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Update on the 2015 SDA Christmas Celebration

February 13, 2016

On January 2, 2016 we did a post on the Palm Springs SDA church’s Christmas program for 2015. Since then we have seen and heard quite a stir from the Christian community particularly the SDA community. And rightly so. As we pointed out, the presentation definitely did not have the Word of God’s approval. Recently we see that neither does it have the vast general SDA community approval.

Last week we heard from a SDA friend who knows one of the leading Elders from the Palm Springs church. Sister M and I discussed the unfortunate celebration in God’s house and the feedback it has generated on sites such as YouTube. She mentioned that she would be going to the church and wanted to speak to brother P who was a head Elder in the church. She asked for advice on how to discuss this and let him know how many SDA were feeling about what had transpired.

I mentioned to her that one such clear view on it could be found on YouTube with the following link(arrow) –

In this video the presenter lays charge to the Scriptural standing in the gay celebration. One thing that struck me was the huge views in such a short time– 19, 400. And the prevalent opinion that it was wrong before the Lord has struck a true note in many — 242 likes and 11 dis-likes.

So after discussing this situation with her, we agreed that she should “tell it like it is”. In other words,

“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)

She agreed. Later she called and said that almost before she could get out her words to the Elder he spoke up and said that he totally agreed it was a disaster and that “something will be done about it.” He also said that “90% of the church did not agree with the idea.”

So it appears that the local leadership hijacked the will of the people for their own undetermined reasons (?). Most likely a private agreement was made by a few leaders and woala– the program was decided and put forth.

Now, is this disgrace any more sinful than the young gal prancing in the church in her mini-skirt and high heels? No it’s not. It’s all sin in God’s house. The whole point is that abominations in God’s house is the prevalent act of the evil one today and those who turn a blind eye to it will not make it through the soon to come church judgment.

SOP provides insight —

“Christ has plainly taught that those who persist in open sin must be separated from the church..” (COL, p. 71)

But instead of “separating” the open sin from the church we have come to embrace it! All the while saying “Hallelujah praise the Lord!” Our “dumb dogs” have refused to bark!

“…”Peace and safety” is the cry from men who will never again lift up their voice like a trumpet to show God’s people their transgressions and the house of Jacob their sins. These dumb dogs that would not bark are the ones who feel the just vengeance of an offended God. Men, maidens, and little children all perish together.” (Testimonies vol. 5, p. 211)

The command is: “Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.” These sighing, crying ones had been holding forth the words of life; they had reproved, COUNSELLED, and entreated.

Some who had been dishonouring God repented and humbled their hearts before Him. But the glory of the Lord had departed from Israel; although many still continued the forms of religion, His power and presence were lacking. {5T 210.2} 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 211 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)

The judgment my brothers and sisters is right upon us, we are not to delay and to begin at once to call out the prevailing sins “done in the midst”, by word of mouth, by study groups, by blogs, by YouTube, by email, by any and all means.

SOP warns us that the do-nothings are the worse offenders in God’s eyes —

“If God abhors one sin above another, of which His people are guilty, it is doing nothing in case of an emergency. Indifference and neutrality in a religious crisis is regarded of God as a grievous crime and equal to the very worst type of hostility against God.” (Testimonies, vol. 3, p.281)

Our church is in a dire emergency and true spiritual crisis , the Lord’s sword hangs above it , let us spring into action.

“Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.” (Ezek. 18:31-32)

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

Watch your Pearls

December 26, 2015

Our King said, “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.” (Matt. 7:6)

Quite some powerful and direct words for sure. Let us look at this great admonition and how we can observe it.

If you are active in the Lord’s vineyard, hopefully proclaiming present truth message of Elijah, you should be acutely aware of this instruction. By obedience to this rule we can save ourselves much precious time and even heartache as the Lord warned.

You see, the Lord’s truth is as priceless gems to us. They are our meat, our golden nuggets and yes–our pearls. Understanding why we should not cast them to the swine is very important lesson for us.

Our confidence in the Lord and His word should be guarded.

“So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you!” (Hebrews: 10:35)

And we can throw it away if we continue to cast our pearls of Truth before those who will trample it afoot.

Recently I have been in an email study with a brother we’ll call bro. J. He is active in studies but unfortunately he has been led into one of the adversary’s rabbit trails– Feast day keeping. As we have posted many times before, the last message of the Lord, the Elijah message, shows us beyond doubt that the Old Testament Feast days observance has been replaced by Christ and His work in the heavenly sanctuary. The sermon address that dealt with this is here — http://shepherds-rod.org/TGvol2/2tg37.htm

But as we continued the study the Spirit started to remind me of what I was doing. The hard work and plentiful study I have done to know this message, was being dangled about to someone who either a) wasn’t reading the truth I was showing him b) was reading it yet it was like water off a duck’s back–or put another way–trampled under his feet.

Either way I sensed I was barking up the wrong tree. So the Lord reminded me to stay focused and not venture into a situation where your pearls are being chewed up and spit out. Here is where some thoughts came.

What I sense is that if we get involved in a discussion and very soon it becomes obvious that the truth (plain obvious statements) does not get agreement or acknowledgment, then we can come into perilous ground. Why?

Because we can start to lose our own confidence! Yes, we can think, “maybe I need to show him more truth because this is not clear enough” yet it is very clear, it is just our desire to come down to his non-truth loving level that starts to blur our vision, make us doubt our own message.

The message deals with this subject–

IS IT SAFE TO CHALLENGE?

Question No. 132:

If we are to “prove all things; hold fast that which is good,” and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks us a reason of the hope that is in us, then ought we not challenge those who are enemies of “The Shepherd’s Rod” to prove it in error?

Answer:

Even those who have settled it once and for all that The Shepherd’s Rod contains a heaven-sent message, not to mention those who are incapable of defending it in all its aspects, are in no wise justified in exposing their precious jewel of Truth to the Enemy, whose only aim is to take it away from them. Especially so when he is not coming with a promise to give them something that will replace that which they already have.

They cannot afford to invite his challenge to prove whether or not he can cheat them of their treasure. When it is gone, the “proof” will be sad consolation! Placing themselves thus on Satan’s vantage ground will make them guilty not only of the folly of presumptousness but waste of time and of energy as well. It will be but inviting the Devil to rob them of eternal life.

All of us must guard our heavenly treasure with the utmost care, and preserve our faith by studying to give an answer to every man that asks us a reason of the hope that is in us, but not by challenging him to ply us with deceitful questions, and then debating with him.

If, though, for any compelling reason you assume the risk of meeting the Enemy in this great spiritual warfare, then you must at least hold him to answer to the whole Truth; do not let him switch you to some certain moot point which no one, perhaps, at the moment could clear. Do not permit yourself to be backed into a defensive position, but rather keep yourself on the offensive, yet never debate.

Do not forget that the Enemy who seeks to take your crown is mightier than you, and that therefore if you are not absolutely settled on the message, then by all means rather than to study with its enemies, go study with its friends. Not until you have thus done all to let the messengers prove it right, and are still convinced that it is not Present Truth, can you rightly study with its opposers. Do all to make sure that someone does not cheat you of a message from the Lord. Let “no man take thy crown.” Rev. 3:11.

Remember that if there is someone ready to undermine one truth, there is another one ready to undermine another truth, and so on and on. In fact, the Enemy is ready to dynamite every truth in existence, even the Bible Itself, if you but give him the chance. Certain it is, though, that Satan does not begin to have as much room for an argument against the Rod’s truths as Sunday keepers have against the Sabbath truth.

Ever bear in mind that “the efforts made to retard the progress of truth will serve to extend it” (Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 454), and that you will be promoted with it if you faithfully keep in the middle of the road, not running ahead with a zeal that is not according to knowledge.

“Our convictions need daily to be re-enforced by humble, sincere prayer and reading of the word. While we each have an individuality, while we each should hold our convictions firmly, we must hold them as God’s truth and in the strength which God imparts. If we do not, they will be wrung from our grasp.”–Testimonies, Vol. 6, p. 401.

Hence, for one who is settled in the Truth and who is searching for more, to challenge the Enemy, is like putting one’s sword in his hand and daring him to cut off one’s head.

Never challenge, therefore, but ever be ready to give the right answer intelligently and convincingly to every man; never debate, but always teach the Truth; never go to an enemy or to a non-believer of a message to prove it right or to prove it wrong; rather, do all your proving with its friends, with its authors–those who know all about it. (Answerer Book, vol. 5, Q-132)

Back to brother J. In regards to not keeping the feast days, I showed him this unequivocal statement–

Broadly speaking, the law of Moses consists of three parts. The first is the Ceremonial law, the law of the temple — the sacrificial law. This law, of course, we today must not observe, except in antitype, for it foreshadowed things to come, particularly Christ’s first advent. Thus it is that if we had lived in Old Testament times and had failed to comply with the sacrificial law and system of that day, we would thereby have demonstrated unbelief in Christ, Who was to come. But since we are living in the Christian era, if we should now observe the typical sacrificial law and system, we should thereby demonstrate unbelief in Christ, Who has come.

And so, as this law was nailed to the cross (Col. 2:14), we need not, and must not, observe it now. (TG, vol. 2, no.37, p.14-15)

Ok clear enough right? Not according to the types like brother J. You see we must be very cautious when we show Scriptural plain statements, for a fictional example– “The lady had on a blue dress.” And they come back, “Well it’s not really blue because, blue has other colors in it to make it blue. So it’s a mixture of different colors scientifically.” Huh? We say or think to their secret mysterious meaning!

The message tells us that the wise will understand (Be guided into all truth) and the wicked will not.

“Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.”(Dan. 12:10)

SOP also gives us great counsel–

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

Now to be clear, we are not advocating avoiding good back and forth discussions, but once it becomes clear that straight clear Scripture, SOP or Elijah message does not have them agreeing or even acknowledging, that should be our Que that we may be “casting our pearls…”.

“I have beheld angels grieved as the most precious jewels of truth have been brought before men utterly incapable of appreciating the evidences in favor of the truth.”( Testimonies, vol. 3, p.425)

In closing my brethren, let’s hold onto our pearls bought at a great price( hard study and deep devotion). If we give them away let it be to our friends and the Bureans. If we obey the Lord in His admonition we shall not get snared in time-wasting.

“No one is lost for believing a false interpretation of a prophecy before the truth of it is revealed, provided the false interpretation does not draw him away from some other truth. Such individuals, however, are in great danger because, as history reveals, very few who become thus involved in error are willing to humble themselves by renouncing their errors and accepting the truth when it is made known.

They are consequently in constant peril of sinning against the Holy Ghost. And being acutely aware of this, Satan misinterprets the prophecies before they are divinely revealed. He realizes full well that many, unwilling to be corrected and to exchange their errors for revealed truth, will thereby be led to eternal ruin. All-important, therefore, is the need that the student of the truth fortify himself with all honesty and humility..” (Tract 5, p.7)

Posted in Proper teachings, Warning our brethren, Witnessing | Leave a Comment »

Reformation at the Door

November 7, 2015

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

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

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

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

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

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

Let us begin with the Spirit of Prophecy.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Examination of Candidates

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shorts in the Sanctuary

August 22, 2015

When we as part of the God’s remnant people see the above dress in His sanctuary, what should we think? What comes to mind is dis-honor and dis-respect. Our God is so much more worthy than worldly fashions. Let us look at what Inspiration says about this important part of worship.

Being a part of “God’s house”, it truly is quite sad to notice week after week many of our young ladies (even middle age) wearing simply unacceptable dress in His presence. His word is abundantly clear on this issue , there should be no mis-understanding about it. Although it is our women who most often have the short attire problem, men as well can partake in this abomination.

Concerning my local church, I had posted a few months ago how I was led by the Lord to bring this issue up to the prior pastor (we have since had a new one who is trying to make some headway). This improper dressing was clearly pointed out to him , yet several months have gone by and this still remains a weakness within our church. The sin has been “passed over”. Our church is by no means the exception. This sin is throughout the SDA churches and is one of the most plain and obvious non-reforms we as His remnant people are guilty of.

Inspiration states–

“Sin and sinners in the church must be promptly dealt with, that others may not be contaminated. Truth and purity require that we make more thorough work to cleanse the camp from Achans. Let those in responsible positions not suffer sin in a brother. Show him that he must either put away his sins or be separated from the church.” (Testimonies, vol. 5, p.147)

Who is contaminated and effected by the improper dress? Certainly the peers of such casual and provocative dressers! Once an influential young gal (ie. a popular one) wears a short skirt, there is likely to be female followers who will admire the fashion and follow suite. It’s the ol “birds of a feather flock together” scenario.

We see from the divine instruction above that the “leaders” have a real duty to step up to the plate and give the right counsel. Doing the right thing here is tough, I will grant that but nevertheless it must be done.

His word says it’s tough to correct people–

“They hate the one who rebukes in the gate, and abhor the one who speaks uprightly.” (Amos 5:10)

But who is to be pleased, God, man or woman? Will man or woman grant us life to live forever more? Will man or woman give us eternal happiness? Think this through my brothers and sisters. In the Lord’s final sealing message, He warns us through the prophet that following the fashion of the world is a very serious abomination. It is listed as number 2 of 12 abominations in the church (partial list).

1. Lack of reverence in the house of God: Isa. 56:7; Volume 5, pages 492-500.

2. Following the fashions of the world: Isa. 3:16; Volume 1, pages 269, 270; Volume 4, page 632; Volume 3, page 379; Volume 5, page 78; Volume 1, pages 189-191; Volume 1, pages 135, 136; Volume 4, page 631. (SRod, vol.1, p.34)

So with the greatest concern and Christian love we should do our warning. But those leaders who wink or ignore such sins Inspiration says —

“He would teach His people that disobedience and sin are exceedingly offensive to Him and are not to be lightly regarded. He shows us that when His people are found in sin they should at once take decided measures to put that sin from them, that His frown may not rest upon them all. But if the sins of the people are passed over by those in responsible positions, His frown will be upon them, and the people of God, as a body, will be held responsible for those sins.

In His dealings with His people in the past the Lord shows the necessity of purifying the church from wrongs. One sinner may diffuse darkness that will exclude the light of God from the entire congregation. When the people realize that darkness is settling upon them, and they do not know the cause, they should seek God earnestly, in great humility and self-abasement, until the wrongs which grieve His Spirit are searched out and put away.

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.” (Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 266-267)

These warnings are not solely the leader’s job. If God gives you or I the heads up on a certain disrespectful lady or gent, and the opportunity arises we should politely and with love, warn them to show reverence in God’s house.

Look how Inspiration says fashion is so serious with God–

“Do not, my sisters, trifle longer with your own souls and with God. I have been shown that the main cause of your backsliding is your love of dress. This leads to the neglect of grave responsibilities, and you find yourselves with scarcely a spark of the love of God in your hearts. Without delay, renounce the cause of your backsliding, because it is sin against your own soul and against God. Be not hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Fashion is deteriorating the intellect and eating out the spirituality of our people.

Obedience to fashion is pervading our Seventh-day Adventist churches and is doing more than any other power to separate our people from God. I have been shown that our church rules are very deficient. All exhibitions of pride in dress, which is forbidden in the word of God, should be sufficient reason for church discipline.

If there is a continuance, in face of warnings and appeals and entreaties, to still follow the perverse will, it may be regarded as proof that the heart is in no way assimilated to Christ. Self, and only self, is the object of adoration, and one such professed Christian will lead many away from God.

There is a terrible sin upon us as a people, that we have permitted our church members to dress in a manner inconsistent with their faith. We must arise at once and close the door against the allurements of fashion. Unless we do this, our churches will become demoralized.” (Testimonies, vol. 4 ,p. 647-648)

There are many, many takeaways from these counsels above. One of the most striking is the counsel to give–church discipline. When was that last time this God breathed word was obeyed?

You see my beloved, this area of fashion Satan has thoroughly hood winked us. We say to ourselves and even to others who may bring this serious sin up, “It is the inside that counts, what we do on the outside is secondary.” But this is Satan’s trick!

Just re-read the Lord’s messenger’s words above again and you will see that fashion is NOT un-important to God- especially within His holy Sanctuary. When we convert we show it not only within but without!

Yes, we must first be made whole within by His love and law, but once the conversion comes we show it from within and without. If we don’t we can be fulfilling prophecy–

“Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.” (James 1:6-8)

We are living in the very last hours of our SDA probation, and we MUST get that seal in our forehead if we are to remain standing (Mal. 3:2) once the Lord “suddenly comes to His temple” (Mal. 3:1).

We MUST be over-comers. The Lord helps us but we must take that first step. He is not going to dress us up for Sabbath service, He expects us to willfully come before Him and show proper respect and honor. Remember He is watching within His sanctuary.

After we ourselves have overcome sins, such as the dreadful fashion sin, the Lord let’s us know that by warning others we have cleared ourselves of the wrong doing in our midst.

“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.”(Ezek. 3:18-19)

In closing, let us as faithful guardians of His right ways, do our part to show by example we dress properly to please God. But let us remember that those who pat the sinners on the back, after they have been clearly shown their fashion sin, are aligning themselves up with their sin. In effect we are really saying “you’re dying and I am happy for you”.No! We want ALL to live!

“And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.” (Ezek. 9:4)

“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)

Posted in Christian walk, Church, Courage, Warning our brethren | 4 Comments »

Where is God’s Vineyard Today?

August 8, 2015

My Grandfather used to say “Son, there’s a right way to do things and there’s a wrong way to do things.” This saying truly applies to our work for the Lord in these final hours of our probation. Do it right and the Lord will say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” (Matt. 25:21)

Do it wrong and it will be, “Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.” (Matt 25:26)

So we ask our Title question–Where is God’s vineyard today? Meaning where is God’s true work to be done today for us as Seventh-day Adventists? Is it doing work like Doug Batchelor and his Amazing Facts team encourages, trying to “save” the world? Is it like Jim Gilley and 3 ABN, with their host of programs aimed at reaching the world and the heathen therein? Let us look squarely at this very important question. For if we do it one way we are rewarded , if we do it another, oh what sad sad end we’ll see.

“Advanced light is shining upon us in these last days. We cannot be accepted of God; we cannot honor him by rendering the same service, doing the same work that our fathers did. In order to be accounted guiltless before God, we must be as faithful in our time in following and obeying our light, as they were faithful in following and obeying the light that shone upon them.”(Review and Herald, April 25, 1893)

“In every age there is a new development of truth, a message of God to the people of that generation. The old truths are all essential; new truth is not independent of the old, but an unfolding of it. It is only as the old truths are understood that we can comprehend the new. When Christ desired to open to His disciples the truth of His resurrection, He began “at Moses and all the prophets” and “expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself.” Luke 24:27.

But it is the light which shines in the fresh unfolding of truth that glorifies the old. He who rejects or neglects the new does not really possess the old. For him it loses its vital power and becomes but a lifeless form.”(Christ’s Object Lessons, p.127-128)

So we see that we, who are alive today have truths and light that was not necessarily shown to prior generations. This being so, what do you think could be “our” present light? This answer is found in the Scriptures, the rock foundation of our faith.

There is only one place that predicts a messenger (Prophet) to come right before the end of time with new light –The book of Malachi. As some of you faithful believers and students of the Lord’s last message know, this is a message from the Lord’s anti-typical “Elijah” (Mal.4:5). For there is promise of no other to come right before the “great and dreadful day of the Lord.”

So with the above understood, we see that this Elijah message is our “development of truth” or “message of God.” So if this is so, we need to know why Elijah? As we have done a post already explaining most of this subject (Called-“Why Elijah?”), we’ll simply say that the reason is that –we, the SDA church, have a message that needs to go to us only. We must hear it and abide by it.

The reason the Lord wanted to send an “Elijah” was because his message was the type that we need. Elijah went to his own people to give them a message to repent from their wrongs. Elijah did not go and preach to the world such as Noah or the Apostles did. That is the real reason for Elijah!

Our Lord made it very clear, we the SDA church have need of more truth and heartfelt repentance. It’s very clearly pointed out in Rev. 3:15-19.

But look around our church, what do we see? Programs and efforts to reach the heathen! The message and truth from Elijah is like water off a ducks back to the majority of our leaders and laity. Because they don’t abide by the Lord’s final message, which is to go strictly to our church, they blindly proceed without Heaven’s authority to bring more and more into the church.

You see we cannot do Christ’s will as a church body while sinners exist in our midst.

“The kingdom of Christ will come; but who are laboring to that end? If those who know the Lord’s prayer would try to take in its meaning and realize its depth and breadth, the Church would be what God desires it to be—the light of the world. Men would have less desire for form and ceremony; for they would seek to plant in the heart those principles that sanctify the character.

Only when the Church is composed of pure, unselfish members, can it fulfill God’s purpose. Too much hasty work is done in adding names to the church roll. Serious defects are seen in the characters of some who join the church. Those who admit them say, We will first get them into the church, and then reform them. But this is a mistake. The very first work to be done is the work of reform. Pray with them, talk with them, but do not allow them to unite with God’s people in church relationship until they give decided evidence that the Spirit of God is working on their hearts.“((Review and Herald, May 21, 1901)

Wow! Do we see these instructions being followed today? Almost all our Pastors and leaders welcome all comers, when they want Baptism! This is exactly the wrong thing to do. Better to have a very small church, with converted members, than a full church with a majority of unconverted.

You see our Lord has not changed. Back in Joshua’s day He could not take a sinner in the midst (Achan) and His word says the following about this-

” When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations— I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.”(Isaiah 1:12-15)

This is why the Lord cannot allow us to work to save the world right now. What would we as Seventh-day Adventists accomplish? Bring them into the church for the “great and dreadful day of the Lord” (Ezek. 9) ? Like Inspiration said there are too many bad influences (poor dress reform, lukewarmness, ignoring sins in the midst, etc.) that most likely will cause many to stumble.

Our work right now is to concentrate on His church. We are the ones to be judged first (1 peter 4:17).Who is about to be sprued out, the world? Of course not. And with so much sin in our midst, we cannot afford to whistle while the ship sinks!

The Elijah message is full of ways the Lord wants us to reform. And by learning His final message can we know for certain what is required of us. Sins such as poorly dressing in His sanctuary, passing the money bag around while in His presence during services (see the post “The Collection Box”), women disregarding wearing proper head coverings in His presence (see the post “Little Things Mean Alot”), speaking un-inspired sermons of past truths while he is at the door for judgment, talking business talk on His Sabbath, and on and on it goes!

Yes, there is soon to be a time when the vineyard expands to the world. God’s original intention. But that time cannot come until we as a church body stop sinning (doing those things displeasing to Him). But once He “takes the reins into His own hands” (TM. p.300) His prophecy comes–

“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” (Song of Solomon 6:10), she is to go forth into all the world, conquering and to conquer.” (Prophets and Kings, p.725)

Oh, what a time that will be!

The message explains this reformation–

“Since the church is indeed God’s dearest object on earth, He often has to admonish, rebuke, and chasten her so as to bring her to maintain the high standard which He has set for her. And though her history is but one long, sad record of sinning and repenting, sinning and repenting, yet the Lord has borne with her in the infinite patience and long-suffering of Divine love so beautifully illustrated in the parable of the prodigal son. And finally in this love indescribable, He “gave Himself” (Gal. 1:4) for her in the person of His only begotten Son.

But this supreme sacrifice notwithstanding, she has never yet fully appreciated His undying love for her. Even now, the Saviour pathetically declares that He has somewhat against her, and admonishes her by strong words to repent and sit down with Him in His throne (Rev. 3:14-21), making clear the inevitable fate of all who fail to heed His counsel (Rev. 3:16). But, tragically, she has not heeded it, and so He “brings against ministers and people the heavy charge of spiritual feebleness, saying, ‘I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.”’-Christ Our Righteousness, 1941 Edition, p. 121.

Thus God, in His boundless, all-discerning love for His church, “‘calls for a spiritual revival and a spiritual reformation. Unless this takes place, those who are lukewarm will continue to grow more abhorrent to the Lord, until He will refuse to acknowledge them as His children.”

“‘A revival and a reformation must take place under the ministration of the Holy Spirit. Revival and reformation are two different things. Revival signifies a renewal of spiritual life, a quickening of the powers of mind and heart, a resurrection from spiritual death. Reformation signifies a reorganization, a change in ideas and theories, habits and practices. Reformation will not bring forth the good fruit of righteousness unless it is connected with the revival of the Spirit. Revival and reformation are to do their appointed work, and in doing this work they must blend.’”- Christ Our Righteousness, 1941 Edition, p. 121.

In these inspired statements, three facts stand out in bold relief: (1) God sends this clarion call first to the ministers, and then to the laity; (2) He makes a positive declaration that He will spue out of His mouth all who fail to give heed to it, and to enter into a “spiritual revival and a spiritual reformation”; and (3) He makes clear that such a movement means “a reorganization, a change in ideas and theories, habits and practices.” Clearly, then, the church must experience a threefold change before she can ever look forth “fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners,” going “forth into all the world conquering and to conquer.”-Prophets and Kings, p. 725. (Answerer, vol. 1, Q-2)

In closing, this vineyard work is to be done now within our church, not merely thought about and talked about. The light of what our message truly is, is now before us, will we be “doers” in His church vineyard now?

In the very first publications of the Elijah message– Shepherd’s Rod volume one it begins with,

It is the intention of this book to reveal the truth of the 144,000 mentioned in Revelation 7, but the chief object of this publication is to bring about a reformation among God’s people.

Amen! If we read, know and practice this message from the Lord -we can’t help but reform .It’s that powerful! Try going to work for the Lord in the right vineyard and you’ll find Him close and guiding you.

Posted in Church, Warning our brethren, Witnessing | 1 Comment »

Persistence Pays Off

April 11, 2015

“And he said unto them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs. And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” (Luke 8:5-10)

Here we see that Jesus gives us a lesson in persistence. A trait that surely is a God send to those who use it. And again in Luke, Jesus also tells the story of the persistent widow of Luke 18:1-8, who continues to ask the judge for justice and relief, and finally he hears her and grants what she wishes for. Let us look at this desirable trait and what comes from it should we heed our Lord’s lesson.

Through out history, there are legions of stories of the faithful man, who falls in love with the woman of his life, yet she does not initially reciprocate. He gets rebuffed time and again, yet does not give up! Finally after much sweat and tears, he successfully engages the dream girl of his life. What was one of the things that won her heart? No doubt–persistence.

Or how about the many stories of the Billionaire, who had to file bankruptcy once even maybe twice before he made all those billions. Again, persistence is the main ingredient.

So if persistence is often very important for success in worldly endeavors, how much more will it be for the eternal spiritual life? Let us look at a couple specific examples.

Recently I have become friends with a brother in the faith, let’s call brother B. He is a SDA who seems to genuinely love the Lord, possessing a Burean spirit. During our conversations, I found out that he has been working Sabbaths in his line of work. This to me was a serious concern.

As many of you know we have posted several posts concerning the keeping of the Sabbath, and specifically the dire results that will occur to those who haphazardly keep it. The Numbers 16:32 story should be all the proof we need to know, the Lord does not take this issue lightly.

I had known him at least 3 months prior to finding this out and had met with him in our weekly church studies at least 10 times. How I found out was I invited him to come to my home for a prophecy study. It was to be a Friday evening (Sabbath). he casually said “Sorry, but I am working Friday night.” Huh? I thought. So I began to find out a little more about his circumstances.

As we showed last post , SOP showed how we should feel in knowing about sin–

“The true people of God, who have the spirit of the work of the Lord and the salvation of souls at heart, will ever view sin in its real, sinful character.”(Testimonies, vol. 3, p.266)

So this bothered me and I found out that he had been doing this for quite some time. The next week, I determined to have a talk with him. I had just completed my “Bible study presentation room” and invited him to come over during the week. He said he would. Later he came over.

As we sat down in the room, and after showing him the room and the certain equipment I had set up to present the studies in the future, I got down to business. I looked straight at him and told him he must start praying and pleading with the Lord to be released of this sinful burden. I told him that the Lord is done “winking” at sin. If it’s in our power to do something we must. We cannot carelessly sit back and think the Lord will accept our indiscretions.

I said, “You must plead and pray constantly for the Lord to help you get out of this situation. He will help you but you must take the first step of serious pleading.” You see, brother B had become complacent. Careless and stupid is the right description, harsh yes, but exactly true.

“Men and women are in the last hours of probation, and yet are careless and stupid,..” ( Testimonies, vol. 2, p.337)

Where was brother B’s persistence in prayer and pleading? Where was his sorrow and disgust that he has to do such things Sabbath after Sabbath? It largely did not exist.

But apparently God had used me to awake him. Four weeks later, at church service, he told me he had good news, that he got his schedule changed and no longer had to work Sabbath. “Praise the Lord”! I said.

You see, brother B did not really need me to come along and tell him what the right thing to do is. All he needed to do is pray constantly, even with sweat upon the brow, that the Lord would help him to get out from this trap! Persistence and pleading, knocking at 12 midnight again and again upon the Lord’s door, and He will answer and give that which is right according to His will.

But prayer without action can sometimes be mis-guided. I am reminded of an old Christian saying. There were two men in a small boat and it developed a hole in it out at sea. One man said to the other let us pray and God will save us. The other said “let us pray as we bucket the water out without delay.” In other words action in addition to prayer is often the right ingredients.

Brother B should have become a persistent fellow just like that widow in the above parable. He should have continued to ask about a schedule change, inquiring often to let the boss know he meant business. in other words, a man on a mission to get right before God–THEN– wow what things would take place! Prayer and action–powerful!

“Therefore I say unto you, What things so ever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”(Mark 11:24)

The next example comes from a sister we’ll call sister T. She’s a single mother and has been a long time SDA who has learned the Elijah message and has advanced in the light of God’s end time message. As she has continued her progress in knowing and walking in the advanced light, about a year ago she learned the real meaning of God’s prophecy in Malachi. How He made a promise that when one brings their Tithes and offerings in His real storehouse(s) He will fulfill His promise to send blessings so good, you’ll hardly believe it.

But things did not go so well even after becoming a faithful giver, she experienced some rough times financially and otherwise. But she persistently continued to do her part in paying what was due God. She did not give up. She was believing His word. Then recently it was God’s time to “pay back” that which He promised. Recently she let me know that she is starting to receive much blessings in her new line of work. Things are starting to brighten up for her, and our watchful Lord is orchestrating it as only He can do.

As we have learned, our faithful Lord responds to persistence. But He knew that we would, in these last days, become careless and stupid. In Rev. 3:19 our Lord said”..be zealous and repent.” What is zealous? Is not persistence one of the main ingredients of zealousness?

In closing, if there is something desired and in line with our Lord’s will, let us remember this most wonderful trait–persistence. For by practicing this, in prayer and action, our Lord will “awake” even at the most late hour and give that which we desire according to His will.

Tags:brother, persistence
Posted in Christian faith, Christian walk, Prayer, Tithes and Offerings, Warning our brethren | 1 Comment »

To the World or to the Church?

January 10, 2015

One of the hardest things I had to come to grips with, yet clearly saw after I studied the Lord’s Elijah message was– not to go to the world right now with His gospel message. I know that those, who like me at one time, who do not know the Lord’s final plans for His remnant church, would feel as if not going to the world right now with His gospel plan would be truly foreign and almost heretical.

Yet, this is what we are told to do in His Elijah message! If we take the time to understand this, we see by God’s grace the wisdom and great love from our King , in these instructions. Let us look deeply into this subject.

First, as an example of where our church is at and what her motivations and goals are, let us look at a recent memo from James W. Gilley, 3ABN President. In their monthly magazine, he wrote the following-

“In all my years of ministry, I haven’t found a more effective, efficient, and powerful ministry than 3 ABN. Think about it–there’s not another ministry in the world with the impact and coverage that 3 ABN has when it comes to spreading the three angels’ messages of Revelation 14. Virtually every television and radio ministry of the Remnant Church uses 3 ABN as its primary carrier of Present Truth!

“Our work is to make sure that we’re listening to the Holy Spirit and are in full cooperation with Him, so we can be His tool for spreading these messages to a world that’s truly messed up with sin. Thank you for standing with us with the courage and determination to finish the task our Lord has given us.

“The Gospel to the World!” if not by television, radio, Internet , and media, then how? If not now when? Keep on keeping On with Jesus,” —James W. Gilley, 3 ABN President (January 2015 magazine)

Unbeknownst to our friend, Mr. Gilley , those points and questions he makes are truly answered by the last message to His church. Unfortunately , 3 ABN, and almost every other mainstream outlet for our church has– ignored and/or rejected the only message that contains our “Present Truth.”

But this is all understandable, however unfortunate, due to the fact that Satan and his minions know all too well Scripture, and they know that the Lord’s Elijah message, if obeyed, hastens their demise! As soon as the 144,000th one is found upon acceptance of His sealing message, their final time clock begins and it’s extremely short. Do we not think that Satan memorizes ALL Scripture and knows about the last prophet to come to the remnant church and his message(Mal. 4:5-6)? He hasn’t sit still whistling Dixie, rather went to work full time to trash and disrupt the Elijah message.

Ok, let us look at a direct question asked of brother Houteff concerning our subject–

WORK WITHIN OR WITHOUT?

Question No. 32:

On the one hand I find your literature teaching its believers not to leave the ranks of the Mother church, while on the other hand I find it causing no end of trouble to the church. How do you reconcile your precept with your example? Why not devote your time to evangelistic efforts, bringing erring souls to the knowledge of the Truth, and let the church alone?

Answer:

Assuredly we do believe that this is no time to be pulling apart, but indeed to be pressing together. And the message which we are bearing to the church, not only does not contain any doctrine or teaching which would warrant our leaving her ranks to become a separate cult, but does on the contrary absolutely forbid our doing so. For these reasons, we have from the beginning steadfastly refused, even in the face of abusive treatment, to leave the Mother church.

So far as we are concerned, therefore, existing controversy and schism is the responsibility of the Denomination’s leading brethren and none of ours, for we are only carrying out the Lord’s express precept and example never to sacrifice Truth. And they themselves admit that we should obey God rather than men. Upon them, therefore, rests the heavy guilt of repeating the tragic folly of the Jews in Christ’s time, by rejecting the message of the hour, “entering not in themselves” into the expansion of Truth, hindering those who would enter in, and casting out those who do enter in.

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

Think, though, what an eternal joy it would be for Him to fit her up and use her to His glory, rather than to have to forsake her! So before raising up another as a last resort, He is trying to save her, and He will save her, as He promises:

“Satan will work his miracles to deceive, he will set up his power as supreme. The church may appear as about to fall, but it does not fall. It remains, while the sinners in Zion will be sifted out. The chaff is separated from the precious wheat. This is a terrible ordeal, but nevertheless it must take place. None but those who have been overcoming by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony will be found with the loyal and true, without spot or stain of sin, without guile in their mouth. The remnant that purify their souls by obeying the truth gather strength from the trying process, exhibiting the beauty of holiness amid the surrounding apostasy ….

“The great issue so near at hand will weed out those whom God has not appointed, and He will have a pure, true, sanctified ministry prepared for the latter rain.”-B-55-1886.

Were the Lord—Who Himself when upon earth spent all His time in the exclusive endeavor to save His lost church then—to send us to the world rather than to His lost church today, He would not only be bringing in the innocent to perish with the guilty, but would also be completely reversing His own practice and contradicting His own orders to His apostles that they preach present truth to the church first (Matt. 10:5, 6).

In mercy and in consistency with His eternal procedure, therefore, He purposed that “while the investigative judgment is going forward in heaven, while the sins of penitent believers are being removed from the sanctuary, there is to be a special work of purification, of putting away of sin, among [His] people upon earth.” This is her special work. “Then the church which…at His coming [He] is to receive to Himself will be ‘a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing.”’-The Great Controversy, p. 425.

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

But when the back slidden and the unconverted, the tares, are taken away, “then she will look forth ‘as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners.”’-The Great Controversy, p. 425.

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

For these reasons, God says now to work within the Laodicean congregation rather than without. And what He says, that He means, and we dare not disobey, regardless what men may say or do.

There can be no doubt about these instructions. We are to work within rather than work without. Yes, the time is coming when the great work (Loud Cry) will be exclusively that of reaching the world. For this is the crowning act of God’s final plan of redemption.

However the message tells us that there will be “Syrophoenicians” who by the Lord’s guiding shall come to us due to the fact that they are spiritually ready for the “message of the hour”. Brother Houteff speaks about this subject–

Question: When we are not working for sinners in Zion, then why not for sinners in the world? They are all sinners in the sight of God….He has given us light since 1844 and He does not mean for it to be hidden “under a bushel” but to lighten the world.”

Answer: What is here said is true. If we are not working for sinners in Zion, we should be working for sinners in the world. However, if we truly understand and believe the message, we will be working for the sinners in Zion so much of the time that we will have no time left to work for the sinners in the world, save for the “Syrophoenicians.”

Then we would be doing our full part to hasten the day of the Loud Cry when the light, which He gave us in 1844 for to lighten the world, but which we have all along hid “under a bushel,” will finally reach every sinner.

If the opposers of the SRod had lived in the days of John the Baptist, in the days of Christ, or in the first 3 1/2 years of the apostles, and had been in their present frame of mind, they would have taken their stand on the side of the rulers of Israel against the truth of that time.(Sym. Code, vol.1, no.7, p.7)

Let us look at a different perspective. Why do you suppose God would send someone in the “spirit and power of Elijah” as the last prophet instead of someone in the spirit and power of Noah for example?

Had He chose Noah, then this would have to be the type which the anti-type (our latter day prophet) would have to exemplify. Noah preached his message to the world. He gave it for many years and it was solemn.

Elijah on the other hand did not give it to the world , did he? His was strictly to his people, God’s true church at that time. Therefore Elijah’s solemn message of revival and reformation perfectly fits His end time message today in anti-type. This is what our dear beloved brother Victor T. Houteff started, and was inspired to do. This message , which the Lord began through him, is now our message. It goes strictly to the church.

Let us ever remember that in Rev. chapter 3, we the people of the Laodicean church are about to be “sprued out” unless we humble ourselves and accept an unpopular and often despised message of the Lord’s–Shepherd’s Rod. The world is not about to be sprued out–we are!

So let us now answer Mr. Gilley’s questions and concerns.

1)“In all my years of ministry, I haven’t found a more effective, efficient, and powerful ministry than 3 ABN.

Effective by what measure? By numbers added to the church roll? The number of Baptisms?

Whose work is it then now? If our Lord must have a pure church in which to pour out His Spirit to, to enable them to heal the sick , raise the dead, call the honest in heart out of Babylon, then the current effort to pollute (co-mingle the wheat and the tares) the church cannot be of God rather our adversary!

2) Virtually every television and radio ministry of the Remnant Church uses 3 ABN as its primary carrier of Present Truth!

Present Truth? How about truly looking at what “Present Truth” is? Did not the Lord promise to send His last day prophet Elijah to His church? Is not THIS MESSAGE our Present Truth today? is the prior present truth message of the “judgment of the dead” present truth now?

3)“The Gospel to the World!” if not by television, radio, Internet , and media, then how? If not now when?

When?

“But the days of purification of the church are hastening on apace. God will have a people pure and true. In the mighty sifting soon to take place we shall be better able to measure the strength of Israel. The signs reveal that the time is near when the Lord will manifest that His fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor.”(Testimonies, vol. 5, p.80)

Do we now think that 3ABN and other host SDA channels, such as Amazing facts, Hope channel, etc, are spreading the 3 angels’ messages to the world right now? How can this be when anyone and everyone can stand before a pulpit, a studio , a YouTube video, and attempt to proclaim it to the world, whether a over-comer or not?

God has promised a remnant church purification prior to the Loud Cry not after—

“Only those who have withstood temptation in the strength of the Mighty One, will be permitted to act a part in proclaiming it (The 3rd angel message) when it shall have swelled into the Loud Cry.” (Review and Herald, No. 19, 1908)

“The Lord will work to purify His church. I tell you in truth, the Lord is about to turn and overturn in the institutions called by His name. Just how soon this refining process will begin I cannot say, but it will not be long deferred.” – Testimonies to Ministers, p. 373

“The church may appear as about to fall, but it does not fall. It remains, while the sinners in Zion will be sifted out–the chaff separated from the wheat.This is a terrible ordeal, but nevertheless it must take place.” (Selected messages, vol. 2, p.380)

The world’s churches shall be purified as well–

“Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.” (Isaiah 52:1)

“For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many…And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.

And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD.”(Isaiah 66:15,16,19,20)

In closing, we have seen that right now , in God’s perfect plan, we are to spend our time reaching those within our church with His message of the hour. Later we will , God willing, proclaim the Loud Cry which shall give the final Gospel proclamation to the world.

The big difference being that, instead of any and all non-overcomers trying to promote a false Loud Cry, the real over-comers will do it with the Lord’s power and majestic abilities. The church purification produces His servants who will do this, whom He calls– “a great people and a strong (people) there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.”

Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand; A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations. (Joel 2:1-2)

Posted in End times, Loud Cry, Present Truth, Proper teachings, The Loud Cry, Warning our brethren | 3 Comments »

Amos 5:10

September 27, 2014

As we look at the above picture, we see the farmer turned prophet, Amos, rebuking his people for their sins. In Amos 5:10 we read, “They hate the one who rebukes at the gate, and they abhor the one who speaks uprightly.”

It is indeed a true saying of God, those who rebuke or admonish are not, nor ever been, liked or appreciated by the majority of God’s professed people. Few realize the great love behind God’s words of warning brought by His servants. Let us look at this necessary “act of love”.

The word “rebuke” in the dictionary means, “express sharp disapproval or criticism of (someone) because of their behavior or actions.” But as true Christians we obviously would not rebuke someone unless the situation calls for it. In other words, as a caring brother or sister, we would first try to warn gently any clear sinning going on “in the midst”. Then if that doesn’t seem to reach them, next time the firmer step of rebuking may be necessary.

Most of us remember as young children, our parents giving us strong medicine. You know, that yucky stuff that we just hated. Yet, most of us found ourselves well within a short period of time. An analogy can be made about giving words of warning to our brethren. It’s often “tough to take” yet if we digest it slowly and dwell upon the healing effects, we’ll be all the better for it.

The Spirit of Prophecy says, “To the obedient, he will give rich blessings; to the transgressors, a curse. Every man who bears the message of truth to our churches, must do his duty by warning, educating, rebuking. Any neglect of duty which is a robbery toward God, means a curse upon the delinquent.”(Special Testimonies, No. 7, p.22).

A few months ago I happened to be surfing SDA YouTube videos and came across a unique ministry for the Lord. As I watched, God’s words as brought by Amos came to mind. The lady with her children were protesting unholy music and abortions within the S.D.A church.

Sadly, the majority ignores them, or worse, some men in “responsible positions” send police to confront them as troublemakers. Yet, the woman was “sighing and crying” for the abominations taking place within our church and conference. Abortion, lack of proper dress, unholy music and a list of other abominations is their cry. To view their videos click here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owdoa6yVMk8

Brother Houteff announced in his very first book , on the very first page, concerning the Lord’s “Elijah”message the following, “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).

On the next page he continued, “It is the intention of this book to reveal the truth of the 144,000 mentioned in Revelation 7, but the chief object of this publication is to bring a reformation among God’s people.” (Shepherd’s Rod, vol. 1, preface).

We noticed the word “chief”. In other words the message of Elijah is first and foremost to convert and reform THEN we can learn and know all the Truths found within the Lord’s last message. Obviously we do not learn to run before walking. So too, we must learn to walk upright before the Lord, in our daily actions.

So before we can rebuke at the gate, we must know that our own life is “cleaned up” and we ourselves are walking in the light as best we can. If this is not the case we fall under the Lord’s striking rebuke–

“Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” (Matt. 7:5)

As we study the past prophets, we notice another “rebuker at the gate”, the prophet Nehemiah. After giving the people the warning not to come into the camp on the Sabbath, selling and buying, he says, “So it was, at the gates of Jerusalem, as it began to be dark before the Sabbath, that I commanded the gates to be shut, and charged that they must not be opened till after Sabbath….Then I warned them, ‘Why do you spend the night around the wall? If you do so again, I will lay hands on you!””(Neh.13:19)

Wow! Not only was the prophet a rebuker of their sins, he was a ready enforcer! How deep the love for God’s honor! How deep the understanding of sin!

This is what “rebuking at the gate” is all about. A true desire to show people their sins in order to help steer them right and to stay on that “straight and narrow” road.

The Elijah prophet confirmed our duty as faithful servants today.

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. (Tract 1, p.41-42)

So the Lord through His Elijah prophet, gives us specific instructions that we are to be a “watchman”. One who carefully warns the sinners in ‘the midst” that sinning will lead to destruction.

In closing let’s look at the Spirit of Prophecy’s counsel to be as faithful as Amos, Nehemiah, Ezekiel and brother Houteff was, in “rebuking at the gate” —

“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.

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.

The true people of God, who have the spirit of the work of the Lord and the salvation of souls at heart, will ever view sin in its real, sinful character. They will always be on the side of faithful and plain dealing with sins which easily beset the people of God.

Especially in the closing work for the church, in the sealing time of the one hundred and forty-four thousand who are to stand without fault before the throne of God, will they feel most deeply the wrongs of God’s professed people. This is forcibly set forth by the prophet’s illustration of the last work under the figure of the men each having a slaughter weapon in his hand.

One man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer’s inkhorn by his side. “And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.”(Testimonies, vol. 3, p.266-267)

Posted in The Book of Amos, Warning our brethren | 4 Comments »

Correction

September 6, 2014

As we read the Scriptures we come to a sad fact, over and over again. God’s people have continually had one fatal flaw– unwilling to be corrected. This alone seems to be the very thing that erects a barrier that so many times, we as “Christians” fail to break down. Pride and stubbornness rears its ugly head and keeps us “stuck” instead of going forward in our walk.

In Jeremiah 5:3 we read, “O LORD, are not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.” (Jeremiah 5:3)

We remember the days of the Exodus movement, the Lord continually had to correct their ways and behavior, yet they soon abandoned His corrective instructions. It is no different today. We as a people are even more stiff-necked than they were.

As God’s Elijah messengers, our duty is often to be our “brother’s keeper”. We should really care about our fellow believer and be faithful in dis-charging our duty of support and even warnings and rebukes, if necessary.

If we fail to warn our brethren we fall under the words as spoken by Ezekiel “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.”(Ezek. 3:18-19)

We see here a two-fold promise. Give correction and spare your life, ignore your brethren and lose your life. We must be un-selfish and not have the attitude of “I’m going to heaven, I don’t know about you”.

One of God’s greatest correctors was Elijah the prophet.

“The benefits which God gave to this people called forth from them no gratitude to the Giver. All the bounties of heaven,–the running brooks, the streams of living waters, the gentle dew, the showers of rain which refreshed the earth and caused their fields to bring forth abundantly,–these they ascribed to the favor of their gods.

Elijah’s faithful soul was grieved. His indignation was aroused, and he was jealous for the glory of God. He saw that Israel was plunged into fearful apostasy. And when he called to mind the great things that God had wrought for them, he was overwhelmed with grief and amazement.

But all this was forgotten by the majority of the people. He went before the Lord, and, with his soul wrung with anguish, pleaded for Him to save His people if it must be by judgments. He pleaded with God to withhold from His ungrateful people dew and rain, the treasures of heaven, that apostate Israel might look in vain to their gods, their idols of gold, wood, and stone, the sun, moon, and stars, to water and enrich the earth, and cause it to bring forth plentifully.

The Lord told Elijah that He had heard his prayer and would withhold dew and rain from His people until they should turn unto Him with repentance.” (Testimonies, vol. 3, p.263)

How great was this man’s love for his people! Sadly, the correction given, even coupled with great signs from the Lord, would not be long accepted.

Eternal life is so mind-boggling that we should do all we can to learn His word and that includes His instruction to correct and be corrected.

Refusing correction can be shown by either combative or polite refusal, silent ignoring, or empty promises of reform. All of them give the same results –a failure to turn around and walk uprightly before the Lord.

But as we study Scripture, the lessons are many of how we can allow ourselves to be corrected and it’s a key that unlocks a whole new purpose and desire to serve the Lord.

“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” (James 4:6)

As we let go of our pride, it’s much easier to listen to corrective instruction.

In the story of king David and being corrected by the prophet Nathan, we read from Spirit of Prophecy —

“The prophet Nathan’s parable of the ewe lamb, given to King David, may be studied by all. The light was flashed sharply upon the king, while he was in utter darkness as to what was thought of his actions in regard to Uriah. While he was following his course of self-indulgence and commandment breaking, the parable of a rich man who took from a poor man his one ewe lamb, was presented before him.

But the king was so completely wrapped in his garments of sin, that he did not see that he was the sinner. He fell into the trap, and with great indignation, he passed his sentence upon another man, as he supposed, condemning him to death. When the application was made, and the facts brought home to him, when Nathan said, Thou art the man; unknowingly thou hast condemned thyself, David was overwhelmed. He had not one word to say in defence of his course of action. (2BC 1023.2)

This experience was most painful to David, but it was most beneficial. But for the mirror which Nathan held up before him, in which he so clearly recognized his own likeness, he would have gone on unconvicted of his heinous sin, and would have been ruined. The conviction of his guilt was the saving of his soul. He saw himself in another light, as the Lord saw him, and as long as he lived he repented of his sin.” (Letter 57, 1897).(2BC 1023.3)

What a great story and lesson! The mighty king David was thoroughly corrected and he accepted it deeply. As we see “as long as he lived repented of his sin.”

Spirit of Prophecy comments on our subject, “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)

Are we willing to stand corrected? Or does our pride hinder us? Is it not worth our eternal salvation to admit our wrongs, whatever they may be? Eternity, wow, is this not worth fighting for? Is this not worth our every effort to “know the worst of our case”?

“Determine to know the worst of your case. Ascertain if you have an inheritance on high. Deal truly with your own soul.” (Testimonies, vol. 1, p.163)

Posted in Humility, Obedience, Warning our brethren | 2 Comments »

Religious Liberty vs. 2 John 1:9

July 5, 2014

In the second book of John, chapter 1, verse 9 we read–

“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”

What does John really mean here? Does this really mean exactly what it says? We have no choice to admit it must. For the Scriptures say, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Tim.3:17)

How many of us have been greeted at the door by Jehovah Witnesses? Certainly most of us. Yet, we often chat with them, even trying to discuss our beliefs with them. But are we doing what God’s word says to do? Most of us have to admit we’ve been guilty of ignoring this counsel from God at one time or another, including yours truly.

Yet, once we have looked anew at this instruction, it should serve as a reminder to double down and do as God instructs. For obedience can only bring God’s blessings (see Duet.28:1).

But what about religious liberty? How do we balance that with 2 John 1:9? This is our study for this post. Let us look at the ramifications of this seemingly confusing dilemma.

Recently on some of our Facebook groups, myself and some other administrators have seen a rising of activity from those who we know and believe to have false teachings and wrong beliefs on the Lord’s word as brought by His prophets. Particularly against His last messenger, the Elijah prophet.

This all is understandable because as we’ve said many times–this is really the only game in town that matters to Satan. He is out to destroy any way he can, the truth of the sealing message from the anti-typical Elijah. This he is VERY active in.

Today, this is the controversy among His people.

“Hear ye, O mountains, the LORD’S controversy, and ye strong foundations of the earth: for the LORD hath a controversy with his people, and he will plead with Israel.” (Micah 6:2).

So as shepherds at the gates (administrators) for His sites, those professing His present Truth for the hour, we are faced with the fact that we must “guard the gate” as it were. This is a fine line that we must walk.

On one hand we want to be fair (religious liberty) and let the people post what is on their hearts, yet on the other we cannot allow false doctrine to come in and God forbid, some innocent newbie in the faith falls for it hook, line and sinker!

Today, we see several frequent false doctrines that the dark one uses to pull the wool over the unsuspecting ones. They include, but not limited to:

1) There shall be two church purifications (two Ezek. 9’s) one to the Davidian SDA*, then later the other to SDA. (Although it is not found in one single writing in Scripture, SOP or the Elijah message.)

(*Davidians are not to be confused with Branch Davidians)

2) Another prophet is to come after the Elijah prophet. In other words two or more are to come before the Great and Dreadful day of the Lord. (Again, nowhere in the Inspired writings do we find this.)

3) We must keep the feast days. His blood did not cover that. God requires we obey all the ceremonies. (However, the Elijah prophet strictly said the obeying of these days, shows “unbelief in Christ”.)

4) The Holy Spirit is not a real live Person with personal characteristics. It’s a force.(This belief not only flies in the face of SDA fundamental beliefs, it does the DSDA as well.)

5) The Elijah message must go to Davidians (the Elijah messengers) only now. The SDA church will receive it later. (In other words, they teach we are to be talking to ourselves now. The SDA people aren’t to be taught now.)

6) Two particular leaders are to be followed today, their followers say. “Ariel” from the Philippines and “Lennox” from the Wave-sheaf ministries. (Of course these two groups tell each other that they are right and the other is wrong.)

7) The Holy Spirit needs an “active prophet” in the midst to communicate God’s word to the people. ( This belief is proclaimed to support their belief in their prophet.)

We know that to be a faithful guardian, it requires fortitude and strength. In (Amos 5:10) we read, “They hate the one who rebukes in the gate, and they abhor the one who speaks uprightly.”

It’s not easy cutting people off from sites, but to look the other way is to be asleep at the wheel and allow the evil deceptions to come in. A new kind of “flood” in other words, could carry away some.

Now, with the above understanding, some may say, “Well if that is what Davidians do to others, then why can’t the SDA church be justified in their historical out-casting of Davidians? The same line of reasoning, yes?”

This is a valid point and must be addressed. We should understand where both parties are coming from. Let us take the first scenario;

The SDA out-casting the DSDA.

The SDA church has a long history of non-tolerant and even abusive history towards the DSDA. This is well documented in the writing of brother Houteff’s Symbolic Code volumes. People were literally thrown out of churches, and brother Houteff himself violently beaten on at least two occasions.

The SDA proudly states the following on one of their websites:

“FREEDOM TO BELIEVE

The Seventh-day Adventist church strongly believes in religious freedom for all people. A person’s conscience, not government, should dictate his or her choice to worship—or not.

We have advocated for these goals for more than 100 years, through our department of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL), to governments and religious and international organizations.”

But it seems that our SDA historical practices conveniently left out these principles in corresponding with the DSDA. The line is well spread about from the SDA. “Stay away from these Davidians, they are not teaching correctly from Bible or Spirit of Prophecy.” Yet, when the well-informed DSDA students attempt to sit down and study with the SDA leaders or people in responsible positions, often it is denied, with the slight of the hand as if to say “away with you”.

Here is the crux of the problem. The DSDA come in the name of Jesus saying that they have a message from the Lord. But the typical leaders care not to hear it. They think they already know what the DSDA message is and 9 times out of 10, they have never even read into it! And those who do, read only what they can find to bolster their own opinion and agenda.

Inspiration says, “When a message comes in the name of the Lord to His people, no one may excuse himself from an investigation of its claims.” (Test. on Sabbath School Work. p.65)

“If a message comes that you do not understand, take pains that you may hear the reason the messenger may give,” and not the reasons the ministers may give. (Ibid., p. 65)

So to sum up the practice of the SDA towards the DSDA, we must say that 2 John 1:9 cannot apply as being practical. Why? Because the DSDA are not “transgressing” nor are they not failing to “abide in the doctrine of Christ.”

For a short Youtube video of peaceful Davidans be removed for church see this link-

I happen to know this woman who was removed from church. She is very dedicated to the Lord and truly “sighs and crys” for the abominations done in the church. She was asked to give the Children’s story, but some of the leaders found out she is a believer in the Lord’s Elijah message and removed her and her family–Sad indeed!

The DSDA out-casting the false brethren and their teaching.

Occasionally , as an administrator, I will notice a post that will contain one of the doctrines of the afore-mentioned 7 points. The first thing done is to warn the poster that we (our FB group) do not subscribe to their beliefs and that they should not post anymore similar posts with those teachings. If they continue, they are deleted.

In September of 2011, our group “Truth Tellers” became the first active FB group to promote the Lord’s Elijah message(Shepherd’s Rod). Now, today there are at least 15 groups, proclaiming the 11th hour message. However some of them are promoting a mixture of the straight Rod message as brought by brother Victor Houteff, and teachings of their own prophet (as mentioned earlier in point 6).

The big difference in our casting out practices and the SDA practices is that we are “well-informed” of the error doctrines trying to be put over. And contrary to our SDA leaders, I am more than happy to “sit down” with them to go over what they are doing and to point out my position (backed by Scripture, SOP and Elijah message). If we can bring back even one to His pure unaltered truth, it’s worth it!

So in a nutshell that is the difference. And because these types are “knocking at our door” with a doctrine that is not based on His word as brought by His prophets but instead by “their” prophet, we can follow the Inspired advice –“do not receive him into your house”. In our case, the “house” being the FB group.

In closing, let us remember the apostle’s warning, “ For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

But be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”( 2 Tim. 4:3-5)

Posted in Proper teachings, Warning our brethren, Witnessing | 7 Comments »

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Archive for the ‘Warning our brethren’ Category

Update on the 2015 SDA Christmas Celebration

Watch your Pearls

Reformation at the Door

Examination of Candidates

Shorts in the Sanctuary

Where is God’s Vineyard Today?

Persistence Pays Off

To the World or to the Church?

Amos 5:10

Correction

Religious Liberty vs. 2 John 1:9

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Archive for the ‘Warning our brethren’ Category

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Examination of Candidates

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“FREEDOM TO BELIEVE

The Seventh-day Adventist church strongly believes in religious freedom for all people. A person’s conscience, not government, should dictate his or her choice to worship—or not.

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