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TEXT OF ADDRESS BY V.T. HOUTEFF,
MINISTER OF DAVIDIAN 7TH-DAY ADVENTISTS
SABBATH, FEBRUARY 1, 1947
MT. CARMEL CHAPEL
WACO, TEXAS

OPENING PRAYER THOUGHT

I shall read from “The Mount of Blessing,” beginning on page 183, the last paragraph.

M.B., pg. 183 — “If Christ is in you ‘the hope of glory,’ you will have no disposition to watch others, to expose their errors. Instead of seeking to accuse and condemn, it will be your object to help, to bless, and to save. In dealing with those who are in error, you will heed the injunction, Consider ‘thyself, lest thou also be tempted.’ You will call to mind the many times you have erred, and how hard it was to find the right way when you had once left it. You will not push your brother into greater darkness, but with a heart full of pity will tell him of his danger.

“He who looks often upon the cross of Calvary, remembering that his sins placed the Saviour there, will never try to estimate the degree of his guilt in comparison with that of others. He will not climb upon the judgment seat to bring accusation against another. There can be no spirit of criticism or self-exaltation on the part of those who walk in the shadow of Calvary’s cross.”

From this we see that our need is to pray for Christ to abide in us, so that instead of watching for opportunities to accuse or to condemn others, and to expose their errors, we shall seek every occasion to help them, to bless them, to save them. We should pray for a deep realization of our own sins; pray that the spirit of criticism and self-exaltation be forever banished from us. Then we shall not feel free to mount the judgment seat and accuse anyone.

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A WORLD WIDE STIR, AND ITS RESULTS

This afternoon we shall continue our study of the book of Micah. Let us turn to the fifth chapter, and begin with the first verse.

Micah 5:1 — “Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: He hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the Judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek.”

You will notice that besides introducing a number of pronouns — he, us, they, this verse also introduces several different topics: first a “daughter of troops,” then “the judge of Israel” and a “rod.” Other subjects are introduced further along in the chapter.

Now to gain the vision and the lesson that Inspiration is anxious that we should from this scripture, it is necessary that we study one subject at a time. And in order to do this, we must group the verses according to subjects. Since the subject of verse one is the same as of verses 10-15, we shall quote them connectively:

Mic. 5:1, 10-15 — “Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops:…and it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord, that I will cut off thy horses out of the midst of thee, and I will destroy thy chariots: and I will cut off the cities of thy land, and throw down

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all thy strong holds: and I will cut off witchcrafts out of thine hand; and thou shalt have no more soothsayers: thy graven images also will I cut off, and thy standing images out of the midst of thee; and thou shalt no more worship the work of thine hands. And I will pluck up thy groves out of the midst of thee: so will I destroy thy cities. And I will execute vengeance in anger and fury upon the heathen, such as they have not heard.”

These verses present a group of people — good and bad commingled — whom God is to cleanse. Then the scripture closes with God’s promise to execute vengeance upon the heathen. The mixed group of people, “wheat” and “tares,” very obviously constitute the church that is approaching “the time of the harvest” (Matt. 13:30), the time in which all idolators are to perish. “So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just…. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” Matt. 13:49, 43.

We now come to the last part of Micah 5:1. The antecedent of the pronoun “He” is found in the preceding verse — chapter 4, verse 13. There quickly we see that it is the Lord Himself. Plainly, then, by the pronoun “us” Micah means himself and his people — Judah and Israel, the church.

Clear it is that while the Lord with His message of warning and reproofs makes a siege against His people the adversaries gather together in groups to oppose. Such has been the case at the introduction of each newly-revealed Truth.

The church is logically called “daughter of troops,” because her mother the Jewish church at the time of

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the introduction of the gospel of Christ, gathered together in troops, to oppose the Lord.

Moreover being smitten in the face rather than in the back, the Judge of Israel (Christ) must have been squarely facing them — speaking to them, — the reason for which the Jews’ crucified Him. The verses that follow verse one again confirm the fact that “the Judge” is Christ. They that smite Him are, of course, His adversaries, His enemies. Concerning them Inspiration says:

Mic. 5:9 — “Thine hand shall be lifted up upon Thine adversaries, and all Thine enemies shall be cut off.”

According to Christ’s parables, the time His “adversaries,” His enemies of progressive Truth, are cut off is at the commencement of the purification of the church, at the harvest time. Then, according to Ezekiel’s prophecy, the Lord commissions the men with slaughtering weapons in their hands, saying, “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.” Ezek. 9:5, 6. The Spirit of Prophecy confirms this by saying:

“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

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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, pg. 211. And through the apostle Peter, Inspiration declares:

“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” 1 Pet. 4:17.

Mic. 5:2 — “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be ruler in Israel; Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”

There is no doubt that this verse predicts the birth of Christ, “the Judge of Israel,” “Whose goings forth” have been from everlasting.

Mic. 5:3 — “Therefore will He give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of His brethren shall return unto the children of Israel.”

Crucifying Christ and their refusing to return to the Lord, there was nothing that could have been done for the Jews at that time but to give them up “until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth.”

The pronoun “she” points to the daughter of Zion

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(Mic. 4:10). She is to bring forth her children while in the field; while in the Gentile lands. Then the time of her sojourning is to end and she is to be delivered. “In that day, saith the Lord, will I assemble her that halteth,…and I will make her that halted a remnant…and the Lord shall reign over them in Mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever.” Mic. 4:6, 7.

Mic. 5:4, 5 — “And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God; and they shall abide: for now shall He be great unto the ends of the earth. And this man shall be the peace, when the Assyrian shall come into our land: and when he shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise against him seven shepherds, and eight principal men.”

When the children of the daughter of Zion return to Mount Zion, they are to abide forever. Never again are they to be cast out among the Gentile nations. Never are they to be given up. The Lord is thus to make Himself “great unto the ends of the earth.” When she that travaileth shall have brought forth, then the saints are to raise against the Assyrian “seven shepherds, and eight principal men”; that is, all God’s shepherds and all His principal men, including Christ, the eighth.

Mic. 5:6 — “And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof: thus shall he deliver us from the Assyrian, when he cometh into our land, and when he treadeth within our borders.”

The kingdom of Israel that was destroyed by Assyria, and also the kingdom of Judah that was destroyed by Babylon, even all the twelve tribes of

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Israel are to be delivered.

“And I will,” declares the Lord, “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 dwelling places, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be My people, and I will be their God. And David My servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in My judgments, and observe My statutes, and do them.” Ezek. 37:22-24.

Mic. 5:7 — “And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the Lord, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men.”

After the Judgment in the house of God takes place, then it is that “the remnant,” those that are left, are to finish the work of the gospel.

“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.” — “Testimonies,” Vol. 5, pg. 80.

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Then it is that they, the remnant of Jacob, are to be gathered into their homeland, after which they are sent as missionaries to the Gentiles that have not heard of God’s name and of His fame. Thus it is that those who escape alive from the Judgment of the Lord, the remnant, shall be as dew from the Lord, as showers upon the grass. They shall wait for none in their missionary work. They shall bring all their brethren out of all nations “for an offering unto the Lord.” Isa. 66:15, 16, 20.

Mic. 5:8 — “And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver.”

While God’s people are as dew and as showers to the righteous (Mic. 5:7), they are to the wicked as lions among beasts and flocks of sheep. In other words, their gospel will save the penitent, but destroy the impenitent.

Mic. 5:9-14 — “Thine hand shall be lifted up upon thine adversaries, and all thine enemies shall be cut off. And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord, that I will cut off thy horses out of the midst of thee, and I will destroy thy chariots: and I will cut off the cities of thy land, and throw down all thy strong holds: and I will cut off witchcrafts out of thine hand; and thou shalt have no more soothsayers: thy graven images also will I cut off, and thy standing images out of the midst of thee; and thou shalt no more worship the work of thy hands. And I will pluck up thy groves out of the midst of thee: so will I destroy thy cities.”

These verses can mean only one thing, and that is, that God will thoroughly purge His floor. He will take the fan in His hand and blow out the chaff, He

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will destroy the sinners that are among His people. In thus purifying His church, He will create a clean people, a united and zeal-filled ministry. “Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice;” He declares, “with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion.” Isa. 52:8.

Mic. 5:15 — “And I will execute vengeance in anger and fury upon the heathen, such as they have not heard.”

“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” 1 Peter 4:17, 18.

That we miss no part of the lesson in this study, let us recapitulate the main points.

To begin with, a group of people — good and bad commingled — are brought to view. They, as we have seen, constitute the church that is approaching the time of harvest in which the wicked are to be severed from among the just. (Matt. 13:49).

While the Lord with a message of warnings and reproofs makes a siege against His people, the adversaries gather together in groups (“troops”) to oppose. Then they are to be cut off. The horses (leaders) shall be cut off (discharged) and the chariots (gathering places) destroyed. God’s people are to be thoroughly purged of sin and sinners and only the penitent are to be left. They are the remnant of Jacob who “shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for

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they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.” Zeph. 3:13. They are to be gathered into their homeland, from thence to go as missionaries to the Gentiles. To the penitent they are to be as dew and as showers, but to the impenitent, as lions among beasts and flocks.

So the stir caused by Truth’s siege of the church and It’s adversaries warring against It, that is already beginning to arrest the attention of the world, is to result in the cleansing of the church, “temple.” Mal. 3:1-3.

Thus is the Lord to finish His work on earth, gather His people, destroy the sinners and the heathen alike. Necessarily, “…the days of purification of the church are hastening on apace. God will have a people pure and true.” — “Testimonies,” Vol. 5, pg. 80.

Depth Of Mercy

Depth of mercy! can there be
Mercy still reserved for me?
Can my God His wrath forbear,
Me, the chief of sinners spare?

I have long withstood His grace,
Long provoked Him to His face,
Would not hearken to His calls,
Grieved Him by a thousand falls.

There for me the Saviour stands,
Shows His wounds and spreads His hands,
God is love! I know, I feel;
Jesus weeps and loves me still.

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 In John 8:44 we read —

“You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

Our adversary is quite active today indeed! Since his beginning time on this earth he’s been producing his human agents to state lies, lies and more lies. In fact we know also from Scripture that this current world is his —

“Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” (Matt. 4:8-9)

As lies are his main method of control, it would be wise to see just what are some of the more important and timely lies he has his servants promoting right now, and what will the Lord do about it very soon.

1 — The Covid 19 and Delta Viruses are a powerful pandemic

As one does their due diligence, they discover that this so called deadly virus is in reality not as deadly as the main stream narrative wants us to believe. It is truly a “PSYOP” operation for Globalist control.

https://www.brighteon.com/2cb95f1a-0e44-41ce-9cc6-d59e5d5c8fbd

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5wn1qs_bBk


https://banned.video/watch?id=60837502039f9407f49565d8

2 — The “Vaccines” are safe

The massive reports of worldwide negatvie reactions is indeed alarming! Of course the Globalist run mass media is hiding all this from the public. The below videos are just a small sliver of information exposing this “experimental gene therapy” injection and what it is really doing.

https://www.brighteon.com/e218fcab-b2ff-4e10-8b3b-d6fd5d5c69f1

https://www.brighteon.com/257797f0-06fa-4596-be69-af71bb3adc21

3 — Biden was legitimately elected President

This last week, the famous “Pillow man” Mike Lindell held a “Cyber Symposium” which was in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It attracted politicians, legislatures, news journalists, and most importantly certified computer experts. They exposed how the election was rigged by the machines being hooked up to the internet. Of course this was largely ignored by the main stream media. For those whom want to see much of what took place see the link below.

https://home.frankspeech.com/

4 — The Globalist hierarchy will soon rule the world in the form of a new world order

This long held heathen belief is widely known the world over. George Orwell’s “1984” book predicted a world run by financial elites and freedom drastically curtailed. But this is an idea from those who don’t know the Almighty King’s plans– their very maker who knows all things!

Right now the Globalists (led by the Biblical name –King of the North –Daniel chap. 11) have a bounce in their step. They have pulled off two very big schemes against humanity – creating a fake pandemic and stealing the USA presidential election. Yet they are sorely to be disappointed and denied their goals, because once the gigantic war in the middle east happens (Zech. 14:1-9) Satan will then switch horses as they say and mount the 666 man and the false prophet. The great controversy begins with the Lord’s battle ax, the 144,000, vs. the 666 man/beast and the false prophet.

We did a few posts dealing with what the King of the Universe will soon do in the very last days.

https://godsloveandlaw.com/2021/02/27/new-world-order-collapse/


https://godsloveandlaw.com/2021/03/13/another-look-at-the-king-of-the-north/


In clsoing brethren, all signs point to the startling evidence that we are at the steps of BIG events, life changing events. The ol “normal” way of doing things is soon to be up ended. If you are a heathen, or a non believer of prophecy, you will be just like the mass amount of puppets today, go along with anything the masters tell you to do. Then to their utter shock their end will be before them and their realization of what they could have had! NOW is our time to be ready.

“For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” ( 2 Cor. 6:2)

A PRAYER THOUGHT

   I shall read from The Mount of Blessing, page 166, beginning with the first paragraph.  This reading is based on the scripture, “Forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us.”

   M.B. p. 166 — “Jesus teaches that we can receive forgiveness from God only as we forgive others.  It is the love of God that draws us unto Him, and that love cannot touch our hearts without creating love for our brethren.

   “After completing the Lord’s prayer, Jesus added: ‘If ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.  He who is unforgiving, cuts off the very channel through which alone he can receive mercy from God.  We should not think that unless those who have injured us confess the wrong, we are justified in withholding from them our forgiveness. 

It is their part, no doubt, to humble their hearts by repentance and confession; but we are to have a spirit of compassion toward those who have trespassed against us, whether or not they confess their faults.  However sorely they may have wounded us, we are not to cherish our grievances, and sympathize with ourselves over our injuries; but as we hope to be pardoned for our offenses against God, we are to pardon all who have done evil to us.”

   Now, what should be the burden of our prayer this afternoon? — That we might have love for our brethren; that we forgive the faults of others whether or not they forgive our faults, that we confess our sins, regardless what others might do.

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ISMS, AND THE REMEDY
TEXT OF ADDRESS BY V.T. HOUTEFF,MINISTER OF DAVIDIAN 7TH-DAY ADVENTISTS
SABBATH, NOVEMBER 9, 1946
MT. CARMEL CHAPEL
WACO, TEXAS

Let me introduce my subject by telling you a simple story.

   Once upon a time six brothers were building a bridge, supposedly to the god of Justice.  The purpose of the bridge was to unite the east with the west.

   They had no difficulty laying the foundations and setting the pillars.  But, lo, when they came to join the east wing with the west one, they found themselves confronted with a phenomenal obstacle: What they had built up during the day was torn down during the night.  This miracle continued day after day.  Finally the brothers sat down in a council meeting to discuss how they might solve their harrassing problem.  Feeling that to quit would be the greatest folly they could ever commit, that it would bring their names into disrepute, they studied and they prayed.

   At long last they concluded that the god of Justice was for some reason displeased with them and that a human sacrifice would appease him.  So it was that they resolved to sacrifice the best one of their wives.  This however, was not to be divulged to the women.  In order to make an impartial and acceptable selection, they further resolved that on the morrow each would instruct his wife to prepare the best possible

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breakfast and dinner, and to take the meals to him at the bridge as early as possible.  They were to explain to their wives that they must needs eat and pray at the bridgeside to the glory of the god of Justice, and for the success of their project.  The woman to arrive with the meals first was to be the victim.

   Five of the men, though, did not stick to their solemn oath.  Each of them straightway told their wives what was to be done, and that therefore they should not hurry to the bridge with the meals.

   In the morning, at the appointed time, the men were at the bridge site.  Shortly afterwards they saw in the distance someone coming to the bridge.  For a few moments no one knew for sure who it was, but soon the man who had kept his part of the agreement recognized it to be his wife.  He, of course, immediately burst into tears, and with groans he fell to the ground.  Seeing her husband’s strange behaviour, the wife dropped her basket of food and ran to the scene to learn what was the trouble. 

But while she was attempting to comfort her husband, the other five brothers seized her, carried her to a gap in the bridge, and there they cemented her alive.  Now, the brothers confidently expected the bridge to stay up, for they felt that they had done all they could to appease the god of Justice.

   Thus it was that while the five dishonest men that night returned home in happiness, the honest one returned to his home in grief.

   On the following morning, all the men hurried to the bridge, expecting to find it standing intact.  But to their surprise and consternation they found the whole bridge lying flat on the ground!

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Naturally, the incident was rumored throughout the city, and the judges of that city went to see what the great excitement was about.  As they listened to the builders argue and philosophize from cause to effect, they learned that the unfortunate woman was not sacrificed by fair chance, but by fraud!  Thus they judged that the whole disaster was due to the fact that unjust men were trying to build a bridge in the honor of a just god! 

The matter was brought to court and the judges finally decreed that Justice must be satisfied, else not only the bridge, but even their city might fall to the ground.  Accordingly, on that very day the five unjust men were executed, and the honest one was made mayor of the city.

   Christians have been building a bridge, so to speak, to the God of Justice for many years.  But they do not seem to be any more successful than were the six bridge-builders.  And for what reason? — For the very same reason the six builders were unsuccessful: Selfish men are engaged in the work, and though they see the need for a sacrifice, yet they somehow always manage to make others do the sacrificing.

   And you remember that though the building of the tower of Babel was counter to God’s will and His order, still all the while the builders worked harmoniously among themselves, their project prospered — their tower skyrocketed.   But when their language was confused and they could no longer understand one another, then the progress of the tower stopped.  And to show them that He was displeased with their project and that He was the One Who had confounded their language, God blasted the tower so that it crumbled to the ground.  That which happened to the bridge happened also to the tower.

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Christians are working at cross-purposes among themselves.  One Christian brother is betraying another.  Christian ministers, rather than preaching the Truth, are preaching against one another.  One goes ahead to build up, and another trails behind to tear down.  They do not see eye to eye; nor do they understand one another even as much as did the confused tower-builders.

   Just so long as such selfishness and dishonesty, confusion and animosity, exist among Christians, their bridge and their tower, so to speak, will come to naught as certainly as did the bridge of the six covenant-breakers and as did the tower of the prophet Noah’s mockers.  There is no way of stopping ism trouble without removing the cause — no, no more than a splinter wound can heal before the splinter has been removed.

   You are familiar with the fact that there was no ism trouble in Moses’ day as long as Moses alone interpreted the Word of God to the people.  But just as soon as Korah, Dathan, Abiram and others aspired to Moses’ office ism trouble started.  And the only remedy that even God Himself could find was to cause the earth to open her mouth and to swallow the ism-breathing multitude, the self-appointed representatives of God.

   In our day there is an even greater flood of private interpreters of the Scriptures (the cause of today’s isms) than there was in Moses’ day.  And according to Revelation 12:15, 16, the Lord warns that He will again use a remedy similar to the ancient remedy against today’s ism-breeding flood.  Then some may learn to respect the office of the Spirit of Prophecy.  Let us now read of the fate of

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those who chose to continue walking in sparks of their own kindling.

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

   Here we see that a similar remedy which caused isms to cease in Moses’ day, is again to be used to cause isms to cease in our day, the only means by which harmony can be restored among fellow-members in the church itself, as well as among Christians in general.

2 Tim. 3:16, 17 — “All scripture is given by Inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

2 Pet. 1:20, 21 — “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 Ghost.”

   Affirmatively stated, all Scripture, not merely a part of It, is inspired.  Negatively stated, none of It is privately interpreted, for the reason that It did not come of men but of God; that is, as the Spirit of God dictated to men the Scriptures, so the Spirit of God must interpret the Scriptures to men, that no man privately (without Inspiration) is capable of disclosing the sealed prophecies or interpreting any part of them or even capable of understanding their importance after they are interpreted except it be by the gift of the Spirit of Truth “None of the wicked,” therefore,

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“shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” Dan. 12:10.

   We should now be convinced that as long as this Divine command and principle of interpreting God’s Word is overlooked and abused, and as long as selfishness and bigotry exist among Christians in general and among Bible students in particular, isms will continue to increase, and the strength of the people will continue to be wasted just as was the strength of both the builders of the bridge and the builders of the tower.  Yes, just as certainly as night follows day, just that certain will their efforts come to naught, and their shame be uncovered.

   That we cannot be led into all Truth without the gift of the Spirit of Prophecy, Inspiration symbolically forewarns through the prophet Zechariah.  Let us turn to Zechariah 4, and begin with the first verse.

Zech. 4:1-4 — “And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep, and said unto me, What seest thou?  And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and has seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: and two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.  So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my Lord?”

   The illustration here exhibited, you note, is an exact reproduction of Zechariah’s symbolism.  In order that our study be simplified and vivid, we shall study the chapter along with the illustration.

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Now let us hear the angel’s explanation of this symbolism.

Zech. 4:5, 6 — “Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be?  And I said, No, my Lord.  Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the Word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.”

   The angel disclosed two things: First he made known that the symbolism is concerning the Word of the Lord (the Bible) to the servants of God; second, that His Word is revealed, not by man’s might nor by power, but by the Spirit of God.

   Plainly this symbolism as a whole represents the system by which the Lord transmits His revealed Word to His people.  That we might have a thorough understanding of this Divinely designed system, we need to know what each component part of the illustration stands for.  The Spirit of Prophecy gives the clue.

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In The Great Controversy, page 267 is explained that the “olive trees” represent the “Old and New Testaments;” Testimonies to Ministers, page 188, says that the golden oil represents the Holy Spirit; and on page 337 of the same book, along with Revelation 1:20, says that the seven lamps represent the church, and that the seven tubes (the ministry) convey the oil to the churches.

   Now study the illustration itself as you would study any cartoon.  First of all, the trees represent the Word of God (the Bible — both Old and New Testaments — two trees).

   Here is seen that the whole symbolical set up is for the purpose of depicting the accomplishment of but one thing — of keeping the seven lamps (the entire church membership) supplied with spiritual oil (Bible Truth) so that it might give spiritual light all round about, that the church might lighten the world with the revealed Word of God.  And since the ministry’s duty is to feed the church with spiritual food, the fact is that the seven tubes represent the ministry at work, taking the oil (revealed Truth) from the bowl to the seven lamps, the churches. 

Now the truth that in the illustration the tubes (the ministers) do not take the oil directly from the olive trees (the Bible), it positively indicates that the bowl in which the oil is deposited represents the container or the store in which the compilations of Inspired Bible interpretations are stored, and that from it, not from the olive trees, the ministers help themselves with oil and carry it to the seven lamps (to the church).

   The two golden pipes, therefore, can be only a representation of the inspired channels which are capable to extract the oil (light of Truth) from the

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trees (from both Testaments) and store it in the bowl (books) for the tubes (ministers) to convey it to the candlestick (to the churches).

   The symbolism, therefore, points out the system which Heaven has ordained for dispensing the Word of the Lord to His church: that the Spirit of Prophecy at work is the only remedy against isms in the church and in the world.

   Those who do not avail themselves of the golden oil, and those who continue ever to hunt for some kind of oil, or whoever try to extract their own, will, of course, drop into the pit when the earth opens her mouth to swallow up the flood.  Then it is that ism-breathers and ism-seekers shall forever pass away.

Zech. 4:8, 9 — “Moreover the Word of the Lord came unto me, saying, The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto you.”

   These scriptures positively imply that there are doubts in the minds of some as to whether antitypical Zerubbabel, or some other shall finish the work which Zerubbabel has started.  Whom does Zerubbabel represent? —

   The Word of God explains that ancient Zerubbabel is a signet, type, at the time God overthrows the thrones of the kingdoms, at the time their armies are destroyed by one “brother” Christians’s sword cutting down another brother Christian.  (Haggai 2:22, 23).  Zerubbabel, therefore, represents God’s servant at a time the crowned kings, “throne of kingdoms,” are overthrown, and in which time one Christian nation

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is at war with another Christian nation.  Since the crowned kingdoms are fast passing away, and other forms of governments are taking their places, all proves that antitypical Zerubbabel’s appearance is now due.  And the Lord’s own answer is “the hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it.”

Zech. 4:10 — “For who hath despised the day of small things?  for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth.”

   The day this scripture is fulfilled, is the day in which the Lord of hosts starts a reformatory work in an apparently very small and insignificant way, and those who despise small and insignificant beginnings will at last rejoice and shall see that antitypical Zerubbabel is the one to direct the work along with all (seven) his helpers.  They are the eyes of the Lord.  What a momentous day!  What a great people!  Evidently they constitute the “stone” of Zechariah Three which we studied several weeks ago, and learned that it has seven eyes, complete spiritual vision.  Obviously this is the stone that smites the great image of Dan. 2:45.

Zech. 4:11, 12 — “Then answered I, and said unto Him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?  And I answered again, and said unto Him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?”

   All these taking place at this particular time, and the prophecies now unfolded, prove that antitypical Zerubbabel must now be here, and that as he has

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started the work, he also must finish it.  The fact that Inspiration takes the pains to tell who is to finish the work in itself is proof that there must be active usurpers of his office as there were of Moses’ office.

Zech. 4:13, 14 — “And He answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be?  And I said, No, my Lord.  Then said He, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.”

   From the angel’s information it is now clearly seen that the symbolism depicts the system of interpreting the written Word of God, and of transmitting It to the church.  The time of which is in the New Testament era, when both trees are in existence.

   Let us now summarize the lesson by the aid of the illustration.  Here we see a candlestick (a church) all of gold, the finest of all candlesticks (no “tares” in it).  It constitutes the remnant (those that are left after the sinners are done away with) which indeed keep the commandments of God, and have the Testimony of Jesus Christ, the Spirit of Prophecy (Rev. 12:17; 19:10).  This fine candlestick is fully trimmed and burning.  The two golden pipes (God’s inspired interpreters) store the golden oil in the golden bowl (Spirit of Prophecy publications).  And the seven tubes (the entire ministry) convey from the golden bowl the golden oil to the seven golden lamps (to the entire laity).

   Under this perfect system of preparing, and dispensing the Word of God, “meat in due season,” to His people, there need be no fear that the reservoir will run dry, or that the lamps will grow dim.  This is the only system, moreover, that can make the church perfect, without spot, wrinkle, or any such thing — a people without guile in their mouths, all seeing eye to eye,

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all saying the same thing.  Truly “a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like.” Joel 2:2.   This beyond doubt is the mighty power that lightens the earth, it is the Loud Cry.  Indeed this symbolism reveals the church at the time she is endowed with the Spirit of Prophecy and with the righteousness of Christ.

   Obviously, the system of Bible interpretation, described by Zechariah, is the Lord’s only system.  It is the only remedy for isms and discord among Christians.  Thus it is that His “watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion.” Isa. 52:8.

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