Who really is a Davidian Seventh-day Adventist?

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

(actual video, posted July 7, 2018 –YouTube. The speech is 28:20 to 31:53 mark)

Posted in The spirit of predjudice, Truth telling vs. lying | 4 Comments »

Sixth Trumpet Occurrences

September 22, 2018

In 1947 brother Houteff gave the following sermon which we think will be a blessing —

TEXT FOR PRAYER

Cherished Sin Keeps Truth Out   C.O.L. p. 50 — “‘He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.’  The gospel seed often falls among thorns and noxious weeds; and if there is not a moral transformation in the human heart, if old habits and practices and the former life of sin are not left behind, if the attributes of Satan are not expelled form the soul, the wheat crop will be choked. 

The thorns will come to be the crop, and will kill out the wheat…. If the heart is not kept under the control of God, if the Holy Spirit does not work unceasingly to refine and ennoble the character, the old habits will reveal themselves in the life…. Christ specified the things that are dangerous to the soul.  As recorded by Mark he mentions the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things.  Luke specifies the cares, riches, and pleasures of this life.  These are what choke the word, the growing piritual seed.  The soul ceases to draw nourishment from Christ, and spirituality dies out of the heart.”

   This reading commands us to pray that the seed sown in our hearts may fall in good soil, that it may take root; that we be free from the cares of this life and from sin, for no matter how impressive the Truth that goes into one’s ears, It will never reach the heart if there is any cherished sin therein.

 

THAT WHICH IS TO BE DURING THE SIXTH TRUMPET WHILE PROBATION STILL LASTSTEXT OF ADDRESS BY V.T. HOUTEFF,MINISTER OF D. SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTSSABBATH, NOVEMBER 15,1947MT. CARMEL CHAPELWACO, TEXAS  

The subject of our study is found in Revelation, chapters 10 and 11.  We shall begin with–

Rev. 10:1 — “And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire.”

   This angel has all the characteristics of a power that sends down “the latter rain,” and that causes the spiritual grain fully to develop, for that is what cloud, sunshine, and rainbow, indicate.  As a rainbow never appears without rain, the angel is therefore the angel that brings the rain and the sunshine for the development of the final harvest.

Rev. 10:2 — “And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth.”

   There is but one book in the Bible that has had to be opened, and that is the book of Daniel (Dan. 12:4).  And since the first thing which the angel did was to open the book, the analysis proves that he actually appears on the scene at the commencement of the time of the end, the time the book was to be opened. (Rev. 10:2).

   You know that man naturally starts out with his right foot.  Now, since the angel’s right foot was upon the sea and his left foot upon the land, the symbolism shows that he starts out on the sea, the province of Daniel’s beasts (Dan. 7), then on earth, the province of the two-horned beast (Rev. 13:10-18).  His work, therefore, starts in the Old Country, and should include the very first truth that was disclosed from the book of Daniel.  All in all his message and power prove to be world-wide — land and sea.

Rev. 10:3, 4 — “And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.  And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.”

   Here we see that there was another truth which could have been recorded, but John was told not to write it.  We do not know how extensive a truth the Seven Thunders contain, but possibly as much as or more than the Seven Trumpets.  Regardless, however, one thing stands out boldly, and that is that the omission of the Seven Thunders leaves a gap in the chain of Truth.  And since the Seven Thunders are not recorded, the truth of them cannot be revealed by interpretation, for there is nothing written of them, and therefore nothing to interpret from.  If, then, we are ever to know the truth of the Seven Thunders, it is to be shown to us perhaps by the same means as The Revelation was shown to John.

Rev. 10:5-7 — “And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, and sware by Him that liveth for ever and ever, Who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer: but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to His servants the prophets.” (At the beginning of the sounding of the seventh trumpet, the Mystery of God is to be finished.)

   What about the statement, “there shall be time no longer”? — The answer is found in Rev. 10:6, which in actuality proves that there shall be time no longer for the Mystery of God to be finished; that the remaining days of the sixth trumpet, the time to the sounding of the seventh trumpet, is the time for the Mystery of God, the Gospel of Christ, to be finished.  In fact, the very first announcement of the seventh angel is that the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, — that the Gospel work is finished.

Rev. 10:8-10 — “And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth.  And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book.  And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.  And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.”

  To eat the book is, as it were, to “swallow” its sayings.  The honey sweet must be the joy that comes from its promises, and obviously the bitter denotes inability to digest, to comprehend all, and thus a disappointment.  These, you know met fulfillment in the days of the First Advent Movement, when through the study of the book of Daniel, they learned that the cleansing of the Sanctuary (Dan. 8:14) was to begin in the year 1844, but who misunderstood the cleansing to mean the end of the world and the return of Christ.  The disappointment came after the set date had passed and after the expectation of the people failed to materialize.

Rev. 10:11–“And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.”

   After the disappointment they were commanded to prophesy again; that is, again to proclaim the cleansing of the Sanctuary.  This work they were to do among many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings, obviously not to all.

   Thus it was that the first Advent Movement was reorganized and renamed, Seventh-day Adventists.  The Seventh-day Adventist organization, therefore, will not finish the work.  Its message does not go to all people, to all nations, tongues, and kings.  Consequently, the Church, too, is to be reorganized if the Gospel of the Kingdom is to be preached to all nations.  “‘A revival and a reformation must take place under the ministration of the Holy Spirit.  Revival and reformation are two different things.  Revival signifies a renewal of spiritual life, a quickening of the powers of mind and heart, a resurrection from spiritual death.  Reformation signifies a reorganization, a change in ideas and theories, habits and practices.'” — Christ Our Righteousness, pg. 121, 1941 edition.

   How will the reorganization come about?–

   “For, behold, the Lord will come with fire, and with His chariots like a whirlwind, to render His anger with fury, and His rebuke with flames of fire.  For by fire and by His sword will the Lord plead with all flesh: and the slain of the Lord shall be many.

   “They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine’s flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the Lord.

   “And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, 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 upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to My holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the Lord, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the Lord.” Isa. 66:15-17, 19, 20.

   In these verses we see a slaughter taking place, a slaughter which takes away the transgressors of the Truth.  Those that escape the slaughter of the Lord are sent to the nations who have not seen God’s glory, or heard His fame, and they are to bring all their brethren out of “all nations.”  Plainly, then, the slaughter is in the Church, for those who escape are sent to preach to the Gentiles that know nothing of God.  Sending the faithful to the nations, after the slaying of the unfaithful, presupposes a reorganization.  And the commission at last is to go, not to many nations, but to all nations.  If they are to bring all their brethren out of all nations, then they must be the last, the ones to finish the work, “the Mystery of God,” to bring probation to a close and the world to an end.

Rev. 11:1 — “And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the Temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.”

   The measuring of the worshipers is in reality the numbering of them.  And so you see that following the Seventh-day Adventist Movement there is to be a numbering of its people.  And as there is but one numbered company, the 144,000 (Rev. 7:3), the first fruits (Rev. 14:4), the servants of God (7:3), it follows that they are the ones who are numbered, who escape, and also who are sent to the nations.  Yes, they are the ones who finish the Mystery of God as they bring all their brethren out of all nations (Rev. 7:9), the second fruits.

Rev. 11:2 — “But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.”

   The worshipers, the members of the church, the tribes of Israel, are to be numbered, but those who are to fill up the court, those of the Gentiles, are unnumbered: “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.” Rev. 7:9.

   Seven times seven, forty-nine, determined the year of Jubilee, the liberation of the people and of the land, the type of the Kingdom complete.  Besides any other significance, the forty-two months being only six sevens, it signifies that the holy city, Jerusalem, will not be “trodden down” all the way up to the time of the antitypical Jubilee, — the Gentiles are to be driven out of it before the Mystery of God is finished, before the seventh angel begins to sound.

Rev. 11:3, 4 — “And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.  These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.”

   When the prophet Zechariah asked what the olive trees of his vision symbolize, the angel answered, “the Word of the Lord.” Zech. 4:6.

   The two olive trees, then, are figurative of the Old and New Testaments, the Bible (The Great Controversy, pg. 267).  As to the symbolization of the candlesticks the Lord Himself points out that they are figurative of the churches (Rev. 1:20).  The two candlesticks in connection with the olive trees are therefore figurative of the Old and New Testament churches, the churches which gave us the Bible.

Rev. 11:5 — “And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.”

   From this we see that though the Bible is the best friend to Its friends, It is a terrible enemy to Its enemies.  When Truth cannot save, it kills.

Rev. 11:6-11 — “These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

   “And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.  And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

   “And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.  And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.  And after three days and an half the Spirit of Life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.”

   I need not say more on these verses, for you will find a detailed explanation of them in Tract No. 2, The Warning Paradox, pp. 47-48, revised edition.

Rev. 11:12, 13 — “And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither.  And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.  And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.”

   The Bible points out that but one bottomless pit was opened, the pit out of which the locusts came (Rev. 9:2), and it was the heavenly Star that opened the pit to let out its captives, — the locusts who were to hurt only those men who have not the seal of God in their foreheads.  Since the locusts were capable of knowing who had and also who had not the seal of God in their foreheads, and since they were friends to God’s sealed people, the truth is obvious: The Star that liberated them from the pit is Christ, and the locusts are the Christians, the people that were rescued from apostate Judaism.

   Moreover, the fact that the Angel of Revelation 20:1 (Satan’s great enemy), is the One Who has the key of the bottomless pit, it follows that the Angel of Revelation 20:1 and the Star of Revelation 9:1 are the same, for the One to Whom the key was given, is the only One that could have it.

   Now we may ask who is the beast of the bottomless pit?  If the Star that came from Heaven and opened the pit is Christ, and if the locusts that came out of the pit are the Christians, then there is no way of escaping the conclusion that the beast which came out of the bottomless pit is symbolical of Christendom.  Thus it is that the Lord was crucified there.

   Now that the city is spiritually called Egypt, it denotes that it is holding God’s people in slavery.  The name Sodom denotes that God’s true people will have to be rescued from it as was Lot.

   A tenth part of the city must represent the Lord’s part, the tithe, so to speak.  The earthquake therefore represents a shaking in the church of God.  The remnant who give glory to God, can only be the faithful who survive the shaking.  Thus is the church purified.  This earthquake, then, is symbolical of the slaughter of Ezekiel nine, and coincides with Isaiah 66:16.

   Moreover, the fact that the Mystery of God is finished when the seventh angel begins to sound, and also the fact that the shaking is here shown to take place during the sounding of the sixth angel, the Truth stands out that the shaking takes place before the Gospel work is finished.  The Spirit of Prophecy in our day also foresaw this shaking:

   “I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen, and was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans.  This will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver, and will lead him to exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth.  Some will not bear this straight testimony.  They will rise up against it, and this is what will cause a shaking among God’s people.” — Early Writings, pg. 270.

Rev. 11:14-19 — “The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.

   “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever.

   “And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, saying, We give Thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because Thou hast taken to Thee Thy great power, and hast reigned.  And the nations were angry, and Thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that Thou shouldest give reward unto Thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear Thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

   “And the Temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in His temple the ark of His testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.”

   If you wish to study the eleventh chapter of Revelation in all its details, read the Tract, “To The Seven Churches.”

(Timely Greetings, Vol. 2, No. 15 p.2-13)

 

Posted in Elijah Interpretations, Final Events, Revelation teachings | Leave a Comment »

M.L Andreasen meets Victor Houteff (Part 2 of 2)

September 15, 2018

Image result for M.L Andreasen  Image result for victor houteff

Let’s review part one of our interview post. We found that the General Conference was basically firmly against the message of the Shepherd’s Rod. The leading men were against it from it’s inception when brother Houteff began to lead the Sabbath School lessons in 1929.

But the message did not fade away, for it gained such traction that the GC leaders needed a man to meet with Houteff and expose his movement as not of God. They had tried once before in setting up a meeting with VTH to “go over” his doctrines in a formal meeting. This ended in a total failure as the S.D.A leaders were later found out to have double crossed Houteff. This so called “get to the bottom of his teachings” meeting was smoke screen to show the gullible people that the teachings had been looked into and found wanting.

S.D.A and D.S.D.A historical accounts show that while this Los Angeles meeting was going on, GC leaders were back east in Washington D.C discussing strategies to put down the Shepherd’s Rod movement.

The man who they selected to “beard the lion” was M.L. Andreasen, the top respected scholar of the day.

Before we go further let’s review God’s word about how to tell if a movement is from Him.

“And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.” (Acts 5:38-39)

The interview took place December 15th and 16th, 1942. Brother Andreasen arrived at the official headquarters of the Davidian movement, known predominantly at that time as the Shepherd’s Rod group or people. (Note: for those who may not be aware, the Davidian Seventh-day Adventists are NOT the Branch Davidians, those well known for the Waco disaster in 1993. See our post we made in 2012 for information on this often confusing subject)

Original Davidians are not Branch Davidians

The two men met and then soon went into the reception room and sat down for the discussion. Andreasen took careful notes and later sent a full report to headquarters giving his first hand account of the meeting. The full transcript can be viewed on the aforementioned book in part one. Brother Augustus has compiled a comprehensive historical account of this meeting along with much history between the S.D.A and the D.S.D.A (A link for the purchase of the book will be provided at end of this post)

After describing the place (Mt. Carmel headquarters) in his report he says “ The most satisfactory part of the interview concerned the matter for which the interview had been sought: that of confirmation on his part that the public statements published in the two volumes of the “Shepherd’s Rod” were still his belief and teaching.”

We can see that M.L was attempting to verify whether VTH had changed his mind about what he had written. To this Houteff responded, “We do not work that way. We do not claim the words are inspired , but the idea is. We do not change our teaching, and have not done so. What is published we still stand by and always will.”

Thus, M.L was firmly handed his response. But being sent by the GC and knowing his goal to accomplish, M.L wrote his report in a slant that was appealing to the higher-ups, and we don’t mean God. This will become clear as we review it.

As brother Augustus pointed out in his book, when one wants to make of no effect someone’s work or art, they usually first try to destroy their image, paint them in a bad light to lessen their impact as good people or their work as good works. In fact the message tells us this very same ploy —

“..since the Enemy cannot get around the Truth, he does all he can to blacken character and to pick flaws in personalities.” (General Conference Special, p.8)

So M.L begins early in his report to start this blacken character work. He points out that a certain disgruntled former follower “Hazel Hendricks”, had written a small book describing what she thought were error and falsehood in the SRod. But M.L. discussed the accusations of “whippings” and other terrible treatments of the young children on the grounds. But when M.L brought this up, VTH denied it and offered to bring the children right then and there to clear it. This was not pursued by M.L.

Quick note on Hazel. Sister Bonnie Smith, who is still proclaiming the message at 88, personally told this author aobut the last time she saw Hazel Hendricks. It was at a Sabbath lunch and the two discussed their past. Mrs. Hendricks confided in sister Bonnie, that looking back she made a mistake and regretted what she had done. To this sister Bonnie told her it was not too late to make amends, of which Hazel could never (as far as we know publicly) come clean and repent. So sad when pride hinders us!

After this unsettling blow, M.L decides to further deride Houteff. “The writings of Mr. Houteff, which I have examined for the last few months somewhat critically, bear the evidence of a confused mind. He gives some very fantastic interpretations of the Scriptures, sometimes quoting the writings of Mrs. White, and at other times giving no authority whatsoever, except his own inferred inspiration.”

He then goes on to basically mock interpretations such as Ezek. 4:9-17, Isaiah 7:21-22. However, while noting them as “fantastic” M.L gives no other idea as to their meaning. Thus, M.L sits upon the throne of judgment and renders a judgment without reasoning! In other words, Houteff is wrong but he doesn’t know why. They are just “fantastic”.

Continuing on in his black report, he then says, “The truth is while the majority of persons deceived by the “Shepherd’s Rod” are people that this denomination is better off without, there are some we cannot afford to lose.”  Huh?? With a wave of his hand M.L. judges the thousands of people who accepted the Rod as unworthy! If this is not mounting the judgment throne, tell us what is? The plain God’s truth is that there should be MORE Davidians among us today! Those who walk the talk.

“Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” (Matt. 7:1-2)

However, at this point Andreasen has his first reflective moment. He may have been dwelling on the call for reformation that the Rod declares, he says, “Honest people are led astray by the call of the “Shepherd’s Rod” to reform, and by their pointing out practices that we do not countenance, and which yet exist within the denomination. The only safe way to meet this is that we examine thoroughly the things that need rectification and make a determined   and honest effort to eliminate all that will not stand the light of investigation.

To me it seems entirely inadequate to denounce the “Rod” people for their many errors if we do not profit by criticisms made.”

Next he goes into lamentation about what the S.D.A church is lacking. At this point , there can be no doubt that during the interview Houteff has struck a nerve. As we continue this will become more prevalent.

“The field is divided  on the subject of the Trinity. The vital doctrine of the 144,000 has ceased to be preached. Fantastic theories in regard to war.Hitler, and the future are being promulgated. The battle of Armageddon is a present source of discussion, and unauthorized books appear. The ever present question of the position which sister White should hold among us is a prolific cause of difficulty.

Our stand upon religious liberty, noncombatancy, health reform, recreation, amusements, Sabbath-keeping, the nearness of the Lord, are being discussed and questioned. while some of these questions may seem less important, others are vitally  significant. The fact remains that, in the matter of Bible study, — I mean official, authorized study– we are doing very little…

Mr, Houteff raised, decidedly, the question of our lack of unity and our spiritual impotency.”

At this point we clearly start to see that M.L. is reflecting on brother Houteff’s points and if the S.D.A church condemns the Rod’s position on reforms, then it cannot stand innocent if what is said is the truth.

Continuing on about what the Rod teaches, he says, “The “Shepherd’s Rod” makes much of the buying and selling going on in our churches on the Sabbath. I do not think we can defend this practice. Indeed, we do not defend it, but rather condemn it, as our resolutions show. But the practice continues… For years we have been advocating the need for revival and reformation… I conceive it to be a duty of the church in its official capacity to take action in this matter.”

What we have here is Andreasen basically echoing what the Rod proclaims. Yet, he cannot bring himself to concur with the movement, lest he forget what his mission is. At this point M.L. reverts back to his blacken mission course.

“In the first volume of the “Shepherd’s Rod” publication, there is what is called a partial list of sins of the Adventist church. Twelve sins are mentioned. This list is enlarged in later publications. Some of these so-called sins are trivial, some are not so trivial. They themselves are guilty of most of them, and of many more. In reality, their whole movement is unwholesome, illiterate, presumptive and, I am afraid, corrupt and devilish. This , however, does not help our case any.” 

Blacken is the correct word we read here. M.L. is planting his seeds of doubt strong and unmistakable,  “unwholesome, illiterate, presumptive and, I am afraid, corrupt and devilish.” 

Yet no where in this report does Andreasen establish the Scriptural reasons for the so-called false doctrines. Nor does he explain why the movement is so “devilish”. It’s an unambitious  black charge for the sake of tarnishment. The same unholy works the S.D.A leaders have promulgated since the Rod came on the scene. Except this time the church thought they could use the “master scholar” as their testimony to the ignorant and unaware in God’s church. It back fired!

After letting his best blacken charge stand, mysteriously he again reverts back to acknowledging the Rod’s points. It seems a real spiritual struggle is going on within Andreasen now. He has been awaken by the “lion” whom he said he would “beard”, meaning expose and conquer in the written report. Now the lion has made him reflect and he finishes his report with a rebuke of the then current S.D.A church condition!

“If we answer one charge on which we are sure and omit others, we give them weapons against us which we can ill afford to give them. Should they merely list the things we must, of necessity, omit in our answer, this list will expose our weakness. The question, “why have we not answered all the charges” will naturally arise in the mind of the reader. And we are not prepared to answer them until we have done some housecleaning… the opinion prevails that the General Conference is not interested in Bible study as such; that it is each man for himself, with the General Conference a mere onlooker. 

I have not written this , brethren,  without some trepidation and fear and a great deal of prayer. I might consider it none of my business;and I should  not have rushed in where angels might well fear to tread had I not been asked to do investigate the “Shepherd’s Rod.” Having been asked to do this work, I knew I would have to make some kind of report. I feared that I would find some charges that I could not refute and, wishing to do an honest piece of work, I could not ignore them.  So I am in a dilemma…

If I were to write an answer to the charges of the “shepherd’s Rod”, I would have  to omit  some of the most serious indictments they level against us– charges of conditions which we ourselves deplore, but do little about. But to do this would invite defeat… The truth is, brethren that this denomination is ripe for a revival and reformation such as we have never seen, and we are all looking to you for its inauguration… There are sins in Israel that can only be corrected by men in official positions…

I believe that I am beginning to understand when sister White says, “I seldom weep, but now I find my eyes blinded with tears; they are falling upon my paper as I write.” …

Sincerely your brother, 

M.L. Andreasen”

Wow, what we have witnessed in this report is truly eye-opening! The great S.D.A savior who was to go into the “lion’s den” and come out victorious, instead came out as a dog with his tail between his legs! He conscience was greatly affected by this interview and thus he ended up making the whole case for the Rod movement–reformation!

Sadly, M.L. Andreasen never did accept the Lord’s Rod message (Micah 6:9 and Mal. 4:5) as far as we know. He became involved in trying to correct some of the wrongs within the S.D.A church in the latter years of his life and was largely an outcast for it. Plainly then it appears this interview, whom many believe was with the last prophet to be sent to the S.D.A church, dramatically affected him from then on.

The whole lesson here is that God works for his people and yet the leaders are often the very ones who reject the message God’s gives. Now is our time to work brethren, let us learn from this very important lesson God sent us.

“These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age.” (1 Cor. 10:11)

(For those interested in brother Augustus’ book  —  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/what-every-seventh-day-adventist-should-know-about-the-shepherds-rod-garrick-d-augustus/1129276750?ean=9781491784006 )

 

Posted in The spirit of predjudice, Truth telling vs. lying, Victor T. Houteff | 2 Comments »

M.L Andreasen meets Victor Houteff (Part 1 of 2)

September 8, 2018

Image result for M.L Andreasen         Image result for victor houteff

 

In the annals of our church history stands out one of the most prolific , yet not well-known, one on one interviews the church has ever had. The man inspired of our Lord to hand the mantle to another man, yet unfortunately it would end in bitterness and anguish by one man. In this post we will review this historic account of Pastor M.L. Andreasen and Minister Victor Houteff. There is a BIG lesson for us here. Let us carefully look at this lesson sent by God for our instruction.

“… you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)

Amen. Anytime we get closer to the Truth, learn it, discover it, challenged by it,  get surprised by it  -we MUST embrace it! For the Lord also warned us in the counter verse —

“He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them.” (2 Thes. 2:10)

By nearly all accounts Pastor and theologian Andreasen was a gifted man. Well versed in God’s word and given the ability to translate God’s word with motivating skill.

Briefly Wikipedia says —

“He was one of the Seventh-day Adventist church’s most prominent theologians during the 1930s and 1940s. Andreasen held to the belief that Christians can overcome sin, known popularly as Last Generation Theology, controversial for its views on atonement and salvation. Andreasen became well known for his protests against Seventh-day Adventist church leaders during the last years of his life.”

But what many do not know is that Andreasen’s change in dealing with the S.D.A church appears to be due, in a significant way,  to the aforesaid one on one interview.

Our story starts in 1928 when Andreasen authors one of the most profound books in our Advent history called “Isaiah the Gospel Prophet”.

Front Cover

Later in 1929 the subject of Isaiah’s chapters was the first quarter’s Sabbath School lesson. The lesson was largely based on Andreasen’s in-depth study of Isaiah.  In 1929  brother Houteff began to teach the Sabbath School lessons in Olympic Exposition Park S.D.A Church in 1929, Los Angeles. It is during that year that Victor began to see new understandings from this part of Scripture.

There is something different when you or I search the Scriptures, possibly being “inspired” by them or even led by them to know “all truth”. Yet when one is “chosen” of God it is on quite another level indeed!

“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”  (2 Peter 1:20-21)

As Houteff explained the lessons, word soon spread among the church members, that something special was going on. For as the year went on the crowd began to grow sizeably and they began to have two lessons even after church. Yet the leaders were not so humble to accept new revelations.

Victor explains —

“The enemies of the message then left nothing unturned in their search for something against me, rather than to make sure that they were not turning down Truth.  They tried every hook and crook to pin something on me and to stop my activities, but found nothing and as a rule about 30 members of the church stayed in my special meetings each Sabbath afternoon.  Then came the time that the elders of the church refused to let us use the church for our meetings, and they made us all get out.

  But one of the sisters who was living in a big house right across from the church offered her place for the meetings, and there was a great uproar among the people around the church premises.  Some were for us and some were against us.  So it was that the house across from the church was filled that afternoon and many listened from the outside through the windows.  The enemies failed to break up our meetings, and the victory was ours.

   Next they forbade us to attend their church services, and they began to disfellowship those who still wanted to attend our meetings.  They tried to deport me, too, but failed.  Then they endeavored to get a court order against any of us going to the church on Sabbath, but lost out.  Once they called the police to have me arrested on false charges that I was disturbing the meetings, but after the officers in the police station heard my story and the deacon’s charges against me, he commanded the two policemen who brought us to the station to put us in their car again, and to take us right back to the church where they picked me up!

   After this the elders endeavored to put me in an insane asylum.  The “city manager” of Glendale himself (a Seventh-day Adventist) had come to this church that Sabbath morning to lay down the charges and to see me carried away and locked in the asylum.  After talking with me for a few minutes, though, the officer did nothing but to tell me that he would not bother me again!  Then the 200 lb. city manager felt smaller than my 135 lb. weight.

   They did all these unbecoming things and many others; besides, they talked and preached against me.  And though I had no one but the Lord to defend me at any time, yet in all these the victory was mine!” (Timely Greetings, vol. 2, no.35, p.23)

So no doubt the beginning of the Lord’s final message of “Elijah”(Mal. 4:5) began with strong headwinds. No doubt the great enemy , Satan, knew full well he must start his counter attack. Thus, this was the way that M.L Andreasen and other top leaders reacted , generally, throughout the Seventh-day Adventist community. Not so much with the laity, which to a sizeable decree, began to accept or at least acknowledge some truth within the message known as the  “Shepherd’s Rod”.

Soon the message had gained  enough traction throughout the denomination that the leaders were forced to hold a formal meeting with Houteff to review his teachings. This was known as the famous sit down meeting to once and for all look at the Rod. It was held in Los Angeles in February 1934. But, as might be expected, this meeting ended in a fiasco, with an unbelievable S.D.A double-crossing of brother Houteff. This is documented.

For an in depth review of what took place see this Tract–

http://shepherds-rod.org/Tracts/trac007.html

The message was not to be deterred. For several years after this charade of an honest “get to the bottom of the Rod” meeting, the Rod only grew stronger. Andreasen no doubt was one of the concerned leaders watching from the sidelines as the S.D.A could not put down the Rod movement . In December of 1942 he decided to get involved and on behalf of the General Conference to go out — “bearding the lion in his den”. Let us read the GC’s  file letter to Andreasen,

“Dear brother Andreasen: Just a line to say that the brethren still want you to write the reply to the Shepherd’s Rod, and they believe you are the man who is best qualified to do this work. .. The committee has voted today to authorize you to make a trip to the headquarters of the Shepherd’s Rod movement in Texas at such time as you are able to arrange for an absence from the Seminary, and spend as much there as you think wise..

We believe your idea of going out and ‘bearding the lion in his den’ is a very excellent one, and we are just glad to cooperate with you  in this matter and in any other way that we can  in order to make your work an outstanding success.” (File letter from W.H. Branson, General Vice-President -GC to Andreasen , July 30, 1942 *)

So because the Lord’s Rod message was doing its intended work in His vineyard, the SDA leaders continued their impeding work, and finally found, they believed,  their man to quash the movement by exposing its error and deception. Andreasen would not only be able to hold his own against Houteff, but would prove his “false theories” as just that–false.The great savior had been found to “beard the lion”!

But stop and think about this brethren, here you have a movement that announces ” .. the chief object of this publication  is bring about a reformation among God’s people. (SRod, vol. 1 preface)

The Davidians goal was to “reform” God’s people, in dress, worship, health, study habits, etc. yet the S.D.A church was getting a “man who is best qualified to do this work” whom they thought would put the movement down! The cronyism and club, the S.D.A hierarchy,  was not about to be overturned, by any movement, even by one from God!

….To be continued

( * thanks to brother Garrick Augustus for providing information used in these two part posts. His new book —  “What every Seventh-day Adventist should know about the Shepherd’s Rod” an in-depth book on the historical relations between Adventists and the Shepherd’s Rod movement)

Posted in The spirit of predjudice, Truth telling vs. lying, Victor T. Houteff | Leave a Comment »

The Death Decree (Part 2 of 2)

September 1, 2018

Image result for picture of death decree

In continuing our post we look at more references —

REFERENCE ELEVEN —

“..God’s restraining of the four winds is His holding back the image of the beast’s activity (Rev. 13:15-17) against the saints, while His restraining the four angels that they hurt not is His holding back the executing of His vengeance (Isa. 63:1-4; Jer. 51:18) upon the sinners who trouble the church, until after the sealing of the 144,000 is completed. Being coupled, these two hurtings bring the time of trouble such as never was.

   Revelation 7:1-3, therefore, reveals a two-fold conflict: wicked men against God (the blowing of the winds) and God against them (the angels hurting them).  But though the blowing of the winds and the hurting of the angels after the servants of God are sealed, will bring the “time of trouble,” yet “every one that shall be found written  in the book” “shall be delivered.” Dan. 12:1.

   From these facts we see that this time of trouble is held back in order to safeguard the sealing of the 144,000 servants, lest they, “the very elect,” be brought down to worship the image of the beast, or be killed for refusing.” (Tract 8, p.22-23)

Wonderful illumination. The winds held back and angels held back, we see, have two fold purposes.  The sealing was see is omni-important and it’s being done is primary before any letting loose of trouble (winds).

 

REFERENCE TWELVE —

“And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.  And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” (Rev. 13:15-17.)

   This drastic decree of the two-horned beast shall be adopted by the nations of the world, and the image of the beast, which will demand obedience to an ecclesiastical form of worship, will be internationally set up.  The mark of the beast is Sunday observance.  Under one pretext or another, the careless and indifferent will worship the image of the beast, and receive the mark.

Only those who have fortified themselves with faith in God knowledge of His Word, and obedience to divine precepts through sanctification of the heart by the power of the Holy Spirit, will be able to escape the crutches of the devil.  When God’s people are restrained from buying and selling, their only source of sustenance will be through divine providence.  One way or another, for that short time, God will provide and care for His people.  But it may be in a similar circumstance as in the wilderness journey.

   “The time is not far distant, when, like the early disciples, we shall be forced to seek a refuge in desolate and solitary places.  As the siege of Jerusalem by the Roman armies was the signal for flight to the Judean Christians, so the assumption of power on the part of our nation, in the decree enforcing the papal Sabbath, will be a warning to us.  It will then be time to leave the large cities preparatory to leaving the smaller ones for retired homes in secluded places among the mountains.” — “Testimonies to the Church,” Vol. 5, pp. 464, 465. (SRod, vol. 2, p.110)

This one seems to warn the great multitude as it mentions heading to the “desolate and solitary places”. This as we know affects the great multitude ( at least part) and not the 144,000 who stand safe with the Lord on Mt. Zion (Israel).

REFERENCE THIRTEEN —

“The anger of the nations” will follow upon the two-horned beast’s decree “that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed” (Rev. 13:15); at the same time the notorious woman, Babylon the Great, will ride the scarlet-colored beast (Rev. 17) and rule the nations. This “same crisis will come up on our people in all parts of the world.”–Testimonies, Vol. 6, p. 395.

Concerning this anger of the nations, the world-wide confederacy against those who refuse to worship the beast and his image, the Lord predicted through the prophet Zechariah: “And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.” Zech. 12:3. ( Answerer, vol. 2, p.93)

 

REFERENCE FOURTEEN —

Question: 
   “Will the nominal churches be united, before the slaughter of Ezekiel 9, and before the Loud Cry of the Third Angel’s message takes place?

Answer: 
   The churches may incompletely confederate almost any time, but the union of church and state (the image of the beast) will take place only after the “investigative judgment” of the dead is completed, for the fact that the “anger of the nations” (the time of trouble, Dan. 12:1), “the wrath of God” (the seven last plagues, Rev. 15:1, and the “time to judge the dead” (Dan. 8:14), are events separate and distinct, one following the other.” — “Early Writings,” p. 36.

   Therefore, the persecution against the church by the “image beast” arises in the time of the judgment of the living — the time of the Loud Cry — after the sealing of the 144,000. (Study our tract, “The Dardanelles of the Bible,” and “The Shepherd’s Rod,” Vol. 2, pp. 84-125.) (Sym. Code, vol. 2, no. 7,8, p.12)

One of the clearest reference for our timeline. The death decree must take place “in the time of the judgment of the living — the time of the Loud Cry — after the sealing of the 144,000.”

REFERENCE FIFTEEN —

“After twenty years of faithful service in Padan-Aram, in the sharp, overreaching employ of Laban, his uncle, Jacob at last turned his face and his steps homeward toward his father’s house in the land of promise.

   But trouble overtook him.  While grappling with his fears as to the outcome of his imminent meeting with Esau “there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.” Gen. 32:24

   Here lay down the man Jacob and rose up the man Israel, exemplifying the agonizing experience through which his posterity must victoriously pass before they, too, receive a new name, pass from sons of Jacob to sons of God, become Israelites indeed.  Having gained the victory over this test, “the time of Jacob’s trouble,” they will reach home, the land of promise — the happy end of their long and troubled journey.

   On this trying and testing time the Spirit of Prophecy comments: “A decree went forth to slay the saints, which caused them to cry day and night for deliverance.  This was the time of Jacob’s trouble” — Early Writings, pp. 36, 37. (See also Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 202, 203.)  (SRod, vol. 1, p.62)

Our last reference is perhaps the most difficult to understand. The reason is that we know that the SRod seems to point the Jacob experience  as applying to the 144,000 in their way to the promise land (See FB, p.12-13) Yet SOP describes this time as applying to the Great Multitude. 

 

SUMMARY  —

The weight of evidence has shown the clear timeline of the “death decree” and likewise time of trouble. It will be after Ezekiel 9 and affecting the great multitude (Rev. 7:9) in the time of the Loud Cry
. The 144,000, those “escaped” from the S.D.A church judgment (Isaiah 66:15-21), will not be affected by this death decree. But we must keep in mind that there will be battles (God’s people versus Satan’s people) and no doubt many of His people will be tested and perhaps thrown in prison, yet preserved. The smart evil ones should know during this time by what the 144,000 are capable of doing, that they cannot be touched, let us read —

“Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand;

A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.  A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.

The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run. Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.

Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness. They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks: Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded.

They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief. The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining: And the Lord shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?” (Joel 2:1-11)

So while the nations attempt to cause damage to those who do not “worship the beast”, the powerful counter movement will be in full gear led by God’s appointed “army” the 144,000. What a time to be alive, destroyers and  ” saviors” doing battle for the souls of mankind!

“Then saviors shall come to Mount Zion to judge the mountains of Esau and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s.” (Obadiah 1:21)

Posted in End times, Final Events, Jacob's Time of Trouble, Loud Cry, Sunday law, Who are the 144K? | 2 Comments »