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Messenger of the Covenant

January 9, 2016

Recently I came across one of our church leaders, Steve Wohlberg, and his latest YouTube video called “The Sunday Law Crisis”. He has a 5 part series explaining all the points pertaining to this upcoming world crisis. As I watched part of it, my mind drew me to the thought “how presumptuous, how utterly fooled are our leaders”.

However sincere Mr. Wohlberg is, the Lord’s Word will come and not Mr. Wohlberg’s false idea that there will be no major move by the Lord prior to the Sunday Law. The following Scripture is being fulfilled by these leaders–

“And her prophets have daubed them with untempered mortar, seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord GOD, when the LORD hath not spoken.”(Ezekiel 22:28)

You see the Scriptures point unmistakably to the next coming of the Lord. And that is not coming in the clouds as we are led to believe. Yes, we all hear and speak of Jesus’ SECOND coming, our leaders have us all just waiting for the “second” coming.

Yet when we study the Scriptures, SOP and Rod, we know that this coming is the second “public and visible” coming. But we know there is an invisible secret coming, that the Lord’s three Inspired sources clearly teach us. It’s the one that Satan and his angels have fought with all their might to keep you and I from knowing about.

So let us look at this invisible coming as specifically explained in Malachi chapter 3.

To begin with we see that Malachi 3:1 is a classic example of some confusion that needed the Lord’s messenger to “restore” (the Truth). We will see in all It’s beauty, the Truth shown amid the easy confusion one gets if he does not listen to the Lord’s Rod (Micah 6:9 and 7:14).

Let’s look at Malachi 3:1.

“Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts.”

The Spirit of Prophecy in Gospel Workers (1915) page 44 explains —

“Never was there such an evangelist as Christ. He was the Majesty of heaven, but He humbled Himself to take our nature, that He might meet men where they were. To all people, rich and poor, free and bond, Christ, the Messenger of the covenant, brought the tidings of salvation.”

So one can say based on the above that Christ is the messenger of the covenant, right? Not so fast, we read this–

“The minister stands as God’s mouthpiece to the people, and in thought, in word, in act, he is to represent his Lord. When Moses was chosen as the messenger of the covenant, the word given him was, “Be thou for the people to Godward.” [Exodus 18:19.] (Gospel Workers, p. 20)

Then we have our King saying that John the Baptist was the messenger of the covenant spoke of in Malachi 3 (Matt 11:7, 9,10, 14)

So we have three different messengers of the covenant? Who then is real messenger of the covenant in Malachi 3? The one who is to “prepare the way” before Christ suddenly comes to His Temple (Church)?

In 1934 Victor Houteff was asked about this subject. Brother Houteff was sent many questions in his 25 year ministry. Often the questions were of the “prove it”, “How can you escape this wrong idea of yours?”, or “can you clear it?” type of questions. He addressed this particular Malachi quandary of statements.

Question No. 7:

How do you harmonize “Gospel Workers" p. 44, par. 2, with “The Shepherd’s Rod,” Vol. 2, p. 240, par. 2, presented comparatively as follows:

“The messenger is not the Lord Himself,...he is the one who shall prepare the way for the Lord.”--"The Shepherd’s Rod,” Vol. 2, p. 240.

“Christ, the Messenger of the covenant, brought the tidings of salvation.”--"Gospel Workers," p.44.

Answer:

While on page 44, Gospel Workers applies the title “Messenger of the Covenant” to Christ, on page 20 it applies it to Moses. In juxtaposition, these are seen as follows:

When Moses was chosen as the messenger of the covenant, the word given him was, ‘Be thou for the people to Godward.'”—Gospel Workers, p. 20. “Christ, the messenger of the covenant, brought the tidings of salvation.”–Gospel Workers, p. 44. Whereas Gospel Workers applies the term to both Moses and Christ, Christ Himself applies it to John the Baptist.

He said “unto the multitudes concerning John…But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send My messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.” Matt. 11:7, 9, 10, 14.

As God had made both spoken and written covenants with His ancient people that He would send them Moses, John, and Christ, they came in fulfillment of those covenants. And each having brought a message, each in his own time was the Messenger of the Covenant. Nevertheless, the words of Malachi make plain that the Messenger of the Covenant is, in the strictest sense, Elijah the prophet (Mal. 3:1-5; 4:5), the last messenger who prepares the way of the Lord. (See Testimonies to Ministers, p. 475.)

In the last analysis, however, the title Messenger of the Covenant belongs to the Holy Spirit. For example, I Peter 3:18-20 states that Christ preached to the antediluvians by the same “Spirit” Who “quickened” Him. But as He preached by the Spirit in the person of Noah, not of Himself, He thereby unfolded the truth that the Holy Spirit is in all His messengers alike.

Thus “holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Pet. 1:21. Briefly summarized, the term Messenger of the Covenant means the Holy Spirit (the invisible Christ) in Heaven’s visible representative-be it Moses, John, Christ, Elijah, or some other.

So we see that while the underlying true Messenger of the Covenant is the Holy Spirit, we know that the literal application for our time is Elijah the prophet.

Now, to add further confusion we read —

“This coming is foretold also by the prophet Malachi: “The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.” Malachi 3:1. The coming of the Lord to His temple was sudden, unexpected, to His people. They were not looking for Him there. They expected Him to come to earth, “in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel.” 2 Thessalonians 1:8. (GC, p.424)

Another quandary ? No, let us look at the following.

“..Jesus applied the message of Malachi Three to that of John the Baptist, and named him the Elijah that was to come, but when the Jews, priests, and Levites asked John saying, “Art thou Elias?…he saith, I am not.” (John 1:19, 21.) Shall we here conclude that both Jesus and John violated the truth? What then?

Moreover, the “Gospel Workers” applies Malachi 3:1 to Christ’s first advent, but the same author in “The Great Controversy,” p. 424, par. 3, applies it to Christ’s coming to the most holy place in the heavenly sanctuary in 1844; and on p. 425, is applied to the soon expected purification of the church.

Again, on p. 426, the author states that “…Dan. 8:14; the coming of the Son of man to the Ancient of days, as presented in Dan. 7:13; and the coming of the Lord to His temple, foretold by Malachi, are descriptions of the same event; and this is also represented by the coming of the bridegroom to the marriage, described by Christ in the parable of the ten virgins, of Matthew 25.”

If only one of these applications could be right, then which one should we choose? When the questioner harmoniously unifies the above scattered periods to which Malachi 3:1 is applied, then “The Shepherd’s Rod” will prove to him to be in perfect harmony with “The Great Controversy” and “Gospel Workers.”

Though one statement seems to contradict the other, yet we are compelled to conclude that every one of these inspired applications must be correct. Says the great apostle, “Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That Thou mightest be justified in Thy sayings, and mightest overcome when Thou art judged.” (Rom. 3:3, 4.)

The trouble does not lie in the statements themselves, but rather in man’s limited knowledge of the truth therein, which proves that we are in the period of the Laodiceans, — “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”

But the worst part of it all lies in that the Lord is saying to the church of today, “Thou knowest not” your great ignorance in not understanding rightly the Word of truth, and she does not believe Him! The apparent contradictions being discussed in this article are harmonized, in short, as follows:

Any fair Bible student will, without difficulty, perceive at a glance that the perfect fulfillment of Malachi Three is yet future, and is directly applicable to the imminent “purification of the church,” — “temple” — for saith the Lord, “Who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall stand when He appeareth? for He is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ sope.” (Mal. 3:2.)

Though Christ and the “Gospel Workers” apply this scripture to Christ’s first advent, any student of sacred history knows that it did not meet its perfect fulfillment there, for the Jews did not “delight” in Him as prophesied in Malachi 3:1, but instead, they hated Him. Neither did Christ at that time purify His church as described by the prophet.

But by the fact that Christ applied Malachi Three to John the Baptist’s message, and as this scripture did not meet its fulfillment at that time, it proves that John was a type of the Elijah that is to come before the coming of the “great and dreadful day of the Lord” (Malachi 4:5), at which time the prophecy will be fulfilled in its fullness.”(SC, vol.1, no. 4, p.4-5)

Commenting further on Malachi 3 , the restoring Elijah message says more —

This final work for the church, being of such great importance, is still further elucidated in the prophecy of Malachi 3.

Of this impending purge, hope-inspiring and heartening to the righteous, but terrifyingly sorrowful to the wicked, the prophet declares: He “shall suddenly come to His temple [the church or ‘floor’],…but who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall stand when He appeareth? for He is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ sope: And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.” Mal. 3:1-3.

In explanation of this scripture, the denominational publication (published and owned by the denomination as well as endorsed and used by the Sabbath School Department throughout the world in 1929), Isaiah, the Gospel Prophet, Vol. 3, p. 49, says: “Verse 20. [Isa. 59.] ‘The Redeemer shall come to Zion.’ This is not the coming in the clouds, but coming to the church. And when He comes, He will do the work mentioned in Malachi 3:1-3.”

This official exposition of the text shows that in 1929 the denomination taught that the prophecy of Malachi 3, promising a thorough work of purification, is a message to the church.(Tract 4, p.36-37)

“A message to the church”– In 1929 our church (SDA) taught that Malachi 3 was prophesying of our church purification!

This is a classic example of how Satan has infiltrated our church and it’s teachings, we’ve gone from the real truth to false ideas and timelines. The Sunday law has been bandied about and put on such a high pedestal as our next big event to watch for, leaving behind what we originally taught as truth–Malachi 3 predicting the church purification.

But we praise the Lord , restoration has wiped the dusty words clean and we see God’s true prophetic words in their right application to us today for hope of a powerful Holy Spirit filled Gospel proclaiming church to all the world.

So leaders like Steve Wohlberg, however sincere they may be are giving us a false path to follow, false ideas and assumptions to look for. Let us be mindful that the Elijah prophet made clear that the Lord want’s us to —“Hear ye the Rod and Who has appointed it.”(Micah 6:9)

Thus will be the Devil’s deal while the day of God is approaching, and while Elijah is making the announcement of it as the scroll unrolls and while the prophecies concerning the day of God are being unsealed. His work and his interpretation of the prophecies for the great day will identify him as the promised Elijah the prophet (“Testimonies to Ministers,” p. 475), and this will enrage the Devil as never before. Nevertheless, one’s only safety will be in the teaching of Elijah, for there will be no other voice of timely Truth and authority to whom one may turn. Any others will lead their victims blind-folded into perdition. (Gen. Conference Special, p.7-8)

Are we listening to His Rod?

To give you an idea how miserable and lost we are, an SDA sister when shown the Micah 6:9 statement, responded , “The Rod is Christ!” Ok then let’s just have everyone call Christ– “it” (“appointed it”). Let’s get real! If we only take the time to read God’s word as it plainly says we’ll not get tripped up and snared by false ideas.

In closing my dear brothers and sisters, the Word tells us in so many areas, to expect the Lord to come unexpectedly and not how Satan has hoodwinked our leaders to explain. As we have pointed out before– history repeats itself. The Jews were looking for Christ to come another way than He actually did. Same with our standard SDA ideas and expectations today. Let’s be serious and know the –Truth.

Posted in Covenants, Elijah Interpretations | 4 Comments »

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

December 19, 2015

One of the parables most often studied and quoted around the world is that of Matthew 25–the parable of the Ten Virgins.

“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” (Matt. 25:1-13)

In order to know the true interpretive meaning of this parable (or any other parable or prophecy) we are counseled to not trust in our own “private interpretation” but rather a “Thus sayeth the Lord” by His prophets. And we who are living in these very last days, should yell to the mountain tops in joy that the Lord gave us His promised –restorer of all things, Elijah. We are just very blessed because as you’ll see the end time prophetic meaning of this parable is directly applicable to us today. Let us heed the lesson!

Who are the Virgins?

The virgins are a figure of the church. Number “ten,” has the symbolic meaning of universal (the church as a body). Note that they are all “virgins.” The 144,000 are designated by the same word. (See Rev. 14:4.) The word “virgins,” signify that the class represented by them (ten), are not those who are called out from Babylon (fallen churches) at the time the “cry” is made.

For, if they were to come out of Babylon by the call “Come out of her, my people” (Rev. 18:4), they would have been defiled with “women” (fallen churches), and therefore, could not be called “virgins.” Thus, the message of the “Midnight Cry” must find them in the house of God — virgins. (SRod, vol. 2, p.181)

What is the “cry” that is made?

The “Midnight Cry” was first proclaimed prior to 1844, and the coming of the “Bridegroom” was Christ’s coming to the Most Holy place in the heavenly sanctuary for the investigative judgment of the saints. The investigation being in two sections; first, the judgment for the dead, and the second for the living, the “cry” must be repeated, otherwise we would have no present truth for the time of the judgment of the living.

The “cry” for the living being of a greater importance to the world than the one for the dead, and as the “virgins” are a figure of the living church, the parable must have a direct application to the church at this present time, — the coming of the bridegroom for the judgment of the living. But indirectly it points back to the commencement of the “Midnight Cry” (the first angel’s message — the judgment for the dead).

The messages being of the same event, judgment, both (for the living and for the dead) are called the “midnight cry.” The same is proven by the parable itself. (p.181)

What does the oil represent?

The “oil” is a symbol of the Spirit of God in the form of a message (truth); for, it is the substance that gives the light (the prophetic Word of God). The lamp must be a symbol of the heart into which the Word (oil) is being retained. The trimming of their lamps, is the “trimming” of their hearts; that is, their conscience being aroused they began to show interest.

But only five of them had an extra supply of oil in their vessels. As they started out to meet the bridegroom, the lamps of the foolish ones went out; and as they found themselves in darkness, it made their progress impossible. Now, the question arises: What made their lamps go out, and why could they go backward, but not forward?

As the message of the judgment for the dead was the present truth since 1844, at the beginning of the judgment for the living (when the cry was made), it became present truth no longer. Consequently their lamps went out. They could not move forward because they were foolish; that is, they did not accept the light — the judgment for the living. Was the “oil” beyond their reach? The words in the parable prove that they all heard the “cry, “arose, and trimmed their lamps.”

Five of them failed to get the supply of oil because they were “foolish,” — they did not study for themselves. Allowed others to think for them; they chose the easy, popular side, and accepted the decisions of the leaders, copies the mistakes of others and were thus left without a supply of oil, — robbed of the truth, cheated of glory, and left in darkness!

“And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.” At last the foolish virgins saw themselves in darkness. Then they went to the wise and asked for oil as a gift; “But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.”

The oil is sold and there must be something given in exchange to obtain the supply. The price they had to pay was to “sigh and cry for the abominations done in the midst thereof,” give up sinning and obey the truth. Their receipt for the value of exchange would have been the seal of the living God in their foreheads.(P.182-183)

What is the significance of the door being shut?

As the foolish virgins at last came to the door, it is evident that they obtained the oil (learned of the message) but there had been a delay — the door was shut, and they were left out. Now, why were they unconcerned at first, and very zealous at last? The experience in this instance is about the same as that of the deluge.

While Noah preached the coming of the flood, the world paid little attention to this message; but those who believed, went into the ark at a given time and the door was closed. But not long afterwards, signs of Noah’s prediction appeared; and as drops of rain began to fall the wicked multitude became alarmed and rushed for the ark, but the door was closed and they were left out.

The door that “was shut,” is a symbol showing that probation for the church had closed just shortly after the foolish virgins became alarmed. At last they were willing to pay the price and buy the oil; but it was not a change of heart, only the fear of losing out. Their course of action had left them without the seal — “the man with the writer’s inkhorn” had passed them by. What a terrible mistake! What a disappointment! Almost saved, but entirely lost.(P.183-184)

Why 10 virgins?

The number, “ten”, being a symbol of universal, it represents the church as a body prior to the commencement of the judgment of the living — in the sealing period of the 144,000, and before the “Loud Cry” of the Third Angel’s Message; being the period of the first fruits of the harvest. (P.185)

What is the lesson of the five foolish and five wise virgins?

The five wise virgins were they who trusted in God and His word only; having no confidence in man, and were hungry for truth, searching for light, and gladly accepting it when it came. Thus they received the seal of God’s approval, their sins were blotted out, and their lives made sure — they passed from condemnation and death into glory and life eternal. They are God’s servants, kings and priests — 144,000 in number.

The five foolish virgins are they who had confidence in men; they were willing that others should think and study for them. Their love for this world and the things of it, exceeded their love for Christ and the world to come. They had no true sense of the awful result of sin. Their zeal for self, drowned their zeal for the house of God and His honor.

They were satisfied with their lamps trimmed and but little oil in them. They saw no necessity for more light — prophets, truth or message. They said in their hearts, we are rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing. They were prejudiced against light upon the word of God, and accepted not the truth because the channel through which it came was not of their choice.

The knowledge of present truth, which the five foolish virgins possessed since 1844 is the judgment of the dead, and was the only oil in their lamps. When the judgment of the living commenced, and the “cry was made,” they were found without this extra oil in their vessels; they had neglected their Lord’s command: “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”

Thus when the wise ones started out to meet the bridegroom the lamps of the foolish went out, for, the judgment of the dead had passed. Therefore, it was present truth no more, and thus they were left in darkness.

At the beginning of the judgments of God they saw their mistake and rushed for the ark of safety, but it was beyond their reach for they knew nothing of the message, and by the time they acquired it (filled their lamps with oil), there had been a delay, the angel had passed “through the city, through Jerusalem,” the church — the sealing was finished, and probation for the church had closed — the door was shut. Thus they were left out.

Then they came with these words: “Lord, Lord, open unto us, But He answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.” “Appoint his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” What a disappointment that will be!

It will be noticed that the close of probation for the church and the one for the world are two different events. The former is a miniature representation of the latter. The Scripture for the preceding one is found in Matthew 25:11, 12; but of the final one we read: “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” (Rev. 22:11, 12.)

At this time those who were like the five foolish virgins, will say, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” (Jer. 8:20.) “And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it.” (Amos 8:12.) ( SRod, P.185-186)

Posted in Elijah Interpretations, Parable studies, Present Truth, Proper teachings | 1 Comment »

Reformation at the Door

November 7, 2015

As we look at the above, let us image that this man wants to see Donald Trump or maybe the office of Bill Gates. Their secretary must screen them, see how they are and do an inspection of sorts. If they are well-mannered and well dressed, after being screened as to who they are, they can usually get the ok to go in. But if they are sloppy and dirty or not dressed well chances are they are refused entrance.

What about our church? What about the “house of God”? Should the standards be high as well? The word says-

“Wherefore, as I live, saith the Lord GOD; Surely, because thou hast defiled my sanctuary with all thy detestable things, and with all thine abominations, therefore will I also diminish thee; neither shall mine eye spare, neither will I have any pity.” (Ezekiel 5:11)

Here we see that defilement of His “sanctuary” , His house, causes our Lord to “diminish thee”. Or to put another way “sprue” them out of His mouth (Rev. 3:16).

So what are we saying here? What we are saying is that today, right now, there is a work to be done and that work is NOT to bring more and more unconverted into His church. Reformation among us as Seventh -day Adventists, should be our main objective right now. How do we know this? Both of His last messengers say so.

We need to get real. Let us stop thinking of the Lord God as –Jolly Ol Saint Nick. “Ho Ho Ho, my little children, come into my house, abominations and all, I’m so happy to see you.” No! Our Lord is holy, HE IS GOD.

Let us begin with the Spirit of Prophecy.

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

Many of those whose names are registered on the church books are not Christians. They have not a genuine experience. If they were copying their Pattern, they would pray more and quarrel less. They would strive to be laborers together with God. Their sincere faith in Christ would lead to entire dependence on Him and perfect co-operation with Him.” (RH May 21, 1901)

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

There is no doubt that those who do not know the Lord’s last message of Elijah (which are legion in our church) will say “What?? What are you talking about? Don’t work to bring others into our church??”

I admit that I too once thought this. When I first came into the Elijah message this part of the message was so foreign to me that I felt it almost strange, or put another way–not quite right. Yet it was “my thinking, my ideas” that I was relying on, not God’s word as spoken by His prophet and prophetess.

I led our church to design and install a large Billboard in our city, trying to win new people into our churches! It was our billboard idea and soon Amazing Facts was writing an article about it in their quarterly magazine. I was zealous for what I thought was the right thing to do. Yet the Lord was guiding and soon I walked up that next step to light I never knew was there. “My” plans soon changed into God’s plan.

We as SDA, and nearly all other denominations of Christianity, teach the formal doctrine of “bring em in, ask little or no in-depth questions, baptize them as soon as they request it.”

To be clear we are not saying NO ONE should join the church. The message of Elijah is clear here.

“..if we truly understand the situation, and believe in faithfully executing our trust, we should be working for the sinners in Zion with such an all-consuming burden that we would at present have neither time nor energy left to work for the sinners in the world, save for such as those represented by the “Syrophenician” woman (Mark 7:26). Then we shall be doing our full part in the calling of the 144,000 to their task, and thus hastening the time of the in gathering of the great multitude from the world–the day of the Loud Cry.” (Answerer, vol. 5, Q-129)

If God leads anyone into the Truth, then we should not discourage them. But as we saw from Inspiration, “The Lord does not now work to bring many souls into the truth.”

So we ask. Who is doing God’s work today, for HIM? Is it those who try to reach the heathen? Or is it those who try to save the ones who will be first to receive judgment (the SDA church)(1 Peter 4:17, Testimonies Vol. 5, p.211)? The world WILL be preached to, when the time comes and that, by the purified church the 144,000.

But this understanding certainly is not being followed except by the Davidian Seventh-day Adventists. Those who are following in the final light to His church through His pleading message of Elijah.

“God does not want to bring the heathen unconverted into the church for the slaughter of Ezekiel Nine, but He is exceedingly anxious to save the church: neither is He working “to bring many souls into the truth, because of the church-members who have never been converted….Would they not make of no effect the God-given message which His people are to bear?” — “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. 6, p. 371. (Symbolic Code, vol. 2 no.5-6, p.9)

Let me interject here and say this is SO TRUE. What happens when there comes an honest God loving -God fearing soul into the church and he or she sits down and quickly notices nightclub dressed up gals, complete with short skirts and high heels? Do we think he is comforted or sorrowful–think about it.

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

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

I don’t know about you but after truly understanding this situation we should at once determine to go to work helping our own. We, not the world, as Inspiration says is just about to be sprued out. Meetings should be set up, present truth Bible studies given, sermons arranged, phone conferences engaged, etc. There is SO MUCH we should be doing to enlighten our church to God’s final message of reformation and revival.

“Yes, the honest heathen must and will be evangelized, but “the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matt. 10:6) must be sought first. How thankful, therefore, and how cooperative they ought to be, and will be, when they discover that rather than being rich and increased with goods, and in need of nothing, they are actually “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked”—in need of everything- and that the Lord is waiting for them to wake up to the fact so that He can make them what they ought to be.

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

“The mission to save the world cannot be more important than the mission to save the church. Enlarging the church membership under the now prevailing lukewarm Laodicean conditions could no more advance the Kingdom of Christ than could have been done under the condition in the Jewish church in the days of His first advent. Understanding the true situation in the church, John the Baptist and Christ Himself and even the apostles at first, engaged them selves to work, not for the world in general, but only in the interest of their brethren in the church.

As the same departure from Christ exists within the church now as it did then (Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 217), it will take much greater effort to rescue the people from the Laodicean “sad deception” (Testimonies. Vol. 3, p. 253), than if they were in heathenism. For in Laodicea they are made to believe that they have all the truth there is to be had, that they are rich, increased with goods, and in need of nothing,—their salvation forever secured as long as they hold membership in the church. Hence there is greater risk of their losing their souls in the church while she is “lukewarm” and about to be spued out, than if they remain in the world until the church awakes from her slumber, and anoints herself with the eyesalve (Truth)—sees right, does right, and leads an. feeds the flock aright.

Let every honest member ask the question, If the church herself is not saved (Testimonies Vol. 3, p. 253), not following Christ her Leader (Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 217) and “has become an harlot” (Testimonies, Vol. 8, p. 250), how can she save others? The greatest need therefore is first to save those in the church, then those in the world. The “special work of purification, of putting away of sin, among God’s people” (The Great Controversy, p. 425), “the closing work for the church, in the sealing time of the one hundred and forty-four thousand (Testimonies, Vol. 3, p. 266), must come first then is to follow the sealing of those in the world.” (Answerer, vol. 3, Q-67)

Right now we are perilously close to entering into either life everlasting or death everlasting. The decision is ours. The course is laid out. Do we work within and follow the Lord through His messengers? Or do we follow our own path as Korah and his followers did? We must make a decision which will it be?

In closing what better and clearer word of God can we get than the following. Our prophetess gives us unmistakable instructions of why we are not to carelessly let people join the church. As we have shown the Lord’s work is to do in- house work now. Why? because we are filled to the brim with unconverted among us. But should we find those who want to come into the truth , being led of God, then let us use the following example–

Examination of Candidates

“The test of discipleship is not brought to bear as closely as it should be upon those who present themselves for baptism. It should be understood whether they are simply taking the name of Seventh-day Adventists, or whether they are taking their stand on the Lord’s side, to come out from the world and be separate, and touch not the unclean thing. Before baptism there should be a thorough inquiry as to the experience of the candidates.

Let this inquiry be made, not in a cold and distant way, but kindly, tenderly, pointing the new converts to the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. Bring the requirements of the gospel to bear upon the candidates for baptism.

One of the points upon which those newly come to the faith will need instruction is the subject of dress. Let the new converts be faithfully dealt with. Are they vain in dress? Do they cherish pride of heart? The idolatry of dress is a moral disease. It must not be taken over into the new life. In most cases, submission to the gospel requirements will demand a decided change in the dress.

There should be no carelessness in dress. For Christ’s sake, whose witnesses we are, we should seek to make the best of our appearance. In the tabernacle service, God specified every detail concerning the garments of those who ministered before Him. Thus we are taught that He has a preference in regard to the dress of those who serve Him. Very specific were the directions given in regard to Aaron’s robes, for his dress was symbolic. So the dress of Christ’s followers should be symbolic.

In all things we are to be representatives of Him. Our appearance in every respect should be characterized by neatness, modesty, and purity. But the word of God gives no sanction to the making of changes in apparel merely for the sake of fashion, that we may appear like the world. Christians are not to decorate the person with costly array or expensive ornaments.” (Testimonies, vol. 6, p.95-96)

Posted in Church, Elijah Interpretations, Warning our brethren, Witnessing | Leave a Comment »

Rabbit Trails

October 31, 2015

A while back I was speaking with a dear sister in the faith (we’ll call her sister V) , and we were talking about all the winds of doctrine flying around today. So many “rabbit trails” as she called it, of false ideas and deceptive paths, that there can only be one master planner behind all this–our arch-enemy– Satan.

“The enemy is preparing for his last campaign against the church. He has so concealed himself from view that many can hardly believe that he exists, much less can they be convinced of his amazing activity and power. They have to a great extent forgotten his past record; and when he makes another advance move, they will not recognize him as their enemy, that old serpent, but they will consider him a friend, one who is doing a good work.

Boasting of their independence they will, under his specious, bewitching influence, obey the worst impulses of the human heart and yet believe that God is leading them. Could their eyes be opened to distinguish their captain, they would see that they are not serving God, but the enemy of all righteousness. They would see that their boasted independence is one of the heaviest fetters Satan can rivet on unbalanced minds.

.. Man is Satan’s captive and is naturally inclined to follow his suggestions and do his bidding. He has in himself no power to oppose effectual resistance to evil. It is only as Christ abides in him by living faith, influencing his desires and strengthening him with strength from above, that man may venture to face so terrible a foe.

Every other means of defense is utterly vain. It is only through Christ that Satan’s power is limited. This is a momentous truth that all should understand. Satan is busy every moment, going to and fro, walking up and down in the earth, seeking whom he may devour. But the earnest prayer of faith will baffle his strongest efforts. Then take “the shield of faith,” brethren, “wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” (Testimonies, vol.5, p.294)

Here we see that our enemy is “busy every moment” and seeks to “devour” us. And just how does he do this? Yes, rabbit trails are one of his most useful ploys! From the part-time believer to the advanced Elijah messenger, it’s makes no difference to him. If he can get us to go down one of his trails, he has us in his clutches. Let us look at two of Satan’s popular rabbit trails today.

Just recently, and the motivation for this post, a sister whom I had thought was learning the Lord final message of Elijah quite well emailed me with a curve ball (let’s call her sister C). She basically said that we must start obeying the Sabbath according to the Scriptural Sabbath and not according to the Roman calendar (our current calendar).

In other words we are not truly fulfilling God’s will because we are obeying the wrong day! As I read this my mind went back to what the aforementioned sister said –rabbit trails. I truly shook my head and said to myself “Satan! he is at it again!”

You see this sister has went on a few sites that are proclaiming this new idea of obeying a different Sabbath and has bought it hook line and sinker. But let us look at how people who take up these strange new ideas are setting themselves up for failure just as Korah and his men of renown did.

We as present truth believers know that the Lord had to keep His word and sent a “restorer” of all things prior to His coming–

“And He answered and said, “Elijah is coming and will restore all things..” (Matt. 17:11)

So logically if the Sabbath day (our current calendar of Saturday) is not correct and we should obey another day as the correct Sabbath, would not God have told His Elijah prophet to “restore” this? Absolutely. But did He?

WHICH IS THE SABBATH CALENDAR?

Question No. 242:

In keeping the Sabbath, are we to go by the present calendar?

Answer:

As the Sabbath is a weekly, not a monthly, holy day, and as only the seven-day cycle remains intact from creation, it is the only time cycle in modern use that can be followed in the observance of the Sabbath or of any other of the Bible weekly holy days.(Sym. Code, vol. 7, no.7-12, p.20)

Here we see that our seven-day cycle has not changed since creation. Further, the Jews of old (Moses’time) keep a certain 7th day religiously. They were consistent even to Christ’s time, and thereafter the Apostles and their followers as well. All the way down to our time. So we see that this rabbit trail really goes nowhere good!

You see brethren the message shows that this trick will lead all into “perdition”. This sister C has decided to travel this rabbit trail and when she does, her trail builder may get her to break the real 7th day, for a false 7th day. Exactly what he hoped to do!

All the while she thinks she is enlightened just like Korah did. For he thought he was walking with God and did not have need of obeying God’s chosen prophet.

“Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men; And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown: And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?” (Numbers 16:1-3)

After reading the above, what makes us think we are any different from what Korah was? Can we tell God’s prophet that he missed something and we know better what to do? Is this not an insult to our ALL-SEEING AND KNOWING GOD?

Another rabbit trail is the issue of –calling God’s name properly. In other words some think they find out the”correct” way of calling Him, instead of saying “God” or even “Jesus”. When they find this out they then are led to believe that this issue is so important that if you do not address His name properly your salvation is in jeopardy.

The same friend, sister V, told me about a time recently where she was on a phone conference call with some present truth believers. She relayed that in the call a woman spoke up and said she has now learned God’s “real” name and that they all should learn it, and if they don’t she feels like she should not even speak to others who “degrade” His name!

Sister V was flabbergasted. This seemed like a Pharisee rule of long ago. Remember when they would actually measure the distance away from the synagogue and you could not walk one foot more than that to it? Well this is about the same!

So again let us see what God’s restorer said about this. The following was so important an issue that the prophet spoke about it in a Tract called “God’s Titles Not Restricted To One Language.”

Question:

” Is it not a fact that the Bible translators changed the Creator’s original Hebrew names (Elohim, Jehovah, El, Elahh, Elowahh, Bethel, and Tsur) to the names of Baal (God, Lord, etc.)? And if the Creator’s names actually are Elohim, Yahovah, et al., and if God, Lord, etc., are the names of the pagan gods, why, then, do we call Him by the latter?

Answer:

For the sake of correct and consistent understanding in referring to the words under discussion, we call the reader’s attention to the self-evident fact that the various Hebrew words termed by the questioner as “the Creator’s original names,” all being designative of some aspect or attribute of Divine nature or character, are therefore not names, but titles, of the Creator. Only the name Jehovah appears to be His Proper Name; therefore we shall herein treat it separately from the titles.” (Teact 11, p.2)

Idols, Named With The Divine Titles.

“Rather than give the idols names originated specifically for them, the makers honored them with the Divine titles in order to make it appear that the idols were the figures of God, a fabrication which is conclusively borne out by such manifest evidences as that the word, Elah, a Hebrew title of the Deity, is used by the Turks for the name of their god; that the word, Tsur, another Hebrew title of the Deity, is used by the Russo-Slavic peoples as the title of their kings; and that “Elohim is used in many cases of the gods of the heathen, who included in the same title the God of the Hebrews, and denoted generally the Deity when spoken of (sic) a supernatural being.” – Dictionary of the Bible, Smith, definition “Jehovah.”

From these evidences, we see clearly that the names of the idols are, in fact, not the names of the idols, themselves, but the titles of God. Therefore, to restrict our address of Him to one language – the Hebrew – just because His titles in other tongues were once used in honor of idols, forces the conclusion that the idol-gods of the heathen have defeated God the Creator by robbing Him of His titles! What a forbidding thought!

Hence, if we must attach more sacredness to letters expressing Deity in any one language more than in another, it should be Only In The Language of Eden, or In All Alike.

If from the beginning till today “the whole earth was of one speech” (Gen. 11:1), and had the day never dawned when “the Lord did confound the language of all the earth” (Gen. 1 1 :9), then only could God’s worshipers address Him in the language of Eden. But in view of the fact that from that hour to this, diversity and confusion of tongues have been the linguistic lot of the human race, the Lord has never restricted His word to one universal medium of expression, but rather has accommodated it to all “the peoples and multitudes and nations, and tongues” of earth, thus accounting for The Different Titles of the Deity. “ (Tract 11, p.3-5)

Irreverently Using the Lord’s Proper Name.

“If God’s proper name is Jehovah, then dare we His created beings, be so disrespectfully familiar as to address Him by His Proper Name, rather than by one of His titles, God, Lord, Father, Creator, Saviour, etc., when we would not think of indulging the less disrespectful familiarity of addressing our earthly parents by their given names – John, George, Bill, Dorothy, Ruth, Mary, etc., – in place of their parental titles Father and Mother?

Such irreverence practiced by the heathen might be excusable because of their ignorance, but practiced by enlightened Christians, who ought to know better, it is inexcusable. We may with reverence use the word,Jehovah, only if a heathen should ask us, Who is your God? Then we could with solemn propriety answer Jehovah, the only true and living God. Never, though, when addressing God, can we reverentially use His Proper Name.

As the God-fearing Jews anciently “regarded the Divine Name as too sacred for utterance,” so should enlightened Christians do today.

However, the most ancient and hallowed Hebrew name for God was not only never commonly pronounced, but was even so-spelled, in an abbreviated form, that it could not be pronounced; so much so that the original pronunciation is not known. All we know for sure is the Consonant Form, Yhwh, Yvh, or Yhv.

This abbreviated form of the name made it hard for the translators to spell out a pronounceable word. They, therefore, chose to supply what they thought were the missing vowels. The first syllabic term upon which there was general agreement was Jah. Other derivatives were supplied by different translators. Yahweh, Yahowah, or Yahovah were formulated to suit certain languages. The anglicized form evolved as Jehovah. Therefore, any improvised letters that go to make up the ineffable Name may not actually be the Hebrew word after all! (See Funk and Wagnall’s Standard Dictionary, definition “Jehovah.”)

If the original-name theory had proved correct, there is in the way Nothing to Prevent the Change.

As we want, more than anything else, to be right in all things, therefore were it a sin to address the Deity in any language other than the Hebrew, we would immediately and unhesitatingly change out verbal mode of addressing Him.

But as the matter now stands, we are not only unable to share any enthusiasm concerning such an original-name theory, and to accord it any of the truth and worth that some would lead us to believe that it assumes, but also we are more than ever before persuaded not to address the Lord by His proper name. In fact, every wide-awake Christian who sincerely serves the Lord, must plainly see that to conform to such a theory, is to cause the saints to insult their Creator by addressing Him by His Proper Name instead of by His title, and also to suffer the baleful results of becoming enthusiasts over some theory so appealing as virtually to exclude those truths vital to their salvation. Let us therefore

Admit:

These facts forever invalidate the movement that is now afoot to discard from the Christian use, the titles, God, Lord, Christ, etc.; for to give up addressing the Deity by the titles which He has originated in the various languages, would mean defeat for God, and victory for the idols! Such misguided movements should be A Lesson.” (Tract 11, p.9-12)

In closing we can see that we must very careful not to be led down one of Satan’s rabbit trails. They will lead to a place we don’t want to go.

Note: The color codes are as follows: Orange is the Lord’s Words Blue is the Scriptures and SOP brown is the Lord’s Elijah message as brought by Victor T. Houteff

Posted in Elijah Interpretations, Proper teachings | 12 Comments »

Walter Veith’s Slight of Hand

October 17, 2015

Many of us are aware that the best magicians are those who have us watching the wrong hand. They attempt to have us focus on something that allows us to be tricked. We miss the real deal, the right action.

Last Sabbath I had time to watch Walter Veith’s video called “Decoding the book of Daniel/ Daniel Chapter 2/ Walter Veith” on YouTube. Let me begin by saying that I personally have always liked Walter. His style is of the typical brilliant class professor. The one who has much intelligence and charm thrown in as well.

I came to know about him back in 2009. I was given a DVD called “From Evolutionist to Creationist”. At that time I was beginning my SDA walk, and I was very impressed with his story. It took courage to change his views while being a high level Evolutionist.

Walter has a very large following, particularly among the Seventh-day Adventist community. His teachings are regarded as high level and accurate for the most part. Although there are some leaders among the SDA that feel his conspiracy theories (ie. Jesuit knowledge and world conspiracies) go too far from mainstream SDA teachings.

As mentioned he has that professor mentality and can really break down prophecies and other teachings as well. No wonder he is highly followed and relied upon by many SDA. His evolutionist professorship has refined his approach.

But since I have been fortunate enough to be “guided into all Truth” (John 16:13) , the Spirit of Truth has erected the great “truth detector” in my life. After endeavoring to keep walking up the truth stair steps , and not content to stay on a certain level, I became aware of the true meaning of Daniel 2.

The Lord knew we as SDA would want truth specifically meant for us in the last days of our SDA probation. Therefore, looking down to our time He said–

“Behold I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and dreadful day of the Lord.”(Mal. 4:5)

This prophet, we as present truth believers know was Victor T. Houteff. Brother Houteff gave us the correct interpretation of Daniel 2. Once we study and know this understanding from the Lord’s Elijah, we can then be in a position to know counterfeits. Just like the professional currency detectors, who are able to distinguish the false from the true, based on their knowledge of the true, we can know error in prophecies simply because we can see all the holes, all the non-arranged pieces of the puzzle.

So with this foundation I sat back and decided to watch the whole video, all 1 hour and 24 minutes of it. I knew that I was likely to find error because I know Walter, as far as I know has not accepted the teachings of our Lord’s prophet, just like the masses of our SDA church. But I wanted to compare what one of the popular teachers of our time was doing with what God’s word says.

Let us now look at what Mr. Veith proposes as truth about Daniel 2.

He begins by showing a “Dictionary of prophetic terms”. This is to help to decipher the vision. However the first mis-step I notice is that he leaves out the meaning of the “mountain”. Remember when we made reference to “the best magicians are those who have us watching the wrong hand”? So he starts out showing the Biblical meaning of — Trumpet, Rock, Zion, Woman, etc. yet fails to address Daniel’s “mountain” understanding. The “stone” comes from the mountain (not the sky) , so we need to know what the mountain symbolizes.

He begins with a good historical breakdown of Daniel 2:1-25. There is some history on who the Chaldeans were and the backdrop leading up to Daniel coming to the king to give the interpretation.

Then he begins to explain what Daniel said he saw to the king, namely the statue. I would like you to really focus in here at what he does next. After describing the statue, Walter says, “then he (Daniel) saw a rock hurtled towards earth, strike the statute and destroy it and it struck at the feet and nowhere else.”

“So who is this rock? Obviously if it is not a human intervention it’s a divine intervention.. it IS (his emphasis) the second coming of Christ.”

So let us stop here. First we must ask why Walter jumps to the conclusion that the stone is Christ? No point of reference is given, just his blanket statement. Let us quote Daniel–

“For as much as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.” (Dan. 2:45)

Now how can Mr. Veith proceed to teach his theories without explaining to us what the mountain symbolizes? After all the stone comes from it. If the stone “rock” is Jesus, it is symbolic, then the rest of the vision must have a symbolic meaning as well and be understood. Otherwise it is only guesswork.

Mr. Veith goes on to describe the reason for the breaking up the statute, without ever coming back to explain what the mountain symbolizes. It is conveniently ignored. Mis-step number 2.

This point is very important because we can establish just who the stone represents when we know from where it came from. In order to be Jesus the vision should show that the stone comes from the sky (heaven) yes? But it does not, it shows it comes from the mountain , which is on earth.

The Word shows us the meaning of the mountain.

“O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us.” (Daniel 9:16)

“And while I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God;”(Daniel 9:20)

“And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 2:2-3)

“But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.” (Micah 4:1)

“Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain.” (Zech. 8:3)

Further references are found in Isaiah 56:7, 51:16, Jer. 51:25.

So we see that the term “mountain” is used symbolically to describe God’s people, his church.So logically the vision must be understood in showing that the stone comes from the mountain, God’s people/church. Walter pays no attention to this very important detail and thus follows a rabbit trail into the false meaning of the vision. This is exactly why we needed a “restorer of all things” sent to us!

A little past the half way point Walter Veith establishes again that he views the stone as Christ. “The next event to come… Christ coming in glory. The stone that will bring an end to all the earthly kingdoms.”

The third major mis-step occurs near the end of the presentation. Quoting Daniel 2:44, he leaves out a very important part of the verse, “… the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed.”

The reason we need to point these errors out is because all of these mistakes are detrimental to the true intended interpretation of the vision. God’s lesson that was meant for us, is gutted by his lack of knowledge, his private interpretations.

“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” (2 Peter 1″20)

Going back to verse 44 we read it in full–

“And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.” (Daniel 2:44)

We see that DURING “in” the days of “these kings”, the 10 toe kings of the feet (our time), shall God set up His kingdom. You see Mr. Veith cannot show that part of verse 44 because to really dwell upon it one cannot promote his private agenda that the vision is describing Christ at the second coming as commonly taught among SDA leaders. So naturally he leaves that out to quash any thoughts opposite of his.

While we can’t go into all the many points of the vision now, we can point out a few that are noteworthy. Aside from the long time erroneous interpretation of the stone being Christ, we know that this cannot be so for another solid reason.

Once the stone strikes and destroys the image, the kingdoms symbolically, then the stone STAYS on the earth , fills it, and becomes a “great mountain”. When Christ comes at the second coming, His feet do not touch the earth, neither does He “fill the whole earth”. He draws all the saints living and dead up to Him and they are taken to heaven. The earth is then destroyed, dark and void, far from a great mountain, a great people on earth.

But when we realize that the stone is cut out without hands from the mountain, we know that a divine intervention is made and a portion of God’s people are separated from the large mountain of God–His church. Who could this small portion be? Yes, it is the 144,000! The Ezekiel 9 church judgment is the “cut out of the mountain without hands” part .

In other words, God performs this separation at the beginning of the judgment for the living in God’s house ( 1 Peter 4:17). We the SDA are His last church (7th of Rev. chapter 3) and this dream was meant for the us in the “latter days” as Daniel pointed out to the king. All should be aware the true interpretation is now available to all those who seek truth.

The 144,000 then go out and give the Loud Cry with great power and thus the earth “kingdoms” are destroyed symbolically. No wars, but it’s God’s power through His servants that destroys.

“Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms; And with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider; and with thee will I break in pieces the chariot and his rider; With thee also will I break in pieces man and woman; and with thee will I break in pieces old and young; and with thee will I break in pieces the young man and the maid;

I will also break in pieces with thee the shepherd and his flock; and with thee will I break in pieces the husbandman and his yoke of oxen; and with thee will I break in pieces captains and rulers. And I will render unto Babylon and to all the inhabitants of Chaldea all their evil that they have done in Zion in your sight, saith the LORD. “(Jer. 51:20-24)

The great multitude are called out of Babylon (false religions) and brought into the kingdom center–Israel. The pre-millennial kingdom is then begun as a final witness to the dying world. Then truly it will be said that the stone “became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.”

You see, the Lord wants to finally come on the stage and He wants to do it in front of the heathen as a testimony of His glory and power. Inspiration through the prophet Haggai declared–

“And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen.” (Hag. 2:22)

When Mr. Veith and others give their false interpretation of His prophecy of Daniel 2, they deny His plans, His final battle. The battle that He wins and all will see it play out–The stone destroying and then becomes a great mountain.

Let us be clear here, we are not saying that Walter Veith is purposely being deceptive. What we are saying is that he is clearly showing that he has not accepted the Lord’s Elijah message, of which was given the true interpretation of Daniel 2 , among many other prophecies. And as he is a leading teacher, we strongly warn him and all who follow him and his teachings to come over to the Lord’s side–the Truth.

“Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.” (James 3:1)

Walter closes his video with —

“We need to study these prophecies carefully and unfold them and unravel them, to see the final nuances.”

“I make a vow to you if I speak anything that is contrary to the word of God–leave… Test every word I say..if you can show me that I am wrong, I’ll change I promise.”

Ok Walter, we take up your challenge. Read this post and see that you have not dealt fully nor truthful in your teaching of Daniel 2. Your lesson here is the general standard teaching of long ago within the SDA church. However that does not necessarily make it right nor truthful.

In closing, our Lord wants us to know His true plans by way of His prophecies and not some false human interpretations. Soon His mighty army will go to work upon the world and be victorious (the stone destroying the image). This is for the purpose of the world seeing God’s real glory through His servants.

“We have many lessons to learn, and many, many to unlearn.” (Selected Messages, vol. 1, p.37)

“There is no excuse for anyone in taking the position that there is no more truth to be revealed, and that all our expositions of Scripture are without an error. The fact that certain doctrines have been held as truth for many years by our people, is not a proof that our ideas are infallible. Age will not make error into truth, and truth can afford to be fair. No true doctrine will lose anything by close investigation.” (Counsels to Writers and Editors, p.35)

“The wise shall understand” (verse 10), was spoken of the visions of Daniel that were to be unsealed in the latter days..” (PK, p.547-548)

For the Elijah study outline of Daniel 2, click here http://www.shepherds-rod-message.org/outlines/dan_2.pdf

Posted in Daniel's Vision (chapter 2), Elijah Interpretations, Proper teachings | 11 Comments »

The Short 100 years after the Millennium

July 18, 2015

Last week we mentioned that the subject of the short 100 years on earth, brought about by the 2nd resurrection of the wicked, was not largely understood. We’d like to delve into this fascinating study to give a more clear view.

First, we’d like to make a correction. Last week we mentioned that this understanding first came by way of the Spirit of Prophecy. However, although the following comments were made in the “Signs of the Times” in 1893, we are not certain the answer given was from the prophetess. There were several early pioneers who addressed issues on the paper and this may have been someone other than EGW. The reason we feel this is the case is the very last comment “We present the suggestion for what it is worth.” This was not a statement that suggests the inspired prophetess would make.

752 THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES. Vol. 19, No. 47. OAKLAND, CAL., MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1893

“Will you please explain Isa. 65:20 and oblige? F. a. L.”

The text reads as follows: “There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days; for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be destroyed.” A suggested plausible explanation is as follows : The first part of the verse, to the first semicolon, refers to the new earth (see verse 17), and simply declares that there shall be no death in that state. The last part of the verse refers to the wicked which are raised from the dead (see Rev. 20:1-9), and remain upon the earth “a little season,” or one hundred years. During this time the wicked youth will grow up and the hardened sinner will abide, but at the end of that period sin and sinners are no more, while the people of the Lord endure forever. We present the suggestion for what it is worth.”

However, let us note that the Elijah prophet confirms this understanding , therefore it should be authoritative and restoring -truth. Let us read his comments.

“Isa. 65:17-19, speak of the new earth. Isa. 65:20, is here quoted from the Hebrew translation by Isaac Lesser. “There shall no more thence an infant of few days, nor an old man that shall not have the full length of his days; for as a lad shall one die a hundred years old; and as a sinner shall be accursed he who (dieth) at a hundred years old.” It seems this translation makes the meaning of the verse just a little plainer than the King James’.

The scripture speaks of the time at the end of the 1000 years (millennium) after the resurrection of the wicked. At that time there will not be any births to infants. “There shall no more thence an infant of days.”

The lesson therefore is not so difficult for one to comprehend. All the wicked are called forth in the second resurrection, whether old or young (at the time of death). All come up at the same time. This hour becomes the birth of all the wicked in the second life.

There is to be no natural, or unnatural death, for all must live to the time of the second death, which is by “fire come down from God out of heaven and devoured them.” Read Rev. 20:7-10. “And as a sinner shall be accursed he who (dieth) at an hundred years old.” This scripture predicts the span of life of the wicked after they are resurrected as being 100 years. “For as a lad shall one die a hundred years old; and as a sinner shall be accursed he who (dieth) at a hundred years old.” During this 100 year period, the wicked make preparation for their attack on the holy city. Read Rev. 20:8, 9.” (SRod, vol. 1, p.164-165)

Here we see that God’s purpose is to raise the wicked (all those who ever lived who were unbelievers) to make what they will of the earth for 100 years. They shall ultimately find that their one united desire will be to overtake the glorious kingdom which sits upon the earth in all its majestic glory. Satan shall do his very last deception, complete with mankind’s great historic generals and leaders. In other words , God gives them all the resources and abilities they ever had to unload upon His people and their kingdom, yet we know Christ rises up just as they come to the apron of the city and they are then paralyzed and all bow down in the final acknowledgment of their creator. The world’s historic wisdom forgets Who sits upon the throne! Then fire comes down and destroys them all.

The final bowing of every knee is thus fulfilled —

“For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” (Romans 14:11)

Scripture explains this final short period after the millennium —

“And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.” (Rev. 20:7-9)

Our last prophetess beautifully explains this final scenario–

Now Satan prepares for a last mighty struggle for the supremacy. While deprived of his power and cut off from his work of deception, the prince of evil was miserable and dejected; but as the wicked dead are raised and he sees the vast multitudes upon his side, his hopes revive, and he determines not to yield the great controversy. He will marshal all the armies of the lost under his banner and through them endeavor to execute his plans.

The wicked are Satan’s captives. In rejecting Christ they have accepted the rule of the rebel leader. They are ready to receive his suggestions and to do his bidding. Yet, true to his early cunning, he does not acknowledge himself to be Satan. He claims to be the prince who is the rightful owner of the world and whose inheritance has been unlawfully wrested from him. He represents himself to his deluded subjects as a redeemer, assuring them that his power has brought them forth from their graves and that he is about to rescue them from the most cruel tyranny.

The presence of Christ having been removed, Satan works wonders to support his claims. He makes the weak strong and inspires all with his own spirit and energy. He proposes to lead them against the camp of the saints and to take possession of the City of God. With fiendish exultation he points to the unnumbered millions who have been raised from the dead and declares that as their leader he is well able to overthrow the city and regain his throne and his kingdom.

In that vast throng are multitudes of the long-lived race that existed before the Flood; men of lofty stature and giant intellect, who, yielding to the control of fallen angels, devoted all their skill and knowledge to the exaltation of themselves; men whose wonderful works of art led the world to idolize their genius, but whose cruelty and evil inventions, defiling the earth and defacing the image of God, caused Him to blot them from the face of His creation.

There are kings and generals who conquered nations, valiant men who never lost a battle, proud, ambitious warriors whose approach made kingdoms tremble. In death these experienced no change. As they come up from the grave, they resume the current of their thoughts just where it ceased. They are actuated by the same desire to conquer that ruled them when they fell.

Satan consults with his angels, and then with these kings and conquerors and mighty men. They look upon the strength and numbers on their side, and declare that the army within the city is small in comparison with theirs, and that it can be overcome. They lay their plans to take possession of the riches and glory of the New Jerusalem. All immediately begin to prepare for battle. Skillful artisans construct implements of war. Military leaders, famed for their success, marshal the throngs of warlike men into companies and divisions.

At last the order to advance is given, and the countless host moves on–an army such as was never summoned by earthly conquerors, such as the combined forces of all ages since war began on earth could never equal. Satan, the mightiest of warriors, leads the van, and his angels unite their forces for this final struggle. Kings and warriors are in his train, and the multitudes follow in vast companies, each under its appointed leader. With military precision the serried ranks advance over the earth’s broken and uneven surface to the City of God. By command of Jesus, the gates of the New Jerusalem are closed, and the armies of Satan surround the city and make ready for the onset.

Now Christ again appears to the view of His enemies. Far above the city, upon a foundation of burnished gold, is a throne, high and lifted up. Upon this throne sits the Son of God, and around Him are the subjects of His kingdom. The power and majesty of Christ no language can describe, no pen portray. The glory of the Eternal Father is enshrouding His Son. The brightness of His presence fills the City of God, and flows out beyond the gates, flooding the whole earth with its radiance.(GC p. 664-666)

I have often thought of this fitting end to this solemn and woeful last stance of the Godless of mankind. Upon the encroaching of the kingdom by the people and armies of the Satanic world, all those who fought God’s people in their prior life, either with disdain, distrust or evil actions, will look up upon the high walls of the kingdom city and notice the faces of those they fought against who stand safely and happy within God’s kingdom!

The Lord’s Elijah message gives us more understanding, and shows the case why Isaiah 65:20 is the short 100 year period for the wicked.

Isa. 65:17 — “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.”

Here we are brought down to the time the Lord finally renews the heaven and the earth.

Isa. 65:18, 19 — “But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in My people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.”

We are encouraged to rejoice because Jerusalem, as well as her people, are created for joy.

Isa. 65:20 — “There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.”

Concerning the wicked in the earth made new, who come up in the second resurrection, the resurrection of the unjust (Rev. 20:5), there shall be neither birth nor death among them for one hundred years. Thus the only children that shall be among them will be those who are raised from the dead. Consequently both those who are old and those who are young will have lived a hundred years from the resurrection of the unjust to the second death. Thus the child and the sinner, becoming a hundred years old in the earth made new, shall both succumb in the end of the century. Then the righteous shall inhabit the whole earth.

Isa. 65:21, 22 — “And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of My people, and Mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.”

Again we see that the Hereafter is to be as real and as natural as was the Garden of Eden in the day it was created. So the message of Elijah shall indeed restore all things — all that was lost through sin.

Isa. 65:23 — “They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with them.”

Much of our labor on this earth is done in vain, and many of our sons and daughters are also born in vain. But in the earth made new, no one shall labor in vain, and nothing shall be brought forth for trouble.

Isa. 65:24 — “And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.”

For the answers to some of our prayers we often wait long, and most of them are not answered as we want them to be. But in the earth made new there shall be no delay and no disappointment.

Isa. 65:25 — “The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, saith the Lord.”

There shall be peace all around. We shall not see men quarreling nor beasts fighting and eating one another. There shall be real and perfect peace among them all.

If we could only realize what God has prepared for them that love to study His Word and to walk in His ever-increasing Light, then we would make God’s business our chief interest; then we would no longer waste our energies striving for the material things of life. They will be added unto us while we diligently labor for the upbuilding of His Kingdom, for He Himself says: “The workman is worthy of his hire.” (Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 44 , p.8-10)

This small study of the 100 year period is quite thrilling to those of us who thank the Lord often that He sent His end time Elijah to “restore”(Matt 17:11) and to “interpret” (TM, p.475) His Holy Word. Oh, let us do all we can to avoid being in the second resurrection, as we see clearly that it will end horribly.

As we learned from last weeks chart study, we the SDA church, will be the first to be judged when the Lord’s judgments start among the living. Now is our time to do all to be within that glorious kingdom!

May God be your strength today, and you make the decision to forgo the sins of the world and come under the umbrella of His last message for His church–His Elijah message.

Posted in Elijah Interpretations, End times | 10 Comments »

Little Words are Important

May 16, 2015

In learning and studying the Scriptures, SOP and the Elijah message, we would do well to be mindful of each and every word, little or large. You see, Satan has from the beginning used “words” to trip us up, especially the small seemingly little words. Let’s look at his beginning tricks.

In the garden of Eden, God said , “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” (Gen. 2:16-17)

Shortly thereafter, that wily deceiver came — “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:..”(Gen. 3:4)

God made three short clear words– “shalt surely die”. Satan came by and added the little word “not”. Thus he successfully negated God’s word with that little “not”, showing the woman she had nothing to fear. But this was just the beginning. This reminds me of that old Al Pacino line, “I’m just gettin started here.”

Yes Satan was just getting started there and he continues to this very day to throw off God’s people by having them side step, gloss over, ignore, and who knows what else– God’s plain clear words, especially the small ones.

Let us look at three examples that stand out today as some of the most important Satan tricks on simple clear words that are glossed over or ignored.

1) As we posted a couple posts back, Ellen White under Inspiration said the following in Testimonies to Ministers, page 475.

Prophecy must be fulfilled. The Lord says: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.” Somebody is to come in the spirit and power of Elijah, and when he appears, men may say: “You are too earnest, you do not interpret the Scriptures in the proper way. Let me tell you how to teach your message.”

Do you see that small word “he”? Satan has greatly convinced the vast multitude of SDA, that it does not mean what it says. Just like he did in the original trickery in Eden! Thus today many believe that the word “he” means “we” or even Ellen White a “she”! In other words, Satan does not want you to read it as it is written, rather side step certain words and make a different meaning.

If the Lord wanted Ellen White to say “they”in place of “he” to come, would it not have read– “Some people are to come in the spirit and power of Elijah, and when they appear…..”. Right? I mean God is not stupid if He wanted the message to say that there was to be a multitude of Elijahs to come-He would have said that! But no, He inspired EGW to say a “somebody is to come”.. and when he appears…”.

This is big. Why? Because Satan knows that as soon as 144,000 are found and sealed, based on them learning and walking in the Lord’s instructions from His last Elijah message brought by ONE MAN, his final short time capsule begins, true panic mode for him and his angels!

Yes, SOP and brother Houteff do say that the message will be spread by those faithful followers aka “Elijah messengers”(Test. for the Church, vol. 5, p.254), but the original message came by one man–Victor T. Houteff. The prophesied ‘Elijah” spoken of in Mal. 4:5.

The Spirit of prophecy explains, “The truths most plainly revealed in the Bible have been involved in doubt and darkness by learned men, who, with a pretense of great wisdom, teach that the Scriptures have a mystical, a secret, spiritual meaning not apparent in the language employed.” (GC, p.598)

“The language of the Bible should be explained according to its obvious meaning, unless a symbol or figure is employed.” (GC, p.599)

“If men would but take the Bible as it reads, if there were no false teachers to mislead and confuse thier minds, a work would be accomplished that would make angels glad and that would bring into the fold of Christ thousands upon thousands who are now wandering in error.” (GC, p.599)

2) Another powerful example involves the promise of God’s kingdom to come. As many of you know we have posted about how God will set up a pre-millennial kingdom in Israel very shortly. Daniel 2 was one of the prophecies that brother Houteff, under Inspiration unlocked for us.

Many of us know that Daniel 2 has traditionally been interpreted as showing Christ coming to the earth (as the stone) destroying the evil kingdoms of the earth. This is true but not as we have mistakenly been led to believe. Christ, through His servants, the 144,000 do this. However Satan has fooled many in this interpretation. How? Let’s look.

After describing how the stone comes from the mountain and destroys the existing kingdoms (ten toes) (Dan 2:31-43) Daniel 2:44 says , “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.”

Did you notice the little word “in”, as “in the days of these kings”? This shows that the stone which symbolically represents God’s remnant who survive the “cutting”(church judgment) from the mountain (church) do the symbolical destroying of the ten toes (current false kingdoms-religion).

Jeremiah also wrote of God’s end-time elect doing these things, “Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms; And with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider; and with thee will I break in pieces the chariot and his rider..”(Jer. 51:20-21).

Satan has hood winked the vast multitude by having us gloss over the “in” word. Because he brought the old leaders to the understanding that Christ comes , in the form of the stone after the earth’s kingdoms are ready for His judgment. In other words, by passing the “in the days of these kings” Satan can fool us to believe that the stone, falsely labeled as Christ, smashes the world kingdoms and then Christ whisks away the saved to heaven. But the vision does not say that. It says the stone then “filled the whole earth”.

“And the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.” (Daniel 2:35)

Obviously the smiting of the worlds kingdoms , by the stone, produces a great church (mountain) and then it spreads throughout the world, it does not smash and then go to heaven immediately as Satan has led us to think. The reason is that Satan wants us to be ignorant of God’s real plans through His prophecies. Those who rightly divide His word are safe from these deceptions however.

3) Our last example is concerning the last prophet spoken of by the Lord.He is to come before the great and dreadful day of the Lord. Satan well knows this and has prepared for a long time to mislead here. How? He does his old Eden simple word trick again!

In Jezreel letter, no. 9, page 1 we read,

“Behold, I will send My messenger, and he shall prepare the way before Me: and the Lord, Whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.” (Mal. 3:1)

There are two main points to note here in these quotations: 1) that the message and the messenger here mentioned are the very last; 2) that they are to restore all things, 3) that there is danger for some to make fools of themselves by daring to tell him how to teach his message–assuming to take God’s place!

Here we see that brother Houteff, under Inspiration says that the “Elijah”, one person with one message, is to be the “very last”. Notice this key –“very last”. We as intelligent humans certainly know that when something is the very last, there is nothing concerning that subject, thing or person that would come after it. Common sense right? Well, we would hope. But not according to the deceiver!

He has done an ultimate deception here. He has fooled some of the highest light bearers, some Davidians! You see, Satan knows that Davidians are the ones to fear, for they know the truth as it is in the prophecies and therefore if he can trick them somehow, someway, he will make a big dent in the Elijah message.

Sadly, some DSDA have fallen for this trick. The words “very last” are made to mean “not very last”! Just as he did in Eden. Thank God, the majority of DSDA have not succumbed to this ploy.

This explains why ,when one starts studying the message and searches further, he can come to a so-called DSDA man, woman or organization that teaches that they have a “current” prophet living that one must follow. Satan has them around, so one must read the original writings by brother Houteff to be safe.

Fortunately these people are the minority among the DSDA and if one is walking upright with the Lord, the Spirit of Truth will guide you and keep you from stepping into such deception.

In closing, may we be attentive to each and every word of Inspiration, even the littlest of words, for by glossing over them or ignoring them , we may go down Satan’s road into false understandings. Little words may mean BIG things to us.

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

Posted in Elijah Interpretations, Proper teachings | 2 Comments »

Why Elijah?

April 4, 2015

This week the thought occurred–why did the Lord promise to bring the anti-typical “Elijah” as the last prophet instead of say, Noah? Or Deborah the prophetess, for example?

The last suggestion begs a timely review because we, as Seventh-day Adventists, have been largely led, falsely by our past leaders, to believe that Ellen White was the “Elijah” to come as prophesied in Malachi 4:5.

Let us look more deeply into why the Lord decided to send someone who would exemplify and typify the original Elijah of the Scriptures. Before we do let us briefly look at why He did not promise to bring Noah for example.

We know well the basic story of Noah. He was found to be walking upright by the Lord and the Lord used him to warn the evil world to repent or die. But Noah did not face a specific group of God’s people, ie. His chosen people. He faced the world, the heathen world.

So today, if the anti-typical Noah was to be sent, he would obviously have a similar message and to the basic same people–the heathen. In other words, God would have determined that a general message of repentance would be needed to go to everybody and not just God’s remnant church. Therefore, the obvious conclusion is that Noah would not have been the fitting type, for the anti-typical last day messenger, lest God bypass and stop caring about His own people who are “wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked,..” (Rev. 3:17)

True, there is to be a great last proclamation to the world–the great Loud Cry, but that is after His Elijah does the anti-typical work that the original one did.

Back to our Deborah idea. As mentioned many times in our posts, the Satan trick has been one of perverting the truth, and certainly this theory that Ellen White was the Elijah to come, does not disappoint for him. The SDA church has largely bought this idea, but there is some history that needs to be brought to view. As the word says, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32).

In Testimonies to Ministers, p.475 she wrote–

“Prophecy must be fulfilled. The Lord says: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.” Somebody is to come in the spirit and power of Elijah, and when he appears, men may say: “You are too earnest, you do not interpret the Scriptures in the proper way. Let me tell you how to teach your message.”

The above quote originated in the 1890 and was put into her work, known as “Special Testimonies to Ministers and Workers, also known as “Special Testimonies, Series A.” Then in 1923, due to the high demand for a book that would have many of these special instructions, the first edition was made and called “Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers.” The above quotation was added in this volume just as you see it above, pure and unaltered.

In 1944 the second edition was completed. Again the subject quote was as shown. Now, we shall examine the trickery that those who fail to search for truth as golden treasure, become entangled in and ultimately can lose their way and thus fail to be sealed.

We , as present truth believers know that Victor T. Houteff was the only clear and convincing SDA member to announce his message as that of Elijah throughout our church history. Just as our prophetess never claimed to be a “prophet” (or prophetess) we well know she was by studying her writings, same with brother Houteff. The ones who take up his writings are simply “bowled over” with the spirit and power that accompanies his writings. Simply put, both writers exemplified a “higher knowledge” than what is common to man. A divine knowledge that surpassed their 3rd and 4th grade education level. You can only know this by prayerfully reading their works.

History shows that after Victor Houteff died in 1955, a slow downhill developed. His wife , Florence, usurped the head office of the organization and it was all downhill sliding from there. To the point where ultimately she went apostate, in that she did not recognize either Ellen White or even her husband as legitimate prophets. Such was the scenery in 1962.

The Davidian cause had suffered its famous “knock out blow”, which brother Houteff had predicted many years prior to come from within the Davidian movement itself. Here’s his prediction–

“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. It is, moreover, but to be expected that the Adversary will employ every agency possible to prevent the Lord from disclosing to view His now obscure 144,000 first-fruit servants, who are to go gather in the second fruits (Rev. 7:9). The Enemy will try everything conceivable to confuse, becloud, and cover up the Truth, especially on the subject of the 144,000.” (White House Recruiter, p. 33, 1951)

The knockout blow came in 1959. Florence Houteff and her handpicked counsel falsely predicted Ezekiel 9 to occur in April of 1959 and basically placed brother Houteff and the Lord’s Elijah message on the altar, so to speak. Of course, it did not happen and she and her cronies on her counsel were left shamed and disillusioned. Over one thousand believers came to the organization’s property in Waco Texas in April of 1959, many having sold everything, on the advice of Florence and her counsel.

Much as a professional boxer sees his opponent hurt and seizes upon the moment, to inflict further damage, so too did the unbelieving SDA leaders. This was their moment to strike, to put a final dagger in the Shepherd’s Rod message brought from the Lord through His messenger, Victor Houteff.

So the SDA leaders at that time took full advantage of this fiasco. Just as Satan had planned no doubt. It was his workings, to be sure, that had been sowing the seeds for the Lord’s message and messenger to be much maligned .Thank the Lord, a small faithful group relocated to California and kept the Truth, His Elijah message, from collapsing altogether. So at this time, 1962, the third edition of the Testimonies came out.

The later copies of the third edition boldly now had an * asterisk * by the above statement which now read like this —

“Prophecy must be fulfilled. The Lord says: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.” Somebody is to come in the spirit and power of Elijah,[*SEE APPENDIX.] and when he appears, men may say: “You are too earnest, you do not interpret the Scriptures in the proper way. Let me tell you how to teach your message.”

And it read in part–

PAGE 475. SOMEBODY IS TO COME IN THE SPIRIT AND POWER OF ELIJAH: THESE WORDS HAVE BEEN MISTAKENLY APPLIED BY SOME TO SOME INDIVIDUAL WHO IT WAS THOUGHT WOULD APPEAR WITH A PROPHETIC MESSAGE SUBSEQUENT TO MRS. WHITE’S LIFE AND WORK. THE THREE PARAGRAPHS COMPRISING THIS ARTICLE TITLED “LET HEAVEN GUIDE” ARE ONLY A SMALL PORTION OF A TALK GIVEN BY ELLEN WHITE IN BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN, THE MORNING OF JANUARY 29, 1890.

Then they go on to explain that Ellen White was really talking of herself as “Elijah”. But let us take note here. First, the original words of her writings were left untouched for approximately 72 years. Secondly, as mentioned above, when their opportune time came to put out any ideas of Victor Houteff being the true Elijah to come, they seized the moment.

Third, not once during Victor Houteff’s ministry (1930 to 1955) did the denomination dare to even think of adding anything to that statement. Why? Because they knew brother Houteff would have exposed how ridiculous such a thought. Even prior to VTH (1890 to 1929), the denomination knew full well that EGW never claimed to bring the Elijah message, directly or indirectly.

Ellen White herself said, as the statement shows, a “he” would appear after her (“to come”) bringing the Elijah message. Look at her own inspired words describing how we are to read the Bible–

“The language of the Bible should be explained according to its obvious meaning, unless a symbol or figure is employed.” (GC, p.598-599)

To believe that she herself believed that she was the Elijah, not only mocks Ellen White’s divine comprehension of the Truth, but mocks God Himself! For this would mean God decided to use the original male type “Elijah” to show a female anti-type with a female name–Ellen. True nonsense with no “obvious meaning”!

As mentioned before, if God had designed that Ellen White would be the last messenger and the final prophet, would it not had made sense to say –“Behold I will send you Deborah the prophetess, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.” ? At least the Lord would have not mixed us up with gender. Of course this all proves that those who follow such shallow reasoning of saying Ellen White was the Elijah to come, really are not being led by the “Spirit of Truth”.

Ok, now that we’ve cleared the two possible scenarios of why God did not send Noah or Deborah, let’s look at the “why” of His decision to send the anti-typical Elijah. Why Elijah?

Elijah , as we all know, was a simple man with great courage. But it is important to realize that he went solely to his own people. Elijah did not send his message to the heathen. This is another difference between Ellen White and Victor Houteff. Our beloved prophetess spent much time in her ministry giving her message to not only the SDA church but to the outside world, those not aligned with the SDA church. Books such as the classic “Steps to Christ” certainly were meant for ALL people around the world. Victor Houteff concentrated his message solely to the SDA church throughout his ministry. Anti type doing the type in God’s fulfillment.

Elijah’s core message was–repent and reform before God’s judgments fall upon you. The exact message of brother Houteff. Victor, as many who have read his writings know, was guided by the Lord to uncover many prophecies pertaining to the “great and dreadful day of the Lord.” (Such as Hosea, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Daniel, Revelation, Malachi, Zechariah, etc.)

Just as in Elijah’s time, our church as fallen so far from true worship and obedience to God’s word, that God saw that he would have to send the anti-typical Elijah to awake His people. Our church today, has basically abandoned Dress, health, worship,Sabbath and other reforms. Many of our pastors today even wink at abominations done in the midst, such as buying and selling on the Sabbath, short dresses,women without head covering, talking business on the Sabbath, etc, etc.

But only those who are striving with all power God has given them to be among the 144,000 (RH, March 9, 1905), will clearly see all these abominations done in the church.

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

In closing the prophet speaks concerning our subject–

“It is therefore only to be expected that the predicted Elijah will be denounced as a false prophet, perhaps even as the anti-Christ, offshoot, or what not…Every wind of doctrine will be blowing, false revivals and reformations will be at their peak. Everything that can be done will be done to distort the Truth and thus distract and dishearten believers and draw their attention to something other than the message of Elijah.

Nevertheless, one’s only safety will be in the teaching of Elijah, for there will be no other voice of timely Truth and authority to whom one may turn. Any others will lead their victims blind-folded into perdition…Finally, for what other purpose could any right thinking minds suppose the Lord would send His prophet if not for them to give ear to him, that they might thereby survive the great and dreadful day of the Lord? For what else, indeed, could the Lord have made a record of prophecy and promise of His last-day prophet? Ponder this, Brethren; think it through.(General Conference Special, p.7-8)

Posted in Elijah, Elijah Interpretations, Victor T. Houteff | 3 Comments »

Women’s Ordination

March 14, 2015

(Prophetess Deborah instructing her servant)

One of the biggest issues to vote upon this coming General Conference session in Texas, will be the issue of women ordination. Much has already been said on it via media such as blogs, YouTube, 3ABN reports, etc. But how about what the Lord’s last messenger said, the “Elijah to come”? Would that not be the best place to look? Of course it would. In fact it really should be our “final” place to look to, for us as God’s last remnant church. Ok , let’s look at this issue as the Lord wants us.

What about Women teaching?

When brought face to face with the truth, some act like men who have lost their reason. As fish jump at bait, they foolishly jump at conclusions. And when they are mercifully freed from the hook and given a chance to live, instead of departing from their greedy, selfish policies, and keeping themselves from being caught again, they rush at another bait, only to find themselves hooked again and again. When they find that they have thus repeatedly brought themselves into disrepute, they even then do not resolve to get right and stay right.

Those who get themselves cornered and cut off from every avenue of escape from the truth, instead of surrendering their erroneous ideas, make a desperate effort to dodge out of their plight, through the shift of isolating the scripture: “Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.” 1 Cor. 14:34.

This resort, however, only gives sharper point to the truism that it is never fair for one to assume a stand on an issue, solely on the weight of opinion derived from one or two verses, without first considering the verses in the light of the whole chapter, yes, even of the entire Bible; for if one’s interpretation of the Scriptures is not supported by every sentence of Holy Writ, it is a fallacious interpretation, a blind conclusion, without Bible foundation.

In 1 Corinthians 14, we find that many of the women had gone “mad” (verse 23) over speaking in unknown tongues. Hence Paul is endeavoring to dispel the confusion, not to silence anyone who has an inspired message to deliver. An attempt to stop women from teaching would not be in harmony with the following scriptures:

“And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time. And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.” Judges 4:4, 5.

“And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; and she was a widow of about four-score and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.” Luke 2:36, 37.

Also “Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum” taught Israel (2 Kings 22:14-16). And “Philip the evangelist,…had four daughters, virgins, which did prophecy.” Acts 21:8, 9.

So those who think that Paul forbids a woman to teach, are not in the slightest bit discrediting and impeaching Mrs. White’s office, but rather are unwittingly casting reflection upon Paul’s writings — endeavoring to bring them into apparent conflict with the writings of his fellow-writers of the Scriptures.

Those who carefully study will learn not to jump at baited hooks, but rather humbly to submit themselves to the teachings of the Spirit of Christ if they expect Him to save them from the curse of sin and from the wrath of God. (Tract 6 , p.75-76)

The above says that we should accept women as teachers of the Word. However these statements do not imply that there should be women in authority positions. such as an elder of the church, pastor or conference leader (at least as of right now).

In that night wherever the blood appeared on the door-post, the first born whether male or female, perished not, just so now, those who receive the seal, have applied the blood on the door-post (forehead), and as the first born of both classes, those who died and those who did not, were a type of the present priesthood (ministry), evidently, the type points forward to a ministry in the anti-type made up of both sexes. (2 Shepherd’s Rod, p.168)

Notice the words “points forward”. This implies that in the post church purification, the servants will consist of both male and female proclaiming the Loud Cry. And as a “ministry” consists of “ministers” it stands to reason that both male and female will be ministers, even in the house of God! This all makes perfect sense as after the judgment in the house of God is done, those who survive will be seen as “pure” and therefore blameless, being able to carry out any and all of God instructions, the sex being a non-issue.

The Elijah message continues–

In the beginning God created both the man and the woman equal, as king and queen. “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” (Gen. 1:28.) Note that the dominion was given to them both. However, after they sinned a change was made: “Unto the woman He said,… thy desire shall be to thy husband, and He shall rule over thee.” (Gen. 3:16.)

So, after the woman sinned she fell under the government of man. But that which Eve lost by deception, shall be restored by redemption. Thus again the equality of both shall be established as kings and queens. Therefore, “There is neither male nor female in Christ Jesus.” Christ himself confirms the idea in the following expression: “For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels which are in heaven.” (Ibid, p.168-169)

It is interesting to note that of all the women who have ever lived, I would say it’s a good bet that Ellen White was the most deserving of ordination as a Pastor, yet she never was. She also never taught that women should be chosen as Elders or as Pastors. Again, we see that God’s all seeing eye made sure that authority was to be placed in the man’s hands, until the time comes to pour out His Spirit on both male and female.

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.” (Joel 2:28-29)

Adding it up

So we see that the Elijah message tells us the women can be teachers now. And they can teach in God’s house (ie. Sabbath school, sermon addresses, etc.) But we do not find any authorization for allowing women to hold authoritative positions over man for now But, soon when the church is purified we shall see a ministry comprising both male and female doing God’s work as “ministers”. This is the prophesied “points forward” type and anti-type fulfillment. This means women as well as men will lead the congregations in God’s end time church. They are purified and have been “tried in the fire” and found worthy of their hire–amen!

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Zechariah 4 (God’s Method of Revealing Truth)

July 12, 2014

zechariah-4-picture

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.

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.

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 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. 4:13, 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, 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. (Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 14 , p.16-23)

The above was selected portions of Victor Houteff’s sermon , Nov. 9. 1946, concerning God’s inspired way of transporting Truth from Scriptures down to the laity. The two pipes, as the prophet indicated represent the two interpreters, who are the ones rightly inspired to take the clear message and prophecies from the Scriptures, and put them in the bowl (books), so that we as laity can really know what the mysteries of the Bible mean! Those two inspired interpreters are none other than Ellen White (SOP) and Victor T. Houteff (ELIJAH MESSAGE). May the Lord be glorified for such revealing of His end time truths to us!

Posted in Elijah Interpretations, Proper teachings | 1 Comment »

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