Archive for November, 2018

A Thanksgiving Feast

November 24, 2018

Related image

A few days ago we enjoyed a day of “thanksgiving” which to many around the world is a day to remember all good and joyful things we have. The heathen , particularly, gather around the family table and enjoy the token turkey. But what about the “people with such great light” , when they chomp down on turkey, fish or any other meat?

In Testimonies, vol.1, p.260 we read —

“Not a great while longer will the Lord bear with the people who have such great and important truths revealed to them, but who refuse to bring these truths into their individual experience. The time is short. God is calling; will you hear? Will you receive His message? Will you be converted before it is too late? Soon, very soon, every case will be decided for eternity.”

How does the above Inspired reference apply to our post? A few days ago we were having a talk with a fellow S.D.A member and she was telling of a “great dinner” one of the local S.D.A churches had. It included meat, which we as S.D.A know is not to be eaten if we value our spiritual walk with Christ.

This is also reinforced by the Lord’s Elijah message He sent pleading with us to come into His ark of safety BEFORE that great and dreadful day comes. Let us look at some of the Lord’s guidance concerning  our diet today.

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made..” (Psalms 139:14)

Indeed! Our bodies are like fine tuned machines. And as in our human made machines, such as cars, airplanes and other machines, we would not think for once to put in them pour fuel and oil would we? Thus the same with our bodies  which are millions of times more complex! God made us to “thrive” on vegetables, fruits, nuts, grains and herbs. This is our perfect fuel.

On a personal level, I would like to add that we sometimes struggle to get two specific needs filled when we forego meat — Iron and Protein. Therefore I find it better if Iron supplements and Protein powders are added. That is my own personal observation, you may find that as well.

Some may ask about Eggs and Milk? Great question,  let’s read what Inspiration tells us from God–

“WHAT ABOUT USING MILK AND EGGS?

Question No. 146:

   Since diseases among cattle and poultry are becoming more and more numerous, virulent, and widespread, should we not now discard milk and eggs from our dietary?

Answer:

   If there is an epidemic among cattle and fowl in your region or locality, then you should definitely exercise great caution when using milk and eggs, and should work toward replacing them, just as soon as possible, with suitable substitutes.

   At present we have no knowledge that would compel or justify a country-wide disuse of such poultry and dairy products, and the more especially so if no suitable substitute is available and if the Lord has not opened the way to provide such. Nevertheless, we should all be diligently seeking for something better so that when conditions  do develop to make the continued use of these products unsafe, we will not be caught without a satisfactory substitute.

  “Let the diet reform be progressive. Let the people be taught how to prepare food without the use of milk or butter. Tell them that the time will soon come when there will be no safety in using eggs, milk, cream or butter because disease in animals is increasing in proportion to the increase of wickedness among men. The time is near when, because of the iniquity of the fallen race, the whole animal creation will groan under the diseases that curse our earth.”–Testimonies, Vol. 7, p. 135.

   “The time will come when we may have to discard  some of the articles of diet we now use, such as milk and cream and eggs; but it is not necessary to bring upon ourselves perplexity by premature  and extreme restrictions. Wait until the circumstances demand it, and the Lord prepares the way for it.

“…I am instructed to tell them to eat that food which is most nourishing. I can not say to them: ‘You must not eat eggs, or milk, or cream. You must use no butter in the preparation of food.’ The gospel must be preached to the poor, but the time has not yet come to prescribe the strictest diet.”–Testimonies, Vol. 9, pp. 162, 163. (Answerer, vol. 5, Q-146)

The Spirit of Prophecy leaves no doubt about our diet and– meat-eating.

“Greater reforms should be seen among the people who claim to be looking for the soon appearing of Christ. Health reform is to do among our people a work which it has not yet done. There are those who ought to be awake to the danger of meat-eating, who are still eating the flesh of animals, thus endangering the physical, mental, and spiritual health.

Many who are now only half converted on the question of meat-eating will go from God’s people to walk no more with them….. A diet of flesh meat tends to develop animalism. A development of animalism lessens spirituality, rendering the mind incapable of understanding truth.“(Counsels on Diet and Foods, p.382)

“Vegetables, fruits, and grains should compose our diet. Not an ounce of flesh meat should enter our stomachs. The eating of flesh is unnatural. We are to return to God’s original purpose in the creation of man.”—Manuscript 115, 1903 (Counsels on Diet, p.380)

“Is it not time that all should aim to dispense with flesh foods? How can those who are seeking to become pure, refined, and holy, that they may have the companionship of heavenly angels, continue to use as food anything that has so harmful an effect on soul and body? How can they take the life of God’s creatures that they may consume the flesh as a luxury? Let them, rather, return to the wholesome and delicious food given to man in the beginning, and themselves practice, and teach their children to practice, mercy toward the dumb creatures that God has made and has placed under our dominion.”—The Ministry of Healing, 317, 1905 , (Counsels on Diet, p.380)

You know a brother or sister “in the faith” who lacks spiritual discernment? Look at their diet. They enjoy meat?

As Inspiration counsels we are “teach” our children “mercy toward the dumb creatures that God has made and has placed under our dominion.” But are we doing that? 

Some may say, “Jesus and the people back then ate fish, so we can too.” Yes indeed they did but as we have posted so many times before, the scroll is unrolling down through time. And “their present truth” is not necessarily our present truth.

Briefly, you recall that an adulterer or adulteress was punished by stoning in Moses day, yes? Is that the Lord’s truth today? Of course not, He showed mercy is now to be given, but to be sure the admonishment to cease from these sins and “sin no more” still exists.  Or the past truth that the people of God were to return the Tithes to the Jewish Church, pre- Christ. This too has changed to returning Tithes to His present truth organizations today. So the present truth of today is “stay away from meat”.

“WHAT IS WRONG WITH EATING CLEAN MEAT?

Question No. 148:

In the light of Matt. 15:11 and other scriptures, is it not clear that vegetarianism is of man and not of God?

Answer:

If the scriptures cited constituted the Bible’s entire treatment of the subject, then an unqualifiedly affirmative answer to the question might be necessary. But in the beginning “God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.” Gen. 1:29. All this and naught else was to be the “meat” of mankind.

Thus in the beginning, man’s diet did not include flesh food. Not till after the flood, when every green thing on the earth had been destroyed, did he receive permission to eat flesh. Then God said: “Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you, even as the green herb have I given you all things.” Gen. 9:3.

Later, though, while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, God provided them with manna. But when they murmured against it, and attributed its phenomenon only to circumstances, claiming that it was impossible to obtain flesh foods in the desert, He literally and angrily heaped quail upon them. At what price, though! Thousands died in order to teach the lesson that the manna was not the mere result of circumstances but rather a purposive Providence. For “while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the Lord was kindled against the people, and the Lord smote the people with a very great plague.” Num. 11:33.

Because the Exodus movement was to fit up a people to take the promised land and to set up the kingdom then, as we are now, they were charged to abstain from all flesh foods. And because John the Baptist bore an important message in his day (“Repent ye: for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand”–Matt. 3:2) similar to ours today, his diet was of honey and of the fruit of the locust tree. How much more important, then, as our types teach, that we who have the culminating message of the gospel, and who are the vanguard of the hosts of the eternal kingdom, defile not the temples of our souls with that which our types were forbidden to eat.

Furthermore, as the Elijah of Malachi 4:5 and Matthew 17:11 is to restore all things before the great and dreadful day of the Lord, then necessarily he will restore vegetarianism, man’s original dietary. Then, not only man but beast as well, will be strict vegetarians, and all will once again consort together in the renewed fellowship of Edenic peace.” (Answerer, vol. 5, p.148)

Ok back to that S.D.A church with the “great dinner”. I personally know this church very well and in fact have preached a sermon there a couple of years ago and guess what was one of the major topics in that sermon? Yes, meat-eating. But sadly Scripture was fulfilled that day, let us read —

“And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.” (Ezek. 33:32)

After the sermon, many were warm and thanked me for the “straight testimony” yet obviously looking down to today , it moved not the leaders to shepherd the flock in the way they must go.

The message tells us more–

“But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My Lord delayeth His coming, and shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; the Lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for Him and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites.” Matt. 24:48-51.

   Inspiration teaches that his eating and drinking with the drunken does not merely mean drinking wine.  One may get drunk by partaking of the world’s spirit, and also by becoming engrossed with the “cares of this life.” Luke 21:34.

   And to do all this is to say in the heart, “My Lord delayeth His coming.” “Let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we shall die.” Matt. 24:48; Isa. 22:13.  (SRod Tract, vol. 1, p.87)

In closing did you know that the Great All-Seeing Lord gave us a booklet on diet? Yes indeed, below is a REAL FEAST that feeds our souls, not the imitation feast that Satan has snared many of us with turkey, fish and who knows what else. The Lord knows it is not the time to rejoice and make merry for the great day of judgment will very soon hit our S.D.A church. If we are not careful these flesh dinners will fulfill prophecy —

“And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call for weeping, and for mourning, and for baldness, and for girding with sackcloth: And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we shall die! The LORD of Hosts has revealed in my hearing: “Until your dying day, this sin of yours will never be atoned for,” says the Lord GOD of Hosts.”(Isaiah 22:12-14)

http://shepherds-rod.org/Misc/EW.htm

 

 

Posted in Healing and health, Obedience, Proper teachings | 1 Comment »

The Old Family Tree

November 17, 2018

TEXT FOR PRAYER   I shall read from “The Mount of Blessing,” beginning on page 188, the last paragraph.

   M.B., pg. 188 — “Jesus…earnestly desired that the great multitude might appreciate the mercy and loving kindness of God.  As an illustration of their need, and of God’s willingness to give, He presents before them a hungry child asking his earthly parent for bread.  ‘What man is there of you,’ He said, ‘whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?’  He appeals to the tender, natural affection of a parent for his child, and then says, ‘If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children; how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?’ 

No man with a father’s heart would turn from his son who is hungry and is asking for bread.  Would they think him capable of trifling with his child, of tantalizing him by raising his expectations only to disappoint him?… And should any one dishonor God by imagining that He would not respond to the appeals of His children?

“…The Holy Spirit, the representative of Himself, is the greatest of all gifts.  All ‘good things’ are comprised in this.  The Creator Himself can give us nothing greater, nothing better….”

   If we do not believe what God tells us, if we do not believe what He says He is, then we dishonor Him.  He is very anxious to give us gifts, but only if we want them.  He is particularly anxious to give us the greatest gift — the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Naturally, with this gift all other gifts are given.  It was this gift that Solomon asked for, and with it he was liberally given all the other gifts.  Let us likewise pray for this great gift.  It is just what God wants to give us if we will only wholeheartedly and honestly promise — positively to use the gift in the way He would have us use it.

 

THE OLD FAMILY TREETEXT OF ADDRESS BY V.T. HOUTEFF,MINISTER OF DAVIDIAN 7TH-DAY ADVENTISTSSABBATH, MARCH 8, 1947MT. CARMEL CHAPELWACO, TEXAS   Let us turn to the eleventh chapter of Isaiah, and begin our study with the first verse.

Isa. 11:1 — “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.”

   Here is a family tree in which three persons are introduced.  This verse does not say whom the rod represents; it does not say whom the Branch represents; but it does say that the stem is Jesse, the father of king David.  The rod, of course, which came out of the stem, could be none other than the son of Jesse — David, the king of ancient Israel.  The verses following this verse explain that the Branch is the Lord Himself.  Clearly, then, this family tree represents Jesse, David, and Christ.

   The remaining verses of the chapter are concerning Christ, His work, and His kingdom.

Isa. 11:2 — “And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.”

   Upon this one gift — the gift of the Spirit — all things hinge.

Isa. 11:3, 4 — “And shall make Him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and He shall not judge after the sight of His eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of His ears: but with righteousness shall He judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and He shall smite the earth: with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips shall He slay the wicked.”

   These verses, I am sure, need no comment save to mention that “the rod of His mouth” and “the breath of His lips” must mean God’s Word, His Truth.  This very Truth to which we are listening this afternoon will, therefore, on the one hand slay those who reject It together with those who are disobedient to It, but on the other hand save those who give heed to It, and who comply with Its requirements.  The one consequence is as natural as it the other.  For example, did not the preaching of the gospel of Christ save the Apostles, but at the same time cause Judas to commit suicide?  And did it not save the disciples but destroy all the unbelieving of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.?

   In the Kingdom here predicted, not only are men to be at peace with men, but men with beast, and beast with beast as well.   The reason given for such perfect peace is that the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord. Knowledge, then, is what we need, and shall we turn it down now when it is so freely brought to our doors?

   Just as soon as God’s people obtain this knowledge of the Lord, just that soon shall the kingdom appear.  So it is that while learning of God and of His wisdom, we are at the same time bringing peace on earth.  Plainly, then, those who have not this knowledge of the Lord cannot become citizens of His kingdom.  How essential, then, that we study for ourselves; how essential that we know what is Truth through our own personal experience, not through the experience of others!

Isa. 11:10 — “And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.”

   That is, in the day of the Branch (in the Christian period), in the day this family tree is completed, then it is that the kingdom of peace (the church purified) sprouts, so to speak, from the ground up.  It then stands for an ensign to the people, and to It shall the Gentiles seek for salvation.  Plainly, then, this old family tree, Kingdom, is to be set up while probation lasts.  Moreover, the place where It is to stand (rest) shall be glorious.  It is therefore to have Its own location, and Its own boundary line.  It is to be for the gathering of the people, the ark of today as was Noah’s ark in Noah’s day.  So we are again brought to the same truth which Isaiah, chapter 2, and Micah, chapter 4, teach:

Isa. 11:11, 12 — “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set His hand again the second time to recover the remnant of His people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.  And He shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.”

   The Lord is to recover the remnant (those that are spared) of His people in the day this Kingdom is set up; that is, the Kingdom is set, then those who are left behind among the Gentiles, those who seek after the ensign, the Lord is to recover them.  This second recovery of His people declares Inspiration, is to be from the four corners of the earth. The first, as you know, was from Egypt only.

Isa. 11:13-15 — “The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim [–there shall be no sinner among them].  But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines toward the west; they shall spoil them of the east together: they shall lay their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them.  And the Lord shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with His mighty wind shall He shake His hand over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make men go over dryshod.”

   Both kingdoms, Israel (sometimes called the house of Ephraim) and Judah, are to be restored and united in the antitype.  They shall never again envy or vex each other. And through Ezekiel commands the Lord:

   “Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in Mine hand.  And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes. 

And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land: and I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all: neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwellingplaces, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be My people, and I will be their God.” Ezek. 37:19-23.

   Thus it is that “…in the days of these kings [not after their days] shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it [the kingdom] shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.” Dan. 2:44, 45.

   If the Kingdom is to destroy all these kingdoms, then It must be set up before these kingdoms are destroyed.  The stone that is cut out of the “mountain” in the days of these kings, is itself to become a great mountain, and It, the Kingdom, is to fill the whole earth (Dan. 2:35, 45).

   In the days of Moses the Lord smote but one stream, the Red Sea, and one nation, Egypt.  But now the Lord promises to smite every stream (all “seven”) and cause His people from the four corners of the earth to reach their land without so much as getting their feet wet.  Although today as in Moses’ day, such a thing seems utterly impossible, yet it is certain that just as God made it possible then, He will now, too.  The battle is the Lord’s, the will is ours.  We have nothing to do but to obey His voice.  That is our only duty Brother, Sister.

   There is no Bible Truth plainer than this, and there is no truth as important at this time as is this Truth.  These are the very reasons that it either saves or destroys — to accept It is to have all your sins blotted out; to reject It, is to sin against the Holy Ghost.  “Today if ye will hear His Voice, harden not your [heart]” is God’s counsel for you and for me.  You well know now that this Truth is irrefutable. Try and see for yourself.

Isa. 11:16 — “And there shall be an highway for the remnant of His people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.”

   After the first fruits and the Lamb are gone to Mount Sion, there shall be a highway for the second fruits, for those who are still in “Assyria,” the world.  In other words, all obstructions shall be removed.  Our faith shall not fail us, and our hope shall not be in vain, for God has not forsaken the earth.  He Who rules and guides the stars in their unerring path, is able to lead us safely to our own land. Indeed, just as not one of them fails in its course, so not one of God’s promises shall ever fail to materialize. 

Let no one deceive you in this.  Study verse by verse, word for word, read, stop and think, do not hastily pass by this positive, most urgent Truth, for as it was in the days of the flood so shall it be now, says the Lord (Matt. 24:37).  The first born (firstfruits) who failed to paint the door post with the sacrificial blood in the first exodus, the type, perished.  So any of the firstfruits of today who fails to comply with the demands of the message for today, will as certainly perish at the angel’s slaughter weapons (Ezek. 9:5, 6).

Isa. 12:1-3 — “And in that day thou shalt say, O Lord, I will praise Thee: though Thou wast angry with me, Thine anger is turned away, and Thou comfortedst me.  Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation.  Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.”

   “In that day,” that is, in the day His people are being gathered from the four corners of the earth, in that day are they thus to praise Him, because they will plainly see that His anger has been turned away from them.  They will positively know that He is their salvation, their fear, and their strength. They will therefore with greater joy drink in the freshly revealed truths of the Bible.

Isa. 12:4 — “And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon His name, declare His doings among the people, make mention that His name is exalted.”

   “In that day,” that is, in the gathering time shall they encourage one another to praise the Lord, to call upon His name, and to declare His doings among the people.  They will then whole-heartedly and with knowledge be doing real and profitable missionary work. Isa. 12:5, 6 — “Sing unto the Lord; for He hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth.  Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.”

   You certainly will not let anything hinder or stifle your voice now that God commands to cry out and shout.

   “Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in Judgment.  And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.” Isa. 32:1, 2.

   No, this is not what popular theology teaches, but you admit that this is what the Bible teaches, and that It we must believe rather than men.

   Thus far faith in God’s promises has not failed us, and why will He fail us now? — Never.  Faith mixed with works will bring everything in due season.  The adversaries of Truth shall fail, but Truth shall triumph, and the faithful with It.

   “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  For by it the elders obtained a good report.  Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

   “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.  By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.  But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

   “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.  By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.  By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in taberacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

   “Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged Him faithful Who had promised.  Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.  These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 

For they that say such things, declare plainly that they seek a country.  And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.  But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for He hath prepared for them a city.

   “By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac; and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.  By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. 

By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.  By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.

   “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.  By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 

By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing Him who is invisible.  Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest He that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

   “By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.  By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.  By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

   “And what shall I more say?  for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

   “Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: and others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

   “And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.” Hebrews 11:1-40.

   Now while the eternal records are being made, will you not cause your name to be written among the great heroes of God?  How can you afford to eternally lose out at such a late hour?

(Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 31, P. 1-13)

Posted in Elijah Interpretations, Our Lord's kingdom, Victor T. Houteff | 2 Comments »

Present Truth Controversies

November 10, 2018

Image result for picture of false bible teacher

We as present truth believers know very well SOP’s counsel–

“I saw the necessity of the messengers, especially, watching and checking all fanaticism wherever they might see it rise. Satan is pressing in on every side, and unless we watch for him, and have our eyes open to his devices and snares, and have on the whole armor of God, the fiery darts of the wicked will hit us. There are many precious truths contained in the Word of God, but it is “present truth” that the flock needs now.” (EW, p.63)

But we cannot forget for a moment that the present truth will be Satan’s focus.Why? Because with it, God’s people are sealed and ready to “stand” when the Rev. 12 church judgment comes  and the flood is swallowed up and he is “wroth with the woman.”

So that being said it makes total sense that our adversary will have his imitation so-called “present truth” These “truths” being nothing more than a disguise to fool the remnant. Make no mistake the S.D.A in massive amounts, have bought Satan’s disguises. The message says —

 “..the old Devil has already put all his forces to work, piping pleasing tunes to lure Truth seekers to climb aboard his golden bandwagon.   Its glittering tinsel of truth is already beguiling many with his wares while his captains and generals are to the top of their voices shouting their “Hallelujahs,” “Holy Ghost,” “gift of healing,” “gift of tongues,” “gift of miracles,” and all the rest, although the entire fanfare is devoid even of a spark of life.  Every wind of doctrine will be blowing, false revivals and reformations will be at their peak.  Everything that can be done will be done to distort the Truth and thus distract and dishearten believers and draw their attention to something other than the message of Elijah.” (General Conference Special, p.7)

Yes, the “real” present truth, the Lord’s Elijah message (Mal. 4:5-6) will be countermanded and to a great degree successfully hijacked, thus it is today.

Ok let’s now look at a couple major controversies among us as present truth believers.

No Trinity, only TWO beings, God the Father and Jesus His Son.

This is not only a current controversy among some present truth believers, but has to a good degree affected the mother S.D.A church. But let us not forget that our Great All-Seeing Lord knew about this issue and prepared a way out of this snare. He knew that certain active promoters such as the following would be doing their evil best to snare and fool the people.

High profile S.D.A teachers —

Nader Mansour  (Revelation 1412.org)
David Barron (thethirdangelsmessage.com)

These guys are almost consumed with identifying the God head. Their YouTube channel is full of videos explaining their ideas on what the Holy Spirit is (some kind of free floating energy at the Father and Son’s beck and call) and that there is a sort of blasphemy in proclaiming the Trinity. To them there is no third being with a personality or divine conscientiousness. It is a deception to proclaim the Triune Godhead, they teach.

Satan  snares many through his human instruments doing his dirty deeds. The Lord has made this issue very clear so that none should guess about it.

“This Association, in common with the Seventh-day Adventist denomination, holds “certain fundamental beliefs, the principal features of which, together with a portion of the Scriptural references upon which they are based,” are originally summarized as follows:

“1. That the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God, contain an all-sufficient revelation of His will to men, and are the only unerring rule of faith and practice. 2 Tim. 3:15-17.

“2. That the Godhead, or Trinity, consists of the Eternal Father, a personal, spiritual Being, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, infinite in wisdom and love; the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Eternal Father, through whom all things were created and through whom the salvation of the redeemed hosts will be accomplished; the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead, the great regenerating power in the work of redemption. Matt. 28:19.” (2 TG, no.10, p.21)

The above is confirmation that the Davidian S.D.A have always, since it’s inception, agreed with the mother church, that the Trinity is the composition of the Godhead. No mis-interpreting this! Thus the Lord shows that His Elijah message, the restoration message, CONFIRMS the Trinity, even allowing it to be named as such!

Unfortunately there are teachers today that think they have the “inside scoop” on what the real deal is on this issue, whereby transgressing the below clear counsel  from SOP–

“The nature of the Holy Spirit is a mystery. Men cannot explain it, because the Lord has not revealed it to them. Men having fanciful views may bring together passages of Scripture and put a human construction on them, but the acceptance of these views will not strengthen the church. Regarding such mysteries, which are too deep for human understanding, silence is golden.” {AA 52.1}

It’s interesting to note that both of these teachers have broke away from the mother church (but still calling themselves S.D.A). They are promoting “home church” because they cannot be involved in such apostasy or with such people, so they teach. They are the real wheat and must separate themselves from the tares.

“A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick; Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine’s flesh, and broth of abominable things in  their vessels; “Who say, ‘Keep to yourself, do not come near me, For I am holier than you!’ These are smoke in My nostrils, A fire that burns all the day.”(Isaiah 65:3-5)

The S.D.A ship is going down brethren and unlike the above “holier than you” groups, the Davidian S.D.A, the present truth proclaimers,  DO NOT dare leave the mother church, they will stay with her to the end! The time to “call her out of Babylon” is not now, especially to declare it to our church!

“God has a church, a chosen people; and could all see as I have seen how closely Christ identifies Himself with His people, no such message would be heard as the one that denounces the church as Babylon.” (Testimonies to Ministers, p.20)

 “God says now to work within the Laodicean congregation rather than without. And what He says, that He means, and we dare not disobey, regardless what men may say or do. ”  (Answerer, vol.2, Q- 32)

Must keep the Feast Days.

This one is more prevalent in the Mother church, but make no mistake, some present truth believers have been snared here as well. Often, the present truth believer will admit that they brought this doctrine along with them BEFORE they studied the Lord’s Elijah message. In other words they got this teaching implanted in them from a teacher and looked to the message of Elijah for any and all excuses and support for their erroneous ideas. Having the best of both worlds so they think.

High profile teachers — 

John Vandenburgh (Bible Explorations.com) (S.D.A)

Trent Wilde (Branch D.S.D.A)

 

Although John Vandenburgh recently passed away, his false teachings and hope still lives on through his website and his YouTube videos. Again, the Lord knew in advance this would come up and met it as we see below–

“Mal. 4:4, 5 — “Remember ye the law of Moses My servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.  Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.”

   You know by now that Malachi, chapters 3 and 4, prophetically speak to the people of today, to the people just before the great and dreadful day, to the people to whom antitypical Elijah the prophet is sent.  And what wise counsel does the Lord give through Malachi? — He says, “Remember ye the Law of Moses My servant.”  Which law? — The law of “statutes and judgments” which the Lord commanded “in Horeb.”  Since this is God’s faithful advice to His people of this day, we would do well to restudy this law of Moses, and to remember it, for we cannot disregard His counsel and still expect His blessings.

   Broadly speaking, the law of Moses consists of three parts.  The first is the Ceremonial law, the law of the temple — the sacrificial law.  This law, of course, we today must not observe, except in antitype, for it foreshadowed things to come, particularly Christ’s first advent.  Thus it is that if we had lived in Old Testament times and had failed to comply with the sacrificial law and system of that day, we would thereby have demonstrated unbelief in Christ, Who was to come.  But since we are living in the Christian era, if we should now observe the typical sacrificial law and system, we should thereby demonstrate unbelief in Christ, Who has come.

   And so, as this law was nailed to the cross (Col. 2:14), we need not, and must not, observe it now.” ( TG, vol. 2, no.37, p.14-15)

Do we see the words “must not”? Yet those who blindly skip over these words, do not care in the least that they disobey the words of the Elijah message, no not at all!

Trent Wilde is  truly more deceived. For this guy professes a belief in the Elijah message BUT that is not good enough for him and his followers. The Feasts MUST be kept to properly honor the Lord today, they teach. Although not a true Davidian S.D.A, Wilde is a “Branch” Davidian, whose history is muddied with David Koresh and the Waco tragedy. The Branch was sprung up after brother Victor Houteff died by a man named Ben Roden. He was a student of brother Houteff in the late 40’s and early 50’s, yet  when the time came to insert himself onto the scene (at VTH’s death) he wasted no time in declaring himself the successor Elijah prophet who would not die! He died a false prophet in 1977.

Thus down through the ages Roden’s group has proclaimed that “present truth” is Victor Houteff’s writings (Davidan S.D.A) BUT not truly the complete Elijah message. His teaching must be more current present truth, such as keeping the Feast days, believing that there is  three beings in the Godhead  -God the Father, Christ the Son, and a FEMALE mother as the Holy Spirit!  Remember when we said Satan would bring his imitations?

To give an example of the thinking of Roden, he wrote the following, showing some thoughts on why  another prophet (ie.”Joshua” –himself) was needed to lead the people into the kingdom because VTH died and could not.

“Some say that modern day Moses (V.T. Houteff) brought the truths that  are to lead God’s people out of all nations and interpreted Sister White’s writings and the Bible on the subject of the purification of the church. Like Moses of old, the Lord did not see fit to use brother Houteff to lead His people into the kingdom. Instead, He will use another, Joshua, to first separate the thieves and idol worshippers from among His people, then take them to the kingdom. “Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.” (Roden, The Seven Letters, 1957, p.8)

The message gives us great counsel in paying close attention to each and every Inspired word of God —

“…we see that when we take into consideration the meaning of each word instead of making thoughtless and hasty conclusions, the Scriptures prove to be not only most perfect and wonderful and yet simple, but also inspiring, making wise the humble — and lightening the path of him who as did Christ, delights to do the will of God.” (Sym. Coe, vol. 2, no.2, p.,3)

In closing the Lord’s final message of Elijah makes clear where we as S.D.A and D.S.D.A should stand on our discussed issues . None should wonder. If we carefully observe “each word” from Inspiration we will succeed in seeing the true from the false. Satan’s snares will be found and called out.

 

Posted in Delusion, Proper teachings, Truth telling vs. lying, Warning our brethren | Leave a Comment »

Doug Batchelor’s Monstrous 28 Million Dollar Extravaganza

November 3, 2018

 

This last Wednesday evening the heathen around the world celebrated Halloween.  Little kids and even adults take part in this ghoulish and frankly, Satanic day. But for the most part, and we are not making a justifiable excuse, they generally have little light on what they are really doing.

Ghost, goblins and even monsters have been glorified and made out to be even entertaining such as when the wildly popular heathen TV show –Addams Family was watched weekly during the 60’s. The main character (below) Herman Munster was clumsily going about his actions to the amusement of the USA audience.

Woke' Herman Munster's Speech From 1965 Sitcom Episode Is Going ...

However there is another “monstrous” act that is being done today in our remnant church midst and this one is not so humorous –it is running without being sent and without PRESENT TRUTH! Do we think it’s a light thing to do this?

“I did not send these prophets, yet they have run with their message; I did not speak to them, yet they have prophesied.” (Jer. 23: 21)

Recently it was announced from Doug Batchelor’s organization “Amazing Facts” that they would be building a huge sprawling complex, known as ” W.O.R.D Center ” (World Outreach Revival and Discipleship). They sent word through out the  world that they needed 28 million for the project, two gigantic buildings totally 96,000  square feet and fit to “spread the Gospel to all the world.”

We have done a prior post highlighting the endless solicitation of funds from Amazing Facts, read here–

https://godsloveandlaw.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=7187&action=edit

On Amazing Facts YouTube promo video (where we got that picture), some of the people’s comments showed much displeasure in this exorbitant and frankly unnecessary enterprise.

“reminds me of something Benny Hinn would do. This is dodgy as hell!”

” he tries to drop the hint for Adventist’s to sell their houses and land to fund the last $3 million he needs for this monstrosity! This is bad! Really bad! Every alarm inside my conscience is ringing with this, GET OUT WHILE YOU STILL CAN!”

“I cant believe so much money has been wasted on a building, it’s wrong!”

“Why not spend around 50,000 usd in hundreds of locations around the world, rather than such a huge sum in one place.”

” exactly! How many schools and churches and hospitals, could’ve been built in the second and third world with that money? This just seems ego driven and gluttonous.”

“Mr preacher. Asking to sell your house or family’s patrimony Give to they’re high profit corporation Why doesn’t he sell his house’s And airplane to the project All religions are like Give me Give us Donate Sow your seed $$$

There is no doubt that the Amazing Facts organization thinks they are proclaiming the “Loud Cry” and spreading the Gospel to all the ends of the earth for preparation of Jesus’ second coming. Thus, the need to build what they think is God’s communicative center to reach the heathen around the world.

The message is very clear that we should not be in doubt, let us read–

“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.370)

 

So if the Lord is not now working to bring souls into our church, who is? Yes, sadly it is of another spirit. This is why we must know the Lord sent His “Elijah” message for a reason! When our all-seeing Lord looked down through time to our day, the day of the Laodicean church, He very well knew that the Tares would someday nearly choke out the wheat. Thus it is today!

For example, we attend one of the local churches regularly, and once again as in times past, we witness at least 5 or six women with dresses that would perfectly fit in with the night clubs (NOT new comers)! The Pastor merrily shaking their hands as they pass out of the church at the conclusion of service. Wow!

The Elijah message says we are to be sealed, not only with the Sabbath Truth but with the following–

“The class who do not feel grieved over their own spiritual declension, nor mourn over the sins of
others, will be left without the seal of God. 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 have changed. 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)

Questions and Answers —

Why is it wrong for Doug and his organization to spread the Gospel around the world. Does it not fulfill the Great Commission (Mark 16:15)?

Once again we come back to “present truth”. In Jesus’ day, the Great all-seeing One, told the Apostles to get going. Get the Gospel out to all the world. But as we continue to keep pace with His light , the unrolling of the scroll, we come to His last book in Malachi, specifically verse 4:5. There obviously is an end time message that would have to be spread among His people, thus Elijah was to come and give that message. You see, Doug nor almost all leading SDA preachers/teachers DO NOT believe in the literal fulfillment of the “Elijah” prophet coming. They spiritualize it away.

The message tells us that we, the S.D.A church is about to be spued out BEFORE those in the world are.

“..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. (Answerer, vol. 2, Q- 32)

So here’s the big problem, our leaders today don’t view “sin” as “exceedingly sinful”. Therefore, they endlessly run without being sent to the world to “bring em in” while the church is already sinking in her overslaught of sin! They think God is winking at it all. Their thoughts are strictly diametrically opposed to SOP counsel —

“Only when the Church is composed of pure, unselfish members, can it fulfill God’s purpose. Too much hasty work is done in adding names to the church roll. Serious defects are seen in the characters of some who join the church. Those who admit them say, We will first get them into the church, and then reform them. But this is a mistake. The very first work to be done is the work of reform. Pray with them, talk with them, but do not allow them to unite with God’s people in church relationship until they give decided evidence that the Spirit of God is working on their hearts.”(RH, May 21, 1901)

“I have been shown that God here illustrates how He regards sin among those who profess to be His commandment-keeping people. Those whom He has specially honored with witnessing the remarkable exhibitions of His power, as did ancient Israel, and who will even then venture to disregard His express directions, will be subjects of His wrath. He would teach His people that disobedience and sin are exceedingly offensive to Him and are not to be lightly regarded.

He shows us that when His people are found in sin they should at once take decided measures to put that sin from them, that His frown may not rest upon them all. But if the sins of the people are passed over by those in responsible positions, His frown will be upon them, and the people of God, as a body, will be held responsible for those sins. In His dealings with His people in the past the Lord shows the necessity of purifying the church from wrongs.

One sinner may diffuse darkness that will exclude the light of God from the entire congregation. When the people realize that darkness is settling upon them, and they do not know the cause, they should seek God earnestly, in great humility and self-abasement, until the wrongs which grieve His Spirit are searched out and put away.” (Testimonies, vol. 3, p.265)

So Doug’s organization is no different from other S.D.A organizations and churches. They all have this mindset–bring in the numbers and God will do the rest. Not so according to Spirit of Prophecy!

Yes, the final Gospel proclamation will very soon go forth, but it’s from a PURE and sanctified church, not a mix of  sinners and saints. Joshua’s example with Achan, is our type.

If Doug’s work is not God’s work for us as S.D.A, what specifically is?

Inspiration tells us–

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

It’s the sealing of the 144,000!  We are to labor for God’s final purified church. The Elijah message is our utmost goal and desire now. Yet those who have accepted this message know all too well that resistance will be great —

“I am sending you to them who are stubborn and obstinate children, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says 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. 2:4-6)

In closing the work of so called “great men” will soon come to an end unless they turn tail and right the ship. Those who know this last message to our church know that this  28 million project is a monstrous bad idea.

“For the leaders of My people–the LORD’s watchmen, his shepherds–are blind and ignorant. They are like silent watchdogs that give no warning when danger comes. They love to lie around, sleeping and dreaming. Like greedy dogs, they are never satisfied. They are ignorant shepherds, all following their own path and intent on personal gain.” ( Isaiah 56:10-11)

“The days are fast approaching when there will be great perplexity and confusion. Satan, clothed in angel robes, will deceive, if possible, the very elect. There will be gods many and lords many. Every wind of doctrine will be blowing. Those who have rendered supreme homage to “science falsely so called” will not be the leaders then. Those who have trusted to intellect, genius, or talent will not then stand at the head of rank and file. They did not keep pace with the light.

Those who have proved themselves unfaithful will not then be entrusted with the flock. In the last solemn work few great men will be engaged. They are self-sufficient, independent of God, and He cannot use them. The Lord has faithful servants, who in the shaking, testing time will be disclosed to view. There are precious ones now hidden who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” (Testimonies, vol. 5, p.80-81)

Posted in Amazing Facts Info, Delusion, Warning our brethren | 4 Comments »