History of the Enemy’s Work

April 13, 2013

Free Bible illustrations at Free Bible images of Noah building the Ark and the great flood. (Genesis 6:9 - 9:17): Slide 11

Since that tragic day in Eden when he introduced sin into the world and caused the fall of man, Satan has cast in the way of each redemptive movement, a different stumbling block upon which multitudes have tripped and fallen.  Most assuredly, therefore, he must be expected to have some such distinctive danger planted in our way today.  We, though, having in this age the tremendous advantage of knowing the respective pitfalls which have proved fatal to the multitudes in past movements, shall suffer a proportionately greater condemnation and punishment if we fail to recognize ours.

  And what is more, if we fail, we shall witness thereby to the universe that we are the weakest of the weak. We must stand–stand against the most ingenious special trap ever set by the Evil One!  But how shall we do this if we know not what it is or where it is?

To find the danger where it really lurks, let us briefly view in retrospect previous snares, by periods in which they occurred, beginning with the first recorded church movement:

THE NOATIC MOVEMENT was ordained to build the ark both as a warning of the impending deluge and as a refuge from it.  The special block of stumbling which Satan cast in the way of the multitudes at that time, he devised from the fact that never in all nature had man seen anything that lent the remotest evidence to the possibility of there ever materializing such a phenomenon as rain.  Accordingly, leaning upon their finite knowledge of nature and its potentialities, they scoffed and scorned Noah’s science and his warning of doom, and continued their “eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away.”  Matt. 24: 38, 39.

Their exalting human science and disregarding divine science, therefore, was the special snare which took the antediluvians.  Their fate solemnly warns us carefully to avoid their mistake.

IN THE ABRAHAMIC MOVEMENT, the father of the faithful was called to depart from the cities of the ancient world, in the hope that someday the movement would triumphantly possess the promised land.  Fully aware of this fact, Satan worked mightily to sidetrack the movement into the cities of the nations along the way.  On this block of stumbling Lot fell, with the result that when the Lord finally snatched him from the destruction of Sodom, as a brand plucked from the burning, he came out the poorest of the poor.

Thus the worldly cities were the quicksands to the first postdiluvians.  May we not lose all therein, as did Lot.

THE MOSAIC MOVEMENT was led out of Egypt to possess the land of promise, and there to become a kingdom.  Cunningly suiting his temptations to their predispositions, Satan inspired those who were of age when they left the land of Pharoah, to continuous murmuring, complaining, office-seeking and rebelling, and finally to fearing the giant inhabitants of the promised land.  Failing to see that their strength was the strong hand of the Lord, they were consequently forced to wander forty long years in the desert, and there to leave parching the bones of all but two of their members who were of age when they left Egypt.

Unbelief, stiffneckedness, distrust of divine leadership, and office seeking, therefore, were the four-headed monster that devoured the people of the Exodus.  And these will devour every Present Truth believer who strays into their lair.

THE CANAAN MOVEMENT UNDER JOSHUA was ridded of all sinners and commissioned to possess the land, drive out the heathen, and set up an everlasting kingdom.  Knowing that its continuance was contingent on their obedience to the Lord’s instructions through His prophets, Satan moved upon the people to mock the messengers of God, despise His words, and misuse His prophets, “until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, till there was no remedy” (2 Chron. 36:16), and He gave them back to captivity.

Hence to the subjects of the kingdom, the prophets were the great rock of offense–a rock upon which no age before or since has been free from stumbling.  The wise today, therefore, will “despise not prophesyings.” 1 Thess. 5:20.

THE APOSTOLIC MOVEMENT was brought forth to proclaim the transferring of the earthly sanctuary service to the heavenly “tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man” (Heb. 8:2), and to baptize “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matt. 28:19) all who should repent of their sins.  But to frustrate its purpose, Satan set to work to fashion another deception, and with the departure of the Apostles he quickly succeeded in causing the church completely to lose sight both of the truth of the priesthood of Christ and the truth of baptism, and to establish in their stead an earthly priestcraft and infant baptism.

Thus being led to disbelieve and disregard the sanctuary services and baptism, their very salvation, the Christian church fell through Satan’s trapdoor into error.  And that door is still set to take the feet of the unwary–all who disregard or lightly esteem the ever advancing truth unfolded in the special sealing message for today.

THE PROTESTANT MOVEMENTS were raised up to declare and to exploit the primacy of the Bible, because thepre-reformation world was bound in darkness by uninspired man’s religious rule, disallowing the common people the right to possess a Bible, and making them dependent upon his private interpretation of it.  Hence came the Protestant churches in their succession, to restore the down-trodden Truth, each protesting against these abuses and usurpations of human rights, each being called forth to make the Christian world realize the need of true Inspiration and of freedom of religion, the right to own a Bible and to study for themselves, and the duty to make the Bible and the Bible only, the rule of their faith.

Being determined, though, to bring the Reformation to naught, Satan has from its beginning constantly worked to cause every church member to revel in private interpretation of the Scriptures and in extra-Biblical theories.  Consequently, Protestantism today finds itself following not merely in the way of the uninspired Bible interpretations of one man but in the ways of the uninspired interpretations of thousands of men!  And the result is that Christendom teems with schism and confusion unrivaled in history–evidence that the great work of the founding fathers of the Protestant Reformation has been perverted and turned into an undermining force for the frustration of God’s special design for the church today.

Thus we see that the Reformation, which, originally under the direction of inspired men, lifted the church out of one morass, later under the direction of uninspired men, plunged her into another, wherein she has been floundering ever since.  And unless we let the truth extricate us from this fatal bog of confusion, we cannot defeat the enemy of Inspiration in his tireless and powerful efforts to pervert the implements of our salvation into weapons for our destruction.

THE S.D.A. MOVEMENT was appointed to declare the sanctuary message: “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment [the harvest] is come” (Rev. 14:7) upon all the dead who, from Adam’s time on, failed to get the extra oil (truth) in their vessels (Matt. 25:4), double their talents (verses 15 through 30), or put on “the wedding garment.”  Matt. 22:11.  These shall have their names blotted from the Lamb’s Book of Life.

This proclamation concerning the dead was to prepare the living for their impending judgment.  For this reason, Satan has employed his every device to lull Adventists into being merely hearers and preachers but not doers of the Word; into tithing mint and anise and cummin, as it were, but omitting the weightier matters of the law. 

In short, he has made them to become wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked by failing on the one hand to be faithful themselves in doing what they teach others to do, and by failing on the other hand to keep themselves free from doing what they teach others not to do.  And to prevent them from awakening to this “terrible deception” (Testimonies, Vol. 3, p. 254), he keeps them lukewarm, complacently dreaming of being rich in truth and of having need of nothing, though in fact they are in misery and in need of everything.

Clearly, then, lukewarmness and the hallucination of being rich are the faults peculiar to the Laodiceans, and are the dangers which if not recognized and removed are finally to result in God’s spuing them out of His mouth (Rev. 3:16).  Thus again the Lord mercifully pleads with Present Truth believers to walk in the light and shun lukewarmness, lest they fall back into thinking themselves rich and increased with goods and in need of nothing, and again become poor and in need of everything.

THE ELEVENTH-HOUR MOVEMENT affects us today most immediately and intimately.  Being the last gospel effort, it must “give power and force” to the Third Angel’s Message and “lighten the earth with his glory” (Rev. 18:1); it must triumph, though every movement before it has failed.  It is destined, not to “prophesy again to many nations” (Rev. 10:11), but to “all.”  And as it is to go to those who have not heard of His fame, and to bring to the house of the Lord all the saints “out of all nations” (Isa. 66:19, 20), it is consequently foreordained to endure. 

To effect this predetermined purpose, God is now taking the reins in His own Hands (Testimonies to Ministers, p. 300), to purify the church by removing from it the tares, and to preserve it free from them henceforth, so that it may stand on Mount Zion with the Lamb (Rev. 14:1).

Indeed, in the very nature of the case, the Eleventh-Hour movement must triumph, for, being the last, the one to garner in the harvest, then should it fail, everyone in the world today would forever remain lost.  Double, therefore, are the reasons that the Lord purposes it to stand.  Thus the Davidians have been called to “the Kingdom for such a time as this.”

“For,” declares the Word, “by fire and by His sword will the Lord plead with all flesh: and the slain of the Lord shall be many….And I will send them that escape of them unto the nations….And they shall declare My glory among the Gentiles.  And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the Lord out of all nations.”  Isa. 66:16-20.

“And they [the Gentiles] shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the Lord.”  Isa 62:12.

“But who may abide the day…?  Who shall stand when He appeareth?  for He is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap.”  Mal. 3:2.

All the more reason, then, that its adherents must be tested and proved worthy.  What, therefore, is the first and gravest danger con-fronting Present Truth believers today?

With the end of the long journey in view, the work was never so great, the time in which to do it never so short, and the laborers never so few, as now.  Self-evident, therefore, is the fact that Satan’s supreme effort at this hour must be to cause the time to be wasted and the work to go undone.

Rouse, then, O Present Truth believer!  Rise speedily to the task set, and “whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.”  Eccles. 9:10.  No longer let a moment be wasted, for every precious one is vital to the salvation of your own soul and to the souls of others.

Thus with the day already at hand, finding “the last movements rapid ones” (Testimonies, Vol. 9, p. 11), to no avail now will be one’s zeal, efficiency, and speed unless they match that held up to view in the following warning to

Redeem The Time.

“The day is at hand.  For the lessons to be learned, the work to be done, the transformation of character to be effected, the time remaining is but too brief a span.”–Education, p. 184.

“Every year millions upon millions of human souls are passing into eternity unwarned and unsaved.  From hour to hour in our varied life, opportunities to reach and save souls are opened to us.  These opportunities are continually coming and going.  God desires us to make the most of them.  Days, weeks, and months are passing; we have one day, one week, one month, less in which to do our work.  A few more years at the longest, and the Voice which we cannot refuse to answer will be heard, saying, ‘Give an account of thy stewardship.'”–Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 373, 374.

“The life of Christ from His earliest years was a life of earnest activity.”– Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 345.

“Our time belongs to God.  Every moment is His, and we are under the most solemn obligation to improve it to His glory.  Of no talent He has given will He require a more strict account than of our time.

“The value of time is beyond computation.  Christ regarded every moment as precious, and it is thus that we should regard it.  Life is too short to be trifled away.  We have but a few days of probation in which to prepare for eternity.  We have no time to waste, no time to devote to selfish pleasure, no time for the indulgence of sin.  It is now that we are to form characters for the future, immortal life.  It is now that we are to prepare for the searching Judgment.”

Scarcely begun to live when they begin to die, and the world’s incessant labor ends in nothingness unless a true knowledge in regard to eternal life is gained.  The man who appreciates time as his working day will fit himself for a mansion and for a life that is immortal.  It is well that he was born.”

“We are admonished to redeem the time.  But time squandered can never be recovered.  We can not call back even one moment.  The only way in which we can redeem our time is by making the most of that which remains, by being co-workers with God in His great plan of redemption.”

“In him who does this, a transformation of character takes place.  He becomes a son of God, a member of the royal family, a child of the heavenly King.  He is fitted to be the companion of the angels.”

“Now is our time to labor for the salvation of our fellowmen.  There are some who think that if they give money to the cause of Christ, this is all they are required to do; the precious time in which they might do personal service for Him passes unimproved.  But it is the privilege and duty of all who have health and strength to render to God active service.  All are to labor in winning souls to Christ.  Donations of money can not take the place of this.”

“Every moment is freighted with eternal consequences.  We are to stand as minute men, ready for service at a moment’s notice.  The opportunity that is now ours to speak to some needy soul the word of life may never offer again.  God may say to that one, ‘This night thy soul shall be required of thee,’ and through our neglect he may not be ready.  In the great Judgment-day, how shall we render our account to God?”

“Life is too solemn to be absorbed in temporal and earthly matters, in a treadmill of care and anxiety for the things that are but an atom in comparison with the things of eternal interest.  Yet God has called us to serve Him in the temporal affairs of life.  Diligence in this work is as much a part of true religion as is devotion.  The Bible gives no endorsement to idleness.  It is the greatest curse that afflicts our world.  Every man and woman who is truly converted will be a diligent worker.”

“Upon the right improvement of our time depends our success in acquiring knowledge and mental culture.  The cultivation of the intellect need not be prevented by poverty, humble origin, or unfavorable surroundings.  Only let the moments be treasured.” 

“A few moments here and a few there, that might be frittered away in aimless talk; the morning hours so often wasted in bed; the time spent in traveling on trains or railway cars, or waiting at the station; the moments of waiting for meals, waiting for those who are tardy in keeping an appointment,–if a book were kept at hand, and these fragments of time were improved in study, reading, or careful thought, what might not be accomplished.  A resolute purpose, persistent industry, and careful economy of time, will enable men to acquire knowledge and mental discipline which will qualify them for almost any position of influence and usefulness.”

“It is the duty of every Christian to acquire habits of order, thoroughness, and dispatch.  There is no excuse for slow bungling at work of any character.  When one is always at work, and the work is never done, it is because mind and heart are not put into the labor.  The one who is slow, and who works at a disadvantage, should realize that these are faults to be corrected.  He needs to exercise his mind in planning how to use the time so as to secure the best results.  By tact and method, some will accomplish as much work in five hours as another does in ten. 

“Some who are engaged in domestic labor are always at work, not because they have so much to do, but because they do not plan so as to save time.  By their slow, dilatory ways, they make much work out of very little.  But all who will, may overcome these fussy, lingering habits.  In their work let them have a definite aim.  Decide how long a time is required for a given task, and then bend every effort toward accomplishing the work in the given time.  The exercise of the will power will make the hands move deftly.”

“Through lack of determination to take themselves in hand and reform, persons can become stereotyped in a wrong course of action; or by cultivating their powers they may acquire ability to do the very best of service.  Then they will find themselves in demand anywhere and everywhere.  They will be appreciated for all that they are worth.

“By many children and youth, time is wasted that might be spent in carrying home-burdens, and thus showing a loving interest in father and mother.  The youth might take upon their strong young shoulders many responsibilities which some one must bear.”– Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 342-345.

“It is the very essence of all right faith to do the right thing at the right time.”–Testimonies, Vol. 6, p. 24.

WHICH WAY WILL IT BE?

Setting before His followers the “two ways” for life’s “travelers,” the Saviour early in His ministry warned: “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”  Matt. 7:13, 14.

While viewing their own steps with complacency and perhaps even thinking themselves securely on the royal road to the Kingdom, the masses in the broad way view with scorn the handful in the narrow way, regarding them as apostates, fanatically on the way to perdition. 

But being thus sadly mistaken, the majority fail to see that the broad way which begins at the wide gate, leads not to “life” but “to destruction,” and that the narrow way which begins at the strait gate, and which they scorn, leads instead “unto life.”  By this great error, they give full evidence that they are yet carnal–wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked, and know it not.

“The enemy,” says the Spirit of Truth, “is preparing for his last campaign against the church.  He has so concealed himself from view that many can hardly believe that he exists, much less can they be convinced of his amazing activity and power.  They have to a great extent forgotten his past record, and when he makes another advance move, they will not recognize him as their enemy, that old serpent, but they will consider him a friend, one who is doing a good work.(Testimonies, vol.5, p.294)

 (We hope you’ve been blessed by this report. The above was written by brother Victor T. Houteff in 1942, found in the Symbolic Code, Vol.8, no.1-12, p.6-9. For the full article, click this link  http://shepherdsroddavidian.org/symbolic%20Code/8sc_01_12.html )

Posted in Satan, Victor T. Houteff | 6 Comments »

The Elijah Message in a Nutshell

April 6, 2013

014-elijah-fed-by-ravens

The thought occurred  this week that most likely there are still many who have a vague idea about the Lord’s last message of Elijah. As with most anything, when we simplify something we get at the crux of the matter or issue. Given the supreme importance of this message to us as the remnant church, we cannot afford to vaguely understand it, lest we lightly esteem it. Unfortunately Inspiration says we’ll do that. But not on our watch, right?

1)The beginning of the message starts with Malachi 4:5. Here we see the Lord makes a promise.  So a prophet is to come in the last days.

The Lord states that this prophet comes before the “great and dreadful day of the Lord”.  So the purpose of this messenger, obviously, is to reveal important things we are to know concerning this great and terrible day. In other words, he is to unveil hidden Scriptures and new revelations, to prepare us for this extremely important day.

2) The Lord’s prior prophetess proclaimed that a male would come after her in the “spirit and power of Elijah”. (Test. to Ministers, p.475).

As we’ve mentioned many times, the Satanic army is against this message 100% and as such, have tried to confuse, deride, and just plain trash it. So the ploy* was hatched by those in responsible positions, that the quote on p.475, would be interpreted to mean that EGW was describing herself as that promised Elijah. But those  who are guided by the Spirit of Truth soundly reject this ploy. (* The original statement made in 1890 was left alone and untouched until 1962. As the Elijah message was going out and gaining recognition, the leaders put a asterisk by the statement, leading people to think she was describing herself as the Elijah to come.)

3) This prophet, being in the spirit and power of Elijah must be the anti-type of the original type. God’s truth of type and anti-type in its wonderous glory.

The original Elijah proclaimed a message of reform to His own people, not the world’s heathen. This right here, exposes the work of those who preach that we must go out to the world right now and fill up our church. If this were true, then the anti-type would not be the type and therefore, the man to come in the spirit and power of Elijah, would proclaim a different message than Elijah, thus shooting down God’s truth  of types and anti- types .

We should point out that unless we aware of  the true nature of our church condition, the idea of trying to save the church and not the world right now, is foreign.  To make it a little more understandable, picture two boats out at sea. Both are sinking, one is yourself and your family. The other is strangers. What do you do? Do you try to go save the strangers? Ofcourse not you must save your own.(note- the world’s heathen are to be proclaimed to soon, after the church purification)

4) The message is the straight testimony of the rebuking of sins  and the lack of true worship within the temple (church).

Here is the crux of the message. Right now, as we have pointed out so many times in prior posts, the church’s ways are totally unacceptable to God right now. The money passing in the sanctuary,and on the Sabbath,  the Christmas tree hangings in the sanctuary, the laughing and useless talking in His house. Then ofcourse we have our own sins, such as buying and selling on the Sabbath, elaborate cooking on the Sabbath, talking business on the Sabbath, etc. Not only the Sabbath sins, but the vast amount of  idols we cherish ( tv, music, games, entertainment, sports,etc.). The message calls for us to sigh and cry over the abominations done in the church and our lives.(Ezek.9, Test. to Min., p.445, Manuscript Releases, vol.1, p.260)

So this message is the straight and eye-opening truth. It calls us to look  carefully at our walk with the Lord. To stop and take inventory of just what we do for the Lord and His soon to come kingdom.

5) Ellen White, under Inspiration, give us some clear clues concerning this Elijah. The number one clue was that he would be an “interpreter” of Scripture. And as such his interpretations would largely concern the “great and dreadful day” of the Lord. A warning of the Lord’s judgments to come.

As we have pointed out in prior posts, there has been only one man in our SDA history who has fit each and every clue, concerning who and what the Elijah would be. The man has written volumes of literature concerning the prophecies and  about our condition as a church body. Those who honestly study what he has written, have a life changing experience. The words said by this man as Elijah can only do a miraculous change in our heart because he had the Lord’s Elijah spirit. This can be our only explanation as truth seekers.

We see, we read, we study, and if  we perceive God’s Spirit is not in the Elijah words expounded by this man, there is possibly one of two things happening. We are cherishing certain sins and idols (thus blinded from His present truth), or this man wasn’t the Elijah to come and his words don’t have truth. Nevertheless, we should do as Ellen White wrote. In speaking of someone coming to us with a proposal to investigate the Scriptures she says , “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 Min. p106-107)

But as thousands have found, upon close and dedicated study, many have found the prophecies interpreted have never been as clear and profoundly deep. As we study these writings, we come to appreciate God’s words, ” knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation.” (1 peter 1:20).

6) New revealed prophecies are explained.  Perhaps the greatest and most soul lifting revelation found in the Elijah message is that of the upcoming “pre” millennial kingdom.  The setting up of God’s glorious church kingdom before the Lord  comes in the clouds. We realize that this is quite an amazing revelation, and not well understood. For more , see our post called -“Thy Kingdom Come”. https://godsloveandlaw.com/2012/03/31/thy-kingdom-come-part-1-of-2/.

7) The final timeline of events. The message gives us the clear time-table of events. Briefly they are:

1) The message goes out around the world now within the SDA church. The people are made to know about it and asked to study it and heed its instructions of reform and renewed dedication to the Lord.

2) The final world war is to happen in the near future over Israel. The prophetic words come, “Gather yourselves together, yes, gather together, O undesirable nation, before the decree is issued, the day passes like chaff, before the Lord’s fierce anger comes upon you, before the day of the Lord’s anger comes upon you!” (Zeph.2:1)

The purpose of this big war is to drive out the current occupants, and get the land ready for the return of God’s remnant people back to Jerusalem. The many prophecies yet to happen have to be completed, so that the Lord’s word does not return void.

3) As the war nears completion or at its completion, the solemn event of Ezekiel 9 takes place upon the church. The beginning phase of the judgment for the living.

This fulfills at least three specific prophecies(there are many others). a) After describing Ezekiel 9, Ellen White says, “Here we see that the church–the Lord’s sanctuary–was the first to feel the stroke of the wrath of God.” (Test. for the Church,Vol.5,  p.211)  b) “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begins with us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” (1 peter 4:17)

Ellen White connects the marking or sealing of Ezekiel 9 to that of the similar act in Egypt.

” When God was about to smite the first-born of Egypt, He commanded the Israelites to gather their children from among the Egyptians into their own dwellings and strike their door posts with blood, that the destroying angel might see it and pass over their homes. It was the work of parents to gather in their children. This is your work, this is my work, and the work of every mother who believes the truth. The angel is to place a mark upon the forehead of all who are separated from sin and sinners, and the destroying angel will follow, to slay utterly both old and young.” (Test. for the Church, vol.5,p.505)

Inspiration leaves nothing undone. We notice that in connecting Egypt’s judgments and the sealing of God’s people to Ezekiel 9, we also remember that this occured before they came back to the holy land. Not in heaven but back to God’s land here on earth-Israel.

Although our prophetess did not have as much  light on the last message and final events as brother Houteff (the premillennial church kingdom for example), she showed that she did have some understanding of it. (In fact, we hope to have a report shortly showing that brother James White and Ellen both understood that the stone in Daniel 2 was not Christ but the beginning of the premillennial earthly kingdom. Just as brother Houteff  wrote)

Let us stop here for a moment and clear another deceiving devil falsehood  . Some have heard the malicious lie that the Davidians teach that the work of slaying will be done by literal men, as if someday some of the church members will rise up and start slaying others within the church. This is foolishness and beyond absurdity. The Elijah message teaches the straight and clear truth about this. Their belief is based on what Ellen White says, “The work of separation is given to the angels of God, and not committed into the hands of any man.”(Test. to Min. p.47)

c) “While the investigative judgment is going forward in heaven, while the sins of penitent believers are being removed from the sanctuary, there is to be a special work of purification, of putting away of sin, among God’s people upon earth. This work is more clearly presented in the messages of Revelation 14.” (Great Controversy, p.425)

4) Upon completion of the church purification, the 144,000 are brought to view. The final outpouring of God’s Spirit comes down upon His “pure church”. The saints are ready for the Loud Cry. The final worldly events begin.

We should stop here and plead with any and all who are reading this, that you and your loved ones have a chance, yes, a most positive chance to be one of God’s elect, his “jewels”. “On the day when I act,” says the LORD Almighty, “they will be my jewels. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him.” (Mal. 3:17).

The Elijah message as we so often show, calls for those willing to “sell out” to the Lord. To forego the worldly treasures and lusts. Elijah said “Serve God or serve baal”. So too, we have to decide. No lukewarm followers will be saved, as our Lord said He must “sprew them out”. ( Rev.3:16)

5) The Loud Cry starts and the world is amazed. Signs, miracles, wonders all shake up the world. News reports of blind people seeing, dead rising, lame walking  all stir the people. Ellen White describes this period, “Clad in the armor of Christ’s righteousness, the church is to enter upon her final conflict. “Fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners (Song of Solomon 6:10), she is to go forth into all the world, conquering and to conquer.” (Prophet’s and Kings, p.725)

The purpose of the 144,000 servants of God, is to bring in the “great multitude”, the honest in heart people stuck in Babylon, into a pure church. This is key, because as we are well aware many of us in the SDA now believe that this “Loud Cry” is going on now and we are calling them into something  nowhere near “pure”.

In this time another prophecy is fulfilled , “He calls on the heavens above and earth below to witness the judgment of his people. Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice. And the heavens declare His righteousness, For God Himself is judge. Selah.(Psalms 50:4-6)

During this time Ellen White shows that  those who “had not heard” of the 3 angels message had opportunity to be saved. “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.” (Early Writings, p.278).

6) The elect of God, the 144,000, make their way toward’s the “premillennial” kingdom in Jerusalem (remember the land has just been destroyed by war). We don’t know how long that trip will be. It could be days or months, we’re just not sure as brother Houteff does not say specifically.  The prophecy of Jeremiah now becomes fulfilled, “The days are coming,’ declares the LORD, ‘when I will bring my people Israel and Judah back from captivity and restore them to the land I gave their ancestors to possess,’ says the LORD.”(Jeremiah 30:3) Since Jeremiah’s day only the two tribe kingdom of Judah returned, the lost 10 tribes (Israel) have never returned there, obviously it is  yet future.

You see this is a BIG mis-conception. The vast Christendom believes that these prophecies speak of the literal Jews today as the beneficiaries of the prophecies. But the Lord specifically addressed the Jews and their children, “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.” ( Matthew 21:43)

Ellen White comments concerning those who will inherit the covenant promises, “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.714).

7)  The Land is glorified and the Lord’s people are literally re-united with their King. “Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.” (Rev. 14:1). The people are joyous, the land becomes beautiful again. It becomes the “hub” of the last great work upon mankind. The calling out of Babylon and the acceptance of literally millions who embrace the new “Kingdom” and witness God’s final outpouring, His final chance to mankind. No excuses anymore –all have their chance.

At this point some may be ask, “Wait a minute, with millions of SDA in the church right now, are you saying that only 144,000 survive the  church judgment?”

We’re not saying this, it’s the Scriptures and SOP that clearly indicate this. Stop and think about God’s work through His prior purifications. In Noah’s day, out of the supposed millions on the earth, how many survived His purification? Eight. Back in Mose’s time, with the supposed million or so Israelites who came out of Egypt, how many survived His judgement and made it too the kingdom over 20 years old? Two.

Ellen White even declared this solemn statement ” In the last vision given me, I was shown the startling fact that but a small portion of those who now profess the truth will be sanctified by it and be saved. ” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, 608-609)

But more explicit is the actual Ezekiel 9 prophecy. As Ellen White established the Ezek. 9 and the Rev. 7  sealings are one and the same event(Test. to Min. p.445), we logically see that Ezekiel’s witness was that only those who get the mark (seal) are to survive. And that Rev. 7 says that 144,000 get sealed and survive before the winds let loose (time of trouble and Sunday law). This is not rocket science.  Solemn, yet it’s His word, who are we to doubt it? Better we prepare than fight it.

God loves us immensely but if we fail to listen and obey the prophet that He sends specifically us His remnant people, we are lost. That’s His way , always has been and always will be. “For I am the LORD, I do not change” (Mal. 3:6)

If we can buckle down and convert our sinful life to one of obedience to His prophets and thereby His Law, then we’ll witness this most glorious time upon this earth, that His prophet Zechariah revealed about  the Lord’s handiwork, “… ‘Jerusalem will be a city without walls because of the great number of people and animals in it. And I Myself will be a wall of fire around it,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will be its glory within.'(Zech. 2:4-5)

Just as our Lord created the garden of Eden in the beginning, so shall He return it as a wonderful paradise in front of  the heathen. That’s His full circle being completed. His wondrous final plea to the world. He tells the world He loves them this much (as His hands stretched out on the cross) and then even gives them witness to what they can be  a part of!

Just so we are clear that this upcoming kingdom is pre-millennial, we read the prophecy from Isaiah, ” The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid…and a little child shall lead them… And the suckling child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” (Isa. 11:6-9)

We know that there will not be any children in the “new earth”, so these kids and suckling children can only be here on earth during a time when births are taking place. Ellen White clears this up.

“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.”(Selected Messages, vol. 1, p172)

So there you have it in a nutshell. The Lord’s last message is one of great love yet solemn warning. The same as He did in Noah’s time. Get in the ark (accept His Elijah message of warning of repentance and reform) or be lost. There will be no middle ground. “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man.” (Luke 17:26)

In closing, let us remember our prophetess’ words, “The glory of the eternal world has been opened before me. I want to tell you that Heaven is worth winning. It should be the aim of your life to fit yourself for association with the redeemed, with holy angels, and with Jesus the world’s Redeemer. If we could have but one view of the celestial city, we would never wish to dwell on earth again.” (Signs of the Times, April 8, 1889)

—Questions and Answers—

What does the  Sunday law have in connection with the Elijah message? Brother Houteff addressed this question.

Question — Is the mark of the beast the Sunday law? Is it to be enforced before or after the fulfillment of Ezekiel 9? And when will “the gold..  be separated from the dross in the church? (Test. vol.5, p.81)

Answer—  Former publications of Present truth have made clear that “the winds” held by the four angels of Revelation 7:1, represent the angel’s holding back “the anger of the nations,”–the image of the beast,– also that the angels will not let ‘the winds” blow into being the image of the beast before the 144,000 are sealed. (Early Writings,p.38)

Thus those who in the time of the sealing are among the 144,000, and who do not receive the mark of God, according to Ezekiel’s vision, are to be tested, not by the image of the beast, but by their attitude toward the abominations in the church; and those who do not  ‘sigh and cry” against the abominations therein, will be separated by the angels’ slaughter weapons (Ezek. 9:6), rather than be left to be tested by the image beast and to be separated when it enforces the reception of the mark of the beast (Rev.13:11-18   3 Test. p.266; 5 Test. p.211)

Then will the influence of truth “testify” to world of it’s sanctifying, ennobling character. (Test. to Ministers, p.18). Then the church will appear “fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners, “going forth” into all the world, conquering and conquer.” — “Prophets and Kings, ” p. 725.

Consequently. ‘the gold…separated  from the dross in the church” (Test., vol. 5, p.81) by the enforcement of the mark of the beast, cannot be the 144,000, the fruit (Test. to Ministers, p.445), but rather is the second fruits,— the great multitude of rev.7:9– to who, after the sealing of then 144,000, will come the test of choosing between the commandments of God and the commandments of men.

The mark of the beast constitutes homage to the image of the beast, in compliance with his commandments, just as the mark of God (Ezek.9:4,6) constitutes homage to God in compliance with His commandments.

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

As the Elijah message is sometimes referred to as the “sealing message” some have inquired just what exactly is the “seal” of God. Brother Houteff addressed this question. Let us take heed!

Question— What is the seal of God upon the foreheads of the 144,000 (Rev. 7:3)? Is it the Sabbath seal or something else?

Answer — “The seal of the living God,” the Truth, by which the 144,000 are sealed (Rev.7:2), is a special seal, being  the same as “the mark” of Ezekiel 9. (See Testimonies to Ministers, p.445; Testimonies, Vol. 3, p.267; Testimonies, Vol.5, p.211) It demands one’s sighing and crying over the abominations which defile him, and which desecrate both the Sabbath and the house of God, especially against selling literature and raising goals  during Sabbath services. As the saints have this seal or mark on their foreheads, the angels will pass over them, not slay them. it’s equivalent to the blood on the door post on the night of the passover in egypt. the angel is to place a mark upon the foreheads of all who by sighing, over their own sins, and over the sins in the house of God, show fidelity to the Truth. Then the destroying angels will follow, to slay untterly  both old and young who have failed to receive the seal. (See Testtimonies, Vol. 5, p.505)

So, the former seal enables the receiver to rise from the dead in the resurrection of the just, while the latter seal enables the sighning-crying one to escape death and forever to live for God.

Posted in Elijah, End times, Final Events, Our Lord's kingdom, The Loud Cry | 3 Comments »

Blinded By The Light

March 30, 2013

001-elijah-fed-by-ravens

Some of us may remember the 1976  top charting music song called ‘Blinded by the light” by a group called Manfred Mann. As I waited for the Lord to guide me in what to write this week, that title occurred to me. I knew it would be the perfect title for the message this week. What we’ll look at is the situations where some professed followers of Christ who have received great knowledge and understanding of the Scriptures, even the Elijah message, yet have been “blinded by the light”. The light of the last present truth, the Elijah message, in particular,  can be a two-edged sword. We must be SO CAREFUL in remaining humble because as we’ll see the devils have a sneaky game plan for the ” light bearers”.

As we have learned, there is only one message that shakes Satan and the devils to the core now, it’s today’s Elijah message of warning to God’s remnant people. The message is sent to us to reform our lives, to stop the abominations going on in our own lives and the church and it sigh and cry about them. And as soon as the elect of God truly convert, then this  “small portion” as Ellen White said in (Test. to the Church, p.608-609) accept the warning and then it is that the final time clock starts and the 144,000 are sealed and the game changes. The power is upon the people of God and the great Loud Cry begins.

But what about sneaky attacks from the evil ones today? What is one of their most successful avenues to bring those who profess His last end time message, into a trap and snare? It is old tried and true–Pharisee plan! Allow me to explain.

We remember when our Lord walked this earth His number one enemy was those who had the greatest knowledge of the Scriptures and therefore were the ones who actively taught and promoted “their” understandings of God’s word and plans. As we know our Lord rebuked them time and again .

In (Matt.23:23) we read, “”Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices–mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law–justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.”

Imagine an individual that would be  measuring the exact distance you could walk to come to the Temple on the Sabbath. The Pharisees did this, and many other restrictive measures because they perceived God as a merciless overbearing toe the line dictator. They had indeed lost tract of their whole purpose in serving Him.

As our Lord said, instead of being full of justice, mercy and faithfulness, they were full of selfishness, ambition and greed. So the evil ones became well aware that the people who became zealous to teach, the ones who actively promoted God’s word, were the prime candidates to influence to become focused on their “knowledge” instead of their walk. Oh, my brothers and sisters how successful this can become if we are not careful!  The greater the light given and understood the closer we must watch that the spirit of Pharisaism doesn’t overtake us and therefore blind us!

Brother Houteff saw this among some of those who professed the Elijah message. He explains ““After one acquires all the knowledge necessary pertaining to the sign of Jonah, he is neither better nor worse off so far as his Christianity is concerned, without taking into effect the time wasted if his conclusions on the subject be wrong.

But what is still worse, should a group of people who are rightly proclaiming all the revealed doctrines, disagree with these zealous preachers of the sign of Jonah, as to what “the heart of the earth” may mean, the latter will in most instances not only forsake fellowshipping with their brethren, and cease helping to proclaim more important doctrines, but will also become so obsessed with their pet idea that their minds cannot comprehend much else.” (Tract 10, p. 20-21)

The above is very telling! Brother Houteff shows that some will cherish their knowledge and forsake the more important matters. Is this not what the Pharisees were known for?

  In Vol. 4   Symbolic News Code   Nos. 1-3. page 6. He said this, “Do not insist upon any one’s measuring up to your opinion of yourself; make not your business that of  finding fault with others, nor of advertising their sins; expect no one to confess to you any sins other than those committed against you personally; and never from any man demand an apology or confession.”

I bring those above quotes up because I’ve recently noticed that the evil ones have hoodwinked some of the true light bearers, the Davidians, the ones who are active in professing the Elijah message, into arguing over non-salvational issues.

Ellen White’s words ring powerfully upon those who become active in criticizing, “I shall tell the truth as God gives it to me, and I say now, If you continue to find fault, to have a spirit of variance, you will never know the truth.”(Testimonies to Ministers, p.476).

Just like the Pharisees, some have put their knowledge ahead of their heart. In other words, they have lost sight of the “old paths”. The Prophet Jeremiah said, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls.”(Jer.6:16).

As I was driving this week I sensed a message from the Lord, it was  — The message should be taught in love. Meaning that although this message (the Elijah message aka the Shepherd’s Rod message) is solemn and straight, it needs to be spoken with compassion. We must humbly proclaim it. The Pharisee aloofness and pride cannot be allowed to be a part of our character.

I hate to say it but there are more than a few  light bearers (Davidians) who have been snared by a lack of love and compassion. Their knowledge has warped them. In fact we read in (Isaiah 47;10) this thought, “Your wisdom and your knowledge have warped you; And you have said in your heart, I am, and there is no one else besides me.” (Isaiah 47:10).

So again we go back to the snares that the evil ones put up. One of the best, tried and true one, from since way back, is the inflated view of oneself. No longer do the self proud, all knowing ones have to promptly return emails, initiate correspondence with brothers and sisters, return phone calls, etc. The devils say , “you got the goods, let everyone come to you, no need to reach out.” Instead of being a servant they desire to be served. The Lord’s warning in Rev. 3:17 ” have become wealthy and have need of nothing” is even more true among some Davidians than SDA’s.

Peter also gives good counsel. In speaking of  faith, knowledge, self-control, perserverance, brotherly kindness, love,  he then says, “For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.” (2 Peter 1:5-9)

Let’s not kid anyone. Just because we know a vast amount of present truth does not guarantee we’re saved. As Paul says, “If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.”(1 Cor.13:2)

And our last quote from our beloved prophetess, “God will choose humble men, who are seeking to glorify His name and advance His cause rather than honor and advance themsleves.” (Test. for the Church, Vol.5, p.461)

In closing, let us remember to be humble in our walk, never forgeting the “old paths” . Yes, we need knowledge and advancing truth which is in His Elijah message, but this comes WITH our basics such as love, compassion, servitude, and such.  If we ignore the basics, the devils stand ready to  —  blind us with the light.

Posted in Brotherly love, Davidian Seventh Day Adventists, Humility, Proper teachings, Witnessing | 2 Comments »

The Great Orchestrator

March 23, 2013

As I go on in my walk I am more and more aware of how awesome of a God we serve. In Scripture we know that His word says, “..with God all things are possible” (Matt.19:26). The daily movements, the planning , the reactions, just the great orchestration of it all!  He truly is as the song says, “How Great Thou Art”. Let’s look at some of the specifics of the orchestrating of God.

Recently there were a couple of examples of God’s orchestrating . In my service repair business I am often called to several job locations around the city. About a week ago, I was called to do a repair job. I met a nice woman, we’ll call Laura (name changed).

We exchanged niceties and then she led me to the kitchen where her disposal was broken. But I stopped at her counter and looked at her many pictures of Jesus and some Scripture passages. We stopped there and I commented, “Oh I see you’re a Christian.”  Little did I know instead of continuing on and inspecting the unit, I would be there at that counter talking with her for what seemed like 30 minutes!

As we chatted I learned that she was a Catholic. I explained that I also was once a Catholic (being raised one). As we discussed the things of God, I sensed a very unusual dedication for the Lord. The Holy Spirit was working on me, saying to listen to her carefully. We both seemed to interact in a deeper level and I marvelled at how she really wanted to know the Lord more closely.

As we talked, I learned that she had been pleading with the Lord. She often wasn’t sensing His presence and her walk was very intermittent. She also had been sighing and crying. I had mentioned some of the basics such as keeping ALL 10 Commandments as the way to know God on a deeper level. Obviously as a Catholic, I expected her to politely disagree about which day was the “Lord’s day”. But she listened keenly as I explained how the Roman empire was instrumental in changing the Lord’s day from Saturday to Sunday.

She also told of her sighing at work. Her boss was a frequent 3rd Commandment breaker. He would say JC this and JC that. She had told him she preferred he didn’t say that, but that only fueled him for more breaking.

As many of you know from our studies in the Lord’s current message to us, the Elijah message, it requires us to show we really love our Lord by “sighing and crying” for the sins done in our own life and in the church. So it was clear to me she was sighing for the sake of the Lord. His Holy Name was being mis-used. Although she doesn’t have the light of the Sabbath and other truths, she was expressing true love for the Lord.

Finally after our lengthy discussion I finally got to check out the unit. But before we finished we agreed that I would lend her the 5 part DVD set of Hal Holbrook’s “The Seventh Day”. But it was clear to me that the Lord had guided me to her. She was honestly seeking the truth and as such I was part of His orchestration of events.

We are told in (John 16:13) “..When He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth.”  So as a true seeker of the Lord and His truth, Laura’s path and mine came together. If she continues to want the truth and nothing but the truth, she’ll find it. “Ask and it will be given you, seek and you will  find, knock and the door shall be opened for you “(Matt 7:7).

The next story occurred about a week ago as well. Cathy (name changed) and I had been Facebook friends for about 2 years. She was a frequent Godsloveandlaw blog reader. She and I had emailed now and then and had a cordial friendly relationship. What struck me about her, was similar to Laura. She was a truth seeker and a walk advancer. They both had these  traits in common. They both mentioned to me that they would gladly accept being unpopular if it meant knowing the Lord and His straight truth.

What struck me is that both had mentioned that they knew that all who live Godly would suffer persecution. So Cathy and I chatted off and on and as many SDA were learning, she was interested in the Elijah message. As she was seeking to advance in her walk, the last light from the Lord, the Elijah message was very intriguing to her.  As she learned more and more, she would send a question or two to me for advice.  I sensed her progress was being guided from the hand of the Lord.

 A couple of weeks ago we finally had a chance to talk directly by phone. It was for over an hour. I had sent her some CD’s and DVD’s of the message and she had reviewed a some of it. So she had some questions.

But as we talked she gave me some of her history. Soon I learned that she also was a sigh and crier. She told of the story how she, being a health therapist, was appalled when her church had a lunch a while back and had donuts and pastries full of sugar for the members. Her field involves colonics and other clean out methods, to help rid the body of toxins which cause disease.

So she went to the lady in charge of the meals and let her know that those sugar packed denured of vitamins and mineral foods were worse than worthless. Instead of listening carefully to Cathy, who was trying to keep the Lord’s temple pure and clean, the lady took offense and later complained to others that Cathy was off base.

So what do we see from Cathy’s standing up for true principles? Mocking and derision from those who aren’t willing to be corrected. “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble…” (James 4:6). Cathy assured me that her advice was given in a loving manner, yet even this approach was rebuffed.

From the stories we mentioned, one thing is common. The sighers and criers were heard from by our Great Orchestrator. He then guided them into my path, that I might help them further in discovering advanced light. This is how the Great I Am works. He knows our hearts and when we show Him we are for real and want to know of His presence and love, we’ll find Him. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to  you” (James 4:8).

Also they both are desirous of advancement in their walk. Our prophetess said some great words concerning this, “When God’s people are at ease, and satisfied with their present enlightenment, we may be sure that He will not favour them. It is His will that they should be ever moving forward, to receive the increased and ever increasing light that is shining for them.” (5T pp. 708, 709).

” Those who will devote their powers to the study of God’s Word, and especially the prophecies referring to these last days, will be rewarded by the discovery of important truths.” (Ms 75, 1899, pp. 4,5. [Untitled Manuscript, May 11, 1899] — may be found as Manuscript release #54 in Manuscript Releases, Vol. 1, pp. 195-196).

“We must not think, ‘Well, we have all the truth, we understand the main pillars of our faith, and we may rest on this knowledge.’ The truth is an advancing truth, and we must walk in the increasing light.” (RH: March 25, 1890).

So let us be mindful of the Great Orchestrator, and how He is ever ready and willing to help us advance in our walk. We just have to “want to”. As Laodiceans we have to fight the ever tempting attitude of self complacency. If we seek–we find.

Posted in Christian walk, Courage, Loving the Lord, Sighing and Crying | 4 Comments »

The Loud Cry

March 16, 2013

Very soon God’s wonderous plan for His church will arrive. The long-awaited “Loud Cry” will be given. This will be the time that our prophetess has spoken of,  “Clad in the armor of Christ’s righteousness, the church is to enter upon her final conflict. Fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and as terrible as an army with banners, she is to go forth into all the world conquering and to conquer.” (Prophets and Kings. P.725). Who will be a part? What is the message of the Loud Cry?  Let’s look at this special time of God’s full power and Spirit, soon to come upon His remnant church.

Let’s address the first question — Who will be a part?

There can be no doubt that those of us who are truly watching, listening and caring for our beloved remnant church, the SDA church, cannot help but sigh and cry. Today our church leaders are supporting great abominations before the Lord.They are fulfilling prophecy, “for they say, “The Lord has forsaken the land and the Lord seeth not.” (Ezek.9:9)

 As an example, many of our SDA hospitals today support and provide abortions. The Wikipedia research article states “Since 1973, many Adventist hospitals perform elective abortions under any circumstance.” (for the full article click here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adventist_Health )

The above is just one of the many abominations taking place today within our church. Brother Houteff points out other worldly and pagan customs in our current SDA  organization and church —

“…the Roman system that is now carried on by the church: plate-passing, high-powered speeches, Big Day, Book Day, high pressuring, campaigning, selling, auctioneering, Harvest Ingathering, birthday offerings, Christmas-tree hangings, baby weighings, Dorcas sales, investment funds, and what not!  As none of these squeezings are Biblical, and as all of them are Pagan in origin and condemned by the Scriptures, they could not possibly be considered freewill offerings. Search and see.

   Instead of Sabbath-keeping the day is devoted to money-raising, and instead of a house of worship, the church is turned into a den of thieves — disgusting to observers, and most discouraging for a member to invite a friend or a neighbor to a church service… ” (Jezreel Letter, no.9 , p.7)

Victor Houteff and Ellen White  both add, “…the denominational schools, through the accrediting boards of the state universities, are joined hand and hand with the schools of the world, despite the following solemn instruction to contrary;  “Let us determine that we will not be tied by so much as a thread to the educational policies of those who do not discern the voice of God and who will not hearken to His commandments.” —  (Symb. Code News, vol.2, no.9 p.2) (Counsels to Teachers, p.255)

So we now  ask  – is it possible that the Lord’s pouring out of His full Spirit upon the church in the Loud Cry,  will include these leaders and spiritually complicit,  which include those who are aware of it yet don’t sigh and cry about it?

The Lord speaks of  the  complicit and abomination doers. “Were they ashamed when they committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed; Nor did they know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall..”(Jeremiah  6:15)

Ellen White answers this way. “Only those who have withstood temptation in the strength of the Mighty One will be permitted to act a part in proclaiming it (the 3rd angel’s message) when it shall have swelled into a Loud Cry. (Review and Herald, Nov. 19, 1908)

“Mark this point with care: Those who receive the pure mark of truth, wrought in them by the power of the Holy Ghost, represented by a mark by the man in linen, are those “that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done” in the church. Their love for purity and the honor and glory of God is such, and they have so clear a view of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, that they are represented as being in agony, even sighing and crying. Read the ninth chapter of Ezekiel.”(Test. for the Church, vol.3, p.267)

Could those who are now partaking in the abominations against the Lord be those considered to have “withstood temptation in the strength of the Mighty One’? 

Another identifying quote about who will take part in the Loud Cry, we read, “In the last solemn work few great men will be engaged.. God will work in our day that but few anticipate. He will raise up and exalt among us those who are taught by the unction of His Spirit than by the outward training of scientific institutions. (Test. for the Church, vol.5, p.80)

When we look back to the Lord’s choosing of men for His first advent, we see that the humble honest of heart were chosen for the 1st proclamation of the gospel. It appears the Lord will choose the same types for the great Loud Cry proclamation. The learned and self exalted, who have dug their doctrine stakes deep, and who are unwilling to be corrected, surely stand a slim chance in taking part in the most important work of all earthly history–the proclaiming of the true gospel with God’s full power and Spirit.

 Brother Houteff clarifies the true messengers of today, “..His messengers of today will bear no greater credentials of their calling than did those of ages past. Even Jesus Christ with His supernatural birth, sinless life, and miraculous works was condemned by the leading men of His time, who said, ‘This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.” (Matt. 12:24) (Tract 7, p.63)

So the answer to the question is that the Lord cannot use the current church, as it now stands,  to proclaim the final gospel. Those who think He will,  are ignorant of the Scriptures, SOP, and the Elijah message. Only the “overcomers” of temptations, the ones who are listening and walking according to the Holy Spirit, will be involved in the Loud Cry.

In the very near future we will know that the Lord’s Elijah  messenger, then follwed by the messengers,  have warned. The Lord has come to His temple(Mal. 3:1-5). The reins are now “in His hands” (Test. to Ministers, p.300). The world has been shocked and bewildered as God’s word has been fulfilled (1 Peter 4;17). Now it’s time for the great proclamation to appear.When the above has been completed,  God’s final plan is  to be implemented.

The second question is –What is the message of the Loud Cry?

Ellen White explains–

“In every generation God has sent his servants to rebuke sin, both in the world and in the church. But the people desire smooth things spoken to them, and the pure, unvarnished truth is not acceptable. Many reformers, in entering upon their work, determined to exercise great prudence in attacking the sins of the church and the nation. They hoped, by the example of a pure Christian life, to lead the people back to the doctrines of the Bible.

But the Spirit of God came upon them as it came upon Elijah, and they could not refrain from preaching the plain utterances of the Bible,–doctrines which they had been reluctant to present. They were impelled to zealously declare the truth, and the danger which threatened souls. The words which the Lord gave them they uttered, fearless of consequences, and the people were compelled to hear the warning.”

 “Thus will the message of the third angel be proclaimed. As the time comes for the loud cry to be given, the Lord will work through humble instruments, leading the minds of those who consecrate themselves to his service. The laborers will be qualified rather by the unction of his Spirit than by the training of literary institutions. Men of faith and prayer will be constrained to go forth with holy zeal, declaring the words which God gives them.

The sins of Babylon will be laid open. The fearful results of a union of Church and State, the inroads of Spiritualism, the stealthy but rapid progress of the papal power,–all will be unmasked. By these solemn warnings the people will be stirred. Thousands upon thousands have never listened to words like these. In amazement they hear the testimony that Babylon is the church, fallen because of her errors and sins, because of her rejection of the truth sent to her from Heaven.

The people go to their former teachers with the eager inquiry, Are these things so? The ministers present fables, prophesy smooth things, to soothe their fears, and quiet the awakened conscience. But many refuse to be satisfied with the mere authority of men, and demand a plain “Thus saith the Lord.” The popular ministry, like the Pharisees of old, are filled with anger as their authority is questioned; they denounce the message as of Satan, and stir up the sin-loving multitudes to revile and persecute those who proclaim it.

As the controversy extends into new fields, and the minds of the people are called to God’s down-trodden law, Satan is astir. The power attending the message only maddens those who oppose it. The clergy put forth almost superhuman efforts to shut away the light, lest it should shine upon their flocks. By every means at their command they endeavor to suppress the discussion of these vital questions.

The church appeals to the strong-arm of civil power, and in this work, papists are solicited to come to the help of Protestants. The movement for Sunday enforcement becomes more bold and decided. The law is invoked against commandment-keepers. They are threatened with fines and imprisonment, and some are offered positions of influence, and other rewards and advantages, as inducements to renounce their faith. But their steadfast answer is, “Show us from the word of God our error,”–the same plea that was made by Luther under similar circumstances.

Those who are arraigned before the courts make a strong vindication of the truth, and some who hear them are led to take their stand to keep all the commandments of God. Thus light is brought before thousands who otherwise would know nothing of these truths.” (Spirit of Prophecy, vol.4, p.423-425)

So the above gives us a good look at the events that happen within the Loud Cry period. There is to be great wonders and yet great stress. Our beloved prophetess gives  a great account of this time.

“The latter rain is coming on those that are pure — all then will receive it as formerly. When the four angels let go, Christ will set up His kingdom. None receive the latter rain but those who are doing all they can. Christ would help us. All could be overcomers by the grace of God, through the blood of Jesus. All heaven is interested in the work. Angels are interested.”(Spalding Magan, 3:2)

A few Scriptures that speak about  this time period.

“Awake, awake! Put on your strength O Zion; Put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city! For the uncircumcised and the unclean shall no longer come to you.”(Isaiah 52:1)

“For Zion’s sake I will not hold My peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a lamp that burns, the Gentiles shall see your righteousness, and all the kings your glory. You shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord will name.” (Isaiah 62:1-2)

“The Lord also will roar from Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem; The heavens and earth will shake;But the Lord will be a shelter for His people, and the strength of the children of Israel.” (Joel 3:16)

May we  strive to be among those who take part in this last great work– the Loud Cry. A most exciting and extraordinary work that sets up His everlasting kingdom.

Questions and Answers  about the Loud Cry—

HAS THE LOUD CRY BEGUN?

Question No. 10:

Sister White wrote in 1892 that the Loud Cry of the Third Angel’s Message had already begun; please explain why others claim that it is yet future. And what makes it “loud”?

Answer:

There must be a marked difference between the voice of the message before the Loud Cry, and the voice of the message in the Loud Cry; otherwise it would not be called “loud.”

The message swells to a Loud Cry by virtue of an “addition” which gives it “power and force.”- Early Writings, p. 277. The only conclusion admissible, therefore, is that since the church has never accepted an additional message, and since there has never come one (other than that in The Shepherd’s Rod publications) that would give “power and force” to the old message, the Loud Cry could not have begun at any time previous to this.

Moreover, the “abominations” in the church have not only kept back the Loud Cry but have also even silenced the fainter cry which precedes it. Indeed, “the angel of the church of the Laodiceans,” being unfit even to finish the proclamation of the message in its fainter cry must be altogether unfit to proclaim it in the Loud Cry. Obviously, if he does not now quickly repent and accept the additional message which is to begin the Loud Cry, then not only will he not help proclaim it but he will even be “spued out.”

“…only those who have withstood temptation in the strength of the Mighty One,” warns the Spirit of Prophecy, “will be permitted to act a part in proclaiming it [the Third Angel’s Message] when it shall have swelled into the loud cry.”-The Review and Herald Nov. 19, 1908. So while the fainter cry is proclaimed by those who have, as well as by those who have not, overcome temptation, the Loud Cry is to be proclaimed only by those who have.

Though the Loud Cry was to have begun by 1892, it was muffled when the church rejected the message of Righteousness by Faith in 1888. Thus, the scroll which contained the “additional” message that was to give “power and force” to the Third Angel’s Message, for the time then being ceased unrolling. And consequently, instead of becoming the light of the world, the church herself went into darkness. Seeing this, the Spirit of Truth made a fearful pronouncement of doom upon unrepentant Laodiceans, while giving joyous promise of future glory to all who will arise and walk in the light that proceeds from the throne.

“How will any of our brethren know when this light shall come to the people of God?” was the sweeping question then asked by Inspiration. And the inspired answer was: “As yet we have certainly not seen the light that answers to this description. God has light for His people, and all who accept it will see the sinfulness of remaining in a lukewarm condition.”-The Review and Herald, Oct. 7, 1890.

“In the manifestation of the power that lightens the earth with its glory, they will see only something which in their blindness they think dangerous, something which will arouse their fears and they will brace themselves to resist it. Because the Lord does not work according to their expectations and ideal, they will oppose the work. Why, they say, should we not know the Spirit of God, when we have been in the work so many years?”-Bible Training School, 1907. (Reprinted in The Review and Herald, Nov. 7 1918.) This statement plainly projects the Loud Cry into the future from 1918.

“The love of Christ, the love of our brethren will testify to the world that we have been with Jesus and learned of Him. Then will the message of the third angel swell to a loud cry, and the whole earth will be lightened with the glory of the Lord.”–Testimonies, Vol. 6, p. 401.(The Answerer Vol. 1)

What additonal proof can you give that the present church will not complete the work of the Loud Cry?

Answer–  “If the present church leadership is to complete the work , then how can our brethren explain the following quotation which is found in “The Testimonies for the Church”, Vol. 5, p.80, from which we quote?

“But the days of purification of the church are hastening on apace. God will have a people pure and true..Those who have trusted to intellect, genius, or talent, will not then stand at the head of rank and file…They are self-sufficient, independent of God, and He can not use them..The Lord has faithful servants, who in the shaking, testing time will be disclosed to view… But, it may be under a rough and uninviting exterior the pure brightness of a genuine Christian character will be revealed.”(End of quote)

“If the purification takes place after the gospel work is finished, then why should He disclose another set of servants, and say, after purification He cannot use those who are self-sufficient and independent of God?” (Symb. News Code, vol.1, No.18 p.9)

Posted in End times, Final Events, The Loud Cry | 4 Comments »

Counted As Worthy

March 9, 2013

In Luke chapter 21 we read of our Lord explaining the last days. A very descriptive account of the travail that will come upon the earth. Then in verse 36 He says “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” So clearly the end time people, those living in the last days(our time),  must be found worthy.

What does this mean–worthy? We have all heard week after week, – Grace, grace, and more grace. Does not these two words– worthy and grace, seem somewhat contradictory? However, it seems today that the great masses are solidly in the “grace” camp. The leaders and pastors have drilled them again and again , that we really don’t have to worry in our walk–we are covered by grace. Just be kinda good and let all the rest fall unto Jesus. Our Savior is our excuse, our reason why we don’t have to be that careful and obedient, right?  Absolutely wrong. Let us see clearly why.

In speaking of  “worthiness” our Lord shows further examples “He who loves His father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” (Matt. 10:37). 

In researching for this post I found someone’s comments that I found right on concerning what (Matt 10:38) means “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.”  In the article, the author says  “(Mt.10:38) has been grossly abused. The phrase, “taking up one’s cross” has become so ubiquitous, that practically any unavoidable difficulty, aggravation, or inconvenience is likely to be piously labeled, “just the cross I have to bear.”
WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT STATEMENT FOR THE BLASPHEMY THAT IT IS!!!
The cross, for Jesus, was NOT an unavoidable inconvenience! Neither was it a case of submission to illness, natural disaster, or insurmountable evil! Jesus was speaking sober truth when he said he could have called upon all the hosts of heaven to rescue him! He CHOSE not to do so, in order to ransom the people of his Kingdom from the domain of death and fear (Heb.2:14-15), by his triumph over both! Cross-bearing entails voluntarily suffering completely undeserved injustice for the sake of the Kingdom of Jesus!”

In other words, to be found “worthy”, we should be taking up the cross and be willing to be, among other things — scorned, murmured against, unpopular among some, ridiculed or a host of other injustices simply for proclaiming God’s truth and walking therein.  Just like our Lord. We’re a  chip off the ol block as they say.

Ellen White explains, “Satan’s attacks against the advocates of the truth will wax more bitter and determined to the very close of time. As in Christ’s day the chief priests and rulers stirred up the people against Him, so today the religious leaders will excite bitterness and prejudice again the truth for this time.”(Gospel Workers, p.324)

“Satan works at the very ones that do him most harm. God can make them a host against their enemies. Ye give up too quick.  Ye let go too soon. That arm, the arm of God is mighty.” (Spalding and Magan Collection, 3:4)

 Brother Houteff explains,  ” Just as did the Jews of old, thousands today dearly believe that there is a certain saving magic simply in membership in the church, thus letting themselves be brought to prize and depend upon it more than upon the message, which demands repentance of sins and in return lifts the penitent sinner from the dark and miry pit, into the healing, saving light of Present Truth. 

Had these worshipers of temples made by hands, lived in the days of Christ, they would have shown their utter ignorance of and disregard  for the Truth, by rejecting the respective messages of John the Baptist, Jesus Christ, and the apostles, in order to maintain their membership in the “synagogue” and to shun the reproach they would otherwise have been called upon to bear.  Whereas God’s true people have always bound themselves to new and unpopular truths which, while new, the self-styled men “of  experience” have denounced as heresies.” (Tract #7, p.60-61)

So how do we balance grace with worthiness? The answer is that we as His followers are striving with all our hearts to obey Him through His word, as said by the prophets.  Then as we become obedient to His messages as sent by the prophets, we can count on His grace to save us. You see, as we strive to be obedient we will sometimes slip and fall, that’s when we can count on His grace. When Paul was striving with all his heart to work for the Lord, being obedient as possible, what did the Lord say in response to his request? ‘My grace is sufficient for thee..” (2 Cor. 12:9). Grace covered a righteous man , not an indifferent,  careless man of God.

Grace abuse is described in (Romans 6:1) “What shall we say then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?”  Those who repeatedly fall in their walk often think that grace will cover them, leading them  in effect to not claim the Lord’s power to help them overcome sin.

 But the key is that we are trying very hard and not carelessly neglecting our walk, and then saying ” I’m going to sin and there is nothing I can do about it  but  He will save me through His grace anyway”.  We must decide that we cannot continue in sin( see Hebrews 10:26). With the Holy Spirit’s help, we can “overcome” our sins.(Rev.21:7)

Yes, we will slip and fall. But as the word says ” For though a righteous man falls seven times, he will rise again..” (Prov. 24:16) The key is to –rise again, meaning we get up and repent and continue on with our walk, being careful not to slip again. It’s all about wanting to do right thing before the Lord.

Ellen White speaks about worthiness, ” I was shown that fathers and mothers have departed from their simplicity and neglected the holy calling of the gospel. The Lord has admonished them not to corrupt themselves by adopting the customs and maxims of the world. Christ would have given them the unsearchable riches of His grace freely and abundantly, but they prove themselves unworthy.” (Test. for the Church, p.74)

Last year we did a post on backsliding call ‘Recovering from backsliding”. In it I pointed out that we all succumb to temptation now and then. As I mentioned last year I had fallen back for a few days into my old sinful behavior. The devils are particularly  hovering around those who are proclaiming God’s truth. We are viewed as their number one adversaries.

As the devils know a wide range of tactics, one of them is the old trick of “over-worthiness”. They tell us,  “You’re a hard worker for God, you deserve a little something now and them”.  I fell for it and went back to some espressos and even a few beers after work for a few days. Thinking that I had somehow earned these “treats”. But I was jolted to reality a few days later! Repentance was deep and I was received my Lord’s words, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten..” (Rev.3:19). It was quite scary to be honest, a real jolt of reality set in. 

In further illuminating the cost of being found worthy, Ellen White says, “God will test and prove his people. One sacred truth after another will be brought to bear upon their hearts, close and cutting, until their faith will be purified and tried like gold, until all their dross will be purged away, and Jesus will present them unto his Father without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing. We must overcome through trials and sufferings as Jesus overcame. We must not shun the cross or the suffering part of religion. The language of the heart should be, let me know the fellowship of the sufferings of Christ. Let me suffer with Him that I may reign with Him.(Review and herald, Sept.16,1862)

Let’s look at our prophetess’ words concerning the  struggles of those who are taking part in our last days work of the Lord.

“I saw some, with strong faith and agonizing cries, pleading with God. Their countenances were pale and marked with deep anxiety, expressive of their internal struggle. Firmness and great earnestness was expressed in their countenances; large drops of perspiration fell from their foreheads. Now and then their faces would light up with the marks of God’s approbation, and again the same solemn, earnest, anxious look would settle upon them.

 Evil angels crowded around, pressing darkness upon them to shut out Jesus from their view, that their eyes might be drawn to the darkness that surrounded them, and thus they be led to distrust God and murmur against Him. Their only safety was in keeping their eyes directed upward. Angels of God had charge over His people, and as the poisonous atmosphere of evil angels was pressed around these anxious ones, the heavenly angels were continually wafting their wings over them to scatter the thick darkness.

As the praying ones continued their earnest cries, at times a ray of light from Jesus came to them, to encourage their hearts and light up their countenances. Some, I saw, did not participate in this work of agonizing and pleading. They seemed indifferent and careless. They were not resisting the darkness around them, and it shut them in like a thick cloud. The angels of God left these and went to the aid of the earnest, praying ones.” (Early Writings, p.269-270)

What I found interesting is that those who “participated” in the agonizing and pleading of God’s work and their own spiritual condition, were the ones involved in the dark struggle. The careless and indifferent ones, meaning those who don’t participate in the work of His present truth for this time and who also don’t plead with the Lord to help them overcome their sins.  Darkness “shuts them in” and the Angels have “left them”. This vision  is prophetic about what is going on right now. The true workers of God are in an internal struggle, complacency is the farthest thing from their mind. At times they feel the heat in other words!

Let us never forget that we as the Laodicean church have the strictest reprimand from the Lord. We are warned not to be lukewarm. Is lukewarmness a sin? Absolutely. The 11th hour message we are called to give–the Elijah message — is our test today. Ellen White says,  ” God means that testing truth shall be brought to the front and become a subject of examination and discussion, even if it is through the contempt placed upon it. The minds of the people must be agitated. Every controversy, every reproach, every slander, will be God’s means of provoking inquiry and awakening minds that otherwise would slumber.” (Test. for the Church, Vol. 5, p.453).

To sum up our post, we ask the following– ” Must we be found worthy to inherit the kingdom of God?” For sure. “How do we know we can be found worthy?” By taking up His cross (standing up for His truth today). “And what can we expect once we decide to take up His cross?” The devil attacks, but we can then say and believe -“Greater is He who is in us, than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

Let us close with the beautiful words of the Lord through his prophet Isaiah. ” Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near, let the wicked forsake His way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” (Isaiah 55:6-7)

May our Lord give us wisdom for these last days, to be counted as worthy, amen.

Posted in Christian walk, once saved always saved fallacy | 4 Comments »

Equipping the Saints for the Spiritual Battle

March 2, 2013

There can be no doubt that right here, right now, we are in a gigantic spiritual battle. The forces of evil are at every side and in every corner of the world. The two sides are colliding in a “pre” armegedon  battle. Let  us look into this current battle.

Our brother Apostle Paul states, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm” (Eph. 6:12). How true that is! Unseen powers are behind the scenes, lest they be exposed, to thwart the work of God.

And how does the evil ones use their cunning and power? Through human agents. And what would be the most deceptive way to deceive the people? Through  religious people. For they are the ones the masses look to for guidance and help are they not? So once the devils have the religious  ones walking an unholy walk before the Lord, meaning not paying attention to their sins and ignoring them, then that’s the perfect person they can use.  Subversion at its Satanic best!

Once the devils, led by the master planning deceiver, Satan, take hold of the leaders in our churches they have an effective blockcade as it were, to stop the real light from the Lord from reaching the people! Let’s read spot on words from brother Houteff concerning this. Speaking of the folly of consulting a mininster, elder, or any other, before taking up a study into purported truths from the Lord, he says

   “And if we had consulted the ministers of our respective former denominations and accepted their counsel, how many of us would have become Seventh-day Adventists?  The overall answer is, “Not one of us.”  Such has been the fate of all who have followed the decisions of uninspired men against inspired men of God.  Men of piety, men deeply rooted in their religion, as were the priests and rabbis in Christ’s day, have been the most successful in keeping away the light of God from the people.  This is a fact that no one should ever forget or neglect to give consideration to.

   Moreover, since our personal rights of  investigating truths purported to be sent from God, without the interference of our former ministers, took us out of the churches which are mindful only of past truths, and brought us into the Advent present Truth some years ago, should we now surrender these rights and become spiritually dependent on others to tell us what is Truth and what is error? 

Why judge ourselves spiritual invalids rather than full grown Christians?  And why take the ministers’ word now against advanced purported inspired present Truth, if such a step previously  taken would have been disastrous, would have cheated us from accepting the Advent Truth?  Is it not true that if we would let others think for us, we might be cheated as badly as were the Jewish  common people cheated by the priests and rabbis in Christ’s day? (Tract no.15, p. 1-2)

When I was a youngster, I had the privilege of being a bat boy for the San Diego Padres professional baseball team(age 16-18). This I did for about 3 years, then at the age of 19 I was promoted to assistant equipment manager. The job involved me helping to have all the equipment ready for the players. The shoes, the gloves, the bats, the uniforms, the food, the drinks, and many other necessities.

So I had a hands on experience in equipping our team to go to ‘battle” to beat the enemy. And once they had all the equipment ready and useful, then they could fight the battle against the opposition (the opposing team). The same applies to us today. We need useful equipment to fight the enemy (Satan and his devils). 

So what I would like to do this week is give you some good solid “equipment” to help you win this battle for souls today. Maybe even your own soul, if you may be stuck in the prevalent Laodicean , self satisfied, contentment of being “rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing” (Rev.3:17).

Here’s some very useful sites and links.

1) Esword. This is a great Hebrew/Greek Bible site.  It’s free and a must for all serious Bible students. http://www.e-sword.net/

2) Elijah message site. It has much present truth that our Lord has for us today. It behooves us to seriously study this message, as it’s message, if obeyed,  will enable us to stand in the “great and dreadful day of the Lord” and be sealed. www.sighandcry777.wordpress.com

I would highly  suggest these present truth videos. Sometimes people would rather listen and watch studies as opposed to reading them. Here’s your answer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Rfa4MhzqwxI   (there are 32 videos to watch and learn. The speaker is Jimmy Kakouri, a gifted Elijah messenger.

3) The Answerer book. This is a series of volumes that contains about 165 questions and answers on the Elijah message. Brother Houteff was asked many, many hard and thought provoking questions from both friend and foe. In fact many tried to stump him or confuse him, yet as you’ll read, the answers are nothing short of divine.  Just like sister Ellen White, he only had a minimal grade school education (4th grade).

http://www.shepherds-rod.org/answerers/answerer1.html

http://www.shepherds-rod.org/answerers/answerer2.html

http://www.shepherds-rod.org/answerers/answerer3.htm

http://www.shepherds-rod.org/answerers/answerer4.htm

http://www.shepherds-rod.org/answerers/answerer5.htm

4) Free Cd’s and DVD’s of present truth and the Elijah message.

http://www.11th-hourministries.org/audio/cd_request.html

rene_reyes@sbcglobal.net   Free Cd’s and DVD’s of same in spanish.

5) The whole Shepherd”s Rod message with one click. You can read it all here. The “Timely Greetings” sermon addresses by brother Houteff. The “Jezreel Letters”. The “Symbolic News codes”, which were mostly reports during the early days of the Elijah message and the progress and some Q & A (very interesting reports). The 15 “Tracts”, which were small booklets of different areas of prophecy. And more.

So this is the place for any who would like to read about the Elijah message in total. If you are a doubter or skeptic, by all means look them over and try to find error and bring it to our attention. Believe me, thousands have tried over the years, and as EGW said “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 Min. p.106-107). Truth will stand close scrutiny, it shall not be afraid.

http://www.shepherds-rod.org/srinx.html

6) The Davidian vs. Branch Davidian confusion. This is so misunderstood. Because of the Waco disaster many people still falsely believe that “any” Davidian is a Branch Davidian. In other words, they all subscribe to the fanatic beliefs of the likes of David Koresh and gang. Nothing could be further from the truth. Here is the link that will help clear the confusion. http://shepherdsroddavidian.org/Downloads/True%20Davidians%20Versus%20Branch%20Davidians.pdf

7) God’s storehouses. As we are well aware our Lord made a  promise to us. We’d be blessed if we’d “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse” (Mal.3:10) That being said, we must be certain that we give our tithes to His “storehouse”. Which we explained in a prior post is where His present truth is dispersed (meat in due season). Here are some storehouses today you may consider, to receive that blessing.

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

http://shepherdsroddavidian.org/branch.html

http://www.thenightcometh.org/

http://sighandcry777.wordpress.com/

In closing, we must know for certain that there is only one message that shakes the devils to their core, the Lord’s last–The Elijah message. Let us now quote a  message from brother Houteff.

 “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.” (General Conference Special, p.6-8)

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.  And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.” (Mal.4:5-6)

Posted in Elijah, Present Truth, Proper teachings, Victor T. Houteff, Witnessing | 6 Comments »

Let He Who Is Without Sin

February 23, 2013

One of the most telling experiences of our Lord’s life here on earth was the adulteress woman story(John 8:1-11). The scribes and Pharisees caught a woman in adultery, in fact in the very act itself. So according to Jewish law she was as guilty as one could get. Then they brought her to Jesus and it was to be another test upon our Lord by the Pharisees. A test that would turn out to be a great learning example for us sinners.

We pick up the story  ” They said to Him, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do you say?’ This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear..

So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw the first stone at her.” And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the youngest. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

When Jesus raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her , “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”(John 8:4-11)

There are quite a few lessons we can draw from this story.Let’s look at a few. First we see that the leaders, teachers, so-called religious  scribes and Pharisees were the accusers. They no doubt had the air of self-righteousness. But perhaps the most sinister and dark trait they had been–they were scheming. Their purpose wasn’t even to administer justice as much as it was  to trip up a righteous Man.

But our Lord saw all through that and made them think. Thus they were made to awake to their real situation and not their deceiving one. They knew all to well that they too were sinners.

So how does this lesson fit in today? The first and most obvious one is we must be very careful of accusing a brother or sister of sin.

What are the things we need to look at in our own lives before we accuse someone of sinning?

We  must look in the mirror first. Are we doing what we are accusing someone else of doing? Again our Lord has the right instructions for us  “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brothers eye.” (Matt.7:5)

This requires us to be self-aware and humble in our dealings with the sin of others. Unlike the scribes and Pharisees we cannot rashly accuse someone until we have searched ourselves very carefully in the area where we attempt to charge someone with a sin.

It is true that our prophets said that we must sound the alarm and show the peoples their sins, as an example, “Cry aloud, spare not:Lift up your voice like a trumpet:Tell My people their transgression, and the house of  Jacob their sins.” ( Isaiah 58:1)

 But this can only happen once we ourselves are walking upright with the Lord. Watching carefully that we are “doing right” in our daily walk. If we carry repetetive sins around, and not wanting seriously to clean up our own walk, can we fool God and throw that stone at someone and be guiltless?

Our Lord said, “For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use,  it will be measured to you” (Matt.7:2) . This is quite far-reaching. We read in the Old Testament  that our Lord gives  His judgments known as  “recompense”.

Here is just one of the 24 verses where the word recompense is used. Most of them are found in Ezekiel. And as we know this book has the soon to come church judgment prophecy and God’s end time plans through out it. No doubt the Lord will give the great recompense in the great and dreadful day.

Ezekiel 7:3
“Now is the end come upon thee, and I will send mine anger upon thee, and will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense upon thee all thine abominations.”
 
 This Scripture also plainly explains what we do we will sow, “For the day of the Lord upon all nations is near;As you have done, it shall be done to you;Your reprisal shall return upon your own head.” (Obadiah 1:15)
 
So we see that on one hand we should be our ‘brother’s keeper” and help to keep him or her stay on the straight and narrow but we must be careful not to be found a hypocrite. In (Job 27:4) we read,  “For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul?”
 
 In our prior studies we have learned that we must sigh and cry of all the abominations done in our lives and the church. So once we have converted, and called upon the Lord to help clean up our walk, we can then be in a better position to help/warn our brethren.
 
So in closing,  we can and should certainly warn our brethren when the time and circumstance  is appropriate, but before we do, we should know for sure that we are not doing the very same thing ourselves or else , God forbid,  we be found a hypocrite in the day of His great recompense.
 
 
 
 

Posted in Warning our brethren | 4 Comments »

What about the Feast Days?

February 16, 2013

As many Bible students know, the Old Testament feast days were a very important part of the righteous walk with our Lord prior to our Lord’s sacrifice. The special days all pointed to Christ and His redemption plan. But today, we must not, as a requirement, keep the feast days as will be more  clearly  shown.

Within  the feast days and ceremonial observances, the animal sacrifices were an integral part of the services. These sacrifices, as we all know, signified our Lord’s sacrifice. As He died on the cross,  the vail in the temple, was ripped in two. This was to give a clear sign that the sacrifices, along with the ceremonial feast days were to end. The Anti-Type had met type.

A while back we did a post called “Original Davidians are not Branch Davidians”. The Branch DSDA are a break away group that was founded after the death of brother Houteff. One of the points we addressed is that, unlike Original Davidians, the Branch Davidians believe that the Lord’s followers still have to keep the feast days. This is one of the most striking differences between the two groups. Unfortunately, they are often both lumped together, with people assuming that ALL Davidians believe this way. Ignorance is indeed a mis-adventure for many.

Let’s look at some clear Ellen White quotes concerning our issue . In our first quote she says, ” There are many who try to blend these two systems (the ceremonial law and the Moral Law), using the texts that speak of the ceremonial law to prove that the Moral Law has been abolished; but this is a perversion of the Scriptures. The distinction between the two systems is broad and clear. The ceremonial system was made up of symbols pointing to Christ, to His sacrifice and His priesthood. This ritual law, with it’s sacrifices and ordinances, was to be performed by the Hebrews until type met anti-type in the death of Christ, the lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.Then all the sacrificial offerings were to cease.”(Patriarchs and Prophets, p.365)

“The rending of the vail of the temple showed that the Jewish sacrifices and ordinances would no longer be received.” (Spiritual Gifts, vol.1, p.170)

Lastly she says, “Since the whole ritual economy was symbolical of Christ, it had not value apart from Him. When the Jews sealed their rejection of Christ by delivering Him to death, they rejected all that gave significance to the temple and it’s services. it’s sacredness had departed. it was doomed to destruction. From that day sacrificial offerings and the service connected with them were meaningless (Desire of Ages, p.165).

Remember last week in our post how we pointed out that the clear plain words of Scripture and Inspiration cannot be added to or subtracted from, lest we wrestle away our Lord’s clear intended will for us. Can it get any more plain than the above?Unfortunately, one of the biggest problems in Christendom is the ignoring of the straight words and meanings. It’s the old human nature to use our imagination and agenda reasoning to take the straight words and turn them into crooked words!

Ok we’ll add one more EGW quote to quash the issue. “He has swept away every ceremony of the ancient type. He has given no liberty to restore these rites, or to substitute anything that will recall the old literal sacrifices.” (Review and Herald, feb. 25, 1896).

One of my good friends has recently told me that she has been shown by a friend that the feast days are still a part of our walk.Surprisingly this belief is more prevalent than we think. Not only Branch Davidians teach it, but some other divergent groups within the SDA as well. So our purpose in this post is to help clear up this issue. Feel free as always to copy this report and use it as a study to counteract their false beliefs.

 The basic main feast days are a list of  seven.(perfect harmony with God’s completeness number-7)

1) Passover feast

2) Feast of the unleavened bread

3) Wave sheaf ceremony

4) Pentecost ceremony

5) Feast of trumpets

6) Day of Atonement

7) Feast of tabernacles

Something is very interesting about one of  the above feasts. We read in (Zech. 14:16) the following, “And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles”.

Apparently it appears that once the future premillennial kingdom is established in the holy land, the Feast of Tabernacles will be performed and kept. I am searching the last prophet’s writings concerning this, and will add them as soon as I locate them.

So with the above clear words of Inspiration, how can some still get into the trap of thinking we need to keep the feast days? Here’s a quote that is often used to support their ideas, “If the children of Israel needed the benefit of these holy convocations(feast days) in their time, how much more do we need them in these last days of peril and conflict! And if the people of the world needed the light which God had committed to His church, how much more do they need it now!” (Ellen White, Testimonies, vol. 6, pages 39, 40, chapter title,“The Camp Meeting.”)

But if you read that real closely, she is talking about a “camp meeting” experience and as such, it would be a great LEARNING experience to observe them. In fact, the holy convocations really are a great experience and I personally would see the occasional observance as one of great enlightenment. I think in this light she was explaining them. If she was indicating that we must keep them, then God forbid, she would have said clear error and contradictions with her writings above.

Lastly, in finishing our study, we would be remiss to not post what the “restorer of all things” said about this issue. Remember that the Elijah prophet MUST be our go to source in these last days, right before the great and dreadful day. He is the last prophet from the Lord, consequently the most current “present truth” we can and must know. I can tell you one thing, my heart and soul soars knowing that I have all the writings of our Lord’s final message to refer to. It can give you great joy as well. The Lord knows what we need and He delivers it through His prophets!

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

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

We see that brother Houteff minces no words on this issue “we need not, and must not, observe it now”. And as he clearly says, we demonstrate “unbelief in Christ” if we take the stance that we are required to keep them.

Hopefully this has cleared up the issue a little more. So next time someone who’s trying to “work” their way into heaven comes up and says, “What about the feast days?”  We can say we’ve looked into the plain straight forward words of the prophets and the answer is–NO, we don’t have to keep them today. May the Lord guide you into all truth (John 16:13)

Posted in Proper teachings, The Feast Days | 4 Comments »

Biblical Submission

February 9, 2013

One of the biggest traps we as Christians can get into, is to ignore or sidestep clear unambiguous words and meanings of Scripture. Ellen White explains “The language of the Bible should be explained according to it’s obvious meaning, unless a symbol or figure is employed” (Great Controversy, p.598).  Additionally brother Houteff says the same thing, “Hold not to what fabricated ideas seem to make Scripture say, but grip tenaciously to what the word, in simplicity, plainly says” (Tract 10, p.13).

We needed to lay that foundation first because this topic is somewhat controversial and therefore we must hold “tenaciously” to the obvious meaning and not use any of the often used sidestep explanations to throw out the plain obvious meanings.

It is obvious that today we live in totally different customs than was in place back in  the early Christian days. Today we have seen an ever evolving change among the relationship between man and wife. With the main stream media, via TV, internet, radio, and written literature, we can see a tidal wave of “liberal” ideas put forth for the family unit.

While I am not a anti-womens liber, I do refer always to the hand book of life–the Bible. And as I have mentioned many times during our “posting career”, the Lord strictly guides me and certain subjects appear in my walk that leads me to discuss it. Recently the issue of the man-woman relationship has risen before me and therefore I would like to point out some clear Biblical understandings in these matters.

In Ephesians 5:22 we read, “Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands as to the Lord.”  Obviously we know that to many women today, especially the women libers, these are inflammatory words. Yet of course to those, the Lord’s word generally doesn’t ring true on many aspects of their lives that –they don’t like.

The dictionary defines the word submit as follows -“To yield or surrender (oneself) to the will or authority of another.” As we are well aware we must always read the Bible verses in context.  After reading the above quote, our brother apostle Paul explains the order in which man and woman are to be established in a relationship. “For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their husbands in everything.” (Eph.5:23-24)

So we see that this “order” is to be firmly established in the man being the leader of the relationship. And who said this order? Our all-knowing Lord. The one who understands how everything works. Today the divorce rate is truly astronomical. In the well researched book, “Marriage, Families, and intimate relationships” the statement is made —

“Married adults now divorce two-and-a-half times as often as adults did 20 years ago and four times as often as they did 50 years ago… between 40% and 60% of new marriages will eventually end in divorce. The probability within… the first five years is 20%, and the probability of its ending within the first 10 years is 33%… Perhaps 25% of children ages 16 and under live with a stepparent.” ”
—Brian K. Williams, Stacy C. Sawyer, Carl M. Wahlstrom, Marriages, Families & Intimate Relationships, 2005 

Wow! 40 to 60 % new marriages will end in divorce! After reading this, let’s see what our Lord thinks about it. “For the LORD God of Israel says that He hates divorce, for it covers one’s garment with violence,says the LORD of hosts.” (Mal.2:16)

Could the fact that our divorce rate is so high be that we haven’t listened and obeyed the word of the Lord? Absolutely. Now I am not saying that the reason for such a high divorce rate is all the woman’s fault, because we learn in Paul’s writings that the man has a big responsiblity as well. He’s to love and respect His wife. “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.” (Eph 5:25)

So we see that as “head” of the relationship, the man has to establish a household of “love”. In fact this love is to be truly strong as we read, “..love His own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.” (Eph5:33) Also we notice, again, the wife’s responsiblity to “respect” her husband.

So clearly, any breakdown of these responsibilities, can hurt the relationship. But as we have learned, there is a rightful process to all this and it’s to follow our Lord’s counsel–The man is to lead and have the authority. Does that mean women have no say or can’t have their desires and wishes met? Of course not, but if the man deems something important that should be done, and the wife disagrees, the man’s will should take precedent. This, I’m afraid,  is why the divorce rate is so high–the chain of authority is broken!

Again, we read in (1 Cor.11:3) that the Lord has established delegation of authority. “But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.” In this liberal world it’s very easy to fall trap to the devil’s ploy. They have to a large degree tricked the women into thinking ,”You have just as much authority in your marriage as the man!” And even more sadly, more than a few men, drop down from this authority and willfully submit to the woman!

Think of this relationship as a circle. The man starts it by requesting something and the wife obeys. Then the  man is very happy and respects his wife, and wants to “love” her even more. And she feels this strong love and gives it back to the husband. A perfect chain of love and unity before the Lord. True Biblical submission leads to true love!

Our customs, as we mentioned, are quite different today as they were back in the early Christian days, but has  men and women’s relationship to God changed? No. Likewise the relationship of man and wife hasn’t changed either, from the Lord’s point of view(His word).

Has our Lord usurped God the Father’s authority? Have we men quit acknowledging that Christ is our authority? Then the final layer of that authority chain must be kept as well–woman looking  to man for his leadership and authority.

Recently I’ve had to call it quits in a personal relationship, to a woman who was my fiance. It was tough to do but I came to the realization that I could not be the authority of the household. The arguments, the interruptions, the ignoring of my requests, all got too much to handle. I could see unfortunately, that should I go ahead and marry, the Lord’s chain of order and authority would not be there and struggles would frequently occur.

Let us always refer back to our Lord’s word for advice. His words are so plain in regards to the man-woman relationship. If we obey them we will be blessed, if we ignore them, then we have no one to blame but ourselves.

Let’s close with a brother Houteff quote, ” There could be nothing more pleasing to God than for one of His children to ask in sincerity the way of the truth; therefore, such a one shall not be left in darkness, ‘Ask, and it shall be given you, seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you.” (Matt 7:7) (Shepherd’s Rod, vol 2, p.90)

May the Lord give us all true wisdom and understanding and understand that true Biblical submission leads to true and eternal love!

Posted in Christian walk, Covenants, Obedience, Proper teachings | 8 Comments »

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