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Arthur White and his Men Passing the Buck

August 1, 2015

There is an old saying that says he is “passing the buck.” We know this basically means passing the responsibility onto someone else. There is also this one, “The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree.” Arthur White, as we Seventh day Adventists know was the grandson of our prophetess–Ellen G. White. We have been so blessed to have studied her inspired writings and truths from the Lord.

Brother Don Adair , 84, is one of only two (as far as we know) living people who were a part of brother Victor T. Houteff’s original Mt. Carmel Davidian camp in Waco, Texas. He wrote of his personal testimony called , “A Davidian Testimony”. This was made for a couple of reasons. The Waco disaster in 1993 had recently occurred and he wanted to explain that those “Branch Davidians”(David Koresh and his followers) were not the same in beliefs and doctrinal points as the original Davidian Seventh-day Adventists.

He also had opportunity to give his testimony of how he came into the Davidian movement. Much history is given and for those who wish to get a good background of the early days, I highly suggest the book.

Here is Don’s personal testimony of his encounter with Arthur White.

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AUTHOR STUDIES WITH TWELVE SDA YOUNG PEOPLE

One day in 1975 I received a phone call from a Seventh-day Adventist brother named Jack Lord, who heard that I was giving Bible studies. He asked me to come to Washington, D.C. and tell him and other SDA brethren what I was teaching. I accepted the invitation and with the Council’s approval, I drove up there in my 1967 Ford sedan. He lived with the Risosin brothers (four of them) in an apartment of a large rental complex, and I stayed with them.

They worked as house painters; and since they worked during the daytime, I would prepare their evening meal, after which the other listeners would come over for Bible studies. After I gave them about three studies, all twelve decided by then either for or against the Shepherd’s Rod message. Six believed in the message and would hear more studies; while the other six (one of which was bro. Jack Lord) had rejected it, but they didn’t want the others to believe.

It was during one Bible study on a Sunday that I realized the six unbelieving brethren intended to do something to stop the other six from believing. At the end of the study one brother said that the six believers were only listening to what Don was teaching, and they should hear what a Seventh -day Adventist minister has to say about my studies.

So I told them that I had no problem with that and asked him, “Who do you want them to hear?” and he said “Elder Arthur White”, whom we all knew was the grandson of Sis. White, the prophetess of the SDA church. Since they all had to work the next day, I told them that tomorrow (Monday) I would drive up to the office of the General Conference Headquarters and ask Elder White to come to our Bible studies and refute the SRod.

AUTHOR ASKS ARTHUR WHITE TO COME AND PROVE THE SHEPHERD’S ROD IS WRONG

The next morning I drove to the General Conference Headquarters and the SDA church, and the receptionist asked if she could help me. I told her that I had a problem and needed to speak with Elder Arthur White about it. She told him and he came out, and invited me into his office, and after I had sat down he said in a friendly tone, “What can I do for you, young man?”

I told him there were twelve young people studying the Shepherd’s Rod message, and that six of them believed and six of them did not believe; and that the six unbelievers wanted him to come to the studies and prove that it was wrong. he said that he thought the Shepherd’s Rod message had died out; but I told him, “Oh no, it is still going strong.” he said he put away his Shepherd’s Rod literature, and had not studied it for a long time, and would need some time to review a few points.

I told him that we would all be glad to wait a few days for him to study. After thinking a few moments, he asked, “Who is the teacher?” I said, “I am the teacher!” He said, “what, you are the teacher, and you want me to come and prove it wrong?” I said, “Sure, if you can prove its wrong, then I can give up being a Davidian and join the church.”

When he realized who I was, he considered me an enemy not a friend, and he said indignantly, “You know all that man Houteff did was criticize the church and say evil things about our ministers.” And I quickly replied, “I know of someone who rebuked the Seventh-day Adventist church ten times greater, especially the evils of the ministers, even far more than Bro. Houteff did.” He looked at me in great surprise with an expression on his face that seemed to ask, “who is that person?” And I pointed to a large picture he had on the top of his file cabinet, and said “Sister White, your grandmother!” He knew what I said was true, and he sat back in his chair in deep thought, apparently thinking of what he was to do about my unusual request.

Finally, he called into his office another minister from another room; and right after he asked him if he would go to my Bible studies and prove the SRod message was wrong, the phone rang. While he spoke on the phone, this minister asked me, “What does the Shepherd’s Rod teach?” I thought, “How can he prove it wrong if he does not know what it teaches?” So I told him briefly some very deep things about the slaughter of Ezekiel nine, the kingdom, the seals and trumpets. I could see that he was shaken up by what I was saying, because it was all new to him; and he knew that he was not prepared to refute it.

Then while we were still talking, Elder White finished answering the phone, and he asked the minister if he would go and prove the Shepherd’s Rod wrong; and he said, “Arthur, I don’t think that I am prepared at this time to go.” So Elder White said to me sternly, “Come with me young man.”

ARTHUR WHITE LEADS AUTHOR TO OFFICE OF DR. HYDE

He led me out of his office up the stairs to the office of Dr. Hyde; and as he left, he said to the receptionist, “Take care of this young man.” When she asked what I wanted, i told her I had a problem and I needed his help. She wrote down my name on the register, and told me that I could see him at one o’clock that afternoon. as I opened the door and was about to leave, she said, “Oh, by the way, what is the nature of your visit?” as soon as I told her briefly about the six unbelievers who wanted him to come to our studies and prove the SRod wrong, she immediately said, “Oh, I forgot, Dr,. Hyde has another appointment at one o’clock and he cannot see you.”

And when I told her I would gladly come later, she kept insisting that he would have no time left that day to talk to me or for the rest of the week. Finally, in desperation, she said, “Come with me,” and led me across the hall to a man sitting at his desk; and said to him, “take care of this man’s problem.”

He was cordial to me and asked me to sit down. He immediately asked me what he could do to help me, and I explained in detail about my problem and my visit downstairs with Elder White; and he seemed to show some interest. Then he asked me, “What does the Shepherd’s Rod teach?” So again, I explained to him in more detail, because I had a little more time (probably because they were trying to find Dr. Hyde).

Finally, we were interrupted when the phone rang, and after he answered and listened briefly, he said, “Sure I understand.” Then in closing the conversation, he said, “Yes sir, I will do that,” and hung up the receiver. Then turning to me he said, “That was Dr. Hyde, and he said to tell you that we cannot help you.” And before we could continue, I spoke to him in a determined voice to dispute Dr. Hyde’s refusal to help, and said “Wait a minute, I know that the General Conference has organized an institution which they call the Religious Defense Department, and that the General Conference should send someone to my studies to defend the six believers against the teachings of the Shepherd’s Rod!”

He was surprised at my demand, and admitted that the department did exist; but he could not explain why Dr. Hyde or someone from the Religious Defense Department could not and would not defend the six brethren. Instead, he told me that Dr. Hyde said it is the duty of the local ministers to defend the laymembers.

And as he opened the door for me to leave, he said that I would have to ask one of them to help with my problem. His answer proved that the General Conference leaders were afraid of the SRod message, because they knew they could not prove it wrong. And rather than have this fact exposed to the laity, these highest officials in the Seventh-day Adventist church deliberately shifted their own responsibility onto the local ministers, whom they knew couldn’t prove it wrong either.”

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Brother Adair goes further into the story showing that the six unbelievers still did not give up, rather they tried one more time with an Elder from the General Conference experienced in religious matters. This too backfired as this Elder agreed to study but within a few minutes of being in the room to study, changed his mind and told them he didn’t have time for “every offshoot deception that comes along.”

Those young men who wanted help from the “brethren of experience” were left empty handed. Why? As brother Adair said they knew it could not be proven wrong. The Lord’s Rod (Micah 6:9) is now and was then, His message that causes a “shaking” amongst us SDA. We must all be accountable to God individually and by the story above, even if your relative was a prophetess, it makes no difference with God. You and I alone must “love and accept the Truth”.

So what lesson can we gleam from this story? What comes to mind is Arthur’s grandmother and her inspired words. Sadly, from what we gather from the story is that the apple apparently fell far from the tree. The tree of Truth. —

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

“Now as in former ages, the presentation of a truth that reproves the sins and errors of the times will excite opposition. “Everyone that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.” John 3:20. As men see that they cannot maintain their position by the Scriptures, many determine to maintain it at all hazards, and with a malicious spirit they assail the character and motives of those who stand in defense of unpopular truth. It is the same policy which has been pursued in all ages. Elijah was declared to be a troubler in Israel, Jeremiah a traitor, Paul a polluter of the temple. From that day to this, those who would be loyal to truth have been denounced as seditious, heretical, or schismatic.” (Great Controversy, p.458)

“..beware of rejecting that which is truth. The great danger with our people has been that of depending upon men and making flesh their arm. Those who have not been in the habit of searching the Bible for themselves, or weighing evidence, have confidence in the leading men and accept the decisions they make; and thus many will reject the very messages God sends to His people, if these leading brethren do not accept them.” (Testimonies to Ministers, p.106-107)

Posted in The spirit of predjudice, Witnessing | 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 »

Light Illuminated

June 7, 2014

This week was one of those weeks, where one gets a revelation that truly makes us go–“wow”! As an Elijah messenger to or people, I am constantly studying ways to improve my delivery, to solidify the message in a more straight forward and understandable way. The Lord came through again!

In Timothy we read, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”(2 Tim. 2:15).

The message gives us an almost uncontrollable love for our brethren. We realize the danger that faces the church unless we humble ourselves and take up the largely unpopular message of Elijah.

So the Lord divinely showed me something that really explained this message in a different way, and from a new angle, that may dig the dagger of truth into those who may be still stubbornly resisting the last message to the Laodiceans.

Ok let’s look now, at this approach and angle.

First, we know that we as Laodiceans need something. Why? Because our Lord said so.

“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” (Rev. 3:17-18).

Ok, we all know this (or should). What our Lord said is that we have this stuffy proud feeling that we know the Lord and that we don’t need anything over and above what we know, to make it to the kingdom. I think we all can agree that this is a fair description.

So understanding the above, we must now admit that there IS SOMETHING we must learn or know, else He would not admonish us for being naked and without hardly anything. In other words, we need to stop deceiving ourselves, and awake to the fact that there is something out there that the Lord want’s us to know.

In this fascinating deception we find ourselves in , we read, “ “What greater deception can come upon human minds than a confidence that they are right, when they are all wrong! The message of the True Witness finds the people of God in a sad deception, yet honest in that deception. They know not that their condition is deplorable in the sight of God.

While those addressed are flattering themselves that they are in an exalted spiritual condition, the message of the True Witness breaks their security by the startling denunciation of their true condition of spiritual blindness, poverty, and wretchedness. The testimony, so cutting and severe, cannot be a mistake, for it is the True Witness who speaks, and his testimony must be correct.” — Testimonies, Vol. 3, pp. 252-253.

I underlined two important points I’d like to address. First, we see that Inspiration confirms what the Lord said about us. But she adds that we are “honestly” deceived. We are so convinced that we have it all (truth) that we aren’t looking for more. What’s worse is that our “shepherd’s” (pastors and leaders) aren’t helping. They too are in the same condition!

The second underlined point gives us a big clue as to what we need. We need a “cutting and severe” testimony that breaks our lukewarm condition. In other words– a straight testimony, with no sugar-coating. And we know one thing for sure, the “peace and safety” message that we hear almost every Sabbath from the pulpit is not it.

Ok let’s admit that we need something, and that something is obviously a message from the “True Witness”. And how has this True Witness in times past, delivered it? Yes, the PROPHETS. As a church body, He sends His message strictly through His prophets. In our case through His promised Elijah (Mal. 4:5).

All our Scriptures are written by His prophets. In (Amos 3:7) we read, “Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”

So we have found that we need two things up to this point:

1) A important message from our Lord

2) A message to be delivered by a prophet.

Ok, what is the word of God in relations to an end time prophet? It is found in the last book of the old testament–Malachi. I like to think of this book as His “sign off” letter of the OT. In other words it has His last words of extreme importance in them.

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

We see that this Elijah is to come right before this great and terrible day. Ah hah! This should be what the Lord is talking about! For this is the LAST message that He will send before the end.

3) The anti-typical Elijah prophet has the Lord’s last message.

Recently I was involved in an online discussion with a solidly entranced Laodicean woman . I pointed out the fact that there was one last prophet (Elijah) to come to our SDA church. She responded, “Oh that doesn’t mean a literal prophet, it’s a message.” Huh?

Let’s look at counsel from the very prophetess she claims to believe in.

“The language of the Bible should be explained according to it’s obvious meaning, unless a symbol or figure is employed.” (Great Controversy, p.598)

So instead of believing the Lord’s literal word, she must twist that into a non-literal meaning. Needless to say I pointed this out to her. But it was like water off a Duck’s back. It did not register.

I also pointed out that that kind of reasoning is right up Satan’s alley. When God said a straight testimony “Surely you shall die”, Satan twisted it to say “Surely you shall not die”. In other words she was not believing in the clear unmistakable word of God. And His promise as well.

When God makes a promise to send somebody, we don’t dare say, “No, you won’t God” do we?

Ok, let’s get to the quote that opened up this new idea of explaining the message to our brethren.

“I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen, and was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans. This will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver, and will lead him to exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth. Some will not bear this straight testimony. They will rise up against it, and this will cause a shaking among God’s people.

The testimony of the True Witness has not been half heeded. The solemn testimony upon which the destiny of the church hangs has been lightly esteemed, if not entirely disregarded. This testimony must work deep repentance, and all that truly receive it will obey it and be purified.”(Test. for the Church, vol. 1, p.181)

Let’s carefully go over this very important inspired word of God. We see that a “shaking” is going to happen among us, and that this shaking won’t be caused by anything else other than “the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans.”

The counsel here represents those who are delivering that straight testimony for the Lord, beginning with and including the anti-typical Elijah. Notice something VERY IMPORTANT. This message is given only to us! Not the world. We, the Laodiceans, are the ones the Lord must give it to. It is us who are about to be sprued out not the world.(Rev.3:16)

Next we see that this message will cause division among us. Some will “rise up” indicating that they will not only be against it, they will be strongly against it because it unbearable. It obviously exposes our sins and lukewarmness, making them uncomfortable and defensive.

The last underlined point gives the seriousness of it all. THE CHURCH DESTINY HANGS UPON THIS MESSAGE. AND THAT IT WILL BE LARGELY–REJECTED.

So we can add two more points to our list.

4) Our Church’s ( Seventh Day Adventists) future destiny ( our eternal life) hangs upon this message.

5) This last message of Elijah will be almost entirely rejected.

The last point in that reference establishes what this message does to us upon reception and obedience to it. We repent and thus are purified. What does these miraculous things? THE LAST MESSAGE FROM THE LORD, It has such a transforming effect upon us.

6) This last message causes repentance and brings eternal life to those who accept it.

This is so important let us read it again,

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

We see that this last message “breaks our security”, it exposes our true condition. If we are walking in its light, the message does not bother us. But if we are not walking in this light, refusing it for whatever reason, we shall either “rise up against it”, be intimidated by it, or humble ourselves and draw close to it causing us to have “deep repentance” and obedience. The Lord knew what He was doing in bringing this Elijah message. It works!

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

“In the manifestation of that power which lightens the earth with the glory of God, they will see only something which in their blindness they think dangerous, something which will arouse their fears, and they will brace themselves to resist it. Because the Lord does not work according to their expectations and ideal, they will oppose the work. “Why,” they say, “should we not know the Spirit of God, when we have been in the work so many years?” Because they did not respond to the warnings, the entreaties, of the messages of God, but persistently said, “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.”(Maranatha, p.220)

This is getting more and more clear. We continue to see a clear and unmistakable rejection from God’s remnant people of the last message. They see it as dangerous and not from the Lord.

“..but prophecy must be fulfilled. The Lord says, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord” (Malachi 4:5). Somebody is to come in the spirit and power of Elijah, and when he appears, men may say, “You are too earnest, you do not interpret the Scriptures in the proper way. Let me tell you how to teach your message.”(1 SM p.412.2)

The above is one of two clear and unmistakable Inspired quotes (the other is Mal. 4:5) showing that the Lord would send a male prophet to His remnant church at the very end of time. But we see, again, a rejection from the people.

Are we starting to see a common theme here? Yes, indeed!

So let us now add up the meaning of this post. What we can now see is that it is the REJECTED MESSAGE that is the one we are to follow. This is the one the Lord has sent! The real message that the vast majority of us SDA think is false!

We can add our last point now.

7) The last day message that saves us (seals us) is the rejected message of Elijah.

With this clear conclusion, we must now ask ourselves–What message has come to us SDA promoting that it is the Elijah message and been soundly rejected?

The answer– The Shepherd’s Rod.

Search our history, there has never been any another Elijah message that went church wide around the world that was soundly rejected and labelled as false by our leaders.

In closing, let us humble ourselves and begin to accept this rejected message, for as we’ve seen , it is the one we need. The Lord said we as Laodiceans need something, and the rejected Elijah message is the sure message that saves us from being “sprued out”. Amen.

Posted in Elijah, End times, Present Truth, Proper teachings, Witnessing | 7 Comments »

When it Gets Too Much

May 24, 2014

As many within our church, are learning the great light of the Lord’s Elijah message, often there is a sober consequence to obeying it. Our eyes are made wide open and we start to view sin as the Lord views sin. No longer are we care-free and inattentive. What we behold does start to matter.

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

As shown above, those who are now dedicating themselves to the Lord’s work, walking daily in His Commandments, committed to helping souls within their reach in our church and across the land via today’s communications, “feel most deeply the wrongs of God’s professed people.”

Recently a close sister of mine (in the faith) let me know that the numerous unholy acts and sites of the Sabbath service where she attends was becoming unbearable. She was indeed “sighing and crying” for the sins done in the midst. (Ezek. 9 and Testimonies, vol.3, p.267). Passionately she said, “I think I’ve had enough”. Meaning she was contemplating leaving the church because of the lack of honor due the Lord in the service and on the Sabbath by His “professed” people.

The site of ladies, many of them young, wearing short skirts, high heels, pendants, flashy ornaments of all kinds, commercial trucks pulling up to the church to transact worldly business on the Sabbath, excessive talking in the sanctuary, cell phones and smart phones being used in the sanctuary for business and worldly pleasure , money-raising goals discussed on the Sabbath from the pulpit, and the list goes on and on.

And then there’s the endless sermons of “baby’s milk”, meaning teaching old truths that are still truth but many times take the place of present truth.

“Whom will he teach knowledge? And whom will he make to understand the message? Those weaned from milk, and those drawn from the breast. “(Isaiah 28:9)

Yes, the mentioned dis-honoring of the Lord is often hard to take, and I am speaking as someone who also often shares her sadness , disappointment and disgust. Where once I was blissfully blind to the dis-honoring of the Lord within His sanctuary, now I am keenly aware of it all. But having said all this, we logically come to a very important question.

So we ask — Should we get out of the church, no longer attend a service that is so degraded and leaves us shaking our heads many times? The Lord’s word is beyond clear — NO WE SHOULD NOT.

“Who are standing in the counsel of God at this time? Is it those who virtually excuse wrongs among the professed people of God and who murmur in their hearts, if not openly, against those who would reprove sin? Is it those who take their stand against them and sympathize with those who commit wrong? No, indeed! (Testimonies, vol. 3, p.267)

How many of us have heard of the great rescues at sea, or in a fierce battle of combat? The stories are legion where the hero could have abandoned ship or the field but instead decided to “tough it out” to save others. In like manner our church analogy is similar. We are on a great “rescue” mission in the battle. And so it makes no sense for us to up and walk off the battlefield ( and I do mean a real spiritual battlefield) in the midst of the war.

So my dear sister in the faith needs some answers. So what to do? Well we must always go to the Lord’s word and see what He instructs us to do through Inspiration. Our ideas, our solutions, come second to the Lord’s word.

As Elijah messengers of the Lord, we face distinct difficulties once we step forward and accept His final message and their instructions. Here are some points we wish to address.

1) As shown above, the first issue is the observation of much sin in the midst of our people (ie. church). Should we walk away from such people?

Once we become truly converted and learn to listen to Him , we see sin as He sees it. The numerous violations done each Sabbath is clear, as we learn the message and its specific descriptions of the sins done in the midst. But despite this we must stay with the church and do our duty as “‘sighers and criers”.

The Elijah message says –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)

Can we effectively work within it if we abandon it?

2) Should we call our church –Babylon, and start our own church or group and meet independently each Sabbath?

Ellen Whites said-” The Lord has not given you a message to call the Seventh-day Adventists Babylon, and to call the people of God to come out of her. All the reasons you may present cannot have weight with me on this subject, because the Lord has given me decided light that is opposed to such a message. . ” (Selected Messages , vol. 2, p.63)

One of the well known SDA movements called the “SDA Reform Movement”, is solidly behind such error-filled beliefs.

“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.” (The Answerer, vol. 2, Q-32)

We have already dealt with the issue of some calling the church –Babylon, please see this post — https://godsloveandlaw.com/2013/01/05/is-the-sda-church-babylon/

3) What is the point for us to stay in the church today, and what happens to us if we leave?

“Two of the chief reasons for not staying away from Sabbath School and church services are, (1) that we would be depriving ourselves of the privilege of public worship in the church we helped build, and (2) that by absenting ourselves from services, we would become strangers to our brethren and would have to become reacquainted with them if ever we were to give the message to them.

By continuing, though, to go to church, we are then, after the congregation is dismissed, afforded an opportunity to speak with the brethren in the interest of the message, urging them to investigate for themselves either by attending our studies or by reading the publications of Present Truth…

..So, if we voluntarily stay away from the church services, we lay ourselves open to the charge of being offshoots from the body, and at the same time forfeit the opportunity of coming in contact with the congregation.

Moreover, if in this wise we separate ourselves, then in the fulfillment of Ezekiel 9. when those who have not the “mark” are taken away, we shall not have the same right to claim an inheritance in the Denomination.” (Answerer, vol. 4, Q- 90)

Whoa! That says a mouthful. Did you notice the dire consequences of us leaving the church? We “shall not have the same right to claim inheritance in the Denomination” when The Lord executes His church judgement.

The “escaped” ones (the 144,000) are given great power from the Lord and thus protected as they call the sinners out of Babylon. Not so with those who attempt to come back to God’s church.

“And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (Rev. 12:17)

Another very important point to remember is that of our Lord’s example. He faithfully returned to Sabbath services each Sabbath despite being among those who wanted to kill Him! He fellow-shipped with the hypocrites, thieves, and those who publicly despised Him. But He returned.

In closing, we see that despite the hardships and struggles we inherit in stepping forward to embrace an unpopular message of truth that must go to our church, the Lord bids us –stay the course. The sealing of God’s people today is the one instructed by Ezekiel — “sigh and cry for all the abominations” in the church. We continue to pray and reach out whenever we can for those who are blind to His last message of hope, the one that they need.

Let us keep in mind the great instruction from Apostle Paul.

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:”(2 Tim 4:7)

“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching.” (Hebrews, 10:24-25)

Posted in Christian faith, Church, Sighing and Crying, Witnessing | 5 Comments »

Update on the work in His Vineyard

April 12, 2014

This week, as the Lord faithfully does, He’s inspired me to do a post on the work in His vineyard. As some of you may know I accepted His message of Elijah in middle of 2011. Little did I know I was about to do a complete 180 change in my life. Gone went this habit, gone when that worldly custom, gone went a self-satisfied, in need of nothing outlook.

That’s what His last message will do. That is His intended work. It awakes us to the “real deal” as far as who the Lord is, what are His plans and how He will accomplish His kingdom goals.

So we thought it’d be good to update you on how the work is going from our perspective. We’ve been active in His vineyard in many aspects. This blog, Facebook groups (Truth Tellers and others), SDA online chat sites, Pal-talk studies, local private group studies, email studies and more.

We know that Satan and his minions are very active in trying to thwart and delay this message of sealing to His people, so there is a great spiritual warfare going on that we can’t see (literally). As such we are often discouraged because of the battle and spiritual struggle we see going on within our church. The stories just keep coming how those who embrace His unpopular truth get censured, demoted or dis-fellowshipped for no other reason than desiring to spread what the word of God says through Scripture and SOP.

Brother Houteff describes this last day struggle–

“Thus will be the Devil’s deal while the day of God is approaching, and while Elijah is making the announcement of it as the scroll unrolls and while the prophecies concerning the day of God are being unsealed.

His work and his interpretation of the prophecies for the great day will identify him as the promised Elijah the prophet (“Testimonies to Ministers,” p. 475), and this will enrage the Devil as never before. Nevertheless, one’s only safety will be in the teaching of Elijah, for there will be no other voice of timely Truth and authority to whom one may turn. Any others will lead their victims blind-folded into perdition.

Do not henceforth leave in the hands of others your investigation of the subject. After hearing the evidences, you alone in the closet of prayer and with the aid of the Spirit can determine whether the Elijah has come, or whether he is yet to come.

Do not, though, forget that the message which he proclaims will in itself bear the Divine credentials of Truth, and that no priest or prelate can decide for you who the Elijah may or may not be. No, not even the appearance of what his message is doing or not doing, or whether it is prospering or disintegrating, can be taken as evidence that God is in it.

Neither can numbers of adherents for such have never signified a right cause at any time, not even in the day Christ Himself preached the Gospel of the Kingdom. The message he brings is the only thing to go by” (1950 General Conference Special, p.7-8).

With the above being said, we therefore truly rejoice when we receive encouraging news. We’d like to start out by showing a recent email we received from a brother in the Philippines.

“Hi Rob, Good day! I already distributed the materials you have given me. They were thankful upon receiving the materials. They were my friends in the church. Many of them questioned about the message but I told them that this is an additional message, no worries, nothing will hurt us if we will give time to study the message, in fact, we will learn many things if we are open-minded.

I told them that there are many precious truths in the word of God that we need to learn. I told them that we need to study the sanctuary especially the judgment for the living. I told them that God will work to purify His church and He will really separate the good and the bad SDA bodily and physically through Ezekiel 9.

I told them that God will not send a judgment to His people without first giving them warning to repent. So this is the message of preparation for the coming judgment. I believe that they were inspired by the message. They were surprise upon receiving the materials for free. Well, I told them that without money or price we can have them. Please continue praying for us here in the Philippines for the message. God bless!”

This brother had received a “present truth” package consisting of CD’s, DVD’s, Tracts, and other literature. He sent us a picture showing he had received it. And he has been “studying to show himself approved” ( 2 Tim. 2:15). He has done as the Lord instructed, “No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light “(Luke 8:16). This brother has received light and has decided to share it rather than keep it to himself.

Then we received another testimony from a brother in Thailand who also received a package and wrote this in Truth Tellers ( our Facebook ministry group), “After a few months of proving this message, I am convinced this is the Elijah message, the meat in due season. I really hope and pray that i can live this truth.. I am currently studying the 7 trumpets.. its so amazing to finally understand it as unlocked by the Spirit of truth.. I used to believe that the woes were Islam attacking Rome… lots of SDAs believe this… we really need to show them the true interpretation of the trumpets, and even the seals…”

What great feelings of happiness do we feel when we read such inspiring notes of discovering His end-time truths! These messages show that they have read, understood and accepted His Elijah message of hope and salvation.

The important thing is that we’ve done our job as the Lord would have us. It’s out of our hands as to what others will or will not do in response to the message.

I have often used this analogy to show our work in His vineyard today. We set the table before them (give them present truth studies) and prepare everything such as knives and forks, a drink, napkins, the whole table before them (the studies are prepared and the package is sent and paid for– arriving at their location). All they must do is pick up the fork and knife and start eating (start studying). Some find it truly “delicious”.

These people who request the material know they are receiving “new light” and as such they are doers of His word as brought by the Spirit of Prophecy-

“We must not for a moment think that there is no more light, no more truth, to be given us. We are in danger of becoming careless, by our indifference losing the sanctifying power of truth, and composing ourselves with the thought, “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.” [Revelation 3:17.] While we must hold fast to the truths which we have already received, we must not look with suspicion upon any new light that God may send. (Gospel Workers, p.310)

In other areas of the work such as Facebook, we’ve seen the Lord work mightily. In Sept of 2011, we started a small group (Truth Tellers) with the plan to show the Elijah message to the world through any member wishing to join. Membership has grown from 100 members to over 600 worldwide. Currently, each week we are receiving several requests to join. The Lord has guided many souls to His last message. We are so thankful to be privileged to be a part of it.

The growth is based on the fact that as members learn of these new truths they become excited and want to invite friends and family to learn and study them on our site. We are also currently sending out present truth packages around the world such as Africa, USA, India, Europe and other areas.

As our brother said above, our work is because the Lord must first warn the people of His upcoming judgment before His Loud Cry work commences. This is the job we as “present truth” workers must do.

As present truth workers we are not waiting for the Lord to inquire of us as in the parable —

“And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?” (Matt. 20:6)

Let us look at it this way. Say from a business point of view. Where in the world could one “set up shop” on a simple table in the home, get all the materials (Tracts, CD’s DVD’s, literature) for FREE and then do the Lord’s work in His vineyard, and then someday get to be a gazillionaire (living in eternal bliss with our King)? I for one can’t think of a better job!

Take my example for instance, I’ve cleaned off the dining room table and set up shop as follows —

If this is possible within your home (even if in the basement) why not consider this once in a lifetime rewarding work? Part-time or full-time, either way, the Lord shall reward you beyond your dreams.

“Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.” (Luke 10:12)

Our Lord’s Elijah message says —

“Only the heaven-sent message for today can save the people of today. This is just as real and true and as logical as it is to say that the living cannot be judged with the message of the judgment of the Dead. Yes, “blessed is that.. faithful and wise servant, whom His Lord hath made ruler over His household, to give them meat in due season.” (Matt.24:45.46) (Timely Greetings, vol. 2, no.20, p.5)

“Since we now clearly see that the Laodiceans perish without the message to the Laodiceans, we should hold fast to the Truth for this time, and win our crown of life, and in addition to it we shall be credited with a good harvest of souls and with the commendation “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” Matt. 25:23. (Timely Greetings, vol.2, no.20, p.27)

So in summary, let’s prayerfully consider His work while we can. “… you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.(James 4:14).

As we have such precarious time allotted to us, why not “make it count”?

“Tell the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their deeds.” (Isaiah 3:10)

Posted in Witnessing | 2 Comments »

Righteous Discernment

March 8, 2014

Have you ever known or heard of some people who have the uncanny ability to “read” people? They can size them up in a short period of time. There perception is keen and acutely accurate. The Inspired writings says that those who are “filled” with His Spirit can do a “spiritual reading”, they can know the condition of the soul of another, much like a physician can determine the condition of the physical body. And that is not all, we are told they will know sin , in all it’s traps.

One of the most important aspects of our Christian walk is –discernment. This is so important that if we do not have it, His word says we can fall into many snares and traps.

In Revelation 3:18 we are counselled to anoint our eyes with “eye slave”, that we may see. We as SDA know that the Lord was specifically talking to us as the Laodicean church.

In explaining Rev. 3:18, our prophetess said, “The eye salve is that vision and grace which enables us to discern between the evil and the good, and to detect sin under any guise” (Testimonies, vol.4, p.88).

“”..the eye salve is that spiritual discernment which will enable you to see the wiles of Satan and shun them, to detect sin and abhor it, to see truth and obey it” (Testimonies, vol. 5, p.441).

Wow, now who wouldn’t want that eye salve? We have ability to distinguish good from evil, see Satan’s tricks, detect sin , and to see truth! That to me seems like the “whole armor of God”!

Unfortunately we as SDA do not possess this eye salve to a large degree. The truth is waiting for us yet many do not pursue it. In the same chapter of Revelation, He tells us why we don’t.

“Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ –“ (Rev.3:17).

Here we see that we cannot expect the healing eye salve as long as we continue to think we do not need — more truth.

Recently I came upon a quote from the Elijah prophet that really was powerful. It registered fully and motivated me to do this post.

“For only a true Christian, one who has a personal experience with God, a perfect knowledge of His Word, and who is filled with His Spirit, can discriminate saint from sinner. He, only, can recognize who has the seal and who does not have it, when the latter is cloaked in a counterfeit robe of righteousness.” ( Tract 5, p.63)

The above makes us think. You mean some has the ability to know whether a “Christian” has the seal of God? Yes. This is ground shaking!

We can see that only those who walk daily under obedience are qualified to have this discernment. What a blessing to know that God gives such 20/20 vision.

But if we are blessed with this ability we must be very careful not to “cross the line” into judging a brother or sister. This is an opposite purpose of this gift.

As with any gift from God, it comes with responsibility. Unfortunately some have assumed that they have this gift, yet if they profess judgment upon others, it’s a sure sign they don’t!

“Satan works side by side with professed Christians; yet they are so destitute of spiritual discernment that they do not detect him. (Testimonies for the Church, vol.2, p. 441)

The King gave us specific advice in helping others and discerning sin in another. “How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. (Luke 6:42)

Let look at some ways that those who have felt this gift can help others with it.

1) Reach out to those who the Lord has guided you to.

We do not walk haphazardly when we are serving the Lord. People are placed in our path for a reason. We should understand that because they are there, we should reach out by letting them know God’s will for them. And what is that?

Ellen Whites explains. ” There are many precious truths contained in the Word of God, but it is ‘present truth’ that the flock needs now.” (Early Writings, p.63)

If there is one thing that most of our beloved SDA brethren need right now it is –present truth. We are, for the most part unfortunately stuck on past truth. As we have studied many times, truth is advancing.

Recently I bumped into a fellow SDA church member and as we were discussing church affairs, we both agreed that most if not all sermons given are really sad lullaby affairs. The emphasis is on “let’s not rock the boat, let’s give the people good ol fluffy easy smooth teachings.”

2) Be ready to warn and admonish when necessary.

Scripture gives us the straight testimony. “Cry aloud; do not hold back; lift up your voice like a trumpet; declare to my people their transgression, to the house of Jacob their sins. (Isaiah 58:1)

Love is telling them the truth. Fluffy peace and safety is securing them in their wrong way. And where will that lead them?

Of course we are told to be, “..be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.(Matt. 10:16)

But sometimes we need to adjust to those who we are dealing. Recently I was having an email exchange with a brother who , to be quite frank, had reached a point where a stern warning was in order. In discerning the matter, I could see that no small talk or light language would awake him. He needed tough medicine.

3. Desire to take the lead.

As those of us who have studied and accepted the Lord’s Elijah message know, time is very short and His last pleading message is going out throughout the SDA church worldwide.

With so many of our brethren in the dark about His final message, we should initiate Bible studies, phone calls, emails, Facebook chats, and other communications.

The Lord says, “Why stand idle here all day long?..You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.”(Matt 20:6-7)

In closing, the Lord has given a most precious gift–righteous discernment. Let those who have it, use it, to help our brethren see that the kingdom is just about ready to appear. Will you or I be a part of it?

Posted in Warning our brethren, Witnessing | 1 Comment »

The Church Triumphant

February 1, 2014

How many of us have been involved in a club, where we were proud to be a part of it? Maybe the boy scouts, cub scouts, girl scouts, a social club or whatever. And we remember that the meetings were in order and the leaders taught us things that were practical, applicable and really mattered.

But what if that club had many come in and began to ever so slyly disrupt and dis-unite the membership? Even infiltrate the leadership, so that soon the club was nothing like the original beginnings of the club. Soon the original members would be startled to see that the club was no longer holding to its principals, no longer teaching the original helpful message to its members. In other words, the club had morphed into a new strange club, where different ideas and plans were taught. Values changed.

The above scenario is similar to God’s church from the beginning until today. The original Apostolic Christian church held strict Biblical values. Sabbath keeping was “by the book”, yet not overly restricted by man-made rules but Christ inspired love.

The believers were of one accord, the plans and goals, all united. Oh my my, what has our church today “morphed” into? This is not lost in God’s sight, He is ever watchful of His prized possession. What will He do about the current degraded condition of His church?

There is without question an answer soon to come . The prized possession of the Lord will do a 180% turnaround. But how will this come about? What does the Scriptures, SOP and the Elijah message tell us about this “sinless” church to come?

Let us look at some promises from the Lord regarding purification of His church.

“When purification shall take place in our ranks, we shall no longer rest at ease, boasting of being rich and increased with good, in need of nothing.”(Test. for the Church, vol. 8, p.250).

Right now what do we see in our church? A few weeks ago we posted how dress reform is so neglected in His church. Mini-skirts, high heels, loud talking and laughing in His sanctuary, money passing in His sanctuary, are some examples of our offensive sins we see committed each and every Sabbath. We don’t see the leaders stepping forward to warn our members of such dis-honor in His house. Why? Because they are “rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing”.

“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. He whose fan is in His hand will cleanse His temple of it’s moral defilement. He will thoroughly purge His floor “(Test. to Ministers, p.373).

Some may say, “Well yes, He will do all this but it will be at the last moment of time, at the coming of the Lord”. This is not the Lord’s plan. He will purify the church for a purpose. The following quote gives the reason.

” 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’s message) when it shall have swelled into the Loud Cry “(Review and Herald, Nov. 19, 1908).

Ah, we see that the purpose is to fit the church for the Loud Cry. To enable the church is be able to receive His full outpouring of His Spirit. In going back into His history in this regard we see that His Spirit was only “poured out” when His church was worthy and pure.

Two great examples are Joshua and Achan and the Pentecost church.

One sinner in His camp stopped the Lord from performing His mighty power in the case of Achan. Once this sinner and his family were removed the power of the Lord was able to perform. Did the Lord tolerate sin and at the same time pour out His Spirit? The co-mingling, isn’t that the reason we don’t see His mighty power working in His church right now?

Then we saw how the 120 disciplines were given His full Spirit at Pentecost. During this time His church was composed of only faithful members. Two sinners tried to come into the church and were eliminated. “So great fear came upon all those who heard these things”(Acts 5:5). The sinners were not allowed among God’s church and as such, His Spirit worked mightily upon the people.

” But the days of purification 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 “(Test. for the Church, vol. 5, p.80).

Notice that this “mighty sifting” happens to His church –Israel. Who is this Israel? The Seventh-day Adventist Church (Test. for the Church, vol. 9, p.164).

“Oh, that every lukewarm professor could realize the clean work that God is about to make among His professed people ” (Test. for the Church, vol. 1, p.190).

“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” (Letter B-55, 1886).

What a promise! The prophetess of God says, “God..will have a pure, true, sanctified ministry prepared for the latter rain.”

“But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiners fire, and like launderers soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness” (Mal. 3:2-3).

So how did His church get to be in the current condition it is in? SOP spells it out.

” While the Lord brings into the church those who are truly converted, Satan at the same time brings persons who are not converted into its fellowship. While Christ is sowing the good seed, Satan is sowing the tares. There are two opposing influences continually exerted on the members of the church. One influence is working for the purification of the church, and the other for the corrupting of the people of God” (Test. to Ministers, p.46).

“He who presides over His church and the destinies of nations is carrying forward the last work to be accomplished for this world. To His angels He gives the commission to execute His judgments. Let the ministers awake, let them take in the situation.

The work of judgment begins at the sanctuary. ‘And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer’s inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brazen altar.’ Read Ezekiel 9:2-7.” Testimonies to Ministers p. 431.

Hopefully we all can agree that some day soon the Lord will do what needs to be done. But some may say, “With the current condition of the church, why don’t we get out and worship in a more holy and pleasing way? Maybe even start a group or small church ourselves. Then the Lord would be pleased with us and spare us in the upcoming purification.”

To our human thinking this might sound like the right thing to do. But here is where we must ask the Lord directly what to do. The Lord knew that such excellent and insightful questions needed to be addressed in the very last hours of the church’s probation.

Actually this idea of leaving the church because of “church wrongs” was first started corporately in the early 1920’s. That movement was called “The Seventh Day Adventist Reform movement”. Later as time went by, the movement basically called the mother SDA church–Babylon. So this idea has been around for decades, but is it the Lord’s will?

As we’ve studied, the one whom the Lord choose to come to His church with the “restoring” answers (truth) was the prophesied–Elijah. Here is what we are given on this issue. (His words in brown)

Question No. 235:

Why do not The Shepherd’s Rod believers and the Reformed S.D.A.’s unite in one?

Answer:

The Rod adherents and the Reformed S.D.A.’s do not unite because, unfortunately, they do not agree. Being in wide variance on some doctrinal issues, union under the circumstances is impossible.

One such doctrinal difference, for instance, is that the Reformed S.D.A.’s teach that the sins in the mother S.D.A. church make her a part of Babylon, whereas the Rod teaches that though she is in a bad condition, yet she is not Babylon: for the sins do not make the name any more than the name makes the sins. Babylon is not so named because of its sins, nor condemned because of being named Babylon, but is denounced because of having fallen and because of having “become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird” Rev. 18:2.

The S.D.A. church may be in even a worse condition,–so bad a condition, in fact, that she does not even know that she is “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” (Rev. 3:17),–-yet in spite of it all, she is called “Laodicea,” not Babylon. And her members stand, not to be called out as do those in Babylon, but rather to be spued out. The Rod is laboring to save them from being spued out, whereas the Reform movement is calling them to come out.

So their believing as they do, and consequently rejecting the Rod’s message, make mutually impossible our uniting with them and their uniting with us.

As the Lord, moreover, has revealed advanced truth through the Rod, but none through the Reformed S.D.A.’s, obviously, then, were there to be any such union, they must necessarily correct their views and then join with us in accepting the message of the Rod, rather than our throwing overboard its jewels of truth and then joining with them.

“If unity,” says the Spirit of Prophecy, in expressing the attitude of the early Christian church, “could be secured only by the compromise of truth and righteousness, then let there be difference and even war.”–The Great Controversy, p. 45.

“We are to unify, but not on a platform of error.”–Mrs. E.G. White, Series B:2, p. 47.

Thus one may easily see that, though our fervent desire is to fulfill Christ’s prayer for unity, we dare not attempt to do so by sacrificing truth, for then we would not be one with Christ, even were we one with all others.

“There is danger of our being so overzealous to keep out of Babylon,” says the founder of the S.D.A. church, “that we shall commit her most noted blunder–that of sticking a stake and refusing to pull it up and advance. When we cease to unlearn errors, we shall fall like those who have gone before us. We have learned much, and no doubt there is much more for us to learn. …It is the ‘follow on’ and the ‘go through’ spirit that will finally land the remnant ‘without fault’ on the heavenly Mount Zion.

My conclusion is that we should give up no Scripture truth, but that our false applications and interpretations of Scripture, and consequent false ideas of order and propriety, should be given up as fast as possible.”–The Review and Herald, May 29, 1860.(Vol. 7 Symbolic Code Nos. 7-12. page 18.)

So we see that despite the church’s numerous sins, we are NOT to leave her. It would be similar to us being on a boat in the ocean and it’s sinking and we get into the lift raft and wave to our family and friends as we paddle away making no effort to help them onto our life raft.

We are to be ever ready to profess the truth to our brethren in the church. If we are enlightened and have been given God plans for His church, the upcoming church purification, we must have a deep love and concern for them. The vast majority of SDA members have no clue about the Lord’s pleading Elijah message, it’s our duty to share it with 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” (Test. for the Church, vol.3, p.266)

“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” (Prophet’s and Kings, p. 725)

In closing, we know that there is a purpose why God must do what He must do. He longs to pour out His Spirit upon His church. Will you or I be a part of this upcoming church? Let us dwell on this important issue. Let us strive to become part of His– Church Triumphant.

Posted in Church, Present Truth, Proper teachings, Warning our brethren, Witnessing | 2 Comments »

Meet the Lord’s Young Workers

January 18, 2014

(Brothers (from left) Ali Mwanza, Boniface Mwanza and Elvis Mweetwa)

Today’s youth are bombarded at every turn. They are diverted into outrageous music (noise), perverted and violent TV shows and video games. The diversions are never-ending it seems. Yet to the ones who avoid all that and stay on the straight and narrow, the Lord declares in His word, “They shall be Mine,” says the LORD of hosts, on the day that I make them My jewels.” (Mal. 3:17)

Let us meet some of His “jewels”. These are young people who are not only professing to be followers of His word, but –doers! Recently I received an email from brother Boniface from Ndola, Zambia, that I knew had to be spread. In the following letter, note the obvious fact that the devils are very active once we start obeying His word, standing up for His unpopular truth, and attempting to show others. Showing us another obvious fact that we’re on the right path towards His Kingdom. These kind of stories really bless us and motivate us to continue on that “straight and narrow road”.

His word is clear, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” (1 Peter 4:12-14)

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Greetings brothers and sisters in the lord Jesus Christ,

Last year in August we decided to move to another Church having seen that were known and that our names were polluted. We moved to the church which is just near by the Military Barracks, so most of the Church members are in the military, we went their with the aim of inviting the brethren to our Bible studies, and to avoid open conflicts with the leaders, we talked less and invited more.

We were welcomed very well the first time went there, a month after, we started distributing literature and DVDs, and some people got interested and wanted to know more. The opposition started last year when the Church elder received the Rev 7 booklet, He didn’t even bother to read it but he just announced in Church on Sabbath, saying “we’ve been invaded by offshoots and you can even see how good your leaders are that we are even warning you, currently they are in a habit of distributing literature and how I knew, I was given one, and if they won’t stop, we are ready to fight”.

People were confused, they didn’t understand what he was trying to tell them thus some got interested to find out, and also when were learning the Sabbath School study guide, we use quote to from the Spirit of Prophecy many people enjoyed our contributions and some approached us, trying to find out were we learned the lessons from, others wanted to be associated with us so that they to can have the same understanding , we invited them to attend our Bible Studies, they really enjoyed the lessons, others failed to attend because we usually have the lessons in the afternoon on Sabbath,.

Last month we sat down and began to evaluate what we’ve archived and planned the way forward asking the lord to guide us, we came up with the plan to join youth movement so that we have some time together, we get to know them better, distribute some DVDs and to share the message of truth with others, we praise God that the plan worked.

Last Sabbath we went to Church early in the morning, upon entering the Church we kneeled down prayed and then we sat down according to, 6T 362

“We do not obtain a hundredth part of the blessing we should obtain from assembling together to worship God. Our perceptive faculties need sharpening. Fellowship with one another should make us glad. With such a hope as we have, why are not our hearts all aglow with the love of God? We must carry to every religious gathering a quickened spiritual consciousness that God and His angels are there, co-operating with all true worshipers. As you enter the place of worship, ask the Lord to remove all evil from your heart.

Bring to His house only that which He can bless. Kneel before God in His temple, and consecrate to Him His own, which He has purchased with the blood of Christ. Pray for the speaker or the leader of the meeting. Pray that great blessing may come through the one who is to hold forth the word of life. Strive earnestly to lay hold of a blessing for yourself.” {6T 362.4}

We were told to take the morning service together with the bro who is interested in the message, and enjoys watching prophetic DVDs, he prepared a power point presentation about the use of music and the wrong use of it with Ali and I was asked to lead them in prayer, when they started their presentation, bro Ali read Rev 3: 17, and then whist I was in front I noticed that

the Sabbath school leader got upset so much so that she wanted to end the presentation, but we thank God that they did the presentation, the Sabbath school leader reported us to the head deacon and so they sat down and planned what they’ll do to us, having done the presentation the Sabbath school leader said that she wanted to see us after the main service, we were certainly sure that what we are being called for was nothing good, just after the main service I prayed to God, asking Him for guidance and that we may stand for that which is written.

We were called by the Sabbath school leader and her name is SR Siyamwinga:

SR Siyamwinga > “As a prayer Band Leader or the prayer Ministry Leader, brethren the reason why I called you is about what you usually do when you enter in church, you like kneeling down when offering your silent prayers and am telling you that, what you do is not correct, it is wrong, you are disturbing the order of service, in the Church we have different times when we stand and kneel down together as a Church, am not encouraging you to be doing that.”

BRO Boniface > “If you remember very well, just before we got baptized we made some vows and vows that said that we believe in the Spirit of Prophecy and we also read in Isaiah that if we do not speak according to the law and to the testimonies then there is no light in us, you should have asked us why we kneel down upon entering the church, and where it is written, we kneel down because we’ve read from the Bible and the Spirit of prophecy that it is our privilege to bow down when offering our prayer unto the Lord.”

BRO Ali > “SR we are not saying that we know everything, perhaps we’ve gone wrong, give us the references as to why praying whist kneeling down when we enter the Church is not correct, where is it written?

SR SIYAMWINGA > “what am saying is that what you are doing is not correct, as the leader of the prayer ministry, I am not encouraging that!”

BRO EURIAHS > “”If you wont give us the references, we won’t stop kneeling down when we enter the place of worship”

SR SIYAMWUNGA > “Brethren you are just bring confusion, we must follow the order of service, when you come to church in the morning, just sit and offer your silent prayers whilst sitting and you’ll be kneeling down when the whole church is asked to do so, and brethren we don’t even know where you came from, you started worshiping with us some two years ago and now you want to become problems!”

Upon failing to give the references she decided to call the head deacon and they came the head Deacon was like

“Mwanza I don’t want confusions here if you want to bring confusions go and create your own Church because if you continue I’ll beat you, I don’t want to see you here have you heard, we don’t need you here, just go back where you came from!”

.BRO BONIFACE > “Am very disappointed with the way you handling the issue as the head deacon, I thought you are going to handle this issue with love and caring, you should have told

us where we’ve error according to what is written unlike what you are saying, you should have asked that brothers why do you do that, where is it written? And if we are wrong show us according to what is written”

THE DEACON “you think you know everything just because you’ve studied one or two books of EGW, let me tell you young men, I have EGW’s book, I bought them with my own money and for you, you didn’t even buy them, I know I know what they contain, where in the Bible have you read that must be kneeling down when praying and if you won’t find it, Mwanza I’ll beat you!!!”

BRO BONIFACE > “lets read Philippians 2 vs 9-11.” “2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth;

2:11 And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

THE DEACON “have seen, you don’t even understand the English very well, what can you tell me! Mwanza you are just a grade eleven pupil, what is it that you know about the Bible, I’ll beat you If you are playing with me!”

BRO EURIAHS >”lets read another quote”

THE DEACON >”silly! What grade are you? There is nothing that you can tell me!”

BRO ALI “well brethren let us not fight the battle which does not belong to us, we don’t want to engage our self into a physical fight, for it is written that “it not by mighty nor by power, and are not talking about education here.”

BRO EURIAH “we’ve given you the reference, now give us the your reference as to where it is written that we should not bow down when praying.”

THE DEACON > “have never read that scripture which says “”as He stood”?

We all replied in unison “no, show us please!”

THE DEACON > “huh young men, stop playing games, you mean you’ve never read that verse?”

BRO BONIFACE “Well sir, I have the Bible with me, we don’t know where it is written, show us please.”

THE DEACON > “let me go and get my Bible, and if I find it, am telling you that you will be in trouble!”

SR SIYAMWINGA > “brothers let us not try to challenge another and let us not exaggerate the issue, I just wanted to tell you that what you like doing just show hypocrisy and that you should stop”

THE DEACON > “they think they are more Christian than us, like they are more learned.”

The deacon flipped the whole book of Luke and never found the verse and upon falling to give us the reference he said that “brethren what you are doing is disturbing worship you might even be arrested if I report you to the police!”

BRO ALI >”the order of worship was given to EGW in the book 5T 490-491, don’t forget that she’s the founder of the SDA CHURCH”

BRO BONIFACE >”brethren I think this discussion won’t help us in any way because you don’t want us to read the quotes and you are upset, find time, so that we can sit down together and prove everything according to the law and to the testimony.”

THE DEACON >”I don’t have time to sit and discuss with you, am a very busy man, in the mean time go back were you came from!”

After the discussion the deacon pushed us out of the gate and shouted on top of his voice that we should not go there again.

The next Sabbath we went back early in the morning even before the leaders arrived, we prayed and sat down, then we started singing hymns, just an hour after that the church leaders came and found us in the church, upon seeing us they went out and called a police officer who congregates at the same church and he came in, he called us out, I recorded the conversation that we had, its is attached to this file.

They didn’t spare us that time, the same deacon wanted to withhold us, so that his fellow deacon whom they say he’s violet could find us, but the police officer refused his evil plan, the deacon chased us out, the police officer was shocked with the move that was made he followed us whilst we were walking out of the church premises and told us that he didn’t want us to leave, we gave him the quotations that talks about the behavior in the house off God, after we read the quotes he said “Brethren what I can tell you is that, a person can be a pastor, an elder or deacon but he doesn’t have the truth, he is useless.” We gave him the leaflet on the same topic although to him it was quite hard to get it in the eyes of the church members, but we thank God that he received it.

The church members have aroused to their senses, they were disappointed with what the church leaders did, (chasing us for kneeling upon entering the place of worship) the bro whom we were with the other Sabbath when we took the Sabbath school, followed us and told us to meet in the afternoon, we called him in the afternoon and invited him to attend the Bible study, and when he came we even changed the lesson and presented New Light And Personal Investigation, after the lesson we escorted the brother home and whist on the way, we met three brethren from the same Church, they too got interested to study with us and promised to be with us next Sabbath.

Although they’ve chased us from the church, the Lord has opened another way through the Adventist Youth Society, they requested for a Bible study next week on REV 7.

They can prevent us from going to Church, but they can’t prevent the truth from reaching the people. Let us join hands and pray for the leader of this Church so that the Lord my help them and also for the brethren who’ve started studying the message, we are also requesting for your prayers, so that we can stand firm despite the opposition and leave up to the truth that we have.

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Please keep these young workers in your prayers and may our Lord continue to guide them. All they want to do is show the right path and honor fit for our King. They continue to fight the good fight. May the Lord see such young men as these and do a mighty work among the people there.

At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.” (Matt.11:25)

(Brother Euriah Chileshe)

Posted in The spirit of predjudice, Witnessing | Leave a Comment »

“What other Criticism do you Have?”

December 21, 2013

As I heard the above words coming from the “leader” of the church, I sat in amazement. Then it all came forcibly down, “..and knoweth not that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked-.” (Rev. 3:17)

I had been invited to one of our local churches for the Sabbath. Some new friends whom I had recently met invited me to come worship with them so I took them up on their offer. I was excited to visit one of the churches where I had never been before.

I found it small yet very clean and simple. I arrived early enough to enjoy the bible study. One of the first things I had noticed upon entering was several young women, some as young as 13-14 I suppose, wearing very short mini-skirts. Some with high heels as well. If I didn’t know better I would have thought I was entering a youthful discotheque. This was not good in God’s house. The place where His word said that He calls His “temple”. His holy place.

Keep in mind I was not there to “snoop” around. I was there to worship our Lord and enjoy the fellowship. But when something is right in front of you, we must not shrink back from ignoring it and start whistling a happy tune, looking away as it were. It should genuinely bother us. Remember what we have learned about “sighing and crying” for the abominations in the church?

“The class who do not feel grieved over their own spiritual declension, nor mourn over the sins of others, will be left without the seal of God. ” (Test. for the Church, vol. 5, p.211)

Our prophetess also said –

“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.” (Test. for the Church, vol. 5, p.210)

As I have noticed this poor dressing in my own church on occasions, I was hoping to see God-fearing people showing a higher standard and proper reverence in “His house” in this other church. Sadly, what I saw was a real need for better shepherds to lead the flock there.

So I stayed for the rest of the service and had a chance to mingle with some of the members after, as they invited me to their lunch next door. I had been impressed with one of the young men there who had spoken in the Sabbath class. So I handed him one of the business cards I carry showing this blog site. So all was not fruitless I pray.

But as I got home the Lord had impressed upon my heart to say something about this. I had received the church program and noticed that the church leaders phone numbers were listed. So I decided to talk to the main shepherd, the head pastor.

I picked up the phone and gave him a call. After pleasantries I told him how I enjoyed the service for the most part, however, I told him that the Lord had placed upon my heart to let him know that I saw some things that were not right in his church. He responded “and what was that?” Then I spoke about the several young ladies dressed with short mini-skirts and high heels.

He was caught off guard for a moment and there was silence. Then he said, “what other criticism do you have?” At this it was my turn to get caught off guard. I thought quickly and said that there was quite a bit of loud unnecessary talking in the Lord’s sanctuary. “What else?” he said again. At this point I told him “that’s all for now”.

Then he proceeded to say that maybe those were visitors. The rest of the conversation was one of denial. The attitude was one of indifference. Although he did invite me to come back again. Will I see a change? The Spirit of Prophecy gives us many warnings of the wrong attitude.

“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.” (Test. for the Church, vol. 3, p. 265-266)

So we see from the above that we have a duty to speak up. And that in so doing we are letting , first, our ever watching King and Savior, and secondly, our beloved brethren, know that we care for their souls and don’t want them to be cut down in the soon to come church judgment.

Scripture also gives us a clear picture of the end-time cleansing of His house. “In that day the Lord will take away the finery of the anklets, the headbands, and the crescents; the pendants, the bracelets, and the scarves; the headdresses, the armlets, the sashes, the perfume boxes, and the amulets; finger rings, nose rings,the festal robes, the mantles, the cloaks, and the handbags; mirrors, fine linen garments, head ornaments, and shawls.

Now it will come about that instead of sweet perfume there will be putrefaction; Instead of a belt, a rope; Instead of well-set hair, a plucked-out scalp; Instead of fine clothes, a donning of sackcloth; And branding instead of beauty” (Isaiah 3:18-24).

This describes the very terrible day known as the “dreadful day of the Lord” (Mal. 4:5) and the labeling and branding of those who defiantly did not reform in the dress. Now is our time to reform and get our dress in simplicity and compliance with the honor due our King.

“Those who have too little courage to reprove wrong, or who through indolence or lack of interest make no earnest effort to purify the family or the church of God, are held accountable for the evil that may result from their neglect of duty. We are just as responsible for evils that we might have checked in others by exercise of parental or pastoral authority as if the acts had been our own.(Patriarchs and Prophets, p.578)

“There are ever those who will despise the one who dares to reprove sin. But when required, reproof must be given. Paul directs Titus to rebuke a certain class sharply, that they may be sound in the faith. And how shall the reproof be given? Let the apostle answer: “With all long-suffering and doctrine.” The one at fault must be shown that his course is not in harmony with the Word of God. But never should the wrongs of God’s people be passed by indifferently. Those who faithfully discharge their unpleasant duties under a sense of their accountability to God, will receive his blessing.” (Signs of the Times, Sept. 16, 1880)

” God expects us to impart to others the knowledge that He has given us. It is His purpose that divine and human instrumentalities shall unite in the proclamation of the warning message.

So far as his opportunities extend, everyone who has received the light of truth is under the same responsibility as was the prophet of Israel to whom came the word: “Son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at My mouth, and warn them from Me. When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.” Ezekiel 33:7-9. (Test. for the Church, vol. 9, p.19)

In closing, let us remember that the church is not a country club. It’s the place where the Lord has promised He’d meet us corporately every Sabbath. When we dress carefully and modestly, we show Him holy reverence, for after all we are in the presence of the maker of the universe! So let us not shrink back from doing our God-given duty, when the Spirit leads us, to reach out and warn those who are heading for disaster. This is indeed –true Christian love.

For more specific counsel on dress reform see Ellen White’s chapter on “Simplicity in Dress” in volume 4 of the Testimonies.

http://www.gilead.net/egw/books/testimonies/Testimonies_for_the_Church_Volume_Four/index.htm

Posted in Courage, Proper teachings, Sighing and Crying, Warning our brethren, Witnessing | 4 Comments »

At Work in His Vineyard

June 8, 2013

As we near the end of our probation, not the world’s but ours, the remnant church of God, we must carefully attend to the matter of–are we working in His vineyard? Are we at work in some capacity? Or are we slothful servants, willing to watch the work and not get involved? Let us look at this most important subject today –working in His vineyard.

In the parable of the laborers in the field (Matt. 20:1-16), our Lord spoke of working for Him in His vineyard. He makes mention of eleventh hour workers standing idle saying “Why have you been standing here idle all day?” Then finding they aren’t working He directs, “You also go into the vineyard, and what ever is right, that you will receive” (Matt 20:6-7).

Certainly we know that we are indeed in the “eleventh hour” of our world’s history. In fact we just completed the total world’s population at 7 billion. For a “world population clock” click here http://www.worldometers.info/world-population/ . As any bible student knows, seven is the number for completeness. We now have a “complete” world population according to God’s number symbols. This is just one of many signs we are living in the very last days.

So with time very short how can we as God’s servants get to work? To refrain from standing “idle”? To begin with we must know what our work is. When our Lord addressed us in the final book (Revelation, chapter 3) He said to us “Be zealous and repent”(3-19).

So our work must consist of a “zealousness”. Which is the opposite of being idle. As we have shown from our numerous studies, we are living in the time of the last message from the Lord — the Elijah message(Mal 4:5). So there’s no doubt that this message is the one we must teach and spread, and this is our “work” for today.

“For His church in every generation God has a special truth and a special work” (Christ’s Object Lessons, p.78)

Let us look at some good practical ways to get involved and to be counted as a laborer for God, found working in His vineyard.

1) Make a daily schedule of “your” time with God and His word. Guard this time as precious. And as we just mentioned the Lord’s word is solidly the last message of Elijah (our present truth). So during this time study all you can about His final plans. It’s only as we understand his message, that we can spread it properly. For a post that is helpful see our post ” The Elijah Message in a Nutshell” https://godsloveandlaw.com/2013/04/06/the-elijah-message-in-a-nutshell/

2)Form a small group of contacts. Brethren who are already in the Lord’s work. These will hopefully consist of knowledgeable brothers and sisters whom you can ask questions or even share thoughts about the work.

3) Start small and just where you’re at. The Elijah message requires boldness because of the solemn testimonies and reproofs it requires of you, but in order to do that we must clear our own immediate influences. Let us also remember that our Lord has always spoken His words through His prophets(Amos 3:7). Even though this Elijah message is not accepted many times by our brethren, our Lord’s direct and clear warning must be foremost in our minds, “ Whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when He comes in His glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. ” (Luke 9:26)

So if we are embarrassed, afraid or hesitant of acknowledging and spreading His words ( His last message of Elijah) are we being ashamed of Him? Afraid because we may lose some friends or be murmured against? Speaking of fearful, it’s interesting to notice that our Lord listed “cowardly” first in who won’t make it into heaven. “But the cowardly, unbelieving. abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Rev. 21:8).

Our loved ones, family, close friends, are the very first ones we can begin with. They can help make us more confident and gain some experience with our approach. Remember this is our “testing truth” (see Test. for the Church, vol. 5, p453). And the message that shows us how we are to be sealed in the day of the Lord’s judgments that start first in His church.

4) Employ all the resources at your disposal. You can keep these sites handy to show as references. Remember many within our church will be surprised and even shocked to know that Ellen White and Scripture confirms the message of the Lord’s Shepherd’s Rod. In fact many who have accepted this message were doubters before, but upon seeing from SOP and Scripture the very same things that brother Houteff taught (the “Elijah” to come) they became firm believers.

One helpful point to remember is that as you spread the message some will ask you questions or make statements to you, trying to discourage you, or proving to you some “error” in the Elijah message. This is where it is good to have your sources handy (mentioned sites) or other brethren to inquire of. If you go to the “Answerer” and study and read those Q and A’s, you’ll be well prepared to meet many doubting questions.

As “Truth seekers” our job (workers in His vineyard) is to spread “truth” to help get them sealed for the “great and dreadful day”. We want to help get this message (truth) settled into their understanding. As a refresher, let us look at the following and see what the Elijah message teaches us as to what the “seal” is.

“Being sealed in Christ ‘with that Holy Spirit of promise’ after having ‘heard the word of truth'(Eph. 1:13, 4:30), the saints are consequently sealed by Present Truth– the truth preached in their own day. ‘The seal of the living God’, the Truth, by which the 144,000 are sealed (Rev. 7:2), is a special seal, being the same as “the mark” of Ezekiel 9 (See Testimonies to Ministers, p.445, Test. for the Church, Vol. 3, p.267, Vol. 5, p.211) (Answerer, question 21)http://www.shepherds-rod.org/answerers/answerer2.html#WHAT

Interestingly our prophetess also made a clear statement on what the seal is (which goes hand in hand with the statement above by brother Houteff). “Just as soon as the people of God are sealed in their foreheads—it is not any seal or mark that can be seen, but a settling into the truth, both intellectually and spiritually, so they cannot be moved…” ( Bible Commentary, Vol. 4. p.1161)

So clear it is that once we know His message and accept it and live it, we then “settle into” it (truth). And it becomes so true and understandable to us that we “cannot be moved” from it. This is the seal in our foreheads!

We see from EGW that this seal is not lightly bantered around and comes with conditions –“The day of God’s vengeance is just upon us. The seal of God will be placed upon the foreheads of those only who sigh and cry for the abominations done in the land.” (Test. for the Church, Vol. 5, p.212)

Here are the resource sites that have the Lord’s Elijah message truths.

a.http://www.shepherds-rod.org/

b.http://www.shepherds-rod-message.org/charts/

c.http://shepherdsroddavidian.org/

dhttp://sighandcry777.wordpress.com/ (Special Note– We now have FREE CD/DVD’s on this site)

e.http://www.thenightcometh.org/

5) Start a free online website (such as this blog) Takes only a few minutes and you’re up and running. As mentioned you can spread the studies and references on there. Or you can join an online SDA forum and start communication with other SDA. The key is to “get to work”. Can we think it is enough to just “think” about the message? As the word says,”But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” (James 1:22)

Keep in mind that the aforementioned CD/DVD’s are excellent ways to spread the message. When you watch them and re-watch them you’ll gain tremendous insight into the Elijah message. Then you can make copies, as many as you can, and send them to your friends and family. This can be a wonderful way to partake in His work! If we just make the effort, we find there are many ways to participate in His work in the vineyard. It’s almost like the Lord has set the table before you, all you have to do is grab the fork and start with it.

Now let us look at a few of Satan’s ploys to get us to not work in His vineyard.

1) Time waster. One of his tricks is to get us involved in many worldly endeavors. While many of us have to earn a living, he leads us to spend much more then we should on our jobs and worldly distractions. These can be our professional and worldly work, family, hobbies, entertainment such as TV, Theater, music, video games, computer games and endeavors, etc. Once he has us distracted from working in His vineyard we can very easily lose track of time and before you know it, one year, two years, three years go by! “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour when the Son of man cometh” (Matt. 25:13). When our time is up, we can’t go back and say ” I sure wish I would have concentrated on His work more than on my work”.

2) Doubter expert. He certainly wants you to have “no part” in the Elijah message. As he knows very well this is the message that will ultimately doom him. He has tricked hundreds of thousands in our own SDA church into thinking that the real message of the Lord right now is one of –peace and safety. We think all is well and as long as our name is on the church books we’re safe and saved. “It is not enough to make a profession of faith in Christ and have our names registered on the church roll.(Patriarch and prophets, p.24)

“To have your name on the church book does not make you a Christian. ” (Review and Herald, Dec. 10, 1901)

3) Hinderer extraordinaire. He has influenced some to be hinderers.There is no doubt that once we become willing to stand up for His message of Elijah, we will have some who will criticize and try to discourage us. But by this you will know that you are active in His vineyard and making dents in the enemy’s ground. For Satan wants you inactive and a lukewarm church member. “Woe to you experts in the religious law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.”(Luke 11:52). This reminds me of the old adage, “Lead, follow, or get out of the way”.

Our prophetess gives good counsel in the malpractice of hindering. “As men see that they cannot maintain their position by the Scriptures, many determine to maintain it at all hazards, and with a malicious spirit they assail the character and motives of those who stand in defense of unpopular truth. Elijah was declared to be a troubler in Israel, Jeremiah a traitor, Paul a polluter of the temple. From that day to this, those who would be loyal to truth have been denounced as seditious, heretical, or schismatic. ” (The Great Controversy, p.458).

“Your faith is to be revealed as precious truth, truth which all should have and all must have if they are saved. As a people, we are in the minority. We are not popular. Our enemies will be watching us for evil, to betray us and ruin our souls. They will not appreciate our motives. They will misinterpret our earnest zeal and our intense desire to have others see and understand the truth, that they may do the will of God by obeying all His commandments. But we should fight the good fight of faith, and be found “steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” (Test. for the Church, Vol. 5, p.520-521).

Today we are under the sad realization that there are indeed “few” laborers in His vineyard. We have a choice right now, either make a decision to start working or sit back and wait for a day that may never come, or worse yet, decide we have all we need and there is no need to work.

“As never before, we should pray not only that laborers may be sent forth into the great harvest field, but that we may have a clear conception of truth, so that when the messenger of truth shall come, we may accept the message and respect the messenger.” (Vol. 6 Testimonies for the Church p. 420.)

In closing, let us always remember that our work in His vineyard is the most rewarding and rewardful work we can do. Is not our fellow brethren and family’s souls worth every effort on our part? May the Lord inspire you to be–at work in His vineyard.

Posted in Elijah, God's sealings, Hard work, Present Truth, Proper teachings, Satan, Witnessing | 7 Comments »

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