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Unusual and Unique Statements from the Elijah Message

April 13, 2019

Image result for Bible character amazed face

When we take up the serious study of the Lord’s final message of Elijah, we may discover some very unusual or unique references.  This week’s post we’ll look at some of these and you may be surprised just like we were.

No. 1 —  Many of us in the message believe that it teaches that the 144,000 are to come from the S.D.A Church. Not so fast. It looks like there “may” be some from other churches or even out side of a formal denomination, let us read —

Question No. 93:

   Although I am not a member of the Seventh-day  Adventist Church, yet since I have the light on Ezekiel 9 and on the truth of the 144,000, will I fall in the slaughter of the wicked if I do not fully accept and live up to the light? And, conversely, will I be subject to the enjoyment of the privileges of the 144,000 and be one of them if I obey all the light of this message?

Answer:

   Even though you are not a member of the church, still you will be held accountable for the light which you have on the subject, for no one finds the truth accidentally, or sees it without the Holy Spirit’s aid.

  By the same law of accountability or sacred  responsibility, even though you may have come into the message only recently you can be eligible  for the election of the 144,000 if you live up to the message that is to purify and seal them. Whether or not for a certainty, however, you will be one of them, we do not know, but if you are faithful to the message, you will at least be one with them. (Answerer, vol. 4, Q-93)

No. 2 —  One of the stumbling blocks from naysayers who were unbelievers in the Elijah message as brought by Victor Houteff, was the fact that he was 52 and his young wife was 17 when they got married in 1937. To this situation Houteff explained —

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

Again, the Lord chose for His lineage, Boaz (a Jew), and old man, and Ruth (a Moabitess), a young woman (Ruth 3:10)–a union contrary to the principles held by Brother Houteff’s critics. Moreover, the Jewess, Esther, who was forbidden by the common rule of the Jews to marry outside of her own nation, was blessed in her affinity to the old Medo-Persian king, in that her nation was thereby preserved.

  Still further, Joseph married the daughter of the idolatrous priest of Egypt, and Moses took for a wife an Ethiopian woman.

  Thus we see from the above unions that no set rule can be fixed to govern each individual’s case. Moreover, had we lived in the days of the aforementioned unions, and had judged them by our own standards, we would have separated ourselves from Abraham, in whose bosom the righteous are protected from hell’s burning torments (Luke 16: 23-25); from Joseph, in whom the life of the ancient world was spared; from Moses, by whose hand the first-born in Egypt were either spared or destroyed, and all Israel freed from the Egyptian bondage; from Esther, by which act we, as Jews, would have destroyed ourselves at the hand of the wicked Haman; and from Christ, Who is our only life.” (SC, vol. 3, no. 5,6 P.7)

No. 3 —  Back in the 30’s Black people were referred as “Colored”. This term today  would not be “politically correct”. But the question was raised whether “colored people” would be saved. As many know at that time prejudice still existed to a great degree and unbelievably some even questioned whether the Black man had a right to be in heaven!

But what is truly amazing is not only will they be among the great multitude, but it appears that many of them will be among the 144,000. The Elijah message really has gained a foothold in many of the poorer countries, such as Zambia, So. Africa, Philippines and Mexico. Today unfortunately many of us more well to do countries, such as the USA, are “rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing.”

The percentage of Blacks who have accepted the message seems high as compared to the white race. We would say that from our viewpoint at least 80% of the people who accept the Lord’s Elijah message are from minorities.

Question No. 7:–“What is meant by this scripture: ‘Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands.’ Does it mean that the colored race will turn to God?”

  Answer:–As no people are saved as a nation, the scripture above quoted, along with others, obviously shows that there will be a great ingathering not only from Ethiopia, but from all races and thus justify the statement, “Ethiopia shall…stretch out her hands.” It is such an ingathering from all races and nations that will make the “great multitude.” — “Princes shall come out of Egypt,” says the same scripture. (Ps. 68:31.) “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.” (Isa. 2:3.)

  Concerning the church in the time of the Loud Cry, the prophet Isaiah writes: “And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name.” (Isa. 62:2.)

Looking forward to this great ingathering, he asks the question: “Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows?” Then the Lord answers: “Surely the isles shall wait for Me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the Lord thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because He hath glorified thee.

And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in My wrath I smote thee, but in My favour have I had mercy on thee. Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought. For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted.

The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of My sanctuary; and I will make the place of My feet glorious. The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the Lord, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.” (Isa. 60:8-14.) “For great shall be the day of Jezreel.” (Host 1:11.) — {2 SC, no.11, p.9)

“…most of the sons of Jacob lost their racial distinctiveness. As the Lord, however, has ever kept the genealogies of all nations, especially of the sons of Jacob, He will, as He has promised, “make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there. And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her. The Lord shall count, when He writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah. Ps. 87:4-6.


Thus just as obvious as strange is the fact that no one today but the recognized Jew can vouch for his ancestry, with the result that the 144,000 can be gathered from almost every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, and yet be of the sons of Jacob! (Tract 8, p.9-10)

No. 4 — Victor Houteff tells of the time he witnessed God’s saving hand deliver him from being hit head on by an automobile which should have resulted either of sure death or serious injury, a miraculous providential occurrence indeed!

“Now let me relate to you another miracle that took place about that time.  One Wednesday I drove to the business section of Los Angeles.  Having finished my business quite late in the afternoon, and while walking across a street, I saw a woman driving toward me.  But as I was almost to the middle of the street, I saw no danger for there was plenty of room for her to drive by.

She nevertheless turned her car right square into me.  Yes, she struck me from my left, and being overly excited she could not stop her car before she reached the middle of the block.  And so she kept on going from the corner of the street to the middle of the alley.  What happened to me when the car struck me?  Did it lay me flat on the street, and did it run over me?  No, this did not happen because something greater took place:

   An unseen hand carried me on ahead of the car, lightly sliding my feet on the pavement with my right side ahead, and my left side against the car’s radiator! After having made about half the distance before the car stopped, something seated me on the bumper of the car, and I put my left arm around the car’s left headlight! Then I said to myself, “Now lady you can keep on going if that is the best you can do.”  When she stopped, I put my feet on the ground and stepped away from the car.

   Just then I discovered that the pencil I had in my coat pocket had broken into half a dozen pieces from the impact, but my ribs were untouched!  By that time the car and I were surrounded with people, and three policemen searching for the man that got run over.  But as they found no one lying on the street, or pinned under the car, I told them that it was I who had been run over! They wanted to take me to the hospital, and when I told them that I was not hurt, I heard one say, “He must be hurt but is too excited and does not know his condition.”

   Then they made me raise my legs and arms up and down, several times, after which one shouted, “He is made out of rubber!”  The woman was accused of driving at 30 miles per hour.  Then I walked three blocks to my car, and drove to prayer meeting in Exposition Park church, where in our season of testimonies I told them of the accident and the results.  We are still living in the days of miracles, you see.” (Timely Greetings, vol. 2, no.35, p.21-22)

No. 5 — The subject of marriage obviously is an important aspect to our walk with the Lord. The message sheds some interesting points to this “sacred” institution.

” ..as there is no truth where there is no type, the working out of divine design, in ordaining and establishing, on Friday, the sixth day of creation, the marriage institution, and on the seventh day, the Sabbath, thus gave type both to the reestablishing of these institutions, and to the restoring of them to the sanctity and beauty of their first estate. And as we must observe the Sabbath on the seventh day, likewise we ought to solemnize marriage on Friday, the sixth day of the week.

  Furthermore, as God foresaw that in the closing hours of probation, the order of events would be singularly anomalous and preternatural, He mercifully thus forewarned us in the following familiar statements:

  “Let me tell you that the Lord will work in this last work in a manner very much out of the common order of things, and in a way that will be contrary to any human planning.”–“Testimonies to Ministers,” p. 300. Therefore, with the one who is to come in the spirit, and power of Elijah, men will find fault and say, “‘You are too earnest, you do not interpret the Scriptures in the proper way. Let me tell you how to teach your message.'”–Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 475, 476.

  Nevertheless, as representatives of the Elijah message, we are called to lead out by precept and example in the restoration of all things, especially the marriage and the Sabbath institutions, for the one represents the home, and the other the memorial of its creation. Therefore, before “we go forth to proclaim the Sabbath more fully,” we must lift up marriage, the first institution, from the sordid depths to which Satan has plunged it.” (3 SC, no.2, p.8)

No. 6 —  As many know, one of the prime aspects of the Lord’s Rod message is that we must “sigh and cry” for all the abominations that be done in our life and in the church. However did you know that some may not be sighing and crying sufficiently to get sealed? Let us read —

“As long as you keep wavering on Present Truth, your sighing and crying will be too feeble and insufficient to place the seal of God in your forehead — on display; that is, openly confessing that you are a disciple of Christ; and as long as they receive your tithe and offerings, they will never “cast” you out (Isa. 66:5).

By the fact that you are still a member of the church and in office, it speaks for itself that you have not yet taken a firm stand on the Lord’s side, although He has said: “Set thy face against it, and it shall be besieged, and thou shalt lay siege against it.” Mark that “this” and not your name on the church books or your gifts in their treasury, “shall be a sign to the house of Israel.” (Ezek. 4:3. (2 SC, no. 5,6, p.9)

Note that the message tells us that once you accept the Elijah message, you will soon be not found as an office holder (Pastor, Elder, Deacon, Secretary, etc.), and that is because when the higher-ups find out they will demote you from office. This is our SDA history unfortunately, just as the Christians were demoted and often booted out of the Synagogue during Christ’s day. We must BOLDLY take our stand for Truth come what may.

For example yours truly was a Deacon in the church prior to accepting the Rod message. When I learned it, I found that passing the money bag around was not an acceptable action within His sanctuary on Sabbath yet I often was one of the members who handed them the bag! Long story short once the leaders found out I was a Shepherd’s Rod beleiver I was soon demoted from Deacon, thus relieved of participating in the abomination, and sighing and crying about it instead! In hindsight it was a beautiful move on the Lord’s part to keep me on the straight and narrow.

No. 7 —  Today we have so many ministries claiming we are giving the “Loud Cry” message to the world. Amaizng Facts with Doug Batchelor, Stephen Bohr with Secrets Unsealed ministries, Walter Vieth with Amazing Discoveries, 3ABN, etc. all claim that the world is receiving the Third Angel’s message of the Loud Cry. Not so fast. The message explains–

 

“Those who think that the Loud Cry of the Third Angel’s Message, which began in 1892, has continued ever since, prove to us that they are in great darkness, “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked,” because of the fact that they can not tell the difference between that great light that lightens the earth, and the darkness that preceded it, which even a half awake Christian ought to be able to recognize.

   The light with which the earth is to be lightened is, or course, understood to be a spiritual light – the Word of God. Moreover it is also understood that the church is to diffuse this great light to the ends of the earth, for in no other way will God reveal the truth to sinful men, and the Gentiles see her righteousness, and all kings her glory. (Isa. 62:2.) Consequently, the church from 1844 to the close of probation is divided into two sections — before the Loud Cry, and in the time of the Loud Cry — the latter of which will, by comparison, be far superior to the former in spirituality. In fact, there is no comparison between the two. Hence, those who cannot tell in which one of these stages the church now is, must be in great darkness!

   The following references prove that though the Loud Cry had begun by 1892, it was muffled when the church rejected the message of 1888. Hence, instead of becoming the light of the world, she herself went into darkness.

   In the following references the description of the church in the time of the Loud Cry, and also during the time preceding it is plainly given, and no one need be confused. Says the Spirit of Prophecy:

   “In the manifestation of the power that lightens the earth with its glory, they will see only something which in blindness they think dangerous, something which will arouse their fears and they will brace themselves to resist it. Because the Lord does not work according to their expectations and ideal, they will oppose the work. Why, they say, should we not know the Spirit of God; when we have been in the work so many years?” — “Bible Training School,” 1907. (Reprinted in “Review & Herald,” Nov. 7, 1918.) This paragraph puts the Loud Cry in the future of 1918.

   “The great outpouring of the Spirit of God, which lightens the whole earth with His glory, will not come until we have an enlightened people, that know by experience what it means to be laborers together with God. When we have entire, wholehearted consecration to the service of Christ, God will recognize the fact by an outpouring of His Spirit without measure; but this will not be while the largest portion of the church are not laborers together with God.” (“Review and Herald,” July 21, 1896.)

   “The love of Christ, the love of our brethren, will testify to the world that we have been with Jesus and learned of Him. Then will the message of the third angel swell to a loud cry, and the whole earth will be lightened with the glory of the Lord.” “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. 6, p. 401.

   The above references do not only plainly show that the Loud Cry of the Third Angel’s Message is yet future, but they also show that, before it begins, there is to be a reformation among God’s people, and that, at that time, “Clad in the armor of Christ’s righteousness, the church is to enter upon her final conflict. ‘Fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners,’ she is to go forth into all the world, conquering and to conquer.” — “Prophets and Kings,” p. 725. Whereas, the church at this time is polluted in her sins, and asleep, just as she is described in the message to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans, of Revelation 3:14-18, and further in the following passage from the Spirit of Prophecy:

   “What greater deception can come upon human minds than a confidence that they are right, when they are all wrong! The message of the True Witness finds the people of God in a sad deception, yet honest in that deception. They know not that their condition is deplorable in the sight of God. While those addressed are flattering themselves that they are in an exalted spiritual condition, the message of the True Witness breaks their security by the startling denunciation of their true condition of spiritual blindness, poverty, and wretchedness. The testimony so cutting and severe, cannot be a mistake, for it is the True Witness who speaks, and His testimony must be correct.” — “Testimonies for the church,” Vol. 3, p. 253.

   Moreover, it was in 1892 when the statement was made that “This is the beginning of the Loud Cry,” and just one year later, in 1893, the Spirit of Prophecy describes, in as plain a language as can possibly be stated, the church’s condition, and no more condemnatory words could be used by any writer. We read:

   “Who can truthfully say, ‘Our gold is tried in the fire; our garments are unspotted by the world’? I saw our Instructor pointing to the garments of so-called righteousness. Stripping them off, He laid bare the defilement beneath. Then He said to me: ‘Can you not see how they have pretentiously covered up their defilement and rottenness of character? ‘How is the faithful city become an harlot?’ My Father’s house is made a house of merchandise, an place whence the divine presence and glory have departed! For this cause there is weakness, and strength is lacking.

   “Unless the church, which is now being leavened with her own back-sliding, shall repent and be converted, she will eat of the fruit of her own doing, until she shall abhor herself.” 
— “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. 8, p. 250.

   In the face of these plain statements, it is most preposterous for any one to conclude   that the church is now in her Loud Cry state. If we should make such absurd statements as some of our ministering brethren make, no one who believes in the Spirit of Prophecy would have a thing to do with us, and it is right that they should not, but when the ministers in the denomination give expression to such extravagant ideas, the laity avidly accept them, for they “like to have it so.”( 2 SC, vol. 10, p.4-5)

We hope these unique statements have been a blessing this week.

 

Posted in Elijah Interpretations, General thoughts, Sighing and Crying | Leave a Comment »

Broken on the Rock of Jesus

October 6, 2018

Image result for broken on the rock of jesus picture

We have heard of the Christian saying “Broken on the Rock of Jesus”. What does this mean?

Apostle Peter is our classic example. Once a head strong, prideful follower of Christ, he went through being “broken” to become one of Christ’s main Gospel proclaimers in the early days. Let us read —

“Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them.  A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.”

 But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said.  A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.”“Man, I am not!” Peter replied. About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.”  Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.” (Luke 22:54-62)

 No doubt Peter broke down knowing that after all Jesus did for Him, and Peter giving up his life to follow Him, he pitifully denied His King and Savior right when Jesus was in need of his support. This  moment, we believe, caused Peter to lose his prideful self. The broken pieces of self dropped down to the ground, so that Christ could uplift him with the Holy Spirit. Is this our experience?

“..Peter who denied Christ in the hour of His greatest need was impulsive and self-confident, differing widely from the Peter who was brought before the Sanhedrin for examination. Since his fall he had been converted. He was no longer proud and boastful, but modest and self-distrustful. He was filled with the Holy Spirit, and by the help of this power he was resolved to remove the stain of his apostasy by honoring the name he had once disowned.” (AA, p.62)

I have posted before my own testimony of being “broken” and would like to share it again.

Back in late 2008, early 2009, I came to “know” Christ by picking up the Bible one day and never looking back. After discovering God’s Holy Commandments (specifically the Sabbath) I became a  Seventh-day Adventist. But it wasn’t until about two years later that I came to be “broken”.

My old self was still alive, although considerably altered and discovering Christ and His Truth more and more as my walk continued. But after those couple of years I started to notice some things within the church (careless Sabbath keeping, Women pastors, etc.) that made me start to think “what is really going on here”?

After all we as Adventists tell the world we are the “remnant church”, those keeping the Commandments of God. Yet, away from the world’s gaze , things like eating at restaurants on the Sabbath were common place for the “old timers” in my Church. This began to be quite puzzling to me. I came into the church thinking we were a light to the world in how Christians follow His Commandments.

But the big moment came one day about two years after joining the church. I was in a town close to mine and knew there was another S.D.A church in that town of which I traveled by it often in my work. Being happy with my own church I had never went to this church but for some reason I was guided by the Spirit to notice something with this church.

I knew that the church has ownership of the whole corner block, as someone had pointed that out to me prior. There were small offices in the adjacent corner building next to the church. One of the offices had a sign saying “Chiropractor”. As I slowly drove by I noticed the phone number on the building. I decided to call it to see if it was open on Saturday. Surely my people, my beloved church would confirm to me its upholding our Sabbath publicly! Confirmation of my people’s dedication was all I wanted.

As the man answered I asked him if they were open for business Saturday. He replied “Yes we are, would you like to make an appointment?” Now, imagine a ton of bricks landing on you spiritually.  As I  hung up I very soon had to pull over. Devastating thoughts going through my mind. There was a big hit from  the past called “I’ll never fall in love again” by the famous singer –Tom Jones.  One of the lyrics says ” and I broke up all inside”. This happened that day.

My beloved church , how could they??? Tell the world to “keep the Sabbath” yet within our own gates break it right in front of the world for all to see! I did as Peter did, “wept bitterly”.

But in hind sight this was my “broken on the Rock of Jesus” moment. For never again was I to be the same person. Although I was Adventist, I had not quite had an experience like that before.

In Ezekiel 9 we read —

 “Now the glory of the God of Israel had gone up from the cherub, where it had been, to the threshold of the temple. And He called to the man clothed with linen, who had the writer’s inkhorn at his side;  and the Lord said to him, “Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it.” (Ezekiel 9:3-4)

This prophecy came into true understanding soon after. Unbeknownst to me at the time, I was “sighing and crying” for abominations done in the midst (the church). The Lord began to work His divine plan in my life. About two weeks later I was online and heard a sermon on the 144,000. Ezekiel 9:3-4 came alive to me!

Now I KNEW what the Lord’s plan was for me and the church. So clear as to make me literally feel like I was walking off the ground for the next 6 weeks or so! True, it’s solemn yet for those who truly love Christ and His Truth, a most glorious final Gospel proclamation plan awaits!

Spirit of Prophecy tells us this same sediment–

“In the time when His wrath shall go forth in judgments, these humble, devoted followers of Christ will be distinguished from the rest of the world by their soul anguish, which is expressed in lamentation and weeping, reproofs and warnings. While others try to throw a cloak over the existing evil, and excuse the great wickedness everywhere prevalent, those who have a zeal for God’s honour and a love for souls will not hold their peace to obtain favour of any. Their righteous souls are vexed day by day with the unholy works and conversation of the unrighteous.

They are powerless to stop the rushing torrent of iniquity, and hence they are filled with grief and alarm. They mourn before God to see religion despised in the very homes of those who have had great light. They lament and afflict their souls because pride, avarice, selfishness, and deception of almost every kind are in the church. The Spirit of God, which prompts to reproof, is trampled underfoot, while the servants of Satan triumph. God is dishonoured, the truth made of none effect.” (Testimonies, vol. 5, p.210-211)

Many of you no doubt have your own story of that special moment. But as SOP says  pride, avarice, selfishness, and deception of almost every kind are in the church and as such a vast multitude are NOT broken in our church. Some may find that they get broken bit by bit, beholding the vast sins prevalent among our people. But the fact remains we must get broken, self must be brought down.But once we experience it, we soon find that our King builds us up with His love and plans for us. The conversion is truly established.

“..if My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chron. 7:13)

Very soon we as Adventists will have to broken and dead to self when the Lord “suddenly comes to His Temple” (Mal. 3:1). If we are not this Rock may finally break us, but not in the way we want. Now is our time to submit and “sigh and cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst.”

Posted in Christian faith, Christian walk, Humility, Loving the Lord, Sighing and Crying | Leave a Comment »

Squeezings

June 16, 2018

Image result for picture of someone pressuring someone for money

The dictionary  describes the word compel as–

“force or oblige (someone) to do something. bring about (something) by the use of force or pressure.drive forcibly.” (Source-Google dictionary)

A few weeks ago we were attending one of the local S.D.A churches in our area. It was your typical service complete with music, speeches, sermon and the usual money requests. But something happened that caught my eye, even more, shook us up a little. Allow us to explain.

As we Seventh-day Adventists know, one of the primary customs of our service is the offering service. In addition to that we have the little kids request offering time. They are sent out among the crowd to gather small donations, usually dollar bills. Most often they are accompanied by an adult as many of them are very small with their little hands holding onto the basket, container or bag.

As this part of the service began, We were sitting and watching the activity. Soon, a very small boy came up to us and he stopped at me and pointed his small basket at me. I looked at him and smiled thinking he would see that I would not contribute. But instead he kept the basket at my chest waiting and watching. It turned out to be almost one minute of his waiting and watching, he would not move on.

At this point I placed my hand on his little shoulder and said “it’s ok, you can go”. The father came to our aid and moved him along. No doubt and as one would imagine I felt embarrassed and frankly a little disturbed by this scene. Thus, the reason for this post.

The last message of Elijah gives us counsel on this subject —

“What a privilege and what an opportunity is now ours! Look and see what a difference there is between God’s method for supporting His work, and the Roman system that is now carried on by the church: plate-passing, high-powered speeches, Big Day, Book Day, high pressuring, campaigning, selling, auctioneering, Harvest Ingathering, birthday offerings, Christmas-tree hangings, baby weighings, Dorcas sales, investment funds, and what not!  As none of these squeezings are Biblical, and as all of them are Pagan in origin and condemned by the Scriptures, they could not possibly be considered freewill offerings. Search and see.

   Instead of Sabbath-keeping the day is devoted to money raising, and instead of a house of worship, the church is turned into a den of thieves — disgusting to observers, and most discouraging for a member to invite a friend or a neighbor to a church service.  Is there any wonder that God does not now bring many into the church (“Testimonies,” Vol. 6, p. 371)?

   It was this sort of thing that aroused Luther to action as he saw the priests living in luxury by exploiting the people’s conscience and by making the poor poorer.  True worship and God’s plan for supporting the work must now be restored.” (Jezreeel Letter, no.9, p.8)

Did you notice the word “squeezings”? This is exactly the method used today to extract money from the people albeit sometimes in the form of innocent little children! The fact remains it’s a –squeezing! Further, as the basket or bag is passed around many eyes settle on the next one to have it placed before them and we wonder what they will do. Is this not a form of extraction or coercion?

Some may claim this is all “innocent” stuff, not something to make a big deal out of. After all the main purpose is to put money into God’s storehouse , so the end justifies the means. But is that really God’s way, His plan for us as “returners” of His money?

Sometimes I have a mental picture of the following when watching the little ones scramble around for money, which although funny is sadly close to the truth —

Image result for monkey asking for money

These little kids are being manipulated by the grownups just like this monkey–take money for the owners and not really know what they are doing!

The message tells us to “search and see”. When we look through God’s word, the Bible, and we will NEVER find one example of solicitation or money dealing within His sanctuary. All we find is a collection box set up at the entrance of the Sanctuary or Temple premises.  See this post for more on this subject–

https://godsloveandlaw.com/2015/05/23/the-collection-box/

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Cor. 9:7)

If we would do as shown throughout the Bible, a container placed in view for us to discreetly place our offerings we would definitely be giving without compulsion or pressure. God loves his type of giving.

We are told the following well-known Scriptural counsel–

“Teach a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)

So what are we doing? We are teaching our little ones to do little abominations! What a way to bring up our children. The Lord shall soon rain down justice and one of the those righteous and just acts will be NO MORE of these abominations done in His house.

Further as a reminder, the issue of paying tithes on the Sabbath is dealt with in HIs Elijah message. It is given to us to do the following —

“In order to eliminate money changing for tithe and offering, paying for books, etc. on the Sabbath, a Laodicean practice which the word of God condemns, let us carefully attend to all such matters on the first day of the week (1 Cor.16:2) by placing all monies in envelopes.” (Vol. 1 Symbolic news code, no.9, p.11).

“The Bible does not teach or recommend even a plate collection (a custom which Rome originated) in Sabbath services, much less merchandising in the presence of God.  All the Bible recommends is a container for free will offering placed somewhere in the church premises…Since the Bible does not teach any plate gatherings, but only freewill offerings (and not for your own use either), then by high pressuring the laity with your speeches, your pleas, and plate-passing all in the name of Christ, you make Him an extortioner of the worst kind.” (Jezreel Letter, no. 3, p.1-2)

In closing, there is the more important aspect of this subject and that is returning our Tithes to His true storehouse. But that is a long discussion of itself. Our point here in this report is that we find ourselves each Sabbath doing an “abomination” and make no mistake this is not a little thing. Pressuring and compelling is not “freewill offerings”. God does not want this nor is God like us.

“These things you have done, and I have been silent; you thought that I was one like yourself. But now I rebuke you and lay the charge before you.” (Psalms 50:21)

Posted in Christian walk, God's storehouse, Sabbath, Sighing and Crying, Tithes and Offerings | 2 Comments »

Leap for Joy!

April 28, 2018

Image result for picture of a man leaping for joy

In Luke 6:22-23 our Master said this —

“Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company , and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.”

These words were fulfilled before our eyes a couple of weeks ago. Allow us to explain.

There are five Adventist churches in area. We (wife and I) live in a fairly large county called Coachella.  The experience came from one of these churches. It’s one of the older ones and has predominately older members. Our story will deal with a married couple, brother R and sister L.

They are members of one of the aforementioned churches  with brother R being a S.D.A member since 2009. BR (hereafter for brother R) joined the Palm Springs S.D.A church back in 2009. He enjoyed the church services and was moving up the ladder of leadership becoming a Deacon in 2010. But in early 2011 he happened to come home from services one Sabbath and searching the computer came across a site offering a unique Adventist message called “The 144,000 Who are They?”.

BR clicked it and began to listen. As he listened he became almost spell-bound, for the new truths were explained and all backed up by Scripture and Spirit of Prophecy, yet no one in the S.D.A church had ever explained any of the things in the report. The amazement became profound. “Why are these things not spoken of in our church?” BR wondered.

After all they were profoundly serious, showing a church judgement to come upon the S.D.A church BEFORE He comes in the clouds. As he listened he felt such great appreciation for having the opportunity to be exposed to these prophetic teachings, BR went to the room bowing in prayer and profusely thanking the Lord for being given guidance in what is in store for us Adventists.

“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.” (John 16:13)

Despite the great spiritual awakening BR was soon to witness an unfathomable rejection of the Lord’s Elijah message Truth.  While he found new brethren scattered around the county, he discovered nearly a whole lock stock and barrel rejection or non-interest in the prophesied Elijah message (Mal. 4:5) within the local S.D.A churches.

Soon BR got married and his wife and him would frequent other churches in the area. One in particular appealed to the couple. It was the aforementioned older conservative one. But one thing BR was consistent with–passing our present truth material (CD’s DVD’s Tracts, SOP material, etc.) For a good two years BR and his wife went off and on to this conservative church. Being generally welcome they received good treatment from the brethren there and especially enjoyed the church lunches. They gave an opportunity to discuss prophecy and other important aspects of the Elijah message.

Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago. The leaders, particularly the Pastor and the head Elder, made their move against BR and his wife. The Elder approached BR and told him he’d like to see him in the Pastor’s office after lunch.

BR instinctively knew that it was to be about the slander that so frequently comes against God’s people, SOP explains–

“Do not be unbelieving. The more you are jostled, misapprehended, misstated, misrepresented, the more evidence you have that you are doing a work for the Master, and the more closely you must cling to your Saviour.” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p.130)

The workers of Christ today, as we have posted before have a large  X on their back spiritually speaking. And this mark is seen by the workers of darkness, yes, even those who cover themselves in false righteousness, many of those at the head of the church work!

Let us remember our King prophesied that Satan would sprew a flood of unconverted into the church to try to “carry her away.”

“And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.” (Rev. 12:15)

The church right now is flat-out “flooded” with non-converts. Truth is not accepted unless it’s watered down and converted into a peace and safety form. BR , while friendly, did not back away from letting people know within the church that God loved them but that judgment is soon to come FIRST to His S.D.A church.

Nevertheless, some objected and instead of discussing the matter directly with BR and going the way of Scriptural procedure, they chose to go behind his back un-Christ like and spread false accusations against him and his wife.

So BR and sister L went into the Pastor’s room and heard accusations labeled against them. “We have been told you are a follower of Waco” the head Elder said. BR asked if he knew about the history of Waco? He did not except short bits and pieces. BR went into a brief history of  Mt. Carmel in Waco, Texas. Explaining how “Davidians” are all too often falsely connected with David Koresh and his BRANCH Davidian movement from Waco.

But as BR went into all this and then into the actual message of Elijah, he did not faze them at all. They were as blind to the Truth as they were before. The Pastor then explained how BR as a layman is not authorized to teach within  their church, even to discuss Scripture and SOP in studies! Can we believe that?? In other words all “teaching” is meaning one cannot discuss the Scriptures and SOP with others without getting the Pastor and head elder’s permission first (ie. church board) ? WOW!

Correct me if I am wrong but this is a definition of a cult. Yes brethren this is what we have come to! Instead of following the below counsel, we belittle, reject and sometimes “separate” brethren from our company. No such sitting down together, Christ  like and discussing specific aspects of the Scriptures and SOP. As Luke 6:22-23 says, the Lord foreseen it  all!

“It is a fact that we have the truth, and we must hold with tenacity to the positions that cannot be shaken; but we must not look with suspicion upon any new light which God may send, and say, “Really, we cannot see that we need any more light than the old truth (historic Adventism) which we have hitherto received, and in which we are settle. While we hold to this position, the testimony of the True Witness applies to our cases its rebuke, “And knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” Those who feel rich and increased with goods and in need of nothing, are in a condition before God, and they know it not.” (RH: August 7, 1894)

“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.” (Testimonies to Ministers, p.105-106)

 

“..beware of rejecting that which is truth. The great danger with our people has been that of depending upon men and making flesh their arm. Those who have not been in the habit of searching the Bible for themselves, or weighing evidence, have confidence in the leading men and accept the decisions they make; and thus many  will reject the very messages God sends to His people, if these leading brethren do not accept them.

No one should claim that he has all the light there is for God’s people. The Lord will not tolerate this. He has said,”I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.” Even if all our leading men should refuse light and truth, that door will still remain open. The Lord will raise up men who will give the people the message for this time.

Truth is eternal, and conflict with error will only make manifest its strength. 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. To ridicule his ideas would not weaken his position in the least if it were false, or strengthen your position if it were true. If the pillars of our faith will not stand the test of investigation,it is time that we knew it. There must be no spirit of Pharisaism cherished among us.” (Testimonies to Ministers, page 106-107)

At the end of the meeting BR and sister L kneeled and prayed for light to come to the church. Did it do any good? Well the very next Sabbath BR and sister L were asked to not come to the church any more. Prophecy fulfillment —

“Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company , and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.” (Luke 6:22-23)

The Lord is about to do something brethren and His word is to come to past let us stand strong despite the evil that surrounds us. Keep your head up and carry on with the Truth, His work to be done in the vineyard.

“The tares and wheat are now commingled, but then the one hand that alone can separate them will give to everyone his true position. Those who have had the light of truth, and heard the warning message, heard the invitation to the marriage supper-farmer, merchant, lawyer, false shepherds who have quieted the convictions of the people, unfaithful watchmen who have not sounded the warning or known the time of night–all who have refused obedience  to the laws of the kingdom of God, will have no right therein.”(Testimonies to Ministers, p.235) 

“There is a lack of moral and spiritual power throughout our Conferences. Many churches do not have light in themselves. The members do not give evidence that they are branches of the True Vine, by bearing much fruit to the glory of God, but appear to be withering away…They understand not the true application of the Scriptures, nor the power of God. They have eyes, but they see not; ears have they, but they hear not; they continue in their evil ways, yet regard themselves as the privileged, obedient people who are doers of the word.

A carnal security and ease in Zion prevail. Peace, peace, is sounded in her borders, when God has not spoken peace. They have forfeited the terms of peace; there is reason for an alarm to be sounded in all “my holy mountain.” The sinners in Zion should be afraid, in a time when they do not expect it, sudden destruction will surely come upon all who are at ease.” (RH December 23, 1890)

 “Whenever the people of God are growing in grace, they will be constantly obtaining a clearer understanding of His word. They will discern  any new light and beauty in its sacred truths. This has been true in the history of the church in all ages, and thus will continue to the end. But as real spiritual life declines, it has ever been the tendency to cease to advance in the knowledge of the truth. Men rest satisfied with the light already received from God’s word, and discourage any further investigation of the Scriptures.

They become conservative, and seek to avoid discussion…When no new questions are started by investigation of the Scriptures, when no difference of opinion arises which will set men to searching the Bible for themselves, to make sure that they have the truth, there will be many now, as in ancient times, who will hold to tradition, and worship they know not what.” (5T pp. 706-707).

 

Posted in Church, Delusion, Righteous Anger, Sighing and Crying, The spirit of predjudice, Truth telling vs. lying, Warning our brethren | 1 Comment »

Straight Testimony Approved By Jesus

April 21, 2018

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Recently a brother on Facebook posted this and we knew it should be spread for it’s Truth. As we are well aware, the Lord said this about John the Baptist–

“Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” (Matt 11:11)

Yet what was John known for? Straight talk and warnings. Oh, how times have not changed. Today, we who are giving the warnings to the Laodicean church, regularly receive rejection in one form or another. We experience every one of those comments mentioned in the picture and more.

“You’re a legalist”, “You’re not very Christ-like” etc. etc. Our cunning deceiver is diametrically opposed to these admonitions. Why? Because he knows that this is REAL LOVE. Not the phony pat on the back, “Oh don’t worry about your sins Jesus loves you no matter what you do”.

In discussing this situation the Spirit of Prophecy says–

 “In the time when His wrath shall go forth in judgments, these humble, devoted followers of Christ will be distinguished from the rest of the world by their soul anguish, which is expressed in lamentation and weeping, reproofs and warnings. While others try to throw a cloak over the existing evil, and excuse the great wickedness everywhere prevalent, those who have a zeal for God’s honour and a love for souls will not hold their peace to obtain favour of any.

Their righteous souls are vexed day by day with the unholy works and conversation of the unrighteous. They are powerless to stop the rushing torrent of iniquity, and hence they are filled with grief and alarm. They mourn before God to see religion despised in the very homes of those who have had great light.

They lament and afflict their souls because pride, avarice, selfishness, and deception of almost every kind are in the church.The Spirit of God, which prompts to reproof, is trampled underfoot, while the servants of Satan triumph. God is dishonoured, the truth made of none effect.” (Testimonies, vol. 5, p.210-211)

Did you notice the words, “powerless to stop the rushing torrent of iniquity”? SOP nailed that one! The sins of our church are an avalanche upon us, we try to warn against it but it just rushes on.

Let’s review those comments and address them.

  1. “You’re a legalist”

Yes, we do believe in the 10 Commandment law, which is God’s rules to live by. Anyone who thinks Christ has done away with this Law is wholly deceived.

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.  Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt: 17:19)

2.  “You’re pushing people away from Jesus”, “You need to show more love” “Just tell people how much God loves them”

Only those not grounded upon the sure Rock of Jesus, will view warnings as a bad thing. True, we are to show Christ’s love in all we do, but this love is all-encompassing –encouragement, compassion, warnings, rebukes are all part of Christ’s love. To cut out warnings and rebukes is to try and preach a “free love” deception. As the ol saying goes, “We are saved from our sins, not in them.”

Today in our S.D.A church, warnings and rebukes are almost unheard of, very rare EXCEPT in backwards style. You could get warned by the leaders if you warn the church of her sins. It’s the classic “peace and safety” message and instructions we receive from our leaders that is to be the status quo at all costs. We used to have a saying  “All show and no go”- pretty much sums up our Sabbath worship services today.

“For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.” ( 1 Thes. 5:3)

“Our message is not to be one of peace and safety.” (Review and Herald, Nov. 1, 1906)

“My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.”(Proverbs 3:11-12)

 

“In John the Baptist God raised up a messenger to prepare the way of the Lord. He was to bear to the world an unflinching testimony, reproving and denouncing sin. The angel, in announcing John’s mission and work, said: “He shall go before Him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” 

John had not been educated in the schools of the rabbis. He had obtained no human scholarship. The forerunner of Christ did not expose himself to evil conversation and the corrupting influences of the world. He chose to have his home in the wilderness. Here his surroundings were favorable to habits of simplicity and self-denial. Uninterrupted by the clamor of the world, he could here study the lessons of nature, of revelation, and of providence, and preserve a sacred sense of the majesty of God.

To prepare the way before Christ, one was needed, who, like the prophets of old, could summon the degenerate nation to repentance, and the voice of John was lifted up like a trumpet. His commission was, “Show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” He presented no long arguments, no fine-spun theories, elaborately delivered in their “first,” “secondly,” and “thirdly.” Pure, native eloquence was revealed; every word carried with it certainty and truth. 

And all went forth into the wilderness to hear him. Unlearned peasants and fishermen came from the surrounding country. The Roman soldiers from the barracks of Herod came to hear him. Chieftains came, with their swords girded at their sides, to put down anything that savored of rebellion. The avaricious tax-gatherers came from the regions round about, and from the Sanhedrin came the phylacteried priests. All listened as if spellbound; and all came away, even the Pharisee, the Sadducee, and the cold, unimpressible scoffer, with the sneer gone, and cut to the heart with a sense of their sins. 

John called every class to repentance. He met sin with open rebuke, in men of humble occupation, and in men of high degree. He declared the truth to kings and nobles, whether they would hear or reject it. And kings and nobles, Pharisees and Sadducees, Roman soldiers, and officers trained in all court etiquette, wily, calculating tax-gatherers and world-renowned men, listened to his words. They had confidence in his plain statements, and were convicted of sin. 

In this age, just prior to the second coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven, God calls for men who will prepare a people to stand in the great day of the Lord. Just such a work as that of John is to be carried on in these last days. The Lord has given messages to his people, through the instruments he has chosen, and he would have all give heed to the admonitions and warnings he sends. The message preceding the public ministry of Christ was, Repent, publicans and sinners. Repent, Pharisees and Sadducees. Repent, “for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Our message is not to be one of peace and safety. As a people who believe in Christ’s soon appearing, we have a message to bear,—“Prepare to meet thy God.” We are to lift up the standard and bear the third angel’s message. Our message must be as direct as was the message of John. He rebuked kings for their iniquity. Notwithstanding that his life was in peril, the truth did not languish upon his lips. And our work in this age must be as faithfully done. “(Review and Herald, Nov. 1, 1906)

As Inspiration says our work today is very similar to John, and we are experiencing a large incoming flood into our church.

“And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.” (Rev. 12:15)

Now is the time to stand firm, now is the time to show “real love” by being straight with the sins in our midst. If we truly care about the souls of our brethren, wanting them to be with us in the kingdom, let us  point them the way forward. Our leaders are compromised as they want to appease the people with lovely sermons that often put us to sleep!

John came with the straight testimony because the people needed that, same with today. The worst thing we can do is to support the sins in our midst by not sighing and crying. This is what get’s us sealed today.

“Mark this point with care: Those who receive the pure mark of truth, wrought in them by the power of the Holy Ghost, represented by a mark by the man in linen, are those “that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done” in the church.” (Testimonies , vol. 3, p.267)

“The day of God’s vengeance is just upon us. The seal of God will be placed upon the foreheads of those only who sigh and cry for the abominations done in the land.” (Testimonies, vol. 5, p.212)

 

Posted in Sighing and Crying | 2 Comments »

Are We Afraid?

January 27, 2018

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NOTE: Color code : Orange – The Lord speaking  Blue — Bible/SOP  Brown– Elijah message –Victor Houteff

Many of us know well the story of the courageous Joshua and Caleb. 10 of the 12 spies had just come back from the land and gave a dire report, telling the people that there was just too much danger for them to go over there and conquer the land. In effect, Christ was not able to deliver them.

Yet Joshua and Caleb trusted the Lord fully. Despite the mockery and murmuring against them, they held fast, standing up firmly for the Lord–they were courageous.

In Rev. 21: 7-8 we read —

“He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son. But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

As we have posted many times, when we search the Scriptures we see that the Lord has always honored those who have stood up for Him, even under tough circumstances.

“Therefore the LORD God of Israel declares, ‘I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father should walk before Me forever’; but now the LORD declares, ‘Far be it from Me– for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me will be lightly esteemed.” (1 Sam. 2:30)

Going back to Joshua and Caleb. How many in the hundreds of thousands Israelites that heard that silently whispered “hey you know I admire these guys courage”, or “you know they might be right”, etc.?

Yet how many other adults over 20 made it to the promise land even if they did silently side with Joshua and Caleb? NO OTHERS! That’s right just Joshua and Caleb were allowed to go into the promised land. Do you suppose because no one else had courage to step forward and stand with them, they were all guilty alike? Courage was very rare at that time.

Today my brethren, we have the same anti-type fear. Let’s look at a case in point, a brother we’ll call bro.C. We met bro. C about 3 years ago at church, we had a chance to talk shortly with him  after service in the parking lot. We then handed him some present truth material which he graciously took.

Time when by and we never heard a peep from him. Then about a year later we ran into him in the local Home Depot parking lot. By the way, these haphazard meetings are NOT by chance, God arranges them for us. We inquired how he was and asked if he’d ever had a chance to review the material. He responded, “oh brother I know what you believe, and you better watch out of those Shepherd’s Rod teachings.”

Before I could hardly discuss the matter he interrupted me and said “sorry, my wife is waiting and I have to go.”

This brother is an older gentleman and a respected elder in one of the local churches we attend. As I have often thought of this man and his wife, the Lord has reminded me of those who are basically cowards. They are truly afraid of being outcast from the church. You see church membership is more important than the Truth.

There is a clear lesson of this same fear and that is found in John 9:21-22 —

“But by what means he now sees, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself. His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone confessed Him to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue.”

Sadly today, this lesson is not learned from. There are many within our church that do not want to stand for the Truth, lest they run afoul of the Laodicean leadership. In other words being throw out of the church is worse than being thrown out of the Kingdom!

Just a few days go I ran into another church member in my travels. She is an older woman who is in a responsible position within the church. In our conversation, the subject of the disastrous 2015 gay Christmas presentation held in a local SDA church of which she attends was mentioned. I asked her what she thought of that event. She responded “I did not like it.”

I thought that was a good response but I inquired further if she rose up against it in the church to voice her displeasure. She hesitated then said, “No I think they know how I felt about it.” It was at this point that I told about the aforementioned example of only two making it to the promised land and that even though there may have been some silent admirers or supporters of Joshua and Caleb–it did not count in God’s judgment. Again we go back to standing up and being counted!

Scripture tells to watch out for an important priority.

“Open rebuke is better than secret love.” (Proverbs 27:5)

Now why would this be so? Because great love and caring means standing for the right and warnings given when needed. Love is at the center of this behavior if done in truth and righteousness.

Mind you that we do  not imply that we are to be scornful people walking around looking for sin or evil ways, not at all. But as the message tells us, Satan has mostly filled our church with tares and the subsequent abominations done continually within her. In order to “love” our brethren we are, at times, to show them their wrong paths.

“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” (Isaiah 58:1)

SOP gives us specific and powerful counsel —

“The prejudice which has arisen against us because we have reproved the wrongs that God has shown me existed, and the cry that has been raised of harshness and severity, are unjust. God bids us speak, and we will not be silent. If wrongs are apparent among His people, and if the servants of God pass on indifferent to them, they virtually sustain and justify the sinner, and are alike guilty and will just as surely receive the displeasure of God; for they will be made responsible for the sins of the guilty.

In vision I have been pointed to many instances where the displeasure of God has been incurred by a neglect on the part of His servants to deal with the wrongs and sins existing among them. Those who have excused these wrongs have been thought by the people to be very amiable and lovely in disposition, simply because they shunned to discharge a plain Scriptural duty. The task was not agreeable to their feelings; therefore they avoided it.

The spirit of hatred which has existed with some because the wrongs among God’s people have been reproved has brought blindness and a fearful deception upon their own souls, making it impossible for them to discriminate between right and wrong. They have put out their own spiritual eyesight. They may witness wrongs, but they do not feel as did Joshua and humble themselves because the danger of souls is felt by them.” (Testimonies, vol. 3, p.266-267)

The Elijah message also tells us that we are for the most part — church devoted instead of Christ devoted.

” The greatest trouble with most S.D.A’s is that they are baptized in the name of the denomination rather than in the name of the Trinity.” (SC, vol. 3, no.5-6, p.8)

“Regardless how long one’s name may have been on the Church record, if he is not born again (justified by faith) , he is out of Christ, and is alien to the blessing of the Gospel.”(SC, vol. 6, no. 1-6, p.15)

Here is , I believe the main reason that many church members are afraid. They do not want to run afoul of the church leaders! Just as the blind man’s parents were. But brethren the Truth will require us to stand up for Him sooner or later! But when at last you want to, will it be too late?

“But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? (Mal. 3:2)

“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, He that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” (Deut. 31:6)

Posted in Courage, Sighing and Crying, Warning our brethren | Leave a Comment »

As in the Days of Amos

December 2, 2017

Image result for picture of Amos rebuking at the gate Bible

In the days of Amos, he wrote under Inspiration the following —

“They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly.” (Amos 5:10)

What was Amos doing that caused people to “hate” him for rebuking at the gate? What is “rebuking at the gate” mean? We found a good commentary.

“The prophets seized the opportunity of finding the people together, and preached to them there. So it was even in the days of Solomon. “Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets; she crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates, in the city she uttereth her words, How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity?…”Proverbs 1:20-22, and again, “She standeth in the top of high places, by the way, in the meeting of the paths. She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors; Unto you, O men, I call, “Pro 8:2-4.

Jeremiah mentions two occasions, upon which God bade him reprove the king and people in the gates of Jerusalem Jeremiah 17:19; Jeremiah 19:2. There doubtless Amos and Hosea reproved them, and, for reproving, were “hated.” As Isaiah says, “they lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate”Isaiah 29:21. They sinned publicly, and therefore they were to be rebuked publicly. They sinned “in the gate” by injustice and oppression, and therefore were to be “rebuked before all, that others also might fear” 1 Timothy 5:20. (Bible Hub Amos 5:10)

Fast forward to today. There is a small group of people known as the “Siege Ambassadors” who are S.D.A members. They have a ministry where they go to churches around the USA and stand at the “gate” the entry areas for the churches. Their  mission is to warn the members that judgment is about to happen with our church.

While doing this, they also try and hand out Tracts, Cd’s, Dvd’s and other literature as the members drive or walk by. This small company usually takes videos of the siege and posts them either on their YouTube channel or Facebook.

How is this ministry received by S.D.A members and other present truth believers? Well, let’s say it’s a mixed bag. Many don’t subscribe to this method of reaching out. They see it as confrontational and not really helping the members to come to the message. Personally I see it as a last ditch effort to reach our Laodiceans. They are so near coma like in regards to the message, there can maybe be some who have their ears open to this pleading. Scripture also supports such pleading —

“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” (Isaiah 58:1)

This appears to be exactly what the siege team does. They cry aloud and lift up their voices like a trumpet. A while back during one of our many conversations, I had an in depth discussion with their leader, sister Patricia.

What I said was that the work of God is multifaceted. Apostle Paul beautifully breaks it down.

 “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 

On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary;  and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, whereas our more presentable members have no need of it.

But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it.” (1 Cor. 12:18-27)

So while many of us often don’t appreciate this difficult and trying work, we should realize that God has called these servants to do this part of the work. We as part of the body of Christ, His final Elijah messengers, cannot say “you are not needed” because even if this work is different than the norm, it is still Scriptural, a part of the body, and can reach out in a unique and peculiar way.

Has this work produced fruit? Yes it has. Several members have contacted the team over the years and Bible studies have been had. Only God knows who has come into the message, but rest assured this method has aroused some members from their sleep.

Some have argued that this method cause disturbances during the Sabbath. However, this is not the full picture. The siege team approaches their work with two main goals. First, they are warning the church it’s time to wake up, the Lord’s “suddenly coming to His temple” (Mal. 3:1-5) is about to happen. Second, they want to give out present truth because the leaders are derelict in duty on the Sabbath.

Now, the occasional “scene” usually goes as follows. The team simply starts lifting their voice like a trumpet and a pastor, elder or member soon comes over to the sidewalk to speak to them. They tell them to stop doing what they are doing. They are accused of trouble makers, disturbers, false witnesses, etc. Then the accusers of the brethren resort to calling the police on the Sabbath in hopes of removing them.

The police arrive and they quickly tell the accusers that the team has a right to protest. But Satan’s objective is now achieved. These “Amos” people are now looked on by the observing members as troublemakers, yet in reality it is the church leaders and members themselves that cause the trouble making scene!

So how should the church respond to this? If Christ’s voice is to be heard, the leaders should go up to them and ask them to come into the church and discuss the issues. Then calmly the siege team would lay out the charges and if true, the leaders should at once correct their error ways or at least set in motion the corrections. If found not true by Scripture or the Spirit of Prophecy, then that should be discussed to the team. Bottomline the search for unity and discussion for Truth’s sake is what would please our King!

But of course this does not take place, instead mocking, arguing, slanderous words, calling the cops,  all come from the members to these souls who have stepped up to the plate to give God’s message of Elijah.

In closing, with the S.D.A close of probation at hand, God is pulling out all stops in order to reach His people. These siege ambassadors are a unique and peculiar division of the body. Let us keep these brave souls in prayer.

Posted in Courage, Sighing and Crying, The Book of Amos, Warning our brethren, Witnessing | Leave a Comment »

An Example of Non-Sighing and Crying

October 7, 2017

Image result for picture of little richard

 

Many of us, particularly those over 55, know of a man considered one of the grandfathers of Rock n Roll– Little Richard. I remember as a kid, my Dad would tell me “Son, Little Richard was the man, he was the king of Rock n Roll back in the day.” Just like Elvis Presley, Little Richard had it all–girls, drugs, music, talent, wealth, fame world wide, etc.

Recently as I was strolling YouTube, I saw a 3ABN video on an interview with Little Richard. I had heard he was a Seventh-day Adventist, so I thought it would be a good video to watch. Watch indeed, and I was taken back by what I saw and heard. Just like a more modern famous singer–Al Green, Little Richard appears to talk the talk but does he walk the walk? That is what I tuned in to see.

The interview was by Danny Shelton (founder of 3ABN) and Yvonne Lewis, well known former singer now an avid 3 ABN spokeswoman.

As many of us know, we must be sealed today with “our” message of Truth, the present truth, given to us by the Great Message Giver. That message is summed up in the following by showing us what we need to do in order to receive the seal in our foreheads —

“In the time when His wrath shall go forth in judgments, these humble, devoted followers of Christ will be distinguished from the rest of the world by their soul anguish, which is expressed in lamentation and weeping, reproofs and warnings. While others try to throw a cloak over the existing evil, and excuse the great wickedness everywhere prevalent, those who have a zeal for God’s honour and a love for souls will not hold their peace to obtain favour of any. Their righteous souls are vexed day by day with
the unholy works and conversation of the unrighteous.

They are powerless to stop the rushing torrent of iniquity, and hence they are filled with grief and alarm. They mourn before God to see religion despised in the very homes of those who have had great light. They lament and afflict their souls because pride, avarice, selfishness, and deception of almost every kind are in the church. The Spirit of God, which prompts to reproof, is trampled underfoot, while the servants of Satan triumph. God is dishonoured, the truth made of none effect. 

The class who do not feel grieved over their own spiritual declension, nor mourn over the sins of others, will be left without the seal of God. The Lord commissions His messengers, the men with slaughtering weapons in their hands: “Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p.210-211)

We notice that the seal of God is placed upon those who explain away or excuse those who are committing abominations among His people — NOT! Just the opposite we are to cry aloud and mourn these things! So with this knowledge we watched our brother Little Richard and his interview.

First let me say that it is truly good that he has left the world of abominable music. He has started down the right path, being baptized into our church about 2 years ago. He understands the basics of our religion (Commandments keeping, and proclaiming the message). Yet who is it that is sitting right across from him during the interview? Two of the long time top leaders of our church –Danny Shelton and Yvonne Lewis.

These leaders should certainly know the above straightforward counsel. Yet, as I watched I saw no leadership and guidance coming from Shelton. Neither from Yvonne Lewis, another longtime leader in our church. Most of the interview was an appeasement exercise from these leaders, smiles, chuckles and fun first, God’s serious counsel second, if at all.

For example Little Richard showed his glittering worldly fashionable shoes, far from being modest. Shelton and Lewis lightly laugh it off giving Little Richard encouragement to keep one foot in this world and one foot in Christ, instead of gently warning him to be modest and leave  worldly fashions where they belong–hidden away from view! After all these are the shoes he wore for his performances.

There is a gigantic struggle within many of us to adorn ourselves to satisfy our carnal desires. Personally, some even within my family are at times,  still battling these desires. Nevertheless we want to lead and guide, especially if we are called to be a shepherd.

The following link is the interview —

As you watch you’ll see the history and experiences explained by Little Richard, which admittedly was interesting, but we’d like for you to zoom into the video at the 1:42:20 mark to the 1:42:40 mark. After discussing gay and transvestite lifestyles, our brother says —

“People have their own things in mind , their own set up. I can’t tell anybody what to do and I’m not telling anybody what to do. And I love you all, I don’t care what you are or where you’re from or what color, I love you and God loves you too and don’t you forget that.”

My beloved brother, yes we ARE told to tell others about their sins —

“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” (Isaiah 58:1)

Now to be fair, Little Richard is a fairly new member of our church but Shelton and Lewis are not. Little Richard threw them a slow pitch right down the middle to hit out of the park (spiritually speaking) yet these long time leaders swung and missed! Their opportunity to help straighten Little Richard out gone and went.

“Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of My pasture!” declares the LORD. Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: “Because you have scattered My flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done,” declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 23:1-2)

We are told that only those who “sigh and cry” for all the abominations done in the land and in the church will be sealed. Is chuckling, explaining away or excusing abominable behavior –sighing and crying? I mean these are SERIOUS abominations in our church, perverted lifestyles allowed to minister!

“Who are standing in the counsel of God at this time? Is it those who virtually excuse wrongs among the professed people of God and who murmur in their hearts, if not openly, against those who would reprove sin? Is it those who take their stand against them and sympathize with those who commit wrong? No, indeed! Unless they repent, and leave the work of Satan in oppressing those who have the burden of the work and in holding up the hands of sinners in Zion, they will never receive the mark of God’s sealing approval.

They will fall in the general destruction of the wicked, represented by the work of the five men bearing slaughter weapons. Mark this point with care: Those who receive the pure mark of truth, wrought in them by the power of the Holy Ghost, represented by a mark by the man in linen, are those “that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done” in the church. Their love for purity and the honor and glory of God is such, and they have so clear a view of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, that they are represented as being in agony, even sighing and crying. Read the ninth chapter of Ezekiel.” (Testimonies volume 3, p.267)

Brethren, now is not the time to be lukewarm as seen by this S.D.A interview, the Lord is serious and we are to take a stand for the right despite the circumstances. This requires us to be bold at times not wishy-washy, tip toeing through the tulips as it were.  Saying straight things, like what Shelton and Lewis should have said to Little Richard about how we as S.D.A don’t tolerate abominations done in our midst.

As mentioned, right now, maybe even unbeknownst to Little Richard, our S.D.A church is allowing gays and transvestites to “minister” in our churches! If this is not an abomination then there are no abominations existing in our church. The above word of God means nothing.

Both of them, our brother Little Richard and us, would have been blessed by witnessing an expression of a “clear view of the exceeding sinfulness of sin” by Shelton and Lewis. But instead we saw an exercise in lukewarmness, kind of warm but not hot as the Lord wants (Rev. 3:16).

Let’s pray for our  brother Little Richard, who is now into his 80’s,  as his heart is going in the right direction yet our sleeping shepherds, the false watchmen and women, are in dereliction of duty.

 

Posted in Sighing and Crying, Warning our brethren, Witnessing | 2 Comments »

“Thou Shall not bear False Witness”

February 18, 2017

Image result for wes peppers picture

A while back one of our sisters travelled to Michigan to “sigh and cry” for the abominations done in the midst, namely a Doug Batchelor event hosted by the local SDA church in Lansing Michigan, pastored by the man shown above, Wes Peppers.

It is our hope and prayer that this pastor acknowledges his public error of spreading of false rumors and agrees to be corrected and on the side of Truth.

 

The aforementioned sister has a couple of ministries going on. One, a YouTube ministry where she goes to SDA churches and passes out Tracts, Videos, CD’s etc, of the message of the hour and puts the work they do online as a witness that the Lord is soon to “suddenly come to His Temple” (Mal 3:1). Second, she also has a Facebook ministry as well.

Her method is controversial, for it harkens back to the days of Amos, as we read–

“They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly.”(Amos 5:10)

Back in the old days, the man of God would sit or stand “at the gate”, the entry point to the city or Temple. They would call out the public wrongs concerning God’s people. As we see from the word of God, we should not be one of those who “hate” this work, lest we be found to offend God’s work through His unique workers. Granted not all are called to do this but this has/is still a work that God calls some to do.

Additionally we read–

“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. “(Isaiah 58:1)

So the event took place in Lansing Michigan last Oct 2-10, 2015. Sister Patricia and her crew made the trip to the event and set up their positions on the sidewalk. This is very important to understand as this was not done on their property. In the following video, WP (Wes Peppers) goes to great lengths to accuse them of trespassing and doing an “illegal” protest on his property. In fact he called the police trying to get them booted off the public sidewalk, and they sided with sister Patricia and her crew against WP’s attempted act of curtailment of free speech and assembly.

We all remember that the Jews did the same thing, they blocked, derided, scorned the few present truth believers and the Lord warned us concerning this method–

“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of the heavens before men. For you neither enter, nor even do you allow those who are entering to go in.”(Matt. 23:13)

There is no doubt that WP thinks he is doing the right thing “protecting” his people. Yet the Jews had the same attitude. The Jews had mis-read the Scriptures and that was their fatal mistake. Our ONLY safe course to take Inspired counsel here–

“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.” (Testimonies to Ministers, p.105-106)

“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. To ridicule his ideas would not weaken his position in the least if it were false, or strengthen your position if it were true. If the pillars of our faith will not stand the test of investigation,it is time that we knew it. There must be no spirit of Pharisaism cherished among us.”  (Ibid, p.107)

You see, we as Adventists shake our head at people who write things such as this —

http://www.jesusisprecious.org/false_religion/sda/heresy_on_hell.htm

Why? Because we’ve study the whole picture and ALL of the writings concerning hell. But the sad fact is that we, too, are sometimes blinded that we can do the very same thing! Proclaim something falsely when we haven’t studied it all out. Our Lord, in fact said that we would “knowest not that we are “wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked..” (Rev. 3:17)

We are counselled that we have “many many lessons to UNLEARN.” (TM, p.30)

Ok, so now that we have laid the groundwork let’s get to the meat of this post. Of special note, WP clears himself by saying that their recordings won’t show anything said “amiss” by him (14:38 of the 2nd video). But the true lovers of the Truth will be offended by his comments as it shows the classic false beliefs and narrative from the leaders of our SDA church. Indeed things are said “amiss”!

We are under no illusion, it appears WP is dug in deeply in his mistaken ideas, but we pray and ask others to keep this man in prayer that his eyes be opened to the real Truth. He “promises” a good thing at the 18:10 mark of the second video, saying–

“If it’s truth and you can show it to me from the Bible, I’ll believe it, that’s a promise.”

Let us look at some of WP’s statements (we have links to both parts of the video below)

  1. At the 36:32 mark of the first video, WP says  “You guys believe in the literal interpretation of Ezekiel, when it talks about…”  He then tried to move in front of the sister who was attempting to give some Tracts to others.

WP is in need of learning what SOP, which he stated he strongly believes in, shows about “literal interpretation of Ezekiel”. He said, “the truth is the writings of Ellen White and I believe it all” (17:26 of 2nd video).

“Study the 9th chapter of Ezekiel. These words will be literally fulfilled; yet the time is passing, and the people are asleep. They refuse to humble their souls and to be converted. Not a great while longer will the Lord bear with the people who have such great and important truths revealed to them, but who refuse to bring these truths into their individual experience. The time is short. God is calling; will you hear? Will you receive His message? Will you be converted before it is too late? Soon, very soon, every case will be decided for eternity.” (Manuscript Releases, vol. 1, p.260)

“We are amid the perils of the last days, the time will soon come when the prophecy of Ezekiel 9 will be fulfilled; that prophecy should be carefully studied, for it will be fulfilled to the very letter.” (1888 Materials, p.1303)

2. Then doubles down again on the rumored false idea about Ezek. 9 and says–

“Based upon your interpretation of the prophecies of Ezekiel, when that final crisis comes it’s the Shepherd’s Rod’s job to actually kill Adventist pastors is that what you’re going to do? That’s what I was told by different people ” (38:30 of 1st video)

When we “love” the truth, we respect it too much to state something so disturbing (even if it’s a rumor we heard) without knowing the “facts”. Let us be clear, to even bring such a dire dreadful statement up like this shows that WP really didn’t seriously care to “look into this” before. Had he done so he would not have even raised this serious charge against these people. Apparently he blindly assumed what he was told as–truth. When the sister answered him, all she got was a wry snicker instead of any acknowledgment that he may have heard a false witness lie.

False witness against someone is a terrible crime before the Lord–terrible! So important that it’s one of the great Commandments! The “Shepherd’s Rod” people have been slandered against, rumored against, and flat our lied about for a long time now. It’s time these falsehoods are met  head on and expose this kind of Satanic rumor.

By way of disclosure I have had a few back and forth emails with this pastor and have clearly pointed out that his idea (that he “heard”) that the “Shepherd’s Rods” will commit the killing as described in Ezekiel 9 is nothing short of ludicrous and the spawn of that ol deceiver and instigator of false hood. He was sent this video which shows clearly without question what the Rod teaches about Ezek.9

Let us now look at what the SRod actually teaches about those who will commit the slaying as spoken of in Ezek.9

Question:–“Are the 144,000, after being sealed, to go and kill all the others in the S.D.A. church who failed to receive the seal?” — {1SC16 3.2}

  Answer:–The slaying of the tares in the church is plainly foretold that this work is not man’s duty to perform. The prophet Ezekiel, in vision, was shown that the angels who bear the slaughter weapons are the ones whom the Lord commissioned to “slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women”…but to “come not near any man upon whom is the mark.” (Ezek. 9:6.) The Lord makes this destruction of the “tares” still plainer by His parabolic illustration, saying:

“Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into My barn.” 

  “So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just.” (Matt. 13:30, 49.) (Sym. Code, vol. 1, No.16, p.3)

 

It will be seen by the following paragraphs that the enemy of truth is determined that light shall not reach the people (“Testimonies to Ministers,” p. 411), also that he is doing everything to tear down Mt. Carmel Center and the work she is carrying on. 

1. “I have been told,” says one, “that Mt. Carmel Center is being builded as a sort of fort where weapons are being stored for the purpose of slaying all the S.D.A.’s who do not accept the message of the Rod. Is this true?”

Nothing could be quite so absurd as the story which the questioner has been told, and we admonish our brethren not to believe what they are told by Mt. Carmel’s enemies, any more than while they were investigating the Sabbath truth they believed the wild stories told about Adventists.” (Sym. Code, vol. 3, no.11-12, p.2)

3. WP asks, “He is going to set up a kingdom here on earth?” (in reference to the sister speaking of the pre-millennial kingdom phase–  20:36 of the 2nd Video) The sister then gives an explanation based on Daniel 2. But it appears to not make sense to WP as he disputes the sister’s interpretation of Daniel 2.

There are many places we could show evidence “from the Bible” of this pre-millennial kingdom, but we’ll show just one for now. We’ll quote Isaiah 11: 6-12.

“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. 

And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.”

Questions for WP–

  1. When will this day be that the “wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid… and a little child shall lead them?”  In heaven, the new earth or on the existing earth?
  2.  Will there be “sucking and weaned children” in heaven or the new earth? To play with snakes there?
  3.  In that day, the days mentioning the above circumstances in 1 and 2, can it take place in heaven where “Gentiles” can seek an “ensign”  from the Lord? Heaven or the new earth will have Gentiles who want to “seek” the Lord?
  4. The first “recover the remnant” was when the Lord recovered His people from Egypt, and was that recovering here on earth? Is this second recovering of His people on heaven or earth? Is this Gathering to a place on earth just as the first one was?
  5. Will there be nations in heaven or in the new earth?

“True confession is always of a specific character, and acknowledges particular sins. They may be of such a nature as only to be brought before God; they may be wrongs that should be confessed before individuals who have suffered injury through them; or they may be of a public character,  and then should be publicly confessed.

But all confession should be definite, and to the point, acknowledging the very sins of which you have been reproved by the Spirit of God.” (Signs of the Times,March 16, 1888)

(Part One)

 

(Part Two)

For any and all who would like to read an authoritative article on just who are the Davidian SDA (aka Shepherd’s Rods) see this Wikipedia article –

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davidian_Seventh-day_Adventist

In summary, Wes Peppers has the right to reject the Rod. But when he talks of false rumors and tries to pawn them off as legitimate statements, without truly knowing the truth of the matter, then he takes a solemn chance of offending the Lord by breaking Commandment no. 9–solemn indeed! We suggest he does not further hinder those who wish to “enter therein” to look at the whole matter, as many of us have done. You have not weighed this matter thoroughly (as we have) and therefore should be concerned you speak rightly concerning it.

“Hear ye the Rod, and Who has appointed it.” (Micah 6:9)

You said “from the Bible” and here it is, the Lord says “HEAR ye the Rod” are you doing that WP?

“For He said, ‘Surely they are  my people, children that will not lie: so He became their Saviour.” (Isaiah 63:8)

“Do not be unbelieving. The more you are jostled, misapprehended, misstated, misrepresented, the more evidence you have that you are doing a work for the Master, and the more closely you must cling to your Saviour.” (Testimonies, vol.8, p.130)

Please keep sister Patricia and her team in your prayers, they are actually “doing something” about the upcoming judgment upon God’s house (1 Peter 4:17).

“Our message is not one of peace and safety.” (SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 4, p.1184)

 

Posted in Proper teachings, Sighing and Crying, The spirit of predjudice, Truth telling vs. lying, Warning our brethren, Witnessing | 2 Comments »

Refuse to be Corrected

September 17, 2016

poor-dress-girl

“God has not altered nor changed. He is a jealous God, and will not look upon sin now with any more allowance than He did among ancient Israel. Sin is sin. Sins have not been held forth in their sinfulness, but it has been made to appear as though sins have been lightly regarded by God.” (TSB, p.247)

Several weeks ago the spirit urged me to speak to a young lady in our church. I had noticed her for quite a while as she was well established in the worldly attire routine. As we have posted many times before when sin is placed in front of us we have two choices, turn and ignore it or decide to face it, for the betterment of the afflicted. I chose the latter.

As my wife and I were leaving the church lunch, she excused herself to the ladies room. A few moments later the Lord had placed the young lady in my path, now was my time to act. I gently said hello, then I asked if I could speak to her for a moment. She agreed politely.

I started out, “You know dear sister if you were invited to the president of the United States office, you would want to dress nice and modest , yes?” She nodded in the affirmative. “You would want to be conservative and presentable. So when we go to our church and into God’s sanctuary are we not going in front of Someone who is much more important than president of the United States, the God of the universe?” Again she nodded. “So maybe next time you might want to dress a little more conservative in His presence, is that ok?” She said yes,and thanked me for the chat.

Now we must understand that this really should not be my duty, it should be the leaders (ie, the Pastor, elders, deacons). But Inspiration warned us a long time ago–

“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 next time I saw her at church, she had on her typical alluring worldly attire. Nothing changed. The warning is done it’s now up to her.

“I have been shown that the greatest reason why the people of God are now found in this state of spiritual blindness is that they will not receive correction. Many have despised the reproofs and warnings given them.” (Testimonies, vol. 3, p.255)

This dress problem is not solely with the ladies but with some of us men as well. Sometimes we dress like we are going on some kind of fishing expedition. Casual T-shirt, jeans, tennis shoes or loafers, etc.  Again would we dress like that if called to  a one on one meeting with the president of the USA? Not even!

“All should have a special sabbath suit, to be worn when attending service in God’s house.” (Testimonies, vol. 6, p.355)

There are two great messages concerning these things. The Lord saw that these very situations would occur within our churches. Let’s read from our two last church prophets some specific counsel.

“Sabbath my husband spoke in the forenoon, and I followed for two hours before taking food. The meeting was then closed for a few moments, and I took a little food, and afterward spoke in a social meeting for one hour, bearing pointed testimonies for several present. These testimonies were generally received with feelings of humility and gratitude. I cannot, however, say that all were so received.

The next morning, as we were about to leave for the house of worship to engage in the arduous labors of the day, a sister for whom I had a testimony that she lacked discretion and caution, and did not fully control her words and actions, came in with her husband and manifested feelings of great unreconciliation and agitation.

She commenced to talk and to weep. She murmured a little, and confessed a little, and justified self considerably. She had a wrong idea of many things I had stated to her. Her pride was touched as I brought out her faults in so public a manner. Here was evidently the main difficulty. But why should she feel thus?

The brethren and sisters knew these things were so, therefore I was not informing them of anything new. But I doubt not that it was new to the sister herself. She did not know herself, and could not properly judge of her own words and acts. This is in a degree true of nearly all, hence the necessity of faithful reproofs in the church and the cultivation by all its members of love for the plain testimony.

Her husband seemed to feel unreconciled to my bringing out her faults before the church and stated that if Sister White had followed the directions of our Lord in Matthew 18:15-17 he should not have felt hurt: “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.”

My husband then stated that he should understand that these words of our Lord had reference to cases of personal trespass, and could not be applied in the case of this sister. She had not trespassed against Sister White. But that which had been reproved publicly was public wrongs which threatened the prosperity of the church and the cause. Here, said my husband, is a text applicable to the case: 1 Timothy 5:20: “Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.”The brother acknowledged his error like a Christian and seemed reconciled to the matter. It was evident that since the meeting of Sabbath afternoon they had got many things about the matter wonderfully magnified and wrong.

It was therefore proposed that the written testimony be read. When this was done, the sister who was reproved by it, inquired: “Is that what you stated yesterday?” I replied that it was. She seemed surprised and quite reconciled to the written testimony. This I gave her, without reserving a copy. Here I did wrong. But I had such tender regard for her and her husband, and such ardent desires and hopes for their prosperity, that, in this case, I broke over an established custom.

Already meeting time was passing, and we hastened one mile and a half to the waiting congregation. The reader may judge whether the scene of that morning was well adapted to aid us in the collection of thought and nerve necessary to stand before the people. But who thinks of this? Some may, and show a little mercy, while the impulsive and careless will come with their burdens and trials, generally just before we are to speak, or when perfectly exhausted by speaking. My husband, however, summoned all his energies, and by request spoke with freedom on the law and the gospel.

I had received an invitation to speak in the afternoon in the new house of worship recently built and dedicated by the Methodists. This commodious building was crowded, and many were obliged to stand. I spoke with freedom for about an hour and a half upon the first of the two great commandments repeated by our Lord, and was surprised to learn that it was the same from which the Methodist minister had spoken in the forenoon. He and his people were present to hear what I had to say.

In the evening we had a precious interview at Brother Spooner’s with Brethren Miller, Hatch, and Haskell, and Sisters Sturges, Bliss, Harrison, and Malin. We now felt that our work for the present was done in Tuscola County. We became very much interested in this dear people, yet feared that the sister referred to, for whom I had a testimony, would let Satan take advantage of her and cause them trouble. I felt an earnest desire that she might view the matter in its true light.

The course she had been pursuing was destroying her influence in the church and outside of it. But now, if she would receive the needed reproof, and humbly seek to improve by it, the church would take her anew into their hearts, and the people would think more of her Christianity. And what is better still, she could enjoy the approving smiles of her dear Redeemer. Would she fully receive the testimony? was my anxious inquiry. I feared that she would not and that the hearts of the brethren in that county would be saddened on her account.

After returning home, I sent to her for a copy of the testimony, and on the 15th of April received the following, dated at Denmark, April 11, 1868: “Sister White: Yours of the 23d ult. is at hand. Am sorry I cannot comply with your request.”

I shall still cherish the tenderest feelings of regard for this family, and shall be happy to help them when I can. It is true that such treatment from those for whom I give my life casts a shade of sadness over me; but my course has been so plainly marked out for me that I cannot let such things keep me from the path of duty.

As I returned from the post office with the above note, feeling rather depressed in spirit, I took the Bible, and opened it with the prayer that I might find comfort and support therein, and my eye rested directly upon the following words of the prophet: “Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them. For, behold, I have made thee this day a defensed city, and an iron pillar, and brazen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land. And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the Lord, to deliver thee.” Jeremiah 1:17-19. (Testimonies, vol. 2, p.15-18)

The Responsibility of Those Who Bear the Message.

Since Ezekiel represents those whose hearts the message has reached, then to them the Lord is speaking when He says: “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at My mouth, and give them warning from Me.  When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.  Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

   “Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die: because  thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.  Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.” Ezek. 3 :17-21.

   Because of the unfaithfulness of the former watchmen, the Lord makes the antitypical Ezekiel — he and she who “sigh and cry for the abominations  that be done in the midst thereof” (the church) — a “watchman” (Ezek. 3:17) in their stead.  Be careful, therefore, Brother, Sister, lest you also betray your trust and find yourself thrust out.  “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” 1 Cor. 10:12.  Only those who thus humble themselves now, will the Lord exalt in due time to be His Faithful Watchmen to Stand Before the Unfaithful.(Tract 1, no.41-42)

 In closing my brothers and sisters, time is short, any little or big thing we can do to strike a heart, to warn a wrong course, we should do. Those souls shall not stand in the surprise church judgment if they do not turn from their careless and sinful behavior. If we love them and truly care for their souls –we will make the effort somehow some way.

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