Israelites Indeed-Not Gentiles

April 22, 2017

Image result for picture of ancient jews

As many of you know we have written extensively on the 144,000. But this week we’d like to show a report from the message showing a deeper look into this area.

“Whosoever has been converted to Christianity, accepting Christ as his personal Saviour, has had an experience which has completely overthrown and revolutionized his former plans and hopes, his entire way of life.  He has renounced the world and all its “pleasures of sin for a season” (Heb. 11:25), and has become a new creature in Christ, born again, heir of the kingdom according to the promise!  This is what Jesus meant when He declared to Nicodemus: “Ye must be born again.” And Paul, having this experience in mind, says: “If ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Gal. 3:29.

   Regardless, therefore, whether one be Jew or Gentile, he can have no part in the kingdom of Christ, save through the second birth, by which he becomes one of the seed of Abraham.  This spiritual transformation, nevertheless, does not fix anyone’s racial identity and tribal  lineage.  It can not, in other words, make one Judaite if he is not descended of Judah, or make him Ephraimite, if he is not descended of Ephraim.  Consequently, the 144,000, being of the sons of Jacob, cannot be of the Gentile nations.  They therefore, first of all, are lineal descendants of Jacob, though

Not Necessarily of the Present Identifiable Jewish Stock

   The ten tribes (the kingdom of Israel) were  carried away, scattered throughout the cities of the Medes (2 Kings 17:6), and so completely submerged in the sea of life of the surrounding nations, and assimilated, that they were utterly lost sight of, racially, to human reckoning.

Similarly, as the two tribes (the kingdom of  Judah) were carried away into Babylon, with only a few returning to Jerusalem after the seventy years of their captivity was accomplished, a multitude also of them lost their identity.

   Then, too, the early Christian church was made up of Jews only: the apostles, the 120 in the upper room (Acts 1:15), and the 3,000 who were converted on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:41) were all Jews, as were, indeed, virtually all those who “were added daily” for the first three and a half years after the crucifixion (Dan. 9:26, 27; Acts 2:47).  And even after this period was over, and the apostles were commissioned to take the gospel  to the Gentiles (Acts 13:46), many more Jews became Christians, and subsequently, as Christians rather than as Jews, were scattered among the nations.

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

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

   “And it shall come to pass in that day,” says the Word of prophecy in this connection, “that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of His people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.  And He shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.  And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall beat off from the channel of the river unto the stream of Egypt and ye shall be gathered one by one, O ye children of Israel.” Isa. 11:11, 12; 27:12.

Since, therefore, history, logic, and scripture combine their evidences to prove unconditionally that God has preserved the genealogy of the chosen branch of the human race forward from Adam to Noah (Matt. 1:1-17), and backward from Jesus to Adam (Luke 3:23-38), He must, then, for a consistent reason, also have preserved  the identity of the elect today.  And this we see, is precisely what He has done in His designating the lineage of the 144,000, as “of all the tribes of the children of Israel.” Rev. 7:4. 

And though we know not what we are, and cannot ever of ourselves tell, the One Who knows all about us, even to the last hair of each head, knows our precise ancestry, although those of us who are to be gathered from the seed of Jacob are, says the prophet, as the sand of the sea,” whereas, comparatively speaking, the identifiable Jewish race of today, is but a handful to the nations, and therefore cannot today be the ones to whom apply

The Terms Israel, Ephraim, Joseph.

   Going back for a moment to the historical approach to our subject, we recall that after Solomon’s death, the Israelite nation (the twelve tribes) was divided into two separate kingdoms (1 Kings 11:11, 12; 12:19, 27).  The ten-tribe  kingdom, occupying the northern portion of the  promised land, was called “Israel,” also Ephraim, and occasionally the house of Joseph: “Israel,” because of its majority of tribes; Ephraim (Isa. 11:13), because its kings came from Ephraim; and Joseph (Ezek. 37:16), because he was the father of Ephraim.  But the two-tribe kingdom, occupying the southern portion, was called “Judah,” because its kings were of the tribe of Judah, and therefore its  descendants are called “Jews.”  The term “Israel,” accordingly, often applies only to the ten tribes.” (Tract 8, p.7-11)

 

Posted in The 144, Who are the 144K? | 4 Comments »

Stephen Bohr : A Sad U-Turn

April 15, 2017

Recently we learned (then saw) that Mr. Bohr had conducted a 10 part series on YouTube, presenting a man called Ismael Rodriguez. For those of you who are unaware of this man, he is perhaps the most well known anti-Shepherd’s Rod spokesman in the world today. We were both saddened and mildly shocked to see that Stephen Bohr was sponsoring this series.

As many are aware Mr. Bohr is an active leader/teacher of the SDA church. His sermons and studies have gathered widespread acclaim among the SDA community. But we did a post back in May of 2014

False Teachers in the Midst

where we pointed out from scripture that his teachings are not always accurate. Now, we see that he has promoted a man who many present truth believers know quite well, and has a very misleading and even downright fallacious testimony on the Lord’s Rod (Micah 6:9).

As we viewed Mr. Bohr’s sponsored presentations, the Inspired words of God came to us–

“The more you are jostled, misapprehended, misstated, misrepresented, the more evidence you have that you are doing a work for the Master, and the more closely you must cling to your Saviour.” (Testimonies, vol.8, p.130)

So why do we say –a sad U turn? The foremost reason is that now Bohr instead of times past staying clear from those who would enter, has begun “hindering” those who would enter, our Lord explains —

“Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.” (Luke 11:52)

You see brethren this man has not truly studied the whole writings of the Lord’s Rod. He has, obviously, chosen to dwell on the areas of controversy rather than read it all through. If he had done this, as we who have done so, he would have had to admit that the writings are far outweighed in powerful truth and new revelations that CANNOT be controverted when compared to Scripture.

The Lord’s word spoken through SOP warns us that there are seemingly “great men” who have “proved themselves unfaithful”.

“Those who have trusted to intellect, genius, or talent will not then stand at the head of rank and file. They did not keep pace with the light. Those who have proved themselves unfaithful will not then be entrusted with the flock. 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. There are precious ones now hidden who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” (Testimonies, vol. 5, p.80)

And further, Bohr and those like him are fulfilling Scripture as follows–

“In the manifestation of that power which lightens the earth with the glory of God, they will see only something which in their blindness they think dangerous, something which will arouse their fears, and they will brace themselves to resist it. Because the Lord does not work according to their expectations and ideal, they will oppose the work. “Why,” they say, “should we not know the Spirit of God, when we have been in the work so many years?” Because they did not respond to the warnings, the entreaties, of the messages of God, but persistently said, “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.”(Maranatha, p.219)

Bohr has taken the fateful step now, to condemn the Lord’s Rod, yet he does not know it’s the Lord’s Rod. He thinks it’s “dangerous” and therefore the people must be warned. But where in the writings of revival and reformation is the danger? In fact the very first statement from the Shepherd’s Rod writings says–

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

Questions for Mr Bohr–

Have you explained what is meant by “Hear ye the Rod, and Who has appointed it”(Micah 6:9, 7:14) to the people, Mr. Bohr? The Lord’s Rod does.

Have you taught the people that they must “sigh and cry for the abominations done in the church”(Test. for the church, vol.3, p.267), Mr. Bohr?  The Lord’s Rod does.

Do you let the people even know what some of the abominations are that are in the church, Mr. Bohr? The Lord’s Rod does (SRod. vol.1, p.34).

Where is the error in all the revelations of Truth in the Lord’s Rod, such as Hosea 1 and 2, Zechariah 4 and 6, Ezekiel 1, Ezekiel 4, Ezekiel 9, the book of Isaiah’s interpretations, Micah 4, the meaning of Esau and Jacob, Daniel 7, Revelation 12, Ezekiel 47, Revelation 18, Revelation 4 and 5, Matt.24, and all the other specific Rod reports on Bible subjects, Mr. Bohr?

You see brethren, this man along with his partner in crime and front man, Ismael Rodriguez, have now proclaimed to our people, our SDA brothers and sisters– DO NOT hear ye the Rod and Who has appointed! But the Lord MUST be heard and  His voice cries out!

“The LORD’S voice cries unto the city, and wisdom shall see your name: Hear ye the Rod, and Who has appointed it.” (Micah 6:9)

Ever since the beginning of time Satan has been standing in the way of the Lord’s Truth for God’s people, why should it be any different today? Do we think that Satan will rally the SDA ministers to get behind the Lord’s Elijah message? No way! Bohr is a perfect tool because he has a sizeable following and therefore many have leaned on his flesh.

“Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord.” (Jer. 17:5)

SOP explains further–

“We need never expect that when the Lord has light for His people, Satan will stand calmly by and make no effort to prevent them from receiving it. He will work upon minds to excite distrust and jealousy and unbelief. Let us beware that we do not refuse the light God sends, because it does not come in a way to please us. Let not God’s blessing be turned away from us because we know not the time of our visitation. If there are any who do not see and accept the light themselves, let them not stand in the way of others. Let it not be said of this highly favoured people, as of the Jews when the good news of the kingdom was preached to them: “Ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.”(Testimonies, vol. 5, p.728)

There is a another angel which is to join the three angels messages (Rev. 18:1), and just like the first three, this fourth angel is a message to God’s people FROM A HUMAN MESSENGER. First to His remnant to prepare them and then to the world. Yet sadly this message of truth is discarded and thought dangerous.

“I saw angels hurrying to and fro in heaven, descending to the earth, and again ascending to heaven, preparing for the fulfillment of some important event. Then I saw another mighty angel commissioned to descend to the earth, to unite his voice with the third angel, and give power and force to his message. Great power and glory were imparted to the angel, and as he descended, the earth was lightened with his glory.

The light which attended this angel penetrated everywhere, as he cried mightily, with a strong voice, “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.” The message of the fall of Babylon, as given by the second angel, is repeated, with the additional mention of the corruptions which have been entering the churches since 1844.

The work of this angel comes in at the right time to join in the last great work of the third angel’s message as it swells to a loud cry. And the people of God are thus prepared to stand in the hour of temptation, which they are soon to meet. I saw a great light resting upon them, and they united to fearlessly proclaim the third angel’s message.” (EW, P.277)

Does not the Lord’s Rod message speak of “additional corruptions” that have entered the church? Yes indeed and this mighty angel’s message shall soon go on to lighten the earth with his glory, amen.

But Mr. Bohr has now tried to influence the people to reject the Rod and only time will tell the outcome of his work. Let those who are seeking after truth remember that their own study, their own investigation will prove worthwhile IF they believe that the Lord’s Spirit of Truth  (John 16:13) is guiding and not the preachers, such as Stephen Bohr.

“The people imitate the preacher, and thus he has a very great influence upon them.” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1. p.433)

“A horrible and shocking thing has happened in the land:  The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and My people love it this way. But what will you do in the end?” (Jer. 5:30-31)

Posted in Delusion, The spirit of predjudice, Warning our brethren | 3 Comments »

Two Little Mites

April 8, 2017

Image result for picture of Jesus watching old lady put in her two mites

And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto Him his disciples, and saith unto them, ‘Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.’  (Mark 12:41-44)

Here we see that the Lord teaches us that even the small amounts are valuable as the large ones are. The heart is indeed known by the Lord and the lessons here are quite far-reaching.

To begin this week’s subject let us look at what the Elijah message tells us in regards to “small income”.

IS SMALL INCOME TITHE EXEMPT?

Question No. 158:

   As my income is very small, am I not exempt from paying tithe?

Answer:

   God designed the plan of systematic benevolence so as to make it as equitable to the poor as to the rich, no more a tax on the mite than on the million. And we know of no Scriptural authority for exempting from tithe any income, however small. All, poor as well as rich, are given the privilege of returning to the Lord His own. Many with a “mite” income are paying both first and second tithe, and in return are receiving a rich bestowal of blessing.

   Thus reason forces the conclusion that if one is not obliged to receive charity help in addition to his income (whatever its source) to cover his living expenses, then for him not to pay tithe is to cheat Himself of the abundant blessing which attends a faithful regard for the royal privilege of being one of God’s stewards. (Answerer, vol. 5, p.86)
 

So clearly the Lord has sent us the restoring message about small income and that is no one is “exempt” from returning what is the Lord’s, even a mite. The key is understanding that the money is not rightfully ours but the Lord’s.

Way too often the idea that “I’m barely making it and the Lord knows my circumstances therefore I am free of Tithe paying during this hard time” mentally is our excuse, our way out of our responsibility.

SOP gives us a very dire warning if we are not faithful–

“Angels faithfully record each person’s actions. Thus, when judgments are brought down to the house of God, each person’s sentence is written by his name. Angels are under the charge of slaughtering unfaithful servants, but at the time of slaughter. The things entrusted to them are taken away. At that time, their world and riches are gone, and they lose everything.” (Testimonies vol. 1, p.198)

Recently an experience came to us that we’d like to share. A brother, we’ll call brother R, let us know that things were not going well. Times were tough and he was asking for some help. The Lord inspired me to inquire, “Have you been faithful in returning your Tithes?” The answer to his credit was an honest one– “No” he replied.

This answer showed that he was honest and ready for correction. I informed him that the reason he could be having hard times was that he was short-changing the Lord. Let us look again at the Lord’s promise.

In Malachi chapter 3 we know that the Lord makes a promise and when He makes a promise, it’s a certainty. But how many really believe it? How many? From what I have seen in my Christian experience–few. Many may Tithe yet they don’t expect a blessing or even look for one. Yet that is the promise– “And try Me on this..if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessings that there will not be room enough to receive it.”(Mal. 3:10)

So brother R is needlessly suffering when all he has to do is start doing his part. The Lord’s hand is out there to shake yours but if you keep it in your pocket, how can the Lord have a deal?

It’s all about belief brethren-believe it and the Lord will do the rest!

For those who want to know two of the Lord’s storehouses today, here is their information. These organizations have the “food” in His house that you may feast on for today. And due to the advent of speedy communications you can pay via online, which for foreign countries is a real plus due to the cost and slowness of postage mail.

1) General Association of Davidian Seventh Day Adventists (Mt. Carmel center)

Based out of New York, and located in Mountaindale,  this group is very active in sending tracts, literature, Cd’s, DVD’s  around the world. They also send Bible workers around the world to work one on one for new converts. Recently heard that they had helped convert 16 families in Mexico to the present truth message. They accept check, money orders, pay pal, and online credit/debit cards. Keep in mind you’ll need the email to send a PayPal donation.

Address-  P.O. Box 119, Mountaindale, N.Y 12763  (checks made out to — G.A.D.S.D.A)

Phone- 1-845-434-5282

Website –http://www.shepherds-rod-message.org/charts/

Email– gadsda@shepherds-rod-message.org

2) General Assoc. of Davidian Seventh Day Adventists  (checks made out to — U.P.A)

Based in Waco Texas, this organization is very active much as the others. (CD’s, DVD.s tracts, literature) Also has some very good YouTube videos. They accept check, money orders, pay pal, and online credit/debit cards.

Address – 2500 Mt. Carmel Dr., Waco, Texas 76710

Phone– 1-800-729-7494

Website – http://shepherdsroddavidian.org/

Email – dsdacommunication@gmail.com

In closing, the small mite is very valuable to the Lord, and if that is all we have the Lord will keep his promise and blessings will surely come. You just have to believe and watch.

 

Posted in Christian faith, Tithes and Offerings | Leave a Comment »

“Do Not Answer..”

April 1, 2017

Image result for do not answer a fool according to his folly

One of the hardest lessons, personally, that I have had to learn is obeying proverbs 26:4. This is one of those simple yet profound instructions from God. Let us look at this instruction and what it’s all about.

In the many years now that I have had the privilege to be working in God’s vineyard, I have had many many discussions with SDA members and DSDA members. But just recently, after all these years FINALLY, the above lesson hit home! Allow me to explain.

It’s our human nature to want to be right, to let others know we have something to say, especially if we are challenged. Yet our all seeing God knows that in the Christian life there comes a time when we must ‘back off”. There is a point where if we continue, as the Word says, we’ll be like a fool.

I believe there is  more to this as well, we stand a real chance of losing confidence in our own beliefs! The Word tells us to keep our confidence dear–

“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.” (Hebrews 10:35)

Let us look at a recent past experience I’ve encountered.

Brother F is a zealous professor of present truth. Only trouble is, he is snared big time. He is a firm believer on keeping the feast days as a form of righteousness. I first came to know him through a mutual friend. This other friend also was a Elijah message believer but also a feast keeper, we’ll call him bro. R

Bro. R and I had a series of email studies concerning the feast days. I tried very hard to show many Inspired references, overwhelming in their straight forward counsel,  yet to no avail. After a  few emails, bro. R brought in bro. F as another party to the email study. Soon bro. F was corresponding with me about the feasts as well.

Long story short bro. R died suddenly after a couple months of concluding our studies. I felt saddened because as far as I know he never let go of the self righteous trap of feast keeping.

But bro. F and I still communicated. He was very inquisitive and constantly was asking questions on different subjects of present truth. As I am dedicated to helping any and all learn more of the message I continued to answer his questions. But soon I saw that no matter how clear and plain my answers were from a “Thus sayeth the Lord” he would counter if he held a different view. In other words he was trying to convince me of his ideas each time he asked a question.

Soon I was onto this ploy and told him that as far as I was concerned I would not be able to help him anymore as my answers  really didn’t help him and that he had his own mind made up.  He was just trying to play the devil’s advocate and see if he could change my beliefs.

Anyway, after saying this, he didn’t stop. A few days later another question and scenario would be put forth and I jump at this again. Figuring that somehow someway I could make this guy see the plain “Thus sayeth the Lord”. No success, it went around and around again.

Finally about 2  months ago, I woke up one morning and as usual another question was  waiting for me. As I went to answer I heard the Spirit say, “NO, NO!, It’s going to hurt you if you continue.” Then I remembered Proverb 26:4. And for the last two months I’ve been able to ignore the questions.

Had I continued I certainly would have “become like him” in that my answers would be trampled asundered and I’d be left without any productive result. Again the Word warns–

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

The “rend you” is real my beloved. We must make sure that when we are discussing the Truth we be with someone who is there to learn, just as we are. Otherwise our confidence may become shattered because we can soon doubt our own beliefs because the other side continues to not listen to a thus sayth the Lord.

When you were a kid and you drew a painting that took alot of time and were proud of it, yet you had  a parent that keep telling you “It’s nothing special” over and over again. Soon you think you can’t do any painting because you’re just not good at it. Your confidence is shattered because of the repeated disagreement with your ideas.

Spirit of Prophecy adds more —

“There are some who indulge in levity, sarcasm, and even mockery toward those who differ with them. Others present an array of objections to any new view; and when these objections are plainly answered by the words of Scripture, they do not acknowledge the evidence presented, nor allow themselves to be convinced. Their questioning is not for the purpose of arriving at truth, but is intended merely to confuse the minds of others.

Some have thought it an evidence of intellectual keenness and superiority to perplex minds in regard to what is truth. They resort to subtlety of argument, to playing upon words; they take unjust advantage in asking questions.When their questions have been fairly answered, they will turn the subject [and] bring up another point to avoid acknowledging the truth. We should beware of indulging the spirit which controlled the Jews.(Testimonies to Ministers, p.108)

 

That part about “When their questions have been fairly answered, they will turn the subject [and] bring up another point to avoid acknowledging the truth” really nailed it with brother F. It was an endless ignoring of plain and clear words from Inspiration.

For example when shown this reference from the Elijah message, it was glossed over and basically ignored-

“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.” (TImely Greetings, vol.2, no.37, p.14-15)

To be clear, we are not suggesting that anyone who disagrees with us should be ignored. Not at all. In fact if a good study is had, often we ourselves learn new things as well as our study partner. It’s just that when time and again a Thus sayeth the Lord is ignored or glossed over, that should be a signal that we are dealing with a Pharisee, one who is stuck way down in self conceived ideas.

In closing, there is very very short time left and we can’t be answering those who are dug down deep in error. If they cannot acknowledge a Thus sayeth the Lord- let us take counsel and “do not answer according to their folly.”

 

Posted in Proper teachings, Witnessing | 1 Comment »

Meet Sister Bonnie Smith

March 25, 2017

Image result for old lady praying in dark

Once in a great while, people are blessed and encouraged to meet a person who has “walked the walk” as well as “talked the talk” all their life. We’d like to introduce you to a very special woman, someone who has “fruit” of which any true-hearted Christian can recognize.

Our King said, “So then, you will know them by their fruits.” (Matt. 7:20)

The message tells us —

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

So the Word tells us in two specific examples that we can know who truly has the “seal” of God. What a blessing and promise to those who are truly striving to make Christ the center of their life, to have such discernment!

Her name is Bonnie Smith. She is 85 years old now. At the end of this post you will be able to see a video of her just a few days ago, taken when she was invited to a Los Angeles church to testify of her Christian experience (She lives in South Carolina). One that very very few people have had.

Let us give you a little history of our sister. She is one of only two known survivors today, to have lived on the original property, known as Mt. Carmel, in Waco Texas. As far as anyone knows, sister Bonnie and a man known as Don Adair, are the only two active living proclaimers of the message who lived on the property.

She came with her family in 1936, one year after the beginning of the “camp”, as it was known back then, was established. She was but a small child. So her young life was an upbringing in the counsels and teachings of Victor Houteff, who many today believe was the prophesied “Elijah” to come as spoken of in Mal. 4:5.

Among other things she learned was that a reformed life was essential to knowing Christ. In his very first publication brother Houteff announced his intent of his mission–

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

It is a well known fact that the “camp” was a model of pious Christian living, all was orderly, clean and everyone contributed. The present truth message was given often through the chapel on the grounds. The printing press was going almost non-stop, as brother Houteff worked tirelessly to give what some of us know as the last message to the SDA church.

So as with all true Christians, brother Houteff walked the walk. He oversaw a camp that held to all the reformed ways of living as outlined in the Bible and SOP. This was a matter of careful obedience. And those who lived there showed it! Dress, worship , proper Sabbath adherence, etc. all was a way of life on the camp.

Today, we as present truth believers have much to be thankful for to sister Bonnie. She collected numerous photos of the old days and her knowledge of the message is still quite good. She keep many of the original writings of the message and has  been very instrumental in their preservation.

For some of her photo collection click here–
http://shepherds-rod.org/photo/index.html

When you open the photos take a close look at page 8, you’ll see that when the photo came out, the lights above the main office showed a cross appearing above the masonry clock.

I have coordinated a couple of phone conferences with her and many people have been blessed listening to her describe some of the events and happenings that took place back in the day. She tells of the many miracles that occurred, the true love that those on the camp experienced as team players of one accord for the Lord. Their utmost respect and admiration of the man they came to know as the last prophet to our SDA church– Victor Houteff.

Of course one can really never know these things unless one experiences it and decides to read the message carefully through and through. Afterall those who don’t put credence in the Lord’s word, that He will send a last day prophet “Elijah” just before the great and dreadful day of the Lord, are going to miss out on what was sent by our King. But not the case with sister Bonnie and other devoted families that lived upon the camp.

Obviously nearly all have passed away, yet God has preserved this one special lady that we may be encouraged and see her fruit, and that it is good indeed!

When you watch this video remember what God said through his word about those who He will call His own —

  1. God’s people are humble and sincere
    “If My people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chron. 7:14)

2.  God’s people pay attention to dress

“.. that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and              sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but with what is    proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.” (1 Tim. 2:9-10)

3.  God works through the pure in heart

“He says, “You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.”(Isaiah 49:6)

“The Holy Spirit works in the children of obedience. He who is a partaker of the divine nature will think the thoughts of God. His perceptions will be sanctified by the grace of Christ. He will work in Christ’s lines, manifesting His kindness, thoughtfulness, mercy, and love, helping and not discouraging those around him.” (MS 73, 1901)

In closing, enough of the preliminaries, may you see for yourself who represents what is known as a “Davidian Seventh-day Adventist.” As they say, “a picture is worth a thousand words.”

 

Posted in Brotherly love, Christian faith, Christian walk, Davidian Seventh Day Adventists, Humility, Loving the Lord, Obedience, Witnessing | Leave a Comment »

The Facebook “Like” Trap

March 18, 2017

Apostle Paul, under Inspiration wrote the following–

“For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet sought to please men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” ( Gal. 1:10)

Today, in our ever-growing world of electronics and social media we have the immensely popular site called –Facebook. This one site has definitely helped spread the Lord’s final message of Elijah. While our site “Truth Tellers” may have been the first active Elijah message site (back in Sept. of 2011), there exists many more today.

But there is a subject we’d like to cover in this week’s post. That is the ever prevalent and noticeable “like” button. Facebook from its foundation (Feb. 2004) has always had this button of expression. It has been useful by the vast FB population to gauge how well received your picture, post, comment, etc. is.

But in regards to Christ’s work, this area should be looked at a little closer. Popularity and the Lord’s Truth has never be ideal partners. Our King Himself experienced this lesson first hand. After doing great miracles and powerful sermons, He was treated as if He had never did anything good as written in John 6:57-6:66.

“As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.” These things said He in the synagogue, as He taught in Capernaum. Many therefore of His disciples, when they had heard, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?

When Jesus knew in himself that His disciples murmured at it, He said unto them, “Doth this offend you?What if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. But there are some of you that believe not.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray Him.

And He said, “Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.” From that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him.”

Then we have our Type Elijah. He was very unpopular most of his life due to the fact he said things straightly without favor and a desire to please the masses. So what are we saying with all this?

We must not and can cannot be dependent upon popular signs of approval. For this can be a real trap! But we are all feeling human beings and it’s only natural to want to be liked. But as we grow in our Christian experience, self becomes less and less and His work becomes more and more. Thus, we begin to no longer desire to satisfy self, rather Jesus and the Word. And along with this, if we are truly following the “Lamb wheresoever He goeth” (Rev. 14:4) we soon realize that we cannot expect popularity for we are no better than our King.

So what does this like button have to do with our discussion? Just this, far too many, and yes even present truth believers, either consciously or subconsciously, rely upon approval for a gauge on whether they should be an active poster of the message. If they post a few times and get little or no likes, some feel discouraged and withdraw from active posting. But this is a big mistake!

Part of the challenge of those working today in social media, is that much of the Elijah message is–straight testimony. SOP counsels–

“Cutting truths must not be shunned. It needs something besides theory to reach hearts now. It needs the stirring testimony to alarm and arouse; that will stir the enemy’s subjects, and then honest souls will be led to decide for the truth. There has been and still is with some a disposition to have everything move on very smoothly. They see no necessity of straight testimony.

Sins exist in the church that God hates, but they are scarcely touched for fear of making enemies. Opposition has risen in the church to the plain testimony. Some will not bear it.” (Spiritual Gifts, vol. 2, p.283)

Once again we come to the issue of courage and fortitude. Just like Elijah, our type, who gave the straight truth despite the masses against him. But he knew, as we should, that with God on our side, we are in the majority.

“The truth must be made pointed, and the necessity of a decision urged. And as false shepherds are crying, Peace, and are preaching smooth things, the servants of God must cry aloud, and spare not, and leave the result with God.” (Ibid, p.285)

The results are often an ignoring and lack of any visible approval. From a personal perspective, I have often posted what the Spirit has urged me to post with zero likes, yet I know that there could be that one individual whom God wanted to reach through me.

You see brethren this work for today, the Lord’s  final message of Elijah is to be an unselfish work. In fact it must be as we will be confronted often with no support whether on Facebook or elsewhere. Our great adversary knows this weakness well–

“Satan is constantly endeavoring to attract attention to man in the place of God.” (GC, p. 595)

In closing, let us push forward in our individual work God has called us to do. Popularity should be of no concern to us as God’s prophet Paul advised. Post away brethren and if you get no “likes” praise the Lord!

“And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” (Matt. 6:18)

Posted in Courage, Warning our brethren, Witnessing | 5 Comments »

“Adventist Church Tops 20 Million Members”

March 11, 2017

Image result for Rwandans being baptized in Lake Kivu

 

The Adventists News Network’s article states–

The Adventist Church has 20,008,779 member as of Dec. 31, 2016, a net increase of 882,332 people, or 4.6 percent, from the previous year, the church’s office of Archives, Statistics, and Research said. In another milestone, a record 1.2 million people were baptized last year, including an unprecedented 110,000 in Rwanda, while new churches continued to be planted at a rapid rate.

“What these statistics tell me about the church’s efforts to fulfill its mission is that church leaders and, increasingly, church members are putting considerable resources into reaching new souls for God’s kingdom,” said David Trim, director of the Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research. “Total Member Involvement has a huge role to play here, and the record baptisms in 2016 already reflect TMI.”

 

The above headlines is the latest news from the SDA Church news agency. As we read this, we are suppose to be very happy, some may want to say, “praise the Lord!”. Yet all is not what meets the eye. Something profound is happening here and we should look a little deeper into this supposed “work of God”.

I, too, was at one time a lukewarm SDA member. In fact we got a billboard campaign going within our church trying to recruit new members into our church. But that was the light that I knew at that time. The truth of the Lord’s Elijah message had not reached me yet.

“We must not think, “Well, we have all the truth, we understand the main pillars of our faith, and we may rest on this knowledge.” The truth is an advancing truth, and we must walk in the increasing light.” (Counsels to writers and editors, p.33)

Let us ask ourselves the following questions.

Why didn’t the Lord promise to bring Noah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord, instead of Elijah?  Or how about David, Joseph, Job or any of the other numerous prophets?

Afterall Noah preached to the world did he not? That is what the message is right now from the SDA church “peace and love and win the world”. So how does Elijah fit in as opposed to the message of Noah? When we ponder this line of thinking we can only come to one conclusion. Elijah, instead of any other prophet, was chosen as the type  because it was to represent the type of message for this time, the last days.

What was Elijah’s message? One to the world or to his own people? Of Course to the house of Israel! Is this work of spreading the Lord’s message  to go to the world now, bringing in the great multitudes (as in 20 plus million) and causing us to leap for joy at this fact?

Sadly the answer is no. This no doubt will cause those not familiar with the purpose of the Elijah message to say “What? What are you talking about? It’s a great thing to bring souls into God’s kingdom now.” Well yes and no, let us explain.

Granted, this area of the Elijah message is one of the most difficult to understand. When we know the message well we know that there is no doubt that the Lord’s message today is specifically for the remnant church. Why? Because it , not the world, is about to be sprued out.

The message deals straightly with this issue as follows —

WORK WITHIN OR WITHOUT?

Question No. 32:

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

Answer:

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

You see brethren we are wholesaling them into the church without so much as any obedience to the Lord’s counsel, let us read–

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

So if the Lord is not now working to bring souls into the truth, the church, who is? Yes, sadly it is another spirit working in camouflage to hoodwink people that they get a free ride to heaven upon joining the church.

More from the message on this important topic–

SAVE THE CHURCH OR THE WORLD?

Question No. 67:

  If, at this late hour, we give our whole effort for the salvation of the church, how will the rest of the world ever be reached?

Answer:

  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 Chris 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” an. about to be spued out, than if they remain in the world until the church awakes from her slumber, and anoints herself with the eyesalve (Truth)—sees right, does right, and leads an. feeds the flock aright.

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

  The men and means already devoted to missionary work for the world are so plenteous as entirely to overshadow the meager facilities available for carrying the message to the Laodiceans, although the church is in even greater need than is the world.

  However, carrying the message to the church does not affect the mission work for the world for while the Davidians labor in the interest of the church, the Denomination carries the old message to the world. But should the Davidians also devote their time and money to looking after the interests of the heathen then both the church and the world would be plunged into hell. Consequently, to save the world, we must first seek to save the church from the ruin that is imminent, as did John the Baptist, Christ, and the apostles, in their day.

  After the church awakes and ceases dreaming that she is “rich and increased with goods,” finds out that she is in need of everything rather than of “nothing,” puts on her strength by turning to Christ her Leader, clothes herself in the garments of His righteousness, and lets the unclean pass no more through her (Isa. 52:1), then shall her righteousness go forth as brightness and her salvation as a lamp that burneth. And the Gentiles shall see her righteousness, and all kings her glory (Isa. 62:1, 2).

Then will she really be able to save. Then her “gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto” her “the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought. For the nation and kingdom that will not serve” her “shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted.” Isa. 60:11, 12.

  Let all Present-truth believers, therefore, pursue this course to its happy climax: “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.” Zech. 2:10, 11.

  Still further, as it is not we, but Christ Who “is taking the reins in His own hands” (Testimonies to Ministers, p. 300), it is not our duty to tell Him which work should be done, and which should be left undone, but let every follower of His realize that He will “work in a manner very much out of the common order of things, and in a way that will be contrary to any human planning.”-Testimonies to Ministers, p. 300.

  Be not like the class who “question and criticize everything that arises in the unfolding of truth” (Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 690), but be like those who “let Heaven guide.”—Testimonies to Ministers, p. 475.

  The command to us is: “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house a Jacob their sins.” Isa. 58:1.

  “Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people. Behold, the Lord hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, His reward is with Him; and His work be fore Him.” Isa. 62:10, 11. (Answerer, vol. 3, Q-67)

Do not misunderstand we as Christ’s servants should want any and all people saved. There is even today  a few who like the Syrophoenician woman (Mark 7:25-29) come into the faith by a burning desire of love of Christ, His honor, His Commandments and His Word. These the Lord has called into His church.But unfortunately our leaders have herded them like cattle into the church without even knowing what the Word says about the final result!

However the Lord has set a timetable to win the world and that is to first save the church from impending doom, then to go  out and win the “great multitude” (Rev. 7:9). Let’s get on board HIS timetable and do His work as said by His prophets.

 

 

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The God of Details

March 4, 2017

flower

When we pick up a flower we see the absolute minute details, the perfect designs, the lines, the colors, the smells, etc. This is our God, one of great detail. In the Word we read–

“And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” (Luke 12:7)

But what are some of the “details” that we as  God’s final remnant church should concern ourselves with today? Let us look at some appropriate details that should very much be our focus today.

1) Our time

Each day we are to put in between approximately 15 to 18 hours of productive work, whether it be for the world , for ourselves, for our family or friends, or for God. We as SDA members know that the Lord has given a responsibility to the “recording angels” to watch our every word and deed.

“All of us will have to give an account of ourselves to God.” (Romans 14:12)

“Every man’s work passes in review before God and is registered for faithfulness or unfaithfulness. Opposite each name in the books of heaven is entered with terrible exactness every wrong word, every selfish act, every unfulfilled duty, and every secret sin, with every artful dissembling. Heaven-sent warnings or reproofs neglected, wasted moments, unimproved opportunities, the influence exerted for good or for evil, with its far-reaching results, all are chronicled by the recording angel.” (Great Controversy, p.482)

So if we are being recorded, why not make sure that each day we put in our time to do some work in His vineyard. The ability to “work” in His vineyard is made so much easier and seamless today with the advent of electronics. We really have no excuse to be coach potatoes, or worldly entertainments lovers. Time is almost up for us SDA members, our time is way too valuable now to throw away.

2) Our Sabbath adherence

We know that the Lord has always be particular in Sabbath observance. This day above all other days is the one He blessed and hallowed. But all too often we can get sloppy in our observance of this day unless we keep regular check on our routine. Some areas to watch-

  1. Keep a close eye on the start (sunset) of the Sabbath and the end (sundown) of Sabbath. These 24 hours are God’s blessed time and we should make the most of it and keep it–holy.
  2. Keep an eye on our “worldly conversation”. Too often we can get careless and drift off into worldly matters and this is displeasing to the Lord.

“If because of the sabbath, you turn your foot From doing your own pleasure on My holy day, And call the sabbath a delight, the holy day of the LORD honorable, And honor it, desisting from your own ways, From seeking your own pleasure And speaking your own word, Then you will take delight in the LORD, And I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; And I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” (Isaiah 58:14)

3. Be prepared. If we need gas for the travel to church, we get it Friday. If we need some foods for       Sabbath we buy it Friday.

4. Have your Bible with you for Sabbath. This seems one of the most basic rules of the Sabbath yet             far too many seem to carelessly heed this simple rule.

5. Show up to church on time. This is a must. This is so disrespectful to the Lord and even to some             others in the church. How many in the boy scouts are allowed to show up late in their meetings?                 How much more important is it to show up  in God’s house at the proper appointment time!

“Tomorrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath unto the Lord: bake that which ye will bake today, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.” “And the people went about, and gathered it [the manna], and ground it in mills, or beat it in a mortar, and baked it in pans, and made cakes of it.” Exodus 16:23; Numbers 11:8. There was something to be done in preparing the heaven-sent bread for the children of Israel. The Lord told them that this work must be done on Friday, the preparation day. This was a test to them. God desired to see whether or not they would keep the Sabbath holy.” (Testimonies, vol. 6, p.355)

3) Our dress

This goes along with number 2. The house of God is a special house and requires us to show honor and respect for our Creator. Women’s dress should be modest and not flashy with all kinds of jewelry or worldly fashion. In fact the last message of Elijah , from the Lord, says that proper attire includes head covering for the ladies.

We’ve done a post on this topic —

“Little Things Mean A Lot”

The guys should also have a respectful suit or apparel. If you look like you could fit in at the ball game, then you may want to re-adjust your attire in front of the King of the Universe. Are those shoes shined?

“Many need instruction as to how they should appear in the assembly for worship on the Sabbath. They are not to enter the presence of God in the common clothing worn during the week. All should have a special Sabbath suit, to be worn when attending service in God’s house. While we should not conform to worldly fashions, we are not to be indifferent in regard to our outward appearance. We are to be neat and trim, though without adornment. The children of God should be pure within and without.” (Testimonies, vol. 6, p.355)

 

4) Our Commandment keeping

We should all remember that the Lord’s word says we have TWO DUTIES. But these are all encompassing and really cover the vast elements of our life.

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecc. 12:13)

One of the big surprises that I have learned over my years in the SDA church is how few actually know the 10 Commandments! When you say , “sister Julie, what is the 8th Commandment?” They are often stumped! Wow, now this is not good. This is so basic in our Christian walk, it is mind-boggling that ANY have not learned these primary building blocks of our faith.

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”(Psalm 119:11)

“If you love Me keep my Commandments” (John 14:15)

Did you know that in all the Bible there is only one place where the Lord Himself told us how to “love” Him? Yes, it is that reference– John 14:15. This is powerful my brothers and sisters. Let us know them first so that we can walk in them and then show we love Him, it’s all elementary.

5) Tithe duty

Another simple yet often ignored and misunderstood word and command of God. There are three aspects to this subject– where to pay, how often and why pay it there?

Before we address these questions let’s look at our Scriptural basis for paying Tithes.

“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. 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.” (Mal. 3:8-10)

Obviously it must be a “storehouse” of the Lord. The Elijah messages says –

“The tithes and the offerings are of the Lord’s substance, and those who think that they can so manipulate them as to accomplish whatever end is desired, are deceiving themselves, not God, for His command is, “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house. “Mal. 3:10.  The storehouse is the only place designated where one may bring the tithes and offerings and unload from his shoulders the heavy responsibility which a faithful stewardship imposes. 

To do otherwise with them, is to leave one’s account in the heavenly ledger standing in the red, even though one may appropriate them to some meritorious work of charity.  While it is yet today, therefore, flee from this sin of Achan before it is forever too late!  “As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?” Ezek. 33:11. (Tract 4, p.43-44)

But we as SDA members should know that God’s voice is no longer coming from our church leaders.

“It has been some years since I have considered the General Conference as the voice of God.”—Manuscript Releases 17:216 (1898).

“That these men should stand in a sacred place, to be as the voice of God to the people, as we once believed the General Conference to be—that is past.”—The General Conference Bulletin, April 3, 1901, p. 25.

“As for the voice of the General Conference, there is no voice from God through that body that is reliable.”(Manuscript Releases, vol. 17, p.178)

So what to do? We know that “meat” in His house must mean present truth, the truth of the scroll up to our time. The Truth that is able to guide instruct and ultimately save.  And where do we find in the Scriptures of His final message of truth coming? Again in Malachi.

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

So we have our answer. The meat that must be paid for, the present truth, is the Lord’s final message of Elijah. And as we have shown time and again, our SDA church has largely rejected this message. So in order to pay our Tithes for His meat that must be dispensed to His people, we must turn to those who are doing that. They are part of the SDA yet identify themselves as Davidian Seventh-day Adventists.

The word Tithes means 10% as many of us know, and this is just the Tithes. In Malachi we are accused of robbing God with not only paying Tithes but offerings (above and beyond the 10%). So there should be more than 10% given. As far as how often, Scripture points out something done weekly–

“Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.”(1 Cor. 16:1-2)

The message tells us more specifics in paying our Tithes —

WHAT IS SUBJECT TO TITHING?

Question No. 99:

   Deuteronomy 14:22 says: “Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.” How shall I tithe my crop?

Answer:

   To facilitate answering this question, let us consider for example the case of a potato grower. Say that he is without expense for hired labor, irrigation, rent, etc. If free from such overhead and if his gross returns are $50 an acre, then the whole amount would be subject to tithe, which of course would be $5 an acre. If, however, he must operate with an overhead expense to produce his crop, then obviously such expense should be  deducted from the gross value of the produce, and only the remainder tithed. For instance, if the gross value of the crop be $50 an acre, and the overhead expense $10 an acre, then the net increase, the amount subject to tithe, would be $40 an acre, and the tithe only $4 instead of $5 an acre.

   If, on the other hand, one is a wage earner, sustaining  the expense of social security, transportation to and from work, etc., then he deducts the amount of such expenses from his wages before tithing them. For example, if he receives $100 a month wages, and if he must spend 10 cents a day, or about $2.60 a month, for transportation, he then deducts $2.60 from $100, which leaves $97.40 to tithe.

   If one’s income is from rentals, then he deducts the amount spent on upkeep of the property from his untithed gross income. Thus figuring one’s income, one tithes all his increase. (Answerer vol. 4, p.47-48)

In closing all these details are very important. And if we neglect to adhere to them we can take the real chance of offending our King. SOP gave us a good warning to consider, so that we would not be “careless and stupid”.

“Men and women are in the last hours of probation, and yet are careless and stupid, and ministers have no power to arouse them; they are asleep themselves. Sleeping preachers preaching to a sleeping people!A great work must be accomplished for ministers in order for them to make the preaching of the truth a success. The word of God should be thoroughly studied.”(Testimonies, vol. 2, p.338)

Details my brethren, let us concentrate on them as our Maker does.

Posted in Christian walk, Tithes and Offerings | 1 Comment »

He that Swears to His Own Hurt and Changes Not (Psalms 15:4)

February 25, 2017

psalms-quote

In the Word of God there is a most profound truth and glorious reward to all those who follow it, let us read–

“.. He honors them that fear the Lord; He that swears to his own hurt and does changes not.” (Psalms 15:4)

I don’t about you but I get goose bumps just reading this. This, my brethren, is quite an inspiring counsel from our Lord!

We would like to begin our post by giving you a little history from my own experience for a perspective. As some know I’ve been a service repairman for over 22 years and also did many sales in my line of work.

More than on one occasion, I would have a product for sale and would advertise it for a certain price, let’s say 150.00. Soon I would start to get calls and I recall receiving a call that would go like this–

“I am calling about your product, I really need it , would you take 120.00 cash if I came over within the hour?”  Depending on my current circumstances (such as certain bills piling up) I would likely say , “Sure, come over.”

Then maybe 15 minutes later another call would come and the guy would say, “I see your product for sale, we really need it, I have the 150.00 cash, can I come now? I can be there in 15 minutes.”

Now, what do you think the old man, the one who was not yet converted, would do? Your right–I’d say. “Yes come over but do so quickly as I have to go”. Meaning “hurry and beat the other guy here.”

Sure enough the second guy would arrive and I’d take the money and off he’d go with the product. Then maybe 20 or 30 minutes later the first guy would show up and ring the door bell. I’d answer and sheepishly say, “Sorry, my wife accidentally sold it to another guy, I’m really sorry.” He hung his head and disappointedly walk away. Sometimes they’d raise a little cain, and looking back–rightly so!

Obviously this conduct was the opposite of the Lord’s way, I was swearing to someone but to that guy’s hurt, not mine.

Today of course I would keep my word and tell the second guy, “sorry but I had a guy call before you and if he doesn’t show in 1 hour I’ll call you back.” Now this is relatively small potatoes in the world’s financial dealings but the moral steadfastness is what counts.  Can we imagine keeping our word when thousands and even hundreds of thousands are at stake? This is an example of what Psalms 15:4 is all about. Putting our committed word before the possible detriment to ourselves.

“For He said, ‘Surely they are My people, children that will not lie: so He was their Saviour.” (Isaiah 63.8)

As we have posted many times before, our word should be our bond. When we promise something or even commit to someone, we should at all costs do that thing that we said we would. If we don’t we truly take the chance of offending our King.

“It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.” (Ecc.5:5)

Verses that show how important keeping our word is–

“But whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him:” (1 John 2:5)

“You shall be careful to do what has passed your lips, for you have voluntarily vowed to the Lord your God what you have promised with your mouth.” (Deut. 23:23)

“Build cities for your little ones and folds for your sheep, and do what you have promised.”(Number 32:24)

Sometimes in our travels through life , it may be easy to say to ourselves “It’s no big deal that I did not do what I committed to do with brother Jim or sister Sally, God will understand.” No! This leads to a harmful habit that may lead us to spiritually damage ourselves, let us be careful here.

Our King is a Word Keeper and as His sons and daughters, let us try to do as our Master and King does–keep our word, even if it’s to our own “hurt”.
“God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?” (Numbers 23:19)

“I will not violate My covenant or alter the Word that went forth from My lips.”(Psalms 89:34)

Posted in The Spirit of truth, Truth telling vs. lying | Leave a Comment »

“Thou Shall not bear False Witness”

February 18, 2017

Image result for wes peppers picture

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

Additionally we read–

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Suppose a brother held a view that differed from yours, and he should come to you, proposing that you sit down with him and make an investigation of that point in the Scriptures; should you rise up, filled with prejudice, and condemn his ideas, while refusing to give him a candid hearing? The only right way would be to sit down as Christians and investigate the position presented in the light of God’s word, which will reveal truth and unmask error. To ridicule his ideas would not weaken his position in the least if it were false, or strengthen your position if it were true. If the pillars of our faith will not stand the test of investigation,it is time that we knew it. There must be no spirit of Pharisaism cherished among us.”  (Ibid, p.107)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Questions for WP–

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

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

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

(Part One)

 

(Part Two)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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