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Each Must Personally Investigate

November 24, 2012

(Note: we are going to be making youtube videos of  certain posts. When a particular post will be made available in video, we’ll put the link below the post. The first video can be seen in last week’s post called “Original Davidians are Not Branch Davidians”)

 Many of us remember when we were kids in elementary school, we played the “pass the rumor down the line experiment”. A row of chairs(20 or 30) would be set up and the teacher would whisper in the ear of the first student a certain phrase or sentence. Then it would pass along the chain, from one student to the next  until it reached the last student,  who would often hear a completely different phrase or sentence.

The purpose of this , as we know, was to show that us humans can’t be counted on to pass our thoughts and ideas to further people, unlike God. We most likely will get the whole story incorrect. What we hear is not necessarily what was told.

 That is exactly what transpired with the leaders in our church passing on their ideas and thoughts to the church members, down through the years, of what was thought of the Elijah messenger and his message. Soon the story morphed into “We have thoroughly investigated brother Houteff’s message  and have found it in error”. Oh really?  How about the facts? (The infamous  7 day “thorough” investigation of brother Houteff’s teachings by the Conference leaders that was aborted in 1 day).http://www.shepherds-rod.org/Tracts/trac007.html

The reason I bring this up is because we had a church meeting this last week and what I heard was just amazing. With a straight face, one of our church leaders got up before the group and said, “I want you to know that the Shepherd’s Rod teachings have been found to be in error by the General Conference leaders..” How did he know that? He believed the rumor and false written reports that has been told down through the years! Certainly he did not investigate the matter from both sides.

Let’s stop for a moment and truly comprehend what this “leader” was saying.  Did he not remember that we,  as Seventh day Adventists,  broke away from the Protestant churches, because we did not believe in  what their leaders professed as truth? We would have never become SDA people had we taken this man’s counsel and trusted in what the leaders said! Or how about the Protestant movement inself? Did not the Protestants object to the Catholic popes and leaders dicating what was truth and what wasn’t? Truth seekers began to investigate for themselves.

Let us look at inspired counsel on how we are to investigate for ourselves the Scriptures and inspired writings and not lean on the “arm of flesh”(Testimonies to Ministers, p. 106).

Today is a  serious time for us as members of our beloved SDA church. Many of us stand at a crossroad.One direction says to go this way, a straight and narrow road, the other a wide and easy road.  We as His people are either obeying or discarding His counsel specifically to us, the Laodicean Church.

The specific counsel we are told is found in (Rev. 3:17) “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’–and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor , blind and naked–“I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garment, that you may be clothed, that your shame of your nakedness may not be revealed;and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.”

Here our Lord counsels us about who we are, and what we can do about it. We, as members of our Laodicean church are instructed to do something. We are not to have the mindset that we can keep the status quo, the all-prevailing lukewarm mindset. In effect, by  lukewarm sermons of peace and safety weekly, we get into a feeling of comfort. “I am safe, I don’t need more truth, or to search for His present truth message. The Lord understands my lukewarmness.” Yes, He does all too clearly understand this, but will He accept it?– No He won’t.

When we read that He will vomit us out, that is a striking rebuke to us! Let us understand that our Lord means what He says. So what should we do? What can be the beginning of our stepping onto the straight and narrow? Well, as always our loving Savior tells us. He says we are to “buy” from Him gold refined in the fire.

Now to understand this we need only go to the next verse “..That you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed..” Here we see that gold refined in the fire is showing His pure Word and counsel. And that when we “buy”, which really indicates to read and study and obey His word, we can then be clothed in “white” garments. White would indicate purity, and the clothing would indicate our walk (righteousness) before Him. Adam and Eve were not naked as long as they walked upright before Him, but as soon as they sinned , their nakedness appeared before Him and themselves.

 We are in a spiritual war right now and our Lord is the General, giving the commands. He sends different instructions (messages) down the chain of command, as the war goes on and there are new messages sent,  mankind’s time marches to its fulfillment of time. Now, we are near the end of this war and He has sent His last message to us through His last messenger Elijah. Here is the message that our Lord counsels us to “buy”.

But the enemy knows this because he has got a copy of the war plan (Bible). So he has been on look out for this messenger. The enemy has told his troops to go out and destroy the message as best as possible, for this is the beginning of the last battle waged, and as such, he must defeat it (which is only delaying) at all costs.

So as this last spiritual battle is waged our Lord counsels us to study and learn it. But how do we do that? —by personal investigation. Do we think that one morning the Lord’s Elijah message is just going to come to us magically?   Of course not, we must make the effort to learn it –“be Zealous”, He says.

Ellen White knew that this battle of learning the message would be waged. ” Those who allow prejudice to bar the mind against the reception of truth cannot receive the divine enlightenment. Yet, when a view of scripture is presented, many do not ask,is it true–in harmony with God’s word? but, by whom is it advocated? and unless it comes through the very channel that pleases them, they do not accept it. So thoroughly satisfied are they with their own ideas that they will not examine the Scripture evidence with a desire to learn, but refuse to be interested, merely because of their prejudices.”(Test. to Ministers, p.105-106)

  Today’s real message bearers are those who arouse  opposition from some in our own church. EGW again explains “Now as in former times, the presentation of a truth that reproves sins and errors of the times will excite opposition. ..Elijah was declared a troubler in Israel, Jeremiah a traitor, Paul a polluter of the temple. From that day to this, those who would be loyal to truth have been denounced as seditious, heretical, or schismatic.” (Great Controversy, p.458)

 Notice that the above examples of the ‘troublers” were those righteous men who had direct opposition  from their own people!You see when we stand forth with our Lord’s true last message, it will excite opposition. Remember that the evil ones care not about lukewarmness, in fact that is their wish. It is only when we take to the battlefield, as it were, that they get riled up and fire up the unconverted and worse against those who step forward.

 From a personal point of view I see this, and many other brothers and sisters also experience this when they step forward to bear the straight testimony. But as we’ve read,  this has been the case through out our church history.

In speaking to the opposition that arose against bro. Houteff, when he began to proclaim the Elijah message we read in the Tract entitled “Pre-“Eleventh Hour” Extra (Tract #1)  ” Your attitude, my brethren, toward the glorious light now shining upon the “Three Angels Messages,” is but a fulfillment of prophecy: “because thou sayst, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing”, truth or prophets,–you refuse to be interested in investigating the cry of the Angel whose glory is to “lighten the earth.”

“The light which will lighten the earth with its glory will be called a false light, by those who refuse to walk in its advancing glory” (Review and Herald, May 27, 1890).

Again brother Houteff advises ” As you will find yourself under severe trial if your obey your inner convictions and take hold of the truth, you must therefore let the Lord alone be your guide, and Inspiration your only teacher. Do not value your salvation so little as to trust the wisdom of another. Be wise: obey the word of the Lord, investigate for yourself, and do not delay, for you know not the narrow margin between you and heaven! “Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom.” (Micah 7:5).

In (Rev. 21:8) our Lord describes those who will not make it to heaven. What has always perplexed me is the very first description-cowardly. What did the Lord mean by that? But as I become more and more familiar with the Lord’s last straight testimony (Elijah message) I see that it does indeed take courage . At times one feels alone and frustrated because the  majority refuse to listen. Yet I know that to shrink back from duty now, would be waving the white flag on the battleground. This we know,  as Elijah message bearers cannot happen.

 Let us read one more  counsel from the prophetess.

“..We should never refuse to examine the Scriptures with those who, we have reason to believe, desire to know what is truth. Suppose a brother held a view that differed from yours, and he should come to you, proposing that you sit down with him and make an investigation of that point in the Scriptures; should you rise up, filled with prejudice, and condemn his ideas, while refusing to give him a candid hearing?

The only right way would be to sit down as Christians and investigate the position presented in the light of God’s word, which will reveal truth and unmask error.” (Testimonies to Ministers, p.105-107)

So we can become enlightened if we investigate. Just like Mr. E. T. Wilson , a General Conference leader during bro. Houteff’s day, who ignored the general belief  among the leaders that the Elijah message was false. Instead he believed the Lord’s promise that he would be led into all truth (John 16:13). He prayed and cried to the Lord to “reveal truth and unmask error” and it was granted unto him. Look forward to seeing you Mr. Wilson in the premillennial kingdom.

Copy of E.T. Wilson letter to Victor Houteff. He was the Carolina conference leader in 1933.

My Dear Brother Houteff:

   I wish to thank you most heartily for calling my attention, as a minister of the gospel, to the precious truths of the Bible, and the gems of the Spirit of Prophecy, which are so abundant throughout the two little volumes of the “Shepherd’s Rod,” so kindly sent me, either by yourself, or at your request, no doubt.

   For many years I have been deeply interested in what the Spirit of Prophecy tells us should take place in our midst by way of “revival and reformation,” and have therefore watched with deep interest  every attempt to launch such a “reformatory movement,” but have been disappointed in all of them, for they never seemed to materialize, so when your little booklets came along they found me really hungry for just such a revival of “true godliness” in my own heart.

   I might say that when I first looked at the “Shepherd’s  Rod,” the very name seemed to prejudice me, and I came near tearing it up several times before I really read it, but each time, when I was about to destroy the book, the thought would come to me that this is against my principle, and I would lay the book away again.  When I finally did read it, I was startled, and many times I would cry out to God to forgive me for my sins as a minister, if He were really speaking to me through this little volume, and when I finished it, I was convinced that I had read no ordinary book, but being very cautious about accepting error, I began the second reading, making comparison with the Bible and the Testimonies to be sure they were in harmony but before each reading, I would cry to God to “reveal truth and unmask error,” according to His promise. T.M. 107.

   When I had finished the second reading of the book, I was afraid it was true, for I knew full well, if it were true, I, as a minister, would be held accountable to God for my attitude toward the abundance of light that He had called my attention to that I had never seen before.  Of course I naturally wondered from whence came such knowledge, and decided to re-read the book to make sure that I had not overlooked anything in the way of specious error and when I had finished it the third time, although I did not understand everything in the book, yet I was convinced of one thing, and that is, I could not refute anything in it, for it harmonized with the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy.

   And now after nearly three years of watching the result the reading of the “Shepherd’s Rod” has upon both minister and laity, I find that, almost without exception, the ministers reject the message of the book, either blindly or for fear of their superiors, and the laity, almost without exception, receive its message of reproof and warning with joy and gladness, and seek to correct their lives accordingly, and the spiritual tone of said persons is much higher than ever before for they love the message of the Third Angel more, and they love the brethren better than before.

   In closing this letter I wish to say to you that I believe the Lord has used you to bring to our people as important a message as the one that came to the S.D.A. church while assembled in conference at Minneapolis, and I think I am correctly informed, being a minister in this denomination for many years, and having labored both in the United States and in foreign fields.  We have seemingly rejected the message of reform set forth in “The Shepherd’s Rod” as completely as our brethren rejected the one in 1888.

   May the Lord richly bless you in everything you undertake in His name is the prayer of your brother in Christ. (The Great Controversy over theShepherd’s Rod, p.9, Tract #7)

E. T. Wilson

Posted in Proper teachings, The spirit of predjudice, The Spirit of truth | 2 Comments »

Original Davidians are not Branch Davidians

November 17, 2012

(Note- We’ve just passed our 3 year anniversary mark, with over 16,200 all-time visitors/viewership–may we continue to do the Lord’s will. Please remember to spread the word if you are being blessed. Thank you!)

Recently personal events have transpired within my church that has made it very obvious there is much ignorance and misconception about the afore-mentioned groups. Certainly this is not a local problem, but seemingly a global problem. It seems the master deceiver has done a magnificent job in blurring the lines between the two, hence the great confusion. Let us clearly set the record straight and remove the error and misconception.

We all remember the horrible events that took place in Waco, Texas, in 1993. The people who were involved were known as “Branch” Davidians, led by their leader, a man called David Koresh.But this story goes back much further, and has it’s roots from the mid 1950’s. We’ll now go back in time to get some foundation.

In about the years 1928-1929, a man named Victor T. Houteff, was a member of a Los Angeles SDA church. He began teaching the Sabbath school lessons. He was well received until he began to teach some things that weren’t widely known (at that time). He began to speak of interpretations , which  were very clear to him. Most concerned end time prophecies and the soon “surprise” invisible coming of our Lord.

To make the long story short, there were quite a few who embraced his new teaching, as they humbly searched it out and found no error. Soon word spread of his new found interpretations throughout the country. An uproar of sorts began. But the leaders were a whole different story. They chose to reject him and his teaching (just as prophesied by EGW, Test. to Ministers, p.475, Vol.1 Selected message, p.412) He soon was disfellowshipped, along with some others.

It is very important to note right here and now, that not once in any of his voluminous writings** did he ever advocate any violence , despite being even occasionally forcibly removed from  church services (he was beaten and struck several times as well). He never promoted  “fighting” but  proclaimed  his message  in peace and that is what he did. Not a single report of violence was recorded against him.

So in 1935, he moved to Waco, Texas. He built and started a church(Began the Davidian Seventh Day Adventists) and school and other important community projects (such as a contemporary printing shop) on their large property. He began publishing his writings and sent them worldwide ( but within the SDA church)  as his saw his mission was to “prepare” the people for this next coming of the Lord. This post won’t go into all the reasons for his work now, rather we need to lay this foundation so that we can see the birth of the “Branch” Davidian group.

In the early 1950’s a man by the name “Ben Roden” and his wife “Lois” were students of brother Houteff. Many would come to the church services and bible studies on the large grounds in Waco. Being Jewish they were quite interested in VTH’s teachings about the premillennial kingdom, old testament prophecies and such. So for several years they actively studied under brother Houteff. It seemed the more the church leaders fought the message, the more curiosity arose. Many began to ask –“Why did the church leaders disfellowship this man, when his message was one of revival and reformation?”  Some began to “investigate” for themselves, such was the case of the Rodens.

However, the first glimpse we find of the Rodens having a different spirit is the church door episode. This story is told in Don Adair’s book called “A Davidian Testimony”(page 17-18). Quite a good read for the historical facts behind the Waco disaster. The story goes as follows.

The GC leaders in the early 50’s had rejected the message of brother Houteff (They had rejected it as far back as the early 30’s), and as such let the leaders of the country’s individual churches know that Davidians (especially active and vocal ones) were not welcomed to promote their message of revival and reformation. How dare they awake the people from their Laodicean slumber! And the Rodens were active in their new found beliefs. Soon they were not allowed to attend services at their local church one weekend. Soon, they were barred from entry at a service, so they had to stand outside to hear the sermon that day.

Later on after this, on another Sabbath, Lois Roden pushed her way into the church early one Sabbath and refused to leave and remained there steadfast. So upset was Lois, that instead of going home that Sabbath, she remained in the church for a whole week! Her family had to bring her food and drink that week into the church. The next Sabbath she let her whole family in and they attended services.

Then after that service, after everyone had gone home, Ben Roden decided to remove the two front church doors off the hinges and had his son call the local newsmen to report it, with him standing in the doorway holding one of the doors. It was to be a protest of sorts.  And an article followed after in the newspaper.

Later bro. Houteff heard about this episode, very concerned, he  called Ben Roden into his office and let him know in no uncertain terms, that what he did was wrong and not the way to witness to those in the SDA church. As Davidians they were to be light bearers, not trouble makers. So here was the first sign of something amiss from the Rodens. It was to get only worse from there.

Once the devils get a small crack in one’s walk it can snow ball from there, such was this case. “Be sober, be vigilant; because the devil walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, knowing that the sufferings (such as in this case-disfellowship) are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” (1 Peter 5:8-9). “Do not repay evil for evil, or insult for insult, but with blessings, because to this you were called so that you will inherit a blessing.” ( 1 Peter 3:9)

Instead of humbly taking bro. Houteff’s advice ( and Scriptures!)  and changing course as to how to respect others and to present this most important message, apparently they heeded not  the wise councel. Ben Roden began to think of himself in an exalted light. He searched studiously and began to believe he had found truths that bro. Houteff did not have or teach. In other words, seeds of a self- styled prophet started to grow within him.

In 1955, bro. Houteff unexpectedly died, and there was a struggle of the leadership position. As we are well aware and have mentioned many times the devils, led by Satan, are hovering around any who boldly profess the Elijah message and it certainly was the case with the man himself, who started the Elijah message,  and his followers.  Almost immediately after bro. Houteff’s death things started to transpire that caused division and strife among some of the members.

His own wife, who ultimately became a disruption to the cause, and as far as we last knew, went apostate and denied both her late husband’s and even Ellen White’s teachings. We all know that just because someone is in the “inner circle”  of  prophets or even our Lord Himself , like Judas was, doesn’t mean they are guaranteed to be saved and converted. The devil can attack anyone at anytime and whatever position they may be in. This is why we are told to be “sober and vigilant”.

Anyway she became the new “leader” of the ministry. Some objected, particularly those who supported the man who many thought should have taken over, a man named  E.T. Wilson, former conference leader and close confidant who  converted to bro. Houteff’s Elijah message. This was quite a story as many of the conference leaders capitulated to the others who followed like blind sheep on what the GC leaders said. Not so with brother Wilson.

So it was that a problem arose within the Davidian Seventh Day Adventists. As reported by the afore-mentioned book by Adair “a scattering” occurred led by sister Houteff and Ben Roden(p.179). What is amazing is that bro. Houteff himself knew that usurpers would try to take over in the future. ( See Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 14, p.20-22).

Ben Roden then appeared to promote himself as the successor and had the audacity to proclaim that as the Elijah successor (another Elijah), he would never die (unlike bro. Houteff). So after the death of bro. Houteff the Rodens became vocal among the Davidians that they were the new divine leaders. Shortly after Ben Roden attracted quite a few members of the original Davidians to his cause. Many of the original Davidians scattered around the country after the early 1960’s, most going to California, New York and North Carolina. But later in the early 1990’s,  many coming back to Waco again (but not connected to the Branch SDA).

Let us step back for a moment for a refresher note. We read in ( Mal. 4:5) “Behold I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.”  Now notice that it meant one person , right?  Did the Lord say “I will send you prophets and Elijahs ?” Ofcourse not. S0 we see that right there someone is lying. There is only one who was to come, and he is the last prophet to come to God’s people. Ben Roden is exposed yet he was blind and deceived to the fact.

Ben Roden then began to break away for the original Davidians and started what he called the “Branch Davidians”( in 1955).  He began to interpret Scripture his own way. He and his wife taught (contrary to bro. Houteff) that the feast days and the Lord’s supper were to be exactly observed. The Lord, according to him, had not done away with the feast days and the ceremonial laws. His blood didn’t cover that. There were other differences as well.

Let us fast  forward to 1978. Ben Roden died (his prediction was false) and his wife took over. She began to teach that the Holy Spirit was a feminine entity! I don’t  need to go much further with that. Then a man named David Koresh,  began to help her with auto mechanic work. He soon after studied with her and then he began to start his own  movement yet held on to the Branch Davidian name. So we see at this point that the Branch Davidians were a completely different group, from bro. Houteff’s original Davidian Seventh Day Adventists.

Let us step back for a moment and ask — “Can we not see the Satan movements in all this?” First we see  a self-styled “prophet” who comes up with his own teachings, which did not even come close to the inspired teachings of his mentor bro. Houteff, then secondly, we see his wife take over and bring further false teachings into the Branch Davidian movement! No wonder it lead to the Satanic result of the Waco massacre.

But let us look at this in truth. The workings of Satan have accomplished his desire. He has blurred and confused  the true original Davidians teachings. He has  made the broad label of Branch Davidians(ie. Waco massacre)  apply to our Lord’s real last day message of the original Davidians, led by the prophet himself, brother Houteff. Do we not know that he is the master deceiver?

In closing we would do well to remember that when we follow our Lord’s prophet’s words “Study yourselves to be approved” (1 Tim. 2:15) we will know the truth and the truth shall set us free.

Be sober and vigilant. The teachings of the “Branch” Davidians are not the teachings of the original Davidians.

**  15 Tracts (booklets), 8 Misc. Tracts, 5  Answerer Volumes, 2 Timely Greetings Volumes, 9  Jezreel Letters, 2  Shepherd’s Rod books (Vol.1 and 2), 10 Symbolic News code letters (originally published by bro. Houteff). 28 Symbolic Charts (mostly in color)

For a video presentation of this post, see this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUWIvBdV7bE

Posted in Davidian Seventh Day Adventists, Elijah, Proper teachings | 4 Comments »

Sowing Unity Or Discord?

October 6, 2012

In Proverbs 6:16 we read,   “These six things the Lord hates, Yes seven are an abomination to Him:  A  proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises  wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.”

In this post we’ll look at one of these abominations and see how we can sow unity instead of sowing discord. The Lord has inspired me to discuss this because of a recent experience, and if it had been handled biblically, unity may have been the fruit of the experience instead of discord.  Our treatment among our “brethren” is far more important than we often realize. If we aren’t careful, we’ll take part in something our Lord  hates.

In our relationship with our brothers and sisters, we would do well to keep in mind our Lord’s words. “But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.” (Matt. 23:11). Our attitude must first be to “serve” and help them. And from that frame of mind we can approach a brother or sister who we may differ with.

The situation arose from activity on Facebook. With this powerful tool today, we can use it to further the gospel and our Lord’s present truth. One of the brothers had become quite active in posting present truth, in this case, the “Timely Greetings” sermons by brother Houteff. He was following the Lord’s advice in being “zealous” in his work for the Lord.

As many are well aware, the Lord’s last Elijah message from brother Houteff has been fought since it came upon the scene, about 1930. So down through the years the mention of “Shepherd’s Rod” or ‘Davidian” is likely to bring prejudice and ignorance from many within the SDA, just like that of the 1888 message that was also mostly rejected by the remnant church.(Note–Davidian Seventh  Adventists are  not  “Branch Davidian” SDA  who were involved in  the Waco fiasco)

So this brother (we’ll call him brother A) posted the sermons and other writings from brother Houteff, but left out the author’s name and date of the writings. They were well received with many reading and sharing them on Facebook. This was producing the desired effect– to have many of our brothers and sisters read the inspired writings and gain some present truth without being prejudiced up front by mentioning names.

After a while, another brother (we’ll call him brother B) took offense to this practice. He felt it was wrong because brother Houteff, who was the author, was left out as the “author”. Plagiarizing was the accusation. Brother B contacted brother A and let him know it wasn’t right according to him. Brother A disagreed in this.(This part was done right, a private message was sent).

Brother B, was the more experienced brother(in the present truth message). And in all honesty he had a legitimate point. Afterall some could have gotten the idea that brother A was the writer. But brother B took it upon himself to by pass direct counsel of the Lord in regards to the proper procedure in handling this kind of dispute.

After he was rebuffed, he began to follow brother A’s postings around and add the author’s name and date of that sermon. Then he went further and posted an article on his website accusing brother A of plagiarizing. Although brother B didn’t mention brother A’s name, he then posted it on Facebook. This whole episode was a spectacle in discord as far as I could see. Let me give the reasons.

Let us view this episode from the point of “Mother” (the SDA members who are not familiar with the Elijah message or much present truth). This term is taken from the Hosea prophecy.  Brother A, as mentioned,  had posted for several months present truth messages from brother Houteff. Mother had been noticing and spreading (as evidenced by the share counts on FB).

Mother has largely been told that the DSDA and their belief of the Elijah prophet,  and foretold exactly described by sister White ( Testimonies for the church, p.475) is incorrect. Although the leaders of the church since 1930 haven’t been able to explain away the numerous interpretations of many hidden prophecies, in Ezekiel, Daniel, Jeremiah, Joel, Hosea, Isaiah, Revelation, and more, written out and published by brother Houteff.

So with that understanding clearly understood by brother A, he reposted the messages without making reference to a name that many would simply ignore due to their prior prejudice. Mother is impressed with such truths, and spreads them. Along comes brother B.

Brother B doesn’t take into full consideration that there is a sizable audience (ie.Mother) who is watching and learning what brother A is posting. He goes to brother A in a private message. Brother A  is frankly confused and in bewilderment. Being somewhat new to the message, he is made to feel his efforts have somehow been bad before the Lord .

Brother B, rashly starts to “upset the apple cart” and follow brother A’s posts. He comments after them who the author was and the date of the sermons. Again Mother is watching.  But now Mother sees some discord among the two brothers. Comments are made on FB. Quickly thereafter a post is made by brother B accusing brother A of plagiarizing and posted on Facebook.

Now Mother has witnessed a major discord among the brothers. So now Mother may be saying ” If these brothers have such great truths and can’t even get along amongst themselves, maybe what they teach really is off  like they say.” And sadly, no doubt some have been put off  by this spectacle.

Did this have to be a spectacle? Most likely not had brother B followed the counsel below. If this whole affair could have been handled by the  Lord’s direct advice below,  then no such discord would have affected Mother and most likely unity would have been achieved.

In (Matt 18:15) we read ” Moreover if your brother sins against you, go tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.”

Here we can see clearly the error from brother B. He did not go to one or two other brothers to try to get the issue resolved in private. In this case, myself and a few other brothers were mutual friends of both these brothers. Had he done so, there would have very likely been a mutual understanding of the issue, particularly because our Lord would most likely had blessed us because we were taking His direct advice.

It is noteworthy that our Lord made this statement right after discussing differences between brothers “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My father in heaven (Matt 18:19). Had brother B gone to brother A  and claimed this promise, and agreed to ask (prayed) to receive instruction from the Lord how to handle this problem, the Lord would certainly have kept His word and answer given. When all else fails look to our Lord’s word and believe the promises!

So after this public spectacle , brother A quit posting for awhile, then did more but with a disclaimer that he wasn’t the author. So what was the net effect?  A public spat with evidence of discord. The whole disagreement would have likely been settled if brother B would have taken counsel among brother(s) who could also talk to brother A, and no public discord shown.

As we have pointed out before in numerous posts, those who take up the Elijah message must be courageous and willing to stand up to the naysayers and even those who will ridicule.  Brother A was/is  doing that by posting many present day messages,  the straight testimony. Brother B took  little consideration of that effort. Many may  be drawn to present truth by brother A’s efforts. Should any contact him to inquire who is the author, you can rest assured he would not hesitate to disclose brother Houteff.

Additionally we can see how brother Houteff himself made note in regards to this. In His letter “to any seeking to be DSDA” under rule number 1  he says (describing one who is seeking)  “He is unselfish, he rejoices over the good fortune of others, and loves to have others receive credit for something he himself may have accomplished. He expects his credit from the Lord only.”

Based on the above, would brother Houteff had gotten upset that his name was left out on the wonderful truths he was inspired to write, and was posted by brother A? I think not, as he was a person known to have practiced what he preached.

Ellen White makes a further enlightening comment, “..Those who are busy in dissecting the words and acts of others, to discover all that is objectionable, fail to discern the good and pleasant things.” (Manuscript Releases, Vol. 12, p.7-8, no.922)

“..whatever things are of good report, if there be any virtue and if there be anything praiseworthy –meditate on these things.” (Philippians 4:19).

 Sure there are times when we must warn a brother or sister,  but our approach is the Lord’s way not our way.Do we still consider brother B,   a brother? Yes we do. And we must remember our Lord’s instruction,  “See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people ” (1 Thess.5:15). He has done some good work in many areas of the present truth message. But no one is beyond reproach. If we humble our souls and seek the truth in all matters, we should appreciate it when  corrected.

Our Lord said “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). This should be our primary focus towards our brothers and sisters- love and concern. Our Lord can do wonderous things if we abide by His word and instructions.

In these very last days before our Lord comes to begin the judgment for the living, we have but little time to get caught up in discords, especially public ones. This is viewed not as unity but public squabbling, and can only hurt our cause. Despite the example above, the Lord’s work on Facebook is going on powerfully and many are accepting the present truth message. Praise the Lord!

The grand work will go forward with or without us,  only let us strive to be found  sowing seeds of unity and not discord, to the best of our ability.

Posted in Brotherly love, Proper teachings | 3 Comments »

Peddling the Word of God

June 16, 2012

One of the most striking things I learned in the journey for God’s truth is that God’s word specifically says his “bread” (word) should be free. That the Holy Spirit should move the conviction upon the receiver of His word to “help out”. Let us look at this neglected area of His word.

A while back members of our church and myself got together and raised several hundred dollars to post a large billboard in our town, about the Sabbath being the day of the Lord, not Sunday. Our plan was set, we wanted them to call and when they did we sent out info, such as Sabbath literature and  DVD’s. I contacted a well known SDA ministry to order.

The DVD’s sent are a very powerful tool in explaining why the Sabbath is the Lord’s day and not Sunday. It goes into all the arguments for and effectively counters the arguments against God’s real day of worship- the 7th day. I decided to order many of them. I called their office and spoke to the man in charge.  We discussed the situation and I mentioned I wanted to order quite a few, maybe 100 or more. Thinking that just maybe our billboard would be a divine success.

As we discussed, I figured that this man would appreciate our efforts for proclaiming God’s Holy day on the billboard. Plus I said we would use their own site as reference on the billboard itself. But as we talked it became clear I wasn’t getting much of a break. I sensed that something was amiss. Money was too important to them to budge much and eventually I capitulated and paid a hefty cost for about 50 of them. But this episode made an impression on me.

I sensed that the real concern was the dollars/profit , not spreading God’s truths. Little did I know , later in my walk I would see the obvious clear light on this subject, hence this post would be made some day (now).

In the New Testament, apostle Paul makes clear how some have the wrong motive in spreading God’s word.  ” Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit, on the contrary in Christ we speak before God with sincerity like men sent from God.” (2 Cor. 2:17).

Again we read “freely you have received, freely give”. (Matt. 10:8) Although that quote is spoken of in the context of spiritual gifts, after reading the Cor. quote, we can see it clearly applies to the spreading of the word as well. Can we imagine our great role model, our King, saying to someone who want’s some word’s of wisdom  “Ok, I’ll give you some advice, but that’ll be 20 dollars”? Or the apostle’s saying they want to be paid for spreading the word of God? Absolutely not. Should it be any different today?

So with the clear words of instruction on spreading God’s word, we should then be in a better position to see who is and who is not obeying these word’s of instruction from our Lord. What do we find in almost all of the current church ministries today? A DVD or CD for “only” 21.95 here, or another over there for “only 19.95” , etc. etc. SDA churches are no exception. The holy (word of God) and the common are of no difference.The products  are “marketed” first and foremost, you don’t pay,  most of the time– you don’t get.

This is one area where I was very surprised to learn,  the Lord’s end time messenger’s the DSDA (Davidian Seventh Day Adventists **) —do not charge one cent for literature , DVD’s, or CD’s(scripture and SOP based). They even mail it out for free. Are they hurting? Apparently not. God has and continues to provide. This has been practiced for  several decades by the DSDA.

In Isaiah we read a beautiful worded scripture basically saying the same thing. “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters;and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for that which is not bread?And your wages for that which does not satisfy. Listen unto me, and eat that which is good, and delight yourself in abundance”.(Isaiah 55: 1-2) Here we see that often when we spend money on  a “peddler” of God’s word, it will many times not  satisfy. Does this mean that if they charge for books or other literature (DVD’s, etc) that it is automatically not spiritually good? Of course not, Ellen White’s books are mostly sold, as an example.

But the greater point is that when you see  God’s servants  trying to give you at no cost literature based on the word of God, then these are being “peddled” exactly how our Lord said to peddle them–free. Obedience to His word can only bring great joy and reward!

The great One who knows how many hairs are on our head, knows how to make sure we have enough compensation to fulfill the spreading of His word.

Just look at the many SDA ministries today, nearly all will charge you.

Let us look at what Brother Houteff (Co-founder, with the Lord,  of the DSDA) had to say on the matter.” If your literature is any good at all, it should not be sold at such high prices, but instead it should be given away free of charge and thus be scattered everywhere as the leaves of autumn. On the contrary though, books that should be sold for $1 per copy you are selling for $2 or $3. If the literature is  given away for free, and if it is convincing, it should bring added multitudes of souls and thus yield more in tithes and offerings than it’s purchase price now brings. Your love of money, though, makes you afraid to take that chance.” ( 3rd Jezreel Letter)

Also we read “Everyone who endeavors to do whatever he or she can, be it little or much, be it part or full time, is now provided with free literature of unlimited amount, with free transportation, be the trip a mile or a thousand miles long, and whatever expenses one may incur by his busying himself in this great and grand work, are all paid by this Layman’s Movement.” ( 4th Jezreel Letter)

To summarize, we see that our Lord really want’s His people to take the “Bread” (His Word) free. Those who follow His instructions on this really do step out in faith and call upon His word, that He will provide. The greatest faith brings the greatest rewards.

(** Not to be confused with “Branch” Davidians, off shoot movement from the original Davidians, started in the early 60’s. They add and subtract from the original writings of brother Houteff)

Posted in Christian faith, Obedience, Proper teachings | 2 Comments »

Teachable Spirit

July 23, 2011

Being a professed teacher of the things of the Lord, there perhaps is no more fulfilling words to hear than “I want to learn and am a teachable spirit”. Those that possess this Spirit are whom the Lord delights. But the ones who say this must know (Isaiah 8:20) completely in their heart, for this is the GREAT STANDARD all teachers are judged. ” To the Law and to the Testimony, if they speak not these words, it is because they have no light in them”.

Once we know this standard for the teachers of Christ, we can look back upon history and see that the some of the teachers who were VERY popular in the world didn’t believe in the standard. They spoke a most solid message EXCEPT with subtle but important errors. Men like Martin Luther *  and Billy Graham * come to mind. But their comtemporaries–Oswald Glait , Andreas Karlstadt (during Luther’s time) and Joe Crews, all well known in their own time and taught at the same time,  yet never got the world wide following that these got. They taught the standard.

In (James 3:1) we read “My Brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgement”. These are stern and warning words that our teaching must be the truth. Our Lord does tell us that there is GREAT REWARD for the righteous teachers (Matt 5:19) “Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of the Commandments and teaches others to do so, shall be called least in the kingdom of God, but whoever does and TEACHES THEM, he shall be called great in the kingdom of God”. Here the Lord equates Commandment teaching with “greatness”. This is something us teachers must always remember!

One of the greatest obstacles we as teachers face is pride. It truly saddens me when I try to show someone the truth according to scripture and it goes against their belief or learning they have been told. But when it comes to the opposite situation my joy is great– a open and humble “teachable spirit”. Let me give you a recent example. Her name is Teri.

In my post recently called “If we talk the talk, we must walk the walk” I tried to give a helpful guide to a righteous walk before the Lord. She received the post and was blessed by it. In her excitement she sent it off to her pastor. A SDA pastor no less. She was in mild shock when she received his response. In it he said some was good but alot was “legalistic”, sort of like the teachings of the Pharisees in Jesus’ time. Huh?  This was the same response Teri had. Teri wasted no time and sending an email back correcting him according to scripture (Ezekiel 3:19) “If you warn the wicked, and he does not turn  from his wickedness, nor turn from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity, but you shall have delivered your soul”.

 Wow. I feel like Jesus did when the centurion so impressed Him with his words. She is really the example of a teachable spirit. Being in the Holy Spirit she reconized the post and the truth it was saying and was warmed by it. She didn’t cower and meekly “accept” his reproof. I honestly fear for people like this pastor. It shows me something is seriously amiss. When we teach that to obey the Commandments is VERY important and that we should teach others, and people find fault in it, I seriously become concerned.

I am also reminded of this very important point. In (John 14:26) we read “But the helper, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things and bring remembrance, whatsoever I have said to you”.  Here we see that it is the Holy Spirit who is our primary teacher.

The Holy Spirit is indeed helping us and giving us “Discernment” to know the truth and falsehood.Those who are secretly cherishing sins in their life CANNOT expect to have this clear discernment. As we let go of our sins, our vision and understanding of “Holy” things of God get more clear. I know in my own walk, as I have let go of my idols and many sins, my understanding of God’s word and truth is really clearer than anytime before.

In (Mal 2:7) God points out how the teachers (priests) should be  teachers of His Law (Holy 10 Commandments) “For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge, and people should seek the LAW from his mouth, for he is a messenger of the Lord of hosts.” 

Lastly, as a teacher, one of the most important things to remember is we must NEVER ignore questions directed to us.  This shows us to be either ignorant, prideful, or careless. All definitely not Christ like qualities.

So let us desire to use (Isaiah 8:20) as our guideline if we desire to teach. Praying often that we never think we have all the truth and can’t learn. Ellen White has said we will ever be learning new truths through out eternity, I can’t wait to know the vast truths that exist, I want to be a “teachable spirit”    amen.

In Christ, your servant, Rob

*  Many are well familar that pastor Graham taught Sunday was the Holy day of God. As far as Luther, it is well known among historians that he was anti- Sabbath as well http://concordiatheology.org/2010/05/luther%E2%80%99s-writing-against-emerging-sabbatarianism/

Posted in Christian walk, Proper teachings | 21 Comments »

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