Little Words are Important

May 16, 2015

BigSmall

In learning and studying the Scriptures, SOP and the Elijah message, we would do well to be mindful of each and every word, little or large. You see, Satan has from the beginning used “words” to trip us up, especially the small seemingly little words. Let’s look at his beginning tricks.

In the garden of Eden, God said , “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.” (Gen. 2:16-17)

Shortly thereafter, that wily deceiver came — “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:..”(Gen. 3:4)

God made three short clear words– “shalt surely die”. Satan came by and added the little word “not”. Thus he successfully negated God’s word with that little “not”, showing the woman she had nothing to fear. But this was just the beginning. This reminds me of that old Al Pacino line, “I’m just gettin started here.”

Yes Satan was just getting started there and he continues to this very day to throw off God’s people by having them side step, gloss over, ignore, and who knows what else– God’s plain clear words, especially the small ones.

Let us look at three examples that stand out today  as some of the most important Satan tricks on simple clear words that are glossed over or ignored.

1) As we posted a couple posts back, Ellen White under Inspiration said the following in Testimonies to Ministers, page 475.

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.”

Do you see that small word “he”? Satan has greatly convinced the vast multitude of SDA, that it does not mean what it says. Just like he did in the original trickery in Eden! Thus today many believe that the word “he” means “we” or even Ellen White a “she”! In other words, Satan does not want you to read it as it is written, rather side step certain words and make a different meaning.

If the Lord wanted Ellen White to say “they”in place of “he” to come, would it not have read– “Some people are to come in the spirit and power of Elijah, and when they appear…..”.  Right? I mean God is not stupid if He wanted the message to say that there was to be a multitude of Elijahs to come-He would have said that! But no, He inspired EGW to say a “somebody is to come”.. and when he appears…”.

This is big. Why? Because Satan knows that as soon as 144,000 are found and sealed, based on them learning and walking in the Lord’s instructions from His last Elijah message brought by ONE MAN, his final short time capsule begins, true panic mode for him and his angels!

Yes, SOP and brother Houteff do say that the message will be spread by those faithful followers aka “Elijah messengers”(Test. for the Church, vol. 5, p.254), but the original message came by one man–Victor T. Houteff. The prophesied ‘Elijah” spoken of in Mal. 4:5.

The Spirit of prophecy explains,  “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.” (GC, p.598)

“The language  of the Bible should be explained according to its obvious meaning, unless a symbol or figure is employed.” (GC, p.599)

“If men would but take the Bible as it reads, if there were no false teachers to mislead and confuse thier 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, p.599)

2) Another powerful example involves the promise of God’s kingdom to come. As many of you know we have posted about how God will set up a pre-millennial kingdom in Israel very shortly. Daniel 2 was one of the prophecies that brother Houteff, under Inspiration unlocked for us.

Many of us know that Daniel 2 has traditionally been interpreted as showing Christ coming to the earth (as the stone) destroying the evil kingdoms of the earth. This is true but not as we have mistakenly been led to believe. Christ, through His servants, the 144,000 do this. However Satan has fooled many in this interpretation. How? Let’s look.

After describing how the stone comes from the mountain and destroys the existing kingdoms (ten toes) (Dan 2:31-43) Daniel 2:44 says , “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.”

Did you notice the little word “in”, as “in the days of these kings”? This shows that the stone which symbolically represents God’s remnant who survive the “cutting”(church judgment) from the mountain (church) do the symbolical destroying of the ten toes (current false kingdoms-religion).

Jeremiah also wrote of God’s end-time elect doing these things, “Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms; And with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider; and with thee will I break in pieces the chariot and his rider..”(Jer. 51:20-21).

Satan has hood winked the vast multitude by having us gloss over the “in” word. Because he brought the old leaders to the understanding that Christ comes , in the form of the stone after  the earth’s kingdoms are ready for His judgment. In other words, by passing  the “in the days of these kings” Satan can fool us to believe that the stone, falsely labeled as Christ, smashes the world kingdoms and then Christ whisks away the saved to heaven. But the vision does not say that. It says the stone then “filled the whole earth”.

“And the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.” (Daniel 2:35)

Obviously the smiting of the worlds kingdoms , by the stone, produces a great church (mountain) and then it spreads throughout the world, it does not smash and then go to heaven immediately as Satan has led us to think. The reason is that Satan wants us to be ignorant of God’s real plans through His prophecies. Those who rightly divide His word are safe from these deceptions however.

3) Our last example is concerning the last prophet spoken of by the Lord.He is to come before the great and dreadful day of the Lord. Satan well knows this and has prepared for a long time to mislead here. How? He does his old Eden simple word trick again!

In Jezreel letter, no. 9, page 1 we read,

“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.” (Mal. 3:1)

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.” (TM. p.475-476)

There are two main points to note here in these quotations: 1) that the message and the 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!

Here we see that brother Houteff, under Inspiration says that the “Elijah”, one person with one message, is to be the “very last”. Notice this key –“very last”. We as intelligent humans certainly know that when something is the very last, there is nothing concerning that subject, thing or person that would come after it. Common sense right? Well, we would hope. But not according to the deceiver!

He has done an ultimate deception here. He has fooled some of  the highest light bearers, some Davidians!  You see, Satan knows that Davidians are the ones to fear, for they know the truth as it is in the prophecies and therefore if he can trick them somehow, someway, he will make a big dent in the Elijah message.

Sadly, some DSDA have fallen for this trick. The words “very last” are made to mean “not very last”! Just as he did in Eden. Thank God, the majority of DSDA have not succumbed to this ploy.

This explains why ,when one starts studying the message and searches further, he can come to a so-called DSDA man, woman  or organization that teaches that they have a “current” prophet living that one must follow. Satan has them around, so one must read the original writings by brother Houteff to be safe.

Fortunately these people are the minority among the DSDA and if one is walking upright with the Lord, the Spirit of Truth will guide you and keep you from stepping into such deception.

In closing, may we be attentive to each and every word of Inspiration, even the littlest of words, for by glossing over them or ignoring them , we may go down Satan’s road into false understandings. Little words may mean BIG things to us.

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

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Worldly Entanglements

May 9, 2015

Mayweather-Paquiao

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (2 Tim. 3:1-5)

This week  boxing fans around the world watched one of the most anticipated boxing matches in decades. It’s been a while since I have brought up the subject of this brutal sport. As some of you who have read this blog for a few years know, I was a serious addicted boxing fan prior to my conversion.

Allow me to regress a little and go back into my history. Since a young teenager I found the sport of boxing fascinating. The one on one challenge, the pure exact and measured movements, the power, all this captivated me.

You could not get me away from a big fight. I don’t recall anything  that I would put before it, and yes that would include an important date. But as I posted a few years ago, when I decided to convert, the Lord sent me a dream to warn me about this idol. He saw I wanted the Lord and boxing too! Well, needless to say, this was cut out and I have not looked back since.

Our Lord warns, “And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62).

When we turn from this idols, or habitual sins, we must walk away from them and not look back. This week, however the spirit of darkness did not stop from tempting me. I was strongly pulled to get a newspaper and read about the fight. I Thought, maybe it’s ok because I really don’t do that anymore, so it’s just a rare once in a while thing. Additionally during the fight, I was tempted to check the computer for round by round live updates.

However Scripture again was my strength.

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

When I was tempted the Lord reminded me of not looking back. For I knew to do such a thing would indeed be seriously wrong. But the short see-saw battle gave rise to the idea for this post.

You see, we as God’s remnant are called to take the “higher road”. That means we are to walk the upright walk and focus on doing the right thing at the right time.

“It is the essence of all right faith to do the right thing at the right time.” (Testimonies, vol. 6, p.24)

Another reason I was guided to do this post was a short conversation I had with a church member this last Sabbath. As we were leaving the service I asked him if they would like to come over at 6 pm for a Bible study at my home. He said, “Would like to but we are going on a nature hike, then over to some friends to watch the Mayweather/Pacquiao fight”. I thought for a second then said, “The Lord told me to quit watching that.” He smiled and went his way.

But I thought how the many in our church really need guidance. Only a few really want to get that one foot out of the world. The wide road entangles them and they  carelessly proceed on.

Boxing is just one of Satan’s ploys. Today the youth are often trapped with the handhelds and the FB, tweets,YouTube, games, chat lines, etc. They spend most of their waking days slumped over wasting time with the multitude of electronic gadgets available to them. This is a serious idol , not only with the youth but adults as well! Don’t get me wrong the Lord has allowed this electronic explosion to further His message, and for that we are eternally grateful, but we should be careful that the worldly distractions do not infringe on the work.

“As a general thing, the young among us are allied to the world. But few maintain a special warfare against the internal foe, few have an earnest, anxious desire to know and do the will of God. But few hunger and thirst after righteousness, and few know anything of the Spirit of God as a reprover or comforter. Where are the missionaries? Where are the self-denying, self-sacrificing ones? Where are the cross bearers? Self and self-interest have swallowed up high and noble principles.

Things of eternal moment bear with no special weight upon the mind. God requires them individually to come up to the point to make an entire surrender. “Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” You cannot serve self and at the same time be servants of Christ. You must die to self, die to your love of pleasure, and learn to inquire: Will God be pleased with the objects for which I purpose to spend this means? Shall I glorify Him?” (Testimonies, vol. 2, p.127-128)

Let’s look around us at all times, watchful that Satan’s snares of worldly entrapment do not trip us up. Sure it’s a fleeting pleasure, but the looking back at sins we have forsaken may harm us for eternity.

“As Satan sees that his time is short, he leads men on to be more and more selfish and covetous, and then exults as he sees them wrapped up in themselves, close, penurious, and selfish. If the eyes of such could be opened, they would see Satan in hellish triumph, exulting over them and laughing at the folly of those who accept his suggestions and enter his snares.” (EW. p.268)

In these last days snares are all around us. We can only survive Satan’s traps if we cling to Jesus and keep our focus there. I would dare to say, it is better to be bored and stair at four walls than to enter one of his pleasure traps.

Let’s be clear, not all things are bad. For instance, watching TV for a insightful documentary, or some news, can be helpful. Recently the History channel had a series on the Shroud of Turin. Very fascinating. It’s just when we use the electronic device for our pleasure, beholding worldly fashions, foul language, worldly music (particularly drums, guitars, etc.), sit-coms, time wasting games, etc. In other words, time wasting is something we will be accountable , if we could have used that for studying, helping, spreading the message to help our brothers and sisters.
“..Satan’s supreme effort at this hour must be to cause the time to be wasted and the work undone.” (Answerer, vol. 1, p.6, Q-4)

In closing, as we have posted a few weeks back, the end time signs are all there, time is short. Let us not be found wasting time. Fleeting pleasures are not worth it. Eternity stands at our door.


 

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Why prophecies in place of love?

May 2, 2015

baby

 

“Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the milk, drawn from the breasts.” (Isaiah 28:9)

We all know that as we grow from babes to adults, we advance in our food as well as our knowledge. The same is true in our spiritual walk. In our walk, we first learn the basics. Things such as the holy 10 Commandments, the Lord’s pure and holy life here on earth, etc.

But there comes a time where we are to advance. I have often told this example of how our walk should go. We start out at the bottom of a spiritual stairway, that hopefully ends up in heaven. The first step is made then  another and another. Soon we are advancing quite nicely. This means we are growing spiritually, both in our works and our knowledge. Understanding prophecy is akin to getting your Masters degree. These are the deep things of God.

Unfortunately, many today are satisfied on a certain step. Their knowledge of the word is to their satisfaction, hence they fail to walk up the next step.

“I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing..”(Rev. 3:17)

Today this, I am afraid,  is prevalent in our church. So many are content at their own step. We think that the milk of the word is basically all we need to concentrate on. We stay a babe, not knowing that so much more is out there for our true delight and enrichment of soul.Yet so much in prophecy can illuminate our mind and soul!

Our title question was asked of brother Houteff and we’d like to show the prophet’s answer.

Question No. 19:

Why do the Davidians not spend more time teaching the love of Jesus-the most important part of the Bible-instead of teaching the doctrines and the prophecies?

Answer:

The Davidians follow this procedure because of the scripture: “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; where unto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.” 2 Pet. 1:19. The prophecies, therefore, create love for God in the heart of the student as nothing else can.

If, moreover, the prophecies are less essential than other portion s of the Scriptures, why then, did the Lord cause His servants to write so many of them? obviously, they are as important. The book of The Revelation, which is addressed directly to the people who are to be living just before the Lord’s coming, is made up of symbolical prophecies, concerning which the Lord says:

“Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” Rev. 1:3. “Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book….For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” Rev. 22:7, 18, 19.

True, the love of Jesus is the supreme need, but preaching about it to the exclusion of the doctrines and the prophecies, will profit one nothing, for through the prophecies and through the doctrines one learns not only of the love of Jesus but also how to serve Him. “All scripture” says Paul, “is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Tim. 3:16, 17.

Had the churches today taught the prophecies and the doctrines to the exclusion of the love of Jesus, then of course the Davidians would have dwelt even more extensively on the love of Jesus than on the prophecies. But as the opposite is the case the love of Jesus being magnified to the neglect of the prophecies, then of course our first and supreme need is to study the love of Jesus through the doctrines; afterward, our greatest burden will be thus to teach it.

While the gospel of love inspires us to love the Lord, the doctrines teach us the right way to love Him, and the light of the prophecies guides our feet in the strait and narrow path along the way to the city of God, just as at night the lights of an automobile show us the way home. Without them, we would inevitably soon lose the way, crash, and pile up in the dark—a mass of wreckage and death, perchance.

Thus while we need the one, we just as much need the other. The Davidians therefore combine both, teaching the love of Jesus through the doctrines, and the way to the Kingdom through the prophecies.

Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.(1 Thes. 5:19-21)

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666 and the Two-Horned Beast

April 25, 2015

666 and two horned beast

“We have many lessons to learn, and many, many to unlearn. God and heaven alone are infallible. Those who think that they will never have to give up a cherished view, never have occasion to change an opinion, will be disappointed. As long as we hold to our own ideas and opinions with determined persistency, we cannot have the unity for which Christ prayed.”(Testimonies to Ministers, p.30)

As our counsel shows us, we as SDA must be prepared to re-think our old traditional understandings of certain Scriptures and lessons. One such area is the understanding of 666 and the Two-Horned Beast. The Lord’s Elijah uncovered the rubbish that had hidden the truth from this most important prophecy. Let us look at 666 and the Two-Horned Beast of Revelation chapter 13.

No doubt many of us are aware of our SDA historical belief that the number “666” represents the Papacy.

For example, adding up the numbers (Roman numerals) of an alleged title of the Pope, Vicarius Filii Dei, equals 666 (if letters with no value are rendered 0 and the U is rendered V). Many think this to be a basis for that belief.

The Scripture says–
“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you..” (Matt 7:7)

I have recently received a booklet called “A Word to the Little Flock” A reprint of the FIRST PUBLICATION of the SDA as jointly prepared in 1847 by its founders James White, Ellen G.White, Joseph Bates, from a sister in the faith who is an active researcher and Bible student who seeks Truth.

Published by Willis Printing Co. 724 19th St. Denver Colorado, published– 1935

The introduction is from a W.S.Butterbaugh, M.D. who was a prominent physician and member of the SDA organization back in the early 1900’s. The introduction begins as follows.

“The following twenty-four pages are an exact word-for-word reproduction from a photo-engraved copy of the original 1847 print, which contains certain words, phrases, clauses, sentences,and paragraphs omitted from “Experience and Views” and later from “Early Writings.”

The primary purpose of the republication of this tract is not so much to call attention to these omissions, as it is to create and to foster in the minds of all sincere Bible students more of a desire to seek after the great truths which were opened up and revealed in part in this the first vision given to Miss Ellen G. Harmon– a mere school girl but seventeen years of age!…

The omission on page 19 of an entire paragraph on the subject of the “mark” and “number” of the image beast is the very work that impairs correct prophetical interpretation, to the unity of inspiration, undermines faith in its manifestations, provokes to controversy, leading successively to perplexity, confusion, bewilderment, incredulity, disbelief and apostasy, of which viscious progression there are numerous tragic instances in the history of Seventh-day Adventists…

Hence, the moral obligation to republish this tract , which has never heretofore been published by the denomination. It will assist all candid and honest Bible students within the church to arrive at a correct conclusion after further comparative study.

The true light on this one question of the mark and number of the IMAGE BEAST was first given on pages 8, 9 and in the expunged paragraph, (p.19) and is nowhere else obtainable in early denominational exposition.

W.S. Butterbaugh, M.D.
1070 Acoma St.
Denver, Colorado
October 15, 1935

The following is very important, as it is the paragraph that was omitted from page 34 of Early Writings.

“I saw all that “would not receive the mark of the Beast, and of his Image, in their foreheads or in their hands,” could not buy or sell. I saw that the number (666) of the Image Beast was made up; and that it was the beast that changed the Sabbath, and the Image Beast had followed on after, and kept the Pope’s , and not God’s Sabbath. And all we were required to do, was to give up God’s Sabbath, and keep the Pope’s and then we should have the mark of the Beast, and of his image.”(Page 19)

We  must now go into a little history concerning the above quote. In April of 1847, the first print was made of EGW’s  vision of 1847. SDA author/editor Francis D. Nichol , considered the leading twentieth-century apologist for the prophetic ministry  of EGW, in his report on this omission wrote.

“..we may conclude that in 1851—the crucial date in the charge—and before and after that date, there was held by various Sabbath keeping spokesmen the idea that the number 666 applied to the second beast of Revelation 13, and that the 666 represented that number of churches. We cannot say to what extent the view was held before 1851. But this much we can say, that there is no evidence to support the idea that the view had suffered any eclipse or abandonment in 1851.”

Apparently the Revelation chapter 13 beasts were not a clear issue, with varied opinions. So down through the years, many church leaders rallied behind a few different ideas on this matter. But for whatever reason the prevailing idea was not in accordance with what our prophetess wrote there in page 19. Hence the omission. In Mr. Nichols report , he concludes that EGW knew about this, and the evidence suggests that her role in  this regard was not of suppression due to change in her beliefs.

Mr Nichols ends with, “We think that the unprejudiced reader will conclude that this mark-of-the-beast paragraph was dropped out, not with evil intent to conceal, but simply to save space or to avoid repetition or perhaps to avoid ambiguity until a more comprehensive statement might be made.”
http://pdf.amazingdiscoveries.org/eBooks/EGWhite/Ellen_White_and_Her_Critics.pdf (report number 18)

In 1881, a final version of “Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation” was published by Uriah Smith. Here, I believe lies the basis and foundation for today’s traditional belief that 666 represents the Papacy.

Brother Houteff comments after quoting the above original EGW quote, ”

“Contradicting this heaven-given view Thoughts on Daniel and The Revelation applies  the number “666” to the pope. From this we see that Elder Smith did not share in the same Inspiration which guided Sister White.  Though as her follower he was influenced by her yet his book shows that he was also influenced by the writings of uninspired authors.  Containing doctrines from her writings as well as from theirs, the book, consequently, is an admixture of truth and error.

   But the most inexcusable part of the whole thing is that the leading brethren have entirely disregarded the inspired vision concerning the number 666 (Rev. 13:18), and in its place have almost unanimously accepted these traditions and theories of men.  The sad result is that they have become blind to the light, rebellious against the Spirit of Christ, and consequently untrustworthy servants, unfit and disqualified as leaders of His people. 

And yet, withal, they go on the while complacently assuring themselves that they are the “men of experience,” who alone are capable of investigation and deciding whether or not the messages that come to the people are from God!  An arrogation of authority which no one has a right to make unto himself, it is the despotic spawn of egotism and

Glaring Inconsistency.”(Tract 5, p.21-22)

So we are left with a “jury is out” as far as why the important paragraph was omitted. But it is clear Uriah Smith became the general leader in promoting 666 as the pope , not Ellen White. But we see God’s hand in this because , His Elijah would come and “restore” the knowledge of the beasts of Rev. 13, just as he restored  many traditional SDA lessons we have assumed as truth.

The following report from Mt.Dale DSDA organization unveils a most compelling Rev. 13 report, based on Scripture, SOP and the Elijah message, may you enjoy.

**********************************************

It is well known, particularly in Adventists circles, that this two-horned non-royalist power, represents our blessed country, the United States of America. (9) No doubt you’re also familiar with the reasons. Unlike the first beast, he comes from the earth, the new world-the domain away from the sea, the old world.

The two crown less horns show two non-royalist rulers, while their lamb-like appearance forecasts youthful innocency–Christian–established upon the principles of peace and liberty. And his having the power to dictate who should buy and who should not, shows that he represents a nation that leads in controlling the world’s wealth and industry.

Having only two horns, not ten, the beast therefore depicts a local, not a universal government. Nevertheless, he will influence all Christendom to “make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.” That is, he will engineer a worldwide government setup, re-enthroning the principles of the church-state rule of Ecclesiastical Rome; a system now characterized by Catholicism, apostate Protestantism, and Capitalism.

In other words, the world will copy the Leopard-like beast. (Verse 12) Put still another way, it means that America will urge the world to reestablish a apostate religious-political system after the model of Western society, with principles imagining those of the Dark Ages. (Verse 12).

Note that it did not say that the Two-horned beast urged the world to worship the “head”-the Papacy, but the”beast”- the system-Catholicism, apostate Protestantism, and Capitalism, topped off with Spiritualism!

This is when, “Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government . . .” (10)

Time or space will not allow us to delve into the identity of the false Prophet–the one who deceived the world through his “miracles.” (Compare verses 13, 14 with Revelation 19:19, 20), except to say, that he will be revered as a great religious leader, although in reality he will be Satan’s chief agent.

Now that we have looked at the context of Revelation 13, we are now better prepared to identify the 666. “Here is wisdom,” says the Scriptures. “Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.” (Verse 18).

To identify this “man,” we must identify the “beast”–the power the “man” represents and leads. Thus we must ask, to which power is Verse 18 referring? The Leopard-like or the Two-horned? Look at it again! Note that it did not say, count the number of the beast with the wound! Or count the number of the beast which had his deadly wound healed! It just states, “count the number of the beast.”

Whenever the Bible refers to the Leopard-like beast, it always mentions the wound! (See verses 3, 12). In contrast, “the beast” is the Two-horned Beast or the Image Beast” without mention of the wound. So the beast or power in verse 18 is the Two-horned or the United States of America-not the Papacy!

Furthermore, if this is not so, why so many symbols for the Papacy? We have the little horn of Daniel 7. We say that the Leopard-like Beast, the 666, the Woman of Revelation 17, the seven head on which she sits, and the Scarlet-colored Beast are symbols of Rome! Why? What about the rise and fall of Protestantism? What about the rise of Western culture? What about our present world? Why would God leave them out?

Still skeptical? Consider the following inspired references: “This power is the last that treads down the true church of God and as the true church is still trodden down, and cast out by all Christendom, it follows that the last oppressive power has not ‘come to his end;’ and Michael has not stood up. This last power that treads down the saints is brought to view in Rev. 13:11 -18. His number is 666. . . (11)

“I saw that the number (666) of the Image Beast [the two-horned] was made up; and that it was the beast [Leopard-like] that changed the Sabbath, and the image Beast had followed on after, and kept the Pope’s and not God’s Sabbath.” (12)

These two statements make a very pungent point: that the number 666 is the power found in verses 11 – 18, and that this beast is the two-horned which we all know is the USA; otherwise known as the “Image Beast.” So the number 666 is not on the Leopard-like Beast who is found in verses 1 – 10 of Revelation 13 who changed the Sabbath during the Dark Ages, but on the “Image Beast who followed. This is Clear, logical, and Biblical! After all, the context of verses 11 -18, reveals the identity and work of the United States, not the Leopard-like!

So the “man” who stands at the head of the USA would be the 666. Biblically could not be the Pope! Yes, the Bible does state that the USA will pay homage to the Leopard-like Beast, but, we have already seen that the Leopard-like Beast is not the Papacy alone, but in fact, represents the Western world model or system. Again, the Bible did not say that the USA will tell the world to worship the “head” but the “beast”-the system!

The truth is that the Papacy will never again rule like she did in the Middle Ages. That’s right! Never! Her time for dominance is over. Yes, she will be influential. Yes she will probably gloat over the homage paid her through a Sunday law, however, she will never again sit atop the world. We know. About now you’re probably saying that old ideas die hard. Well, that may be true, but don’t keep them alive.

“I saw that the two-horned beast had a dragon’s mouth, and that his power was in his head, and that the decree would go out of his mouth. Then I saw the Mother of Harlots; that the mother was not the daughters, but separate and distinct from them. She has had her day, and it is past, and her daughters, the Protestant sects, were the next to come on the stage and act out the same mind that the mother had when she persecuted the saints. I saw that as the mother has been declining in power the daughters had been growing and soon they will exercise the power once exercised by the mother.” (13)

Obviously the Enemy wants us to focus in one direction while he attacks from another. While we trace the Papacy’s every move, the real danger lurks behind us, waiting to snag our unwary souls into his honed craws.

“All who will not bow to the decree of the national councils and obey the national laws to exalt the Sabbath instituted by the man of sin, to the disregard to god’s holy day, will feel, not the oppressive power of popery alone, but of the Protestant world, the Image of the Beast.” (14)

“why does the Latin numerals on the Pope’s title, Vicarius Filii Dei, add up to 666? A fair question indeed. But somehow it seems, we have forgotten that this phenomenon is replete throughout the long history of Paganism, Astrology, and Witchcraft. The numbers 6, 36 and 666 are sacred in these circles. So why would it be strange for the Pope’s title to equal 666, when the Papacy is itself fraught with Paganism!

Furthermore, there are countless names that numerically compute to 666-it is not restricted to the Pope alone! XIUN, one of the names for the Sun-god in Greek, numerically added to 666 ( Higgins, Anacapypsis, Vol. 2, p. 210.)

The Mythological bird of the Egyptians, Phoenicians, and many of the Indian tribes of North America, was the Phoenix, worshiped as the bright and morning star. In Egypt it was the representation of the nocturnal symbol of the Sun-god Osiris. In Greek transliteration, the Phoenix was spelled the FENEX, whose numerical value equaled 666. (16) An ancient Greek name for Satan was TEITAN, which equals 666 in its numerical values. Even the original Roman Numerals, IVXLCD, also equaled 666.

Astrologers commonly used 6, 36, and 666 for their divinations. “They invented magic charts. . . Like the roulette wheel, the charts were divided into 36 numbered divisions. There were 6 columns in all directions with the numbers 1 to 36 placed inside the entire chart. Any direction you add the columns, they add to 111.

There are six squares in each column and 6 times 11 equaling 666. If you add all the numbers from 1 to 36 they will also add to 666. . . .the number 666 was the summary number of the sun-god, because it was his sacred number as the Ruler of the Zodiac.” (17)

The Bible places the number on the Two-horned Beast-the United States, not the Papacy. So the prevailing belief that the number 666 is the numerical identification of some other power is the spawn of the Prince of Darkness, and is calculated to conceal if possible the identification of this two-horned power. God places the number on the United States, and there we must leave it.

Thus The Beast’s civil authority–the man 666–combined with the False Prophet’s supernatural power, points to a union of beast and prophet-an affiliation of state and of church representatives. Together they, leading the United States, will control the world’s politics, economics, and religion, and will seek to compel all to bow to the “Image of the Beast.”

Maybe we need to look less at the Pope and more at ourselves and apostate Protestantism. No wonder Inspiration intimated that if we studied Daniel and Revelation more closely, we “may have less to say in some lines, in regard to the Roman power and the Papacy.”(6)

6. Evangelism, p.577

9. E.G. White, The Great Controversy, pp. 440 -442.

10. E.G. White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 451.

11. James White, A Word to the Little Flock, pp. 8,9.

12. E.G. White, Ibid. p. 19

13. E.G. White, Spalding-Meagan Collection, “Copy of Three Visitors.”

14. E.G. White, Selected Messages, Book Two, p. 380.

15. Higgins, Anacapypsis, Vol. 2, p. 210.

16. Mythology of All Races, Vol. 12, p. 54.

17. W. J. Sutton, The New Age Movement and the Illuminati 666, pp. 66, 67.

Posted in Proper teachings, Revelation teachings | 4 Comments »

The Few, the Proud

April 18, 2015

EGW vision -144,000

As many are aware the Marines have a saying called ‘The few, the proud”. Although this saying is known as representing these warriors, soon the world will know about a different group of people also known as–the few, the proud.

In 2 Corinthians 10:17, we read-

“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

Before we touch on the meaning of the few, let’s look of the meaning of proud. The Bible is full warning against pride in the human character. Pride is what caused Satan to drop from his exalted position, to become an enemy of God.

“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.”(Isaiah 14:12-15)

His talent, his beauty, his intelligence, all this and more welled up inside of him to the point where his pride consumed him, eventually demanding worship. But there is a pride that is good before the Lord. It is as said above–pride in the Lord. Of this we can be–proud.

In other words, our life should be Christ centered and we should be willing to “boast” of what Christ has done in our life. We tell of our Lord’s great prophecies, His signs, His love, His guidance in our life, etc. In other words we have real and well founded pride.

Now, lets’ look at the few. Before we talk about this, let it be known that the Lord has expressively made it clear that He wants ALL souls saved and to live forever more.

“For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord GOD. “Therefore, repent and live.” (Ezekiel 18:32)

Our Lord  describes the meaning of few.

Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.”(Luke 13:23-24)

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matt. 7:13-14)

In the book of Revelation, we see a specific prophecy that also describes the “few”.

“And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed:and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.” (Rev. 7:1-4)

As we have shown in this report https://godsloveandlaw.com/2014/08/09/who-comprises-the-s-d-a-church/ the Spirit of Prophecy and the Elijah message clearly shows beyond doubt that the “Israel of today” is the SDA church.

So once we know that “all” the tribes of Israel is ALL the church, we see a most startling prophecy. Yet if we are truly objective and know our history, we know that such low numbers “few” were delivered by God in times past. Noah’s time produced 8 people from the whole world (some estimates are in billions). In Lot’s day one family was saved out of the whole city. From out of Egypt there may have been close to one million people, yet two adults  (over 20 years old)  made it to the promised land.

Just so we are not confused, the Scripture foretells a “great multitude” that will be called out of “Babylon” (world false churches and religions) by the few (144,000) when they will be proclaiming the Loud Cry. The few we are discussing is concerning the church.

The Spirit of Prophecy  declares plainly what the word few means. These Inspired words were given to the remnant church, our beloved Seventh day-Adventist church.

“I have tried in the fear of God to set before His people their danger and their sins, and have endeavored, to the best of my feeble powers, to arouse them. I have stated startling things, which, if they had believed, would have caused them distress and terror, and led them to zeal in repenting of their sins and iniquities.

I have stated before them that, from what was shown me, but a small number of those now professing to believe the truth would eventually be saved–not because they could not be saved, but because they would not be saved in God’s own appointed way. The way marked out by our divine Lord is too narrow and the gate too strait to admit them while grasping the world or while cherishing selfishness or sin of any kind.

There is no room for these things; and yet there are but few who will consent to part with them, that they may pass the narrow way and enter the strait gate.” (Testimonies, vol. 2, p.445-446)

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

I was pointed back to ancient Israel. But two of the adults of the vast army that left Egypt entered the land of Canaan.” (Testimonies, vol.1, p.608-609)

So we see that ultimately His word says that few of us will find life. Yet, there is hope. How? By believing and obeying His last message of mercy from His Elijah prophet. It’s in our hands right now.  Our destiny depends on our decision now while we are under our SDA probation.

“..Look, now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor. 6:2)

So who are “the few, the proud”? It will be the 144,000. Our prophetess was given her very first vision from the Lord showing the end time result of our church, unfortunately we as SDA either blindly ignore this, or explain it off as “well, that was just a vision for back then.” Let us review this very important SDA church vision.

“While I was praying at the family altar, the Holy Ghost fell upon me, and I seemed to be rising higher and higher, far above the dark world. I turned to look for the Advent people in the world, but could not find them, when a voice said to me, “Look again, and look a little higher.”

At this I raised my eyes, and saw a straight and narrow path, cast up high above the world. On this path the Advent people were traveling to the city, which was at the farther end of the path. They had a bright light set up behind them at the beginning of the path, which an angel told me was the midnight cry.

This light shone all along the path and gave light for their feet so that they might not stumble. If they kept their eyes fixed on Jesus, who was just before them, leading them to the city, they were safe. But soon some grew weary, and said the city was a great way off, and they expected to have entered it before.

Then Jesus would encourage them by raising His glorious right arm, and from His arm came a light which waved over the Advent band, and they shouted, “Alleluia!” Others rashly denied the light behind them and said that it was not God that had led them out so far. The light behind them went out, leaving their feet in perfect darkness, and they stumbled and lost sight of the mark and of Jesus, and fell off the path down into the dark and wicked world below.

Soon we heard the voice of God like many waters, which gave us the day and hour of Jesus’ coming. The living saints, 144,000 in number, knew and understood the voice, while the wicked thought it was thunder and an earthquake. When God spoke the time, He poured upon us the Holy Ghost, and our faces began to light up and shine with the glory of God, as Moses’ did when he came down from Mount Sinai. 

 The 144,000 were all sealed and perfectly united. On their foreheads was written, God, New Jerusalem, and a glorious star containing Jesus’ new name.”(Early Writings, p.14-15)

Let us now carefully review this. Several facts  and possibilities are examined here.

1) This vision is about the “Advent people”only.

2) Why would she have to look “higher” to find them?  Could it be that they were taking the higher road, ie. the more pure upright walk with Jesus? Their spiritual condition was found higher and closer to God? Obedience to His word, especially His final word spoken by His Elijah? Remember this was vision for the future.

3) The path was “straight and narrow”. Does this sound familiar?

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”(Matt. 7:13-14)

4)  The 144,000 are led by Jesus, yet the others “fell off the path into the dark and wicked world below.”

How many make it to the heavenly destination from the Advent people? 144,000. Did not God know that there would be a vast multitude within His last remnant church? Of course. But He also knew not many would make the effort to obey His final sealing message and walk in its requirements.

So where does the problem lie? How come it will be only “the few, the proud”? Let read some the Lord’s pleading Elijah message of hope.

“Be not like the Jew.  But open your heart; cast out its pride, its prejudice, and its self-conceit; let them not deprive you of eternal life at such a late hour as this.  If you repeat the mistake of the Jews, your shame and your loss will be much greater than theirs–as much greater as are your light and your opportunities and privileges.  Yea, beyond comparison!

So will you not, then, we plead with you, end your long Laodicean sickness and poverty, and no longer imagine that you are

RICH, INCREASED WITH GOODS.

Never do you even so much as intimate that you have all the buildings, all the institutions, all the money, all the workers, all the converts you need!  Your only boast is of having no need of truth!  This attitude, therefore, God says, is the way in which you are saying, “I am rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.”  It is the source of your trouble, and the thing which the Lord expects you to confess and to repent of.

The angel’s (the ministry’s) false claim of being rich and increased with goods, and in need of nothing, does not make him a liar, but rather shows him to be a victim of ignorance and delusion.  But his thinking that he has and knows all the truth, makes his condition even more perilous than a liar’s, for a liar knows that he is lying.  O awake, Brother, Sister, awake!  awake!” (Symbolic Code, Vol. 7, no.7-12, p.4)

The door is still open, the call for the elect is still being made, will you and I  agree to His terms and conditions? Do we even know them? It’s all there in the Elijah message for any who want to know it. All we have to do is forget about TV, social events, worldly time-wasting activities and pick up His written material that He spoke to His Elijah prophet and start seriously studying as if our life depended on it!  It does.

For the scoffers who say “Listen we only need Jesus and to live a good clean life and we’re good to go”, I submit to you I too once believed this. Until I started to notice and was bothered by “sins in the midst”. Then I found out that ONLY sighers and criers for sins done in the church and our own life will make up His few from our church. (See Testimonies, vol. 3, p.265-267, vol. 5, p.209-214, Ezekiel 9, Testimonies to Ministers, p.445)

The ultimate trap for us as Laodiceans is that “lukewarm” trap. We must escape that. In Revelation chapter 3 the Lord saw down through history to our very day, that few would awake from this condition and accept His Elijah message. Will you or I accept it and obey it? We must.

Help us Lord, to let go of our Laodicean pride and self-complacency  and become one of  –the few, the proud.

Posted in The 144, Who are the 144K? | 1 Comment »

Persistence Pays Off

April 11, 2015

knocking on door

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why Elijah?

April 4, 2015

Ravens_bringing_food_to_Elijah

This week the  thought occurred–why did the Lord promise to bring the anti-typical “Elijah” as the last prophet instead of say, Noah? Or Deborah the prophetess, for example?

The last suggestion begs a timely review because we, as Seventh-day Adventists, have been largely led, falsely by our past leaders, to believe that Ellen White was the “Elijah” to come as prophesied in Malachi 4:5.

Let us look more deeply into why the Lord decided to send someone who would exemplify and typify the original Elijah of the Scriptures. Before we do let us briefly look at why He did not promise to bring Noah for example.

We know well the basic story of Noah. He was found to be walking upright by the Lord and the Lord used him to warn the evil world to repent or die. But Noah did not face a specific group of God’s people, ie. His chosen people. He faced the world, the heathen world.

So today, if the anti-typical Noah was to be sent, he would obviously have a similar message and to the basic same people–the heathen. In other words, God would have determined that a general message of repentance would be needed to go to everybody and not just God’s remnant church. Therefore, the obvious conclusion is that Noah would not have been the fitting type, for the anti-typical last day messenger, lest God bypass and stop caring about His own people who are “wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked,..” (Rev. 3:17)

True, there is to be a great last proclamation to the world–the great Loud Cry, but that is after His Elijah does the anti-typical work that the original one did.

Back to our Deborah idea. As mentioned many times in our posts, the Satan trick has been one of perverting the truth, and certainly this theory that Ellen White was the Elijah to come, does not disappoint for him. The SDA church has largely bought this idea, but there is some history that needs to be brought to view. As the word says, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32).

In Testimonies to Ministers, p.475 she wrote–

“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.”

The above quote originated in the 1890 and was put into her work, known as “Special Testimonies to Ministers and Workers, also known as “Special Testimonies, Series A.” Then in 1923, due to the high demand for a book that would have many of  these special instructions, the first edition was made and called “Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers.” The above quotation was added in this volume just as you see it above, pure and unaltered.

In 1944 the second edition was completed. Again the subject quote was as shown. Now, we shall examine the trickery that those who fail to search for truth as golden treasure, become entangled in and ultimately can lose their way and thus fail to be sealed.

We , as present truth believers know that Victor T. Houteff was the only clear and convincing SDA member to announce his message as that of Elijah throughout our church history. Just as our prophetess never claimed to be a “prophet” (or prophetess) we well know she was by studying her writings, same with brother Houteff. The ones who take up his writings are simply “bowled over” with the spirit and power that accompanies his writings. Simply put, both writers exemplified a “higher knowledge” than what is common to man. A divine knowledge that surpassed their 3rd and 4th grade education level. You can only know this by prayerfully reading their works.

History shows that after Victor Houteff died in 1955, a slow downhill developed. His wife , Florence, usurped the head office of the organization and it was all downhill sliding from there. To the point where ultimately she went apostate, in that she did not recognize either Ellen White or even her husband as legitimate prophets. Such was the scenery in 1962.

The Davidian cause had suffered its famous “knock out blow”, which brother Houteff had predicted many years prior to come from within the Davidian movement itself. Here’s his prediction–

“Everything that can be done against God’s message of today will be done with even a greater vengeance than was manifest against Heaven’s message in the days of Christ’s first advent, for the Devil knows that if he loses now, he loses forever — that he is to have no other chance. Unparalleled, therefore, is the urgency that every eleventh-hour church member now quickly and solidly brace himself against the Enemy’s effort to deliver a knockout blow.

We must be alert, too, to realize that the blow is to come from surprisingly unsuspected foes — from professed friends of the gospel, who are no less pious than were priests in Christ’s day. It is, moreover, but to be expected that the Adversary will employ every agency possible to prevent the Lord from disclosing to view His now obscure 144,000 first-fruit servants, who are to go gather in the second fruits (Rev. 7:9). The Enemy will try everything conceivable to confuse, becloud, and cover up the Truth, especially on the subject of the 144,000.” (White House Recruiter, p. 33, 1951)

The knockout blow came in 1959. Florence Houteff and her handpicked counsel falsely predicted Ezekiel 9 to occur in April of 1959 and basically placed brother Houteff and the Lord’s Elijah message on the altar, so to speak. Of course, it did not happen and she and her cronies on her counsel were left shamed and disillusioned. Over one thousand believers came to the organization’s property in  Waco Texas in April of 1959, many having sold everything, on the advice of Florence and her counsel.

Much as a professional boxer sees his opponent hurt and seizes upon the moment, to inflict further damage, so too did the unbelieving SDA leaders. This was their moment to strike, to put a final dagger in the Shepherd’s Rod message brought from the Lord through His messenger, Victor Houteff.

So the SDA leaders at that time took full advantage of this fiasco. Just as Satan had planned no doubt. It was his workings, to be sure, that had been sowing the seeds for the Lord’s message and messenger to be much maligned .Thank the Lord, a small faithful group relocated to California and kept the Truth, His Elijah message, from collapsing altogether.  So at this time, 1962, the third edition of the Testimonies came out.

The later copies of the third  edition boldly now had an * asterisk * by the above statement which now read like this —

“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,[*SEE APPENDIX.] 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.”

And it read in part–

PAGE 475. SOMEBODY IS TO COME IN THE SPIRIT AND POWER OF ELIJAH: THESE WORDS HAVE BEEN MISTAKENLY APPLIED BY SOME TO SOME INDIVIDUAL WHO IT WAS THOUGHT WOULD APPEAR WITH A PROPHETIC MESSAGE SUBSEQUENT TO MRS. WHITE’S LIFE AND WORK. THE THREE PARAGRAPHS COMPRISING THIS ARTICLE TITLED “LET HEAVEN GUIDE” ARE ONLY A SMALL PORTION OF A TALK GIVEN BY ELLEN WHITE IN BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN, THE MORNING OF JANUARY 29, 1890. 

Then they go on to explain that Ellen White was really talking of herself as “Elijah”. But let us take note here. First, the original words of her writings were left untouched for approximately  72 years. Secondly, as mentioned above, when their opportune time came to put out any ideas of Victor Houteff being the true Elijah to come, they seized the moment.

Third, not once during Victor Houteff’s  ministry (1930 to 1955) did the denomination dare to even think of adding anything to that statement. Why? Because they knew brother Houteff would have exposed how ridiculous  such a thought. Even prior to VTH (1890 to 1929), the denomination knew full well that EGW never claimed to bring the Elijah message, directly or indirectly.

Ellen White herself said, as the statement shows,  a “he” would appear after her  (“to come”) bringing the Elijah message. Look at her own inspired words describing how we are to read the Bible–

“The language of the Bible should be explained according to its obvious meaning, unless a symbol or figure is employed.” (GC, p.598-599)

To believe that she herself believed that she was the Elijah, not only mocks Ellen White’s divine comprehension of the Truth, but mocks God Himself! For this would mean God decided to use the original male type “Elijah” to show a female anti-type with a female name–Ellen. True nonsense with no “obvious meaning”!

As mentioned before, if God had designed that Ellen White would be the last messenger and the final prophet, would it not had made  sense to say –“Behold I will send you Deborah the prophetess, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.” ? At least the Lord would have not mixed us up with gender. Of course this all proves that those who follow such shallow reasoning of saying Ellen White was the Elijah to come, really are not being led by the “Spirit of Truth”.

Ok, now that we’ve cleared the two possible scenarios of why God did not send Noah or Deborah, let’s look at the “why” of His decision to send the anti-typical Elijah. Why Elijah?

Elijah , as we all know, was a simple man with great courage. But it is important to realize  that he went solely to his own people.   Elijah did not send his message to the heathen. This is another difference between Ellen White and Victor Houteff. Our beloved prophetess spent much time in her ministry giving her message to not only the SDA church but to the outside world, those not aligned with the SDA church. Books such as the classic “Steps to Christ” certainly were meant for ALL people around the world. Victor Houteff concentrated his message solely to the SDA church throughout his ministry. Anti type doing the type in God’s fulfillment.

Elijah’s core message was–repent and reform before God’s judgments fall upon you. The exact message of brother Houteff. Victor, as many who have read his writings know, was guided by the Lord to uncover many prophecies pertaining to the “great and dreadful day of the Lord.” (Such as Hosea, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Daniel, Revelation, Malachi, Zechariah, etc.)

Just as in Elijah’s time, our church as fallen so far from true worship and obedience to God’s word, that God saw that he would have to send the anti-typical Elijah to awake His people. Our church today, has basically abandoned Dress, health, worship,Sabbath and other reforms. Many of our pastors today even wink at abominations done in the midst, such as buying and selling on the Sabbath, short dresses,women without head covering, talking business on the Sabbath, etc, etc.

But only those who are striving with all power God has given them to be among the 144,000 (RH, March 9, 1905), will clearly see all these abominations done in the church.

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

In closing the prophet speaks concerning our subject–

“It is therefore only to be expected that the predicted Elijah will be denounced as a false prophet, perhaps even as the anti-Christ, offshoot, or what not…Every wind of doctrine will be blowing, false revivals and reformations will be at their peak.  Everything that can be done will be done to distort the Truth and thus distract and dishearten believers and draw their attention to something other than the message of Elijah.

   Thus will be the Devil’s deal while the day of God is approaching, and while Elijah is making the announcement of it as the scroll unrolls and while the prophecies concerning the day of God are being unsealed.   His work and his interpretation of the prophecies for the great day will identify him as the promised Elijah the prophet (“Testimonies to Ministers,” p. 475), and this will enrage the Devil as never before. 

Nevertheless, one’s only safety will be in the teaching of Elijah, for there will be no other voice of timely Truth and authority to whom one may turn.  Any others will lead their victims blind-folded into perdition…Finally, for what other purpose could any right thinking minds suppose the Lord would send His prophet if not for them to give ear to him, that they might thereby survive the great and dreadful day of the Lord?   For what else, indeed, could the Lord have made a record of prophecy and promise of His last-day prophet?  Ponder this, Brethren; think it through.(General Conference Special, p.7-8)

Posted in Elijah, Elijah Interpretations, Victor T. Houteff | 3 Comments »

Signs Speaking Loud and Clear

March 28, 2015

china river-red

(China’s Yantzee River turns Red-Sept. 7, 2012)

God has always faithfully warned His people prior to making an earth shaking move. The Spirit of prophecy explains–

“God does not send judgments upon His people without first warning them to repent. He uses every means to bring them back to obedience and does not visit their iniquity with judgments until He has given them ample opportunity to repent.” (Testimonies, vol. 4, p.179).

What you are about to read should awake every truth seeker to the fact that something is up, something is ready to happen. We have no time to be whistling Dixie as the storm is approaching, even “at the door”.

There are many clues piling up now, all pointing to the nearness of the “great and dreadful day of the Lord.” Let us start with our first clue.

1)World unrest–  The world is cracking up! Be-headings shown on mass media. Wars and battles and rumors of war. Crime gone a muck. The middle east is a powder keg ready to explode. Israel’s enemies are closing in. Iran is going forward, somewhat unmolested, in developing it’s bomb. The UN is aligning with the Palestinians and declaring Israel as possibly doing illegal land grabs and unjustified killings. Israel is getting it’s back pushed to the wall. Will she make a serious blunder shortly?

Just recently the president of Syria said,  “I can say with complete confidence that we welcome any widening of the Russian presence in the eastern Mediterranean and on Syrian coasts and ports,” including the port of Tartus, Assad said. “For us, the larger this presence in our neighborhood, the better it is for stability in this region,” he told journalists.” (WesternJournalism.com)

The West’s big boys (USA,England,Germany, France) are taking sides with Israel and the East big boys (Russian and China) are siding with Syria and Iran. The battle lines are being drawn, the pieces are rapidly falling into place. The Great I AM is orchestrating the final world war conflict.

We as present truth believers know all too well the Scripture–

“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.”(Zeph. 2:1-3)

The Jewish state is now “gathered together” and appears ready to take a mis-step into the “anger of the Lord.” This is very important to know. Let us look at this powerful statement from the Elijah message–

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

The war starts and during it the mighty “great and dreadful day of the Lord” appears. The church experiences the “first stroke of God” (Testimonies for the Church, vol.5, p.211).

2)The Blood Moon Tetrad.  One blood moon is rare. When you add FOUR of them and put them on Biblical holy days, back to back to back to back, well let’s just say this is a sign from God, no doubt about it!  This is how our Savior works.

“The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.”(Joel 2:31)

The date of the last blood moon is Sept. 28, 2015

This is a warning my brethren! Make no mistake about it.

3)The Summary Chart. We did a post on this. When we see that the final last section of time (now) cannot be longer than any other section as shown in the chart, we know that time is just about up. Please see our post herehttps://hearyetherod.wordpress.com/2014/03/16/the-chart-a-summary-chart-of-types-part-1-of-2/    (Note: This chart is primarily for the more advanced Elijah message students)

4) Seven Billion people now in the world. Recently the world just crossed the 7 billion mark. We as present truth believers all know that the number–7, is a complete number. In terms of billions, it is now complete. Although it has now passed this mark slightly, due to God’s mercy, the world appears to have all its suppose to have.

5) Mass distribution of the message. The Elijah message has now become available to nearly all SDA people around the world. Internet,  smart phones and tablets have made the message within nearly all SDA members worldwide, as the Lord does not bring judgment until all have been sufficiently warned, we can see that very shortly there will be no more excuses.

The message is available like never before. Proclamation is ever-widening, take Wikipedia article on the DSDA for example. Each month there is about 1200 plus views and these people are spreading the word on His Truth. Blog sites are well read, YouTube videos are getting many worldwide views. Facebook has many active Elijah message sites going. Present Truth packages are being sent out all through out the month worldwide. Study groups are forming, particularly in the poorer countries, eagerly studying the message.

“And just as soon as this message reaches every church member, just that soon will the purification take place.” (Timely Greetings, vol.1, no.12, p.26)

6) The circle will soon be complete.  On July 2nd, 2015, the SDA General Conference Session will be held near the same area of the world that the headquarters of the Elijah message started– near Mt. Carmel in Waco, Texas! Only 180 miles away! Conveniently enabling the DSDA people to converge on the session and distribute His final warning to His church via DVD’s CD”s Tracts, and other literature. Oh, what circuitous divine perfection and pleading!

7) SDA church is filled to the brink with abominations. All one has to do is see that His beloved church has sunk so low that the sickle is about to be put in. Abortions, gay SDA churches, Rock and Rap music in the sanctuary, dress reform a thing of the past. Health reform ignored. SDA churches being rented out to Sunday keepers on Sunday. Sunday pastors encouraged to come and speak in God’s house. The sanctuary defiled with “Foreigners” now practicing their Sunday worship in God’s house.We did a post on this very abomination, called “Backs to the Temple.”https://godsloveandlaw.com/2013/08/17/backs-toward-the-temple/

8) Blood red rivers, beaches and lakes. For the last 4 years, rivers beaches and lakes,  have mysteriously turned blood red, just as the moon is currently doing during the Blood Moon Tetrad. Here are some of the larger locations: Yantzee River in China( Sept. 7, 2012), River in Netherlands (Nov. 1, 2013), Beach in Sydney Australia (Nov.27, 2012), The Azoz Sea in Russia (July 25, 2012), Lake in Southern France (Aug.9, 2012).

“And I will show wonders in the heavens and the earth.. before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.” (Joel 2:30-31)

Anciently this sign of the water turning red (blood or blood like) was performed with the Israelites  right before they were to be delivered from their Egyptian bondage (Exodus 4:9). Could this sign serve again to warn us that God is  about to move upon His people, to deliver them?

9) Birds and fish being “taken away”. In Hosea 4:1-3 God gives His remnant people, the SDA church “children of Israel” a heads up warning of a direct sign that  the end is near. We read a striking prediction of the last days utter disgust of God and His pin point description of mankind’s shameful and sinful ways.

“Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. There is swearing, deception, murder, stealing and adultery. They employ violence, so that bloodshed follows bloodshed. Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.”

The following  pictures shows fish being “taken away” recently in mass numbers. God’s word above in fulfillment.

Fish die off  Dead birds

Look at this partial list of dead birds and fish reports:

Jan. 1, 2011: 5000 blackbird fall from sky dead Beebe, Arkansas

Jan. 3, 2011: 2 million dead fish wash up in Chesapeake bay

Jan. 7, 2011: 8000 doves fall from sky dead in Italy

Feb. 16, 2011: Estimated 5 million fish wash up shore dead in Kenya

March 8, 2011: Millions of fish found dead in King Harbor Marina in Calif.

Jan. 2, 2012: 20 tons of dead fish wash ashore in Norway

Nov. 12, 2012: Massive dead sea gulls turn up in beaches in Morocco

Dec.31, 2012: Thousands of dead herring wash ashore in Iceland

April 8, 2013: Thousands of birds wash up dead in England

Jan.26, 2014: Report of 10 million scallop[s wash up dead in waters near Vancouver, Canada

June 26, 2014: Thousands of dead sea birds found along coast of Peru

Some say there were more than 2000 more reports of these strange deaths around the world in the last 4 years!

The big question is–are we as God’s remnant people ready? Are we doing the work that the Lord would have us do? Are we proclaiming the “great and dreadful day of the Lord” as faithful Elijah messengers?

ADDITIONAL NOTE: The Latino Fox News outlet reported just recently – “Precisely this Friday, in an interview on Mexico’s Televisa television, the first Latin American pope made a surprising statement in acknowledging that “I have a feeling my pontificate will be brief. Four or five years, I don’t know.” (March 14, 2105)  Does he instinctively know something will cut short his reign? Yes, something will, it’s God’s army, the 144,000 , that is who.

So there we have it. The clues stack up to one clear unmistake conclusion– the time is ripe for harvest.

“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)

” Do not sit down in Satan’s easy chair of do-little, but arise, and aim at the elevated standard which it is your privilege to attain. It is a blessed privilege to give up all for Christ. Look not at the lives of others and imitate them and rise no higher. You have only one true, unerring Pattern. It is safe to follow Jesus only. Determine that if others act on the principle of the spiritual sluggard you will leave them and march forward toward the elevation of Christian character. Form a character for heaven. Sleep not at your post. Deal faithfully and truly with your own soul.”(Testimonies, vol.1, p.241)

“The signs reveal that the time is near when the Lord will manifest that His fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor.” (Testimonies, vol. 5, p.80)

God loves His remnant church SO MUCH He is giving us sign after sign, are we paying attention? Make no mistake these signs are for His people, they show He is about to “suddenly come to His temple” (Mal.3:1) and purge His floor.

Let’s have our garments clean and be ready!

“The agencies of evil are combining their forces and consolidating. They are strengthening for the last great crisis.Great changes are soon to take place in our world, and the final movements will be rapid ones.” (Testimonies, vol.9, p.11).  

Posted in End times, God's signs | 4 Comments »

The Church and the Dragon

March 21, 2015

The church and the dragon

(One of the original drawings depicting Rev.12 by brother Houteff)

(Note: we did a prior post called “The Woman and the Dragon” but that dealt with all of Revelation 12. Here we shall concentrate on the part that prophetically shows God’s SDA church becoming victorious by His taking the reins into His own hands(TM, p.300)

Have you ever been a part of a club, or maybe even a class, where there were troublemakers? All they wanted to do was to disrupt, cause trouble, destroy the purpose of the gatherings however subtly ? Sadly this condition is prevalent within our SDA church today. It is overrun with tares. The unconverted vastly out number the converted. What I mean is those who obey all the light given to them via Scripture, SOP and the Elijah message are very few. What will God do about this?  Let us look at Revelation Chapter 12 and see.

One of the most fascinating Biblical interpretations given us by the Lord’s last messenger, is the prophetic message of Revelation 12. We as Adventists like to pride ourselves as having much light on Scripture and particularly–Revelation. But those of us who search further and are not satisfied with our level of spiritual knowledge and attainment can receive a great blessing once we know the Revelation 12 story of our ultimate victory–God’s remnant church defeating Satan and his centuries old practice of infiltrating God’s church with the unconverted–ie. tares.

Let us look at God’s lesson and hope for us as written in Revelation 12, particularly 12:15-17

“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.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.And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (Rev. 12:15-17)

Before we can correctly understand this prophecy, we must understand the symbols employed here. Many of us are familiar with God’s pin point and exact designs in nature. For instance the flower. When we pick one and closely examine it, we find a perfect symmetry of designs. The lines all flow in a direction, the flower is color coded, etc.

How much more will He be EXACT and measured in His word? Does He not place each word carefully? Will He not have meaning and purpose for us in each of His words? Each and every word means something and we must not skip over them as if they are not relevant. Only when we approach God’s word as such will we comprehend the true and correct meaning of His powerful word. Now, let us look at the purposeful and prophetic word spoken above.

1) The serpent represents Satan (Rev. 12:9)

2) The woman represents God’s church (Rev. 12:5,6,17: GC p.381,7 BC, p.972)

3) The dragon casts a flood of water after the woman hoping thereby to cause her to be carried away of the flood.

4) Water represents people (Rev. 17:15). Naturally a “flood” would represent a large amount of people.

5) Since the dragon causes these people (flood) to infiltrate the church, they must reflect his character and attributes. Such as non-converted, allowing sins to be fostered in the church, etc.

6) The SOP describes a “worldly flood” coming into the church (GC, p.385)

7) Obviously the dragon’s chief objective in flooding the church with the unconverted (tares)  to cause the church to be “carried away” by the flood, to secure her downfall.

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

8) The earth helps the woman by “opening” her mouth and swallowing up the flood. A miraculous event happens that causes the “flood” to disappear.The church is helped. This same type of event was shown us as a perfect example of the Lord “helping” His people in the days of Moses.

In Numbers 16:28-32, we read–

Verse 28– “And Moses said: ‘By this you shall know that the Lord has sent me to do all these works, for I have not done them of my own will. If these men die naturally like all men , or if they are visited by the common fate of all men, then the Lord has not sent me.

But if the Lord creates a new thing, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the pit, then you will understand that these men have rejected the Lord.”

Now it came to pass , as he finished speaking all these words, that the ground split apart under them and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men with Korah, with all their goods.” (Verse 28-32)

There can be no doubt that this perfect prior example of the Lord’s direct cleansing of His people by opening the earth’s mouth, was meant for His future word in Revelation 12:16.

9) After, and let us keep this time schedule firmly in mind- after, this swallowing (helping of God’s church) the dragon is angry. The church being relieved of Satan’s tares, makes him furious. He then goes forth to “make war” with the remnant of her seed .Let us keep in mind that Satan has mixed the church with his tares since the early days after Pentecost. Now for the first time since then he is powerless to infiltrate God’s pure church. He is furious and knows this prophetic time clock event has shown him his days are extremely short!

10) This warring by Satan brings on the “time of trouble such as never was”(Dan 12:1).

So we see that this perfect example of the earth opening her mouth indicates a cleansing. The false brethren, those who would not listen to God’s appointed spokesmen were eliminated from God’s people.

Recently I have seen two examples of sincere meaning Christians, where even unbeknownst to themselves,  are taking the adversaries side in going directly against God’s revealed word as said through Scripture, SOP and the Elijah message.

Why I would like to bring this up is that if we are not careful, we too shall be swallowed up by the earth just as Korah and his followers were. Remember that Korah and his men had declared that they were being directly guided by God just like Moses was. In other words God really did not need to send a prophet because these deceived men thought that they stood highly exalted in God’s eyes and basically showed severe doubt that God knew what He was doing!

Both of the two examples I have seen recently are based on this same premise!  “So what if God said to do this or that, I know He is guiding me” — huh?? This is really a sinister deception. Korah and his followers basically did the same thing, and threw out what God said through His prophet Moses. The sad example of self-exaltation has not changed through time. God is right through His word–not us through what we think!

This is the lesson God is trying to give us in Rev.12. Satan has for centuries be able to cast a “flood” (unconverted) into the woman (church) BUT God decides to “take the reins into His own hands”(TM, p.300) and does a cleansing and it “helps the woman”. This is the prophesied Ezekiel 9 church judgment.

Yes, the earth swallowing is symbolic in Rev. 12, but it should not be mis-construed for what it stands for– a church cleansing.

A pure church cannot be flooded any longer. The prophesied “time of trouble as never was” begins–the Great controversy! Satan and his human agents war against God and His servants–what a gigantic end time struggle! The victory is Gods–praise the Lord!

The Lord’s Rod teaches us that Revelation is not only a history book but a prophetic future event guideline. There is hope for His church today. We look around and see –NO dress reform, NO health reform, NO worship reform, NO Tithe reform, and on and on. Yet, Revelation 12:15-17 gives us great hope!   “But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon spewed out of his mouth.”(Rev. 12:16)

After God’s direct hand gets involved, the Spirit of Prophecy and Scripture  tells us–

“Clad in the armor of Christ’s righteousness, the church is to enter upon her final conflict. “Fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners” (Song of Solomon 6:10), she is to go forth into all the world, conquering and to conquer.”(Prophets and Kings, p.725)

“In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in Him, and He saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in Him; let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.”(Isaiah 25:9)

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

Hallelujah!

(Printable Rev. 12 Study Outline — http://www.shepherds-rod-message.org/outlines/rev_12.pdf )

Posted in Church, End times, Revelation teachings | Leave a Comment »

Women’s Ordination

March 14, 2015

Deborah the prophet

(Prophetess Deborah instructing her servant)

One of the biggest issues to vote upon this coming General Conference session in Texas, will be the issue of women ordination. Much has already been said on it via media such as blogs, YouTube, 3ABN reports, etc. But how about what the Lord’s last messenger said, the “Elijah to come”? Would that not be the best place to look? Of course it would. In fact it really should be our “final” place to look to, for us as God’s last remnant church. Ok , let’s look at this issue as the Lord wants us.

What about Women teaching?

When brought face to face with the truth, some act like men who have lost their reason.  As fish jump at bait, they foolishly jump at conclusions.  And when they are mercifully freed from the hook and given a chance to live, instead of departing  from their greedy, selfish policies, and keeping themselves from being caught again, they rush at another bait, only to find themselves hooked again and again.  When they find that they have thus repeatedly brought themselves into disrepute, they even then do not resolve to get right and stay right.

   Those who get themselves cornered and cut off from every avenue of escape from the truth, instead  of surrendering their erroneous ideas, make a desperate effort to dodge out of their plight, through the shift of isolating the scripture:  “Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.” 1 Cor. 14:34.

   This resort, however, only gives sharper point to the truism that it is never fair for one to assume a stand on an issue, solely on the weight of opinion  derived from one or two verses, without first considering the verses in the light of the whole chapter, yes, even of the entire Bible; for if one’s interpretation  of the Scriptures is not supported by every sentence of Holy Writ, it is a fallacious interpretation, a blind conclusion, without Bible foundation.

   In 1 Corinthians 14, we find that many of the women had gone “mad” (verse 23) over speaking in unknown tongues.  Hence Paul is endeavoring to dispel the confusion, not to silence anyone who has an inspired message to deliver.  An attempt to stop women from teaching would not be in harmony with the following scriptures:

   “And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time. And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel  came up to her for judgment.” Judges 4:4, 5. 

“And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; and she was a widow of about four-score and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.” Luke 2:36, 37. 

Also “Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum” taught Israel (2 Kings 22:14-16). And “Philip the evangelist,…had four daughters, virgins, which did prophecy.” Acts 21:8, 9.

   So those who think that Paul forbids a woman to teach, are not in the slightest bit discrediting and impeaching Mrs. White’s office, but rather are unwittingly casting reflection upon Paul’s writings — endeavoring to bring them into apparent conflict with the writings of his fellow-writers of the Scriptures.

   Those who carefully study will learn not to jump at baited hooks, but rather humbly to submit themselves to the teachings of the Spirit of Christ if they expect Him to save them from the curse of sin and from the wrath of God. (Tract 6 , p.75-76)

The above says that we should accept women as teachers of the Word. However these statements do not imply that there should be women in authority positions. such as an elder of the church, pastor or conference leader (at least as of right now).

In that night wherever the blood appeared on the door-post, the first born whether male or female, perished not, just so now, those who receive the seal, have applied the blood on the door-post (forehead), and as the first born of both classes, those who died and those who did not, were a type of the present priesthood (ministry), evidently, the type points forward to a ministry in the anti-type made up of both sexes. (2 Shepherd’s Rod, p.168)

 Notice the words “points forward”. This implies that in the post church purification, the servants will consist of both male and female proclaiming the Loud Cry. And as  a “ministry” consists of “ministers” it stands to reason that both male and female will be ministers, even in the house of God! This all makes perfect sense as after the judgment in the house of God is done, those who survive will be seen as “pure” and therefore blameless, being able to carry out any and all of God instructions, the sex being a non-issue.

The Elijah message continues–

In the beginning God created both the man and the woman equal, as king and queen.  “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” (Gen. 1:28.)  Note that the dominion was given to them both.  However, after they sinned a change was made: “Unto the woman He said,… thy desire shall be to thy husband, and He shall rule over thee.” (Gen. 3:16.) 

So, after the woman sinned she fell under the government of man.  But that which Eve lost by deception, shall be restored by redemption.  Thus again the equality of both shall be established as kings and queens.  Therefore, “There is neither male nor female in Christ Jesus.”  Christ himself confirms the idea in the following expression: “For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels which are in heaven.” (Ibid, p.168-169)

It is interesting to note that of all the women who have ever lived, I would say it’s a good bet that Ellen White was the most deserving of ordination as a Pastor, yet she never was. She also never taught that women should be chosen as Elders or as Pastors. Again, we see that God’s all seeing eye made sure that authority was to be placed in the man’s hands, until the time comes to pour out His Spirit on both male and female.

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.” (Joel 2:28-29)

Adding it up

So we see that the Elijah message tells us the women can be teachers now. And they can teach in God’s house (ie. Sabbath school, sermon addresses, etc.) But we do not find any authorization for allowing women to hold authoritative positions over man for now  But, soon when the church is purified we shall see a  ministry comprising both male and female doing God’s work as “ministers”. This is the prophesied “points forward” type and anti-type fulfillment. This means women as well as men will lead the congregations in God’s end time church. They are purified and have been “tried in the fire” and found worthy of their hire–amen!

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