Two Hundred Million Horsemen

September 23, 2017

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One of the most mysterious and awesome mental pictures in the Revelation is that of Rev.9:16 –the two hundred million horsemen. What does this mean? Who are they and what do they represent? Do not worry, the Lord through His restoring prophet comes through for us. Let us look at this subject.

“And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. And the number of the army of the horsemen were  two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them. And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.” (Rev. 9:15-17)

There has been many theories put forth and our own S.D.A church is without exception. But the message gives us warning and counsel in regards to privately interpreting subjects such as the two hundred million horsemen —

“Ever since John recorded this imposing symbolization, church history has repeatedly throughout her pages had to make the entry that every attempt made to unlock its mystery has but resulted the more in barricading it with mysticism and confusion.  It is necessary, therefore, in clearing the mysticism, first of all to find

THE REASON FOR THE CONFUSION.

   The very fact that nineteen centuries of prying at the subject to open it up has only made it the more impenetrable, is the strongest possible evidence that God controls the Scriptures and reveals Them only at the divinely appointed time.  The truth of this statement is conclusively substantiated by the angel’s words: “I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your Prince.” Dan. 10:21.

   And “when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come,” says Christ, in broader statement of this same truth, “He will guide you into all truth.” John 16:13.

   Having been put forth prematurely and without the prompting of the Spirit of Truth, human efforts have accordingly failed to discover and explain the truth of “the trumpets.”  And no scripture ever being unfolded without Inspiration, the expositions of uninspired minds are hence of private interpretation, in forewarning of which the Bible says: “….no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” 2 Pet. 1:20.

So 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.  Knowing this, Satan is continually

Paving the Way for Sinning Against the Holy Ghost.”

No one is lost for believing a false interpretation of a prophecy before the truth of it is revealed, provided the false interpretation does not draw him away from some other truth.  Such individuals, however, are in great danger because, as history reveals, very few who become thus involved in error are willing to humble themselves by renouncing their errors and accepting the truth when it is made known.  They are consequently in constant peril of sinning against the Holy Ghost.  And being acutely aware of this, Satan misinterprets the prophecies before they are divinely revealed.  He realizes full well that many, unwilling to be corrected and to exchange their errors for revealed truth, will thereby be led to eternal ruin.  All-important, therefore, is the need that the student of the truth fortify himself with all honesty and humility as the light of truth is now turned searchingly on

Popular Theories.

(Tract 5, p.4-7)

Now we shall look at what our church has supported even though it is deceiving error. This will enable us to see the folly of such understanding that we as Adventists have been exposed to through the years on our subject. Let us read —

“To begin with, the reader’s attention is called to Elder Uriah Smith’s book, originally entitled Thoughts on Daniel and The Revelation, and later Daniel and The Revelation, in which is explained, among other subjects, the subject of “the seven trumpets.”  Here one will notice that Elder Smith is not the original author of the exposition of the trumpets.  The originators were Messrs. Keith, Clark, Barnes, et al.  “Thus far,” says Elder Smith, “Keith has furnished us with illustrations of the sounding of the first five trumpets.” — Daniel and The Revelation, p. 506.

   Then further in the same chapter, and in explanation of Revelation 9:17, we read: “As the Turks discharged their firearms on horseback, it would appear to the distant beholder, that the fire, smoke and brimstone issued out of the horses’ mouths, as illustrated by the accompanying plate.” — Id., p.510.  “Barnes thinks this was the case,” remarks Elder Smith; “and a statement from Gibbon confirms this view.” — ld., p. 510, footnote.

   Thus, plainly, the interpretation of the seven trumpets, as it is found in Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation, was not originated by the Seventh-day Adventist denomination.  But their placing upon it their endorsement makes it appear as Seventh-day Adventist doctrine.  In other words, the theories of uninspired men having the S.D.A. stamp of approval, are made to appear to the S.D.A. laity as genuine S.D.A. Bible doctrines.  This goes to show that the majority of Seventh-day Adventists, right along with others, do not ask, “Is it true, — in harmony with God’s word? but, By whom is it advocated?” — Testimonies to Ministers, p.106.  And if the theory comes through a popular channel, they as a rule unquestionably accept it!

   A fair example is their unhesitatingly applauding such manipulations as rationalizing “the heads of lions” (in the symbolism of Revelation 9:17) into heads of Arabian horses, and the serpent-like tails (Rev. 9:19), into common horses’ tails (as evidenced by the accompanying illustration) in order to connect the trumpets with the battles of the Turks!

   But even worse, they unhesitatingly agree that the “fire,” “smoke,” and “brimstone” did not issue, as John saw them, from the lion-like mouths, but rather from a gun in the hand of a Turk!

   Their accepting these additions and subtractions to and from Holy Writ, a practice condemned by the Scriptures (Rev. 22:18, 19), shows that they are victims of a faulty vision, which causes them to think themselves right when they are all wrong (Testimonies, Vol. 3, pp. 252, 253).

   Their subscribing to such a practice, moreover, undermines faith in the Bible, for if the Revelator be wrong in one instance, then can he not be mistaken in other instances also?  And if we cannot depend upon the book of The Revelation

 

just as it reads, then how can we put confidence in any of the Bible?  And if inspired prophets cannot declare the positive truth of what they see, then how can uninspired students of their writings declare it?  So, those who learn “to give an answer to every man that asketh…a reason of the hope that is in” (1 Pet. 3:15) them, will have no trouble answering  the question:

Did John See Correctly?

   True, the seer of Patmos was an erring human being like ourselves, but the one who dictated His writings — the great and infallible I Am, Overseer and Proof Reader of the Scriptures — was there to see that John made a faithful record of what he saw, for the exact truth of the symbolism means our very life.  Indeed, it is not possible that the Lord would jeopardize our salvation by displaying the symbolism so far removed from John’s sight that he could not accurately see and record it, and yet expect to save us by it.

   If John failed to see correctly the symbols in the vision, as these supposed-to-be men of learning and experience speciously explain, then does it not imply that God is indifferent as to whether or not He reveals in a misleading way truth which is essential to our salvation?  If not, and if John was wrong, why, then, did not God correct him?  Was it impossible for Him here to correct His prophet?

   “The second angel,” says the Revelator, “poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.” Rev. 16:3.

If John could not, as is contended, see exactly where the “fire,” “smoke,” and “brimstone” came from, then how could he see that “every” creature, as he says in the words just quoted, died in the bottom  of the sea?  Which condition is the more difficult to see with exactness?

   The acceptance and the teaching of such interpretations  is signboard evidence that there is today gross darkness throughout the church, enveloping both the laity and the watchmen who claim to be the “men of experience” mentioned in Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 293, and elucidated in Tract No. 4, The Latest News for Mother Revised Edition, pp. 32-35.  These men, though exceedingly “unskilful in the Word,” as is seen from the foregoing observations, forbid that anything new in which they see no light, be brought before the people. 

And despite the fact that such utterly unlawful and light-obscuring restrictions are devised to keep the people forever in their errors, the laity nevertheless accept them without question, and esteem those who devise them as wise and true friends.  And all who refuse to be bound by such restrictions  are “cast out” (Isa. 66:5), while multitudes who disbelieve the Spirit of Prophecy are retained,  and other multitudes of like unbelief are accepted as members in approved standing!  Thus is reenacted the outstanding sin of the Jews, which called forth from the lips of the Saviour the piercing pronouncement:

“If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!” Matt. 6:23. (Tract 5, p.7-13)

Ok let us now turn to the truth of the matter —

“Rev. 9:15, first clause. “And the four angels were loosed.”

   The execution of the command, “Loose the four angels,” meaning to set the church free from her captivity in Babylon, resulted in her being liberated from her long bondage to the tyranny of church-state rule, and in the Bible’s being restored to God’s people, so that they might study and worship in fear and in favor of no man, and in accountability only to their conscience and to their God.  In the consequent dissolution of the church-state union, the “four angels” were loosed.(Tract 5, p.81)

   Rev. 9:15, last part. “…which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.”….

The marginal rendering gives the preposition “at” for the preposition “for,” making the verse read: “At an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year.”  Still more exactly rendered, it would read: “At an hour, at a day, at a month, and at a year.”  Thus are designated four points in time “at” which the four angels were to prepare “for to slay the third pan of men.”  And as the “third part” in the trumpets represents, as we have seen, those who reject God’s appeals to them to repent and be saved, then, accordingly, the angels’ preparing themselves on four successive occasions for the eventual execution of death upon “the third part of men,” shows that the men are to reject a four-phase (four-doctrine) message, each phase being revealed successively:

   (1) The only revelation of truth pertaining to and coming “at an hour” is the proclamation of the angel’s announcement: “Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come.” Rev. 14:7.

   (2) The only revelation of truth pertaining to and coming “at a day” is the warning of “the day of vengeance” (Isa. 63:4), “the great and dreadful day of the Lord,” which is to be heralded by the promised “Elijah the prophet.” Mal. 4:5; Testimonies  to Ministers, p. 475.

   (3) The only revelation pertaining to and coming “at a month” is “the latter rain in the first month” (Joel 2:23) — the light of the angel who is to lighten the earth with his glory (Rev. 18:1; Early Writings, pp. 277, 278).  Then “afterward,” says the Lord, “I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh.” Joel 2:28.  Glorious prophetic promise, it envisages the power that God is to bestow upon His messengers who are to proclaim  the message that is revealed in the time “of the latter rain.”  “At the right time” says the Spirit of Prophecy, “He sends His faithful messengers to do a work similar to that of Elijah.” — Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 254. (For further study on the latter rain, see The Shepherd’s Rod, Vol. 2, pp. 256, 257.)

   (4) And, finally, the only revelation pertaining  to and coming “at a year,” and preparing the four angels “for to slay the third part of men” is says the Lord, “the year of My redeemed.” Isa. 63:4.  And this “year” at which His people are redeemed is, of course, the time of the sealing and of the deliverance of the 144,000, — those who are redeemed who escape the slaughter decreed in Ezekiel 9.  Of these, the Lord says: “I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations,…to the isles afar off, that have not heard My fame, neither have seen My glory; and they shall declare My glory among the Gentiles. And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the Lord out of all nations

…to My holy mountain Jerusalem,…in a clean vessel into the house of the Lord.” Isa. 66:19, 20.

   These four messages prepare the four angels “for to slay the third part of men” — all who fail to receive into their lives the saving truth of the gospel as revealed in the four messages.  They are, to recapitulate, (1) those who close their ears to the proclamation of the judgment, which is revealed “at an hour”; (2) those who heed not the solemn warning of the day of God’s vengeance, which is revealed “at a day”; (3) those who receive not the latter rain, which comes “at a month”; and (4) those who do not join “His redeemed”  (the 144,000), who are sealed “at a year.”  All these who fail to make the needful preparation for gloryland after the truth is proclaimed to them, shall perish at the command of the angelic horsemen whose army numbers “two-hundred thousand thousand.” (Tract 5, p.87-89)

Rev. 9:16-19. “And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.  And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.  By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.  For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.”

   These verses immediately evoke the question Who are these “horsemen” and “horses,” numbering  200,000,000 each, “the army” which is to “slay the third part of men”?

   In answering this question, it is to be remembered that likewise the “four angels” were to “slay a third part of men,” also that they symbolize the fourfold message brought to view in preceding  paragraphs.  Unmistakably, therefore, the “army”  of “horses” is figurative of the workers who proclaim the final message.

   That the symbol, horses, is correctly interpreted to represent gospel workers is further borne out by Zechariah 14:20.  There, horses are used to symbolize preachers, those who sound “the bells” — the alarm of warning, the message of salvation.  Like the “locusts,” therefore, they represent the messengers of God, but under different  circumstances. (For more ample treatment of this  symbolical meaning of the horses, read Tract No. 2, The Warning Paradox of Zechariah 6.)

   So as the horses are representative of gospel messengers, and as they are controlled and guided by their riders (divine beings), then the “horsemen,” it automatically follows, are figurative  of the angelic host who lead and direct the saints in their work of proclaiming the message and, subsequently, in killing the third part of men who reject it.  But since riders, not horses, do the killing when engaged in battle, these supernatural beings, the angelic horsemen, are the ones who actually do the slaying.  Hence, their having “breastplates of  fire [protection of the Spirit], and of jacinth, and brimstone.”

   What, then, we may ask, is the “power” of the horses?  These 200,000,000 horses, we have learned, symbolize a great army of gospel workers, from whose lips go a message which means life or death.  That, therefore, must be the power in their mouth.  Consequently, the “fire,” “smoke,” and “brimstone,” which issue “out of their mouths,” are figurative of the message which they proclaim: the power of the Holy Spirit (the “fire”), the sacrifices of Christ (“the smoke”), and the destructive judgments of God (“the brimstone”).  By this three-fold message “was the third part of men killed.” Rev. 9:18.

“The nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted.” Isa. 60:12.

   “Lift ye up a banner,” saith the Lord, “upon the high mountain [God’s holy church], exalt the voice [the proclamation of the gospel] unto them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.  I have commanded My sanctified ones [the ministry — “two hundred thousand thousand”  “horses”], I have also called My Mighty ones [the angelic host — “two hundred thousand thousand horsemen”] for Mine anger, even them that rejoice in My highness.  The noise of a multitude [the army of Revelation 9:16] in the mountains, like as of a great people; a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together: the Lord of hosts mustereth the host of the battle.  They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, even the Lord, and the weapons of His indignation, to destroy the whole land.

   “Howl ye; for the day of the Lord is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.  Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man’s heart shall melt: and they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.  Behold, the day of the Lord  cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and He shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it. 

For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.  And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.  I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.  Therefore, I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of hosts, and in the day of His fierce anger.” Isa. 13:2-13.

   “And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray Thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.” 2 Kings 6:17.

   If our eyes were opened as were the eyes of “the young man,” we, too, would see an angelic host round about the “Elishas” of today.

   And now as to what swelled the number of preachers from 144,000 to 200,000,000, the Lord says: “I will also take of them [of those whom the 144,000 shall bring from “all nations,” after the fulfillment of Isaiah 66:16 — the purification of the church] for priests and for Levites.” Isa. 66:21.  The very fact of such a multitude of workers speaks for itself that they are engaged in reaping the harvest of the world.

   Here in pledged word, God foretells in clearest tenor that many of those whom He brings into the church after the purification, will join the 144,000 in proclaiming the message to the whole world, when the earth is lightened with the glory of the angel (Rev. 18:1).

Then shall “the sons of strangers,” says the Lord, “build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in My wrath I smote thee…. The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the Lord, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel…. Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders;  but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.  The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.” Isa. 60:10, 14, 18, 19.

   “And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on My name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is My people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.” Zech. 13:8, 9.

   Two parts lost and one part saved make three parts in all.  The “one third” (Rev. 9:15) shall be slain by fire, smoke, and brimstone (Rev. 9:18), before probation closes.  The remaining wicked who are slain by the seven last plagues (Rev. 16) and by the brightness of His coming (2 Thess. 2:8), after probation closes, make the other third. The saved, the last third, are “the third…left therein.” Zech. 13:8. (Tract 5, p.89-95)

So there we have it the two hundred million horses are gospel workers. The horsemen, the riders, are the angelic host, divine beings, guiding them in proclaiming the message and then executing God’s judgment upon the wicked. Wow, this packs a “truth punch” doesn’t it? The Loud Cry of the 144,000 will soon produce 200 million gospel preachers!

Although we now have a little over 7 Billion people on our planet, the 144,000 and the gospel workers will reap a harvest known as the “Great Multitude” which no man could number (Rev. 7:9). What a time to be alive and witness what God’s full Spirit poured upon His vanguard the “first fruits” and His “great army of gospel workers” can do.

Let us thank the Lord for our understanding of this most mysterious and long-held confusing topic. His promise to restore “all things” including the full truth of the Scriptures is a real blessing for those of us interested in prophecy.

Posted in Elijah Interpretations, Revelation teachings | 1 Comment »

Returning to the Land

September 16, 2017

Image result for picture of Jerusalem

As we have posted so many times, the above destination is what we as Seventh-day Adventist and Davidian Seventh-day Adventists, must strive for and often think about. But the Lord’s Word, surprisingly gives much Scriptures on this returning. In fact, it is one of the main themes in God’s Word, yet how few of us as God’s remnant people really know about it!

We have been told about these references “Oh that was conditional, that was classic to the Jews” etc. Unfortunately Satan has blinded so many of God’s remnant people in regard to this very important understanding. But now is time for us to know this “meat in due season”. Let us look at His Word and how repeatedly It emphasizes this goal for us.

ISAIAH

“And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 2:3)

“And there shall be an highway for the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt…Cry and shout, O inhabitant of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel in your midst.”(Isaiah 11:16, 12:6)

“For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob.” (Isaiah 14:1)

“In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks. Open the gates so a righteous nation can come in– one that remains faithful.” (Isaiah 26:1-2)

“For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: He will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when He shall hear it, He will answer thee.” (Isaiah 30:19)

“Art thou not it which hath dried the sea, the waters of the great deep; that hath made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over? Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.” (Isaiah 51:10-11)

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

“Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 52:9)

“For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth…Nor shall your land any more be termed desolate..” (Isaiah 62:1,4)

JEREMIAH

“In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers.” (Jeremiah 3:18)

“Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that they shall no more say, The LORD liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; But, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.” (Jeremiah 23:7-8)

“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.” (Jeremiah 30:3)

“The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry. Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mountains of Samaria: the planters shall plant, and shall eat them as common things. For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the LORD our God. ” (Jeremiah 31:3-6)

“And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me. Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul. For thus saith the LORD; Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them.” (Jeremiah 32:40-42)

“In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together, going and weeping: they shall go, and seek the LORD their God. They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, saying, Come, and let us join ourselves to the LORD in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten.” (Jeremiah 50:4-5)

EZEKIEL

“For in mine holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, there shall all the house of Israel, all of them in the land, serve me: there will I accept them, and there will I require your offerings, and the firstfruits of your oblations, with all your holy things. I will accept you with your sweet savour, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen.” (Ezekiel 20:40-41)

“Thus saith the Lord GOD; When I shall have gathered the house of Israel from the people among whom they are scattered, and shall be sanctified in them in the sight of the heathen, then shall they dwell in their land that I have given to my servant Jacob. And they shall dwell safely therein, and shall build houses, and plant vineyards; yea, they shall dwell with confidence, when I have executed judgments upon all those that despise them round about them; and they shall know that I am the LORD their God.” (Ezekiel 28:25-26)

“For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel.” (Ezekiel 34:11-14)

“And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.” (Ezekiel 36:27-28)

“Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities I will also cause you to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be builded. And the desolate land shall be tilled, whereas it lay desolate in the sight of all that passed by. And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited. Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I the LORD build the ruined places, and plant that that was desolate: I the LORD have spoken it, and I will do it.” (Ezekiel 36:33-36)

HOSEA

“For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim: Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.” (Hosea 3:4-5)

“They shall walk after the LORD: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west. They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, saith the LORD.” (Hosea 11:10-11)

JOEL

“So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.” (Joel 3:17)

AMOS

“In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old: That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this.”(Amos 9:11-12)

MICAH

“But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”(Micah 4:1-2)

ZECHARIAH 

“Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD. And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee. And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again.” (Zechariah 2:10-12)

“Again the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury. Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the LORD of hosts.Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country; And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness. ” (Zechariah 8:1-8)

What we have read is truly a great promise. It shall soon come to pass and this kingdom will be as real as the nose on our face.But some may need more clarification.

  1. Isn’t this describing the kingdom in the New Earth or Millennial heavenly reign?

No, it cannot be. There will not be any “heathen” in either of those  kingdoms. Neither will there be “old men and old women”. As we read, this is in front of the heathen as a final witness to them.

2. If this kingdom is to be set up premillennially then doesn’t that change our Adventist teaching of the 1000 year reign in Heaven?

No it doesn’t. This kingdom will be of a very short duration. Some say 7 years , others like yours truly think it will be much shorter, maybe 2 or 3 years max. Although we aren’t given any time schedules in regards to length of time, the message (SOP and Rod) tells us “the final movements will be rapid ones”. It’s sole purpose is to bring to the world a final witness of God’s glory and power. The final Loud Cry will “lighten the world” and this kingdom will be a big part of this final witness.

3. If this kingdom is to be set up before Christ’s second coming, how does it fit in with our S.D.A understanding of the mark of the Beast world wide system which Satan is to set up?

This will be the final spiritual war, the “great controversy”, God’s kingdom church versus Satan’s kingdom Sunday church. Two groups of people all over the world who will have to pick one side or the other, no fence sitters. As we read, God’s Gospel headquarters will come from Israel. Likewise Satan’s headquarters will be a counterfeit. Both sides will have many miracles performed and the only way that one can be safe from deception, is to be grounded in His Word- Commandments. Our understanding is correct, the Sunday Law will be the great test. But this test is for the world not our own church, which has experienced the church purification (Ezek. 9) prior to this kingdom set up.

4. We read of our Lord saying He shall be “in the midst” in this kingdom. Will He actually be there in person in Israel during this time?

No He will not be “physically” there, but He will be there as He was when Moses led the people out of the land of Egypt. The well known “second coming” remains as such as He will come for His people–physically (Bodily form) for the second time. But as we know, His next presence will be invisible  in the church for judgment (1 Peter 4:17), then in His kingdom as the invisible leader, then His “second” coming. As Christ is able to travel beyond measure He will no doubt go back to the heavenly sanctuary to later announce —

“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.” (Rev. 22:11)

And then lay off His priestly garments for His kingly garments. This brings on the seven last plagues–end of the world’s probation.

5. How soon will this kingdom come?

The Word shows us  good sign posts and the kingdom appears very near. First, the nation “not desired” has gathered and fulfilled this prophecy —

“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)

The unbelieving Jews have gathered themselves as a nation in His holy land since 1948.

Second, as we know the above foretells a “decree” from the Lord will be issued over His holy land, a war to clean out those unbelievers for His people to return there. Right now we see many nations (Russia, USA, China, Nato, Iran, Israel,  etc.) stationed in this region with their  military activity. In other words the pieces are in place for the decree to be issued and then the last great world war over this land shall take place and Israel will get the worst of it. Yet miraculously it will be transformed quickly into a paradise. The headquarters established, beautiful sights such as —

“The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.” (Isaiah 11:6)

6. Will this kingdom just be in Jerusalem or all of Israel?

It will be all of Israel. In Ezek. 48 we read of the new land division. Below is a map showing the final boundaries compared to the ancient parcels of the tribes.

 

12 tribes Ezek 48 vs Solomon (3)

7. If this kingdom will come, how come only a few know about it in the S.D.A Church?

It is similar to the Jews back in Christ’s first advent. The leaders, corrupt and selfish, read into the Word only what they wanted to instead of humbly seeking God’s guidance in understanding it. The people were misled by these false shepherds and told that the Messiah would come as a conquering King and would free them from the Roman bondage. Thus Christ came as they did not expect Him.

So too today, our S.D.A leaders, being selfish false shepherds, have read into the Scriptures a false idea of the next and only coming being the second coming. The only people among God’s remnant church who correctly understand the next “surprise” coming to His church and then to His pre-millennial Kingdom is the Davidian Seventh-day Adventists. It’s amazing to think about, the Jews wanted the kingdom and did not get it, the S.D.A leaders do not want a pre-millennial kingdom here on earth but will get it!

“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matt.6:9-10)

In closing there is so much joy and excitement ahead for us. Only those who believe in His Word will experience it though. May the Lord’s Word and promise be our hope and destiny.

Posted in Final Events, Our Lord's kingdom, Prophecy study | 10 Comments »

“THE CHURCH ENTERING INTO AND IN THE HARVEST PERIOD”

September 9, 2017

Image result for picture of a wheat harvest

Brother Houteff gave this sermon on Dec. 28th , 1946  on the Church Harvest. May you be blessed.

Matt. 25:1-5 — “Then shall the Kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.  And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.  They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.  While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.”

Again it plainly appears that the church membership is divided into two classes, the wise and the foolish.  The wise take no chances; they continually search for oil (Truth) and they fill their vessels with It at first opportunity.  The foolish, though, see no need for any more than what is in their lamps; they are satisfied with what they already have.

The oil, a substance which lightens ahead one’s path, obviously is figurative of prophetic Truth, Truth that lightens the heart by unveiling the future.  Concretely speaking, the lamp filled with oil denotes the individual’s reservoir of Truth in action, Truth that meets his needs only for the time then present.  The extra oil in the vessels, therefore, represents additional Truth, Truth that takes up where the old Truth leaves off.  In other words, the oil in the lamps and the oil in the vessels represent two revealed truths, at two different times, one following the other.  For example, while the Judgment for the Dead is Truth in action, the Judgment for the Living is Truth to go into action as soon as the Judgment for the Dead is over.

Obviously, oil that has been consumed, as is the oil in the virgins’ lamps, represents past Truth, Truth that has accomplished Its purpose; but the oil in the vessels represents Truth ready to be activated and made to shine immediately after the oil in the lamps is consumed.  Since the ten virgins represent the church membership during the Judgment for the Dead, the oil in the lamps manifestly represents the truth of the Judgment for the Dead.  The extra oil, that is in the “vessels” must, therefore, represent the truth of the Judgment for the Living, the additional Truth (Early Writings, pg. 277).  Plainly then, the lamps gone empty represent the Judgment for the Dead passing away, and the oil in the vessels represents the Truth of the Judgment for the Living going into action.

Since all ten had oil in the lamps, but only half of them had the oil in the vessels, the symbolism clearly discloses that, as always, the whole church membership did not accept the message of the Judgment for the Living.  The foolish virgins were satisfied with the Truth they had acquired while joining the church that bore the message of the Judgment for the Dead, but failed to acquaint themselves with the additional message — the message of the Judgment for the Living.  Finally, after the necessity for It became imperative, they began to search for It but it did them no good, they were too late getting It.

These were left out with the tares only because they let the Devil sow in their hearts seeds of foolishness, seeds of contentment (lukewarmness) with the initial truths by which they joined the church; thus they mistakenly felt no need of additional light from the Lord.  But when prophecy began to fulfill itself beyond their scope of Divinely revealed knowledge, and as they saw the events of the gospel shaping themselves contrary to their expectations, they became alarmed and confused, saw themselves in darkness.

The lesson is unmistakable: Those who for ever feel “rich, and increased with goods, and in need of nothing more, will not get to the “door” on time.

Besides the tares among the wheat, there are idlers, inactive folk who are to be cast out and destroyed with the tares.  Let us read–

Matt. 25:14-30 — “For the Kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, Who called His own servants, and delivered unto them His goods.  And unto one He gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took His journey.

“Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.  And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.  But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his Lord’s money.

“After a long time the Lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.  And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, Thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.  His Lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.

“He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, Thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.  His Lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.

“Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew Thee that Thou art an hard man, reaping where Thou hast not sown, and gathering where Thou hast not strawed: and I was afraid, and went and hid Thy talent in the earth: lo, there Thou hast that is Thine.  His Lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: thou oughtest therefore to have put My money to the exchangers, and then at My coming I should have received Mine own with usury.  Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.  For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.  And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

From this parable is seen that when a Christian falls asleep, Satan comes along and sows seeds of idleness in his heart so as to cause him to be cast out with the tares.  At the commencement of the harvest, therefore, this class of tares is the first to appear as such.  It is high time to learn that religion is not an opiate.

There is still another class of church members who in a different way fall victims with the tares.  This we shall see from–

Matt. 25:31-46 — “When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: and before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: and He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.

“Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was an hungered, and ye gave Me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took Me in: naked, and ye clothed Me: I was sick, and ye visited Me: I was in prison, and ye came unto Me.

“Then shall the righteous answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we Thee an hungered, and fed Thee?  or thirsty, and gave Thee drink?  When saw we Thee a stranger, and took Thee in?  or naked, and clothed Thee?  or when saw we Thee sick, or in prison, and came unto Thee?

“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.  Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was an hungered, and ye gave Me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took Me not in: naked, and ye clothed Me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited Me not.

“Then shall they also answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we Thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto Thee?  Then shall He answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to Me.  And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”

The most outstanding sin of the goat class of professed believers is that they are all for self and none for others. The sheep class are the opposite in character.  Since those who do charity work are not to make a display of it — not to let the left hand know what the right hand is doing (Matt. 6:3) — and since the system of such benevolent work is clearly pointed out in the Hebrew economy, we would do well to look there for it: “To promote the assembling of the people for religious service, as well as to provide for the poor, a second tithe of all the increase was required. 

Concerning the first tithe, the Lord had declared, ‘I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel.’  But in regard to the second he commanded, ‘Thou shalt eat before the Lord thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the Lord thy God always.’  Thus tithe, or its equivalent in money, they were for two years to bring to the place where the sanctuary was established. 

After presenting a thank-offering to God, and a specified portion to the priest, the offerers were to use the remainder for a religious feast, in which the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow should participate.  Thus provision was made for the thank-offerings and feasts at the yearly festivals, and the people were drawn to the society of the priests and Levites, that they might receive instruction and encouragement in the service of God.” —  “Patriarchs And Prophets,” p. 530.  For this work to be carried out systematically by the Lord’s treasury through gifts and free will offerings, sometimes called second tithe, we cannot but do likewise if we are to find favor with God.  Now back to–

Matt. 13:44 — “Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.”

Matt. 13:45, 46 — “Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.”

These parables distinctly point out that those who do not care to invest everything they possess, if need be, to obtain the Kingdom, are to be cast out with the tares.

Matt. 13:47, 48 — “Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.”

A net cast into the sea naturally catches good and bad, small and large fish.  But fish, like all other living creatures, move in families, each species with its kind, and so each time the net is cast, it catches families of fish.  So it is that the gospel net in many instances naturally brings in families and relatives all in one catch; that is, as parents accept the gospel of Christ, along with them are often brought the children, and even relatives and friends.

The bad fish represent those who, with no real knowledge, conviction and conversion of their own but through emotion and the influence of others join the church.  So it is that those who never studiously, whole-heartedly and zealously take hold of the principles of Christ are cast out, there to perish with the tares.  All who are too lazy to study, and who give the Devil a chance to sow devilish seed in their hearts, making them believe that the preacher or the minister will take them through the Pearly Gates, having no experience of their own, are cheated of eternal life; they instead get eternal death.

True enough, the Spirit of God causes people to become one thing, and the spirit of Satan causes them to become another thing, but the difference is discernible only as the harvest time approaches — when the Truth of the harvest is revealed.

From these simple parables comes the fact that Satan raises tares in the church and ever tries his level best to keep them in it.  Why? — Let us find the answer in Revelation 12 —

Rev. 12:13 — “And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.”

When the Devil saw that he was no longer permitted entrance into Heaven, he went to persecute the church after she brought forth “the man child,” Christ.  The dragon, therefore, is to persecute the church in her Christian period.

Rev. 12:14 — “And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.”

Because of the persecution, the church was given the means by which to take her flight from the promised land (the vineyard) into the land of the Gentiles (the wilderness).

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

At the beginning, the serpent persecuted the church, but as he saw that the church still grew and prospered, he reversed his tactics, and began instead to persecute the Pagans who would not join the church, and raised ministers by whom to bring in a flood of unconverted by which to paganize the church, so that she could not Christianize them.

Rev. 12:16 — “And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.”

Thus is the church purified and thus are the tares destroyed.  As tares they are burned; as unprofitable workers they are cast into outer darkness there to weep and gnash their teeth; as unfit guests for the wedding they are bound hand and foot and cast out into outer darkness; as foolish virgins they are refused entrance; as goats they are sent into everlasting punishment; as dragon’s flood, they are swallowed by the earth.  But the actual thing that happens to them all in common, is fully described in Ezekiel’s prophecy, chapter 9.  Let us turn to it–

Ezek. 9:1-11 — “He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand.  And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer’s inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brasen altar.

“And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon He was, to the threshold of the house. And He called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer’s inkhorn by his side; and the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.

“And to the others He said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary.  Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.  And He said unto them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth.  And they went forth, and slew in the city.

“And it came to pass, while they were slaying them, and I was left, that I fell upon my face, and cried, and said, Ah Lord God!  wilt Thou destroy all the residue of Israel in Thy pouring out of Thy fury upon Jerusalem?

“Then said He unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for they say, The Lord hath forsaken the earth, and the Lord seeth not.  And as for Me also, Mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity, but I will recompense their way upon their head.  And, behold, the man clothed with linen, which had the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter, saying, I have done as Thou hast commanded me.”

The promise to purify Jerusalem, Judah and Israel stands as sure as any promise in the Word.  The terms, Jerusalem, Judah, Israel you know, cannot be applied to anything but to the church, the place where everyone should sigh and cry against abominations.  Those who do not sigh and cry are to be left without the mark, and then the angels who have charge of the church smite everyone of them — “old and young, both maids and little children, and women.”  Only those who have the mark shall be left.  They are the remnant.  The angels are thus to take care of both the wheat and the tares.

Yes, there is to be a clean riddance of every sort of tare just as anciently there was a clean riddance of all the first-born in the households that failed to paint the doorpost with the sacrificial blood on the evening of the Passover in the land of Egypt.  So shall it be at the commencement of the harvest, in the purification of the church: The angels shall smite everyone who fosters the abominations “in the midst thereof.”

When is this thorough purging to take place?  For the answer let us turn to Zephaniah, chapter 1.

Zeph. 1:2, 3 — “I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the Lord.  I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumbling blocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the Lord.”

Here is a promise that the Lord is to thoroughly cleanse the land, and I am sure none of you will say that these prophecies have ever been fulfilled.

Zeph. 1:4, 5 — “I will also stretch out Mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the name of the Chemarims with the priests; and them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops; and them that worship and that swear by the Lord, and that swear by Malcham.”

Not only the land but the people that are to make up the house of Judah, are to be cleansed: There is to be a clean land and a clean people as well.

Zeph. 1:6 — “And them that are turned back from the Lord; and those that have not sought the Lord, nor enquired for Him.”

The backslider and the indifferent, those who are unstable and those who see no need of God, are to perish along with the tares.

Zeph. 1:7 — “Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord God: for the day of the Lord is at hand: for the Lord hath prepared a sacrifice, He hath bid His guests.”

This is the long-expected great and dreadful day of the Lord.

Zeph. 1:8 — “And it shall come to pass in the day of the Lord’s sacrifice, that I will punish the princes, and the king’s children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel.”

Zeph. 1:9-11 — “In the same day also will I punish all those that leap on the threshold, which fill their masters’ houses with violence and deceit.  And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord, that there shall be the noise of a cry from the fish gate, and an howling from the second, and a great crashing from the hills.  Howl, ye inhabitants of Maktesh, for all the merchant people are cut down; all they that bear silver are cut off.”

The great crashing shall be from both the fish gates and from the hills — from land and from sea.  Both, the servants that bring violence and deceit upon their master’s houses, and the wicked masters themselves, shall be punished.

Zeph. 1:12-18 — “And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The Lord will not do good, neither will He do evil.  Therefore their goods shall become a booty, and their houses a desolation: they shall also build houses, but not inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof.  The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the Lord: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. 

That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers.  And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the Lord: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.  Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord’s wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of His jealousy: for He shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.”

The time of the day of the Lord is pointed out by increased “wrath,” “trouble,” “distress,” “wasteness,” “desolation,” “darkness” and “gloominess,” — a time in which no one knows what to do to avert disaster, a time of so much fear even by the cities that are best fortified.  So far as I know there has never been the like.  The world’s condition of today is the only condition that meets the challenge of these prophecies.  Since this is true, then this is the day in which the Lord is to search Jerusalem with candles.  This is the day in which he is to cleanse His people from sin and sinners.  It is “the great and dreadful day of the Lord.”

Mal. 3:1-5 — “Behold, I will send My messenger, and he shall prepare the way before Me: and the Lord, Whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.  But who may abide the day of his coming?  and who shall stand when he appeareth?  for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ sope: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. 

Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years.  And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not Me, saith the Lord of hosts.”

Should we not now consider ourselves the most fortunate people in the world for knowing these things beforehand?  Shall we not be glad and thankful for having been warned beforehand that we have come almost to the time of the harvest, and that we have been given the opportunity to make ready for it?  Shall we not be glad that we are not left in darkness, and that we are now plainly shown that these are the closing hours of the pre-harvest period, that the harvest will soon begin?

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.”

The fulfillment of this scripture is what is called the Loud Cry of the Third Angel’s Message.  But note that the whole earth is lightened with his glory.  Let us now take notice of what happens after the Three Angels’ Messages permeate the earth, after the earth is thus lightened with the glory of the angel.

Rev. 18:2 — “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.”

Ah, after the earth is lightened, then it is that Babylon falls.  Plainly, then, Babylon has not actually fallen as yet.  In fact Babylon has not even come into existence yet, for she is yet to mount (rule) the beast (the world).  See Revelation 17 and Tract #12, “The World Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow.”

Rev. 18:4 — “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.”

This voice from heaven, you see, comes to God’s people after the earth is lightened with the Loud Cry of the angel.  The burden of the Voice is that God’s people should come out of Babylon so that they be not partakers of her sins, and receive not of her plagues.  If on this account they must come out of Babylon, then it must be that the place into which they are called to come is free from sin and thus free from danger of the plagues. 

And where could that be but in the purified land and church of God, where there is no more sin and no more sinners to endanger the peace of God’s people?  Vain, indeed, it would be if the people were called from one place of sin and brought into another place of sin.  As clear as crystal it is that the purification of the church (“cleansing” — Dan. 8:14; Judgment of the Living — 1 Pet. 4:17) takes place before the Loud Cry of the Third Angel’s message begins in the world, before God’s people are called out of Babylon.

“The third angel’s message is to lighten the earth with its glory; but only those who have withstood temptation in the strength of the Mighty One will be permitted to act a part in proclaiming it when it shall have swelled into the loud cry.” —  “The Review and Herald,” Nov. 19, 1908.

Most Christians know that there are two classes in the church — wheat and tares — but few, if any, seem to care.  We, as reformers though, especially since we have been given this great light on the subject, cannot afford to be indifferent.   We may now intelligently choose to be “wheat” or choose to be “tares.”  If after knowing this Truth, some choose to be “tares,” they, of course, will have gained nothing and need not be surprised when they land in hell.

At the time labor and capital are in a clash, then it is that Jerusalem (the church) shall be searched, as it were, with candles.  Consequently, the men who have settled in their houses, those who act as though the Lord has forsaken the earth shall have their punishment.

Not only do we behold and feel the day of the Lord approaching but even hear Its Voice.

(Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 21. page 5- 21)

Posted in Parable studies, Present Truth | Leave a Comment »

Understanding Revelation 6:12-17

September 2, 2017

Image result for picture of scared people hiding in caves

As the picture shows above, we see a opening into a cave. The Bible speaks about this as a refuge for the wicked in Revelation chapter 6. Yet once again we are blessed to now know the meaning and full ramification of this. The Lord’s final message has expounded upon it. It is deep, it is not as we have generally understood it to be. It is bountiful in glorious truth, solemn yet instructional of what lays ahead for those who have and are now–fighting God’s truth.

Let us read our subject text–

“And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;

And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” (Rev. 6:12-17)

We as Seventh-day Adventists have generally understood this to be of Christ’s second coming. Just as the general whole Christian world has. But God wrote it as Truth, not mankind’s idea of it. His prophets declared His things, not us frail and mistaken prone people. Let us now see what these things really mean.

What is the earthquake, sun darkened, moon as blood, stars fall to heaven?

“The sixth seal opens with the Lisbon earthquake of November 1, 1755.  Following the earthquake the sun was darkened, May 19, 1780, and the moon appeared as blood the following night.  The “falling of the stars,” has reference to the great meteoric shower of November 13, 1833.  Jesus, looking forward to the fulfillment of these signs, said: “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.” (Matt. 24:29.)  Therefore, under the sixth seal came the signs of the time of the end — the great earthquake in 1755, the dark day in 1780 the falling stars in 1833, and the beginning of the judgment in 1844.” (SRod, vol. 2, p.213)

As our Lord prophesied, all these events are recorded as phenomenal events in our history. The judgment was about to begin in the heavenly sanctuary. A review of all the records of the professing people of God starting with Adam.

What is the meaning of heaven departing as a scroll and every mountain and island is moved out of their places and the men running to the dens and caves?

   “On Rev. 6:14-17, comment is found in “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. 9, pp. 267, 268: ” ‘And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were removed out of their places.  And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bond man, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? (Rev. 6:12-17.) 

After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb…. These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.’… Revelation 7:9-17.”

   According to the following testimony, Revelation 6:12-17, has a double application, and it is clear that these verses also refer to the time of the purification of God’s church, for the servant of the Lord says, “In these scriptures two parties are brought to view.  One party permitted themselves to be deceived, and took sides with those with whom the Lord has a controversy.  They misinterpreted the message sent them, and clothed themselves in robes of self-righteousness.  Sin was not sinful in their eyes.  They taught falsehood as truth, and by them many souls were led astray.” — “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. 9, page 268. 

It is inferred, from the testimony just quoted, that they have taught falsehood.  We ask the reader to consider what has been taught by the symbols found in the books of Daniel and Revelation.  For instance, consider the truth brought to view here, as compared with what has been taught for some years.” (SRod, vol. 2, p.213-214)

The message explains more–

“In these verses are pictured the fate, the fear, and the smitten conscience of all who are not able to stand in the day of the Judgment of the living, the great and dreadful day of the Lord — the wrath of the Lamb in the great “time of trouble such as never was” (Dan. 12:1), the day following the appearance of the antitypical “Elijah the prophet” (Mal. 4:5) — yes, the day in which those who have not clad themselves in the wedding garment, are cast into outer darkness, there to gnash their teeth (Matt. 22:11-13).” (Tract 15, p.57)

“..while the first four seals carry us through the periods of the day in which the works of man are made manifest, the last three seals carry us through the day of God, the day in which His Truth and His works are made manifest.

   That there should be a climax of some kind in the Judicial work at this particular point of the Scriptures (Rev. 6:14-17), is not a mystery.  Its being stamped with the events which end the reign of sin, and this being realized by even the sinners  themselves, is a very good indication that during the sixth seal the Judgment of the dead closes, and the preparations for the Judgment of the living begin.  It is the “dreadful day” for the wicked.

 Moreover, as the first phase of the Judgment passes with the sixth chapter of Revelation, the second phase begins with the seventh chapter; that is, it begins with the sealing of the living saints, the first fruits.  It is the “great day” for the  righteous.” (Tract 15, p.57-58)

We want to focus on one area. Did you notice that the above describes the wrath of the “Lamb”(verse 16) written as “arnion” meaning Lamb in Greek? Notice the different depiction of wrath and the judgment given by the Lamb.

“And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.” (Rev. 15:7)

“And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.” (Rev. 14:14-16)

What we want to point out is that unlike the pouring out of the plagues from the wrath of “God”, written as “Theos” –God in Greek, Rev. 6:12-17 and Rev. 14:14-16 is about the church judgment, the wrath of the “Lamb”. Yes, there may be a secondary application as the message says above but the primary application is the church purification.

It truly is a marvelous thing to understand the Word as God wrote it for us. As we put the whole picture together we know as present truth believers that there is to be TWO harvests producing TWO fruits. The 144,ooo from the SDA church in the first harvest, and the Great Multitude from the world in the second harvest. Two close of probations and subsequent wrath of the Lamb and of God.

Let us remember that when the Bible speaks of Jesus as the “Lamb” it is referring to a time of open probation. For it as a Lamb that the Lord sacrificed Himself for us, and that sacrifice is only available to us as Jesus is still able to grant it–as a Lamb.

Rev. 6:12-17 therefore describes the events that will ultimate in the SDA church  purification, the close of probation for the church yet a time of open probation to the world, thus Jesus can still provide His sacrifice to those in the world. John in the last verse 17 asks “..who shall be able to stand?” Malachi confirms Rev. 6:17  and gives  clarity to it —

“Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.” (Mal. 3:1-3)

If we look closely at Malachi, we see – a) the Lord sending a prophet to prepare the people for His coming b) The Lord suddenly coming to His church  c) The church being purified (refiners fire, fullers soap, refiner of silver d) that the church may finally glorify God in righteousness.

In closing brethren, the Lord loves His church exceedingly. Going so far as to give us a detailed account of the events to take place, warnings that are to help us awake, be ready, and to show others. We should be prudent and prepared now as this is our opportunity. The Word says we must be able to “stand” and only those who know His Word will be prepared.

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

Five Groups in the Kingdom

August 26, 2017

Image result for people in the God's kingdom picture

Let’s face it, we as Christians have one main goal in mind  – to live in God’s kingdom. Our ultimate home and the promise given from our Creator. So important that this kingdom, the future home of the faithful is the last message given to the world.

“This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.”(Matt. 24:14)

We see that the “kingdom” message is what will be preached to the “whole world”. Sadly, we as Seventh-day Adventists do not understand correctly this– kingdom. The present truth believers do, however, and especially God’s final prophet knew all about it. Let us look into this final kingdom.

The Jews of Christ’s time knew very well the Scriptures, especially the promise of the real earthly kingdom to come. So important was this subject that it almost overshadowed all else in prophecy. The Apostles were no exception, also believers in the prevalent understanding of the earthly kingdom. They showed this by their last inquiry of Jesus upon His ascension.

“When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6)

They did not have the “New Testament” like we do today, only the OT. So they had a kingdom in mind of the standard Solomon type kingdom here on earth. Notice closely how our Lord responded–

“And He said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power.” (Acts 1:7)

Do you notice that Jesus did not say no. He said it was not for them to know —when. In other words their understanding of this kingdom , their idea of it, would come to pass someday but not in their time. Can we imagine if Jesus would have said “no”, how this would have taken the wind out of their sails? Their hope was to be held up at all costs. They had a work to do.

Fast forward to today. Do we really understand how fortunate we are? We are the ones who this promise is to be fulfilled with! Wow! This should make us shake in our boots!

Our final prophet was given the light on this kingdom, you should know him well by now–Victor Houteff. Our prophetess, Ellen White, was given an extraordinary amount of light, yet we know she did not have much on the “pre-millennial kingdom”. It was brother Houteff who was given the Elijah message and the important task of restoring “all things” including the kingdom promised to the Apostles and all believers, ancient and current.

The Scriptures point to this time of utter beauty and blessings from God, to be enjoyed within the earthly pre-millennial kingdom–

“For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put My spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.” (Ezek. 36:24-28)

Once again, sadly the general SDA population doesn’t have one clue about this. Satan has effectively “shut out” the Lord’s Elijah message to nearly the whole church! Is it any wonder that Rev. 7 says “only”  144,000 are sealed from all the tribes , all the church! Ponder this brethren. Now is our time to awake and jump on board before our time is up! Start believing and proclaiming don’t sit there and assume you’re covered! Remember Jesus said we, Seventh-day Adventists are deceived and knoweth not (Rev.3:17). You start to believe in this true upcoming kingdom, you start to peel off that deception!

Ok, let’s look at our title subject– the kingdom subjects, who are they?

” Five Groups in the Kingdom.  

These groups are (1) the 144,000, Israelites the first fruits of the living, whose “nobles shall be of themselves,” and whose “governor shall proceed from the midst of them” (Jer. 30:21); they shall return to Jerusalem, and stand on Mount Sion with the Lamb; (2) those whom John saw, after the sealing of the 144,000, gathered from “all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues,” during the “great tribulation,”  the “time of trouble such as never was” — the great multitude who go to Jerusalem  before the resurrection; (3) those who arise to everlasting life in the resurrection of Daniel 12:2; (4) those Israelites who shall come forth in the resurrection of Ezekiel 37:1-14; (5) all who come in the resurrection of Revelation 20:6; — collectively, these are all the Israelites and Gentiles who shall return to Jerusalem, possess the promised land, and then the whole earth.” (Tract 9, p.65-66)

Let’s briefly go over each group.

  1. The 144,000 —

As present truth believers, we are well familiar with this group. This is who we as SDA are “striving” for.

“Let us strive with all the power that God has given us to be among the hundred and forty-four thousand. And let us do all that we can to help others to gain heaven.” (Review and Herald, March 9, 1905)

We should also be solemnly aware that this number is literal. In Revelation 7 we know that from “all” the tribes, all the church, there will be 144,000 sealed. We are the Israel of today (See Testimonies, vol. 9, p.164).

2. The Great Multitude —

In Rev. 7:9 is described the great multitude which no man could number. These are they who are in “Babylon” , confused religion, who accept the last gospel proclamation of the kingdom. They embrace it and choose God’s kingdom over man’s false Sunday religion. The “Great Controversy” is about the final conflict for these souls.

3. Special Resurrection of Daniel 12:2 —

“And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” (Daniel 12: 1-3)

In giving more light to the above reference  the message says–

“Here we are told that in the time of trouble these arise, some to live forever and some to die again.

   Do you now realize that not only the time of trouble is at the door, but even this special resurrection?  Do you actually see that in the time of trouble, while the living saints are being delivered these dead who rise “to everlasting life,” are also delivered from their graves?  Do you realize that this time of trouble is in “the great and dreadful day of the Lord,” the day which the promised prophet Elijah announces?  Do you actually know that he is to turn the hearts of the fathers and of the children toward each other?  lest the Lord smite “the earth with a curse.” Mal. 4:5, 6.  Do you see that the prophet appears in a day he can restore all things, everything that was lost through sin, even the Kingdom?  Do you know that the resurrection of Daniel 12 is not the same as the resurrection of 1 Thessalonians and of Revelation 20:5?” (Timely Greetings, vol. 2, no.7, p.11)

“Here is projected a resurrection of a mixed multitude, wicked and righteous — foolish and wise.  This resurrection, then, is not the pre-millennial “first resurrection,” nor the post-millennial resurrection of the wicked (Rev. 20:5, 6), but a special one.  If the wise who turn many to righteousness are of the resurrected in this special resurrection, and if they shine as the stars forever and ever, then this special resurrection takes place in probationary time.” (Timely Greetings, vol. 2, no.42, p.29)

This Special Resurrection is very important for us as SDA to know. Our Prophetess Ellen White and Brother Houteff, among other faithful SDA will be raised in this resurrection, God willing. They will have more work to do —

“Your work, my work, will not cease with this life. For a little while we may rest in the grave, but, when the call comes, we shall, in the kingdom of God, take up our work once more.” (Testimonies, vol. 7, p.17)

4. Ezekiel 37:1-14 Resurrection —

The message doesn’t say a whole bunch about this resurrection other than it will be real as those verses say.

“In this resurrection only God’s own people, Israel, arise with no sinner among them.  Moreover, these do not meet the Lord in the air; they are taken to the land of Israel, Palestine.  This resurrection, therefore, is not the same as the resurrection of 1 Thessalonians, of the Revelation, or of Daniel 12.  It must be a separate one.” (Timely Greetings, vol. 2, no.7, p.13)

5. Revelation 20:6 Resurrection —

This is known as the classic resurrection of the just. The one most well-known as the “first” resurrection.

 “Moses upon the mount of transfiguration was a witness to Christ’s victory over sin and death.  He represented those who shall come forth from the grave at the resurrection of the just.” Desire of Ages, page 421.  Moses represents the first, or general resurrection of Rev. 20:6.” (SRod, vol. 1, p.47)

So there we have all five groups that shall be in the kingdom. The question each SDA must ask is “Will I be a part of group 1? This is the “only” group available to us based on the Lords’s final message of Elijah (unless we die and may be part of group 3). To “strive with all power God has given us” does not mean to casually “think about” being in this group.

To be sure this earthly kingdom shall be of short duration. The sole purpose being to warn the world of the upcoming disaster (7 last plaques) and to welcome any and all who will come. God will tell the world to come into his beginning phase of the kingdom and then be transferred to the heavenly one for 1000 years. Then to the final restoration kingdom on earth  for eternity.

“Great changes are soon to take place in our world, and the final movements will be rapid ones.” (Testimonies, vol. 9, p.11)

In closing let us take a look at this most beautiful time, God’s final witness to a dying world–

Jer. 30:12-19 — “For thus saith the Lord, Thy bruise is incurable, and thy wound is grievous.  There is none to plead thy cause, that thou mayest be bound up: thou hast no healing medicines.  All thy lovers have forgotten thee; they seek thee not; for I have wounded thee with the wound of an enemy, with the chastisement of a cruel one, for the multitude of thine iniquity; because thy sins were increased.  Why criest thou for thine affliction?  thy sorrow is incurable for the multitude of thine iniquity: because thy sins were increased, I have done these things unto thee. 

Therefore all they that devour thee shall be devoured; and all thine adversaries, every one of them, shall go into captivity; and they that spoil thee shall be a spoil, and all that prey upon thee will I give for a prey.  For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after. 

Thus saith the Lord; Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jacob’s tents, and have mercy on his dwelling places; and the city shall be builded upon her own heap, and the palace shall remain after the manner thereof.  And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.”

   After having gone through their captivity, the people shall fully realize God’s mercy and His wisdom to save them.  They shall be happy forevermore, for He will multiply them in the land of their fathers, and there He will make them great.

Jer. 30:20 — “Their children also shall be as aforetime, and their congregation shall be established before Me, and I will punish all that oppress them.”

   The Kingdom (the church purified and apart from the world) is to be as natural and as real as was the kingdom of ancient Israel, but there will be no sinners in It.  (Timely Greetings, vol. 1, no.47. p.16-17)

“Amos 9:9-15 — “For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth.  All the sinners of My people shall die by the sword, which say, The evil shall not overtake nor prevent us.  In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old: that they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by My name, saith the Lord that doeth this. 

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt.  And I will bring again the captivity of My people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them.  And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the Lord thy God.”

The  real kingdom is coming will you be a part of it?

Posted in Our Lord's kingdom, The Special Resurrection | Leave a Comment »

Understanding Oblations

August 19, 2017

Image result for Biblical feasts

A couple of weeks back we wrote about how Satan continues to use his time proven trick of twisting God’s word to those who fall for his snares. This subject of “Oblations” is another prime example. Allow us to look deeply into this subject.

It has been said that in order to know the clearest meaning of a subject, Biblical point or view, it’s best to start in that same book within the Bible. In our case it would be the book of Daniel. This book contains our clear and profound text, let us read —

“And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.” (Daniel 9:27)

Here we read that Christ , not at the beginning of His ministry but rather at His death, was to cause a cessation of sacrifices and oblations. For He was the fulfillment of the ceremonies.

Jesus kept the feasts as a way to win His people, as Paul illuminated here–

“And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.” (1  Cor.9:20-21)

So the foolish argument that Jesus kept the feasts so that we can do the same sinks miserably as truth. But as we all know clearly, the cessation of the sacrifices makes sense, but many of us are confused and perplexed as to the cessation of the oblations. What does the word oblation mean?

The Hebrew word is “minchah” pronounced “min-khaw”. E-Sword, the Bible translator of Hebrew and Greek says —

A bestow, tribute, donation. Specifically a sacrificial offering, but bloodless and voluntary.

As the word of God would not be redundant by saying “sacrifice and oblation” as meaning “sacrifice and sacrifice”, we know that oblations mean something apart from sacrifices yet these oblations are connected with the sacrifices, they are a part of the ceremonial system of the feasts–they go together hand in hand.

The reason for this post this week is that I was at another Bible study a couple Sabbath’s ago and the subject of feast keeping came up. The so-called “present truth” believers there were unanimous that we should keep them today to honor the Lord. I was the lone voice speaking against such things.

I told the gentleman who was promoting this idea that in Daniel 9:27 we are told that the sacrifices and oblations would cease upon Christ’s death. He responded “Oh no that does not mean we should stop observing the feasts.” I countered that the oblations were to cease as well, meaning that any and all oblations were to cease that were connected to the feasts. Again he countered “Oh that word oblation does not mean all oblations…”. I then said that even prayers are an oblation and he responded, “No, they are supplications”.

Do you remember in our prior post about God’s exalted word , how Satan inserts his own sneaky words to change the meaning of the clear word of God? Ok let us read what this man has done to God’s word–

“And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and some oblations to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.” (Daniel 9:27)

Once again we must expose such foul play with God’s word!  To understand oblation we should go to Daniel himself and read how he uses it.

“And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God; Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.” (Daniel 9:21)

We see that Daniel was offering his “supplications”, prayers as  an oblation to the Lord in place of the sacrifices. This he did religiously as performing his oblations to the Lord. The evening sacrifice was at the ninth hour of the day, or about three o’clock in the afternoon. As formerly, when the temple stood, this hour was devoted to sacrifices, now it was to prayer.

So we see without doubt that prayers are “oblations” or offerings to the Lord. They submit petitions to the Lord for His acceptance and response. The clear meaning from the book of Daniel. Now, when we see that oblations were to cease, those that were connected to the feasts, we should understand that any and all oblations were to cease including prayer!

So this leaves those who are under Satan’s snare of feast keeping with an empty bag. How can feast keepers come together and not offer prayer oblations or any other oblation such as gifts, grains, or anything else? The communion offering of bread and wine (grape juice) is certainly an oblation is it not? They have a gutless and useless ceremony that has no meaning or honor to the Lord! His word says they are ceased effective our Savior’s death upon the cross.

As we have posted many times before,  SOP concludes beyond doubt that all ceremonies were fulfilled and pointed to Christ, including the passover —

“Christ was standing at the point of transition between two economies and their two great festivals. He, the spotless Lamb of God, was about to present Himself as a sin offering, that He would thus bring to an end the system of types and ceremonies that for four thousand years had pointed to His death. As He ate the Passover with His disciples, He instituted in its place the service that was to be the memorial of His great sacrifice. The national festival of the Jews was to pass away forever. The service which Christ established was to be observed by His followers in all lands and through all ages.” [DA p.652]

But to establish the final Inspired Word of God about this subject, we turn to the message of Elijah–

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

   And so, as this law was nailed to the cross (Col. 2:14), we need not, and must not, observe it now.” ( Brother Houteff, Timely Greetings, Vol. 2, No.37, p.14)

In closing, if you are a Seventh-day Adventist who still thinks that Christ’s death did not “..cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease”, then let it be known you are attempting a form of “self-righteousness” and are wearing a terrible garment (filthy works) before the Lord, and unless repentance is made the Lord may say —

“..Friend, how did you enter here not having a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless.” (Matt. 22:12)

 

Posted in Delusion, Proper teachings, The Feast Days, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

Meat In Due Season

August 12, 2017

Image result for jehovah witnesses passing out literature

Many Christians are very familiar with what is known as the “Great Commision”. In Matthew we read–

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matt: 28:19-20)

Here we see our Lord giving a command to His disciples to “teach all nations” the gospel of Christ. This command has been one of the long-held biblical foundations of the Christian faith. However, we need to discuss this issue particularly as it applies to us Seventh-day Adventists, His remnant church today.

As we have discussed many times on this blog the term “present truth” is just as it sounds– present truth. This Truth is our current road map to the kingdom. The maps of old, present truth from days of old, may or may not be “our” present truth.

As we walk day-to-day in our Christian walk we are to advance in more and more light. This blog is an example of advancing light. On June 26, 2010, we posted how we must being doing this great commission to preach the gospel to all the world. But as we studied and desired for more light, we were “guided into all Truth” by the Great Promiser (John 16:13).

Recently, on our Facebook website “Truth Tellers”, while reviewing it, I received a chat message from a brother in Africa , we’ll call brother C . He has received the Lord’s Rod message materials over the last couple years. But he was excited as he wrote the following —

“Its good to tell you that we have organised a crusade called Paradise Crusade, our aim is to preach to the world, giving hope to the hopeless people and having bible studies and doing efforts in all places..”

I read it and immediately knew that he needed to know the present truth of the situation. As I read it, it reminded me of my prior understanding of Truth (Jesus). For I too was out to “win the world” for Jesus. We put on large billboards in our hometown, I went door to door after Sabbath handing out flyers of 3 ABN and our church.

This week as I was reading some New Testament Scriptures I came across a familiar text that we as believers have read many many times.

“But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.” (Matt. 24: 43-47)

As I read this, it took on a whole new fresh meaning. Suddenly I saw it as never before. Allow me to explain.

The Lord is showing that it is He Himself who He is describing. For it is as a” thief” He will be coming.

“Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.”(Rev.16:15)

Next we see that only those who are “watching” will be prepared. And if we don’t our whole house will be broken into (our life destroyed.) But watching for what –the Lord coming in the clouds?  That is not how the “thief” will be coming next. We as present truth believers know He will come “suddenly to His Temple”-His church (Mal. 3:1).

This next part is very very important to concentrate on. Our Lord then shows us who it is that is “faithful and wise”. And to him He makes “ruler over his household”. It is those who are giving “meat in due season”!

And those servants will “rule over all his goods.” Is this not a great promise to those who read these things and heed them?! But did you catch the meat of the text? The Lord is telling us to dispense meat in due season– present truth!

This is where we must have true understanding as Seventh-day Adventists. The message says–

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

  As the same departure from Christ exists within the church now as it did then (Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 217), it will take much greater effort to rescue the people from the Laodicean “sad deception” (Testimonies. Vol. 3, p. 253), than if they were in heathenism. For in Laodicea they are made to believe that they have all the truth there is to be had, that they are rich, increased with goods, and in need of nothing,—their salvation forever secured as long as they hold membership in the church.

Hence there is greater risk of their losing their souls in the church while she is “lukewarm” and about to be spued out, than if they remain in the world until the church awakes from her slumber, and anoints herself with the eyesalve (Truth)—sees right, does right, and leads and feeds the flock aright.”(Answerer, vol. 3, Q-67)

Wow! Do we understand this? There is “greater risk of their losing their souls in the church..than if they remain in the world..” !

We need to understand that there is great accountability upon joining God’s people. It’s not “fun and games” as so many in our church think today. Our shepherds have so thoroughly given a peace and safety message that the “meat” they are dispensing is worse than the quail given the people in the desert during Moses’ day! The same dire result will happen lest we wake up and start giving the people their “meat in due season”.

More from the Elijah message–

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

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

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

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

“The great issue so near at hand will weed out those whom God has not appointed, and He will have a pure, true, sanctified ministry prepared for the latter rain.”-B-55-1886. (Answerer, vol. 2 Q-32)

How can we be practical in dispensing meat in due season to our church?

  1. We can get to know members in our church and have Bible studies. Specifically studying present truth such as Revelation, Malachi, Ezekiel, Isaiah, etc.
  2. We can suggest to them present truth  sites proclaiming the message.
  3. We can suggest to them YouTube videos proclaiming the message.
  4. Make business cards with our name/number to pass out to our friends in the church in case they want to get together for studies.
  5. We can start our own blog website and put links on it to the different recommended present truth sites.
  6. We can pass out present truth literature (CD’s DVD’s Tracts, etc.)
  7. If we are short on available time we can begin paying Tithes to the present truth organizations, and thus be found giving meat in due season by our financial faithfulness.

In regards to no.7 we read —

“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”(Malachi 3:10)

Ah, the meat in due season can be found there due to the financial faithfulness of His true servants! Those who know where present truth is coming from. If we as Seventh-day Adventists think that our Tithes going to the current General Conference/ local SDA church is producing “meat in due season” then we have a seafront property in Arizona we’d like to sell you.

In closing, in the parable above we see that the Lord is coming as a thief and that He will bless those who He “finds” giving meat in due season. Will you make a commitment to support and get going with your dispensary?

” Your Christian life must take on vigorous and stalwart forms. You can attain to the high standard set before you in the Scriptures, and you must if you would be children of God. You cannot stand still; you must either advance or retrograde.” Testimonies, vol. 5, p.264)

Posted in Christian walk, Present Truth, Witnessing | 1 Comment »

His Exalted Word

August 5, 2017

Image result for exalted word from the Lord Psalms 138:2

In Psalms 138:2 we read–

“I will worship toward Thy holy temple, and praise Thy name for Thy lovingkindness and for Thy truth: for Thou hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy name.”

The Scriptures are very clear– God’s Word is exalted and even so high as to be “above all Thy name.” This is profound! Let us look into this most important subject.

In the beginning we remember that the Lord told Adam and Eve not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. He gave them his Word and it was clear. But soon we see that Satan came upon the scene and did what? He twisted and changed God’s Word. This was his very first act of deception upon mankind.

Let us see the two statements.

“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” (Genesis 2:16-17)

Let us focus on the clear direct Words of our Lord– “..thou shalt surely die.”

“Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:1-5)

We notice that Satan added his word “not” —  “Ye shall not surely die”.

God’s Word was destroyed and made of none effect by the cunning deceiver. But has Satan changed at all with his very first deception? Absolutely not!

Now, do we think Satan,being so successful in his original twisting of God’s Word, has not continued to this very day with this same plan? Of course he has!  Let us look at a recent example.

Brother P. is a long time SDA. He is a member in good standing. He even teaches a after Sabbath service bible study class. Recently I decided to drop by and took part in the study. The subject was about Rev. 20. I listened and made some comments as we discussed this chapter.

Brother P knows that I am a Elijah message believer. The study went ok and it was over in about an hour. After the study I left and happen to run into one of the other members who was at the study. We had never met before so I introduced myself and we started to hit it off. We told of our own SDA beginnings and how we came into the SDA church. His story was very unique.

Soon after about 30  minutes of our conversation in the parking lot, who do you suppose happened to wander over to chat with us? Yes, brother P. As soon as he got there, he wanted to chat and the conversation turned over to him and I. The other brother, an elderly man who seemed an “open book” to learning the message of the hour, then had to take a back seat. Why does it seem that just when we are making inroads with our brethren, there comes some distraction?

A little history on brother P. He has been given much present truth material, CD’s, DVD’s, Tracts, etc. for a few years now. Yet has never showed that any of it means present truth to him, for all I know he hasn’t even spent much time investigating whether it is Truth or not.

But soon our conversation took a more serious turn. He started to give the much maligned false timeline of the “Sunday Law will cause the church purification.” I firmly held my ground and told him it was a false timeline. Soon the Spirit led me to say, “Brother, you are not even interested in  what the Lord’s promised Elijah has to say about the final events, are you?”

He took his Bible  and we opened it to Malachi 4:5.

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

I pointed to this and said, “Brother if you think that no prophet came then you must admit that the Lord’s word has returned to Him void.” He responded that the verse means the “Elijah message” before the great and dreadful day of the Lord.

Ah, does this all look familiar from days of old?

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

Is that what the Lord’s Word says? Of course not. But does this trick look familiar? Yes indeed! The Lord’s Word twisted again and made of no effect from a worker of the mighty deceiver! The game plan hasn’t changed!

The SOP has clear unmistakable words for us–

“The truths most plainly revealed in the Bible have been involved in doubt and darkness by learned men, who, with a pretense of great wisdom, teach that the Scriptures have a mystical, a secret, spiritual meaning not apparent in the language employed. These men are false teachers. It was to such a class that Jesus declared: “Ye know not the Scriptures, neither the power of God.” Mark 12:24. The language of the Bible should be explained according to its obvious meaning, unless a symbol or figure is employed.

Christ has given the promise: “If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine.” John 7:17. If men would but take the Bible as it reads, if there were no false teachers to mislead and confuse their minds, a work would be accomplished that would make angels glad and that would bring into the fold of Christ thousands upon thousands who are now wandering in error.”(GC 598-599)

Let us make no mistake, after the Elijah prophet came, we as faithful workers do indeed spread the message but the promise is for the Elijah prophet to come first to proclaim it.

The Spirit of Prophecy once again beautifully expounds upon our subject–

“Whenever the study of the Scriptures is entered upon without a prayerful, humble, teachable spirit, the plainest and simplest as well as the most difficult passages will be wrested from their true meaning. The papal leaders select such portions of Scripture as best serve their purpose, interpret to suit themselves, and then present these to the people, while they deny them the privilege of studying the Bible and understanding its sacred truths for themselves.

The whole Bible should be given to the people just as it reads. It would be better for them not to have Bible instruction at all than to have the teaching of the Scriptures thus grossly misrepresented.

The Bible was designed to be a guide to all who wish to become acquainted with the will of their Maker. God gave to men the sure word of prophecy; angels and even Christ Himself came to make known to Daniel and John the things that must shortly come to pass. Those important matters that concern our salvation were not left involved in mystery. They were not revealed in such a way as to perplex and mislead the honest seeker after truth. Said the Lord by the prophet Habakkuk: “Write the vision, and make it plain, . . . that he may run that readeth it.” Habakkuk 2:2. The word of God is plain to all who study it with a prayerful heart.” (GC p.521-522)

You see brethren the “Word” of the Lord is plain,straight, powerful, and unchangeable. So much so that the Lord seeks the following among us–

“Hear the Word of the LORD, ye that tremble at His Word..”(Isaiah 66:5)

“For My hand made all these things, Thus all these things came into being,” declares the LORD. “But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My Word.” (Isaiah 66:2)

“…trembles at My Word”?  The reverence of His Word is indeed VERY important to Him. Yet sadly Satan and all his workers, even those who knoweth not whom they serve, do the terrible deed of destroying what His Word clearly says. This seems to be a very great dividing line between those who “believe” in Him and those who don’t. They seriously –TAKE HIM AT HIS WORD.

I see this over and over again. The twisting and denying the simple clear Word. Another example is very active today among us “present truth” believers. Let’s discuss brother T.

I dare say this brother is even more deceived  than the other, due to the fact that this brother knows the Lord’s Rod unlike the other brother. Satan has worked his magic upon him as well. In Jezreel Letter, No. 9, page 1 we read–

 “Prophecy must be fulfilled.  The Lord says: ‘Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.’  Somebody is to come in the spirit and power of Elijah, and when he appears, men may say: ‘You are too earnest, you do not interpret the Scriptures in the proper way.  Let me tell you how to teach your message.'” — “Testimonies to Ministers,” pp. 475, 476.

   There are two main points to note in these quotations: (1) that the message and messenger here mentioned are the very last; (2) that they are to restore all things, (3) that there is danger for some to make fools of themselves by daring to tell him how to teach his message — assuming to take God’s place! (JL, no. 9, p.1-2)

This my brethren is as clear as the english language can make it! What do we see? We see that the Lord’s Rod says that the Elijah prophet to come and his message is the “very last” to come to the  church. Yet let us look at what brother T teaches around his crowd.

There are two main points to note in these quotations: (1) that the message and messenger here mentioned are  NOT the very last; (2) that they are NOT to restore all things, (3) that there is NO danger for some to make fools of themselves by daring to tell him how to teach his message — assuming to take God’s place! (JL, no. 9, p.1-2)

Do we not see Satan’s fingerprints all over this supposed worker of God? The very same trick from the very beginning! God’s simple clear Word is twisted, destroyed and made of no effect.

So what do we have here? We have a clear sign post of what to avoid! Those who teach that God’s Word doesn’t mean what it says are Satan’s henchmen who want to destroy the Lord’s exalted Word. We must be onto this trick and be prepared for it is running rampant throughout our ranks as His remnant people.

We are almost ready for the establishment of His kingdom , let us remember that all God can do is give His Word through His prophets. We MUST believe what the Word clearly says. We cannot be found as “believing” in Him if we do not believe in His Word.

“And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.”(2 Chronicles 20:20)

Posted in Delusion, Proper teachings, Truth telling vs. lying | 1 Comment »

What Makes One Eligible?

July 29, 2017

OPENING PRAYER THOUGHT

   I shall read from The Mount of Blessing, pg. 155, beginning with the second paragraph.

   M.B. pp. 155, 156 — “The very first step in approaching God is to know and believe the love that He has to us; for it is through the drawing of His love that we are led to come to Him.

   “The perception of God’s love works the renunciation of selfishness.  In calling God our Father, we recognize all His children as our brethren.  We are all a part of the great web of humanity, all members of one family.  In our petitions we are to include our neighbors as well as ourselves.  No one prays aright who seeks a blessing for himself alone.

   “‘Which art in heaven.’  He to whom Christ bids us look as our Father,’ ‘is in the heavens; He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased.’  In His care we may safely rest, saying, What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.'”

   What does the reading instruct us to pray for? — For an appreciation of God’s love and for better understanding of Him; for the right understanding of what it means to pray the Lord’s prayer; for wisdom to know why we address God as our Father, why we are members of one family, brethren of one household; for grace to remember to pray not for ourselves only but for our neighbors, and even for our enemies.

Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 7                           2

WHAT MAKES ONE ELIGIBLE?TEXT OF ADDRESS BY V.T. HOUTEFF,MINISTER OF DAVIDIAN 7TH-DAY ADVENTISTSSABBATH, SEPTEMBER 21, 1946MT. CARMEL CHAPELWACO, TEXAS  

A number of brethren have written to me from time to time, wanting to know what makes them eligible to receive the Seal of God.  Some want to know whether they will be sealed by doing this or by doing that.  Others want to know whether they will be left without the seal by not doing this or not doing the other.

   The questions are indeed very timely and commendable.  Such vital questions deserve answers as concrete as are the questions themselves.  And who can give a more concrete answer than those who have gone before us, those whose duties were similar to ours, those who were passing through a similar experience, those who traveled the same road that we are traveling, those who were preparing themselves for the Kingdom as are we.

   In whom do we find such a parallel? — In no others than those who left Egypt and started for the promised land.  No, in none others.  They are our only type.  Says Inspiration: “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” (1 Cor. 10:11.)  Their duties, therefore, are our duties, and their failures should be our stepping stones to success.  Thus it is that the deeds of those who entered into the promised land must be our

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deeds, and if we are to be sealed, then the deeds of those who failed to enter therein, we must shun as completely and as quickly as we would shun a lion’s den.

   We are now to find out why some of them went into the promised land, and why others did not go in, for this is what Inspiration commands us to do.  This scripture implies that if the experiences of ancient Israel had not been for ensamples, they would never have been written.  How important, then, that we diligently study them.  Yes, in order for us to know what we must do or must not do to receive the seal and to enter into the Promised Land, we must examine the deed of both those who entered it and of those who were left out of it.

   Let us begin our examination by starting with Moses, with the human agent, the visible leader of the movement.  Reared in the courts of Pharaoh, he received the highest education the world then offered.  And having understood that he was the one to free his brethren from Egyptian bondage, he felt quite capable for the job.

   You remember the story of how he started out to deliver them although he was not yet told to do so.  He killed an Egyptian, fell into a quarrel with one of the Hebrews, and then fled for his life.  So it was that in Midian he obtained a job, became a shepherd, and married his employer’s daughter.  During those forty years of shepherd’s life he forgot the Egyptian language, and with it the Egyptian learning.  In its place, though, he learned to tend well to sheep.  He therefore dismissed from his mind the idea of ever delivering the people of God from their Egyptian bondage.  Then it was that God saw him strong and well able, and commanded him to go back to Egypt and to bring

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out of it His groaning people.  You recall that Moses protested against the idea and argued that he had failed at his first attempt, the time he was young and well-informed and that at that late hour of his life he was not trying again, that he could no longer even speak the language.  After a prolonged conversation God removed his objections by promising to give him his brother, Aaron, to be his spokesman, and Moses finally consented to return to Egypt.

   There with his shepherd’s rod he performed many signs and wonders before both the Egyptians and the Hebrews.  And you remember what took place the night of the Passover, the night before they left Egypt: Moses had proclaimed throughout the land that in every dwelling where no blood was found on the doorpost, that very night the firstborn in each such dwelling would die.

   Those who disobeyed the Divine injunction, were, on the day following busily moaning and burying their dead, while those who obeyed the command were joyously and orderly marching out of the cities.  Yes, only those who were able to take orders were made free from slavery.  It is, therefore, prerequisite that we learn to take orders if we are to receive the seal of God in our foreheads.

   Let us not forget, though, that the children of Israel left Egypt with great zeal and high hopes.  But when they saw the Red Sea ahead of them, and Pharaoh’s army behind them, they were filled with consternation.  They saw themselves in a death trap although they were at the brink of another marvelous deliverance.  Then they turned on Moses and accused him of bringing them to the sea, of making their escape from their enemies absolutely impossible.

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   Humanly viewing the situation, they were in a precarious predicament.  In that moment they forgot their miraculous deliverance from Pharaoh’s taskmasters and their eyes closed to the wondrous cloud by day and pillar of fire by night that had led them all the way.  As they saw it, the evidence against Moses’ ability to lead them safely was overwhelming.  Insofar as they were concerned, the whole venture appeared doomed to failure.  Their hopes of going ahead or of even going back left them, and all because they thought Moses, not God, was their deliverer!  How shortsighted, unstable, doubting, and forgetful human beings are!  Experience in the gospel work has taught me that God’s people of today have the same tempter to contend with, and similar temptations to overcome if they are to receive the seal of God.

   What a great difference would there have been had the Israelites only believed that God, not Moses, was their Leader, that that which appeared to be their death trap, was their door of hope.  Let their experience teach us to remember that God is either leading us altogether or not at all, that His ways are not; our ways, and that what may appear to be our greatest obstacle, may actually turn out to be our greatest blessing.

   Israel’s real danger, we now see, was not in what Moses did, but in their unbelief of God’s having the reins in His hands, in not knowing that His ways are beyond finding out — contrary to ours.  They failed to see that God could again and again perform miracle after miracle to deliver them from their enemy’s hand, that He could dry the ocean as easily as He could flood the earth.

   Having their failures before us, we should make

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them our stepping stones to success.  Let us therefore wholeheartedly believe that God is in charge of our salvation, of our lives and of our death, too.  That He is able to take us to safety even if the earth should drop out of space, that we cannot die if He wants us alive, and that we cannot live if He wants us dead.  Let us ever bear in mind that we of ourselves know nothing about God’s plans except as told through His appointed servants, the prophets, and as we witness them day by day.  If we daily walk with God, if we commit all to Him, then the responsibility is all His.

   God, in His wisdom, brought Israel to the Red Sea for their own good, and though they could not see it His way, He nevertheless for His Name’s sake divided the sea, took them safely across, and at the same time, by the same miracle, He destroyed their enemies!

   Had Moses been as doubtful of God’s power and leadership as were the people that were with him, what effect would his rod have had as he struck the sea with it? — None whatsoever.  If the Judgment of the Infinite were the same as the judgment of the finite, then Pharaoh’s army would have either killed or enslaved Israel anew.

   Their mighty deliverances should, therefore, forever establish our confidence in God, and should stand as everlasting memorials that the wisdom of men is foolishness with God, and that faith in Him does actually remove mountains and seas, too.

   Notwithstanding these ensamples, though, men still expect God to work in accordance with their judgment, and that is why sometimes He uses children in

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His work instead of wise and prudent men.

   The Hebrew host well knew that they were led to the sea by following the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night.  Yet none of these wonders seemed to have made any lasting impression on them.  There is a danger that we, too, may forget the way the Lord has led us.

   After Israel crossed the sea, and after the sea closed in on their enemies, they all sang and gave God the glory, but though Pharaoh’s army and the sea were no longer objects of fear but of interest, their trials, doubts, and fears were not yet at an end: Almost immediately after they saw the sea behind and the desert ahead they began to recriminate Moses for having brought them into the desert to starve there for want of water and food.  It never entered their minds that if God can dry the sea, He can certainly flood the desert and make it blossom as a rose.  Notwithstanding their doubts and their moanings God again performed an even greater miracle: He caused water to gush out of the rock and He brought manna from Heaven!

   Today as in Moses’ day many are duplicating the sins of that people: Some are all on fire on day, and all on ice the next.  Others praise God to the top of their voices while their ship is smoothly sailing, but when the sea becomes rough and the waves start beating against them, then they see only a man at the wheel and rather than expecting God to calm the sea they begin to hunt for a jumping off place.  Still others are constantly trying to promote themselves by continual fault-finding against the ones that bear the whole burden of the load.  So it is that there must be among us today — antitypical doubters, complainers

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office seekers and faultfinders, admitting one great truth one day and forgetting it the next day — yet expecting to be sealed with the seal of God and to stand with the Lamb on Mt. Zion!

   The Lord fed His ancient people with Angel’s food, the kind their work and climate required.  He delivered it fresh daily, and it did not cost them one cent.  All they had to do was to bring it into their tents and to eat it.  But they disliked the manna, and wished they were back in Egypt eating from its flesh pots, “the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick.”  In their eyes, Moses was the greatest of sinners, and they blamed him for every trial of their faith.  Had God given them something other than manna, they would have been just as dissatisfied with it because an evil spirit was in them.  Let us gladly and with thanks eat and drink what the Lord gives us and when He gives it to us.

   You recall that by craving flesh food they made the situation unbearable for Moses.  So, to their great surprise quail filled the camp, and the multitude carried them into their tents.  But at what a cost!  Thousands of them died even while the flesh was yet between their teeth.  Then they understood that the manna was the better food.  It was a great lesson, but an expensive one.  What about us Vegetarians?

   Their murmuring, however, did not end even then.  They found something else to murmur about.  They grew jealous of Moses and of Aaron.  “They are taking too much on themselves,” the office seekers complained.  “We are just as much favored of God as are Moses and Aaron.  God speaks with us as much as He speaks with them,” they said.  And who were the chief complainers? — The princes of the nations, the

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men who were the most capable, the very ones who should have known better.  Those who could have been the greatest help to Moses became the biggest hindrance to him.  They wanted Aaron’s office; they wanted Moses’ office.  They refused to be satisfied with anything less.  The Lord Himself got nowhere with them.  The only thing He could do was to cause the earth to swallow them.  Thus in one day thousands — practically all the so-called wise — fell into the bowels of the earth.  Are we, too, seeking office by which to exalt self and are we, too, endeavoring to usurp the seat of the Spirit of Truth?

   Finally, the emancipated children of Israel came to the borders of the promised land.  And though they had witnessed great miracles right along, yet they did not believe that God could procure the land for them!  They had seen that He was able to deliver them from Pharaoh’s brick yards, to take them dryshod through the sea, to destroy their enemies, to give them food and water in the desert where there was none to be had, yet they did not believe that He was able to take the land for them and that He could finish what He had started!

   There are thousands today who are doing virtually the same when they say, “Isaiah, chapter 2, Micah, chapter 4, Jeremiah, chapter 31 and Ezekiel, chapters 36 and 37 will never be fulfilled.”  It was those who were of age, those who should have known better, that started the ball rolling down hill to destruction.  The youth, of course, must have echoed the murmurings of their elders, but the Lord did not hold it against them.  And in order to salvage the youth, God had to bury all their murmuring parents except the two faithful, trusting men who protested against the evil report of the other ten spies.  Mark you, every adult that

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left Egypt, except Caleb and Joshua, had to be buried before the youth could cross the Jordan!  Why? — Because though God did take them with ease out of Egypt, He could not get Egypt out of them.  Are you still wondering why the prophet Elijah must “turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers”? (Mal. 4:6.)

   Christians often think that the Israelites were very wicked and unruly people, but after having their experiences to profit by, think how much worse we would be if we do as they did!  If we do no better than they, how can we expect to be eligible for the seal and for the Kingdom since they were not eligible?

   In the very prime of life, Moses thought himself capable of delivering the children of Israel.  But Providence said: “You are not fit for the work, come out and I will make you fit.”  And out Moses went.

   He did not need Pharaoh’s training in order to do God’s work.  It was a hindrance to him!  Why?  Because it made him self-sufficient, independent of God.  Such a person would be the right one to lead God’s people away from Him and into sin, but the wrong one to lead them to God and away from sin.

   How true the statement in Testimonies, Vol. 5, pg. 80: “…In the last solemn work few great men will be engaged.  They are self-sufficient, independent of God, and he cannot use them.  The Lord has faithful servants, who in the shaking, testing time will be disclosed to view.”

   God can help only those who know that they are unequal to their task, those who know that they need His help.  So, then, those who think that they can do wonders

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are the very ones who can do nothing but harm.

   Plainly, those whom God is to use in His final work, in the time of the end, are not to be anything like the Egyptian crown prince, not anything like the learned Moses.  Those who can learn to keep and feed sheep well and to readily take orders, are the ones who can be taught how to keep and feed God’s people.

   Moses’ wife was the only Ethiopian in the entire company.  For this reason some thought they were superior to her.  They thought that Moses had committed the unpardonable sin by marrying out of his nation, as though race had anything to do with making people superior or inferior.  Moses’ own sister, Miriam, was caught in that sin.  There she was, trying to break up his family, yet Moses prayed for her recovery when she was stricken with leprosy.

   Who went into the promised land? — All but the murmurers.  Do you suppose that you can entertain the same spirit of murmuring and complaining, and in spite of it receive the seal? — How absurd the very thought!  How unfair it would be for a just God to destroy the disobedient of that day, but to save the disobedient of this day.

   What made one group eligible to cross the Jordan? — It was their trust in God, knowing that He was their Chief Leader.  They recognized Moses and Joshua as the ones through whom God was communicating with them.  They did not look upon them as being anyone other than who they actually were.  They were satisfied with their lot.  They took orders as the orders were given.  So it was that they were the only ones who entered into the land.

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   Having these ensamples before us, this picture to go by, I can confidently tell whether I am headed for the Kingdom or whether I am headed for the bowels of the earth (Rev. 12:16).  And I am sure that you, too, can tell which way you are headed.  The Lord does not require more or less of us than He required of our types.  There is therefore no mystery as to what we must do, and what we must not do to receive the seal of God.

   We need not go into a land of wonderment, need not entertain the idea that we must have a mysterious feeling, exciting emotion, need not wallow in the dust or jump to the ceiling.  No, we need not make fools of ourselves.  All we need to do is be ourselves.  Be calm, decent, respectable, heaven-like beings, endeavoring to do God’s will on earth as it is done in heaven.  We need not make a display of ourselves, but we need to mind our God-given business and to keep our noses out of other people’s business.

   Only when we have done all we can to comply with the requirements of the message for today, not of yesterday, shall we be sealed and stand with the Lamb on Mt. Zion.

   Should we not be glad that while we are being invited to the Kingdom, we are also being told how to get there?  Seeing all these, we must never let our confidence in God wane.  We ought to be stable, firm in everything, lacking nothing.  God’s eleventh-hour servants, says Inspiration, are to be “a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it.” Joel 2:2.  They know what they believe, and believe what they know.  Most important of all, they know that they are led by God, not by man.

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   They are not like the Pharisees who were building monuments in memory of the dead prophets (Matt. 23:29-31) and at the same time were slaying the living ones!  With this light shining on our pathway, Hebrews, chapters 3, 4, 10 and 11 become self-interpreting.

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The Sacred Page

A glory gilds the sacred page,Majestic like the sun;It gives a light to every age,It gives, but borrows none.

The Spirit breathes upon the word,And brings the truth to sight;Precepts and promises affordA sanctifying light.

The hand that gave it, still supplies The gracious light and heat;His truths upon the nations rise,They rise, but never set.

Let everlasting thanks be thine,For such a bright display;It makes a world of darkness shine With beams of heavenly day.–Wm. Cowper (Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, no.7 , p.15)    

Posted in Elijah Interpretations, Salvation | Leave a Comment »

“Plowshares into Swords” or “Swords into Plowshares”?

July 22, 2017

Image result for plowshares to swords picture

The Scriptures say apparently contradictory statements in Joel , Micah and Isaiah, let us read —

“Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD. Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about. Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great.” (Joel 3:10)

“And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.”(Micah 4:3)

“And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” (Isaiah 2:4)

As with all Scripture, there is deep truth here and as students of His word, we should delve into this and find the intended meaning of it all. We know one thing, the two different meanings although seemingly contradictory –are not. There is a reason why the Lord shows two opposite statements. Each are balanced in their context.

Let us review what the message says about our subject —

“And they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks: Nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”  This verse reads exactly the opposite of Joel 3:10, “Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruninghooks into spears: Let the weak say I am strong.”

   These scriptures reveal two classes of people.  One class shall flow into the church by great groups: Kings, and great army leaders who have been building destroying weapons and preparing for war.  Now the gospel has conquered them.  While they are joining the church they gather their war implements, beating them into plowshares and pruninghooks.  “Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.” Isa. 60:18. 

The other class, outside of the church, prepare for war, beating their plowshares into swords, and their pruninghooks into spears.  One people is preparing for translation, while the other is getting ready for conquest.  Therefore both scriptures run parallel and will be fulfilled at the same time.  Thus the world would be divided into two great separate and distinct classes: Separating the wheat from the chaff, the goats from the sheep.” (SRod, vol. 1, p.176-177)

Mic. 4:3 — “And He shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”

   Many nations are gladly to accept His rebukes, beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks rather than continue to run in the armament race.

   According to Micah, the only nations that are to disarm are those that accept the Lord’s Truth for today and go to the Promised Land.  Never again will they need either swords or spears.

Mic. 4:4 — “But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it.”

   The nations and peoples are now having a difficult time to get to their “fig tree,” so to speak, much less to sit in peace under it.  They are in constant fear that some one may dislodge them even from their sitting under no tree.  Consequently they will try to protect their rights, or unrights, by beating their “plowshares into swords, and [their] pruning hooks into spears.” Joel 3:10.  And so judging their own strength by their war preparations, even the weak will say, “I am strong.” 

But it shall not be thus with those nations which join the people of the Kingdom of the Lord: They will not need to trust in their own strength, for they shall have the Lord’s protection.  Each shall comfortably and securely sit under his own “fig tree,” knowing that no one can possibly push him away from under it.  This is to be so, for “the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it.” (Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 25, p.6-7)    

   

“And He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” Isa. 2:2-4.

   The law is to go forth when the mountain (Kingdom) of the Lord’s house is established on the top of the mountains (kingdoms), and when It is exalted above the hills.  Then the “light” shall cause the rebuked nations to flow to the mountain of the Lord. 

And, too, instead of beating their plowshares into swords, and their pruning hooks into spears (Joel 3:10), they will beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks.  “Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” Isa. 2:4. (Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 37, p.13-14)

So we see that there is to be two distinct type of people  –those who follow the Lord and trust in His strength and those who don’t. The Great Controversy indeed! This is what will be so great about the Lord, He will make it very simple for the people all over the world to choose life.

Right now there is a counterfeit gospel being proclaimed with truth and error mixed but as soon as the Loud Cry headquarters is established in the promised land–Israel, the powerful Truth will be proclaimed around the world and all will have their chance to either make– swords into plowshares or plowshares into swords.              

Posted in End times, God's power | Leave a Comment »

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