Archive for the ‘General thoughts’ Category

A Healthy Foundation and Remedies

April 18, 2020

In 1946 brother Houteff made a Tract as seen above. In it, he expounded upon the human body in regard to health and disease. We all the fear of a global pandemic today, we thought we’d post about some good solid health info. The following is some information contained in the Tract.

“THE CAUSES OF DISEASE

Disease has been identified in three different categories — hereditary, communicative, and self-created (acquired). This being so, then there must be three kinds of sin, three laws to transgress. Two of these laws are found in the Decalogue (Ex. 20:3-17): The first prohibits sinning against God, and the second against our fellowmen. The Third, therefore, is the law of health, the law which forbids transgressing against our bodies (Lev. 11; Isa. 66:16, 17).

Plainly, then, sinning against God brings in its wake a hereditary curse, the kind that passes from father to son “unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me” (Ex. 20:5), saith the Lord. And sinning against our fellowmen brings communicative diseases, shown in the fact that when Miriam sinned against her brother, Moses, she was stricken with the contagious disease, leprosy (Num. 12). “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long….” Ex. 20:12.

So “whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Gal. 6:7. Thus it was that when Haman built the gallows upon which to hang Mordecai, he himself was hanged on them (Esther 7:9, 10). And when Daniel was unjustly cast into the lions’ den, his enemies were devoured by the hungry beasts, but Daniel was spared (Dan. 6:16, 22, 24). Moreover, when the three Hebrews were cast into the fiery furnace, those who carried them were consumed by the flames, but the Hebrews came out unharmed (Dan. 3:21-23). So also, “he that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword.” Rev. 13:10.

It is therefore a never-failing fact that if one molests his neighbor, or intends to do so, the harm will fall on himself; and if he harms his neighbor’s children, his own children will suffer as a result. The diseases, though, which are not inherited, the sinner himself creates by sinning against his own body. Sinning against a neighbor or against oneself, nevertheless, is indirectly sinning against God also.

 

WHAT SHOULD EVERYONE KNOW?

If one is suffering from a hereditary disease, for which his parents, grandparents, or great grandparents alone are guilty, he is, of course, helpless to do much of anything in the line of complete recovery, be it by dieting or by using drugs. He may, however, be able to control the disease or even to overcome it by being strictly obedient to the laws of God, knowing that nothing in the world will effect a cure for such illness but prayer, if God’s wisdom so decrees.

On the other hand, if one is suffering from a disease which has been communicated to him or that is communicative, due to one’s sinning against his fellowmen, then to remove the disease once and forever, he must repent of his sin, practice the golden rule: “All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.” Matt. 7:12.

But if the disease be neither hereditary nor communicative, then it must be self-created, acquired by oneself, by violating the laws of health, by not living right in one respect or another.

The wise will, therefore, correct their habits of living — make sure that they do not sin against God or against their fellowmen, that they sleep, breathe, eat, drink, and work correctly and religiously, and if there is a cure at all, they will have it.

The cause of each type of disease having now been defined, the sufferer of any of the three kinds of diseases may without difficulty determine which one of the three laws he is transgressing and as a result paying the penalty it imposes. If he is afflicted with complications of diseases, though, he must be breaking all of God’s laws. Let him henceforth quit sinning in any line if he expects to recover and stay well, too.

Many diseases, of course, are wrongly classed as contagious. For example, tuberculosis is not actually communicable, for when one becomes infected with the disease, he can effect a cure if while it is yet in its early stages, he begins to live right. Obviously, then, if one always lives right, he need not fear of the disease ever getting a foothold in his body.

So in the last analysis a number of diseases so-called contagious are not in reality such. Strictly speaking, they are infectious, brought on by oneself. And now, how fortunate should one consider himself to know that right living and right doing, with faith in God, actually do away with a multitude of sorrows!

SUMMARIZING THE CAUSES OF ALL DISEASES

Those who wonder what is the cause of this, of that, and of the other disease, may quickly test every case:

It is now fully understood that life and death are at war with each other as are the nations among themselves: One nation’s army may pour fire upon another, but not all of the soldiers receive the same kind of wound even though the whole army be under the same fire. In like manner, the bodies of men are the soldiers and the cause of disease the Enemy’s mighty weapon in the warfare between heaven and earth.

Hence, though some suffer from headache, some from stomach-ache, some from diabetes, some from anemia, from heart disease gallstones, neuritis, or other ailments, yet all suffer for the same reason — simply because they have in one way or another moved away from their only fortress, the laws of God. This is the final diagnosis of all diseases. Stick close to Nature, and Nature will stick close to you.” (The Entering Wedge, page 9-13)


Good solid information indeed! Additionally if you find you or a loved one with the Coronavirus you may want to try Marie’s natural remedy if it gets to the more serious respiratory stage  —

A Re-Routing of the Flock

April 4, 2020

Fall Archives | Visit Sun Valley

The word reroute according to our dictionary means —

“send (someone or something) by or along a different route.” (Google dictionary)

As many of us know all too well by now, our life has been changed, a rerouting has occurred. Things have altered drastically with a suddenness that is truly breathtaking! Yet, we as God’s professed people at these times need to pray and sup with our King. Then only will we know what to make of this all!

This is exactly what yours truly did these last couple weeks and I would like to relate what transpired in my “sup” with our King. In “supping” we may be walking, driving the car, just about anywhere and correspond back and forth (a conversation more or less) with the Lord as He promised in Rev.3:20 —

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.”

As we mentioned in a prior post, the idea of some type of church persecution, as we are experiencing now, just didn’t add up to me. After all the four winds are to be held back UNTIL the 144,000 are all found and sealed (Rev. 7:1-4). So I needed to inquire of the Lord–“Lord just what is going on here?”

The answer came back as only the Lord can respond! This is NOT any type of church persecution rather an opportunity for us as God’s remnant people! You ask–how so? Allow us to explain.

As we who are striving to be among that number all too well know our church is in dire condition right now. SOP explains —

“Men and women are in the last hours of probation, and yet are careless and stupid, and ministers have no power to arouse them; they are asleep themselves. Sleeping preachers preaching to a sleeping people!” (Testimonies, vol. 2, p.337)

The Lord, frankly from all we can gather is regarding our church services as Scripture says —

I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me.
Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them.
Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them.
Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. (Amos 5:21-23)

A few years ago we did a post called “The Church of the Routine” which described our current lifeless services.

https://godsloveandlaw.com/2010/05/01/the-church-of-the-routine/

So where are we going with all this? Just this, the Lord appears to have had it! He has allowed the government to close our church FOR A REASON! The time fo our SDA probation is almost over!

Our church, yes the Seventh-day Adventist church is just about ready for her visitation spoken of in many places in His Word , such as —

“I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to His temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty.

But who can endure the day of His coming? Who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years.

So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice, but do not fear Me,” says the Lord Almighty.”(Mal. 3:1-5)

Ok , let’s look at what we now are experiencing. We know that Satan is the master of fear and death. We know that this earth’s kingdom is run by a few massively wealthy families who also largely own the media (except the internet!). Our Lord did not dispute that in Matt. 4:8-9 —

“Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

So, this being the case Satan’s world leaders have now made their move. Churches are closed, freedom is restricted. The method of choice is this monster, which their media has painted as a gigantic plague. The facts are clear though that the truth is not that this is so deadly as to the fact that the media has produced such fear and dread!

We all remember the swine flu that was prominent back in 2008-2010. That caused tremendously more deaths and spread much further than the Chinese flu. Yet where was the panic? No restriction was placed because the covert operation was not ready then. The Covid19 should really be labeled the Covert19, as it is a covert planned operation started in 2019 in China.

For those who doubt that this really is a LARGE SCAM, see this video —

https://www.foxnews.com/media/physician-blasts-cdc-coronavirus-death-count-guidelines

Regardless of these facts, our main concern though as God’s remnant people is that we should seek to know “why” the Lord has allowed this.  Our answer is quite simple yet brilliant.

THE LORD HAS CLOSED DOWN THE SPIRITLESS ASSEMBLIES NOW. FOR A LAST CHANCE FOR HIS PEOPLE TO LEARN/ACCEPT HIS FINAL MESSAGE OF ELIJAH. –wow!

You see brethren the leaders of the church have undeniably hindered this final message of Elijah , aka Shepherd’s Rod. Anyone who has tried to proclaim this in the church, especially during our service time and study meetings, has been either censored, rebuked, or disfellowshiped.

It is as the Lord prophesied —

The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock. You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured.

You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally. So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild animals.  My sheep wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. They were scattered over the whole earth, and no one searched or looked for them.

 “‘Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord:  As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, because my flock lacks a shepherd and so has been plundered and has become food for all the wild animals, and because my shepherds did not search for my flock but cared for themselves rather than for my flock,  therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord.

 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock. I will remove them from tending the flock so that the shepherds can no longer feed themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them.

“‘For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them.  As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.” (Ezek. 34:1-12)

So now what can the SDA members do? They have time to search for His message and that is the part of the vineyard where God’s messengers are not hindered. It is Facebook, YouTube, Blogs, email studies, phone conferences, etc. Here they will now be able to see without hindrance His message that will seal them!

Wonderful are His plans, perfect ways, and love to the very end!

In summary brethren, these are the very last hours of our probation, God is pulling out all stops, will you hear, will you come into the anti-typical Noahs’ ark before its too late?

For those who wish to learn about  the Lord’s Elijah message , click here

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

NOTE: Color code — Orange Lord speaking, Blue Bible or Spirit of Prophecy

 

The Brethren Come Together

March 28, 2020

As we showed in our last post, the time is now for us to proclaim the Lord’s final message of Elijah. Today (Sabbath March 28, 2020) our brethren from MT. Dale organization held a “Shepherd’s Rod History” presentation. 

They discuss many aspects of the history of the movement, with its many twists and turns. They also discuss current disrupters who attack their work and yet in a cloak of righteousness claim that their work is of God. As an example, one group accuses them of doctoring some artwork on the Tracts, but unbelievably the accusers show that they practiced exactly what they accuse our Mt.Dale brethren of doing! 

“You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.” (Roman 2:1)

The original artwork from the Tract called “Entering Wedge”. A booklet based on health principles which brother Houteff wrote back in 1946 —

Entering Wedge — A Time for Drugs Rather than for Food: A ...
(Source — UPA7.org)

Accusers  doctored Tract for sale on Amazon (since  deleted after being exposed)

UPA7 Attacks God's Workers Again | HearYeTheRod

Despite the enemy coming in from all sides, we must keep our eyes on the goal–His kingdom!

Uriah Smith’s Confusion

March 14, 2020

Image result for Uriah Smith

As many of us Adventists know, the book “Daniel and the Revelation”, which before was called “Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation”, is often used as a basis for some of our SDA end-time beliefs. Yet our final messenger, brother Houteff clearly showed that this book, though partly illuminating, certainly cannot be held in “inspired” esteem as some have thought. Let us now read the cutting truths presented by our Elijah message about this situation.

” .. the reader’s attention is called to Elder Uriah Smith’s book, originally entitled Thoughts on Daniel and The Revelation, and later Daniel and The Revelation, in which is explained, among other subjects, the subject of “the seven trumpets.” Here one will notice that Elder Smith is not the original author of the exposition of the trumpets. The originators were Messrs. Keith, Clark, Barnes, et al. “Thus far,” says Elder Smith, “Keith has furnished us with illustrations of the sounding of the first five trumpets.” — Daniel and The Revelation, p. 506.

Then further in the same chapter, and in explanation of Revelation 9:17, we read: “As the Turks discharged their firearms on horseback, it would appear to the distant beholder, that the fire, smoke and brimstone issued out of the horses’ mouths, as illustrated by the accompanying plate.” — Id., p.510. “Barnes thinks this was the case,” remarks Elder Smith; “and a statement from Gibbon confirms this view.” — ld., p. 510, footnote.

Thus, plainly, the interpretation of the seven trumpets, as it is found in Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation, was not originated by the Seventh-day Adventist denomination. But their placing upon it their endorsement makes it appear as Seventh-day Adventist doctrine. In other words, the theories of uninspired men having the S.D.A. stamp of approval, are made to appear to the S.D.A. laity as genuine S.D.A. Bible doctrines.

This goes to show that the majority of Seventh-day Adventists, right along with others, do not ask, “Is it true, — in harmony with God’s word? but, By whom is it advocated?” — Testimonies to Ministers, p.106. And if the theory comes through a popular channel, they as a rule unquestionably accept it!

A fair example is their unhesitatingly applauding such manipulations as rationalizing “the heads of lions” (in the symbolism of Revelation 9:17) into heads of Arabian horses, and the serpent-like tails (Rev. 9:19), into common horses’ tails (as evidenced by the accompanying illustration) in order to connect the trumpets with the battles of the Turks!

But even worse, they unhesitatingly agree that the “fire,” “smoke,” and “brimstone” did not issue, as John saw them, from the lion-like mouths, but rather from a gun in the hand of a Turk!

Their accepting these additions and subtractions to and from Holy Writ, a practice condemned by the Scriptures (Rev. 22:18, 19), shows that they are victims of a faulty vision, which causes them to think themselves right when they are all wrong (Testimonies, Vol. 3, pp. 252, 253).

Their subscribing to such a practice, moreover, undermines faith in the Bible, for if the Revelator be wrong in one instance, then can he not be mistaken in other instances also? And if we cannot depend upon the book of The Revelation

 

 

image onf page 5 of tract 5

 

just as it reads, then how can we put confidence in any of the Bible? And if inspired prophets cannot declare the positive truth of what they see, then how can uninspired students of their writings declare it? So, those who learn “to give an answer to every man that asketh…a reason of the hope that is in” (1 Pet. 3:15) them, will have no trouble answering the question:

Did John See Correctly?

True, the seer of Patmos was an erring human being like ourselves, but the one who dictated His writings — the great and infallible I Am, Overseer and Proof Reader of the Scriptures — was there to see that John made a faithful record of what he saw, for the exact truth of the symbolism means our very life. Indeed, it is not possible that the Lord would jeopardize our salvation by displaying the symbolism so far removed from John’s sight that he could not accurately see and record it, and yet expect to save us by it.

If John failed to see correctly the symbols in the vision, as these supposed-to-be men of learning and experience speciously explain, then does it not imply that God is indifferent as to whether or not He reveals in a misleading way truth which is essential to our salvation? If not, and if John was wrong, why, then, did not God correct him? Was it impossible for Him here to correct His prophet?

“The second angel,” says the Revelator, “poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.” Rev. 16:3. If John could not, as is contended, see exactly where the “fire,” “smoke,” and “brimstone” came from, then how could he see that “every” creature, as he says in the words just quoted, died in the bottom of the sea? Which condition is the more difficult to see with exactness?

The acceptance and the teaching of such interpretations is signboard evidence that there is today gross darkness throughout the church, enveloping both the laity and the watchmen who claim to be the “men of experience” mentioned in Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 293, and elucidated in Tract No. 4, The Latest News for Mother Revised Edition, pp. 32-35. These men, though exceedingly “unskilful in the Word,” as is seen from the foregoing observations, forbid that anything new in which they see no light, be brought before the people. And despite the fact that such utterly unlawful and light-obscuring restrictions are devised to keep the people forever in their errors, the laity nevertheless accept them without question, and esteem those who devise them as wise and true friends.

And all who refuse to be bound by such restrictions are “cast out” (Isa. 66:5), while multitudes who disbelieve the Spirit of Prophecy are retained, and other multitudes of like unbelief are accepted as members in approved standing! Thus is reenacted the outstanding sin of the Jews, which called forth from the lips of the Saviour the piercing pronouncement: “If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!” Matt. 6:23.

“The enemy,” says the Spirit of Prophecy, “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.” — Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 294.

O what great darkness has covered the people! Will you, Brother, Sister, sit in calm unconcern, and watch the enemy plunge them blindly into hell? Says the Lord: “I Jesus have sent Mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.” Rev. 22:16. Then He adds the dread pronouncement: “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy God shall take away his part out of the Book of Life, and out of the Holy City, and from the things which are written in this book.” Rev. 22:18, 19.

Now, if John failed in his work, and the Scriptures indeed be as imperfectly written as the commentaries herein examined would force one to conclude they are, how, then, dare Christ adjure us, under pain of such fearful penalty, not to tamper with the Holy Word of God? For if John was wrong in what he wrote, we perish. And if we alter his writings, likewise we perish! What! Were the Scriptures devised for our destruction rather than for our salvation? Forbid the thought! The immutable words of Jesus just quoted, certify that His Book is perfect, and that It need not be altered by any man.

Ironically, though, the very ones who usually become involved in the practice of altering the Scriptures, are those who talk the loudest about exercising great care not to be enmeshed by false doctrine. And, to back up their talk, they very carefully keep themselves aloof from everything new which does not come through themselves. Such will never recover from their terrible blindness until they begin to search for “eyesalve” (Inspiration) as they do for gold, for only new truth can open their eyes, unmask their errors, and woo them to the truth. Satan, though, well knowing that their sight will quickly recover if they come with an open heart to the light, consequently fills them with prejudice to keep them from making an unbiased personal investigation of unfolding truths.

Such are the “lukewarm” church members who have not kept pace with the light, and who as a result have been left behind in every advance of truth. Whereas those who have been dissatisfied with their degree of enlightenment, who are “either hot or cold,” have marched on with present truth from generation to generation.” (Tract 5, p.7-15)

The Snake

February 15, 2020

Image result for Al wilson the snake

Some of you may remember a chart-topping smash hit from Al Wilson back in 1968 called “The Snake”. Not only did it have a catchy beat but the lyrics had a solemn story of deception. The following are the haunting lyrics —

On her way to work one morning
Down the path alongside the lake
A tender-hearted woman saw a poor half-frozen snake
His pretty colored skin had been all frosted with the dew
“Oh well,” she cried, “I’ll take you in and I’ll take care of you”

“Take me in oh tender woman (come on in)
Take me in, for heaven’s sake (come on in)
Take me in tender woman,” sighed the snake

She wrapped him up all cozy in a curvature of silk
And then laid him by the fireside with some honey and some milk
Now she hurried home from work that night as soon as she arrived
She found that pretty snake she’d taken in had been revived

“Take me in, oh tender woman (come on in)
Take me in, for heaven’s sake (come on in)
Take me in tender woman,” sighed the snake

Now she clutched him to her bosom, “You’re so beautiful,” she cried
“But if I hadn’t brought you in by now you might have died”
Now she stroked his pretty skin again and then kissed and held him tight
But instead of saying thanks that snake gave her a vicious bite (oh…)

“Take me in, oh tender woman (come on in)
Take me in, for heaven’s sake (come on in)
Take me in tender woman,” sighed the snake

“I saved you!” cried the woman, and you bit me even while, and you know your bite

is poisonous and now I’m gonna die! “Oh shut up silly woman” said the reptile with a grin “Now you know darn well I was a snake before you brought me in”

“Please take me in, oh tender woman (come on in)
Take me in, for heaven’s sake (come on in)
Take me in tender woman,” sighed the snake
sighed the snake

Take me in tender woman

The purpose of why we are highlighting this song/lyrics is because President Trump has repeatedly used these words in some of his political rallies for over 3 years now. The latest usage was in his New Hampshire rally this week. As he read back the words of the hit song, he used the excuse that the story was about “immigration” implying that some immigrants are like snakes who want to come in and then do bad things. But we think there may be a much more subtle reason, a subtle prophetic reason.

A while back we did the following post —

https://godsloveandlaw.com/2017/10/28/and-his-number-is-666/

In it, we showed how president Trump continually exhibited the 666 hand sign while giving speeches. And as we know Rev. 13:18 speaks of the following —

“Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.”

Image result for pictures of Trump's' hand signals

Now to be clear, we are not saying FOR SURE that Trump is the 666 man mentioned in Revelation but we do need to be aware of the surrounding circumstances. Below is a recent picture taken in the White House with Sunday keeping religious leaders and Trump.

President Trump surrounded by a large group of worship leaders from across the country whom he invited to pray for him in the Oval Office Friday.

Recently an article appeared with highly popular “prophet” Shawn Bolz.

It read in part — “After Trump took historic action moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Bolz said Trump is going to continue fighting for Israel and establishing more credibility for the Jewish State in the Middle East, partly because Trump isn’t afraid of the backlash. Trump will “fight for Israel until they have a lot more than what they’ve had” in what’s been a hostile environment.”

Other world-renown Sunday leaders such as Billy Graham’s son — Franklin Graham, have been a big Trump supporter as well. So it is clear the close relationship is already there among his constituents, the Sunday worship community. They are all ears, in other words, to what he is saying in regards to religion.

The Sunday keeping community has long believed that in 1948 “God” restored His people (Jews) to their homeland to fulfill numerous prophecies. In Romans 11:25-26 we read–

“For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles have come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.”

Thus they have totally misinterpreted the Scriptures to say that God will magically force the hearts of the unbelieving Jews there today, to come to Jesus. You might call it a — God spell put upon them! Total Blasphemy!

 

The Lord’s Elijah message does indeed give us the right interpretation of Romans 11:25-26 —

“ALL OR A REMNANT–WHICH?

Question No. 64:

Romans 9:27 says that a “remnant” of Israel will be saved, but Romans 11:26 says that “all” Israel will be saved. I do not understand this. Can you help me?

Answer:

Romans 9:27 is speaking of Israel as a nation, of which only a remnant will be saved; whereas Romans 11:26 is referring to the elect of Israel as individuals, all of whom will be saved.” (Answerer, vol. 3, p.51)

 Jesus was clear about this, as He spoke to the unbelieving Jews —

“Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.”(Matt. 21″43)

So today Trump is seen as a sort of close friend to the Sunday evangelicals and the Sunday keeping community at large. Afterall he has recently moved the USA embassy to Jerusalem and the leaders of Israel certainly admire him. And just more recently he and Benjamin Netanyahu have compiled an “Israel/Palestine” peace agreement, which by the way, is totally unacceptable from the Palestinian people’s point of view.

To further complicate the relationship with Trump’s religious ties, he is additionally looked at as a modern-day “Cyrus”. This article explains it —

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jan/11/donald-trump-evangelical-christians-cyrus-king

Going back to the snake song words. Instead of what president Trump is using it as (Immigration illustration) we could very well see it as the following:

The Woman, which we know means God’s people or church in Scripture, and in this case, representing the Sunday keeping church community, taking in Trump and making him popular. Yet someday he may turn around and bite them! Meaning that he may be the 666 man who establishes, along with the false prophet and the Beast system, the mandatory forced Sunday Law religious system.

Those who know the Scripture prophecies, particularly Revelation, know very well that this whole Law will end up forcing all those who accept it — into eternal damnation!

“And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.” (Revelation 19:20)

So is Trump reading a prophetic statement, concerning himself,  from a song long ago popular called the “The Snake”? Is he, like that snake, playing into their kindness and gullibility? As far as we know he does not know prophecy well, and so he could not even be aware of his own sinister role he plays soon. Only time will tell.

God’s Meat — Prophecies

September 21, 2019

Image result for meat of the word

The Elijah message tells us —

“He who controls the Scriptures is able to reveal present truth to His people at a time when needed. Therefore, though such truths are originally prophetic, they become new, and stand as a direct letter from God to men at the time revealed. “Thus saith God the Lord,… Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.” (Isa. 42:5, 9.)”(SRod, vol. 2, p.9)

Let’s face it, prophecy is sometimes so deep and mysterious that many throw up their hands and say “Well, there are more important things to know about God than prophecies. They are not so important as Jesus taught about love and that is what we need to concentrate on.”

True, God is all about love and His unfailing Word to us is about salvation and how His Son enables us to live forevermore. Amen! But the Scriptures tell us Jesus is the –Word (John 1:14), and as such the Scriptures are Him — the Word–ALL of it. Thus all of the Word, including the prophecies are about Him.

To say that one part of His Word is needed and not the other is to short change ourselves about learning about the Lord’s plans for mankind. The prophecies guide us to know about end-time events and what to expect in the future.

Our post was motivated by Brother R who recently seemed to say that prophecies are not the real focus, and that doing His will is the key. True, Commandment keeping is first and foremost, but doctrine is equally important–hand and glove as they say —

“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” (1 Tim. 4:16)

 

To be sure, prophecies are sometimes complicated and involve symbols. The message tells us —

“These prophetic symbols of beasts, wings, horns, heads, crowns, etc., prove to be most perfect symbols in revealing the truth represented by them and when correctly applied it is certain that their meaning cannot be misconstrued.” (SRod, vol. 2, p.10)

We are to grow in our spiritual walk not remain stagnant. The Word tells us about growing up–

Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly–mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able.” ( 1 Cor. 3:1-2)

“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.” (Hebrews 5:12)

Here we see that spiritual growth is expected of us. We need to advance in our knowledge of God’s Word. We need to ultimately eat “solid food” and not stay on “milk” like a stunted baby all our spiritual life.

Unfortunately, some want to stay as a baby just speaking and knowing the elementary things of His Word, not attempting to take some solid food for nourishment. And once we start eating this solid food –wow, we really feel deeply satisfied and know for certain God is truly brilliant and able to show us great and wonderful things in His Word and prophecies! Symbols become understandable, end-time events come into focus.

If anyone steers clear of prophecies due to the deeper and more complicated nature of them, the Word gives us a simple solution to know them more clearly —

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5)

Parables also are filled with symbols and the message explains more —

“The reason these wonders were portrayed by symbols is the same as that which caused Christ to teach by parables. “And the disciples came, and said unto Him [Christ], Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.” (Matt. 13:10, 11.) “But the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” (Dan. 12:10.)”

Thus we see that symbols are not freely given to be understood, but only by those who it is “given”. Those who do the will of God and receive His gift — the Spirit of Truth.

“However,  when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.”(John 16:13)

Did you read that?? The Spirit of Truth shall show us —THINGS TO COME–Prophecy! Thus prophecies will be correctly understood and we shall know what to expect. The Word will then become a roadmap guiding us to know where we are going. No longer we will have this fuzzy “well I am just waiting to go to heaven” or “I am just waiting for Jesus to come in the clouds”, etc. No! We will know His plans for the end times and what His servants (God willing we will be one) are to do in the last days.

But God has perfect timing. His prophecies are meant to be understood at their proper time. For example, the Jews had in the Scriptures the following prophecies such as —

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a Son, and will call Him Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14).

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for Me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” (Micah 5:2).

“My people, hear My teaching; listen to the words of My mouth. I will open My mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old” (Psalm 78:1–2)

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.” (Zech. 9:9)

Yet they did not dwell or teach on them as significant prophecies. They were only revealed as timely truth once His Word was ready to be understood after Christ ascended. But even then only some understood due to their willing reception to understand prophecy! The searchers of truth thus rewarded!

“The prophecies, we all know, are Heaven’s light to our feet.  If we fail to open our eyes and hearts to them at the time the Lord would have us profit by the unrolling of the Scroll, how then shall we escape being like the blind leading the blind?” (WHR, p.27)

“Truth is ever timely, ever unfolding as time goes on.  So it is that our knowledge of one phase of a message is followed by God’s revealing another phase of it.  How glad and how anxious, then, ought we to be to keep pace with the unfolding of the Scroll, as we keep pace with time.” (WHR, p.29-30)

So why do we need to know prophecies today? As mentioned they provide a roadmap of where we are going. For example, much of the Christian world does not know that Jerusalem shall be seriously devastated soon and then rebuilt quickly by the Lord for the final Gospel Loud Cry headquarters, let us read —

“Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.

Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.” (Zech. 14:1-5)

A gigantic war is soon to happen over Israel. And those of us watching the news daily know that the middle east is a powder keg, ready to explode. This is all the Lord’s doing to bring back His people, beginning with the 144,000 and then the Great Multitude (Rev. 7:1-9). Prophecy confirms the ultimate purpose of the great war —

“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)

What will those who have ignored certain areas of His word–especially the prophecies, think when they see these things come to past? Well just like the Jews, they will have a decision to make. Search the Scriptures to see what God revealed or stay stuck on limited ideas (milk) not letting the Lord’s prophetic movements guide you as it should–just like the Jews! The Spirit of Truth either works or He doesn’t, the choice is ours.

So we see a clear map to end time events. 1) gigantic war 2) the 144,000 and great multitiude go back to the Holy Land  3) the Word of the Lord comes from the headquarters–Jerusalem.

In closing, let us be grown men and women, who are able to feast on meat in due season. We grow up for a time on milk, but soon our growth needs more to keep spiritually fit and strong.

What Is Religion?

July 6, 2019

TEXT FOR PRAYER
Parables-Links In The Chain Of Truth   I shall read from “Christ’s Object Lessons,” on page 17–

   “In Christ’s parable-teaching the same principle is seen as in His own mission to the world.  That we might become acquainted with His divine character and life, Christ took our nature, and dwelt among us…. Men could learn of the unknown through the known; heavenly things were revealed through the earthly; God was made manifest in the likeness of men.

So it was in Christ’s teaching: the unknown was illustrated by the known; divine truths by earthly things with which the people were most familiar…. Natural things were the medium for the spiritual; the things of nature and the life-experience of His hearers were connected with the truths of the written word.  Leading thus from the natural to the spiritual kingdom, Christ’s parables are links in the chain of truth that unites man with God, and earth with heaven.”

  Let us pray that we might understand Christ’s teachings of the unknown through the known — the heavenly things as revealed through the earthly; that we emulate Christ’s way of teaching, illustrating Divine truths by earthly objects; pray that we fully benefit by Christ’s parables — the outstanding links in the chain of Truth that unites earth with heaven.

 

WHAT IS RELIGION?

DOES IT PROFIT BOTH NOW AND HEREAFTER?

TEXT OF ADDRESS BY V.T. HOUTEFF, MINISTER OF DAVIDIAN 7TH-DAY ADVENTISTS  SABBATH, JULY 12, 1947 MT. CARMEL CHAPELWACO, TEXAS.

   If humanity needs to know any one thing above another, it is the answer to these two questions: What is religion?  Does it profit now and hereafter?

   Many think that religion consists of going to church, of praying, of having good morals, not stealing, not killing, not playing games, not gambling, not attending shows, not eating certain things, of doing or of not doing this, that, and the other.

   Others think religion is nothing more than some kind of a sociological order, and that the church is a place in which to get acquainted, etc., etc.  Let us see:

   Jesus was confronted by the rich young ruler, who said to Him, I have kept the commandments.  What yet must I do to enter into life eternal?  Here follows the answer:

Luke 18:22 — “Now when Jesus heard these things, He said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow Me.”

   To understand this scripture, we must read another one along with it:

John 3:1-3 — “There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto Him, Rabbi, we know that Thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that Thou doest, except God be with him.  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

   Both the rich young man and Nicodemus were rulers, and though Nicodemus might not have been as rich as was the young man, he nevertheless was not poor.  But why was the one asked to distribute his riches to the poor, and the other told to be born again?  Why should not both pay the same price for salvation?  Here are the reasons:

   To avoid being seen in the company of Jesus, Nicodemus came to Him, not by day, but secretly by night, whereas the young ruler came to Jesus not only openly by day, but also while a multitude were with Jesus.  The rich young ruler’s basic hindrance, therefore, was his wealth, and Nicodemus’ basic hindrance was his pride.  Plainly, then, the one’s ailment called for one kind of treatment, and the other’s ailment called for another kind of treatment.

   Jesus never asked anyone to take His religion, but He asked them to “follow” Him, to be one of His disciples.  The rich young ruler could not follow the Lord because his heart was centered upon his own riches.  And Nicodemus could not follow the Lord because he was too proud to be seen in the company of unpopular and hated Jesus followed by humble fishermen. 

To remove the hindrances, the one had to get rid of his riches, and the other had to get rid of his pride.  To eradicate pride, one must be born again, must become a new man.  But to eradicate the love of money one must give his money to those who really need it.

   The Scriptures bear record that Abraham was very rich.  Yet he is called the “friend of God.”  Riches in themselves, therefore, can be a blessing, although they more often become a curse.  Pride, however, is never good.

   Remember that the Devil finds in every one of us at least one loop-hole.  Whatever that loop-hole be, it must be done away with — be it riches or be it pride.  Of course not all are rich and tied to their wealth, but everyone can be tied to himself, the “old man.”  And not all need give up riches, but all need cut loose from the “old man” who gets them into everything but what they ought to be in.

   Let us read again from John three–

John 3:4-8 — “Nicodemus saith unto Him, How can a man be born when he is old?  can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.  The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”

   Nicodemus’ acknowledgment that Jesus was the Son of God made his case exceedingly bad.  Knowing who Jesus was, he should not have been ashamed to be seen in His company, nor should he have been afraid of His enemies.  He should have considered it a privilege to associate with the Son of God, with a Heavenly Being.  But inasmuch as Nicodemus was ashamed to be seen with Him, and was proud to be with Pharisees, he needed to bury the “old man,” and to arise in newness of life — needed to be born again.

   To the question, “How can a man be born when he is old?” Jesus answered, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.”  Nicodemus had to be baptized, had to publicly acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God, and receive the Spirit of Truth.

   And the illustration, “the wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is everyone that is born of the Spirit,” definitely points out that to really know what it is to be born of the Spirit is to have the experience of being one of His disciples, of being filled with the Holy Spirit, and of proclaiming His Truth.  Jesus, comparing His followers, those who are born again, with the wind, makes this fact still clearer; for if His disciples are like the wind, if no one knows where they come from and where they go to, then the only way to find out is to become one with them.

   For Jesus to become one with us He had to be born again; He had to become an earthly man.  And for us to be one with Him, we have to be born again, born of the Spirit.  The difference is that Jesus was first born a spiritual, a Divine being, and second a human being; whereas we are first born human beings, and second spiritual beings.  Prophetically speaking of Jesus’ birth, the prophet Isaiah wrote:

Isa. 66:7 — “Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.”

   The Jewish church, the church into which and by which Jesus was born, Inspiration declares, neither travailed nor had pain; that is, she felt neither need of nor burden for a Saviour, and yet in spite of it, He was born.

   But speaking of the children that are to make up the Kingdom, we read:

Isa. 66:8 — “Who hath heard such a thing?  who hath seen such things?  Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day?  or shall a nation be born at once?  for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.”

   Although the Jewish church in Jesus’ day travailed not, yet she brought forth the Son of God!  But when Zion travaileth she brings forth all her children at once, a whole nation!  A miracle in each instance.

   How may Zion travail? — Let us turn to the natural realm: In nature, the mother carries a child, then travails and gives birth to it.  How else, then, in the spiritual realm can Zion travail without first carrying her children before they are born?  To be specific, when one joins the church, she is pregnant with him so to speak.  When she is thus carrying her children, then they shall all be born at once, — they shall all at once receive their second birth, the birth here mentioned.

And as Inspiration makes it clear that they must be born again, they all at the outset must be in the same state of mind as was Nicodemus — ashamed to be seen in the company of present Truth believers, ashamed to be associated with believers of unpopular Truth.

   Plainly, then, our efforts to reach the people with the message of a “second birth” shall not be in vain: Zion shall bring forth all her children, as it were, in one day.  And that is why we cannot be driven to despair or to discouragement.  We are assured that “revival and reformation” will take place among all God’s people, that His word will not return unto Him void.

   Now, who could the children be? — To be children of Zion, they must some day stand on Zion.  They are therefore none other than the “firstfruits” of whom the Revelator says: “And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the Mount Sion, and with Him an hundred forty and four thousand, having His Father’s name written in their foreheads.” Rev. 14:1.

   From the Scriptures it is now clearly seen that in this instance when one joins the church, the church becomes pregnant with that member.  Thus it is that from the time one becomes a member of the church to the time he is “born again,” he is spiritually developing for the hour of this second birth.  Then, after he is “born again” he is still to keep on growing until he becomes a full-grown, matured, spiritual being — a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of Christ, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing. 

Accordingly, this state of being no one has as yet reached, but the time is now at hand when a multitude shall reach it, for says the Lord: Isa. 66:9 — “Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth?  saith the Lord: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb?  saith thy God.”

   This scripture endeavors to remove all doubt.  Let us believe the Lord and know for certain that the time for this particular new birth is here and that the Lord can and will make it possible regardless how it may appear to us.

   From this study we see that religion is not made up of must’s and don’t’s; that no one is to be tied to a man, but to God’s ever unfolding Truth; that religion means to be following the Lord, and to be doing those things which He leads one to do; that from the time one accepts the Lord as his Saviour, — from that very time he is to begin to grow spiritually, first to be born again, then to become a full-grown spiritual being, not all at once, but to be growing daily. 

To reach such a high state of perfection, one must therefore be perfecting himself daily and be in keeping with the Truth of God, that each spark of Truth might add the amount of spiritual growth the season requires, or else one will fall behind in reaching spiritual maturity.  Only thus can one be reaping all the benefits which religion affords.

   No, religion is not something extra, something optional.  It is something which everyone must have.  A true and up-to-date religion is something as essential as the eyes in your head.

   For examples let me take you through the stream of time, beginning with Noah.  His religion not only saved him and his family from drowning in the terrible flood, but also made him become the progenitor of the world after the flood, — yes, the progenitor of our world.  The world in his day, though, perished because it felt no need of an up-to-date religion, no need of present Truth.  What a shame!  What nonsense for one to try to get along without religion, without God’s counsel, and without the message of the hour!

   Let us take a look at another highlight in Bible history. The mother of Moses believed in up-to-date religion.  She believed that the time had come for the deliverance of the Hebrew race, and she did all she could to make it possible.  When she saw that she could no longer hide her infant son from the hand of Pharaoh, she let her religion do the rest.  The results were great, not only did she receive her son again in her arms forever saved from being thrown into the Nile, but also a guarantee for his support, education, and all — the best Egypt could afford — were paid from Pharaoh’s treasury!  The right kind of religion, you see, does great things.

   Eighty years later Moses’ religion led the whole Hebrew nation from the brick yards of Pharaoh to the Red Sea.  The sea parted for their sake, and as soon as they passed through, it closed in on their taskmasters.  What a deliverance!  What a victory!

   Moreover, as those millions of men, women, and children, also their cattle, came into that forbidding desert place where there was neither food nor water, religion made the rocks gush with streams, and the clouds drop down manna — not for a day, nor for a month, but for forty long years!  Then the miracle of the Red Sea was repeated at the river Jordan, and the emancipated brick-makers became prophets, kings, and priests!

Notwithstanding all these great happenings, when they became careless and indifferent, when they felt no need of prophets, no need of present Truth, no need of meat in due season, they again became slaves and captives!  That is why we need the right kind of religion, and that is why we need to stick to religion and to grow with it.

   The Jews were taken captive and carried into Babylon.  Nevertheless, those who were faithful to their religion were well taken care of even in their captivity.  Daniel, for instance, rather than serving as a slave, was instead treated as a lord, and was at last made a ruler by both the Chaldeans and the Medo-Persians.  And when he was for spite thrown into the lion’s den, he was spared, while his enemies were eaten up by the wild beasts.

   When the three Hebrews, for faithfulness to their religion, were thrown into the fiery furnace, the Son of God came and rescued them and not a hair of their heads perished.  Their enemies, though, were burned to death, but the Hebrews were made rulers in the kingdom.

   Gideon had to win a war.  After recruiting 22,000 soldiers, he was told that they were too many!  Consequently the time-killers were removed, and finally there were but three hundred left to fight against a multitude that covered the plain!  In spite of his small army, Gideon did win the war overnight, and without the loss of a man!  Religion, Brother, Sister, when lived up to, is a paying proposition.

   All could have been Daniels and Gideons.  Yes, even the Jews of today could have been something, but what are they? — A nation hated by all the people in the world, a nation without a king, without a flag, without a land, — the only such nation on earth.

   Now let me tell you of an experience that is strictly personal, and news to most of you.  Several years ago while I was crossing one of the busy streets of Los Angeles, California, a woman from my left drove squarely into me.  She then became so nervous that she could not stop her car but kept going for a half block.  The car, though, did not tip me over; an unseen hand carried me ahead of it.  And when the car stopped right at the alley which crossed the street, I stopped, too! 

By that time hundreds of spectators including news reporters and three motor cops, had gathered around the car.  As they found no one lying in the street, dead or wounded, they then decided the victim must have been pinned under the car.  When I told them that it was I who had been hit, they wondered.  As I told them that I was not hurt, and as I refused to be taken to the hospital, they made me raise up my hands and legs, and they asked dozens of questions.  The pencil in my coat pocket had been crushed by the impact of the car into about a dozen pieces, but my ribs were untouched!  Then one from among the crowd said, “He must be made of rubber.”

   Religion, you see, is better than an insurance policy.

   From our study we perceive that God’s power that protected life even in the fiery furnace and in the lion’s den, is still at work; that God is still as much interested in His people today as He was in Daniel’s or in any other day.  We therefore need an up-to-date religion every day.  We cannot afford to be without it, — no, not even for a moment.

   Timely Truth not only saves our souls for eternity, but It protects us from day to day.  It supplies our needs today and gives us hope for hereafter.  There is safety in nothing else, and faith in God is our only peace of mind, especially in this day and age.

   Religion obviously is profitable not only for hereafter, but certainly for today as well.  Do not play the fool by trying to get along without it. (Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 49, p.2-13)

 


 

 


Voices From the Brethren

June 22, 2019

Image result for Bible testimonies

One of the greatest testimonies is from personal statements from brethren, as to what God and His messages of Truth mean. Back in early 1930 the message of the Lord’s prophesied Rod (Micah 6:9 and 7:14) came to the Church. Soon the message spread throughout the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

In this post we’d like to post some of those testimonies in the early days of the message, we hope you will be blessed.

“I have read with keen interest the two tracts you sent me and wish to learn more of  present truth. I have fully determined to investigate all that is to be learned of this new light on the truths we have always known and held dear. Past 50 years of age, I have been a student of God’s Word since childhood and have labored in the Sabbath School  and church as Bible teacher and leader, and I can say from what I have learned from the  two tracts which I have just received from you that the Scriptures which I have never been able to understand are now as clear as the sunlight. I am indeed glad for this  wonderful light and I fully believe it is God’s truth, the Third Angel’s Message in verity.

   “For several years a brother and I have been studying to improve ourselves that possibly we might be able to do work in public for the Lord. Yesterday I briefly explained to him about this work and he wishes to become informed in these truths.

   “I am anxious to get the books and get to studying as soon as possible. Eagerly awaiting these studies in present truth, I am
 Yours in the Master’s service,”
 (Signed) L.C. Forsythe, Wapakoneta, Ohio  (1 SC, no. 8, p.5)

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“Bro. Philebaum of Hartford City, Ind. sends us the following letter which he received from his sister shortly after paying her a visit, at which time he explained to her about the message and left some tracts.

   “I was to write you if I wanted the SRod books. I have read the tracts you left me and am now re-reading parts of them, and I must say that the more I read them the more I am convinced that this message is of God, so I am eager to receive the books.

   “I read that the sealing time is very short and I am anxious to learn all about it so I can help to enlighten others.

   “How can any one with an honest heart help but see the need of a reformation in the church? What a sad thing to think that some in the church don’t want to hear the message. I feel that God has set His hand to do a quick work. I have feared that He would do this and that I would not know when it was going on, but I am so glad He has made it known to me so I can be ready.” (1 SC, no.8, p.5)

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“I began to read the message contained in the SRod by claiming the promise of John 7:17, and I was never more convinced of anything in all my life than that it is a message from God to backslidden Israel.

   I have long felt the need of a revival and reformation in my own heart, and this message has been a shining light to me. If it were heeded, it would save our people from :the deadly formalism which is ‘leavening our churches everywhere.’

   “I have suffered a few things for the truth’s sake, being one of the seven in our church who were ‘cast out’ last August, but there is a lull in the storm right at present.

   “Others of our church studied with us and were convinced of truth but turned back to he formal grind when persecution started, fulfilling Matt. 13:21. May they return before it is too late is our prayer.”
 (Signed) Ethel Gilbert, Greenville, S. Car.  (1 Sc, no.8, p.5)

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“Just about a year and a half ago the SRod came to our church and found seven souls that wanted to be on the Lord’s side when He comes in judgment to purify His church. (Eze. 9; 5 T 80.)

   “Five of them, each had only a few books of Sr. White’s writings, and some of them “did not believe in her writings at all until the SRod showed them how absolutely necessarily it is to have and study the Testimonies.

   “Also some were working on the Sabbath besides doing many other things that a true Christian does not do, but by the power of the wonderful truth in the message of the SRod, we have been able to give up those unlawful things and are now rejoicing in the happiness of victory.

   On the evening of Dec. 22, 1934, Isa. 66:5 was enacted in unforgettable scenes in the church. Five of the best members were ‘cast out,’ not because they were not loyal to the “Third Angel’s Message, but because they were not obeying the General Conference!

“After each had given his testimony for the truth, the elder said: ‘The question is not whether the SRod is truth or error, but whether or not you are true to the General Conference!’

   “One brother, who had not yet fully taken his stand for the message, upon witnessing the unfairness of the proceedings, said, ‘If you are going to cast out these good brethren, then you will have to act upon my name also.’ Thus the persecution by the church is making adherents to the message of present truth.

   “Through the whole disgraceful procedure, the five were calm and of good spirit, and afterwards one brother said that he never felt so happy and free before. The event has already proven a blessing to all, for since being cast out, each is now more burdened to work for the brethren, and we pray that God will bless our labors to save them from the awful destruction just ahead.”
 (Signed) John Berolinger,
 Escondido, Calif.  (1 SC, no.8, p.5-6)

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“The Present Truth of the Third Angel’s Message (the angel of Rev. 18:1), as revealed in the SRod, has filled my soul, and the Power of the Holy Spirit has convinced me that a great reformation is now in progress, and I thank God for reforming influence in my own life.

   “May He lead each honest heart to a diligent study of His Word, that we may love the ‘truth as it is in Jesus’ and be sealed with `the seal of the living God for eternity.”
(Signed) Mrs. M.M. Me Cune,
Greeley, Colo.  (1 SC, no.8. p.6)

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“O how thankful I am for the SRod message! It proves from the Bible and Testimonies to be the ‘present truth’ which ‘the flock needs now,’ and I am determined to study and learn more so I can have a part in finishing the work.”
(Signed) Mrs. Eva R. Orr,
Greeley, Colo.   (1 SC, no.8, p.6)

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I just want to tell you that I have found the SRod to be a message for us that is ‘meat in due season, and my prayer is that more will follow in this wonderful truth and bravely walk in its light.”
(Signed) V.D. Orr,
Greeley, Colo. ( 1 SC, no. 8, p.6)

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“I am taking the opportunity of writing to you again. The more I study the SRod the more light I can see in it. Every day it grows more beautiful.

   “The other day I received a letter from my pastor warning me against the SRod. He sent me the little pamphlet, ‘A Warning Against Error,’ but I have found it unreliable, and I know that my pastor has not investigated the teaching of the SRod for himself and is therefore not justified in condemning either it or me, for I am making a thorough study of its teachings, with the Bible and the Testimonies before me, and I find more truth every time I read it over…

   “I have felt for some time that the little tithe I have should go to ‘the storehouse’ — where present truth is — so last week I decided to send it, for if the message is of God, we should support it and be willing to suffer for Christ’s sake. Please pray for me that I may be strong in faith.

   “Is the truth still advancing? In the letter from my pastor he said that the General Conference sent Elder __________ to Charleston, S. Car. and succeeded in stamping out the SRod doctrine there, and that it is making a great deal of trouble here and there.

   “I do hope that the good Lord will put it into the hearts of many of His dear people to study for themselves before it is too late. My heart is sad for the dear ones who will not investigate for themselves. Do pray for me that I may hold up Jesus in my life and be prepared to help others find the way, and that I may be ‘able to stand’ when He appears.”
(Signed) Mrs. J.A. Dundore,
Hanover, Pa.  ( 1 SC, no. 8, p.6)

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We are sowing the seed and praying that the Lord will water it. The conference men and the ministers have implanted that frightful fear in the hearts of the people that makes them afraid even to read. It is a case of spider and fly: the fear has been deeply inculcated that if they read, the fabled deadly black spider will grab them and hold them tight in the soul destroying meshes of error. I plainly see that the church is God’s church but that those who do such work are not His people, for they act just like the papists did in Luther’s time!

   I thank God that He has given us the grit and will power to stand on our own feet, and by His grace we shall stand upon them if we have to stand alone as we do now.

   Pray for us, for our hearts and souls are in the message of the SRod, which has made a great change in our lives; and with God’s help and guiding hand, we are going through to the kingdom, numbered among the 144,000 — Praise God!
 (Signed) Mrs. W.L. Harper,
Richmond, Va.  ( 1 SC, no. 9, p. 6)

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“In all the years that I have been a S.D.A., I have never been satisfied with my Christian experience. I have felt a lack of something, I knew not what, until some time ago a brother gave me Vol. 1 of the SRod. Since reading it, I know that I am a better Seventh-day Adventist, and that it is a message from God, and I pray that our people may accept it.”
 (Signed) Charles Garvin,
San Diego, Calif.  ( 1 SC, no.9, p. 6)

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“The further I study the SRod the brighter becomes the light to my feet. Each day it shines forth more beautifully.

   I have long felt that my tithe should go to the storehouse of present truth to help send its light to our S.D.A. brethren far and wide. So last month I decided to send it there and I will continue to do so as long as I have any to send, for I believe with all my heart that this message is the purifying message, “meat in due season” from the great Provisioner, and that we should do all we can to help carry it to other hungry souls.”

   I want to be counted worthy to suffer for Christ’s sake. 
 (Signed) Mrs. Lillian Davidson, 
Belfair, Wash.  (1 SC, no.10, p.6)

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The above is but a small sampling of the testimonies of those who investigated a purported message sent by the Lord–the message known as the Elijah  message, The Shepherd’s Rod. The present truth for today is our truth. May the Lord help us to know it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Serial Murmurers

May 11, 2019

Image result for Bible people murmuring
Murmuring has become a serious problem among God’s present truth believers. There is no doubt this issue needs to be addressed because anti-type is fast fulfilling type. We would like to make a thorough analysis of our dilemma and provide some solutions. This post is predominantly to Seventh-day Adventists who have advanced in the unrolling scroll of truth, also known as Davidian Seventh-day Adventists.

WHAT DOES THE LORD SAY ABOUT OUR SUBJECT?


The dictionary describes murmuring as —

“a half-suppressed or muttered complaint: grumbling” (Merriam-Webster) 

In Number 14:12 we read —

“And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness!”

There is no doubt and one of the biggest offenses to God during His great exodus delivering was –murmuring. In fact we know that because of their unbelief and murmuring, only TWO adults over 20 years were saved from the possibly million strong Israelite congregation. What a solemn example indeed!

As we draw to the close of our Seventh-day Adventist probation, we would do well to thoroughly understand this great sin. Just as in the type,  it will no doubt be one of the surest and plentiful way of many will fail to make it to the kingdom. But if we know just how widespread and easy this great Satanic temptation can trap us, we can be much more fortified to stand against it.

The message is very clear about this subject–

   “Who went into the promised land? — All but the murmurers.  Do you suppose that you can entertain the same spirit of murmuring and complaining, and in spite of it receive the seal? — How absurd the very thought!  How unfair it would be for a just God to destroy the disobedient of that day, but to save the disobedient of this day.

   What made one group eligible to cross the Jordan? — It was their trust in God, knowing that He was their Chief Leader.  They recognized Moses and Joshua as the ones through whom God was communicating with them.  They did not look upon them as being anyone other than who they actually were.  They were satisfied with their lot.  They took orders as the orders were given.  So it was that they were the only ones who entered into the land.

    Having these ensamples before us, this picture to go by, I can confidently tell whether I am headed for the Kingdom or whether I am headed for the bowels of the earth (Rev. 12:16).  And I am sure that you, too, can tell which way you are headed.  The Lord does not require more or less of us than He required of our types.  There is therefore no mystery as to what we must do, and what we must not do to receive the seal of God.” 1 TG, no. 7, p.12-13)

Our example, our type, is plain and clear. Murmuring will result in as sure of end to all those who participate in it as in the days of Moses. Therefore, let’s look at some of our today examples and beware of their pitfalls.

Today, as always in His vineyard, there is plenty of work to be done. In our particular case, the Lord has given us work to do in the social media part of the vineyard. Thus, we are often in a position to see what is going on within this area.


CURRENT EXAMPLES OF MURMURING TODAY


Sister P
is a long time present truth believer. She has been in the message over 20 years. Not too long ago she came on Facebook and began posting comments and posts about her beliefs. Personally speaking, being active in the different Elijah message groups for close to 10 years now, we become aware of many of the new posters on social media. We soon took notice of our new sister. All was well and good for the first few months.

But as time went on we started to see comments like ” Davidians are messed up” and “There are many things wrong with Davidia”, etc.  There were many blanket statements without any remedies. In other words, throwing rocks at the work/workers then running away.

Being helpful we reached out to her privately to let her know that such vague and non-constructive criticism amounted to plain ol murmuring.  Sadly, as often all too common in such warnings, it was flatly rejected.

Often because we take on the role of a watchman on the sites we are Administrators of, we get little acceptance of our help. Instead prophecy of the following gets fulfilled because we the few have to pick up the slack —

“Some who occupy the position of watchmen to warn the people of danger have given up their watch and recline at ease. They are unfaithful sentinels. They remain inactive, while their wily foe enters the fort and works successfully by their side to tear down what God has commanded to be built up. They see that Satan is deceiving the inexperienced and unsuspecting; yet they take it all quietly, as though they had no special interest, as though these things did not concern them.

They apprehend no special danger; they see no cause to raise an alarm. To them everything seems to be going well, and they see no necessity of raising the faithful, trumpet notes of warning which they hear borne by the plain testimonies, to show the people their transgressions and the house of Israel their sins. These reproofs and warnings disturb the quiet of these sleepy, ease-loving sentinels, and they are not pleased.

They say in heart, if not in words: “This is all uncalled for. It is too severe, too harsh. These men are unnecessarily disturbed and excited, and seem unwilling to give us any rest or quietude ‘Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them.’ They are not willing that we should have any comfort, peace, or happiness. It is active labor, toil, and unceasing vigilance alone which will satisfy these unreasonable, hard-to-be-suited watchmen. Why don’t they prophesy smooth things, and cry: Peace, peace? Then everything would move on smoothly.” (Testimonies, vol. 2, p.440)

Brother F, is also a long time present truth believer. He seldom posts anything on the message but when there is something negative said about the work or workers in the message, you can often find him commenting in support to the criticism, giving likes to any and all who lambast the organizations or workers for any reason.

Sister L, is another longtime present truth believer. She has often posted that there does not exist any present truth organization worthy of our support today. To see her posts, you would think that God has abandoned the organized work and left many little atoms running around all over, answering to no leadership, but just to themselves and their own causes.

Let us not be fooled brethren, God HAS provided some pointed guidance in regard to this subject, the following are two great references giving us specific advice.


GOD’S SPECIFIC COUNSEL 


“Some have been dissatisfied, and have said, “I will not longer pay my tithe; for I have no confidence in the way things are managed at the heart of the work.” But will you rob God because you think the management of the work is not right? Make your complaint, plainly and openly, in the right spirit, to the proper ones. Send in your petitions for things to be adjusted and set in order; but do not withdraw from the work of God, and prove unfaithful, because others are not doing right.” (GW, p.226)

 

IS IT MY DUTY TO SET RIGHT THE LORD’S TREASURY?

Question No. 98:

   Should we pay our tithe to the “storehouse” if we know that it is not used rightly?

Answer:

   Knowing that our tithe belongs to God’s storehouse, our greatest burden should be to see that it is faithfully paid there. Nowhere in the Bible do we find that the Lord has laid upon any tithe payer the policing of the channels through which these funds pass.

   The Lord’s treasury is under His control, and if He Himself should not see fit to correct an abuse in the handling of His money, certainly we could not correct it however hard we might try. If we guard carefully that part of His work which He entrusts to us, our only concern will be to find out where His “storehouse” is, and then faithfully to deposit His money there. He has not made us responsible for its use; that, He will personally take over–even as He is now “taking the reins in His own hands.”

   When the Promised Land was divided among the twelve tribes of Israel, the tribe of Levi received no land for an inheritance, as did the eleven tribes. Instead, the Lord decreed that the tithes of the other tribes were to go to the Levites. This was their inheritance. It was actually their own.

And just as they, as the tithe receivers, had no right to dictate to the others, the tithe payers, what to do with their own increase after it had been tithed, so the tithe payers had no right to dictate to the tithe receivers what to do with the tithe. Each tribe was itself to be accountable to the Lord for that which He had entrusted to it. Thus it must be today. (Answerer, vol. 4, p.46-47)

The above truly guides us in regard to proper procedures to address our grievances. Let’s carefully note them. Although the above references deal with proper tithe responsibilities the guiding point of procedure applies to the other complaints of leaders/the work, those at the head of the work generally.

1 —  We have a complaint, we go about it in God’s order.

2 — We do not withdraw from the organized work, even if others are not doing right.

3 —  Make the complaint to the proper ones in the right spirit.

4 —  Once this is done, God may or may not correct what we think is wrong.

5 —  We have no authority to override the leadership God has put in place to lead. 

6 —  If there is a wrong being done by leadership, it is on them, not us.

7 —  Proper tithing is a must even when leadership is doing wrong or right.


HOW DO WE KNOW WHO IS THE GOD LED ORGANIZATIONS TODAY?

Obviously, the above question is paramount for present truth believers today. Because this issue is so important we devoted a special 5 part report for Davidian Seventh-day Adventists on this subject on our sister site –HEARYETHEROD. Click the following link.

https://hearyetherod.wordpress.com/2019/01/13/following-our-storehouse-history-part-1-of-3/

In closing, the evil of murmuring is insidious brethren, it can sneak up on you if you are not on guard. Let us stand solid in knowing the pitfalls of our type (Moses leading the people out of Egypt) and be in the very near kingdom with no spot or stain in our character called murmuring!

  “When a crisis finally comes, as it surely will, and God speaks in behalf of his people, those who have sinned, those who have been a cloud of darkness, and who have stood directly in the way of God’s working for his people, may become alarmed at the length they have gone in murmuring and in bringing discouragement upon the cause; and, like Achan, becoming terrified, they may acknowledge that they have sinned.  But their confessions are too late, and are not of the right kind to benefit themselves, although they may relieve the cause of God….” (Testimonies, vol. 3, p.270-271)

Questions and Answers from the Field

April 27, 2019

Image result for Q and A

In our Vineyard work, there is questions that come in from time to time. In this report we’d like to show some and provide some answers, be blessed.

1) I have read from Ellen White that the lamp is the knowledge of the Word, the oil is the Holy Spirit and the light is God’s character and attributes. But here it is a bit different. I didn’t catch what the lamp is, but the oil is the Truth or extra truth. How do we combine both that they would make sense?

In Christ’s Object lessons, page 406 we read —

“By the lamps is represented the word of God. The psalmist says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” [p. 407] Ps. 119:105.

Thus we know that the lamp is God’s word. But how does the oil relate?

In that same reference it says —

“The oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit.”

But the Rod message says —

“The oil can but represent revealed prophetic Truth, Truth that lightens the path ahead.”(Timely Greetings, Vol. 2, No. 11, page 12)

This connection is made with this–

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” (John 16:13)

Thus we see that the Holy Spirit is the Agency “Spirit of Truth” that takes the word of God we have and reveals prophetic Truth. Many have this word of God (lamp) with them yet have not enough oil “Spirit of Truth” to guide them. This may be due to Laodicean condition of “rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing.”

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jer 19:13)

Christ’s bids all to come and partake in His prophetic word, yet few do. They are settled upon their limited knowledge.This oil, our present truth is NEEDED and we must have it in order to see our King.

Let this not be said of us —

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6)

2) There is a contrarian teaching from EW, p.36 and the Rod concerning the 144,000. Can you explain how SOP says that the 144,000 are persecuted and then triumph during the time of the plagues, while the Rod teaches they are safe in the kingdom (Israel) and free from any persecution?

Let us read the verse in context —

“I saw that the four angels would hold the four winds until Jesus’ work was done in the sanctuary, and then will come the seven last plagues. These plagues enraged the wicked against the righteous; they thought that we had brought the judgments of God upon them, and that if they could rid the earth of us, the plagues would then be stayed. A decree went forth to slay the saints, which caused them to cry day and night for deliverance. This was the time of Jacob’s trouble. Then all the saints cried out with anguish of spirit, and were delivered by the voice of God. The 144,000 triumphed. Their faces were lighted up with the glory of God.” (Early Writings, p.36,37)

First there is no doubt that this time period is during the plagues. That is the time setting.  Second the trouble is against the “saints”, yet which saints? There will be the 144,000 saints “first fruits” and Great Multitude saints “second fruits”. Jacob’s time of trouble is also established here during the plagues.

The Rod identifies both groups as saints —

“Thus ancient Israel’s dwelling in booths typifies modern Israel’s eventually dwelling in the woods. Irrefutably, therefore, the harvest of Matthew 13 precedes the close of probation, and is the time of the ingathering of the first and second fruits — the 144,000 and the “great multitude,” — all the saints who are to be translated.” (Tract 3, p.82)

We are to endeavor to find out how we can align this time period to the Rod understanding of the 144,000. It is VERY important to realize that SOP did not, during EGW’s lifetime, have much light about the 144,000. That was to come from the last prophet, the “Elijah” prophet (Mal. 4:5) just before the “great and dreadful day of the Lord.”

Once we do a study of ALL the references about the 144,000 and Jacob’s time of trouble we come to  the following understanding. There is two applications of this JTOT — one to the 144,000 (which happens on their way to the kingdom) and one to the Great multitude with both having trouble from the “Esaus” in the SDA church and in the Babylon churches. There is no other way we can harmonize the teachings.

If we don’t apply the two applications understanding we are left with one of them (SOP or the Rod) being in error. In other words, if we say  that the EW p. 36,37 statement is describing 144,000’s time of trouble we must throw out much of the Scriptures and the  Rod about our understanding of the 144,000 and the premillennial kingdom.

Such as —

“And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 

  “And He shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off, and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it.” (Mic. 4:1-4.)

As well as Rod references such as —

Question No. 37:

If God’s people are in the Kingdom during the Loud Cry, how can they be put in prison or driven to the mountains during that time, as the Spirit of Prophecy asserts they will (“The Great Controversy,” p. 626)?

Answer:

When it is understood that the 144,000 are but first fruits, the forerunners or advanced guard of a great multitude of second fruits, the difficulty in question is immediately resolved. The first fruits stand with the Lamb, safe on Mt. Zion (in the Kingdom). Thus those who shall find refuge in the mountains, and those who shall be put in prison, can only be from among the second fruits—those who shall accept the message during the Loud Cry, but who shall not yet at that time have reached the Kingdom. (See our Tract No. 12, The World Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, 1941 Edition, pp. 45-49.)  (Answerer, vol.2, Q-37)

“..the Lord is to allow  persecution to come anew upon His people in Babylon, He will do so only to serve His own end to cause them to get out of her dominion (as He caused His ancient people to get out of Egypt), and to go into the Kingdom-church–the only place on earth where there will be no sin and upon which the destruction of the plagues will not fall.” (See Revelation 18:4). (2 Answerer, p.16-17)

It is also very noteworthy that the beginning writings of the Rod, before light had come to brother Houteff in regards to the literal kingdom set up in the Holy Land pre-millenially, SRod Tract, p.36 explained in agreement with EGW that this was the JTOT –during the time of the plagues. In other words the Rod at that early written word history had no light to reveal about the safety of the 144,000 within the Holy Land during the plagues, because the kingdom Scriptures had not yet been revealed.

To summarize, EW 36-37 shows the JTOT mentions for the Great Multitude, just as the Rod said above. When it mentions “The 144,000 triumphed” we can gather that their work triumphed because “all” the saints were delivered  (144,000 and the Great Multitude).

3) What year did the “Branch” Davidians begin their doctrinal beliefs? And what is a major difference of their doctrinal teachings from the original Davidian Seventh-day Adventists?

The branch DSDA was started in 1955 by a man named Benjamin Roden. A former student of Brother Houteff. His story is a disturbing one and unfortunately soon after VTH’s death (1955) he began to spread the word that he was really the Elijah to come and write his teachings.

The Branch basically have the following doctrinal differences with the original DSDA.

  1. There was to be more than one Elijah to come. For instance Roden taught that he would be the successor of the Elijah message because he would never die, unlike Victor Houteff. Roden died in 1978.
  2. Benjamin Roden taught that all believers observe all the Feast days. Christ’s death was not a fulfillment of the ceremonial law. 
  3. The Holy Spirit is a female being. The heavenly family is God the Father, Holy Spirit the mother, and Christ the son. When they pray they address their words–“Dear heavenly family..”
  4. The Holy Communion is to be observed at certain specific times during the day.
  5. The year 1955 was the beginning of the “judgment of the living.”

There are others but those are the main differences. Original Davidians have never had any connection with the Branch movement nor any with David Koresh.

The Scriptures tell us to “study to show ourselves approved.” May we continue to sink the shaft deep into the  mine of God’s word.

(4) Is there going to be a Sunday Law set up in different parts of the world before Ezekiel 9. Not the USA just yet?

No there will not be. The Scriptures are clear in Rev. 7:1-4 that the angels are to hold back the winds until the sealing is completed. These winds are symbolic of  persecution and trouble to God’s people, which would indeed stop the sealing process if they were unleashed now. Let us remember that nothing can stop this sealing process now because all His people must have free access to the present truth message, learn it and obey it.

 

WHEN WILL THE WINDS BE LOOSED?

Question No. 46:

If the angel who seals the first fruits, the 144,000, goes right on with the sealing of the second fruits, the great multitude (Rev. 7:9), will the four angels be holding the four winds (Rev. 7:1) throughout the sealing of both fruits?

Answer:

As Revelation 7:14 says that the great multitude (the second fruits) “came out of great tribulation,” it is conclusive that the four winds will be held, as the angel commanded, “till we have sealed the servants of our God….” Rev. 7:3. The winds, therefore, are loosed and blowing after the 144,000 are sealed and while the great multitude is being gathered and sealed. Thus only can it be said that the multitude came out of “great tribulation,” out of “a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time.” Dan. 12:1. (Answerer, vol. 2, Q- 46)

 

Color code: Orange– The Lord speaking , Blue — Scripture, Spirit of Prophecy speaking, Brown — The Elijah message (Lord’s Rod –Micah 6:9) as brought by Victor Houteff