Who was Victor T. Houteff? (Part 1 of 3)

October 26, 2013

victor_houteff_1_             Victor Houteff   How many of us have ever uttered the words, “I love Jesus”? No doubt quite a few. But how many of us have ever backed up those words by devoting the majority of our life devoted exclusively for –Jesus? In all our actions, eating, dressing, worshiping, arising, working almost non-stop for Him? Not many. Let us look at one of those rare individuals that lived and breathed the spreading of the gospel of the King.

As we have posted many posts pertaining to the Elijah message, we thought it helpful to explore some details of this man’s life. Because there is growing interest in this man of God, we are inspired to delve a little more into his life. Who was he? What did he stand for? Did he live as he taught or was he your typical –“Do as I say, not as I do” professed leader of God? Did he teach “to the law and to the testimony” (Isaiah 8:20) ?

We’ll breakdown different sections of his life. Each section will explore the important aspects of his development. As some in the Seventh Day Adventist church and nearly all within the church known as Davidian Seventh Day Adventist believe, this was no ordinary man. There are just too many pieces of the puzzle that come together for his life to be your run of the mill “Christian life”. Let us provide the helpful information in knowing who this man was that many call the prophesied–Elijah.

introduction  He was born in Bulgaria on March 2, 1885,  he and his brothers migrated to the US in 1907. Of an interesting note, just as Ellen White had a 3rd grade education, Victor Houteff had a 4th grade education.  Victor explains how he came to America–

“I came to America, not because I wanted to, but because God wanted me to.  And since I knew not my future work, and as God could then no more make me understand than He could at first make Joseph understand his trip to Egypt, I was therefore driven out of the country at the point of a gun as was Moses driven out of Egypt, although I had done nothing to bring trouble upon myself.  And who do you suppose led the rebels to storm me out of the country? 

None other but the Greek Orthodox bishop of the province!  And where do you suppose he sponsored his pursuing campaign?  In the church on Sunday morning while in his full regalia and about twenty feet from where I stood!

   At that time I knew not what my going away from home to such a distant land was about, but now I know as well as Joseph knew that his brethren’s hope to defeat God’s plan for him was but God’s plan to get him down into Egypt.  And so rather than to thwart the plan, they really caused the plan to be carried out!

   When things go contrary to one’s will and way today, most Christians give credit to the Devil.  Only when things go according to their liking do they give credit to God!  Balaam, too, was happy when the way opened for him to go to Balak, but when the angel of the Lord blocked the road he was traveling on, then Balaam, became as mad as a dog and smote the ass.

   No, nothing but you yourself can defeat God’s plans for you.  Be it your friends or your enemies, be it beasts or kings, you will find them all unwittingly or wittingly working for your good rather than for your harm if you are doing God’s bidding.  What a rich resource Heaven is!  And who knows it!

   Remember now, that whatever may stand in your way, be it the Red Sea or the River Jordan, be it a mountain or be it a desert, it shall become your very stepping stone.

   Such as this is the righteousness of the Lord, and you can have it at the cost of your own righteousness.  Then you will find the Lord’s ways as much higher than yours as the Heaven is higher than the earth.  When this happens, then only you will understandingly say, “The Lord our Righteousness.”( Timely Greetings, Vol. 2, No. 35 page 29-31)

For more on his early life in Bulgaria see this link http://www.shepherds-rod-message.org/vth.html

Early years in America –   Arriving penniless, he sound found work as hotelier and grocer in the state of Illinois . While in the hotel business in 1919, he became “intensely interested in religion”.This led him to become a member of the Seventh Day Adventist church.

Soon he left for California but when he got there he became sick, an illness which required medical attention. His savings was not well either. The stay at the local sanitarium drained his account even more, so much so that the thought of “going broke and staying poor grew larger and larger.” But thankfully his health was restored.

But during his California stay, he remembered that he had not paid his tithes or offerings to his church in the mid west, which he was still a part of. The amount  he reasoned was 75.00 due in back tithes. He was quoted as saying  “I thought then that if I should fail to pay this debt now while I had enough to pay it, I could never again get that much money together and it would have to stay unpaid forever. Better get broke now, and be free of debt, than to get broke later and be a debtor forever.”

” My account, I figured, was just a little over my debt. When I wrote a check for the whole balance, and sent it to the church in the middle west, I was left with 3.50 in my pocket.”(Timely Greetings , volume 2, no. 35, p.15)

Shortly after paying almost all he had, he received a check from his bank that he had ordered closed. To his amazement a check for 350.00 was made out to him, as his final balance! God was looking out for his young fledgling servant.

Soon things started to rebound, he found a good paying  job at a young up and coming company called Maytag. Additionally, an old stock investment, that he thought was worthless, doubled in price from his purchase price. The Lord was fulfilling His part of the promise –Mal. 3:10.

All the while during this time he faithfully did not work on the Sabbath. His manager at Maytag told him one day ” it must be wonderful to believe as you do, but you know I could never be a Seventh Day Adventist.” Victor responded back, “why not? “Because if I begin to keep the Sabbath as you do, I will lose my job” the man responded.

Victor added,  “Better to lose your job than to lose your life.” The sales manager should have taken the advice, he died shortly after this conversation. Around that same time,  the bookkeeper discussed religion with Victor, and also said that he could not keep the Sabbath and keep his job also. Then Victor  again said “Better to lose your job than to lose your life.” (Ibid, p.16-17) Again ,just as the sales manager did before,  the bookkeeper died shortly thereafter this warning also.

Could it be that this was divine signs from the Lord, letting us know that His servant Victor T. Houteff was to be heard and that we take the real chance of losing our life if we ignore the message the Lord speaks through him? Regardless, Victor was right–no job is worth us dis-honoring Him and serving another God (their job) instead of Him on His holy day. He commented on the two back to back deaths from the same instructions, “Believe it or not, but this is what happened with both men after they sold their convictions for the price of a job!” (Ibid, p.17)

Now we come to a miracle that the Lord’s hand definitely had a part in. How many of us get hit head-on from a swift running automobile on a busy road and walk away?

Victor was walking in a business section of Los Angeles and happened to be crossing the middle of the road, when all of a sudden a woman came straight at him and hit him square on. Did he get run over? Splattered on the front end?  He explains ” No, this did not happen because something greater took place. An unseen hand carried me on ahead of the car, lightly sliding my feet on the pavement with my right side ahead, and my left side against the car’s radiator! After having made about half the distance before the car stopped, something seated me on the bumper of the car, and I put my left arm around the car’s left headlight….when she stopped, I put my feet on the ground and stepped away from the car.”

“.. by that time the car and I were surrounded by people, and three policemen looking for the man who got run over. But as they found no one lying on the street, or pinned under the car, I told them it was I who had been run over! They wanted to take me to the hospital, and when I told them I wasn’t hurt, I heard one say, “He must be hurt but is too excited and does not know his condition.”

Then they made me raise my legs and arms up and down, several times, after which one shouted , “He is made out of rubber!” (Timely Greeting vol. 2 no. 35, p.21)

So miraculously the “rubber” man walked away from the head-on impact, and proceeded 3 blocks to his car that day, and then drove  to a prayer  meeting and spoke about the incident to the amazement of the crowd.

Next we get a look into some personal witnessing to a brother, to show him the way of the Lord, but sadly again, it fell in deaf ears and again the results were a curse.

“Not long after I had gone to work for this company and while canvassing, I met a woman whose husband was of Jewish descent, but she was Scandinavian, and a Seventh-day Adventist.  She told me that her husband was terribly opposed to her religion and at one time he threw her Bible into the stove.  She wished I could in some way help her husband change his attitude.  I asked her to tell him that I would like to see him in his home the following night.  She promised to try it and then to let me know.

   He sat down to several studies with me in his home with the family present.  I was surprised, though, to find him very agreeable to what was presented, altogether contrary to what his wife had told me!  After I had given him three studies he called me aside, pulled his pants-pockets inside out and said to me, “You see, I have a big family to feed and only three cents in my pocket. 

Before you came to me,” he explained, “I did everything to get a job but failed.  In my distress,” he continued, “I prayed for the first time in my life.  I asked the Lord to send someone to show me what to do.  When I heard you were coming,” he added, “I thought it was in answer to my prayer, and I was anxious to meet you.  And that is why you found me so open-minded to your religion.  But now,” he said, “I know that God sent you.”

   I asked him if he would like to sell washing machines, and he replied, “I am ready to do anything you suggest.”  I took him to the company I was working for, and he went to work immediately, trucking with his own pickup.  His wages, and a few sales occasionally brought him over $200 monthly.

   He owned the house he was living in, and as living was not so high in those days, he was able to save a good share of his wages.  After a time he sold his house, bought a five-acre plot and built a new house and a good poultry shed on the plot.   Then he told me that he intended to work for the company about 18 months longer, and by that time he would have his house and land all clear, or somewhat clear, and then he could make a good living on his five-acre plot.

   Well, it all looked fine.  But one Sabbath morning he met me in church and told me that the company was to be taken over that day.  He wanted to know if I would go with him and listen to the speeches while the transfer was being made.  I reasoned with him that it was not the place to spend the Sabbath in, but he argued that if he were not present they might hire another man in his place, and he could not afford to lose his job. 

He therefore attended the business meeting.  Shortly after, though, the new company discharged him.  Consequently he could not keep the payments on the property and the trust company foreclosed on it!  Then his wife died! Anyone can see that all these sequential events of the day, closely tied one to another with nothing else in between, could not possibly have been accidental, but strictly Providential.” (Timely greetings, Vol.2, No.35, P- 18-20)

Sabbath School lessons –   His very first work of spreading and teaching the gospel occurred in the  Olympic Exposition Park SDA Church in 1929. His lessons attracted many members but due to the fact that his teachings were new and unique, some within the church objected. He explains–

“The enemies of the message then left nothing unturned in their search for something against me, rather than to make sure that they were not turning down Truth.  They tried every hook and crook to pin something on me and to stop my activities, but found nothing and as a rule about 30 members of the church stayed in my special meetings each Sabbath afternoon.  Then came the time that the elders of the church refused to let us use the church for our meetings, and they made us all get out.

  But one of the sisters who was living in a big house right across from the church offered her place for the meetings, and there was a great uproar among the people around the church premises.  Some were for us and some were against us.  So it was that the house across from the church was filled that afternoon and many listened from the outside through the windows.  The enemies failed to break up our meetings, and the victory was ours.

   Next they forbade us to attend their church services, and they began to disfellowship those who still wanted to attend our meetings.  They tried to deport me, too, but failed.  Then they endeavored to get a court order against any of us going to the church on Sabbath, but lost out.  Once they called the police to have me arrested on false charges that I was disturbing the meetings, but after the officers in the police station heard my story and the deacon’s charges against me, he commanded the two policemen who brought us to the station to put us in their car again, and to take us right back to the church where they picked me up!

   After this the elders endeavored to put me in an insane asylum.  The “city manager” of Glendale himself (a Seventh-day Adventist) had come to this church that Sabbath morning to lay down the charges and to see me carried away and locked in the asylum.  After talking with me for a few minutes, though, the officer did nothing but to tell me that he would not bother me again!  Then the 200 lb. city manager felt smaller than my 135 lb. weight.

   They did all these unbecoming things and many others; besides, they talked and preached against me.  And though I had no one but the Lord to defend me at any time, yet in all these the victory was mine!” (Timely Greetings, vol. 2, no.35, p.23)

So we see from the above that Victor’s Sabbath school teachings were arousing some quite fanatical responses. But we see also that some of the laity embraced the teachings. There was a new uproar building because the teachings made sense to some of the laity but to the “learned men” they balked. The few years after the lessons, the trouble still existed, with some for and some against.

From the end of 1929 to 1935, the message brought many converts through out the USA and then later many countries of the world(Africa, Indonesia, Dominican Republic, and more). As mentioned, nearly all the converts were exclusively (except for one general conference leader-E.T. Wilson) from the laity. It occurred this way because for the most part, these were the only ones who actually studied the message in depth.

Victor began publishing the “Symbolic Code News items”, a periodical,  in July of 1934. He provided the brethren updates and further messages through October of 1954. Here is a link to those news items. You’ll read many personal letters sent into his office. Preferring to be transparent, he published both the supportive letters and the opposed letters. http://shepherdsroddavidian.org/sc.html

Here’s an example of the letters he received —

FROM MONTANA

“Three years ago I received a book through the mail that was called  ‘The Shepherd’s Rod.’ I was then elder of the Big Timber church. Being much delighted with its contents, I undertook to read it to the church, but the opposition was so strong that I could not read more than two chapters.

“…but I think it is the most wonderful light that ever came to the church….I also read the four tracts with much delight. For years I have prayed for more light, and now my prayers are being answered.”
(Signed) P.S. Alen

In 1935 Victor felt it was time to go elsewhere to spread the “message”and leave California. In part 2 next week, we’ll look at his “Mt.Carmel” years in Waco, Texas. The message headquarters for close to 20 years. We’ll look at some of the experiences, signs and wonders that occurred there. In concluding our posts,  we’ll point out the main points of his teachings and their Scriptural or SOP basis.

As we continually pray, may the Lord guide us into all truth (John 16:13).

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Thy Kingdom Come II (Part 2 of 2)

October 19, 2013

Kingdom of God

Last week we were reviewing Isaiah 11:1-12 and how this prophecy can only have a latter-day application. But let us look now at further evidence that Scripture points out the beginning phase of His kingdom here on earth–the pre-millennial kingdom .

Back to Isaiah, in verse 6, the very last clause says, and a little child shall lead them. A little child….That is just a child of a few years old. Then it says in vs 8,

And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp,(That means an infant that is still feeding upon it’s mothers breast. He or she will be playing with the asp. That’s a poisonous snake. And then it goes on to say) and the weaned child) Now here we have a sucking child, a weaned child and a little child. That is children, infants. In the New Earth, brothers and sisters, there will not be any sucking children, any weaned children, no children at all. Now how do we know this?

Now before we even look at the Word of God, we know this, when all the saints are taken up to heaven, we will dwell there for a thousand years. And everyone the Bible says will grow up like the calves of the stall. Mal 4:2 We will all grow up to our full stature, after feeding on the tree of life. There will be no births and no deaths. So at the end of the thousand years, everyone will have grown up to full stature. At the close of the thousand years, everyone will descend in the Holy City to the New Earth. But there are no births, and no deaths. Hence no little children.

But we can prove that more concretely from the Bible. In the book of Luke chap 20:34, 35 Jesus is speaking to the Sadducees. They are trying to trick him with a question. And they gave Him a parable. A very difficult question. But Jesus made His conclusive statement. He says, “They that shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world in the resurrection neither marry nor are given in marriage.”

Neither can they die anymore, for they are equal unto the angels and are the children of the resurrection. No marriage, No children. No deaths. How can there be any children then in the New Earth. By the time Jesus comes, no more children after that. Yes children will be taken up. To grow up like calves of the stall.

Ellen White further explains no children in the new earth. ““There are men today who express their belief that there will be marriages and births in the new earth; but those who believe the Scriptures cannot accept such doctrines. The doctrine that children will be born in the new earth is not a part of the “sure word of prophecy” (2 Peter 1:19). The words of Christ are too plain to be misunderstood.

They should forever settle the question of marriages and births in the new earth. Neither those who shall be raised from the dead, nor those who shall be translated without seeing death, will marry or be given in marriage. They will be as the angels of God, members of the royal family.”(1 Sel. Messages pg 172, 173)

Therefore Isa 11:6 cannot be in the New Earth, for there will be no children in the New Earth. The prophecy is correct. It has to be prior to. Then you can have Gentiles from all these countries and there can be children. So with that in mind, we have concrete solid evidence, that Isa 11 is speaking about not heaven and New Earth, but a time before Jesus comes.

The Kingdom then will be pre-millennial. It will be beautiful. It will be peaceful. Now it does not mean that the entire world will be like this. It does not mean that outside the Kingdom we will not have turmoil and trouble, because at the same time, the Mark of the Beast will be urged upon all including even God’s people, God’s people will not accept it. They in turn will become a part of God’s true people. And will join this Kingdom. What a time.

The two Kingdoms are going to clash. God’s Kingdom is a representation of God’s Justice, Love and Mercy. A practical demonstration of all that God intended for man to be from the beginning. And He wants to do this in the sight of the heathen. So we are not talking about the entire world being converted. No, we are talking about the place where God will establish His Kingdom. His Kingdom will be established in the promised land. And all God’s faithful people will be there.

That will be brought from the various countries and islands and nations will be brought to that Kingdom. But they will have to make a decision, that is those who are in the world will have to make a decision to accept the Truth or not. If they accept the Truth and resist the Mark Of The Beast, even at the possibility of losing their lives. And come to the Kingdom of God and accept the Truth, they will be saved. The two Kingdoms will clash, but God’s Kingdom will win out. It says in the days of these kings, the God of Heaven will establish His Kingdom.

Now, some may ask how is this going to be possible with the current Jews and Arabs occupying the holy land? While we can’t go deeply into this in this post, we can simply say that the world is now being set up to have the gigantic world war III over Israel. This is obvious being prepared even as we speak. The tension has been building the last couple of years and will continue to do so, until God says it’s time for it to take place.

The applicable Scripture reads, “Gather yourselves together, yes, gather together, O nation not desired;Before the decree takes effect– The day passes like the chaff– Before the burning anger of the LORD comes upon you, Before the day of the LORD’S anger comes upon you” (Zeph2:1-2) .

Where is this “nation not desired”? Verse 4 tells us,”Gaza will be deserted, and Ashkelon will be destroyed. Ashdod will be driven out at noon, and Ekron will be torn out by the roots. It is in the land of Israel. The Lord’s anger will cause the occupants to be driven out so that His promises will be fulfilled to the letter!

Ok let’s look at (Ezekiel 28:24-26). ““And for the house of Israel there shall be no more a brier to prick or a thorn to hurt them among all their neighbors who have treated them with contempt. Then they will know that I am the Lord GOD.Thus saith the Lord GOD; When I shall have gathered the house of Israel from the people among whom they are scattered, and shall be sanctified in them in the sight of the heathen, then shall they dwell in their land that I have given to my servant Jacob.

And they shall dwell safely therein, and shall build houses, and plant vineyards; yea, they shall dwell with confidence, when I have executed judgments upon all those that despise them round about them; and they shall know that I am the LORD their God.”

In Ezekiel we see that this gathering takes place “in the sight of the heathen”. The Lord calls His “house of Israel” back to the land He promised their fathers. He keeps His word!  As we know this has never happened to this very day, as the 10 lost tribes of Israel have been scattered among the nations.

A brother of mine pointed out something in a quote that we often miss pertaining to this “kingdom”. Look at (Matt 24:14), “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. I had never noticed that the proclamation will be about His kingdom. The main last message to all nations is this pre-millennial kingdom taking place in front of the heathen!

In other words, come into this kingdom now or you’ll not be able to go through to the heavenly kingdom later. This message of the kingdom is His last effort to reach the unbelieving. Oh, how we are blessed that He sent the Elijah messenger to us to “restore all things” such as these missed meanings of age old quotes!

Here’s wonderful Scripture showing the future  people of God, destined for the holy land and  experiencing a life changing experience “I will give you a heart of flesh.”

Ezek. 36:23-28 — “And I will sanctify My great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, saith the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.

Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put My spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be My people, and I will be your God.”

Jeremiah also give us a future glimpse of going home to the holy land. “”In those coming days,” says the LORD, “the people of Israel will return home together with the people of Judah. They will come weeping and seeking the LORD their God.They will ask the way to Jerusalem and will start back home again. They will bind themselves to the LORD with an eternal covenant that will never be forgotten.” (Jer.50:4-5)

“The days are coming,” declares the LORD,   “when the reaper will be overtaken by the plowman and the planter by the one treading grapes. New wine will drip from the mountains and flow from all the hills, and  I will bring my people Israel back from exile. “They will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit.I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them,” says the LORD your God.” (Amos 9:13-15)

In closing, below is the kingdom map, per Ezekiel 48 instructions, that is prophesied to come. Notice the change in land divisions (anciently to pre-millennial time). Again this has never happened to this very day. Let us accept God’s word as a child and believe that all He says He’ll do–He’ll do. Amen.

http://sighandcry777.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/12-tribes-ezek-48-vs-solomon-3.jpg (The map on left is the ancient borders and areas of the tribes, the one on right is future)

(For those who would like to see the full report from which many quotes and comments were used in this report  see this link http://www.shepherds-rod.org/basic/kingdom.htm)

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Thy Kingdom Come II (Part 1 of 2)

October 12, 2013

Jeruslaem

This week the thought occurred of how the Jews of old had steadfastly looked and looked for any signs of the Lord’s kingdom on earth to be established. So much so that they ignored other more important Scriptures. Yet, today, we as His remnant people, the SDA church aren’t looking for it. And we are the ones who the prophecies are directed to! Amazing how both the Jews of old and us today, for the most part, are guilty of  not searching the Scriptures to know them well.

In our first installment of God’s kingdom of glory, we would like  to once again show the beauty of the foretold upcoming kingdom, a kingdom that first starts out on this earth before the millennial reign in heaven.  Many within our SDA church are unaware that this pre-millennial stage will exist but as we go into the various Scriptures, it becomes very clear how God WILL establish His kingdom in front of the heathen. The Lord’s Elijah message has now uncovered these beautiful promises for us.

Let us now  search and behold the marvelous things to come in God’s unconditional word.

Last week we pointed out who is God’s “Israel” of today. These are those who are to be the beneficiaries of the promises as Ellen White explains, ““That which God purposed to do for the world through Israel, the chosen nation, He will finally accomplish through His church on earth today. He has “let out His vineyard unto other husbandmen,” even to His covenant-keeping people, who faithfully “render Him the fruits in their seasons.” Never has the Lord been without true representatives on this earth who have made His interests their own. These witnesses for God are numbered among the spiritual Israel, and to them will be fulfilled all the covenant promises made by Jehovah to His ancient people.”(Prophets and Kings, p.713-714)

The Jews held the following promise close to heart as one of their basics on the kingdom of God on earth.

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” (Isaiah 9:6-7)

As Seventh Day Adventists, we are well aware of the fact that when Jesus comes again, He will indeed take His saints home to heaven. And be with Him a thousand years, we shall afterward descend in the Holy City to live here in a newly created earth. That is a marvelous thing and that will be a wonderful time. We look forward to that time. Oh yes we surely do, But what of the Kingdom that was promised to Israel and to Judah. What of that Kingdom?

“When they therefore had come together, they asked Him, saying, Lord will Thou at this time restore again The Kingdom to Israel.”

“And He said unto them, It is not for you to know the time, or the times of the seasons which the Father hath put in His own power.”(Acts 1:6-7) In other words, He did not tell them that the Kingdom was not to be established. He simply said, It is not for you to know when. Of course we know it was not to be in their day. But He did not tell them that. Perhaps it would have discouraged them. Kept them from preaching the Gospel with all of their might. But the Lord in His Wisdom kept that from them. But the Bible does tell us when The Kingdom Of God’s Glory is going to be established.

Before we continue, it’s important to note that this “establishment” of the kingdom, per the Scriptures, will not be in heaven, as we SDA are commonly taught. It’s right here on earth, and Lord’s great  Name will finally be exalted by true representatives, those who “walk the walk” and not only “talk the talk”.

Let’s look at some specific promises found in Jeremiah.

“For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it”(Jer. 30:3)

What is important to know in this promise is that in Jeremiah’s day, only the 2 tribes of Judah returned. This promise calls for ALL 12 tribes to return. The 10 tribes of Israel were dispersed among the nations and have never returned to this day. So this remains yet to be fulfilled, lest God has made an empty promise.

Also it’s important to point out that this is unconditional. The words “I will” and “they shall” are, as any knowledgeable english student knows, without conditions. To solidify that this promise is yet future we read,

“The fierce anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have done it, and until he have performed the intents of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it.“ (Jer.30:24)

We are living in the latter days, and as such we now — consider it. We now know that this promise will be fulfilled as we are revealed His upcoming pre-millennial kingdom on earth, His words will not return void–praise the Lord!

Thus we see very clearly that this prophecy begins with the Seventh Day Adventist Church, the Church of the last days. And we just read from inspiration, that all the covenant promises that were made to ancient Israel are to be fulfilled with us today. That is what the Bible says. As strange and new as it may sound, this is what the Bible says. Israel and Judah are to one day go back to the land that He gave to the fathers.

Now why would God want His people back there? Well to fulfill His promise. The promise that He made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and Israel. He vowed to them that He would have a kingdom. Now you know why the disciples asked Jesus will you at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

They could not just shove those prophecies aside. They understood that it must be fulfilled. Because God promised it. And Jesus told them it was not for them to know the times. But in the latter days, Jeremiah proclaims it to be. God does not make a mistake. He is always right.

In the book of isaiah, chapter 11, we find something that should make every doubter sit up straight. Carefully observe the promises given and then we’ll discuss what makes these inspired words one of the clearest of all Scripture as to the pre-millennial kingdom.

Isaiah 11:

1: “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

2: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;

3: And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:

4: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

5: And r righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.

6: The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.

7: And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

8: And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den.

9: They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

10: And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.

11: And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.

12: And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.”

Now you are probably thinking that this is referring to the new earth. Well yes we do understand that in the New Earth everything will be peaceful. Everything will be marvelous. Pretty much as described here will be similar, But this prophecy brothers and sisters is not speaking about the New Earth.

Isa 65:9-20 Speaks about the New Earth. It tells how the wolf shall dwell with the lamb. Very similar to that of chapter 11. But here are three main reasons why this cannot be speaking about the New Earth. Isaiah 11:1 must be speaking about a time before Jesus comes.

THE FIRST REASON is simply this…It mentions in vs 10 that when this Kingdom is established when the wolf is lying down with the lamb, when the leopard is lying down with the kid, it says, vs 10, in that day there shall be a root of Jesse which shall stand FOR AN ENSIGN, (means a standard or a flag) for the people. And to it, (to the kingdom, to this ensign) shall the Gentiles seek.

Brothers and Sisters, THERE WILL BE NO GENTILES OR STRANGERS OR UNBELIEVERS IN HEAVEN OR IN THE NEW EARTH. So here Isaiah cannot be speaking about the New Earth or heaven. This prophecy is talking about a time when unbelievers, Gentiles, strangers, will be flocking to the kingdom. They will be coming to join God’s people. But this again cannot happen in heaven or the New Earth. Probation will already be closed by then.

Now with that in mind you can look at the next vs. That is vs 11.

11: And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.

Here the Lord says He is going to reach out and gather His people. Just like He did anciently, except he will not gather from Egypt alone this time, but from all the islands of the sea. And vs 12 says that He will gather them from the four corners of the earth. You can see Brothers and Sisters that Isa 11:11 must apply to a time when you can have Gentiles seeking the Kingdom. Wanting to know more about God and His people. And He is going to gather His people from all over the world. That has to be pre-millennial. Don’t you think? Not after, not during. But before, prior to.

Now with this in mind we can surely see that it is talking about now, our time, in the days of these kings. The latter days. But you may be saying again this is conditional. Brothers and Sisters, let’s focus on the fact that there are no conditions attached here. What God says He will do and unless He says otherwise, we are to accept what He says. Whatever is uttered from His mouth He will not change. No buts, no maybe’s. It is very plain. It is a prophecy that will be fulfilled. The Bible says exactly what God is going to do in the days of these kings.

Next week we’ll look at more reasons that Isaiah’s prophetic words apply to the upcoming earthly kingdom before the Lord’s return in the clouds. One thing we should be clear is that this kingdom will be what is termed Theocracy. That means a church kingdom that will be based out of Israel, the land He promises His remnant people in these Scriptures. The kingdom will not be considered a world governing kingdom because we know that the mark of the beast system will be set up as well during this time.

The two kingdoms will be directly opposed and as such people will have a clear-cut idea which side to choose and join up with. The main proponent is either worship Him corporately on the so-called “Lord’s day” which is promoted as Sunday, or the Biblical Sabbath which starts at sunset Friday evening to sun-set Saturday evening.  The Lord is going to pull out “all stops” in one last witness to mankind. Sort of like “Here I AM, are you going to join Me?” This will be the time as prophesied by our prophetess.

“The light that was shed upon the waiting ones penetrated everywhere, and those in the churches who had any light, who had not heard and rejected the three messages, obeyed the call and left the fallen churches. Many had come to years of accountability since these messages had been given, and the light shone upon them, and they were privileged to choose life or death. Some chose life and took their stand with those who were looking for their Lord and keeping all His commandments.

The third message was to do its work; all were to be tested upon it, and the precious ones were to be called out from the religious bodies. A compelling power moved the honest, while the manifestation of the power of God brought a fear and restraint upon their unbelieving relatives and friends so that they dared not, neither had they the power to, hinder those who felt the work of the Spirit of God upon them.

The last call was carried even to the poor slaves, and the pious among them poured forth their songs of rapturous joy at the prospect of their happy deliverance. Their masters could not check them; fear and astonishment kept them silent. Mighty miracles were wrought, the sick were healed, and signs and wonders followed the believers.

God was in the work, and every saint, fearless of consequences, followed the convictions of his own conscience and united with those who were keeping all the commandments of God; and with power they sounded abroad the third message. I saw that this message will close with power and strength far exceeding the midnight cry.”

Servants of God, endowed with power from on high with their faces lighted up, and shining with holy consecration, went forth to proclaim the message from heaven. Souls that were scattered all through the religious bodies answered to the call, and the precious were hurried out of the doomed churches, as Lot was hurried out of Sodom before her destruction. God’s people were strengthened by the excellent glory which rested upon them in rich abundance and prepared them to endure the hour of temptation. I heard everywhere a multitude of voices saying, “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”(Early Writings, p.278-279)

One thing we should understand here is that during this time of glorious miracles  and calling out time, the people of God must come “out” and go into a righteous place where God wants them. Where will that be? it will be His holy land–Israel.

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

My brothers and sister the above promises have never happened to this very day. We know that God’s word CANNOT return void. You and I may “shoot at the wind” in our speaking, but God’s word is life.

Next week in part 2, we’ll look at further reasons that Isaiah’s prophetic words apply to the upcoming earthly kingdom before the Lord’s return in the clouds. Also we’ll take a look at Ezekiel’s prophecies.

(We’d like to thank our friends at SDA prophetic ministries for some of the quotes and comments  used in this post.)

Posted in End times, Final Events, Our Lord's kingdom | Leave a Comment »

“Spiritual Israel”

October 5, 2013

Every now and then we come across an article or report that is just too good to let go without spreading it around. Such is the case with the following article written by a  brother, Erik Bell. As we are well aware , there are many unconditional promises made to the “house of Israel” and so it becomes necessary to understand “who” are these people today? What does the term “Spiritual Israel” mean today?  May you be blessed.

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“I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew…  What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.” – Romans 11: 1, 2, 7.

The Lord, through the apostle Paul, makes clear in this scripture that He “hath not cast away His people” (the Jews).  However, a distinction is made in these Scriptures between the literal, identifiable Jews who accepted Jesus as Messiah and those who did not.  The literal Jews who accepted Jesus as Messiah are referred to as the “election” or the “remnant” (see vs. 5), whereas the literal Jews who did not accept Jesus are designated as “the rest [that] were blinded.”  Note very carefully that both classes are of the bloodline of Jacob.

Later in the chapter, the same two classes are distinguished in figurative terms.  The Christian Jews as “the root” and the “olive tree”, and the non-Christian Jews as “the natural branches.”  The Gentiles are also introduced into the imagery, being symbolized as branches from a “wild olive tree.”  Paul maintains this distinction throughout the entire chapter, and it is precisely at this point where the spiritual eyes of the ministry begin to go dim as a result of preconceived notions regarding the fulfillment of the Old Testament Scriptures.

All would agree that the “root,” or “olive tree” of Romans 11 constitutes “spiritual Israel.”  Our only challenge is to now identify precisely who they are, for it is to them that “all the covenant promises made by Jehovah to His ancient people” (Prophets and Kings p. 714) will be fulfilled.  The conclusive answer comes to us from the Spirit of Prophecy,

“Notwithstanding Israel’s failure as a nation, there remained among them a goodly remnant of such as should be saved.  At the time of the Saviour’s advent there were faithful men and women who had received with gladness the message of John the Baptist, and had thus been led to study anew the prophecies concerning the Messiah.

When the early Christian church was founded, it was composed of these faithful Jews who recognized Jesus of Nazarethas the one for whose advent they had been longing.  It is to this remnant that Paul refers to when he writes, ‘if the first fruit is holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so also are the branches.”’

“Paul likens the remnant in Israel to a noble olive tree, some of whose branches have been broken off.  He compares the Gentiles to branches from a wild olive tree, grafted into the parent stock.”  — Acts of the Apostles pp. 376, 377.

Therefore, spiritual Israel, in the context of Romans 11, does not consist of Gentiles, but is clearly identified as the literal Christian Jews.  These Jews formed the foundation of the Christian church.  The reason that they are called “spiritual Israel” is simply because they are the portion of the Jewish nation who chose to be “born of the Spirit” (John 3:5).  Ultimately, they lost their racial identity as they spread the gospel throughout the nations and intermarried with Gentile believers. Again, says the Spirit of Prophecy,

“Through unbelief and the rejection of Heaven’s purpose for her, Israel as a nation had lost her connection with God.  But the branches that had been separated from the parent stock God was able to reunite with the true stock of Israel – the remnant who had remained true to the God of their fathers.”  — Acts of the Apostles pp. 377, 378.

Ironically, even the ministry acknowledges the truth of the above in their desperate endeavor to combat it.

“Literal Jews may still find salvation by being grafted into spiritual Israel, in precisely the same way that Gentiles are to be grafted in” (vs. 23, 24). —S.D.A. Bible Commentary Vol. 4, pp. 36.

Thus, it is acknowledged that there are three distinct groups in Romans 11; the literal Jews, “spiritual Israel”, and the Gentiles.  This being the case, we are left without excuse.  We can clearly see why Romans 11 in its full context has been a particular “thorn in the flesh” of Seventh-day Adventists.

Paul echoes the teaching of the prophet Hosea regarding the rejection of the Jewish nation, and the reacceptance of the “faithful Jews” as Christians.

“Then said God, Call his name Loammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God.  Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God.” – Hos. 1: 9, 10.

In spite of the fact that the Jewish nation failed in its heavenly mission, the number of its descendants would multiply until they became so numerous that they could not possibly be counted. This could not possibly apply to the identifiable Jews of today, for they can easily be counted and are “a drop in the bucket” when compared with “the sand of the sea.”

This dispersion of the bloodline of Jacob partially occurred with the intermingling of the early Christian Jews with the Gentile believers, as well as the dispersion of thousands of Jews in 70 A.D.  Being submerged into the sea of nations, they lost their racial identity and continued to multiply until today.  These facts demonstrate that the vast majority of the descendants of Jacob today are unidentifiable, though they may reckon themselves as Gentiles.

Though the purpose of God to have a holy nation with a central homeland was postponed for nearly two thousand years because of ancient Israel’s unfaithfulness, the perfect plan of God shall still come to its intended fulfillment in this world with the unidentifiable descendants of the Christian Jews, as Paul eloquently explains, “I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fullness?  For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.  For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be,but life from the dead?” – Rom. 11: 11-16.

“For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.” – Rom. 11: 25.

The above Scripture definitely informs us that the postponement of the fulfillment of the national promises is not indefinite, but only “until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.”  That is to say, until the dispersion of the Christian Jews is completely accomplished and has produced a multitude of Gentile converts.  Afterward, there shall be a great harvest of “natural branches” (identifiable Jews) to the church of God as well.  Once this has taken place, “then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint themselves one head, and they shall come up out of the land: for great shall be the day of Jezreel.” – Hos. 1: 11.

After the great dispersion, multiplication and reacceptance of God’s people as Christians, the Lord then primarily re-gathers the willing and informed of the unidentifiable descendants of the twelve tribes into one great kingdom and fulfills “all the covenant promises made by [Him] to His ancient people.” (Prophets and Kings p. 714).

The racial lineage of an individual does not determine one’s eligibility for salvation.  Romans 11 makes clear that anyone can be saved regardless of nationality.  However, to fulfill the promises of the possession of the Promised Land, and the administration and leadership of the Kingdom of God on earth, the individuals under consideration must be born-again descendants of Jacob, though not necessarily of the present identifiable stock.

This is the fiat and decree of God to Abraham numerous times in the Old Testament Scriptures. The Lord goes as far as to state that the progenitor of the ultimate possessors of the land of promise would come from “his bowels.” (Gen. 15: 4).  And the prophet Hosea further explains that which is despised in Seventh-day Adventist circles,

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

In view of the clear teaching of Scripture regarding this truth, why do we insist on disseminating poisonous error on this concept to the world and the church?  The answer is simple: this truth is completely incompatible with our erroneous notions of how we believe that the gospel work will be finished, and rather than yield our opinions, as we would expect everyone else to do for our ideas, we would rather play the fool.

We would not even entertain the slightest consideration of the thought that God would fulfill the promises as He has written with a different set of Jews.  This is inexcusable, especially since the Spirit of Prophecy warned us long ago that God had tremendous surprises for Seventh-day Adventists and our ideas of how the work would be completed.

“When light goes forth to lighten the earth, instead of coming up to the help of the Lord, they will want to bind about His work to meet their narrow ideas.  Let me tell you that the Lord will work in this last work in a manner very much out of the common order of things, and in a way that will be contrary to any human planning…The workers will be surprised by the simple means that He will use to bring about and perfect His work of righteousness.” – Testimonies to Ministers p. 300.

“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.” – Testimonies to Ministers p. 30.

The tragedy of it all is that while paying extensive lip service to the necessity to “unlearn”, when that time actually arrives Seventh-day Adventists are either vehemently protesting it or are nowhere to be found.

To view brother Bell’s present truth website, click here http://www.thenightcometh.org/  We suggest the enlightening audio studies.

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Next week we will be bringing a two-part post concerning “Thy Kingdom Come” so because of the many Scriptures pointing out that “Israel” will soon receive His many promises, we needed to  clear up the fact of who is Israel today. Once we understand this we can then know who benefits from these promises. Let us keep the solid warning in mind, that we must “overcome” in order to become a part of His last day Israel(Review and Herald, Nov. 19, 1908). All the talk of these promises won’t mean a thing to us if we haven’t overcome our cherished sins. May the Lord strengthen us in being victorious over sin.

Posted in Proper teachings, Understanding Paul's writings | 2 Comments »

A Sabbath Study

September 28, 2013

This week we’d like to review some important aspects of Sabbath keeping. We are all aware as Seventh Day Adventists that we are the people of God today who profess to strictly honor Him on His day. But unfortunately we have steadily retreated towards Egypt in this regard. We have become, in many cases a poor example of proper Sabbath observance. Let us look at some areas we have gone off track and how we can get back on the straight and narrow in regards to Sabbath keeping.

In (Amos 8:5) we read“..When will the New Moon be over that we may sell grain, and the Sabbath be ended that we may market wheat?…”—

What do we find in the above?  We see a few truths worth noting. Aside from the fact that it deals with dishonest tradesmen, we notice a subtle underlying  truth in regards to the Sabbath.  The Lord is upset and will spare no longer. He’s had enough. He tells us, “The end has come upon My people Israel…”(Amos 8:1) Then He describes who He’s addressing, “Hear this, you who swallow up the needy and make the poor of the land fail, saying…”(Amos 8:4).

Then we see the above highlighted verses. They are describing those who are of the worldly mindset and are going through the motions of Sabbath keeping. Notice they are thinking of how soon the Sabbath will be over. So that they can get back to being deceitful and dishonest “sell the bad wheat”. Although they surely aren’t aware that what they do is bad. Their thinking is obviously “we have fulfilled our duty, hurry up let’s be done with it.” They are the going through the motions–Sabbath keepers.

So God’s word through Amos show us that He is watching our motives for Sabbath keeping. Are we enjoying the day, keeping it holy? Or are we going through the motions, secretly looking forward to it ending so that we can go on with our lifestyle? What we can learn here is that Sabbath is a time for the Lord and the Lord only. All other things, including our motives, must be devoted to Him, lest He search us out and find us naked in this regard. “”I will search with lanterns in Jerusalem’s darkest corners to punish those who sit complacent in their sins. They think the LORD will do nothing to them, either good or bad.” (Zeph. 1:12)

What are some of the ways we can check ourselves to see if our motives are wrong?

1) Checking the clock frequently during Sabbath

2) Devoting time to non-Sabbath activities such as internet searching for worldly things (also with handhelds). If we are to use electronic devices on the Sabbath, let it be for God’s glory, not our own desires. Reading the Scriptures, studying a report of God’s prophecies and such are what we can use these devices for on Sabbath.

3) Engaging in worldly conversation throughout the Sabbath (politics, business, social issues, etc.)

4) Doing any “work” even “religious work” that we should not be doing on the Sabbath , that can and should be done on the regular “work days”.

Concerning number 4, brother Houteff explains, ”

 “As a people we have forgotten the true meaning of Sabbath keeping.  We have come to suppose that anything which pertains more or less to religion is permissible on God’s holy day.  It is said, It is the Lord’s work.  But God has never said anywhere in the Scriptures that His people are at liberty to do all manners of work (that pertain to religion) on the Sabbath day. 

Work which can be done on a day other than the Sabbath is not a work for the Sabbath.  “Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: In it thou shalt not do any work.”

   Note the way the commandment reads: “Any work.”  God does not mean that we can do our work in the six days, and His on the Sabbath.  He says it is a day of rest: Not physical, but spiritual rest.  For instance, it would be wrong for one to sell good religious books on the Sabbath, even if he turned all the proceeds to the church.

  It would be wrong for a surgeon to perform surgical operations on patients on the Sabbath  day if it can be done at another time.  It would be wrong for a nurse to give treatments to patients on the Sabbath day if it was not absolutely necessary.  Read Volume 7, page 106.

It would be wrong for a church council to meet on the Sabbath and discuss church business, or make plans of any kind.  It would be wrong for a Sabbath keeper to load himself with evangelical announcements for a series of meetings, and distribute them from house to house on the Sabbath day.  All this manner of work could be done on a day other than the Sabbath.

   When we do this kind of work on the Sabbath, we do it to save ourselves an hour or so of time for the next day, thus we rob God of His time and add it to our secular pleasure.  If it is wrong for one to go and sell good religious books on the Sabbath, though he turns all the proceeds to the Church, it would be doubly wrong to sell that same book in the house of God on the Sabbath day, regardless of what is done with the income. 

If all of this is true, then it would be wrong to go out with Harvest In gathering papers and receive contributions for missions on the Sabbath.  It is time for God to call our attention to these things.” (Shepherd’s Rod, vol. 1, p.148-149)

Next we find another prevalent concern today–buying and selling on the Sabbath.This is  really a big problem within our church. I remember when I first came into the church, the old timers (members of experience) asked me if I would like to join them for lunch at the local restaurant after Sabbath services. Being new to Sabbath keeping I said “sure, why not.”

As I progressed in the walk, I found out that buying and selling was strictly forbid. Nehemiah’s admonish is the word of God that the Lord guided me to.

“In those days I saw people in Judah treading wine presses on the Sabbath and bringing in grain and loading it on donkeys, together with wine, grapes, figs and all other kinds of loads. And they were bringing all this into Jerusalem on the Sabbath. Therefore I warned them against selling food on that day.  People from Tyre who lived in Jerusalem were bringing in fish and all kinds of merchandise and selling them in Jerusalem on the Sabbath to the people of Judah.

I rebuked the nobles of Judah and said to them, “What is this wicked thing you are doing—desecrating the Sabbath day?  Didn’t your ancestors do the same things, so that our God brought all this calamity on us and on this city? Now you are stirring up more wrath against Israel by desecrating the Sabbath.”

When evening shadows fell on the gates of Jerusalem before the Sabbath, I ordered the doors to be shut and not opened until the Sabbath was over. I stationed some of my own men at the gates so that no load could be brought in on the Sabbath day.  Once or twice the merchants and sellers of all kinds of goods spent the night outside Jerusalem.

But I warned them and said, “Why do you spend the night by the wall? If you do this again, I will arrest you.” From that time on they no longer came on the Sabbath. Then I commanded the Levites to purify themselves and go and guard the gates in order to keep the Sabbath day holy.”(Nehemiah 13:15-22)

Wow! Now if we don’t get the point from the above verses we shall never understand much of anything pertaining to the Sabbath ways of the Lord! Again, it is clearly shown by God’s inspired Scriptures that buying and selling is a no-no on the Sabbath. And yes that would include things like buying gas to get to church! There is a reason they call Friday–preparation day. We foresee and prepare for Sabbath in advance.

Then we have the solemn case of the man who wanted to pick up sticks on the Sabbath. Sounds harmless and innocent right? Let’s see how this is the example of how serious our Lord takes the Sabbath and it’s observance.

(Number 15:32-37) -” While the Israelites were in the wilderness, a man was found gathering wood on the Sabbath day.  Those who found him gathering wood brought him to Moses and Aaron and the whole assembly, and they kept him in custody, because it was not clear what should be done to him.  Then the Lord said to Moses, “The man must die. The whole assembly must stone him outside the camp.”  So the assembly took him outside the camp and stoned him to death, as the Lord commanded Moses.”

Solemn is an understatement. This shows us that the Sabbath is not to be carelessly observed. In other words, if the Lord did this to this man, can we expect Him to clear us of things much worse? “For I am the Lord, I do not change..” (Malachi 3:6). If we are tempted to stop at the market, or by gas, or watch worldly TV on Sabbath, can we expect the Lord to say “Looks like  I made a mistake in ordering the stoning of that man because I forgive you for this.”? Of course not.

Yes, the Lord will forgive us if we mess up once in a while but once we know the light on His truth we are expected to obey Him in this regard. But if we do, we repent and turn from it. In explaining how the Lord deals with sin, including Sabbath sins, Ellen White explains–

“In all His dealings with His creatures God has maintained the principles of righteousness by revealing sin in its true character—by demonstrating that its sure result is misery and death. The unconditional pardon of sin never has been, and never will be. Such pardon would show the abandonment of the principles of righteousness, which are the very foundation of the government of God. It would fill the unfallen universe with consternation. God has faithfully pointed out the results of sin, and if these warnings were not true, how could we be sure that His promises would be fulfilled?” (God’s Amazing Grace, p. 73).

So we should learn from the above that should we carelessly observe His Sabbath, and then compound it by not asking for forgiveness and also  not turning away from it, we are in effect asking the Lord to give us an “unconditional pardon”! Woe unto us this thought!

I have often pointed out this simple and straight testimony. When God created us , He gave us 7 days in each week. Is it unreasonable to give back just one of those days strictly devoted to Him?  Unfortunately the vast mankind of the earth thinks it is! They want to claim it all.

God’s history with His people has many times centered around this one area –poor Sabbath keeping. We can read clear admonishments in this regard in Jeremiah and Ezekiel.

“Thus says the LORD: “Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the Sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem; nor carry a burden out of your houses on the Sabbath day, nor do any work, but hallow the Sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers.”  (Jer. 17:21-22)

“You have despised My holy things and profaned My Sabbaths.” (Ezek.22:8)

In closing let us look at the beautiful Sabbath promise of our Lord.

“If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the LORD’s holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.” The mouth of the LORD has spoken.(Isaiah 58:13-14)

Posted in Obedience, Sabbath | Leave a Comment »

Tough Love

September 21, 2013

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Many of us remember the famous documentary called ” Scared Straight”. Wikipedia describes it as follows, “Scared Straight! is a 1978 documentary directed by Arnold Shapiro. Narrated by Peter Falk, the subject of the documentary is a group of juvenile delinquents and their three-hour session with actual convicts. Filmed at Rahway State Prison, a group of inmates known as the “lifers” berate, scream at, and terrify the young offenders in an attempt to “scare them straight” (hence the film’s title) so that those teenagers will avoid prison life.”

There can be no doubt that the above is an extreme example of–tough love. The object is to reach out yet because of the circumstances, the approach is somewhat harsh and  firm. The situation calls for more than “nice words” to reach the parties. Let us look at a similar plan that God’s inspired word teaches us. A path that although “tough” is the right one to reach the wayward or lost.

Some of us also remember when we were kids, our mothers would make us take that awful tasting medicine. We’d yell and scream-“no, no!” Then in a little while we’d be much better and realize that the tough medicine really was good for us.Those with child like faith and humbleness would also see that tough love medicine is good for them, if they would repent from their unrighteousness.

In (Gal.6:10) we read,”So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

Here we see that we are “especially” to do good to our brothers and sisters in the faith. There should be a special interest here. But when we desire to do good, could it be that being tough and firm, is the right approach, the real way to “do good” under a specific situation? We care so much for them that we give them tough medicine because under the circumstance, this is the best hope for a “cure”. A way to make them awake and hopefully to help them see that they are heading down the wrong path, potentially a deadly path.

Another example of tough love is from the Lord Himself, “As many as I love I rebuke and chasten…” (Rev.3:19). Our Lord loves us enough to straighten us out by correction in rebuke and chastising.

Some of us brethren have witnessed  brothers or sisters “in the faith” who take it upon themselves to kind of be the lone ranger, the gunslinger (spiritually) if you will. They closely watch others with a keen eye. Ready to criticize or rebuke at any thing they might witness that was not to their liking. They scour Facebook. Soon they leave a trail of discord. The brothers and sisters are all witnesses to the dissension they put forth, which they claim as God inspired.

Their approach is not Biblical because they fail to consult a couple of “neutral” brethren on the thing which they accuse the brethren publicly. Neutral parties could help collaborate it or not. All of this is the God inspired practice of settling the issue.

But over time it appears that nothing good comes from their attempt to straighten out what they claim as error. Worse yet some publicly lambasted the brethren. In (Roman 16:17) we read, “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.”

So what are we to do with such a brethren? We are to give him tough love. That means avoid them. We shouldn’t appease them and mislead them by supporting them in any way. If we take the attitude of a sister who suggested that we “continue to love them and support them”, we are  in fact  dismissing our duty. Her idea of love is not real love, its false love and security, and goes against clear Scripture. Kind of like “forget your medicine brother, we’ll let you die but we love you.”

Remember sowing discord is one of the things the Lord hates. “There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him:…A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”(Proverbs 6:16-19)

Paul gives us clear tough love advice, “”If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” (Matt. 18:15-17).

Again Paul counsels, “As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.”(Titus 3:10-11)

So here we see that we reach out first. If that fails we separate ourselves from them. The objective is to send a clear desperate signal that what they are doing is not right, even if they think it is. It is important , though, to let them know before you dis-associate from them why you are doing so and with the appropriate inspired words of God. This will at least let them know your reasons and they’ll hopefully ponder them. If you are somewhat close to them or friendly, this most surely will send a strong signal to awake IF their conscience  is not seared.

One thing you should not do is leave then with out telling them why. This would be most selfish and leave nothing but confusion with the person you are suppose to be helping.

What about a brother or sister who teaches a doctrine not firmly supported by the Scriptures, SOP, or Elijah message?  John has our tough love answer. ” He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.”(2 John verses 9-11).

That’s very strong tough love, ” do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.” How many of us today do this? But it’s the firm word of God is it not? Are we to ignore it has too harsh? No, it’s God tough love medicine to make them think strongly of their wrong course.

Today we hear from our pastors and leaders, “love everybody, fellowship with Sunday keepers, just accept them for who they are.” In fact it’s even worse than that. See the post “Backs to the Temple” of how we have not  turned them away from our house but welcomed them with arms wide open!  https://godsloveandlaw.com/2013/08/17/backs-toward-the-temple/

Let us review what we have learned. We should want to help those who we know to be in error. But we should be prepared that, should they dismiss our reaching out to them, we must dis-fellowship from them in order to send a serious signal that we see their path as a dangerous one.

So what are the main things we should consider in dis-fellowshipping with the brethren? To summarize —

1) Sowing discord — Constant criticizing, judging, arguing and so forth surely causes discord. As such we cannot support such behavior.

2) Spreading false doctrine — As we are obedient in the Lord, we’ll be helped to know what is from God and what is not. You can rest assured that those who are spreading false doctrine are not obeying the Lord, somewhere , somehow they are dis-obeying Him. The Spirit of Truth is promised us (John 16:13) and once we have received this gift we shall know Truth. Thus we cannot associate with those wanting to subvert His truth.

Some of the false doctrine may include :

a) Teaching that there is to come more than one prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.

b) Teaching that no church purification happens prior to the Loud Cry.

c) Teaching that tells us we have to keep all the feasts and ceremonies. Jesus’ blood did not cover that.

d) Teaching of extreme grace. Our sins can remain in our life and practicing them is of no consequence to our salvation. The Lord forgives us regardless.

3) Hypocrisy — If we know a brother or sister who actively professes the faith yet we witness their continual sinning openly, we cannot support such behavior. This is quite serious and can only lead to their destruction and therefore we must send as strong a signal as possible to hopefully awake them.

How long must we reach out before we dismiss? There’s no set answer to that. The Holy Spirit must guide each case. In my own walk, I have been told to quickly dismiss certain individuals, with others I have been told to strive longer with them. I would suppose it depends on the unrighteousness (lack of right doing) they are doing.

As far as the ones who are planting seeds of false doctrine, we are more clear. “If anyone desires to do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it is of God or whether I speak of Myself.(John 7:17)

If we are obedient to the Lord we shall have that “sixth sense” of what is true doctrine and what is false. Consequently those who we know to be spreading false teachings and doctrines, we must avoid, even to the point of not accepting them into our homes. computers, or wherever.

The willingness to obey the Lord and live a converted life, no longer cherishing sins, really does give us 20/20 vision in knowing truth from error.

In closing, should they ever come to us in repentance, we should be like the proverbial father in the parable who sees him afar and can’t wait to accept him again (Luke 15:11-32). Unity is what gives us  brethren in Christ a strong foothold against the evil ones. If we obey the word of God in regards to tough love when we know by the Holy Spirit it’s to only course to take,  we will do as He says and leave the results with God.

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A Study of Three Christian Walks, Part 2 of 2

September 14, 2013

Before we continue let us review what has transpired.

David was seeking to find some answers on the 144,000 issue. As the church hadn’t spoken much about it, he was left to search on his own. Finding an online sermon, he thrilled to know that much of the subject had been made clear. In his joy and desire to spread these wonderful truths, he began to go to others within the church.

Deborah searched the subject out as well, studying with David. Both felt the importance of  Ellen White’s strict instruction to “strive with all power God has given“ to be among the 144,000.  “Let us strive with all the power that God has given us to be among the hundred and forty-four thousand. And let us do all that we can to help others to gain heaven.”––Review and Herald, March 9, 1905.They obviously deducted that one can only strive with “all power” if they thoroughly study the subject.

David and Deborah never thought to inquire from whom the teachings were from before listening to the study. They listened without prejudice in order to give it a fair chance.  Both had one goal in mind–to know more about the 144,000. Their focus keen, their thoughts pure, their mind open.

Let us continue with the story.

The next day Deborah was still very troubled, so later that day she decided to call David. “Hi David, this is Deborah” she started. “Oh hi Deborah, how you doing?” David responded. “Not well” she solemnly said. “What happened?” he responded. “I got a call from Johnny and he said what we’re studying is from an offshoot group from the 30’s, he said it’s error.” she said flatly. “What?” David responded incredulously.

“Yes, you heard right I’m afraid” she lamented. “Oh sister, something is terribly wrong, we must get together. I have been doing nothing but further studies on this teaching and I have some insight into what is happening here.” David advised.  So later that week they got together and David explained the history. It was nothing like Johnny had said or implied. He showed Deborah the specific historical writings of what exactly took place on the one and only supposed “investigation” of the teachings of the “Shepherd’s Rod” by Victor T. Houteff. (read here for history of the one historical meeting between VTH and the SDA leaders http://www.shepherds-rod.org/Tracts/trac007.html )

In other words, Johnny’s claim of a thorough investigation was not accurate. After the study Deborah was comforted but still was perplexed. David was as well. They couldn’t figure out why the teachings were wrong and why Johnny counselled against something which he had obviously not investigated himself. The total lessons were all based on Scripture and Spirit of Prophecy. They both knew a serious discussion with Johnny would have to take place.

So David and Deborah went before the Lord in prayer in order to be prepared to sit down and have a serious discussion with Johnny. “Study to show your selves approved..”(2 Tim. 2:15)  and ” If you will search the Scriptures on your knees, then you will know them and you will be able to give to every man who asketh you a reason of the hope that is within you” {1888 Materials P.152). These were guiding words of God that they depended on.

A few days after the aforementioned study, Johnny called David. Here is the conversation.

David: Hello

Johnny: Hi David, this is Johnny from the church.

David: Hi Johnny

Johnny;  I’m sure you’ve probably heard from Deborah the reason for my call

David: Yes I have

Johnny: We’ve had some good fellowship together David and as an elder, I’m sure you know it’s my responsibility to warn our members of any false teaching coming into the church

David: With all due respect Johnny, can you give me one example of false teaching as presented in the Shepherd’s Rod teachings?

Johnny: Not off-hand but I know the church leaders looked into this thoroughly way back in the 30’s and found it in error.

David: Oh yeah. Well give me the documentation on the “thorough study” so I can review it.

Johnny: Listen David, do yourself a favor and don’t get involved in that teaching, trust me.

David: Sorry Johnny but we are counselled to trust no man. Please read Jeremiah 17:5. For your information I have studied this subject well and have found it is not as you say it is.

The conversation ended shortly after with both holding on to their positions. A few weeks went by and then Deborah called Johnny to ask for a study together. Herself, David, Johnny and someone Johnny would like to bring  could all get together and discuss the issue. Johnny never returned her call or went to her in church to discuss the matter.

Fast forward to 3 years later.

David has continued to study the Bible, Spirit of prophecy and the Shepherd’s Rod (Elijah message). He’s spread the message to many all over, including around the world. He has sent literature, dvd’s and cd’s. He has kept busy in the Lord’s vineyard. David was no longer asked to speak before the church. He experienced murmuring against him as word spread that he was involved in “false teaching” yet no one from the church ever inquired to meet with him to see why he was  zealous about this  new light message of  Elijah.

Deborah has also continued to study, being convinced in the Lord’s Elijah message as one of truth. She also spread the message. She also has been murmured against. But has stood firm in the faith. Both her and David have stopped serving in the capacity of “tithe helpers”. This required them to participate in a custom that they found to be an abomination to the Lord in His sanctuary on the Sabbath. They both learned that Sunday (the first day of week) was scriptural  correct day for tithe collection. (for more info on this see —https://godsloveandlaw.com/2013/06/22/the-sdas-original-systematic-benevolence/

Johnny has never looked into the teachings he claims are in error. He has trusted in the former and present church leaders to tell him what is truth and what is error. His position is set and is unmovable. Although he is not aware of it, he is fulfilling prophecy – ‘I am rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.” (Rev. 3:17)

Summary-

This two-part story is an example of what has been played out time and again through out the years and even decades in the SDA church. Even today a similar situation is frequently occurring worldwide in our church. Once we decide to search out the truth we must look to the Lord first and foremost. Notice that David came upon that sermon that showed him the light of truth he sought (the real 144,000 answers). This did not come by happen stance. The Spirit of Truth  had guided him (John  16:13).

We also saw that Deborah was just like David, was an active “searcher” of the truth. In this she was rewarded as the promise said “..seek and you shall find”(Matt. 7:7). They continued to “Prove all things, hold fast that which is good”(1 Thess. 5:21) in spite of the opposition and murmuring. Johnny attempted to block their path in finding truth “…You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.”(Luke 11:52).

Below are some Scriptural and SOP  and Elijah references that you can read and see if they apply to the 3 characters in our story. We MUST take into our own hands the awesome responsibility to seek the Lord and His Truth before He comes suddenly and surprisingly (Mal. 3:1-3). Seek Him in study and prayer. If this is done sincerely we are promised to be guided into “all truth” (John 16:13).

__________________________________________________

“How shall we search the Scriptures in order to understand what they teach? We should come to the investigation of God’s word with a contrite heart, a teachable and prayerful spirit. We are not to think, as did the Jews, that our own ideas and opinions are infallible; nor with the papists, that certain individuals are the sole guardians of truth and knowledge, that men have no right to search the Scriptures for themselves, but must accept the explanations given by the fathers of the church. We should not study the Bible for the purpose of sustaining our preconceived opinions, but with the single object of learning what God has said.” (Test. to Min., p.105)

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

The Lord often works where we least expect Him; He surprises us by revealing His power through instruments of His own choice, while He passes by the men to whom we have looked as those through whom light should come. God desires us to receive the truth upon its own merits—because it is truth.” (Test. to Min. p.105-106).

“To hold yourselves aloof from an investigation of truth is not the way to carry out the Saviour’s injunction to ‘search the Scriptures.’ Is it digging for hidden treasures to call the results of someone’s labor a mass of rubbish, and make no critical examination to see whether or not there are precious jewels of truth in the collection of thought which you condemn?

Will those who have almost everything to learn keep themselves away from every meeting where there is an opportunity to investigate the messages that come to the people, simply because they imagine the views held by the teachers of the truth may be out of harmony with what they have conceived as truth? Thus it was that the Jews did in the days of Christ, and we are warned not to do as they did, and be led to choose darkness rather than light, because there was in them an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God. No one of those who imagine that they know it all is too old or too intelligent to learn from the humblest of the messengers of the living God.

“When asked to hear the reasons of a doctrine that you do not understand, do not condemn the message until you have given it a thorough investigation, and know from the word of God that it is not tenable.

“When new light is presented to the church, it is perilous to shut yourselves away from it. Refusing to hear because you are prejudiced against the message or the messenger will not make your case excusable before God. To condemn that which you have not heard and do not understand will not exalt your wisdom in the eyes of those who are candid in their investigations of truth. And to speak with contempt of those whom God has sent with a message of truth, is folly and madness.”–CSW 28-32.

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

“He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.” Prov. 18:13.

“Truth is eternal, and conflict with error will only make manifest it’s strength. We should never refuse to examine the Scriptures with those who. we have reason to believe, desire to know the truth. Suppose a brother held a view that differed from yours, and he should come to you, proposing that you sit down with him and make an investigation of that point in the Scriptures; should you rise up, filled with prejudice , and condemn his ideas, while refusing to give him a candid hearing?

The only right way would be to sit down as Christians and investigate the position presented in the light of God’s word, which will reveal truth and unmask error.” (Test. to Ministers , p105-106)

“The best way to expose the fallacy of error is to present the evidences of truth. This is the greatest rebuke that can be given to error.”–E. G. White, Pacific Union Recorder, Oct. 23, 1902.

“What a fearful responsibility rests upon those who carelessly handle the Word of God, who pose as soul guardians over the people!  Both they and their abominations will fall in the ditch.  Indeed, if any reform is needed in Christendom, this one is.

Having now learned better, let us no longer make idols of men; let us no longer give place within us to unclean spirits.  Let us rather give the Spirit of God a chance to lead us into His ever-advancing Truth with personal understanding.” (Timely Greetings, vol.1, no.18, p.17)

“When a point of doctrine that you do not understand comes to your attention, go to God on your knees, that you may understand what is truth, and not be found as were the Jews, fighting against God. While warning men to beware of accepting anything unless it is truth, we should also warn them not to imperil their souls by rejecting messages of light, but to press out of the darkness by earnest study of the word of God.”–TM 109, 110.

“Even as it is a blessed thing to accept the truth, so it is a fearful thing to reject it. And rejection need not include all truth. To reject a part may be just as fatal as to reject the whole. So all should beware.” (Shepherd’s Rod, vol. 1, p.160)

 

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A study of Three Christian Walks, Part 1 of 2

September 7, 2013

Johnny is a middle-aged man, a devout religious man, and elder in the SDA church.He’s been a SDA his whole life, being brought up by his parents to be strictly a God-fearing man.

Deborah is a young woman in her late 20’s, single, and a SDA member for 8 years. She’s active in her church but hasn’t felt the inspiration to join in any official capacity of the church. She loves the church and gives her time when she can help out in a church cause.

David is a middle-aged man, single, had somewhat of a rough life. He was a biker and in a not so nice group for a few years. His life was completely opposite of a Christian life, drinking, smoking, carousing , you name it he took part in it. Then about 5 years ago, he decided to read the Bible from beginning to end. It changed his life, the power of God’s word took this low and unholy man and transformed him.

This story is about these three people and the different paths they take on their Christian walk. Let us now she how and why they made the decisions they did. How their course will decide their future destiny.

Let us begin with Johnny and David.

As we noted, Johnny devoutly holds on to his membership and serves as an elder. He is sometimes asked to give the Sabbath school lesson and often helps with various church functions (lunches, meetings, social functions, Sabbath functions such as door greeter, tithe helper, etc.)

He feels his life is going very well and that his walk is just where it should be. His family is growing and also they are members of the church as well. His personality is such that he makes friends easy and is a good listener.

One day he arrives early, about 9 a.m. Sabbath morning. As he walks up to the steps he meets an unusual looking man. He has longer hair than is normal but well-kept. His dress is also well-kept, though simple.  The stranger reaches out to shake his hand. “Hello sir, my name is David, I’m new to this church” he says. Johnny responds, “Oh, good. Can I help you in any way?”  David responds, “Not really, I just wanted to introduce myself.” Johnny pauses for a moment then says, “Ok, nice to meet you, come on in if you’d like”.  “Ok” David responds.

They go in together and Johnny goes off to take care of a few tasks. David goes into the sanctuary. David sits down towards the front and looks over the  church bulletin. As it is early, he’s the only one in the sanctuary. Shortly after reading this, David gets on his knees and begins prayer in God’s house. He well knows the Scripture, “.It is written, My house is to be called a house of prayer…”(Matt. 21:13)

Later the services begin and the house is more filled and the Sabbath service goes on to completion.

As time goes by David and Johnny becomes church friends. They enjoy each other and have had more than one church lunch together. David is more reserved and hasn’t requested to join the church officially or to be in an official position (deacon, elder, etc.). Johnny noticed that David was quite particular in his ways. He showed an eye for details and seemed to be more zealous than normal in wanting to honor the Lord.

For instance, the last church lunch, at the beginning of the lunch service, David had noticed that the long sliding curtain  door that separated the sanctuary from the lunch room was left wide open. The laughter, the loud conversation, all the noise was going right into the sanctuary. So David got up and walked over to the curtains and closed them himself. He preferred to keep  the sanctuary separated from the commotion in the lunch room.  Johnny saw this and mentioned that it was good to do that (although Johnny went through many lunches without that thought ever occurring to him).

Johnny also noticed that during the lunches , David’s conversation would mostly be about the things of the Lord. For David remembered .”If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath…nor speaking your own words, then you shall delight yourself in the LORD; and I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth..” (Isaiah 58:13-14)  So over time David showed to Johnny and to other’s that he was quite dedicated to the Lord. His actions backed up his words.  David became a full-fledged member by being baptized into the SDA church. Later David was invited to be an occasional speaker for the pre-Sabbath school lessons.

Now let’s look at our other party, Deborah. She as mentioned had joined the church 8 years ago and she , too, was committed to obeying the Lord as best she knew. Although no one else in her family were SDA (they were Catholics) she came to believe in the Sabbath by her daily study of Scripture. After being convicted of God’s holy day, she decided to start worshiping on the true Biblical Sabbath. She made time to devote to study and the things of the Lord. As time went on she also had become friends with both Johnny and David. Although somewhat reserved like David, she still was friendly and willing to engage in fellowship with other members.

But of the three, David was by far the more zealous student. God’s word and the Spirit of Prophecy became his passion. He seldom watched TV, didn’t have time to listen to much music or other things of the world,  and put into practice all that he learned from God.

Then one day David was on the internet after getting home from Sabbath services. He had been involved in a deep study on the topic of the 144,000. In his study of the Spirit of prophecy, he found were Ellen White had said to “strive with all power God has given us to be among the 144,000.” (Review and Herald, March 9, 1905).  As he surfed the net, he noticed a sermon call “The 144,000, who are they?” He decided to listen to. About 30 minutes into it, he suddenly fell to his knees! He had found his answer! The light had shown in all it’s glory.http://www.shepherds-rod-message.org/audio/rev_7.mp3 (audio  sermon)

As he had struggled with this subject for many months, he had been so confused. For the church taught that the 144,000 were like “super apostles” yet he knew SOP very well and the picture of them from this source showed something different in many regards. But now, as he listened to SOP and Scripture, both had come completely together in revealing the mystery of who, what and where are the 144,000. Quotes and references were used and not just “I said so”.

So after the sermon was heard David was stunned. Why hadn’t all these quotes and references been discussed in the church?  Why the silence? Being sold out to Christ (meaning the Lord came first in all areas of his life) David pondered this deeply. But on the other hand he was elated that his God had gifted him with these powerful and majestic truths.

So as he pondered how to communicate the new light shown to him,he began to study further the teachings of the person who had done the sermon. He found out that he was from an organization based out of New York. He ordered some free CD’s and DVD’s from them. David carefully listened to them all. His joy was increasing as all these new teachings were completely backed up by SOP and the Bible. He felt he was standing on solid ground.

Then one day as he arrived early to church, he met Deborah and asked her if she would like to do a study with him on the 144,000. She responded, “Yes! I have always wanted to know more about that subject.” So they agreed to get together later that week to study.

The study went well and Deborah was quite impressed as she had many questions that were soundly cleared up in her correspondence with David. David handed her some CD’s and DVD’s and literature to further study.

The following week she called David, “Hi David, I want to let you know that those Cd’s you gave me are awesome!” I never heard anything like it! Why doesn’t our church talk about these future things?”  David responded, ” I have been thinking the same thing.”

So they both decided that they would make copies of them and pass them to selected members of the church. their joy was great in these truths and they wanted others to have joy as well. So on Sabbath they both arrive early with their new material. Deborah sees Johnny in the foyer. “Elder Johnny, how are you?” she says. “I’m fine Deborah and you?” he responds. “Oh Johnny, I have got some great Cd’s and DVd’s you MUST hear, it explains the truth of the 144,000 and also about Revelation”.

Johnny takes them then asks,”who is it  from?”  Deborah doesn’t really know as she hadn’t asked this question. All she knew is that it was solidly based on Scripture and Ellen White. Her thinking was that even if a monkey had put it together–it was great! Johnny said he would review it and get back to her. David has also passed a few to others before services.

The following week, Deborah gets a call from Johnny. He says. “Hello Deborah, this is Johnny from church. “Oh hi Johnny” she says. “Listen I must tell you that what you are listening to is what is known as the ‘Shepherd’s Rod’, an offshoot group that the church investigated back in the early 30’s and found in error.” She was speechless for a moment. “what do you mean?” she haltingly said.

“Deborah, this teaching is full of error and you shouldn’t get involved with it. The church has studied it, and like I said found it is in error. Please sister don’t get involved in this” he said firmly. “Oh wow. Well I’ll talk to David about this and get his feed back.” she responded. “David?” Johnny asked. “Yes David was the one who gave them to me.” She replied. “Oh I see, well I’ll need to call him as well, we can’t have this teaching going around our church. The Lord wouldn’t want that.” Johnny interjected.

After the call Deborah sank to the ground. Her mind was so confused. She remembered all the solid words of truth she had heard, yet could it somehow be lies and falsehood as well? She spent the night in turmoil. Her prayers were many that night.

Stay tuned for next week’s 2nd part and conclusion.

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Clarifying the Last Prophet

August 31, 2013

Victor Houteff

Today a vital understanding is important in regards to understanding what a prophet of God and a messenger of God really is. Also we must understand who the “last” one is to be. Let us begin by finding out what a prophet of God is. We begin with the Spirit of Prophecy.

“In the highest sense the prophet was one who spoke by direct inspiration, communicating to the people the messages he had received from God. But the name was given also to those who, though not so directly inspired, were divinely called to instruct the people in the works and ways of God.” (Education, p.46)

Here we see that there was “direct inspiration” prophets and then there was “not so directly inspired” prophets. However we should note that she is describing the title in  past notations . It’s important to note that today we are faced with some solid words that show there are no more “prophets” after the Elijah prophet.

“God speaks through his appointed agencies, and let no man, or confederacy of men, insult the Spirit of God by refusing to hear the message of God’s word from the lips of his chosen messengers. By refusing to hear the message of God, men close themselves in a chamber of darkness. They shut their own souls away from vast blessings, and rob Christ of the glory that should come to him, by showing disrespect to his appointed agencies.”(Review and Herald, Sept.5, 1893)

The above clearly says that we are to listen to His chosen messengers, lest we close ourselves “in a chamber of darkness.”

To illuminate further what a prophet is we read in (Amos 3:7) , ” Surely the Lord God does nothing unless He reveals His secrets to His servants the prophets.” We see that the Lord does something only after he reveals it to His spokesmen-the prophets. So one of the main aspects of prophets is to foretell what the Lord will do.

For examples of this clear foretelling of upcoming events we can refer a few examples. Malachi predicted “..the Lord , whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple..” Has this happened yet? No, this prophet has declared what the Lord will do (future tense).

Ellen White has declared that the world’s governments will establish a “Sunday law”, has this happened? No yet, but this will come to pass.

Also in (2 Peter 1:20-21) we read, ” Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”

Again we see that all foretelling and the interpretation of foretelling events of Scripture is left only to the Holy Spirit which God anoints to a “holy” man, a prophet, or in Ellen’s case–a holy woman.

Today, unfortunately, God’s people have seen in their midst a few who have illegally mounted the “prophet” throne and proclaimed themselves as such, directly or indirectly. Either saying so upfront or implying it, or not denying it should their followers make the claim. But this false usurping is thoroughly debased if we will only seriously study the clear, simple, plain word of God through His prophets.

Let us look at solid evidence that only one prophet is to come in the last days. As we’ve mentioned many times before, there is two clear quotes from the word of God that point this out. We shall quote them and after them we shall add what the Elijah prophet himself said about this subject. Let us remember that the Elijah prophet is to “restore all things” and that this spokesman of the Lord, is the last source(restoration) we must refer to because it’s the last word of the Lord.

How many of us would like to arrive in a city and ask the people there for a 20 year old map? Of course we’d want the latest to know where we are going and how to get there. It’s the same with His latest prophet, it’s the Lord’s latest map to the kingdom.

As we search Scripture closely we find the well-known Malachi 4:5,  and it reads, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.”

Then we have the other unmistakable quote from Spirit of Prophecy.

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

We notice that they both show ONE person, a male, to come in the spirit and power of Elijah. What is the prophet to do? Obviously from the two quotes we can see that he is to bring a message. And that is to be about the great and dreadful day of the Lord, and how we can survive it. In other words to reveal plainly what this day is to be like and to be prepared. We see he describes this day from his God-given ability to “interpret” Scriptures. But he will not succeed initially . Why? Because the people will say “you do not interpret the Scriptures in the proper way, let me tell you how to teach your message.”

The people, which can only be God’s remnant people, the Seventh Day Adventist people, will know that this man (Elijah) will have a message to bear. But they will be led to put it down and others will step forward to proclaim another message apart from the God-given one. A Elijah message of reform and reformation will be replaced by a smooth and peace and safety message.

Has this happened? Yes indeed! Brother Victor Houteff has been the ONLY large-scale “interpreter” from our SDA history to have qualified to fit this specific prophecy. Can we name any other in our history known for his interpretations, claiming his work as Elijah,  and then rejected?  No we cannot.

His interpretations were numerous, his writings uncovered “hidden” treasures of truth, never before in history declared or understood. Even the Jews were stumped on the meanings of some of the prophecies that Victor Houteff soundly uncovered. Yet the great majority of the SDA, at the urging of the leaders, blindly turned away from investigating this Elijah prophet’s writings and symbolic charts.

“Oh Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent you, how often I have longed to gather your children, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! ” (Luke 13:34)

Because of this rejection, we now can see why Ellen White prophesied that a “small portion” would be saved in the remnant church. (Testimonies for the Church, Vol.1, p.608-609). The Lord does not change (Mal. 3:6). If he spared only 2 from over the age of 20, out of hundreds of thousands in the Egypt exodus, will He let down His standards now? Will He overlook the fact that we  reject a prophet He sent? Search  our history, not once did He ever give His people a pass once they soundly rejected His prophets. His judgments followed and they were thorough. That is why we continually plead to all who will listen —read and study the last prophet’s words for they are the Lords!

So it is clear that only one male prophet is to come after Ellen White.

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

Let us now look at the direct words spoken by our last prophet addressing  the “last” prophet to come issue. Here are the common excuses used to deny the Elijah prophet.

1) They inject that John the Baptist fulfilled the role of the Elijah to come (Mal. 4:5)

Brother Houteff addresses this — “ Now the question: Is the ancient prophet Elijah himself to re-appear, or is some other, having the same spirit and power, to take his place?

   John the Baptist’s statement that he himself was not the Elijah, and Jesus’ statement that John was the Elijah of that day, not of our day, clear three points:

   (1) That John was not in any sense of the word fulfilling the mission of the Elijah who is to come before the great and dreadful day of the Lord, but that he, the last prophet to the church of his day, simply came in the spirit and power of Elijah, to prepare the way for the Lord’s first advent.  So it is that the Elijah of the great and dreadful day of the Lord, the last prophet to the church of this day, comes in the same spirit and power, to prepare the way for the Lord’s second advent.

   (2) That as John was the Elijah of his day, yet not Elijah the Tishbite himself, then the promise of the prophet Elijah is not necessarily to be fulfilled in person by the ancient prophet himself.

   (3) That as the Elijah of Christ’s first advent was one person, and also as the Elijah of Mt. Carmel of old was one person, not a multitude of priests, then by parity of reasoning the Elijah of today must also be one person, not a multitude of ministers.

   The promise, itself, moreover, is for only one, not for more, and, with but one exception, we know not of any other time when God employed even two prophets (let alone many) at one time, to convey one message to one people.  He invariably called one, and that one himself, under the direction of the Spirit, employed others to help him take the message to the people.  Thus only were any others ever identified with a called one.

 What a blasphemous theft!  — should one endeavor to steal away the truth about the prophet’s office, to pass on a lie instead, — to say that Elijah is not an individual but a group of people, in the face of the fact that the types, and the prophecy as well, besides Heaven’s law and order, disallow such a thing.  Thus to go contrary to Holy Writ is an outright effort to do away forever with the promised prophet of God, as Pharaoh endeavored to do away with Moses by drowning the male Hebrew children, and likewise as Herod tried to do away with Christ by slaying the little children of his day!  What wickedness indeed!  Think this through, too, Brethren.(1950 General Conference Special, p. 31-33)

Next he reveals the real purpose of his message.

No one but a hopeless Laodicean, one who forever holds to his day-dreaming that he has need of nothing more, — no more Truth or prophets, — can fail to see that the prophecies pertaining to the day of God are only dark sentences to him, that he is in need of everything instead of nothing, and that the work of the promised Elijah is not the work which the Laodiceans are doing. 

The Laodicean message (the Judgment for the Dead) is definitely not Elijah’s message, although many may think it is.  That many are blind to this, the Lord points out: “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind and naked.”

   Moreover, we all know that the work of typical Elijah was to do away with the prophets and priests who served Baal instead of God, those who led ancient Israel into the greatest fallacy and folly of the day.  Accordingly, the antitypical Elijah’s work, being in the spirit and power of typical Elijah, must therefore be similar to typical Elijah’s work-restoring Truth and righteousness, and bringing judgment upon the false prophets and teachers in the antitypical day which in itself is the separating of the chaff from the wheat — the work of the Judgment for the Living.”(1950 General Conference Special, p.30-31)

2) The next issue we find today (particularly among some DSDA) is that brother Houteff was not the last prophet to come. This is soundly cleared up if we read and believe , in the plain, simple and clear words of VTH.

“Since God is not experimenting, and since He means just what He says, there should be no doubt in your minds that the Scriptures concerning antitypical Elijah (he who is to awaken the church and to warn the Laodiceans of “the great and the dreadful day of the Lord”‘ make sure that he is one person.  Of a surety, he is to have faithful helpers, but according to the prophet Nahum he will greatly make use of the printing press and will scatter his message by the postage stamp everywhere, as the leaves of autumn.  He will not care what is done with his publications, but will make sure the they find their way into all hands, laps, pockets, yards or waste baskets throughout Laodicea…” (1950 General Conference Special, p.34)

“And since the Enemy cannot get around the Truth, he does all he can to blacken character and to pick flaws in personalities.  The prophet’s message nevertheless cannot be judged by the behavior of its professors, for even the Apostles misconducted themselves before the ascension of Christ.  The multitude, too, that followed Moses was anything by exemplary; in fact, in many instances they were disgraceful.  And the “holy men of God” who wrote the Scriptures were faulty men.   Even Moses himself was not faultless. Regardless, though, he was still Moses, and his was the only message and movement for the day.

   Likewise, irrespective of considerations of personnel faults, frailties, and failings, Elijah’s message and movement will be the only God-sent ones, the only ones to fear, to love, to stand by, to live or to die for.  No, there will be no other shield when heaven opens and the storm breaks in all its dread fury upon the world, to unavoidably pour down its lethal lightning from the skies.

   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.”(1950 General Conference Special, p.8-9)

As if the above is not enough to point out that the Elijah prophet is the last “one” to come, we read, ” Since the promised Elijah is to be the last prophet to the church today, as John the Baptist was the last prophet to the church in his day, and since the last work on earth is the Judgment for the Living, the truth stands forth like the light of day that Elijah’s message is the message of the Judgment for the Living, the last, which in the very nature of the gospel is of far more importance and consequence than any other message ever borne to a people.” (1950 General Conference Special, p.23-24)

3) The claim that Ellen White was the “Elijah” to come. This began in 1962, over 70 years after EGW made the statement that a “he” was to come as the anti-typical Elijah. In 1962 the leaders went back and added an asterisk to (Test. to Ministers, p.475) saying they she was really saying that she was talking of herself as the Elijah to come. Brother Houteff knew of this deception, even in 1950 and addressed it.

“The Judgment for the Dead, furthermore, is not the message of “the great and dreadful day.”  It does not even touch on the prophecies of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.  And since the one by whom the message on the Judgment for the Dead was unfolded has already been dead these many years, and since nothing, not to mention “all things,” has as yet been restored, and, too, since that one never claimed to be the Elijah, nor to unfold the prophecies of the Judgment for the Living, no one, therefore, can honestly and innocently say Elijah has already come and gone. 

In view of these facts, it would be stupidity of the lowest form, if not blasphemy, for any one to lay such charges to her, or to imagine that her prophetic office fulfilled anything more than a preparatory part of the mission of Elijah.” (1950 General Conference Special, p.39)

In closing my brethren, let us watch and be on guard because the devils know they have but little time. Our prophet has spoken and said –what the Lord will do.

“However, I would remind you, Brethren, that no prophet of God has ever been welcomed by the church.  On the contrary, each in his time was rejected, abused, and most of them were martyred by the ones to whom they were sent — the very ones who were supposed to be serving God!  Indeed, the Lord Himself paid the same price.  For this very reason we must remember that when the last prophet comes he will have the greatest opposition to meet, for Satan well knows that if he loses now, he loses forever. 

What makes Elijah’s work especially hard is that Christendom has long been drilled in the idea that no prophet is to come, that there is no necessity for one, that it has enough revealed Truth to carry it inside the Pearly Gates. 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.

   Moreover, the old Devil has already put all his forces to work, piping pleasing tunes to lure Truth seekers to climb aboard his golden bandwagon.   Its glittering tinsel of truth is already beguiling many with his wares while his captains and generals are to the top of their voices shouting their “Hallelujahs,” “Holy Ghost,” “gift of healing,” “gift of tongues,” “gift of miracles,” and all the rest, although the entire fanfare is devoid even of a spark of life. 

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.

   Do not henceforth leave in the hands of others your investigation of the subject.  After hearing the evidences, you alone in the closet of prayer and with the aid of the Spirit can determine whether the Elijah has come, or whether he is yet to come.”(1950 General Conference Special, p.6-8)

Posted in Elijah, Victor T. Houteff | 5 Comments »

Doing Business with the Businessman

August 24, 2013

Pr_070_-_TRI_-_14_11_10_-_014  Many of us have never thought about our Lord as a “Businessman”. Yet in many respects this is what He is. He has and is keeping track of ever cent you and I have spent. We realize that this aspect is seldom looked at but after this post we hope that we can clearly see that we do have a Boss and that He is adding and subtracting our great account in the heaven. Let us look into this neglected aspect of our Lord’s accounting.

Have you ever envied the likes of Bill Gates, Warren Buffet or Carlos Slim? Their wealth is truly astronomical but yet it’s temporal and finite. The wealth we are going to talk about now, is –eternal wealth. How would you like to invest in  a “stock” that could yield much more wealth than the above mentioned men and remain throughout eternity? You can! That stock is called–the Lord’s storehouse of —present truth.

I remember when I was younger, money became a great motivation factor in my life. Like the vast majority of people around the world, my life basically revolved around money. I awoke thinking how I was going to make some. Being self-employed most of my life, my goal was to become financially secure, and very rich if I could. I became a “buyer and seller” of different things. But as I grew older it was clear that although I was successful at being master of my own time and finances, I was far from rich and frankly I really didn’t have that all-consuming passion for wealth that I thought I had earlier in life. In other words it was as if something held me back and I instinctively knew money wouldn’t make me truly happy.

Looking back on my life I can only say that He allowed me to be a businessman most of my life for a reason. It taught me how to deal with people and to be observant. As I converted my life and accepted Him as my Lord and King, I grew to know how vastly more important is the  “spiritual wealth” than the earthly wealth.

But throughout most of my life,  I was just like the vast majority, handling and spending money for –self and our own specific interests. I had no idea that the Lord had a definite say and concern in the matter of money. In fact because money represents and is backed by –possessions, the Lord owns all of it, down to the very last cent. “Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” (John 1:3)

As we have learned from our prior studies, the book of Malachi is the last sign off letter of the Old Testament  to His people. Kind of like the last word of the most important points and issues He wishes us to know. Therefore, this small book (only 4 chapters) has some specific treasures that we must study and obey. In Chapter 3 we read, “Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?” (Mal. 3:7)

As we have learned of the Lord’s “last” prophet to our church (see our post “Has Elijah Come https://godsloveandlaw.com/2011/10/15/has-elijah-come-part-1-of-2/),  let us now see His divine words, as spoken through the Elijah prophet,  concerning these Malachi instructions.

In the “Jezreel Letters” a composition of 9 letters addressed to the leaders of the SDA church  (ministers, elders, deacons, conference leaders, etc.) , brother Houteff deals directly with  the prophetic meaning of much of Malachi. He minced no words in declaring the straight truth in the matter of our account  with the Lord. Like the original type of the Elijah, who called out the religious leaders of his  day to reform, brother Houteff as the anti-type did the same concerning our wayward ways.

—————————————–

“Since His people still do not see wherein they have departed from His ordinances, He specifically points out and immediately pleads for action, ” “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse–even this whole nation–because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.”(Mal 3:8-10).

The phase, ‘even this whole nation’ robbing God is so because the old message, the ‘judgment for the Dead’, (for the proclamation of which the Seventh-day Adventist Denomination was specifically called forth), is now out of date as is the message of Noah’s flood, and as Denominational officials have already rejected the message of the Judgment for the Living but are still collecting tithes of the people, they as a nation (as a Denomination) are robbing God.”There are many precious truths contained in the Word of God but it is present Truth that the Flock needs now.(Early Writings, p.63)” (Jezreel Letter, no.9, p.3-4)

Note that not to the Levites, or to some other place or people but into God’s storehouse are the tithes and offerings to be brought. And for no other reason that His storehouse may have the means to dispense spiritual food, “meat in due season.” These words definitely and positively show that the only support which the message of the purification for the church  has for caring on it’s work is the tithes and the offerings from His faithful people; that in no other way could the message be dispensed; that in no other way could the expenses be paid.

This is God’s reason for no plate passing now in our gatherings, for no money raising  in any form, and for scattering our literature  everywhere as the leaves of autumn without money and without price to the people. In other words, the literature, the ministers, and the Bible workers– those who bring the message of the hour to your door, are to be paid by the tithes and offerings that come to the Lord’s storehouse.  God, therefore, asks His faithful people to gladly respond to His call and sufficiently to supply the need. He asks this not only for the prosperity of His storehouse, but for His people’s prosperity as well.” (Jezreel Letter, no. 9, p.9-10)

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What we see from the above is that with our money (tithes) we are today supporting a cause that is outdated (spreading the Judgment for the Dead message) instead of supporting the real present truth today– the Judgment for the Living message. Thus those who are neglecting this duty are complicit in robbing God.

The above really packs much divine instruction for us.  We see that it is very important to know that we must send our tithes to His storehouse, which is identified as dispensing spiritual food–meat in due season. What is that?  It is present Truth. It is our Lord’s last word to us. Can we honestly say that we are being “fed” with present truth by our church today? When the last time we heard the speakers go up on the Sabbath and rebuke or admonish the people for some sins in the midst? We only hear “peace and safety”.

Ellen White warns the leaders that unless they quit proclaiming “peace and safety” they will fall in the judgment. She says, “…’Peace and safety’ is the cry from men who will never again lift up their voice like a trumpet to show God’s people their transgressions and the house of Jacob their sins. These dumb dogs that would not bark are the ones who feel the just vengeance of an offended God.” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p.211)

Once we know what His storehouse(s) are and what they do, we can help lead some who aren’t sure where the locations are that are actively dispensing spiritual food–meat in due season. Before we do,  we want to touch on another brother Houteff quote. “And how thankful we ought to be that everyone is given the privilege and the opportunity  in one way or another to share the , “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” (Jezreel Letter, no. 9, p.6)

In brother Houteff’s words “one way or another”, the most beautiful thing to us who would want to join in this great work of proclaiming the last message of the Lord- The Elijah message, is that you can –faithfully pay your tithes into His storehouse each week and thus be counted as being active in the work!  For various reasons, such as family, work load, or whatever, some can’t get to work like they would like but nevertheless by supporting the workers they can help “foot the bill” towards His work. They can become a partner and a real chance to receive that “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” and its great rewards! Their work becomes your work.

As many of you are aware we are very active in the work of the Elijah message and therefore we are quite familiar with the organizations and people dispensing present truth. Because this work is so important for our church, we know that the Lord has more than one storehouse dispensing meat in due season. One important point before we list. There are some involved in the Elijah message who teach that there should be only one storehouse. Because the time is so short and more than one organization doing a competent job in spreading the message, it makes sense that the Lord wants the message out as far as possible today, in reaching our brethren in these last hours of probation of our SDA church.

The following are storehouses that we can recommend and a short description of their work. Not in particular order.

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

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

Address-  P.O. Box 119, Mountaindale, N.Y 12763

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

Email– gadsda@shepherds-rod-message.org

2) General Assoc. of Davidian Seventh Day Adventists

Based in Waco Texas, this organization is very active much as the others. (CD’s, DVD.s tracts, literature) Also has some very good youtube videos.

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

Website – http://shepherdsroddavidian.org/

Email — dsdacommunication@gmail.com

In closing , we cannot stress enough that our Lord is watching us and how we handle “His” money. If we are careless and give His money to fruitless efforts and stale messages of truth, we take the real chance of being found supporting the wrong storehouse. “The conspiracy of her prophets in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing the prey; they have devoured people; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in her midst.” (Ezek. 22:25)

Once we decide to return His money to His current present truth storehouse, we can rest assured we are standing on solid ground and providing “meat in My house”. Our investments will pay the great dividends–we’ll be considered doing good “business” with the Businessman.

“Every soul, in going out and coming in, in all business transactions, at all times and in all places, should act with the consciousness that he is moving under the inspection of God and heavenly angels, and that the Being
who will judge every man’s work for eternity accompanies him at every step, observing all his actions and scrutinizing all his motives.”(Test. for the Church, vol. 5, p.628)

Posted in God's storehouse, Tithes and Offerings | Leave a Comment »

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