Archive for the ‘Delusion’ Category

Newer Entries »

Who was Florence Houteff?

August 16, 2014

Flo. Houteff

As many of you are aware we have written extensively on Victor T. Houteff, who we as believers in the Lord’s Elijah message, believe was the “Elijah” to come as prophesied in Malachi 4:5. But how about his wife? Who was she and what happened to her after VTH’s death in 1955?

History reveals that she took on an important role in the events that played out after brother Houteff’s death. Unfortunately most of it was not in accordance with the will of the founder  of the Lord’s end time  message of the Rod. Let us now look at the historical events that took place that shaped the message in ways that was foreseen by the prophet himself.

Florence Houteff was a young woman of  18 when she and Victor Houteff married in Waco, Texas. Brother Houteff was 50. This was a marriage sanctioned by Florence’s mother. As can be seen the age difference was wide and Victor had to address some who looked at it as outside the norm.

In one of the questions he received in the “Symbolic Code” he was asked to address this. He responded in part-

“As to the matter of age, the following Biblical marriages represent a great disparity of years: Abraham, the father of the faithful, certainly took to himself a wife much younger than himself, for when he married the second time, he must have been over 140 years of age, as he was a hundred years old when Isaac was born (Gen. 21:5), and Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebeccah (Gen. 25:20), at which time Sarah, Abraham’s first wife was yet living (Gen. 24:67), and Keturah, his second wife, was evidently somewhere under forty years of age, for she bare him six sons (Gen. 25:1, 2), which facts present a difference of at least a hundred years between the ages of Abraham and his second wife.

Again, the Lord chose for His lineage, Boaz (a Jew), and old man, and Ruth (a Moabitess), a young woman (Ruth 3:10)–a union contrary to the principles held by Brother Houteff’s critics… Brother Houteff’s critics seem utterly to forget that he has a tremendous work, and that he does not need a wife able only to make a home for him, but rather one most able to assist him in his work.  Hence, an aged woman, or one without experience in the work, would be to him a hindrance rather than a help.  Therefore, God has provided for him a “helpmeet” that will really help him, as he cannot successfully carry on the work while single.” (Sym. Code, vol. 3, no. 5-6, p.7-8)

So the truth is that brother Houteff had met Florence and found a true “helpmeet”. One who could help him in his important work of writing and spreading the message of Elijah. She was known to take short-hand on his many sermon addresses, called “Timely Greetings”. She obviously helped him in many ways. His work was indeed voluminous and she provided excellent secretarial skills along with her domestic chores.

So through out their approximately 20 years of marriage she exhibited a noteworthy impression as a devoted helper and wife of VTH. I have spoken to one of the original living members of the Mt. Carmel camp, Mrs. Bonnie Smith. She reported that Florence was quite a popular figure on the camp and her and brother Houteff made a great team.

But as we continue our story, we can only conclude that something unbeknownst to human eyes was at work. All was not as meet the eye. It can be similar to the story of Judas. While Christ was alive and doing His great work upon the earth, Judas was right there among the chosen. The masses (possibly even including the apostles) no doubt thought that Judas was a real believer, a real team player. Until the end time events came.

Victor died on Feb. 5, 1955. This was truly a sad event for those who had come to know him. He had some heart trouble and towards the end of his life he had some health challenges. Nevertheless, the faithful mourned the loss of the man who had provided brilliant light from the Lord. Prophecies that had been hidden for centuries became clear as crystal through his writings and Florence Houteff was right there helping.

But the first bit of evidence that something was seriously amiss is the very next day’s events, after his death.

Florence called an executive council meeting to discuss business! The body was not even cold yet and she wants to discuss business. Among other things she requested the council make a resolution that she be provided for her welfare for the rest of her life.( Source- Wikipedia article reference no.91 “Davidian Seventh-day Adventists”.)

She also requested that she be made vice president, effectively making her the person in charge of the whole organization.

So we can see the first seeds of trouble. But Victor had been given the warning from the Lord because he said the following years before.

“Everything that can be done against God’s message of today will be done with even a greater vengeance than was manifest against Heaven’s message in the days of Christ’s first advent, for the Devil knows that if he loses now, he loses forever — that he is to have no other chance. Unparalleled, therefore, is the urgency that every eleventh-hour church member now quickly and solidly brace himself against the Enemy’s effort to deliver a knockout blow. We must be alert, too, to realize that the blow is to come from surprisingly unsuspected foes — from professed friends of the gospel, who are no less pious than were priests in Christ’s day.” (White House Recruiter, p.33)

Despite protests from some on the council, she managed to get her way. The movement was quickly and surprisingly under “new management”. But who really was behind this management? As events unfold further, there can be no doubt as to who.

A few weeks ago I was surfing YouTube, as I do occasionally. I found a video entitled, “The Shepherd’s Rod EXPOSED by their own references”. As one who is well versed in the Lord’s Elijah message I was naturally curious what this guy had to say. As I listened my mouth became wider and wider in dis-belief. Hence the reason and need for this post.

You see, Satan has not changed his game plan since the beginning. His very first work of deception was bearing “false witness” against God and His truth. God said “don’t eat” and Satan  said “no He didn’t say that”. The same applies today and especially in regards to the last message, which he very well knows, once successful in securing the 144,000 true servants of God, it’s the beginning of the end for him.

So he get’s his own servants, those who bear false witness, to dispute and malign the Lord’s message. To spread falsehood and hopefully hood wink those who lean on flesh, who make men their arm.

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

So how does this all connect to Florence Houteff?  Because she and her council made the well-known false prediction that brought scorn and wide-spread doubt to the message and it’s effects are seen even to this day. Thus many today are spreading her false prediction  as “proof” that the message was false. They pawn it off on brother Houteff and the Shepherd’s Rod teachings.

In the video, the guy repeats the Satan lie that in 1959 the Shepherd’s Rod message from Victor Houteff predicted that Ezekiel 9 church judgment would take place around the world. That the warning called on all SDA members to save their lives and come to Mt. Carmel, Waco Texas, in April of 1959. To sell everything and get ready for the trip to Israel for the setting up of the pre-millennial kingdom. Many did do this (some say over 1000).

The truth of this matter is that Florence Houteff and her gang (her cronies on the council) set that date of April 1959 as the date of Ezekiel 9 to take place in the SDA churches around the world. But she claimed it was her husband’s interpretation that pointed to that time. The fact is that no where in all of Victor’s writings is found any prophetic prediction of Ezekiel 9 and its fulfillment date. (Good history of this is found in Don Adair’s –“A Davidian Testimony” chapters 19-21).

As we have often mentioned Satan and his devils are fighting for their life. And the best way to survive and delay their time is to tear down God’s message and even it’s messengers. As another example, the guy in this video starts going into how David Koresh was a latter-day follower of the movement started by VTH. If one knows the truth, this is such a blatant deception , it can only be called Satanic.

The 9th Commandment says, “Thou shalt not bear false witness against they neighbor.”(Exodus 20:16)

Bearing false witness is serious before the Lord. In times past God did indeed “wink” at certain things, but since His own Son’s blood was shed, it’s all for real now.

And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.”(Acts 17:31)

Florence Houteff and her council found out on that fateful day after their false prediction that the Lord had not spoken to them. So did over 1000 people around the world who had convened on Mt. Carmel in Texas that April day in 1959.  But Satan was pleased. A big blunder had occurred that would serve as the “knock-out blow” that the prophet had predicted a few years before. Today this foul trick has hoodwinked many souls and accomplished its goal to throw many people off His last message of Elijah. The guy’s video is just one example of it.

So unfortunately after the disaster, Florence Houteff continued to make further blunders. Soon she and her council decided that, contrary to the prophet’s clear instructions, they would take the Elijah message to the world. Ignoring the fact, that the message taught that the Lord’s church was to receive this message first and foremost. The church, not the world,  is about to be “spued out” and must prepare. The anti-type was to meet type. Elijah went to his people and not the world, so anti-type Elijah message must do the same.

Then after one dis-jointed plan after another she finally exposed her true colors and announced she was quitting the movement. The camp closed down in 1962. Although the faithful regrouped and headed to California.  Seven years of blunders had run their course.

As can be expected, Florence Houteff later renounced her husband’s message and even Ellen White! Is it no wonder? Wouldn’t we also want to run and hide if the church community knew we had made false prophetic predictions?

As a amazing side note, Florence later remarried a man whose last name was Eakin. So she became known as Florence Eakin. Pronounced  the same as Achan  (the thief) of the solemn Bible story in Joshua (Chapter 7). Was this divine happenstance?

As we mentioned previously, just as Judas was led to fall from grace, it appears the Florence Houteff story is a similar case. Sad endings indeed!

The Scriptures say “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be  ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear..” (1 Peter 3:15)

In closing, let us learn and understand the truth behind some of the false lies spread by the haters of Truth. We can be ready to answer the charge of Victor Houteff making false predictions, when in fact they lay at the feet of Florence Houteff.

And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household ( Matt. 10:36)

(For a specific report detailing some of the committee minutes and decisions made by Florence Houteff and her council after the passing of VTH, see this link (reference 91 and 92) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davidian_Seventh-day_Adventist

Posted in Davidian Seventh Day Adventists, Delusion, Victor T. Houteff | 4 Comments »

Holy Spirit under Attack

March 15, 2014

Holy Spirit

In Luke 3:22, we read, “..and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.”

We are well familiar with this passage. Here we see that the Holy Spirit came in the form of a dove. But who really is the Holy Spirit? Does it have a gender? Or is it a kind of floating energy at the beck and call of God and His Son? Kind of like airwaves?We can’t see them but they exist and pickup/transmit information through great distances from the sender and receiver.

Most of Christian world, although amiss in much understanding of the true doctrine of Christ, do believe in the almighty Godhead. However there is a growing body of “believers”, claiming to be Seventh Day Adventists, or even Davidian SDA, who deny that there exists an actual “person” in the form of the Holy Spirit. They see “it” as a general God force instead. Some far-out sects even call the Holy Spirit a female being!

With this very important Biblical subject under attack, we thought it would be good to try to get to the “Thus saith the Lord” as spoken from His mouthpieces–the prophets. And amazingly when we take a clear and straight forward look at the evidence of the Holy Spirit, we cannot escape the solid conclusion.

I say amazingly because when something is so clear and plain yet people ignorantly close their eyes to the obvious, then we can be sure that the “Spirit of Truth” is not in them and they are indeed heading for disaster. To deny God’s word means to deny Him.

Recently I was informed by a so-called “Davidian brother” that I should take a serious look at the Holy Spirit and it’s “real” purpose and existence from a ‘Biblical” viewpoint. Right away giant red flags went up. Here was what I thought,  a brother in the faith,  who was basically telling me that I needed to re-learn who the Holy Spirit really was and if I didn’t come to a clear understanding of this, I would be in serious condition spiritually.

In other words he was trying to tell me that there exist only TWO supreme beings, the Father and the Son.

It would bad enough to hear this from a protestant( who generally has giant holes in their beliefs anyway), yet from a so-called Davidian, the highest light bearers in the world (most present truth known), this was really too much to take. And I did not mince words in my rebuttals. Not soft little words that would only slide off him like water off a ducks back.

Last week we posted about righteous discernment. This is a perfect example of using this discernment to warn and even admonish such disastrous and wayward thinking.

What I said , and this should be a main consideration to anyone presenting a belief that is divergent from our standard beliefs, is “Ok if you want to enter this study, please show me from the “restorer of all things”, the Elijah prophet where he said that our SDA understanding of the Trinity is incorrect.” In other words I highly doubted his conclusions and put the “proof” onto him.

Well after several run- around side tracking emails, he could not and did not provide any Elijah quotes. I let him know  that basically he was kidding himself if he thought he was a Davidian. Further I countered with solid evidence to the contrary of what he was trying to teach. Specifically that The Holy Spirit was not actually a person.

Let us look at some evidence from His inspired writings on the matter.

Before we do, we should read applicable counsel from the Spirit of Prophecy. “The language of the Bible should be explained according to it’s obvious meaning, unless a symbol or figure is employed.” (Great Controversy, p.598).

Obviously this applies as well to His inspired writings brought by Ellen White and Victor Houteff. Brother Houteff added further counsel in this regard, “Hold not to what fabricated ideas seem to make Scripture say, but grip tenaciously to what the Word, in simplicity , plainly says.” (Tract no.10, p.13)

“We need to realize that the Holy Spirit, who is as much a person as God is a person, is walking through these grounds. — Manuscript 66, 1899. (From a talk to the students at the Avondale School.) {Ev 616.5} The Holy Spirit is a person, for He beareth witness with our spirits that we are the children of God. When this witness is borne, it carries with it its own evidence. At such times we believe and are sure that we are the children of God. .. . . {Ev 616.6} 

The Holy Spirit has a personality, else He could not bear witness to our spirits and with our spirits that we are the children of God. He must also be a divine person, else He could not search out the secrets which lie hidden in the mind of God. “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.”–Manuscript 20, 1906. {Ev 617.1}

“Sin could be resisted and overcome only through the mighty agency of the Third Person of the Godhead, who would come with no modified energy, but in the fullness of divine power. It is the Spirit that makes effectual what has been wrought out by the world’s Redeemer. It is by the Spirit that the heart is made pure. Through the Spirit the believer becomes a partaker of the divine nature.” (Desire of Ages, p.671)

The above words are beyond obvious.  Do we not see that the prophetess says that a)the Holy Spirit is a person as God is a person b) has a personality. Does a “force” or an “energy” have a personality? If it does it can no longer be a force or energy but a being.

Additionally we know that the Holy Spirit has feelings. “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30)

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}

 What part of “silence is golden” do the anti- truth tale bearers not understand? They promote their false ideas that say “we need to re-think our Trinity understanding” . “We got this from the Catholic Church”, etc. etc. Unless Ellen White was a secret member of the Catholic church, they are really groping and reaching for straws on this issue.

You see this is what Satan and his angels do to the unsuspecting (non grounded)–they twist and side-step the straight word. That was Satan’s first deceptive practice – “Surely you shall not die..”(Gen. 3:4). God plainly  said “You shall surely die.”(Gen 2:17).

So who is it that leads men to say “The Holy Spirit is not a person”? You guessed it! There is nothing new under the sun(Ecc. 1:9). SOP says “Holy Spirit is a person” Devil says, “Holy Spirit is not a person.” This really is not complicated when we understand from whom these falsehoods come from. Just follow history my brethren.

SOP makes mention of praying with the Holy Spirit —

“We must not only pray in Christ’s name, but by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. This explains what is meant when it is said that the Spirit ‘maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.’ Such prayer God delights to answer. When with earnestness and intensity we breathe a prayer in the name of Christ, there is in that very intensity a pledge from God that He is about to answer our prayer ‘exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.”--Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 146.

We also must as brother Houteff said “grip tenaciously to what the Word, in simplicity, plainly says.” 

The Elijah prophet further confirmed that we are to believe in the Trinity as understood in our Seventh Day Adventist faith in his writings (Fundamental Beliefs and Directory, p.3-11) . Here is the exact wording of our original SDA faith and understanding of the Holy Spirit and Trinity.

Fundamental belief no.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.

Brother Houteff was asked the following question in the Symbolic news codes.

Question 214:

Why are not the given names of the Trinity used in baptizing?

Answer:

As the Scriptures give several names for the Father and for the Son (and none for the Holy Ghost), and as we are not told which of these to use in baptizing, we must, therefore, take Him at His word and baptize in just the way He commands: “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”  Matt. 28:19.  Moreover the names given in the Scriptures are not absolute names, but rather titles–equivalent to the names Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Still further, even if the absolute names of the Trinity were known, their use would lead to irreverent address.  For example, suppose the Father’s name is George; the Son’s, Thomas; and the Holy Ghost’s, William.  Could any God-fearing human being even dare think of its being reverent to say, I now baptize you in the name of George, Thomas, and William!  Let us therefore comply with the Lord’s command: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of be Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”  Matt. 28:19. (For further light on this subject, study our Tract No. 11.) (Vol. 7   Symbolic Code   Nos. 1-6. page 13.)

Now that we see that the Holy Spirit is a person, a being, let’s look at Scripture that further identifies other characteristics of  “Him”.

Holy Spirit is a helper and teacher

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:26)

Holy Spirit is God’s precious gift

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38)

Holy Spirit is our Comforter and companion for ever

..do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? (1 Cor.6:19)

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.. (John 14:16)

Holy Spirit is a power enabler

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witness in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.(Acts 1:18)

Holy Spirit is a discernment enabler

Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment ; concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. (John 16:7-15)

Holy Spirit is miracle enabler

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:4)

Holy Spirit is a witness for us

And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him. (Acts 5:32)

Holy Spirit is a faithful servant of God, truth giver and prophesier 

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth, for he will not speak on his own authority , but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

Holy Spirit is a joy giver

And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit.. (1 Thes. 1:6)

Holy Spirit is a communicator

The Holy Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and walk along beside the carriage.”(Acts 8:29)

While Peter was reflecting on the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you.” (Acts 10:19)

That is why the Holy Spirit says, “Today when you hear his voice,don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled, when they tested me in the wilderness…” (Hebrews 3:7-8)

Holy Spirit is a truth detector

Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself..” (Acts 5:3)

In closing, those who deny the “person” of the Holy Spirit must come clean. They should immediately renounce their Seventh Day Adventist membership and/or their Davidian SDA affiliation. With such powerful evidence as presented from the three divine sources, Scripture, SOP, and the Elijah message, there is no doubt that the Holy Spirit  is a real being, and part of the almighty Godhead.

Holy Spirit is a leader

The experience of apostolic days will come to us when we wholeheartedly accept God’s principle of benevolence–consent in all things to obey the leadings of His Holy Spirit.(Testimonies, vol.7, p.146)

 

Posted in Delusion, Holy Spirit, Proper teachings, The Spirit of truth | 3 Comments »

Jesus sits down with the Pharisees

July 20, 2013

Can we imagine the absurdity of Jesus sitting down with the Pharisees for a discussion?  Yet, unbelievably some of us who profess the Lord’s present truth for our day, are doing just that, if not in person, then in communications. We should remember the life of our Instructor, how He dealt with the Pharisees. His way with them was direct and often forceful, the word “hypocrite” was His frequent word for them. He used it along with other words such as ” Whited sepulcher”, beautiful on the outside, yet full of dead bones and unclean within (Matt.23:27). In short, we find that our Lord had no use of proud, self satisfied men who set their stakes so deep with their erroneous  forms  of  teaching, religion and doctrines.

For example the Pharisees  were satisfied in their knowledge of Scripture, they were secure that the Messiah would come as a conquering King, as they read Scripture and mis-applied the prophecies. But our Lord came in a way they  were not looking for. Hence they set deep their stakes against Christ as an impostor and that situation stopped Him from reaching out.  Let us look at how we can learn by understanding our dealings with Pharisees in our midst.

In explaining the mindset of the Jews ( taught of the Pharisees) brother Houteff explains,  “The Jews, according to their own way of reasoning, were honest, though blind, in concluding that they had no need of prophets, because as they saw it, Moses’ writings were complete, there was nothing lacking in them: They contained both the civil and religious laws.  They, therefore, saw no need for greater light and no need of another prophet.  Through their unbelief in the prophets, they failed to see that their kingdom was only a type of a greater one to come, they failed to see that God’s Truth is progressive and ever unfolding, that each generation has to have added Truth especially adapted to meet their particular needs.  Their blindness to this was their basic sin that led them on to ruin” (Timely Greetings sermon, Vol.1, no.14, p.4).

As those of us who are actively working in His “vineyard” know, we come in contact with many brethren on a regular basis. As such it is only expected that we will deal with those who have exalted themselves in their own eyes, unable to listen with an open heart and mind.

Brother Houteff explains, “..when the disciples asked Jesus: “Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?”  So-called Christians, like the Pharisees, become offended when told of their errors, and rebuked for their sins.  “But He answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.  Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind.  And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” (Matt. 15:12-14.) (Shepherd’s Rod, vol.1, p.123)

Notice the telling instruction from the Lord–“Let them alone”. Obviously no time was to be expended on such people.  This reminds us of the  proverb, “Do not answer a fool according to his folly lest you be like him (Proverbs 26:4).  Their real trap  is to get you off your straight and clear path, into a side path, a path that has so many twists and turns that if you follow it, it will be sure to make shipwreck of your faith. Once they have you sidetracked, your time is thus wasted, your objectives undone.

The Elijah message tells us who really is behind this time wasting, “…Satan’s supreme effort at this hour must be to cause the time to be wasted and the work to go undone.” (Answerer book, Vol. 1, question no.4) So we see that the real objective  from Satan and his devils is to get us to waste our time.

Recently  I have seen an obvious trap, yet because it’s exists among some so-called Elijah messengers, it appears not all understand this trap and are actively falling into it. It makes sense since , as we’ve shown in our prior studies,  Satanic warfare is right in the middle of those who step up to the plate to proclaim the Elijah message. But even in this arena are those implants from Satan, those who are attempting to lead the flock away from Truth and into error. The spiritual war for the all time is over this last message from the Lord.

Ellen White describes this time of church warnings  in which Satan exposes his objectives.

“I will have upon the ground, as my agents, men holding false doctrines mingled with just enough truth to deceive souls. I will also have unbelieving ones present who will express doubts in regard to the Lord’s messages of warning to His church. Should the people read and believe these admonitions, we could have little hope of overcoming them. But if we can divert their attention from these warnings, they will remain ignorant of our power and cunning, and we shall secure them in our ranks at last. God will not permit His words to be slighted with impunity. If we can keep souls deceived for a time, God’s mercy will be withdrawn, and He will give them up to our full control.

“We must cause distraction and division. We must destroy their anxiety for their own souls, and lead them to criticize, to judge, and to accuse and condemn one another, and to cherish selfishness and enmity. For these sins, God banished us from His presence; and all who follow our example will meet a similar fate.” (Test. to Ministers, P.475)

This last paragraph is particularly apparent today. His “agents” are within the SDA, including “Davidians”. As we know the only ones within our church declaring the Elijah message today are the Davidian Seventh Day Adventists, so obviously his agents are represented there as well. As this message prepares God “servants” to go out to the world in full power and spirit of the Lord, Satan and his angels are the most active in this arena, to thwart and delay the process. Obviously they will lose but that doesn’t stop them from using agents such as Pharisees to disrupt any progress made.

The reason for this post is that we want to expose some cunning deceptions occurring within our ranks, particularly among the DSDA. And once we are aware of them we can steer clear just like our Lord did. He never sat down with them and engaged their arguments. Time wasting, as brother Houteff mentioned is Satan’s goal right now and we should steer clear of this path.

One of the biggest snares existing among those who profess the Elijah message is the adding to or subtracting from the original message of Elijah (Victor T. Houteff). As I continue to develop a broader understanding of this message and all that it bears, I see these traps, allow me to explain some examples.

The first example we can look back to the illustrated story of Moses and the men of Korah. In the book of Numbers, chapter 16, we read of the story of  insubordination. Korah and his followers had just witnessed the act of execution of the man who broke the Sabbath, a decree  issued by Moses, through directions from the Lord. But this act apparently had triggered fear among them and led them to murmur against God’s chosen leader–his prophet. We read in (16:3) “..and they rose up before Moses and Aaron, and said to them, “You take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?” So when Moses heard it, he fell on his face.”

We know the end result was that Moses was exonerated and the pretenders were destroyed. But what lessons can we draw from it? There are several. Korah and his leading men in effect were saying to God’s chosen prophet, “We are also His leaders, for we speak to the Lord just like you, we can bypass you and be led of God and not necessarily by you.”  Wow! No wonder Moses threw himself down on the ground in an act of distraught unbelief! In that instance Moses had calculated just what their words were really saying, and he knew God would have to do something about it. God did and it wasn’t pretty as we well know.

We can learn from this how God deals with any who deny the chosen of God, the one by whom God desires to speak. They are in effect denying the Lord! Much as a King would  send his messenger to one of the underlings and they would disparage and deny what the message said to do, effectively denying their King.

Speaking of the coming Elijah, brother Houteff said, “The promise, itself, moreover, is for only one , not for more, and with but one exception, we know not of any other time when God employed even two prophets (let alone many) at one time, to convey one message to one people. He invariably called one, and that one himself, under direction of the Spirit, employed others to help him take the message to the people. Thus only were any others ever identified with a called one.” (General Conference Special, p.32)

So how does this all pertain to today?  Because there are some within the DSDA who deny that brother Houteff was the last prophet to come, they say the Elijah prophet wasn’t the final one. This is to some of us who know the message and what it says, making us just like Moses and wanting to throw ourselves down and cry out to the Lord. So just like Korah and the men of “renown”, these upstarts who effectively deny the Lord and what He has said through His end time prophet, take into their own hands, potential disaster just as Korah and his followers met.

But even more sad is the fact that some are believing these false leaders and following them in their doctrines of “other prophets” coming to our SDA church. There are several groups around the world that have a current “prophet” as their leader. Yet, strangely all of them agree that Victor T. Houteff was a prophet of God (?). As we said, Satan will use all kinds of tricks to mislead God’s remnant people.

We’d like to show two examples, one of the DSDA and one of the SDA, of how deception comes into the work of God.

Concerning the DSDA, the idea of others to come after brother Houteff started way back in 1955, with a upstart named Ben Roden(Founder of the Branch Davidians). He had learned under brother Houteff  and after VTH’s death he soon announced that “he” had a prophetic message to the remnant. His well-known “Seven Letters to Florence Houteff” sent in 1955, contains amazing statements, such as– “Now it is plain to see that Ellen G. White and Victor T. Houteff were indeed prophets of God and were, truly, writing under the influence of the Spirit of Prophecy.”  Yet despite this admission he would go on to point out mistakes, errors and omissions he found in their writings. He was setting them up to believe that “he” could uncover error and show the correct understandings and provide more light needed for the people. In other words–he was the succeeding prophet.

He clearly implied that he was the prophet to succeed VTH in his writings, as well as existing living witnesses. He even went so far as to imply that as a prophet,  unlike VTH, he would never die. He died in 1977. This was the first real distraction and division to hit the Davidians after brother Houteff’s death. Today, his movement is known as “Branch Davidian Seventh Day Adventists.” They have many different beliefs apart from brother Houteff’s original teachings. Such as the necessity to keep all the feast days. To have rigid daily set hours to pray to the Lord. That the Holy Spirit is a feminine entity among others. Satan was hovering and when the brother Houteff died, he went right to work!

According to one of the last surviving members of the original MT. Carmel camp, sister Bonnie Smith said that brother Houteff was leery of  Ben Roden. She said that he would appear at their gatherings to try to plant seeds of his own ideas in regards to the message. Obviously he was working his future agenda.

( A quick historical note– David Karesh’s group (infamous Waco siege) wasn’t an actual Branch Davidian orgainization. His was an off shoot of the BDSDA and apparently stole the name for his group according to leading members of the BDSDA.)

But how must we deal with these types of DSDA who promote their interpretations, doctrines and agendas? Just as our Lord did in dealing with the Pharisees–don’t interact with them. Let them alone. One underlying common denominator among them is that they spend almost all of their time trying to convince ‘Davidians” about how they are prophets of God and to follow their teachings. Instead of  what the Elijah message teaches– go to work within the SDA telling them of the Lord’s imminent surprise coming to the church(beginning  phase of the judgment for the living). To prepare  and help them to reform and revive in the Lord, to be among the 144,000.

Brother Houteff’s explains that the last message is about proclaiming  the message of the  “judgment for the living”, not promoting new messages and prophets.  “Since the promised Elijah is to be the last prophet to the church today, as John the Baptist was the last prophet to the church in his day, and since the last work on earth is the Judgment for the Living, the truth stands forth like the light of day that Elijah’s message is the message of the Judgment for the Living, the last, which in the very nature of the gospel is of far more importance and consequence than any other message ever borne to a people.”( General Conference Special, p.23)

Our second example is just as disturbing, possibly more so as the deception is not as apparent. About 4 or 5 months ago, while doing some research online I found a very interesting report called , “The Straight Testimony Opposed by False Shepherds”. As I read it I was very impressed, it was that good. All of EG White’s straight testimony and warnings to the church, it seemed was in this report. Many of them I wasn’t aware of. After I read it I felt the Holy Spirit lead me to try to contact this author.

Being an Elijah messenger, I wanted to see if she had accepted the Lord’s  last message of Elijah. After all the report had many of the quotes used by Elijah to teach and warn the people. It took a few days but I finally found who it was. Susan ( an alias) with her husband had an online ministry. I was able to find out their phone number and gave them a call. When I contacted them, they both happened to be there and after some chit-chat with her husband, he called his wife to the phone and we had a three-way conversation.

I began to discuss their report and thanked them for it, as it was a real blessing. They inquired about who I was and what I did and so I explained that I too, had an online ministry. We discussed many topics of “present truth”. I purposely left out bringing up the Elijah prophet  in fear that they had fallen for the prevalent smear job the SDA church has run against him for decades. So we had a good conversation and we exchanged emails.

She said she would like me to review an upcoming report on “The Bride Cometh”. So I reviewed it and liked it. However, knowing the true prophetic timelines as given by the prophet, I saw some erroneous teachings. After several emails I felt it was time to fill her in on the Elijah. I  wanted her to straighten out some of her errors and thereby be fully in line with what the Lord said through His prophet. So I began to ask her if she was aware that  Scripture and EGW had prophesied that another prophet was to come after her. I used the clear quote of  Test. to Ministers, p.475, and other helpful Scripture to show her the predictions of this prophet.

She responded that she had seen the small * (asterisk) by that quote and then read the further explanations supplied by the SDA church. She apparently wasn’t aware or didn’t care that after she died and the writings of Victor Houteff had been wide-spread  throughout the SDA churches, the SDA leaders added their own interpretations of what she meant in that quote.  She then concluded that the SDA church was right and that when EGW made that line ”..when he appears..” she was speaking of herself as the Elijah to come. In other words the “he” was meant to be a “she”.  I was amazed! Here was a woman, whom I thought was truly working in the God’s vineyard spreading His truths and warnings to the church yet she denied the straight testimony of a “male” prophet to come in the spirit and power of Elijah — was truth.

I was very concerned about this and prayed that the Lord could show me how this was possible. How could one be so close yet so far? We continued to correspond and she made further explanations that showed me the answer from the Lord. She said, ” One of the reasons I don’t believe that this Elijah would come after EGW is that Ellen White would have spoken more about him, instead of such a small statement.” Wow! There it was. She was basically saying that “she” knew how God should operate and how He should make His revelations known. He didn’t do enough explaining of this coming prophet therefore she didn’t believe it.

Ellen Whites explains these types of deceptions, “I saw that the greater the light which the people reject, the greater will be the power of deception and darkness which will come upon them. The rejection of truth leaves men captives, the subjects of Satan’s deception.” (Test. for the Church, Vol.1, p.232).

So here we see that instead of humbly accepting the plain clear word as shown by the prophets, she rose up against it just as the Pharisees did. Her stakes were deep and she quit responding to me because she had “need of nothing” more, she had all the truth she needed and was rich and increased with goods (Rev. 3:17). This is why I mentioned that this type of situation is much more deceptive. She has much truth she is teaching, yet denied the Lord by rejecting His final prophet. Just as Korah rejected Moses. Can we see the similarities? Some may said she still is spreading truth regardless, but I would say she has seen the clear word of God that a prophet is sent and to be heard and she has said–no. I believe I was sent in her path to reveal the Elijah message to her but it was rejected. There are important messages in the Elijah message (contrary to her teachings) that she is ignoring and therefore not teaching. “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” (James 3:1)

To many of us it’s our human nature to try to debate and convince others who we may believe are wrong in their understanding of the word of the Lord. But if they are an active teacher or promoter of their idea of another prophet(s)  to come after the last one that Scripture clearly declares (Elijah), or that no prophet is to come after EGW, then you can be assured they have their stakes very deep just as the Pharisees had.

In closing, we’d like to advise all present truth seekers that are striving to learn the Lord’s last message to His people, the Elijah message, that should you encounter someone or a group who teach the above ideas, then you should take the Lord’s counsel and deal with them just as He dealt with the Pharisees and that is — leave them alone.

Posted in Davidian Seventh Day Adventists, Delusion, Proper teachings | 6 Comments »

Insidious Idols

June 2, 2012

As the title of this post says, many of our idols today are so sneaky, that we are not even aware that they are indeed  —  idols. In this way they are insidious, just as the adversaries would have it. Let us look more deeply into this real trap. I dare say that today this is the biggest trap for us Christians, our biggest stumbling block to walking upright with our Lord.

Idolatry has been a big problem since the beginning of God’s people. In Ezekiel we read ” Son of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it by their own ways and deeds; to me their way was like the uncleanness of a woman in her customary impurity. Therefore I poured out My fury on them for the blood they had shed on the land, and for their idols with which they had defiled it (Ezekiel 36:17-18).

Many think of the term “Idol worship” as some old fashion form of actually bowing down to false gods and such. In reality it is completely different, especially in today’s world. In (Rev.22:14-15) we read the following  ” Blessed are those who do His Commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.”

We see from the above that keeping the “Commandments” requires that we not be idolaters. Most of us know that having  promiscuous sex, practicing lying, murder, and practicing sorcery are clear cut and flat out wrong before the Lord. But that sneaky one- idolatry,  can stumble us in ways that we ourselves can be caught unaware. Idols can blind us so well, we are in many case not even aware of it!

As many of you who follow this blog are aware, the Lord is about to select His 144,000 servants to proclaim the final Loud Cry. The real difference , I believe,  is that His true servants realize perfectly the whole idol trap and keep themselves free from it. For they have made an effort to free themselves of his ( the devil’s) snares.

Let’s look at one of the most obvious idol traps — television.  Do you watch worldly television daily or several times each week day? Do you come home from work and mindlessly turn on the TV and watch for  hours every night?  If your answer is yes, then you have likely been snared by the TV idol trap.

Here’s a good way to know if something is an idol to you. How much time do you spend weekly in the Lord’s work? Study, sharing the Lord with friends or family, prayer, reading His holy word? Ok, if TV or anything else takes up more of your time than the Lord’s work, you have a more enjoyable god you serve. “For where your treasures lie, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:21). Make no mistake,  our idol worship  is noticed by our Lord.

In my own life, TV was one of the last idols to leave. Growing up  as a typical TV and music idol worshiper(sports, entertainment shows, car radio on every day, etc.), I just couldn’t see it as “bad”.  “The Lord doesn’t really care if I practice TV watching or listen to worldly music, as long as I read the Bible now and then and show up for Sabbath services, I’ll be fine” was my deluded thinking.

 But you know what? If someone would have said  that I was a TV or music  idol worshiper, I would have said “yeah right, get real”. It was only until I started putting my time into the Lord’s work and forsaking worldly desires, by sincerely wanting to do the Lord’s will, that I could then see clearly that yes it was an idol!

Does this mean we should never watch  television? No, not necessarily. Certainly we can get  some good from TV. Inspirational, educating, news and such can be good. But as we pointed out, once it starts to fill a gap in your life that should be towards the Lord’s work, you’ve shown Him where your desires really are. With time being so short and His workers being in short supply, we cannot have any excuses.

One of the most important prayers we should do frequently, is to ask the Lord to help show us where we are wrong in  our walk.  I continue to do this, even though I have tossed much sin out of my life. We need to continue to look to Him for help and guidance.

Once you pray this prayer and do it will all your heart, He will be faithful to show you. You’ll start to feel more and more guilt on something that you are doing that is dis-pleasing to Him.

Think about it, with so many now in His church, about 16 million, how is it that He can only use 144,000 as His servants when the gospel message swells into a Loud Cry? I truly believe much of the blame can be traced to idol involvement. “Only those who have withstood and overcome temptation in the strength of the Mighty One will be permitted to act a part in proclaiming this message when it shall have swelled into the Loud Cry” (Review and Herald , Nov. 19, 1908).  If we don’t overcome our idols now, we shall not be around to partake of the Loud Cry message– straight and solemn indeed! Our Lord is not playing around my friends.

Again EGW points out how  serious the worldly treasures (idols) are to many. “I asked the angel why so few were interested in their eternal welfare, so few preparing for their last change. Said he ‘ Earth attracts them, it’s treasures seem of worth to them.’  They find enough to engross the mind, and have no time to prepare for heaven…such will have no excuse” (Test. for the Church, vol. 1,p.132)

Our Lord said we must be born again, and that means all things become new. When we make the effort to convert and live as He would have us, then we see clearly each and every stumbling block.

There can be other idols of course, such as music, hobbies, or even your job. Obsessing about making more money and attending to business too much can clearly snag us. Let me give another example of an  idol today that has come into people’s lives–the computer.

This snag certainly is insidious to God’s people today. Chatting away for hours on worldly matters, gossiping,  playing games, searching worldly desires and such on the computer has taken so much of our time each and every week, it has established itself as nearly as bad an idol as TV is.   Of course if we are on it  much of the time doing the Lord’s work, then it can serve His purpose. Paul says in first Corinthians ” All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful, but I will not be enslaved by anything” (1 Cor.6:12)  We do anything (apart from the Lord’s work) too much we can become enslaved.

One point that shows that our Lord doesn’t leave one thing untouched. Guess how many times the word “idol” is used in the whole Bible? 666 –according to this source- Answers.com* (-Note-  this number appears contradicted by other sources, but it’s safe to say it’s in the hundreds of times, indicating it’s supreme importance to us.)

In closing, our Lord said “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be His God and he shall be My son” (Rev. 21:7) One of the greatest obstacles we must over come is that one snare that can sneak up upon us  — the  insidious idols.

Posted in Christian walk, Delusion, Idol worship | Leave a Comment »

Strong Delusions

November 13, 2010

On the TV and radio today we often hear eloquent and forceful pastors and evangelists speak “great” things about God and His love for us.  As we listen we marvel at the smooth things they tell us, the hopeful things they tell us. We say “wow, what great truth they are speaking”. But “words” are only half of the Christian equation. The other is ACTIONS. Our Lord’s word says (Matt 7:16) ” You shall know them by their fruits…”   Meaning  what  they DO is just as important as what they SAY.

Today people want “smooth” things. How good they really are, how God accepts them as willful continual sinners, how they must ask for good riches and comforts now, etc. As this is satan’s world,  it is no surprise that the worlds largest “Christian” TV network in the world is TBN (Trinity Broadcast Network) c0-founded by the famous Bakkers (Jim and Tammy) in 1973. Is it any wonder then that Joyce Meyers and Joesph Prince have two of the largest followings  among “Christian” leaders today?  But do people actually look at these leaders lives to see if they are “obeying” God’s word, thereby producing fruit in their “actions”?

Again, it goes back to the people’s desire to be told smooth things so they can “feel” good about their non-obedience to God’s word, it is that simple! I have often listened to radio pastors “teach and preach” on the radio. I can honestly feel myself almost being fooled, their words are so smooth and their story convincing.  Yet what they really are teaching is DIRECTLY against our King’s own words.  Jesus said it would be WRONG and you would be called “least” in heaven if you  “break and teach”  it’s OK to break one of the Commandments (Matt 5:19). And sure enough I’ll  hear  “I’ll be at so and so church this SUNDAY, come worship with us”. I wonder what he did on Saturday, catch a ballgame? Go shopping? Movies? It amazes me that THEY call what is holy to them, not God.  Then I remember our Lord’s words  “You shall know them by their Fruits”.

In (2 Thel 2:10) we read ” …..because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. For this cause God shall send a strong delusion, that they should believe a lie…”  Here we see that the people are SO WRAPPED UP in this “delusion” God allows them to go into it deeply, just as they want. And the delusion is this— GOD ACCEPTS YOU AS YOU CONTINUALLY BREAK HIS COMMANDMENTS.  

One of the most solemn thoughts we can have is to know on that day when many  will say “LORD, LORD,”  Jesus will sadly say ” I do not know you, you who have PRACTICED LAWLESSNESS”(Matt 7:23). In other words Jesus did not know them because they continually loved a lie (breaking His Commandments)  Why?  because most LISTENED and followed false teachers!  These teachers  drew close to the Lord with their “lips” but their heart was far from Him(Matt 15:8).    “You shall know them by their fruits”

So I ask you dear brother or sister, don’t  fall for the deception that many Christians are buying hook , line and sinker!  Remember this word of the Lord and it will steer you right. (Isaiah 8:20)  “To the Law and to the testimony, if they speak not these words, it is because there is no light in them”. Amazingly those  very similar words describe who  are saved in Revelation (Rev 14;12) ” Here is the patience of the saints, here are they which KEEP the Commandments of God, and have the faith of Jesus”  (Law and testimony)    yours in Christ,   Rob

Ps. And always remember to pray for your brother or sister who is being deluded by false teachers, that God will awake them to His word and truth. amen.

Posted in Delusion | 4 Comments »

Newer Entries »