Giving a Present Truth Study/Report (Part 2 of 2)

December 28, 2019

Image result for picture of a puzzle on table

5. Putting the pieces together

Ok, so now you have a subject you’d like to present. As mentioned in part one, the very first endeavor is to get all the “pieces” together. In other words, go through the index and research all the references that speak of your subject. Let us break this down.

You decide that your subject is the “Mark of the Beast”.  We know that in Rev. 13:14-17 it speaks about this. We find that the Index has 37 places in the Lord’s final message about this subject. Not all are speaking of verses 14 through 17 but may be speaking solely of verse 15 for example. But you still need that as a piece of the truth puzzle you are putting together. You may not need to put each reference in your report.

Often you will find that the references support or repeat each other, or there may be contradictions. We shall deal with that in point 6.

“No one by beginning to study a subject from the middle, backward or forward, can learn its continuity and know what it is all about. If one is to learn the full truth of a subject, he must study it in its entirety.” (TG, vol. 1, no. 5, p.3)

Once all the pieces are gathered, you are now ready to study them very closely!

At this point, it is good to insert a couple of warnings to those who wish to report on the message of the hour. There are two specific counsels that the Elijah message shows us that certainly apply to this endeavor.

“Teach the message as it is—add nothing to it, neither take anything from it.” (SC, vol.1, no.4, p.1)

“Be absolutely certain that you are teaching according to that which is written, and not according to that which you may think should be or will some day be written.

Failure to comply with this requirement will disqualify anyone as a worker in this cause.” (SC, vol. 3, no.5-6, p.14)

Straight clear and unmistakable,  and failure to do this disqualifies us! That is why we are expounding on the point of gathering all that is written, in order to correctly have your sound doctrinal basis.


6. Examine each and every word closely

Image result for magnifying glass

Ok you have gathered all the references that are written on your subject. Note: We are NOT saying the Index is infallible, so there may be occasionally other references existing in the message not listed. But our experience shows that at least 90% plus of the necessary references are listed.

One other tool that is also very helpful are computer searches via a Rod website. The one we find handy is the following site —

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

You will notice the top right hand of the page is listed a “search this site” box. Entering a keyword , for example, “Mark of the Beast”or another reference here can help in your further gathering.

The message here also gives us great counsel on understanding God’s message through understanding His words —

”  ..when we take into consideration the meaning of each word instead of making thoughtless and hasty conclusions, the Scriptures prove to be not only most perfect and wonderful and yet simple, but also inspiring, making wise the humble—and lightening the path of him who as did Christ, delights to do the will of God.” (SC, vol. 2, no.2, p.3)

“Those who do not accept the Word of God just as it reads, will be snared in his trap.” (2 SLM, p.52)

Let us give you an example of how Satan traps many by encouraging them to ignore the above counsel.

As many of you are aware we have worked in His vineyard for a long time now, trying to show our SDA brethren the Lord’s final message of Elijah. We often show them the plain clear promise of Mal. 4:5.

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD”.

To this Word, we have seen countless times they say “Oh that is the members of the church who gives the Elijah message, not a specific prophet.” Here is a CLASSIC example of spiritualizing away God’s Word. In other words, crossing out the promise of “Elijah” for “Elijahs”!

This counsel will tremendously help you in putting together a report because you study and believe the message AS IT READS, not as you want it to read, or sidestep it for a pre-conceived idea.

7. Putting it all together

Ok now that some of the basics are established, you are ready for your careful review of all that is written on your subject. Once again we like to use the picture puzzle as our analogy. Your references (pieces of the puzzle) are all laid out on your table (written or copied as to what each reference says).

You now read them all one by one. Carefully comprehending what they say. Personally, I often have to read them 3 or even 4 times each to get a good picture of what they say.

Once you have looked them all over, the promised Spirit of Truth, then helps you start to get the “big picture” of your subject and the lesson you want to present. Remember we are promised, “HE WILL GUIDE YOU INTO ALL TRUTH”. Trust and believe that!

As mentioned, you will likely see repetitions of the same wording or meaning in some ref’s. But you will also experience, especially if you are a seasoned present truth reporter, some areas of the message that seem hard to reconcile, or even occasionally –contradictory. Not to worry!

Even the Scriptures have this issue. But in this case, the preponderance of the evidence, or weight of evidence is what we are counseled to believe in. This “weight” arrives in two ways– the amount of references saying a certain thing and also — the clarity of references. 

“The weight of evidence” is the only fair and final criterion worthy of a  Christian who must ever make an investigation for himself concerning purported  truth.”(Answerer, vol. 1, Q-6)

For example one of the most controversial subjects of the message is the 144,000 and “those with”. Once a study is delved into on this, you will find a dozen or so references that “seem” to indicate that more than 144,000 will be sealed from the Ezek. 9 SDA church judgment from the living. These of course are often misinterpreted. But there are about 50 references that show “only” 144,000 are to be sealed and escape. 

In both the number of references and also to the clarity it shows the latter as being the more weightful position, and one we must believe in. To do otherwise is to show we have a private agenda and private ideas we want to promote. The preponderance of the evidence, in this case, is swept under the rug and self-delusion and truth twisting is the ultimate result.

After you have all the references then you can then start to put it out as a study or report, careful to keep the main lesson in mind. Most of the time the report will be only a few pages, but occasionally and due to the many references on the subject, it may require several pages.

Dissemination is important and can be one of many avenues. Blogs, FaceBook, Typed or printed out reports for live in-person studies, YouTube, Live phone conferences, etc.

In giving the presentation and particularly if it is a live presentation or study, bringing the SRod Index can be a big help. There may be questions on a certain reference you didn’t have in the study and you can quickly see if the message has anything to say about it. Preparation will always reward you :-).

ALWAYS begin your study in prayer, asking the Lord for the Spirit of Truth (Holy Spirit). This way you’re off to a great start!

Summary —

As mentioned presenting a present truth study can be tremendously rewarding. But as we have shown, proper preparation should be done. These steps are a great help to getting it right and keeping from the all too often blunder of “private interpretation” that we have witnessed many times before. Learn the Zech 4 lesson very closely and you will know the Lord’s method of knowing Truth/Prophecies. When we get all the pieces together, we can stand back and see the beautiful “big picture”.

May God bless you in your endeavors to spread His final message! Here is a great video on Zech. 4–enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkjCpTRnNag&list=PLLd9ht6R3H1vYLClVLCzGbxuGxBRE4n2l

Posted in Elijah Interpretations, Proper teachings, Prophecy study, Truth telling vs. lying, Witnessing | Leave a Comment »

Giving a Present Truth Study/Report (Part 1 of 2)

December 21, 2019

Pandemic Altered U.S. Churchgoers' Discipleship Practices - Lifeway Research

Recently in our part of the Lord’s vineyard, our Facebook ministry called Truth Tellers, a sister inquired on how to put a present truth study together to share with others. Frankly, this was a GREAT question and we supped with the Lord and knew it would be helpful to put a report out on this very basic yet important topic.

In 2 Tim. 2:15 we read —

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Speaking from a personal point of view, perhaps there is no greater joy than knowing that we have helped someone learn the Word of the Lord, be it prophecies or enlightening and uplifting lessons. The Spirit of Prophecy says —

“You must dig deep in the mine of truth if you would find its richest treasures. Comparing scripture with scripture, you may find the true meaning of the text; but if you do not make the sacred teachings of God’s Word the rule and guide of your life, the truth will be nothing to you.” (The Youth Instructor, July 28, 1892)

There is no doubt that study and the spreading of His truth is richly rewarding in our lives. If we want to “follow the Lamb where ever He goes” (Rev. 14:4) we must indeed be dedicated to God’s holy Word!

Let us breakdown this most rewarding endeavor. 

1 — Prayer

When we come to study we should remember that it is the Great giver of Truth we should seek first. We should claim the promise for John 16:13 —

“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come.”

2 — Admit your need of His help

Self-sufficiency is indeed a woeful thing! You NEED to request the Spirit of Truth in your prayer. We may think we know but we so often don’t. The message expounds upon this —

“..before a person can climb the ladder of Truth, he must first of all free himself from erroneous theories, which keep him bound in darkness. And to loose himself from such weights of error so as to reach the top step of the ladder of Truth, he must carefully investigate and “prove all things” in

Open-Mindedness.

“Do not read the Word in the light of former opinions; but, with a mind free from prejudice, search it carefully and prayerfully. If, as you read conviction comes, and you see that your cherished opinions are not in harmony with the Word, do not try to make the Word fit these opinions. Make your opinions fit the Word. Do not allow what you have believed or practiced in the past to control your understanding.” — Messages to Young People, p. 260.

This prime necessity urgently confronts those who have been disposed to accept, as unquestionable Bible truths, theories which are the results of

Adding To and Taking From the Scriptures.

Any explanation of a prophecy which adds to or takes from any part of relevant scripture in order to harmonize the interpretation, can only be false. When the Spirit of God interprets the Scriptures, He does not in any way need to alter any part of Them in order to make the explanation fit that which is being unfolded. When, moreover, the true interpretation of a prophecy is made, it always contains a lesson of present truth “adapted to the necessities of God’s people” (The Great Controversy, p. 609) at the time the scripture is revealed.” (Tract 5, p.6-7)

Thus we see that in order to do a report or prepare for a study, we need His guidance and it is given us if we prayerfully and honestly request it! God will help us to put the pieces together of the puzzle of truth we are endeavoring to make. Many times we come to do a report with pre-conceived ideas but if we let His word speak to us as it is, we’ll be on the right track.

3 — Focus on a main topic

If we do a study or report we should focus on a clear specific topic (ie. four winds, mark of the beast, special resurrection, etc.). Unfortunately, some present truth studies try to cover too many topics. This causes the report to lose the objective–to convey the main point or lesson. 

4 — Once a topic is chosen, pull out the SRod index

This is SO IMPORTANT! Why? Because it helps us not be private interpreters! We can’t tell you how many times we have read and reviewed countless reports and studies where the presenter has ignored, side-stepped, added to,  or subtracted from the actual INSPIRED words said about a topic or lesson! In other words, as revealed in the Zech. 4  lesson –inserted their own pipe into the trees and pulled out their own interpretations (oil)!

This #4 area we will have to delve into due to its extreme importance! First, God through His Elijah prophet revealed to us a most important lesson about how His truth is communicated from Him down to the church. That lesson is Zechariah 4. The message gave us a beautiful pictorial vision —

Here we see from one of the original Tracts that brother Victor Houteff made — the lesson in picture form of Zech. 4. The Lord’s brilliant truth conveying system is portrayed here, as the message explains —

“Summary of Zechariah Four.

This symbolic unit, having demonstrated that the Bible can be rightly interpreted only by the Spirit that dictated It, shows that the church can be led into all Truth only by this Spirit-controlled method: through the interpreters (the two golden pipes), who alone are qualified and inabled to bring forth meat in due season (golden oil) from the Scriptures (olive trees) into the storehouse (golden bowl) of Present Truth; and in turn through the ministers (seven tubes), who alone are to pass on from the bowl the oil to the church (candlestick), that it might illumine with the light of life this dark and dying world of ours.

Here in pictorial lesson God is unmistakably teaching that He controls the Scriptures and that He reveals them when a need arises, just as Joseph controlled all the grain in the storehouses of ancient Egypt, to hand it out in the time of famine. And as only through him could the Israelites, as well as the Egyptians, obtain grain in time of want, so likewise only from Christ, the King, through His Spirit-filled instrumentalities — Josephs (His specially appointed interpreters of the dreams and the visions which the Bible contains, whether they be to rebuke and enlighten the church or to forewarn the Gentiles) — can we obtain the “oil” which God has placed in the Bible.

In revealing through Zechariah’s symbolism the inspired method of interpretation of the Scriptures, God has graphically prescribed, for the present-day multifarious religious ills,

Heaven’s Specific Remedy.

The many grievous spiritual epidemics now afflicting the Christian church, are caused in large part by Christians unwittingly wresting, garbling, and perverting the Scriptures. This practice, the Devil has spawned and nurtured in order to head off Present Truth, destroy faith in the Scriptures, deceive souls, and increase infidelity, hoping thereby to cut off the human race from the knowledge of the only true and living God, and thus finally from the face of the earth.” (Tract 6, p.24-26)

A wonderful plan! Here we see that we “private” individuals can know His prophetic truth today ONLY through searching and studying “our” SDA prophets –sister White and brother Houteff. These are the TWO PIPES  that take the Inspired Word (the Scriptures) and interpret them and place them into the Golden Bowl of Truth –for us to draw out of and know through his ministers. Thus we have the SOP writings and the Rod writings that make it clear and understandable to us!

This prophecy is known by us, present truth believers, members of the SDA church, but soon as the Loud Cry comes to the world many shall know of it as well! This is the time described of in Rev. 7:9.

Let us give a good example of this truth conveying method helping to guide us and keep us from following a private interpreter’s ideas via a study or report.

Recently we were invited to brother G’s online study. It was to be about the “anti-typical king David” spoken of in Scripture (Ezek. 34:23,24). This study is a more advanced study for present truth believers, but those who have looked at ALL the references from the message on this topic, usually come to the clear decision that this king is someone Christ our King sets up to manage the pre-millennial kingdom–known as the anti-typical king David. But brother G has his own ideas. He tries to teach that Christ Himself physically (and visually) will sit upon the throne in the pre-millennial kingdom! A truly PRIVATE INTERPRETATION.

In the study, he took numerous Bible passages and interpreted them to make his point that Christ would be this anti-typical king. But by doing this he places his own “pipe” into the trees and pulls out his own oil (his ideas) and makes a study! But how do we know? Because we check the index! We carefully take note of the passages he reveals and his meaning of them  THEN we search the index. The message DOES NOT interpret the Scriptures as he interprets! In fact, in the study he presented the message is either silent on the passages he quotes or interprets them differently. This is a classic example of bypassing God’s truth conveying method for –private interpretation, condemned by the Lord’s word.

“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” (2 Peter 1:20)

Take a look at one example of what someone would find if they check out the Index and look up the relevant references the message has on this topic —

Ezek. 34:23, 24 — “And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even My servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.  And I the Lord will be their God, and My servant David a prince among them; I the Lord have spoken it.”

The self-centered shepherds against whom the prophet is told to write, are to be replaced by one shepherd, David.  When this takes place God’s people will then have but one shepherd.  This, of course, cannot be Christ Himself, for Inspiration never calls Him David, but rather It calls Him the Son of David. 

Since God’s people have always had, and still do have many shepherds, the truth stands out as clear as crystal that the David of verses 23 and 24 is yet to come, and that the shepherds whom Inspiration addresses are in particular those whom David is to succeed.

   Ezekiel, then, was not given a vision of the shepherds in his day, nor of those before his day, but of the shepherds after his day — the day in which God raises up this antitypical David to feed His hungry and neglected flock. 

God’s people shall then no longer serve strangers, “But they shall serve the Lord their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them.” Jer. 30:9.  Here we see that not only Ezekiel, but Jeremiah also was given a vision of this same truth.  Yes, all the prophets.”( 2 TG, no. 2, p.14-15)

Thus the Lord’s Elijah message says the anti-typical king David “cannot be Christ Himself” but a private interpreter says it’s Christ–who are you going to believe? But you are strong and solid, you’ve read the Index and KNOW what the Lord’s message says!

In an attempt to exalt and honor our King–Christ, brother G ultimately does the opposite by denying our King’s prophetic word! Oh my, what snares befall those who do not properly study! A CLASSIC example of why the Lord sent us the Zech. 4 lesson!

The best SRod Index we suggest is the following, published by the Salem organization. However we do need to caution you, they have the “new codes” in them as well and many of us (yours included) don’t subscribe to them as they were published by brother Houteff’s wife and not authorized by VTH while he was alive. But the main portion of the Index is very complete and has many Rod, Scripture and SOP references, enough to help gather all the particular references for your study. Here is a picture of the book (184 pages) —

This concludes part one, next week God willing we’ll finish with part 2. Contact us at  palmguy@dc.rr.com if you would like more information on the Index.

Color code — Orange the Lord speaking, Blue is Scripture or SOP speaking, Brown is the Elijah message/Rod message as brought by Victor Houteff

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Understanding the Christmas Holiday through Present Truth

December 14, 2019

Last year around this same time we posted about Christmas and what the message says. May it be helpful this time as well.

godsloveandlaw's avatarGodsloveandlaw's Blog

Image result for picture of Jesus in mangerAs the Christmas holiday is fast approaching, it behooves us to correctly understand this long-held tradition. There is much we can filter through once we stay abreast of God’s advancing scroll of Truth. To be sure, if one does not look at this in a more full perspective, one may be caught up in being an extremist and steering from the “middle of the road” as the Lord’s Elijah message counsels.

For example, one “present truth” believer condemns those who even mouth the word “Christmas”. Yet Inspiration has never said such things. Many SDA think nothing of lighting their home Christmas tree and outside house lights during this season. Both positions are wrong and not in the counsel  of the Lord’s word.

Let us read —

“There is but one way of knowing that we are being led, by Christ our Lord, in the straight path to the pearly gates…

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The Final World Government, Communistic OR Capitalistic– Which?

December 7, 2019

TEXT OF ADDRESS BY V.T. HOUTEFF,
MINISTER OF D. SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS
SABBATH, DECEMBER 13, 1947
MT. CARMEL CHAPEL
WACO, TEXAS

TEXT FOR PRAYER

Surround Youth With Right Influences

I am reading from Christ’s Object Lessons, pg. 53:

“When the mind is youthful and vigorous, and susceptible of rapid development, there is great temptation to be ambitious for self, to serve self…. In this formative period of their children’s life, the responsibility of parents is very great. It should be their study to surround the youth with right influences, influences that will give them correct views of life and its true success…. The more the desire for pleasure is indulged, the stronger it becomes. The interest of these youth is more and more absorbed in amusement, until they come to look upon it as the great object of life. They form habits of idleness and self-indulgence that make it almost impossible for them ever to become steadfast Christians.”

We are here enjoined to pray that the youth be trained and weaned from serving self; that the parents themselves learn this, for in many instances parental impulses lead the children into worldliness and pride; that the parents and children realize that the more the desire for pleasure is indulged, the stronger it becomes and the more impossible it is to satisfy; that we all understand that unless the youth are given correct views of life and its true success, they will become absorbed in amusement and come to look upon it as the great object in life.

 

THE FINAL WORLD GOVERNMENT, COMMUNISTIC OR CAPITALISTIC–
WHICH? Revelation 17, 18

 

 

Rev. 17:1-3 — “And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: with whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.”

This beast is seen to portray the world in its day as are all the beasts of Daniel and The Revelation seen to portray the world in their day.

The wilderness being opposite of the vineyard denotes that the beast’s domain is not in the Promised Land, not in the vineyard (Isa. 5:7), but in the lands of the Gentiles, the “wilderness.” From his domain, therefore, is excluded the Holy Land. And by the fact that the woman is sitting on the beast, driving it, is positively shown that she is ruling it, and that the beast itself is the symbol of the dominion of Babylon the Great.

The beast’s ten horns portray civil powers, as do the horns of any symbolic beast. And if the wounded head of the leopard-like beast of chapter 13 is symbolical of a religious organization, as is taught by the Denomination, then his seven heads must likewise be figurative of religious bodies! Thus it is that this beast in its entirety, like all the other such beasts of the Bible, symbolizes the Gentile world in its entirety — civil and religious bodies (horns and heads).

To blaspheme is for one to speak lightly of God, to work hypocrisy, to profess to be something other than what one actually is. Inspiration’s definition is this: “…I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.” Rev. 2:9.

Rev. 17:4-6 — “And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: and upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.”

This woman does not symbolize something new, but something as old as the time of the martyrs, for she is the cause of their slaying. What could she be but a counterfeit religion which originated with Cain’s unacceptable sacrifice? Since then she has brought forth sectarianism, has become a mother of harlots. Her abominations, you note, are made very attractive, being dispensed from a golden cup held in hands that are gorgeously decked with the costliest things of earth.

Rev. 17:7-13 — “And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns. The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.

And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.”

Here is a beast whose make-up is similar to that of the leopard-like beast of chapter 13. The horns of this scarlet-colored beast, though, are crownless, and none of his heads are wounded. Also, rather than having the name of Blasphemy written only over his heads, his whole body is full of names of blasphemies.

In previous studies we learned that the leopard-like beast symbolizes the world from the fall of Pagan Rome to our time (The Great Controversy, pg. 442). Now, since the scarlet-colored beast also has ten horns and seven heads, it is again seen that he, too, is in the stream of time a symbol of the world with its civil and religious powers — horns and heads.

Inasmuch as his head is not wounded as is the head of the leopard-like beast, and since the wound of the leopard-like is healed, it is clear that the scarlet-colored beast represents the world in the time the wound is healed, in the time the two-horned beast (Rev. 13:11-18) makes a likeness of the leopard-like beast in its pre-wounded state.

You notice that the horns of Daniel’s fourth beast were crownless, and the horns of John’s leopard-like beast crowned, and again that the horns of the scarlet-colored beast are crownless. Inspiration by means of these symbolical beasts portrays three periods of time, one following the other:

(1) the period before the European kings received their crowns;
(2) the period in which they were crowned;
(3) a period of crownless kings in which Babylon the Great reigns supreme.

The fact that nearly all crowned kings of the world have already been dethroned is proof in itself that Period No. 2, the period of the leopard-like beast (crowned horns) is about to pass away, and that Period No. 3, the period of the scarlet-colored beast (crownless horns) is about to be ushered in. In order to make the transition, the present distress of the nations is therefore inevitable.

Rev. 17:14-18 — “These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful. And He saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfill His will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.”

Again, the fact that the ten horns (kings) have one mind (unlike the toe-kings of Daniel 2:42, 43), but have no kingdom of their own, besides the fact that the woman rules the beast, and also the fact that the Communist leaders (crownless kings) of the nations and have one mind (work together for one common cause), — all these facts show that though Communism appears to be the next power to rule the world, this symbolical prophecy points out that the world will next be ruled by an international religious system, by Babylon the Great, a rival of the religion of Christ, and a counterfeit of the woman in Revelation chapter 12.

The scarlet-colored beast, therefore, is the symbol of the world government into which the United Nations will finally evolve.

Since those who have no part in the first resurrection, all the unrepentant sinners from the beginning of the world to the Millennium, are to be resurrected after the 1000 years, they will then positively discover that their names were not written “in the Book of Life”, — no, not one of them, even from the foundation of the world. The truth thus stands out clearly that then only will they behold the beast in its three phases (“that was, and is not, and yet is”); that is, he “was” before the Millennium; “and is not” during the Millennium; “and yet is” after the Millennium.

He “is not” during the 1000 years because at the commencement of the 1000 years, the beast and the false prophet are “cast into the lake of fire,” then the “remnant,” all the rest who came not out of Babylon’s domain, are “slain with the sword” of the “King of kings, and Lord of lords.” Rev. 19:21, 16.

To summarize, having lived before the Millennium, and also after the Millennium, and being dead during the Millennium, the beast is seen in three phases, in three periods: the pre-millennial in which he “was,” the millennial in which “he is not” and post-millennial, in which he “is.”

He “shall ascend out of the bottomless pit” (out of the pit, in which Satan himself is to be bound for a 1000 years), and then “go into perdition” (Rev. 17:8); that is, he will shortly be put to his second death from which there is no resurrection.

“He is the eighth, and is of the seven”; that is, there are four beasts in Daniel 7, two in Revelation 13, and one in chapter 17 — seven beasts in all. But the seventh lives twice, and thus after his resurrection “he is the eighth,” but “is of the seven.” Then he goes into perdition, — suffers the second death.

The statement, “and there are seven kings,” shows that these kings are not in the symbolism; that is, they are not the horns, nor are they the heads. All the horns and the heads are present on the beast, whereas the “seven kings” are not there symbolized — five are fallen, one is, and the other is yet to come.

We must fully realize that God through this symbolism summarizes the history of the entire world, for the beast, as I said before, is symbolical not only of the pre-millennial world but also of the post-millennial wicked world. The seven kings of kingdoms “from the foundation of the world before the flood;

(1) The ancient world before the flood;
(2) The ancient Babylonian Empire;
(3) The Medo-Persian Empire;
(4) the Grecian Empire;
(5) The Roman Empire. These are fallen.
(6) The one that is, is the world to which the present distress of nations is to give birth (the pre-millennial), and of which the beast itself, in his first phase, is the symbol. And
(7) the one that is to come, is the world after the 1000 years, of which the beast itself, in its third phase, is also a symbol.

Thus along with this symbolism the world of sin is represented from its beginning to its very end. This beast, therefore, is the symbolical summary of the whole world.

The “one hour” is obviously the time from the eleventh to the twelfth allegorical hours as set forth in Matthew 20:6.

Number ten in this instance, as elsewhere in the Bible, carries the meaning of universality. The ten kings have no kingdom while the woman drives the beast, but jointly with the beast they will have power as kings. The phrase, “as yet,” implies that after the one hour they will receive their kingdom.

Rev. 17:14 — “These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful.”

These kings are to be anti-religious and therefore anti-Christian. They shall eventually make war with the Lord and with His called, chosen, and faithful ones, but “the Lamb shall overcome” the kings.

The woman, as shown before, is the symbol of a confederated religious system with which the horns are not only in disagreement but are also her enemies. Consequently, after the symbolical hour is passed, they unseat her from the beast, make her desolate, and burn her with fire. Then it is that they receive their kingdom “for a season and time.” Dan. 7:12.

Rev. 17:17 — “For God hath put in their hearts to fulfill His will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.”

The call to come out of Babylon (Rev. 18:4), is a call to God’s people to come out of her geographic dominion.

The eighteenth chapter is a continuation of the seventeenth, and so we shall study it also:

Rev. 18:1 — “And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.”

After what things? — After the scarlet-colored beast comes into being and while the woman, Babylon, is sitting upon him. It is then that the earth is to be lightened with the glory of the angel, with the message of the hour.

Rev. 18:2-4 — “And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.”

A heavenly voice, the Spirit of Truth, is heard calling God’s people out of Babylon after the earth is lightened with the glory of the angel. For God’s people to come out so that they be not partakers of her sins and receive not of her plagues, they must necessarily be called into a place that is free from sin, and thus be saved from Babylon’s plagues. Consequently they go into a purified sinless church, and a land that is not in danger of the plagues.

Rev. 18:5-7 — “For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.”

She has rewarded God’s people with evil, and now she is to be paid back double. She has boasted of ruling the world, and has said in her heart that she is not a “widow,” that God is her husband, but she finds herself mistaken. Rev. 18:8-13 — “Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God Who judgeth her. And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.

And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: the merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, and cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots and slaves, and souls of men.”

She has had everything put into her hands, and her hands put into everything, but now her glory comes to an end.

Rev. 18:14-21 — “And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, and saying, Alas, alas that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! For in one hour so great riches is come to nought.

And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, and cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate. Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her. And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.”

What violence! and what an inglorious end when the ten horns take hold of Babylon, the headquarters of that pretentious, self-righteous world-wide power. Now is our time and opportunity to get ready for the four winds to be let loose, and prepare an asylum, a sinless place for the gathering of the people, and for the finishing of the gospel work in all the world.

Rev. 18:22-24 — “And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; and the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.”

We see that this system of government is set up for no other purpose than to make its adherents rich in the name of religion, a practice which supersedes all other forms of idolatry.

If our hearts are set on wealth, if our love of money becomes greater than our love to help set up the Kingdom, then there is no hope. Such shall find themselves magnetically drawn down into Babylon. We must remember that the love of money is the root of all evil; that it is easier for a camel to go through the needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom. But, sad to say, in spite of this solemn warning, we see even the most informed in the things of God fall victims to such filthy lucre.

If we have the dollar when we need it, also are certain from day to day of our clothing, food, and a bed to sleep in, we should feel rich. We should feel as if we had a million dollars in the bank. Yes, if we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and mind the Lord’s business, being slothful in nothing and conscientious in everything, then we shall have all these added unto us (Matt. 6:31-33).

We have therefore again seen that the final world government is to be neither Communistic nor Capitalistic, but ecclesiastical and more in favor of Capitalism than Communism.

Timely Greetings, Vol. 2, No. 18, page 14 to page 27)

Posted in Elijah Interpretations, End times, Prophecy study, Revelation teachings, Victor T. Houteff | Leave a Comment »

Blocking eyes/hearts to the Truth

November 30, 2019

Image result for man not listening to bible

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In John 12:40 we read —

“He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn–and I would heal them.”

There is no doubt that the so-called Religious “Scholars” of Jesus’ day were about as blind as one could be –in knowing Truth.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

Pilate in his inquiry of what is truth asked the Lord the all-important question. Of course, the King was not about to get into doctrinal matters with a heathen governor who was ready to issue an important part in the redemption of man plan.

“Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all. (John 18:37-38)

So we know as Christians that–

1. Jesus is the Truth

2. All that really know Jesus knows Truth

Yes, this is very basic Christianity but so vast and deep. Although simple in it’s description, it is so numerous in its misapplication and true understanding. Let us look at an example.

Brother R has been a “street preacher” for several decades. He came to “know Jesus” by reading the Bible and attending regular Sunday services. But brother R has a stubborn “I know it all” attitude about the Lord, His love and His plan for mankind. 

We have had many discussions over the years, particularly on the “love” of Jesus. Recently this issue came up again via some email and he said words such as —

“Love sums up all the commandments. If i don’t have love for God and my brother, i have nothing. Bottomline. I have “no condemnation in Christ Jesus”. I have a relationship based on Christ’s righteousness, not my own. I live by the grace of God.”

This was in response to what I had sent him previously that said the following —

” If you LOVE ME , keep My Commandments” (John 14:15)   (a quick reminder the word “Commandments” is Entole, which means His 10 Commandments.)

I  was trying to explain that Jesus Himself says “how” we are to love Him. It can’t get any clearer than that! But as we showed in the above quote, their eyes and hearts are blinded. For some reason, they cannot read and comprehend straight clear words from the word of God. This got me thinking, “supping” with the Lord. Then an answer came to me.

You see brethren many today, especially Sunday keepers, I believe are held back from having the vail lifted from their eyes. The  Spirit of Prophecy explains —

“..the influence of these older church members will leaven those newly come to the faith. The Lord does not now work to bring many souls into the truth, because of the church members who have never been converted and those who were once converted but who have backslidden. What influence would these unconsecrated members have on new converts? Would they not make of no effect the God-given message which His people are to bear?” (Testimonies, vol.6, p.370)

If brother R  gives up his Sunday worship and comes into the Seventh-day Adventist church, after a short while,  what will he most likely find from some leaders and members we will show in pictures (they speak a thousand words).

Image result for young lady dress for church in short dress and high heels      Image result for thanksgiving dinner

Image result for pastor wearing rolex watch and rings

Image result for woman in jewelry in church

In summary, he will find women and men not dressing according to the Bible/ SDA teaching of modesty. Women, especially many younger ones, dressed in “nightclub” attire complete with nail polish. Men dressed in T-shirts and other common dress. He will find the eating of meat is practiced by some members(most of them privately beyond gazing eyes), even though it is against the SDA teachings. He will find jewelry and worldly fashions practiced by many, even the leaders.

But the most serious issue he will find is the “lukewarm” and carefree live and let live style that many SDA practice, not calling sin by its rightful name due to the “shepherd’s” unfaithfulness. THIS would be very hard to ignore and no doubt would hinder a “truth walk”.

The Lord has some dire Words for this situation, straight solemn words for our leaders (shepherds) —

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

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

“‘Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord:  As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, because My flock lacks a shepherd and so has been plundered and has become food for all the wild animals, and because My shepherds did not search for My flock but cared for themselves rather than for My flock, therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord:  This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for My flock. I will remove them from tending the flock so that the shepherds can no longer feed themselves. I will rescue My flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them.

‘For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I Myself will search for My sheep and look after them.  As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land. I will pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in all the settlements in the land.

I will tend them in a good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in good grazing land, and there they will feed in a rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. I Myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign Lord. I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.” (34:1-16)

In order for these blind ones to see God’s love/power within His people there will soon be a church judgment. The 144,000 will then be empowered to proclaim the Lord’s kingdom.

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17)

Soon the Loud Cry will come upon the earth, the Truth in all it’s luster and power will convict masses. Those who cannot see or understand now may indeed know the Lord then. SOP tells us more —

“In the eighteenth chapter of the Revelation the people of God are called upon to come out of Babylon. According to this scripture, many of God’s people must still be in Babylon. And in what religious bodies are the greater part of the followers of Christ now to be found? Without doubt, in the various churches professing the Protestant faith.” (GC, p.483)

In closing let us remain at our post of duty bringing the Elijah message to our brethren, but know that should the situation arise that we discuss the Lord’s truth with those of outside faiths, don’t be surprised  if they cannot grasp God’s truth now because according to God’s plan they may soon do so in the future.

 

Posted in Christian faith, Commandments, Loud Cry | Leave a Comment »

Religion will take World’s Center Stage

November 23, 2019

Image result for Everybody speaking about religion

In Spirit of Prophecy we read —

“By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvellous working of Satan and that the end is near.” (Testimonies, vol. 5, p.451)

 In this post we shall look at the fast-approaching end times and what we are to expect from God’s Word. We are nearing the events that Scripture, SOP and the Rod all declare will come upon us. What is fascinating is how it all comes together when we look at His coordinated message.

Let us start where we are at. Right now we have much division among our nation. The Trump administration has produced a strong reaction throughout the country. Half of us support their work and half hate their work. A truly polarized nation indeed!

However, the USA constitution to a large extent is still in place. Our liberties, however, are slowly being stripped. Social media is curtailing some free speech activities and many no longer have the right to report what they see as wrong (ie. LBGT movement, Abortion politics, government corruption, etc.). Take Alex Jones , for example, a leader in uncovering corruption within the USA and world has consistently reported on wrongdoing within our government for years but has recently been silenced on online social media to a large degree (kicked out of FB, Twitter, YouTube, etc). Even his financial payment system –PayPal has banned him. Multitudes of like-minded rejectors of the current corruption of the USA are likewise banned.

But the main parts of our constitution still stand. But something is going to change that. There will be a catalyst that will move us to as SOP says, “repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government.” What does the Word say that will be?

It is well known among the religious community that the world’s Sunday keeping theologians have read the following Scriptural references —

“For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins.” (Romans 11:25-27)

to mean that the unbelieving Jews (all of them) that are now in Israel will be miraculously saved and converted into Christians. In other words, it is almost like the Lord puts them into a spell and takes over there wills and makes them believe in Christ! This is a prevalent dogma among the Sunday keeping churches.

They also describe this reference —

 “For Zion’s sake I will not be silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not keep still, Until her vindication shines forth like the dawn and her salvation like a burning torch.” (Isaiah 62:1)

as pertaining to the current Jerusalem, mostly consisting of unbelieving Jews (the vast majority now there), that somehow the Lord will turn that land into a great Christian center and Gospel proclamation hub. They are right about the land being the soon to come world’s Gospel headquarters but wholly misguided in how the Lord will do it.

The Word confirms this Gospel headquarters location–


“In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.”(Isaiah 2:2-3)

However, this false dogma of the current unbelieving Jews converted in Isreal on a mass scale has spread all throughout Christendom. It teaches that current Jews now there will be strong proclaimers of the Gospel to the world soon. Teachers like Jonathan Kahn and Hal Lindsey are leaders in this well-known religious dogma.

However, our all-seeing and knowing Lord God has not forsaken the Truth seekers without a plan, a road map. His final message of Elijah tells us the real truth about Romans 11:25-27.

ALL OR A REMNANT–WHICH?

Question No. 64:

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

Answer:

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

But those habitual private interpreters who claim to be leaders of “God’s church” today, misinterpret much of prophecy. They generally have no correct understanding about the following for example —

“Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired; Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD’S anger come upon you. Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’S anger. For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up. Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites! the word of the LORD is against you; O Canaan, the land of the Philistines, I will even destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant.” (Zeph. 2:1-5)

To them, these are dark sentences, not applicable to today’s world. Past history or some other false idea is applied here. But the Elijah messengers know very well what it means and also know what the following means —

“Behold, the day of the Lord is coming, and your spoil will be divided in your midst. For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem; The city shall be taken, the houses rifled, and the women ravished. Half of the city shall go into captivity, but the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations, as He fights in the day of battle. And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, from east to west, making a very large valley; Half of the mountain shall move toward the north and half of it toward the south.” (Zech. 14:1-5)

But the message tells us very clearly when this gigantic war happens in the middle east over Israel, a  most startling and shocking worldwide event happens —

“..while the powers of earth are engulfed in a gigantic war, the wicked in the church shall be cut off, no more to pass through her.” (Tract 14, p.22)

The prophesied church purification happens throughout the Seventh-day Adventist church–Ezekiel 9! The very one that Ellen White spoke of as follows —

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

Here we see that the church–the Lord’s sanctuary–was the first to feel the stroke of the wrath of God. The ancient men, those to whom God had given great light and who had stood as guardians of the spiritual interests of the people, had betrayed their trust. They had taken the position that we need not look for miracles and the marked manifestation of God’s power as in former days. Times have changed.

These words strengthen their unbelief, and they say: The Lord will not do good, neither will
He do evil. He is too merciful to visit His people in judgment. Thus “Peace and safety” is the cry from men who will never again lift up their voice like a trumpet to show God’s people their transgressions and the house of Jacob their sins. These dumb dogs that would not bark are the ones who feel the just vengeance of an offended God. Men, maidens, and little children all perish together.” (Testimonies, vol. 5, p.211)

So as that gigantic war is happening, in the midst of it, then the “great and dreadful day” will come. Great for the faithful, those who have “followed the Lamb wherever He goes” (Rev. 14:4) and dreadful for those who remained in the Laodicean lukewarm condition. They had failed to “sigh and cry over all the abominations done in the midst” (Ezek. 9:4)

Shocked and bewildered by the double whammy upon the world, the people, lead by the now confused religious leaders unite (“Hey we’re all confused — let’s unite and figure this out!”) and help to fulfill another one of the Elijah message’s prophesies–

“For, seeing Catholic set against Catholic, and Protestant against Protestant, in mortal combat, they will in dread fear be inspired to saddle the beast, and to re-establish the church as its driver in order to free themselves from the shackles of totalitarianism, and to safeguard Christianity. They will see victory in this stratagem, if it be denied them in war, for the very evident reason that many of the millions of communicants of these churches, in every army of the totalitarian states allied in the conflict, will honor the dictates of the church, above those of their respective governments. 

Such a combination of circumstances will result in a replication of the international church-and-state rule of the Middle Ages, and will relegate to the scrap heap the world’s finest instrument of human liberty – the divinely inspired Constitution of the United States of America.” (Tract 12, p54-55)

The “totalitarian” nations, ie Russia, China, Iran, Turkey, etc will be the victors in the Israel war BUT the religious leaders and USA government leaders will see only one way out– forced religion! Because of the world disasters hitting the world at one time, millions mysteriously slaughtered in the SDA church, Israel utterly destroyed to a large extent, they see the great interest in God and finding answers for these world-shaking events! Religion will take the World’s center stage!

“The warring nations are already divided into two distinct ideological camps: On the one side are the democratic governments, while on the other side are the totalitarian. If the latter continue successfully to prosecute their relentless conquest for world-dominion and sovereignty, the only victorious way out for the Christian nations, as they humanly view their plight, will be to surrender their power to the church.” (Tract 12, p.54)

Instead of the vast held belief that the current Jews there now will make up the end time headquarters, after this war takes place, an obscure people which very few have heard of, the 144,000, will come forth. They had been ridiculed, scorned, and in many cases kicked out of the very churches they loved! Davidian Seventh-day Adventists are what they were known as. Just as in the days of Elijah they pleaded with their own people to awake and stop following false leaders yet few took heed!

“In concluding this narrative, I would say that we are living in a most solemn time. In the last vision given me, I was shown the startling fact that but a small portion of those who now profess the truth will be sanctified by it and be saved. Many will get above the simplicity of the work. They will conform to the world, cherish idols, and become spiritually dead. The humble, self-sacrificing followers of Jesus will pass on to perfection, leaving behind the indifferent and lovers of the world.” (Testimonies, vol. 1, p.608-609)

But what a time that will be! Israel will blossom before the world and “signs and wonders” shall captivate the world! The Lord will come on the stage! Just as in the days of coming out of Egypt He will be active in His people’s work.

“‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: On the day I cleanse you from all your sins, I will resettle your towns, and the ruins will be rebuilt. The desolate land will be cultivated instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass through it. They will say, “This land that was laid waste has become like the garden of Eden; the cities that were lying in ruins, desolate and destroyed, are now fortified and inhabited. Then the nations around you that remain will know that I the LORD have rebuilt what was destroyed and have replanted what was desolate. I the LORD have spoken, and I will do it.” (Ezek. 36: 33-36)

Zech. 1:14-17, 20, 21 — “So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy. And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction. Therefore thus saith the Lord; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: My house shall be built in it, saith the Lord of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.

Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the Lord shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem…. And the Lord shewed me four carpenters. Then said I, What come these to do? And He spake, saying, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it.”

“Obviously one part of the Gentile nations shall come against the part that is in the Holy Land, and chase them out to make room for God’s people. Then will the Lord’s feet stand on Mount Olives and the Mount shall cleave in the midst thereof and make therein a very great valley. Thus shall the Lord open the way for His people to flee there to the “valley” where the Lord’s feet stand, and all the saints with them (Zech. 14:4, 5).

This truth, you see, supersedes all truths, for without it your other truths will not profit you, will not take you into the Kingdom. It is the last mile of all the miles of our faith through life that takes us Home. We have gone this long; let us, therefore, keep on going right on to glory land, which is no longer beyond the horizon. The mile ahead is indeed the last mile that will take us Home. ” (2 TG, no.44, p.50-51)


The very next big event to take place in our world will be the gigantic war over Israel. The current situation over there is very tense and all the big armament nations are in the area. As soon the Lord issues His decree, the war will begin. Are we ready? If we are a part of God’s church today–the Seventh-day Adventist church, we had better be! For the world (the irreligious and false religions too!), there is hope as the “Loud Cry”  given by the 144,000 with headquarters based in the restored holy land, will call into her the “great multitude which no man could number.”(Rev. 7:9)

A beautiful chart is shown giving the timeline of events soon to come —

 

For those who would like to enlarge this chart, copy it and take it to your email and paste there to view.

Color code: Orange–Lord speaking, Blue — Bible or SOP speaking, Brown– Elijah message brought by Victor Houteff  Red — Highlighted noteworthy areas of importance 

Posted in End times, Ezekiel, Final Events | Leave a Comment »

SHINTOISM AND NON-PROGRESSIVE CHRISTIANITY

November 16, 2019

TEXT OF ADDRESS BY V.T. HOUTEFF,
MINISTER OF DAVIDIAN 7TH-DAY ADVENTISTS
SABBATH, FEBRUARY 7, 1948
MT. CARMEL CHAPEL
WACO, TEXAS

TEXT FOR PRAYER

“Bring Forth Fruit”

I shall read from “Christ’s Object Lessons,” pg. 60, the first two paragraphs:

“God bids us fill the mind with great thoughts, pure thoughts. He desires us to meditate upon His love and mercy, to study His wonderful work in the great plan of redemption. Then clearer and still clearer will be our perception of truth, higher, holier, our desire for purity of heart and clearness of thought. The soul dwelling in the pure atmosphere of holy thought will be transformed by communion with God through the study of the Scriptures.

“‘And bring forth fruit.’ Those who, having heard the word, keep it, will bring forth fruit in obedience. The word of God, received into the soul, will be manifest in good works. Its results will be seen in a Christlike character and life. Christ said of Himself, ‘I delight to do Thy will, O My God; yea, Thy law is within My heart.’ ‘I seek not Mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent Me.’ And the Scripture says, ‘He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked.'”

What shall we now pray for? — Pray for power to enable us to meditate upon His love and mercy and thus cause our perception of Truth to become higher and holier; pray to realize that the soul that dwells in the atmosphere of holy thought is transformed; pray to learn by experience that the Word of God received into the soul, does manifest Itself in good works.

Timely Greetings, Vol. 2, No. 26, page 12

SHINTOISM AND NON-PROGRESSIVE CHRISTIANITY

Our text for this afternoon’s study is found in–

Jer. 10:23 — “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.”

In this verse we are told that the way man should go is not in himself, that he of himself does not know how to direct his steps. Someone else must direct them if he is to go in the right direction. For this very reason God’s people are led by a prophet and are preserved by a prophet. (Hos. 12:13.) So it was that through the medium of the prophets God led and preserved the Church of the Old Testament, and by the same Spirit He founded, led, and has to this day preserved the New Testament Church, although the spirit that rebelled against God’s leadership anciently, is still in the Church today.

Naturally men are unconscious of the fact that they cannot direct their own steps even after God starts them out as a father starts out his little son. We should never forget that when God’s ancient people rejected the prophets, including John the Baptist, Jesus Christ, and the Apostles, when He could no longer lead them, their feet slipped in every direction,

Timely Greetings, Vol. 2, No. 26, page 13

they fell from grace and lost everything. Only the followers of the prophets remained with God and they only composed the Christian church in its beginning. No other than God did direct their steps into the Church.

Let us take another example: The world at large today, with but a few exceptions, is Buddhist, Mohammedan, or Christian. Two-thirds of the world’s population is still following in the steps of Buddha, who lived about 550 years before Christ. Think of it! Two-thirds, a little less than a billion of the world’s inhabitants are still followers of Buddha!

And who was Buddha? What kind of a man was he — good or bad? Was he a deceiver or was he a teacher of righteousness?

To find the answer, let us first take into consideration the kind of people he was in contact with. He was not in touch with the Hebrews, nor with the Christians, but only with degraded people of the Orient. And those who did not come in contact with Buddha’s teachings, — those of the south sea islands in particular — are to a large extent still cannibals.

Taking these facts into consideration before passing judgment we may ask, What did Buddha deceive his followers from? — From nothing is the overall answer. And what did he lead them to? History gives this answer; “What he taught the people was that they should seek salvation not through the observance of religious rites and ceremonies, but through honesty and purity of heart, through charity and tenderness and compassion toward all creatures that have life.” — “General History,” p. 66.

Timely Greetings, Vol. 2, No. 26, page 14

Since Buddha’s kind of teaching certainly does not come from the Devil, and since he led his followers from bad to better, he could not have been a deceiver. Buddha, moreover, not only taught good morals, but, if history is reliable, he himself lived up to what he taught. Finally, in keeping with his great influence he could have been a rich man, but he died poor. And if standards of living have any virtues at all, Buddha’s standards, if lived up to, could have lifted the people of the Orient higher than the level of many so-called Christians in our day.

Buddha therefore appears to have been a preacher of righteousness in his day, for his standard of behaviour was practically the standard of the ten commandments, the standards of the Bible. Where did he get such a standard? Certainly not from the Devil. We may now ask the question, Was God in Buddha’s day interested only in the Hebrew nation? Did He entirely neglect the rest of the world? And did He deliberately permit a third of the earth’s inhabitants to be led by Buddha from bad to worse? or did He see that they be led from bad to better?

There is but one answer that we can honestly and wisely give: That God through Buddha did for the heathen that which could not have been done through Moses or through any of the Hebrew prophets.

Comparatively speaking, God through Buddha raised the heathen from the pit in which they were as many inches up, as Moses raised the Hebrew’s from the pit in which they were. The Hebrews, of course, rose much closer to God than the followers of Buddha because the pit in which Buddha found the heathen was much deeper than the pit in which Moses found the Hebrew nation.

Timely Greetings, Vol. 2, No. 26, page 15

Buddha himself never thought that after his death he would be worshipped as a god by his followers — no, no more than the prophets, the Apostles, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, thought they would be worshipped after their death.

You can now see that while Buddha was directing the steps of his people, the people were led closer to the standards of the Bible and to the ideals of Christ than they were before his day. Since this is so, then Buddha was not a deceiver.

As soon as Buddha died, though, his followers ran against a wall as it were, and their progress toward God, the Bible, and Christ, stopped where Buddha stopped. Indeed they could not have advanced further for they made the death of Buddha become their block against progress toward God. How did they do it?–

It is a known fact that when people give credit of a Divine deed to a finite being, then their hope of another as great, or greater ever coming to help them is forever gone. They do not believe that God lives, that he will raise another even greater to lead them further, but believe that there is no need of another and no need for more Truth. Consequently as they do not expect another, when one comes they reject him. Thus the Buddhists put a stop to their spiritual progress. So you see that when the light that is in you becomes darkness, “How great is that darkness!” Matt. 6:23.

Judging from the experiences of the past, the freedom of a nation and the assassin’s bullet this year are likely to bring forth another god — Mohandus K. Gandhi. He is likely to become the Buddha of today. Yes, the Hindu millions are already giving to Mr. Gandhi the

Timely Greetings, Vol. 2, No. 26, page 16

credit for all his good and Godly deeds.

He, like Buddha, certainly was a good man, with high standards and good morals, the standards and morals of the Bible and of Jesus Christ.

This brings us to another hard question to answer — Since Gandhi lived in the Christian era why did he not become Christian? — Perhaps he would have, but I suppose he took into account that to become a Christian and join the Christian church would lower rather than lift his standard of behaviour.

As he saw it, it looked to him that a so-called Christian nation was sapping the blood of his people, that she was abusing and treating them as inferior human beings. In fact, he himself, for his stand on national decency and national freedom spent about twelve years in jail. These are the things that most likely kept Mr. Gandhi from joining the Christian church and people. He certainly did not turn away from Christianity to avoid any sacrifices, or to indulge in any sin.

Gandhi’s theory, moreover, for freedom by non-violence, by neither sword nor gun, succeeded and freed over 400,000,000 people who had been servants of the strong for nearly 200 years! This he accomplished while the Christians were killing one another by the thousands! These are some of the things which most likely kept Mr. Gandhi from becoming a Christian.

Let us now for a moment consider Mohammed, to whom something like 220,000,000 people bow. What kind of man was he? Was he a deceiver? or was he a teacher of righteousness? — Let us also consider

Timely Greetings, Vol. 2, No. 26, page 17

the people who were taught by him. They were the descendants of Lot and Abraham, — Moabites, Esauites, and Ishmaelites, etc., all of them bitter enemies of the Hebrews, and their religion.

Since Mohammed led millions of Arabs closer to the Hebrew-Christian religion than the so-called Christians in his day would have led them, it is hardly possible that he was a deceiver. He led his followers to a higher moral standard of living, modesty, cleanliness, regularity of prayer and Biblical diet than the Christians of his day would have led them. Mohammed’s theory of religion according to history, and as Mohammedanism has it now is this:

“Mohammedanism, the name commonly given in Christian countries to the creed established by Mohammed. His followers call their creed Islam (entire submission to the decrees of God), and their common formula of faith is, ‘There is no god but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet.’ The dogmatic or theoretical part of Mohammedanism embraces the following points: —

1. Belief in God, who is without beginning or end, the sole Creator and Lord of the universe, having absolute power, knowledge, glory, and perfection.
2. Belief in his angels, who are impeccable beings, created of light.
3. Belief in good and evil Jinn (genii), who are created of smokeless fire, and are subject to death.
4. Belief in the Holy Scriptures, which are his uncreated word revealed to the prophets. Of these there now exist, but in a greatly corrupted form, the Pentateuch, the Psalms, and the Gospels; and in an uncorrupted and incorruptible state the Koran, which abrogates and surpasses all preceding revelations. (See Koran.)
5. Belief in Gods prophets and apostles, the most distinguished of whom are Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed. Mohammed

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is the greatest of them all, the last of the prophets and the most excellent of the creatures of God.
6. Belief in a general resurrection and final judgment, and in future rewards and punishments, chiefly of a physical nature.
7. The belief, even to the extent of fatalism, of God’s absolute foreknowledge and predestination of all events both good and evil.” — “Twentieth Century Cyclopedia,” p. 507.

In view of the fact that Mohammed led his people closer to the religion of the Bible than they had been before, could he truly be called a deceiver? If so, tell me what did he deceive them from?

Since Mohammed was so near to believing the Christian religion, we may ask, Why did he not become a Christian? — Let us consider the possibilities that could have prevented him from so doing:

Mohammed lived in the seventh century of the Christian era, in the midst of the Dark Ages of religion, when the Christian church was deepest in idol worship, graft and immorality, practices that are prohibited by the Scriptures. If nothing else could have kept him from joining the Christian church, then idol worship along with the prevalent use of swine’s flesh, practice that is against all Bible religion, was enough to turn Mohammed from Christianity.

Mohammed, I believe, did the very best he could, considering that in his time the so-called Christian church was at a very low ebb, and that his morals and behaviour were much higher than were the morals and behaviour of the Christianized pagans. In view of all this, who can say that Mohammed was a bad man, that he was a deceiver?

Timely Greetings, Vol. 2, No. 26, page 19

Are we still inquiring why God permitted Mohammed to teach his religion to millions of the earth’s inhabitants? And do we still wonder why he did not become a Christian? — If so, here is a second answer: God permitted him because Mohammed was making the people better than they were, and because Mohammedanism in that day brought one closer to the religion of the Bible than could have paganized Christianity. But why are the Mohammedans still Mohammedans? — Mohammedans are still Mohammedans, for the same reason that Buddhists are still Buddhists; that is, because after Mohammed died, they did just what the Buddhists did: In the progress of religion the Mohammedans stopped where Mohammed stopped — at his tomb.

They stopped there to make sure that their followers would never join another sect. They taught the people that there was to be no other prophet, that Mohammed was the last, that there was no need for another, that they had all the Truth to lead them to the pearly gates. Thus corrupt Mohammedanism drilledthis false idea into the minds of the common people then, and still more corrupted Mohammedanism of today, like all other sects, including corrupt Adventism, still does the same. Thus it is that no sect as a people, but only as individuals, has ever accepted an additional message and this is the reason for the multi-sectarian world.

So to ask why Mohammedans and Buddhists are still Mohammedans and Buddhists — why have they not advanced since Mohammed and Buddha died, is like asking why Catholics have not yet become Lutherans, why Lutherans have not yet become Presbyterians, why Presbyterians have not yet become Methodists, why Methodists have not yet become Baptists, why Baptists have not yet become Seventh-day Adventists, and why Seventh-day Adventists have not yet become

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Davidian Seventh-day Adventists? The overall answer is that each successive denomination has failed to keep pace with the progress of Truth because each has failed to climb higher than the height of the founder of each respective denomination could possibly have led them in his life time.

The Jews never rose higher than the height to which Moses led them. When Moses died, they as it were died with him so far as spiritual progress was concerned. Thus it was that they rejected and killed the prophets that came after Moses, not sparing the Son of God.

The same spirit prevailed in the Christian church. She never rose above the level on which the Apostles left her, and for a time she even fell almost to the bottom of the pit. And she would have dropped out had God not again visited His people in the persons of Luther, Knox, Wesley, Campbell and the other reformers, through whom the Lord brought to light certain parts of Bible Truth that had long been trampled under foot.

But did the Christian world as a whole see the Light? And did all walk in It? No, indeed not, not as a people, but only as individuals. This is what accounts for the present multi-sectarian world; that is, as it became necessary for Christ to organize a new church, the Christian, separate from the mother church, the Jewish, in His day, just so the reformers found themselves cast out from the mother churches, and necessarily were obliged to organize the followers of advancing Truth into a new denomination, one after another.

In this light, you see the spirit which keeps the Jews still Jews, the Buddhists still Buddhists, the Mohammedans still Mohammedans, the Catholics still Catholics, the Lutherans still Lutherans, the

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Methodists still Methodists, the Baptists still Baptists — the very same spirit is today working within our own denomination, the Seventh-day Adventists, presumptuously believing that they are rich and increased with goods, in need of nothing more. It, too, thinks that its dead founder was the last in the line of the prophets, that there is no need of another. It feels certain that the light and energy in its ship, Zion, is sufficient to take it to the shore of the Kingdom, though they well know that their message, the Judgment for the Dead is not the last, but that the Judgment for the Living, the which they do not yet have, is the last!

This spirit of sliding back rather than going forward, of opposing spiritual growth, and at the same time fostering the spirit of lukewarmness, is successfully working with many in spite of the fact that the prophecies of the Bible which point to our day, are to them still mysteries. They care not to know them.

There is therefore yet a great work to be done, not only for all nations, kindreds, tongues, and peoples, but for the Church herself, if any are to be saved from the coming doom. According to Jeremiah’s prophecy, corrupt Christianity is nothing short of a form of Shintoism:

Jer. 10:1-5 — “Hear ye the word which the Lord speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the ax. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot

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do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.”

The widely used Christmas tree, on the 25th of December — a tree cut down from its source of life and fastened up by nails — does not symbolize a birth, but rather one’s death and a futile effort to make him live. By cutting down the tree, to the heathen it symbolized their dead chief, and by propping it up, it symbolized life though one be dead. Now the fact that the spurious Christmas tree is widely celebrated not only by Christians, but also by non-Christians, the world by this act is worshiping the dead, a form of Shintoism. Worshiping the dead prophets and killing the living ones, is a brutal effort to block the progress of Truth, to deceive self and others.

Finally, had it not been for the fact that some wide-awake ones throughout the ages have dared take up their cross and follow God through His prophets in order to be led from one height of Truth to another, the world would not have stood this long.

There is no doubt, the Church from creation till today has been led and preserved by the prophets, and she can continue in no other way from here on.

Timely Greetings, Vol. 2, No. 26, page 23

 

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Special Video and Audio Presentations

November 9, 2019

Image result for Working in the Lord's vineyard

In these very last days, the Lord has pulled out all stops to reach His people before the  ‘great and dreadful day of the Lord”. As we have reported so many times in our blog, the Lord is first to perform the following in front of the world —

“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begins at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? “( 1 Peter 4:17)

Thus it behooves us Seventh-day Adventists to “get down to business” in the Lord’s vineyard if we want to be part of the last great work God has for His people. In this light, we have compiled some of the best videos and audios in existence, that help with different areas of the Lord’s final message (Ejiah message –Mal. 4:5-6). Please sit back, relax on your favorite chair or sofa and watch “meat in due season” and be blessed!

1 —  “The 144,000 who are they?”  (AUDIO)

This audio will always have a special place in my heart. It is the presentation the Lord sent me that began my knowledge of His last message back in May of 2011. Compiled by the Davidian SDA organization  “Mountain Dale” of New York.

2 —   “The Great Image of Daniel 2 ” (VIDEO)

Absolutely one of the best and in-depth videos on Daniel 2 in existence. Again, this is by Mt. Dale and although they don’t produce many videos, this one will enlighten you to know what Daniel 2 prophecy is all about. This presentation is 4 parts.

3 —  “Why Stand Ye Idle” A Sermon by brother Decarius (VIDEO)

Brother Decarius has been a long-time worker in the Lord’s vineyard and is with the DSDA group –Waco organization. We have not heard a sermon like this often and the Holy Spirit surely was guiding in this most helpful “how to” sermon, on today’s work in His vineyard.

4 —  “Who is Victor Houteff and the Davidian Seventh-day Adventists?”  (VIDEO)

One of our own YouTube channels. We heard from the Lord last year that there needed to be a good basic video explaining simply about Victor and the DSDA. Many are not truly knowledgeable about them, due to the fact that the SDA leaders have for years spread falsehood and distortion about them. You will have a good basic understanding of them from this presentation.

5 —  “Thy Kingdom Come”  (AUDIO)

An audio presentation that enlightens the knowledge of the pre-millennial kingdom based on the Lord’s prophetic word all throughout the Scriptures. It is to be set up in Israel for the final Loud Cry headquarters. Mt. Dale’s brother Anthony Hibbert breaks down this highly important teaching that is spoken of by so many of the prophets.

6 —  “The 4th Angel — Wonderful or Dangerous?” (VIDEO)

Another one of our YouTube presentations. We go into the subject of how the 4th Angel message is ignored and even dismissed largely by our SDA leaders. Evidence is brought to bear that there is a end time message from the Lord to His people, yet the SDA as a church body will declare it “dangerous” and not to be heeded.

7 —  “The Judgment and the Seven Seals” (VIDEO)

This video was made by the Waco organization, with brother Jimmy Kakouri as the speaker. Jimmy is gifted as a presenter of many YouTube videos on present truth. This study is excellent and explains much on the seven seals.

May you be blessed as you listen and watch these timely present truth presentations!

Posted in Daniel's Vision (chapter 2), Davidian Seventh Day Adventists, Our Lord's kingdom, Prophecy study, Revelation teachings, The 144, Victor T. Houteff, Who are the 144K? | Leave a Comment »

Understanding Progressive New Light (Part 2 of 2)

November 2, 2019

Image result for Progressive new light from Scriptures

In part 2 we’ll look at three areas where, if one surface reads what SOP says and then what the Rod says, they would possibly think one is error and one is truth. But we learned from part one that they can be reconciled because of the understanding of progressive new light.

The Spirit of Prophecy message brought by our prophetess Ellen White, did not have much light on the pre-millennial kingdom. One of  SOP’s quotes concerning this topic is as follows –

First example — (The Pre-Millennial Kingdom)

WILL OLD JERUSALEM BE REBUILT?

Question No. 43:

How do you reconcile “The Shepherd’s Rod” teaching that the Davidian Kingdom is again to be set up in Palestine, with “Early Writings,” pp. 75, 76: “Old Jerusalem never would be built up”?

Answer:

The context of the Early Writings’ statement reveals that it refers to the Jewish Zionist Movement, and it shows that the Movement’s avowed purpose to re-establish a national Jewish Homeland, centered in Jerusalem proper, will never be realized; that never will Old Jerusalem be rebuilt in accordance with the Zionist interpretation, and never will the non-Christian Jews be the subjects of the Kingdom. (See Tract No. 8, Mount Sion at the Eleventh Hour.) (Answerer, vol.2, Q-43)

But despite Ellen White not being given much light on this important Loud Cry headquarters, she still showed in other ways that God would establish it.

“That which God purposed to do for the world through Israel, the chosen nation, He will finally accomplish through His church on earth today. He has “let out His vineyard [714] unto other husbandmen,” even to His covenant-keeping people, who faithfully “render Him the fruits in their seasons.” Never has the Lord been without true representatives on this earth who have made His interests their own. These witnesses for God are numbered among the spiritual Israel, and to them will be fulfilled all the covenant promises made by Jehovah to His ancient people.”(PK, p.714)

One of the most repeated and surest covenant promises made by God , was the returning of the Holy Land to His people.

“The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord God of Israel, saying, Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book. For, lo, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the Lord: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.” (Jer. 30:1-3)

The Rod speaks many things about this kingdom, this was one of the primary reasons the Lord sent His Rod message (Micah 6:9)

For a study outline of the pre-millennial kingdom see this link —

http://www.shepherds-rod-message.org/outlines/kingdom.pdf

Second example — (Church judgment –Ezekiel 9)

There is sometimes the mistaken idea that our prophetess showed that Ezek. 9 takes place in the time of the plagues. She indeed does say that in one of her references but, again her limited light of the pre-millennium kingdom kept her from disclosing the final message of Elijah, which did have the blazing light on the kingdom and the church purification  (Ezek. 9).

SLAUGHTER BEFORE OR AFTER CLOSE OF PROBATION?

Question No. 145:

“If the slaughter of Ezekiel Nine takes place in the church before the close of probation, then why does ‘The Great Controversy’ p. 656 say: ‘Now all have made their decision; the wicked have fully united with Satan in his warfare against God…The mark of deliverance has been set upon those ‘that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done?’  Now the angel of death goes forth, represented in Ezekiel’s vision by the men with the slaughtering weapons, to whom the command is given….The work of destruction begins among those who have professed to be the spiritual guardians of the people.’

“Does not the above reference, which seems to place the slaughter of Ezekiel Nine after the close of probation, refute the teachings of ‘The Shepherd’s Rod’?”

Answer:

The query reveals that the questioner has not thoroughly studied or understood what “The Shepherd’s Rod” teaches, for “The Great Controversy” does not refute “The Shepherd’s Rod,” but rather strengthens it.  It has been proved that before the close of probation there are two “fruits,” the 144,000 and the great multitude (Revelation 7:9), to be separated at two different times–the former’s taking place before the close of probation while “the door is closed to those who would not enter,” and while “His hand is still stretched out to save.”  (“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. 9, p. 97), thus showing, as does “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. 3, p. 266, that the sealing of the hundred and forty-four thousand is the closing work for the church, whereas the sealing work for the great multitude is the closing work for the world. 

Thus, while, in the time of God’s destructive judgments before the close of probation, the door is closed to one class, it is open to another class for whom “His hand is still stretched out to save,” clearly showing that probation closes first for the tares in the church.  Moreover, as the time is that of God’s destructive judgments–the separation of the tares from the wheat–the slaughter of Ezekiel Nine is that which severs the wicked from among the just. (Matt. 13:49.)

Therefore, as there are two separations, there is a double fulfillment of Ezekiel’s slaughter: one in the church before the close of probation, and the other in the worldly churches after the close of probation, when everyone has made his decision.  The unfaithful spiritual guardians, or the false watch-men, of the people are the first to fall in the worldly churches, just as the “ancient men” who are in the S.D.A. church are the first to fall.  (“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. 5, p. 211.)  This is the only explanation that will harmonize every statement on this subject found in the Spirit of Prophecy and in the Bible. (Vol. 3   Symbolic Code   No. 1. page 8.

IS THE SLAUGHTER OF EZEKIEL NINE LITERAL?

Question No. 25:

“The Shepherd’s Rod” teaches that the slaughter of Ezekiel 9 is literal. Could it not be a destruction such as is caused by so-called “acts of God”–earthquakes, famines, pestilences, the seven last plagues, or the like?

Answer:

The five agents that destroy the wicked in the church are not forces of nature but men with slaughter weapons in their hands. They are supernatural beings, not natural elements. Hence they cannot fittingly represent earthquakes, famines, or the like.

Neither can they be the seven angels with the seven last plagues, for these angels are seven in number, not five. Furthermore, they do not have “slaughter weapons” in their hands, but vials. Still further, the plagues fall in Babylon (Rev. 18:4), whereas the slaughter of Ezekiel 9 takes place in Judah and Israel (Ezek. 9:9).

Ezekiel 9, whether literal or figurative, effects a separation between the good and the bad, the tares and the wheat, in the church (Judah and Israel), just as the plagues finally do in Babylon (Rev. 18:4). And as the plagues are literal, then how can the slaughter be any less literal?

The angel with the writer’s inkhorn is to place a mark upon the foreheads of all who sigh and cry for the abominations, then the destroying angels are to slay both old and young (Ezek. 9:4-6).

“The church–the Lord’s sanctuary,” is “the first to feel the stoke of the wrath of God. The ancient men, those to whom God had given great light, and who had stood as guardians, of the spiritual interests of the people, had betrayed their trust. They had taken the position that we need not look for miracles and the marked manifestations of God’s power as in former days. Times have changed.

These words strengthen their unbelief and they say, The Lord will not do good, neither will he do evil. He is too merciful to visit his people in judgment. Thus peace and safety is the cry from men who will never again lift up their voice like a trumpet to show God’s people their transgressions and the house of Jacob their sins. These dumb dogs, that would not bark, are the ones who feel the just vengeance of an offended God. Men, maidens, and little children, all perish together.”–Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 211.

As in The Great Controversy, p. 656, only an indirect parallel can be drawn between the slaughter of Ezekiel 9 and the falling of the plagues, because a common end (death) befalls both the wicked in the church of Laodicean and the wicked in the churches of Babylon. And only those who say, “We need not look for miracles and the marked manifestation of God’s power as in former days,” think the slaughter is not literal. (Answerer, vol. 2, p.43)

So we see that Ellen White’s limited light on the subject was later expanded upon, in the form of His promised Elijah message. Let us remember that the last message of Elijah was to be as the type — a message to go strictly to God’s people. A message to warn them of judgments to come to the House of God first (1 Peter 4:17).

Third example — (Jacob’s time of trouble)

This subject has probably the most divergent teachings between SOP and the Rod. But once again, we know that they are reconcilable when we remember SOP’s limited light on the pre-mil kingdom. Progressive light beautifully adds and expands this doctrinal teaching.

This subject is based on the following Scripture —

“Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.” (Jer 30:7)

SOP has many references about this trouble, here are a couple important references about it —

 

“Jacob’s experience during that night of wrestling and anguish represents the trial through which the people of God must pass just before Christ’s second coming. The prophet Jeremiah, in holy vision looking down to this time, said, “We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. . . . All faces are turned into paleness. Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.” Jeremiah 30:5-7.

When Christ shall cease His work as mediator in man’s behalf, then this time of trouble will begin. Then the case of every soul will have been decided, and there will be no atoning blood to cleanse from sin. When Jesus leaves His position as man’s intercessor before God, the solemn announcement is made, “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” Revelation 22:11.

Then the restraining Spirit of God is withdrawn from the earth. As Jacob was threatened with death by his angry brother, so the people of God will be in peril from the wicked who are seeking to destroy them. And as the patriarch wrestled all night for deliverance from the hand of Esau, so the righteous will cry to God day and night for deliverance from the enemies that surround them.

…Such will be the experience of God’s people in their final struggle with the powers of evil. God will test their faith, their perseverance, their confidence in His power to deliver them. Satan will endeavor to terrify them with the thought that their cases are hopeless; that their sins have been too great to receive pardon. They will have a deep sense of their shortcomings, and as they review their lives their hopes will sink.

But remembering the greatness of God’s mercy, and their own sincere repentance, they will plead His promises made through Christ to helpless, repenting sinners. Their faith will not fail because their prayers are not immediately answered. They will lay hold of the strength of God, as Jacob laid hold of the Angel, and the language of their souls will be, “I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me.”(Patriarch and Prophets, p.201-203)

“When Christ stands up, and leaves the most holy place, the time of trouble commences, the case of every soul is decided, and there will be no atoning blood to cleanse from sin and pollution…Those who live in the last days must pass through an experience similar to that of Jacob. Foes will be all around them, ready to condemn and destroy.” (Signs of the Times, Nov.27, 1879)

There is no doubt that SOP describes this time of trouble after close of probation. We should also remember that EGW had much more light on the “second fruits” than what would happen to the first fruits (144,000) because she was not able to relate their final destination here on earth–the pre-mil kingdom in the Holy Land. So in that limited light, it appears that she is describing JTT for the second fruits, the Great Multitude (Rev. 7:9).

The Rod backs this summation up —

 

Question No. 37:

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

Answer:

When it is understood that the 144,000 are but first fruits, the forerunners or advanced guard of a great multitude of second fruits, the difficulty in question is immediately resolved. The first fruits stand with the Lamb, safe on Mt. Zion (in the Kingdom). Thus those who shall find refuge in the mountains, and those who shall be put in prison, can only be from among the second fruits–those who shall accept the message during the Loud Cry, but who shall not yet at that time have reached the Kingdom. (See our Tract No. 12, The World Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow 1941 Edition, pp. 45-49.) (Answerer, vol. 2, p.66-67)

But the Lord’s Rod message speaks about this JTT  —

Jer. 30:4-6 — “And these are the words that the Lord spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah.  For thus saith the Lord; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace.  Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child?  wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness?”

The cause of the fear here forecast is fundamentally needless and unnecessary, declares the Lord.

Jer. 30:7 — “Alas!  for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.”

The people that have come to this antitypical time of trouble are returning to the homeland, are comforted.  Apparently it is bad enough to frighten all, but God’s encouraging counsel is, “Fear not.”

   Plainly, the burden of this chapter is concerning the antitypical returning to the homeland.  Though terrible the trouble may seem, yet the outcome of it is to be the same as in the type. (Timely Greetings, volume 1, no.47, p.14)

The message clearly shows that the first and primary application of the JTT, is the 144,000 on their way home to the Holy Land, the pre-mil kingdom. Our type (Jacob) was going to the land of promise, and the latter-day application shall also show the saints experiencing this trouble on their way to God’s kingdom promised in the Holy land at the end of time.

Thus we have seen three examples of progressive light that expand our knowledge of God’s final plans for His people. May you continue to study His word knowing that the light comes progressively and that all the prophets spoke the truth but were later expanded upon to give the particular “present truth” for us today. We serve a wonderful God that gives details to be shown when we can know them and benefit from them! Amen.

 

Posted in Elijah Interpretations, Jacob's Time of Trouble, Our Lord's kingdom, Present Truth, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

Understanding Progressive New Light (Part 1 of 2)

October 26, 2019

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As faithful Bible students, we all should know the idea of progressing “new light”.  In other words the Scriptures are an evolving scroll of truth, allowing us to gain more and more understanding as we go through Its pages, front to back.

For example, in the time of Moses we saw that the Lord spoke through him to enlighten the people of the sacrificial and sanctuary services and its significance in pointing to Christ as the final and fulfilling sacrifice for humanity. The scroll soon unrolled further to say that, unlike in Moses’ time, the ceremonial services would no longer be needed in order to obey the Lord and His new progressive light (Truth). Apostle Paul makes that clear —

“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,  having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; He has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Let no man, therefore, judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.” (Col. 2:13-17)

Ah, but did you see something in that light that would later be adjusted and straightened out for God’s people today? As we read that we see a perfect example of progressing light from one time to another and even something that would be clarified in detail later (today).

Paul, at that time, was living among God’s people who were free to eat “meat”. At that time God allowed it to be partaken of. But progressive light later came through prophetess Ellen White and prophet Victor Houteff, as we see below.

“Greater reforms should be seen among the people who claim to be looking for the soon appearing of Christ. Health reform is to do among our people a work which it has not yet done. There are those who ought to be awake to the danger of meat-eating, who are still eating the flesh of animals, thus endangering the physical, mental, and spiritual health.

Many who are now only half converted on the question of meat-eating will go from God’s people to walk no more with them….. A diet of flesh meat tends to develop animalism. A development of animalism lessens spirituality, rendering the mind incapable of understanding truth.“(Counsels on Diet and Foods, p.382)

“Vegetables, fruits, and grains should compose our diet. Not an ounce of flesh meat should enter our stomachs. The eating of flesh is unnatural. We are to return to God’s original purpose in the creation of man.”—Manuscript 115, 1903 (Counsels on Diet, p.380)

“..while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, God provided them with manna. But when they murmured against it, and attributed its phenomenon only to circumstances, claiming that it was impossible to obtain flesh foods in the desert, He literally and angrily heaped quail upon them. At what price, though! Thousands died in order to teach the lesson that the manna was not the mere result of circumstances but rather a purposive Providence. For “while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the Lord was kindled against the people, and the Lord smote the people with a very great plague.” Num. 11:33.

Because the Exodus movement was to fit up a people to take the promised land and to set up the kingdom then, as we are now, they were charged to abstain from all flesh foods. And because John the Baptist bore an important message in his day (“Repent ye: for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand”–Matt. 3:2) similar to ours today, his diet was of honey and of the fruit of the locust tree. How much more important, then, as our types teach, that we who have the culminating message of the gospel, and who are the vanguard of the hosts of the eternal kingdom, defile not the temples of our souls with that which our types were forbidden to eat.” (Answerer, vol. 5, Q-148)

Thus we see that progressive light illuminated down through the ages to today. Our truth is not necessarily their truth, yet both were/are –truth.

Inspired Counsel

There is a real need among us advanced students of the unrolling scroll to know how we can understand certain difficult areas of the message.

The following shows some relevant quotes that the “restoring message” tells us about understanding difficult passages within God’s word (including SOP and the Rod). Here will be our basis on how to decipher and comprehend seemingly difficult and sometimes seemingly contradictory statements that we’ll show in part two.

“As no prophet’s writings ever predicted the entire Truth needed by the church to carry her clear through to the Kingdom, and as other prophets followed, either enlarging upon or adding to the prophecies already recorded in the Scriptures, then for anyone to turn down the good tidings of the Kingdom on the grounds that this phase of the Kingdom is not found in Sister White’s writings is for him to take the same inexcusable and fatal stand as did the Jews. It is to say, “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.” Rev. 3:17. It is this attitude that compels God to spue out of His mouth the lukewarm, satisfied Laodiceans.” (Answerer, vol. 2, p.77)

“...any statements incidental to a subject that is still out of sight in the unrolling of the scroll are made only in terms of truth as it is seen, or as it is commonly understood, not in terms of truth not seen. And if the understanding of that be wrong, the writer cannot be responsible for that which he has necessarily borrowed.

This circumstance is natural and common to every writer treating of present truth, even to the gospel writers, and will thus continue until every component part of the Truth is made known.

For example, John the Baptist’s message was to proclaim, not the setting up of the Kingdom, but the coming of the King. But while announcing the one, he incidentally had to make mention of the other. When speaking of the coming King, he expressed himself in terms of revealed truth. But when circumstantially alluding to the coming Kingdom, on which there was no light, he necessarily expressed himself in terms of the subject as then commonly understood.

Nevertheless, when the further unrolling of the scroll revealed that the Kingdom was not to be set up at that time, then the honest truth-seeking ones did not accuse either John or Christ, but joyously watched the scroll unfold, and jubilantly marched on with the Truth. Not so, though, with the vast majority of the Jews. Their pride of opinion forbidding them to forgo their errors and to embrace advancing Truth, they went deeper into error, rather than rising higher in truth!” (Sym. Code, vol. 7, no. 7-12, p.21-22)

“…the end-products of Inspiration fall into one of two categories– either Inspiration of words or Inspiration of ideas. To illustrate specifically: an angel appears and says to one, “The Lord is at such and such a time to do thus and thus with His people. Speak unto them this message, and show it unto them from the Scriptures of truth, for the prophets have therein spoken it of old.” The angel’s message must be delivered with fidelity to the idea; though obviously the choice of words, aside from the quotations, is necessarily left to the messenger. Consequently, anytime he sees the possibility of making the inspired idea stand forth more clearly and powerfully, the messenger is under deepest moral obligation to revise his language. Only thus can the stream of inspired ideation become progressively more lucid and beautiful.

Still further, there are circumstances in connection with certain aspects of every message which necessitate clarification. Such clarification, however, can be no greater than the light which shines at the time. And the light may come solely from within the message itself, or, again, it may derive from a limited understanding common to the time “then present”–an understanding which the messenger himself shares….Inspiration, moreover, always brings the messengers of God into perfect harmony, never into division.” (Answerer, vol. 1, p.48-49,51)

 

“ Let us remember always to observe the inviolable rule that an interpretation of one inspired statement must harmonize with all other related statements.”(Answerer , vol. 3, question 56)

“While Ezekiel calls them “men,” John says they are “virgins.” (Rev. 14:4.) Now, if we should take the position that Ezekiel means men only, then we can as well say, John means women only. Can it be possible that one writer should contradict the other? No indeed.”(Shepherd’s Rod. vol. 2, p.167)

  Wow, now that is so much information and counsel in understanding progressive light! Let us breakdown the main points we learn —

1. No prophet wrote all the light for us.

2. Later prophets came and either enlarged upon the light given or they added to it.

3. Prophets sometimes make writings that agree with the “commonly understood” understanding of that day. Though this may not be the full light on that subject which comes later.

4. Inspired messengers are harmonious, not divided. In other words, we must strive to see the underlying harmony that exists.

5. Interpretation of one inspired statement must harmonize with all other related statements. One writer of God’s inspired writings should not contradict the others.

With this counsel, we shall look at three areas of the Lord’s Rod message next week, in relation to SOP that sometimes makes people scratch their heads, even throw up their hands and say “well one is wrong the other is right..” Or they say “one had correct light the other had incorrect light”. Both of these lines of thought are not in harmony with our above divine counsel. There is a right way to understand these difficult areas according to Inspiration.

More Counsel for us —

“But no man, however honored of Heaven, has ever attained to a full understanding of the great plan of redemption, or even to a perfect appreciation of the divine purpose in the work for his own time. Men do not fully understand what God would accomplish by the work which He gives them to do; they do not comprehend, in all its bearings, the message which they utter in His name.” (GC, p.343)

“Some who are anxious to risk Present Truth on the weight of what one inspired statement seems to say or imply, are thereby presumptuously or very ignorantly overlooking the “weight of evidence.” Others are doing this through shortsightedness, while still others are doing it to prop up certain cherished ideas of their own.” (Answerer ,vol. 3, p.41-42)

 

Next week, God willing, we’ll conclude with part 2 ….

 

 

 

 

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