End Time Final Events Timeline (Part 2 of 5)

(NOTE: Due to a large amount of information, we have made this into a 5 part report)

In this presentation we will be using our 3 Inspired sources 1) The Scriptures  2) Spirit of Prophecy writings  3) The Lord’s Rod message (aka the Shepherd’s Rod)

We will not use the controversial New Codes, the supposed sermon addresses that were kept in a file unpublished, and later brother Houteff’s wife, Florence, decided to authorize them to be published. When we stick to the original message, all the message that was written and published by the prophet, we stand on good solid ground.

 

Our final timeline begins in 1929.

“..the sighing and crying since 1929 for the abominations in the church, has been the supreme evidence that we are living in the period of the sealing.” ( 2 ANS, p. 34)

So in 1929 we began to receive our last final sealing message from the Lord. This message has brought us much light as to final events which before 1929 was only dim light.

Right now we will discuss what prophecies are being fulfilled presently. As the sealing message goes through our church there is a GIGANTIC trick being perpetrated upon God’s remnant people also. Let us read —

 

“..as long as the church remains in her present Laodicean condition, there will be no blue laws or “war” against her, but a bluff only to make her members believe that they are free from his snares and that he is still trying to cause them to fall. But the worst of it all is in that they are sound asleep, which is shown by the fact that they still think Satan is working terribly hard to fulfill God’s word by trying to pass blue laws and are not aware that he is only playing with them as a cat with a mouse, and the brethren “to whom the Lord has entrusted the spiritual interests of the people” (“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. 5, p. 211) instead of sounding the alarm to arouse the church are determined to even silence the voice of the Rod, and thus rocking her to a more sound sleep!” (2 SC, no.1, p.10)

We as present truth believers see all around, our leaders proclaiming “Watch out for that Sunday Law” with many reports, blogs, videos, etc all trying to keep us focused on the great trick that is set for us SDA. Amazing Facts, Walter Vieth, Hope Channel, 3 ABN, Stephen Bohr, David Barron and a host of others are on almost a full non-stop campaign to warn everyone about the Pope and the Sunday Law. They are twisting the Climate change discussion into showing how it will evolve into the Sunday Law and other sidetracking. Satan knows no bounds in his delightful tricks!

But the diligent students of God’s word shall know the Truth from the tricks! Soon, sadly all these false shepherds shall be no more. God is not mocked.

“And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?

Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock. The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.

And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered. My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.

Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the Lord; As I live, saith the Lord God, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock;

Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the Lord; Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.” (Ezek. 34:1-14)

 

Thus right now we are living in the part of the end time timeline where on one side is sealing, those who are settling into the Truth, on the other false shepherds leading many to eternal death. But soon we will witness two great earth-shattering events–you might call it mankind’s great double whammy!

After this mixture of wheat and tares is over, the harvest in the church is ready, the Lord’s church judgment will happen. But what other circumstances happen at this time as well? Let us read —

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

A double whammy indeed! Not only does the world witness a mysterious worldwide slaying of a certain group of people, but it witnesses a gigantic war in the middle east –Assyria (the white Christian nations and their armies) comes to her defeat. The Holy Land is now to be given to the saints!

“The time of this “work” is termed “harvest.” Matt. 13:30.  Therefore, up to this separation, the tares (those who are to be slain) and the  wheat (those who are to be delivered) together comprise the membership of Laodicea (the last of the seven churches — Rev. 3:14-18), the church just before the “tares” are forever separated from the “wheat” (Matt. 13:30).  Very obviously, then, the penitent Laodiceans are separated from the impenitent ones during Assyria’s fall, and then are liberated from her rule.” (Tract 14, p. 18-19)

TG, vol. 1, no.19, p.3-4 expounds more about this time —

Zech. 14:2 — “For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.”

In view of the fact that Jerusalem is to be protected by a wall of fire (Zech. 2:5) while the house of Judah reigns there, it is definite that the battle here described must be fought before the house of Judah is established. In that battle the nations will defeat the rulers of the Promised Land. Then it is that the house of Judah commences to be set up.”

So after the war is over the house of Judah will then be set up –the infant kingdom in the Holy Land, the stone of Daniel 2. All these mind-boggling events are to cause great consternation around the world, particularly the religious world. After all, whoever heard of a great mysterious slaying of millions of churchgoers by an unseen force?

And what about the Sunday keeping community and their leaders such as Hal Lindsey, Sid Roth, Johathan Kahn, Franklin Graham, etc. who have long told the Christian world that God will protect Israel? They had continually misinterpreted Romans 11:26.

“And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob”

But instead they will witness It in utter shambles! Only present truth believers will know the meaning of all these things. But the world will then be focused on religion and are going to try and figure it all out.

The message describes more —

“The warring nations are already divided into two distinct ideological camps: On the one side are the democratic governments, while on the other side are the totalitarian. If the latter continue successfully to prosecute their relentless conquest for world-dominion and sovereignty, the only victorious way out for the Christian nations, as they humanly view their plight, will be to surrender their power to the church. For, seeing Catholic set against Catholic, and Protestant against Protestant, in mortal combat, they will in dread fear be inspired to saddle the beast, and to re-establish the church as its driver in order to free themselves from the shackles of totalitarianism, and to safeguard Christianity.”(Tract 12, p.54)

So this war, along with the world witnessing Ezek. 9 , and the Holy Land being given a great valley from the Lord’s standing upon it, shall produce a need to have the religious community come together and produce what is known as the church federation. A federation that we know as present truth believers will ultimately produce the Mark of the Beast system–the Sunday law.

The SOP describes this period —

Quote –““Jest before we entered it (the time of trouble), we all received the seal of the living God. Then I saw the four Angels cease to hold the four winds. And I saw famine, pestilence and sword, nation rose against nation, and the whole world was in confusion.”(Maranatha, p.243)

Confusion indeed, the world will be turned upside down!

Let’s recap what we have seen so far.

1) the sealing message is making its way through the church, and at the same time the adversary’s false shepherds are  leading many astray with false doctrines, especially the premature Sunday law warnings. Thus one group is following the Lamb wheresoever He goes, the other is ignoring and hindering the Word of the Lord.

2) Soon the day of judgment for the SDA church comes (Ezek. 9) and this happens WHILE, let’s keep this in mind not after or before WHILE there is a gigantic world war over Israel.

3) This will shock and bewilder the world, especially as they see Israel take the brunt of the war. And those Assyrian nations (USA, Great Britain, Germany, France, Australia. etc) the white Christian nations, lose out to the totalitarian nations (Russia, China, Iran, etc.).

Ok, let’s continue with our timeline. As the world sits in shock, the saints, the 144,000 know it’s their cue to head homewards. And at this time, they do not delay. They know that the message says the following —

Zech. 14:3, 4 — “Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when He fought in the day of battle. And His feet shall stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.”

At the time Jerusalem, that now is, falls, the Lord’s feet shall stand upon Mount of Olives and there make a very great valley; that is, remove the obstacles and hindrances, and thus prepare the land for the returning of His people. Then it is that the prophecy of Zechariah 10:8 — that the Lord shall “hiss” for His people — will have met its fulfillment.

Zech. 14:5 — “And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.”

Having thus opened the way for the re-establishment of the house of Judah, His people, who beforehand have been informed of it through present Truth, will flee to the valley, to where the Lord’s feet stand, as quickly as if they were fleeing from an earthquake; and all the saints thereafter follow after them. There are several facts in this scripture itself which prove that this event is premillenial:

(1) Note that the Lord’s feet stand on the mount in the day of the war in which Jerusalem is taken by the wicked nations. (2) Those that flee to the valley do not descend from Heaven. (3) They can not be the wicked for they do not flee away from the Lord, but flee to Him, to where His feet stand. (4) All the saints follow after them.” ( TG, vol. 1, no.19, p.4-5)

 

The saints thus are not to dally around, but are to,  quote ” flee to the valley, to where the Lord’s feet stand, as quickly as if they were fleeing from an earthquake.”

So while the war is taking place and the saints see that the church harvest is complete, they shall waste no time in preparation to flee to the homeland. But this travel to the kingdom shall produce the next timeline event –Jacob’s time of trouble.

FB Tract, page 13 — “7. That subsequently, the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jer. 30:7) for the 144,000, the sons of Jacob, logically develops on their way home (Gen. 32:1, 24) to the land of their fathers (Ezek. 36:28; 37:21, 25).”

This reference is following no. 6 in our FB beliefs, which shows that subsequently after the four winds are released, the saints head home.

Let us stop here for a warning. Some present truth believers, due to their belief in the New Codes say that this no. 7 takes place before Ezek. 9. Brethren be very careful these New Code teachings can get us all tangled up with much confusion! They ultimately pit the original message of the Rod against itself!  This is why we always encourage present truth believers to stick with the original message as written and published by the prophet himself –the pure unaltered Golden Bowl

The Rod explains this time in heading home —

“After twenty years of faithful service in Padan-Aram, in the sharp, overreaching employ of Laban, his uncle, Jacob at last turned his face and his steps homeward toward his father’s house in the land of promise.

But trouble overtook him. While grappling with his fears as to the outcome of his imminent meeting with Esau “there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.” Gen. 32:24

Here lay down the man Jacob and rose up the man Israel, exemplifying the agonizing experience through which his posterity must victoriously pass before they, too, receive a new name, pass from sons of Jacob to sons of God, become Israelites indeed. Having gained the victory over this test, “the time of Jacob’s trouble,” they will reach home, the land of promise — the happy end of their long and troubled journey.” (SRod Tract, p.36)

 

Conclusion of part 2, to be continued ….

 

End Time Final Events Timeline (Part 1 of 5)

Let’s face it, even though we are known as the highest light-bearers (most Bible Truth known) we frankly are all over the board in our Davidian SDA final events timeline! Why??

Well there are several reasons, one of the foremost is that two old-time pioneers (MJ Bingham and Don Adair) have taught many Davidians a certain timeline based on the New Codes. Ideas such as an “intervening time”, where 144,000 Davidians get sealed then they meander around the USA for a while as they experience Jacob’s time of trouble before they start out and head to the kingdom.

Or the 144,000 face a  death decree within the USA before they get to the kingdom. And all other kinds of “strange fire” that really needs to be exposed and corrected.

Not since we did the 5 part Storehouse report have we been so excited and focused on a report. This may cause a seismic shift, granted, in how we view our final events but if it’s based on the preponderance of evidence we must and should jump aboard.

We quote the following to Mother and the laity all the time, but it certainly is applicable to us as well —

 “We have many lessons to learn, and many, many to unlearn. God and heaven alone are infallible. Those who think that they will never have to give up a cherished view, never have occasion to change an opinion, will be disappointed. As long as we hold to our own ideas and opinions with determined persistency, we cannot have the unity for which Christ prayed.” (CWE, p.37)

“There is danger of our being so overzealous to keep out of Babylon,” says the founder of the S.D.A. church, “that we shall commit her most noted blunder—that of sticking a stake and refusing to pull it up and advance. When we cease to unlearn errors, we shall fall like those who have gone before us. We have learned much, and no doubt there is much more for us to learn.…It is the ˜follow on” and the ˜go through” spirit that will finally land the remnant ˜without fault’ on the heavenly Mount Zion. My conclusion is that we should give up no Scripture truth, but that our false applications and interpretations of Scripture, and consequent false ideas of order and propriety, should be given up as fast as possible.”—The Review and Herald, May 29, 1860. (7 SC, no. 7-12, p.19)

Before we begin there are certain interpretational guidelines we must keep in mind and follow. These will help tremendously in knowing how we can study, understand and fit together our final event timeline.

PRAYER FIRST
Claim John 16:13

“When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own but will tell you what He has heard. He will tell you about the future.”

WEIGHT OF EVIDENCE
“The weight of evidence” is the only fair and final criterion worthy of a Christian who must ever make an investigation for himself concerning purported truth.” (1 ANS, p.77, Q-6)

LIMITED LIGHT UNDERSTANDING

“..there are circumstances in connection with certain aspects of every message which necessitate clarification. Such clarification, however, can be no greater than the light which shines at the time. And the light may come solely from within the message itself, or, again, it may derive from a limited understanding common to the time “then present”–an understanding which the messenger himself shares.” (1 Ans, p.48-49)

 

“…any statements incidental to a subject that is still out of sight in the unrolling of the scroll are made only in terms of truth as it is seen, or as it is commonly understood, not in terms of truth not seen. And if the understanding of that be wrong, the writer cannot be responsible for that which he has necessarily borrowed.

This circumstance is natural and common to every writer treating of present truth, even to the gospel writers, and will thus continue until every component part of the Truth is made known.” (Sym. Code, vol. 7, no. 7-12, p.21-22)

 

EACH WORD STUDIED

“…as there are no useless words in either of the writings, those who desire to know the truth must carefully mark every word, otherwise they will never comprehend the truth and, as a consequence, they will be driven by the winds as the waves of the sea until the winds cease blowing (probation closes), and they be left to sink down in their sins as do the waves in the sea.”(SC, vol. 2, no.7-8, p.10)

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

“..to him who digs deep into the well of salvation, and that can think and reason for himself.  Such a one reads between the lines and notes the full value of each word.” (1 TG, no.45, p.22)

“Hold not to what fabricated ideas seem to make the Scriptures say, but grip tenaciously to what the Word, in simplicity, plainly says.” (Tract 10, p.13)

ONE TRUTH

“..the Spirit of Prophecy does not, and cannot, give to one person one interpretation of scripture, and give to another another interpretation of the same scripture. (4 SC, no.10-12, p.3)

“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.” (2 Peter 1:19.)

This scripture declares that prophecy is the more sure word, and that it is as a light that shines in a dark place, and that when it is understood it makes the subject so plain that its clearness is compared by Inspiration, as a “day star” in our hearts.” ( 4 SC, no.10-12, p.3)

Each of these five Truth guidelines of Inspired Words will, in fact, help us to see the final timeline. You might say they are paramount in our study.

We will find out the answers to the following questions (not in any special order) —

1) When will Jacob’s time of trouble happen?

2) When will the Church federation happen?

3) When will the saints (144,000) head for home (Israel) ?

4) When will the Sunday Law happen?

5) When will the Loud Cry begin?

6) When will the Loud Cry headquarters be set up?

7) When will the Sunday Law death decree happen?

8) When will Assyria fall?

9) When does the False prophet come on the scene?

10) Does the Mark of the Beast happen first in USA, then go to the world?

11) How can we square many of SOP statements of end times with the Rod?

12) What Charts are helpful in knowing the end time timeline?

There are other issues we will deal with but those are some of the main issues we will address in our study.

A final comment in this first report is that SOP gives us great counsel about being bold and to walk forward in Truth, even if we have declared something amiss in our past.

“Some have feared that if in even a single point they acknowledge themselves in error, other minds would be led to doubt the whole theory of truth. Therefore they have felt that investigation should not be permitted, that it would tend to dissension and disunion. But if such is to be the result of investigation, the sooner it comes the better.

If there are those whose faith in God’s word will not stand the test of an investigation of the Scriptures, the sooner they are revealed the better; for then the way will be opened to show them their error. We cannot hold that a position once taken, an idea once advocated, is not, under any circumstances, to be relinquished. There is but One who is infallible–He who is the way, the truth, and the life.” (TM, p.105)

 

Stay tuned for Part 2 ……..

 

 

MJ Bingham’s “proof” of the living those with (Part 2 of 2)

In concluding our 2 part post, we shall look at the other references — 4 Ans, Recruiter, and 2 TG references.

4 Ans, p.35, Q-92 —

“In the final analysis, however, it is neither the Rod’s purpose nor its intent to say just how many wise and how many foolish there will be in this first-fruit harvest, for when the whole truth is made known, the figure of the “five wise virgins,” besides comprehending the 144,000 from the tribes of Israel, may be found to include a considerable number from the Gentile nations.”

A key to knowing what is said here, we believe, is the words “when the whole truth is made known”. This can only be after probation for the first fruit harvest, when the final analysis can be made, the final number disclosed as the symbolical “five wise virgins”.

So once we know the time it is referencing, we see that there may be other wise virgins from the Gentile nations found in the first fruit harvest. How and where could these be found, you ask? The very next Q and A answers it! Marvelous how Inspiration sets it all out perfectly!

“Question No. 93:

Although I am not a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, yet since I have the light on Ezekiel 9 and on the truth of the 144,000, will I fall in the slaughter of the wicked if I do not fully accept and live up to the light? And, conversely, will I be subject to the enjoyment of the privileges of the 144,000 and be one of them if I obey all the light of this message?

Answer:

Even though you are not a member of the church, still you will be held accountable for the light which you have on the subject, for no one finds the truth accidentally, or sees it without the Holy Spirit’s aid.

By the same law of accountability or sacred responsibility, even though you may have come into the message only recently you can be eligible for the election of the 144,000 if you live up to the message that is to purify and seal them. Whether or not for a certainty, however, you will be one of them, we do not know, but if you are faithful to the message, you will at least be one with them. ” (Ans, vol.4, p.35-36)

Here we see that a NON-SDA believer who knows/lives the message of the Lord’s Rod may be found to be a wise virgin found in the first fruit harvest! He is from a Gentile nation, as it were. Thus the Rod, as it says, will only know what the total amount of wise and total amount of foolish  (those who have perished at the end of the first fruit harvest) virgins is, at the time ““when the whole truth is made known” and ” the final analysis” can be made!

Lastly concerning this reference, additional and substantive support that this is not saying there will be “others” who are sealed and escape the church judgment, apart from the 144,000,  is the “fact” statement the Rod published in the same year as reference no. 3 was published — 1944.

“Notwithstanding the fact that “in the closing work” for the Seventh-day Adventist denomination, only 144,000 are to be sealed, according to Testimonies, Vol. 3, p. 266..” (Ans, vol. 3, p.54, Q- 54)

This above reference is perhaps the most weightful of all the “only 144,000” references, as the word “fact” is unmistakable and not able to be misinterpreted. Although, many have tried to explain away this clear statement!

White House Recruiter, p.46 —

“As present-truth adherents in the first-fruit period, may God help us all, Brother Sister, to be either among or along with the first fruits, the 144,000. It is left to every one himself to determine his own destiny.”

Another reference they use to support their theories. But unfortunately for them, this one exposes one of their most often made errors and miscalculations . Taking out of context the author’s intent and meaning!

The message explains–

“Remember, too, that the practice of comparing statements stripped of the context is fundamentally disingenuous, and leads today to as many perversions and misapplications of truth as does the deliberate wresting practiced in Satan’s challenge to Christ.”  (Ans, vol. 1 p. 48, Q-3)

So with this in mind, let us view the context of the above statement. Here is the prior paragraph —

“But if you make your decision for the better, then you will receive God’s mark (Ezek. 9; Testimonies To Ministers, p. 445) in your foreheads, be accounted faultless before His judgment throne, and be privileged either to come up in the resurrection of Daniel 12:2, or to stand aforehand with the Lamb on Mount Zion (Rev. 14:1), thence to carry God’s message to all nations and bring all your brethren for an offering to “the house of the Lord.” Isa. 66:19, 20. You will become part of the first fruits, the nucleus, of the Kingdom Church, the token of the second fruits of the living, of those whom you subsequently bring in.”(WHR, p.46)

Clearly, the “along with” in this context is the resurrected of Daniel 12:2. Thus we see once again that this reference just like all the others harmonizes with the vast majority of references showing “only 144,000 sealed and escaping”. The Rod then, cannot be shown to fight itself, as it would if the “those with” teachers are left to their own devices.

Timely Greetings, vol. 2, no.4, p. 15 —                                                             

  “Your knowledge of these things, though, will not benefit you if you do not make a desperate effort to be one of, or one with the 144,000. You, moreover, must have this extra oil in your vessels (Matt. 25:1-12) now while it is so freely dispensed. To get it later will not profit you, for the late comers will find the door closed. Their knocking on the door will only cause them to hear the Master say, “Depart from Me,” “I never knew you.” (Matt. 7:23). Indeed, you must immediately avail yourselves of this light-giving oil now while It is brought to your doors if It is to do you any good.”

Again, if we take the above statement at face value, we can view it as saying “others” are to be sealed and escape from the SDA church. Context once again proves invaluable to our understanding.

The prior paragraph is —

“This consolation, you note, is permanent. And since there are no sinners in It, it obviously, as shown elsewhere in our literature, is the result of the “Judgment in the house of God” (1 Pet. 4:17) — the Judgment for the Living, the purification of the church, the separation of the bad fish from the good (Matt. 13:47, 48), the cleansing of the sanctuary (Dan. 8:14) — the harvest of the firstfruits: the 144,000 that stand on Mount Zion with the Lamb (Rev. 14:1) — “the remnant.” Then follows the ingathering of the second fruits.”

Do we see who it is that survives the“Judgment in the house of God”? The 144,000! No one who has eyes to see and a mind to comprehend could fail to see that the top paragraph shows who is to be “one of.”

The “one with” is then understood to be who the Rod consistently shows throughout the writings — those raised in the Daniel 12:2 resurrection, or the others from Gentile nations that come with.

Summary —

When brother Houteff was alive and proclaiming the message, who was he speaking to among his brethren and SDA members? The 144,000 Candidates, or the “those with”? Inspiration clearly was leading, and brother Houteff was indeed proclaiming the message AT THAT TIME to the candidates that would be the “those with”. We see this in hindsight so clearly now.

In total, from what we have gathered, there are about 10 to 12 references that mention “those with” in connection with the 144,000, which are routinely shown by the false proclaimers as “proof”. But there are close to 50 (probably a lot more we haven’t found yet) that speak of “only” 144,00 getting sealed and escaping among the living at the church judgment.

When asked why they fail to bring up the majority of references showing only 144,000, most are uncomfortably silent or try to change the subject! We even had a sister say ” Well you must find a way to harmonize those “only 144,000” statements with the “those with”.

Wow! Yeah that’s it, let’s make the preponderance fit the minority of statements! Going by “weight of evidence” means standing upon the minority and throwing out the majority! Amazing!

It is folly to try to make the preponderance of the evidence harmonize with the minority. It must be the opposite. 

Let there be no doubt,  Satan has infiltrated us as a people, to — “confuse, becloud and cover up the Truth, especially on the subject of the 144,000.”

But when we let the Spirit of Truth have His way with us, all the pieces come together. The big picture of truth is seen and understood. As we posted previously in our post about weighing the evidence, when one puts ALL the references on the table only ONE CLEAR understanding will be had.

Satan well knows that if he can get us to commit the eternal violation  (Rev. 22:18-19) he has secured our soul. This 144,000 truth is now his specialty, as seen by the many false proclaimers of “those with”,  and we dare not study this issue halfway, but study it with the attitude of it being a “life and death matter to all”!

…Its dominant doctrinal concern being the truth of the 144,000, and a correct understanding of it being a life-and-death matter to all, the Rod unfolds it from several different angles, each urging the Denomination to prepare for the glorious deliverance of the saints and against the inglorious destruction of the sinners as foretokened by the marking and slaying recorded in Ezekiel 9.” (SRod Tract, p.5-6)

“So the subject of the 144,000, with its interrelated subjects coming into clear, harmonious focus, shows that the eleventh-hour call for laborers in the Lord’s vineyard is now in progress, and that now is the time to “strive with all the power God has given us to be among the 144,000.” –– The Review and Herald, Mar. 9,1905. (SRod, vol. 1, pocket edition, p.16-17)

MJ Bingham’s “proof” of the living those with (Part 1 of 2)

As the current discussion on the 144,000 and those with becomes more extensive and wide-ranging, we saw brother Trevor’s latest post. We thank him for providing the following documents. They are quite interesting and in this post we will closely reveal what they tell us.

The above document was posted on 1/9/20 on Facebook by bro. Trevor. As it shows, it is from MJ Bingham addressing an inquiry from brother Warden about the “those with living”.

Brother Warden’s inquiry was also posted —

One thing is sure, brother Trevor certainly is unique among us brethren as he has an extensive historical archive of documents, being the son of MJ.

As many know Bashan is one of the big four organizations (the other is Salem) that promotes the teaching of those with living. Mt. Dale and Waco, for the most part, don’t advocate this.

But the connection between Bashan and Salem is well understood. Brother Don Adair, a young man at the time and new to the message, became a follower of MJ Bingham’s ideas and teachings. One of those that Don bought hook, line, and sinker was those with living. And as we know has been the leading proponent of this doctrine for decades.

But some of you, like yours truly may be shocked to read what brother Warden wrote in the above note to MJ. Yes, it is quite unsettling for those of us who did not know how ungrounded brother Warden appeared to be.

We notice that one of the very first to accept the message, brother Warden,  ASKS brother MJ if something is truth??? Whoa! This alone should raise our suspicions that BW was not well-grounded  on the 144,000 truth.

The word says —

“This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD.”(Jer. 17:5)

Then we see that BW  doesn’t know for sure “seems” if he once (early days) promoted the those with living idea (?). So we really need to reevaluate the situation with regard to brother Warden.

But that being said, what we found even more insightful is the very limited amount of references that MJ used as his basis for the those with living teaching. That tells us that it is most likely Adair who added all the other usual those with references that are commonly used today as “proof”.

But let us take a look at the four quotes used as a doctrinal basis that MJ used for his proof of such doctrine.

1 — Tract 9, p.56

“To Gather a Class Defiled With Women, A Second Fruits.

This class of saints must be those who have at one time been married to some unchristian mistress, a heathen church, and who consequently are not descendants of either Jacob or the Christian church. So there are to be two harvests — one from the church and one from the world: the record of the former, mentions only Israelites, the 144,000, those not defiled with women, though it does not say that there may not be others; while the record of the latter, however, definitely embraces a “great multitude” from all nations which must necessarily be both of undefiled and defiled ones — Jews and Gentiles.”

Let us carefully analyze what this word of God is saying.

First the title shows it is going to discuss  the “Class defiled with Women, A Second Fruits.” Thus our context is shown.

Then we see that this class was “married”  to an unchristian mistress, a heathen church. Although the first fruit harvest produces the descendants (Israelites) it says that “it does not say that there may not be others”, other Israelites that will be found saved since the GM will include “both of undefiled and defiled ones — Jews and Gentiles.”

But let us step back and see the giant hole which the “those with living” place themselves into when they use this reference as “proof.”

For instance, MJ and Adair point to  “though it does not say that there may not be others..” as evidence that some other Israelites survive the first fruit harvest (Ezek. 9 judgment). In other words, more than 144,000 Israelites get sealed, their  “those with” and saved in the church judgment.

Ah, but look what they are doing. They are ultimately claiming the Lord absent-mindedly forgot to add these Israelites in Rev. 7! In other words, when the Lord made meticulous accounting of 12,000  from each tribe from our SDA church, certain Israelites from the tribes were forgotten and unaccounted for but are nevertheless sealed! Blasphemy!

Do you see the great deceiver’s fingerprints all over this type of misinterpretation? Revelation 22:18-19 is there for a reason.

Ok let’s go on to–

2 — Answerer, vol. 4, p.35

“Question No. 92:

“The Shepherd’s Rod,” Vol. 1, p. 30, makes the statement that the Seventh-day Adventist denomination numbered 300,000 at the time the book was written, this fact suggesting that about half, 144,000, are the five wise virgins and that the other half are the five foolish virgins. But how can this be so when today the Denomination numbers 500,000?

Answer:

Writing in 1930, the Rod was necessarily

Answerer Book 4, page 34

speaking in terms, not of the then unknown membership of today, but of the established membership at that time. And though the number then (300,000) did naturally suggest about an even division of members (two classes, good and bad–“wise virgins” and “foolish virgins”), yet as there are only 144,000 Israelites to be sealed, the number of the unsealed would have even then exceeded the number of the sealed.

In the final analysis, however, it is neither the Rod’s purpose nor its intent to say just how many wise and how many foolish there will be in this first-fruit harvest, for when the whole truth is made known, the figure of the “five wise virgins,” besides comprehending the 144,000 from the tribes of Israel, may be found to include a considerable number from the Gentile nations.” (4 Ans, p.34-35)

Next post we will discuss MJ’s proof number 2, 3 and 4.

Addressing Brother Trevor’s Concerns

Note: due to a delay in our Mt. Dale study group, we will hold off in producing report number four of our Brother Hibbert study.

Recently on Facebook, our brother Bingham asked some good solid questions about the 144,000 and “those with”. He basically said that if he is wrong he wants to get it right. Well, in an endeavor to help we supped with the Lord and decided to share this report (one of others to come) on this salvational subject.

Are there really only going to be 144,000 sealed and escape the Ezek.9 church judgment? Or will there be more than 144,000, the  “those with” who also survive the judgment and come along with the 144,000 from the SDA church. Kind of like in football, the second team, if you will. They don’t qualify to be among the 144,000 but they are spared for their faithfulness.

But one of Mother’s (SDA church) teachings is exactly this — there will be more than 144,000 sealed from the church. So does the Lord’s Elijah message teach anything new? The same as what Mother believes in this regard? Let us find out.

To be clear, the “only 144,000” proclaimers do believe in the “those with” but they are the SDA pioneers who are resting in their graves, awaiting the special resurrection of Daniel 12:2-3. These will be raised to take up their work once more (Testimonies, vol.7, p.17).

The message tells us this is an extremely important doctrine. Whether we correctly know this truth or not is consequential and the case can be made it is also salvational. The message says it’s a “life or death matter to all”, so we dare not carelessly study this, but take pains to know it correctly.

“If we do not understand the subject of the 144,000, we may not be sealed, for it would be worthless to understand it after the sealing, just as it would be of no value to understand the beast and his image after his work on earth is finished.” (SRod, Vol. 1 p.14)

…Its dominant doctrinal concern being the truth of the 144,000, and a correct understanding of it being a life-and-death matter to all, the Rod unfolds it from several different angles, each urging the Denomination to prepare for the glorious deliverance of the saints and against the inglorious destruction of the sinners as foretokened by the marking and slaying recorded in Ezekiel 9.” (SRod Tract, p.5-6)

“The Enemy will try everything conceivable to confuse, becloud, and cover up the Truth, especially on the subject of the 144,000.” (White House Recruiter, p.33)

Is that not the truth?!

Satan has found inroads into our people and has caused so much confusion beclouding and covering up our subject! This alone should tell us our great adversary has a counterfeit teaching among us on the 144,000 truth!

The question is –can we find out just what this counterfeit is? How does it appear as “truth” to us but is a fake? Let’s find out.

He has always produced his counterfeit in God’s great beautiful things, such as Marriage, Sabbath, Rainbow and even including the 144,000 truth. Satan knows God’s word says it’s a “life and death matter to all”, so we can be sure he’s been at work among us on this truth! And who does he work through? Proclaimed “friends” of the Gospel!

Ok, it is clear we need to know this subject. The Rod confirms it with the following –

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

In regards to the 144,000, we are to know –who they are, what they are, and where they will be going. The message promises we will know all this –

“The primary purpose of The Shepherd’s Rod is to unlock the long-concealed mystery concerning the ever-challenging and much discussed subject of the 144,000 (Rev. 14:1), with the central object in view of bringing about among God’s people that “thorough reformation” foretold by the Spirit of Prophecy (Testimonies, Vol. 8, p. 251)…” (SRod Tract, p.5)

“Besides their racial lineage of identification there are the words “first,”“fruits,”“servants of God,”“sealed” and“standing on Mount Zion” by which to identify who the 144,000 are and what they are. Obviously they are called fruits because they are the result of the“harvest,” the work which separates the tares from the wheat.” (JL, no.6, p.2)

“The subject in the “Rod” is “The 144,000 and A Call for Reformation,” based on Rev. 7; Ezek.9; Isa.63 ; 66; 16,19,20.” (1 SC, no.8, p.2)

What causes this division doctrinally between the “literalists” (those who say it will be just as it reads in Rev. 7—144,000 total from the SDA church at judgment) and the “those with proclaimers” (those who explain it as meaning just the Israelites in the SDA church, the Gentiles will be sealed as well, making the number more than 144,000 from the church) ?

Let us now let the Spirit of Truth have His way with us

In this post we will look at why we think this confusion exists. We’ll see it from the following angles, namely —

1- The Israel/Gentile viewpoint

2- The specific references, the clarity, and volume of them, as to one side or the other

3- Adding them all up, to get our preponderance of the evidence. The weight of evidence decision

“The weight of evidence” is the only fair and final criterion worthy of a Christian who must ever make an investigation for himself concerning purported truth.” (Answerer, vol.1, Q-6)

A quick note on what is the weight of evidence. Obviously, there are two ways we can come to it–

1) Clarity –does a reference says something so clear that to misunderstand it is nearly impossible? If it does, that certainly is a very “weightful” Word of God as opposed to one that isn’t so clear and could be taken differently by some.

2) Preponderance — The number of references saying the same basic thing, corroborating itself. If we got three references saying xyz and we got 15 saying dxy , on the same subject, we CANNOT say the few statements outweigh the majority.

So in this manner we shall weigh the evidence and arrive at our real truthful position.

Israel/Gentile Issue

Recently on our FB ministry group—Truth Tellers, we had another discussion of the 144,000 and those with. A Black sister, an admitted present truth believer, brought up the point that “obviously” she won’t be one of the 144,000 but will be one with. Unfortunately, this line of thinking is all too common among us Elijah messengers.

This idea that blacks (or any other color) do not have the bloodline of Abraham has been fed to many DSDA down through the decades (after brother Houteff died) from false teachers. The supposed idea here is that you must be white to qualify as an Israelite, and because Rev. 7 only talks about the 12 tribes being sealed from the house of Israel (the church), and the tribes back then were only white (although that is disputed).

So conveniently this idea of “those with” fits nicely to some who may need to depend on this teaching as a way to believe they will be sealed and saved. This is one of the “go-to” arguments for more than 144,000  sealed. But let’s view this from the WORD and not our ideas passed down to us from false leaders of old times past.

Early Christianity

https://www.allaboutreligion.org/history-of-christianity-in-africa-faq.htm

It is a well known historical fact that as early as 50 AD, many early Christians, largely consisting of Jews converted to Christ, went down into northern Africa for relocation and missionary tours. This alone should lend to the certainty that they co-mingled with some of the natives there. Intermarriage took place no doubt.

“And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall beat off from the channel of the river unto the stream of Egypt, and ye shall be gathered one by one, O ye children of Israel.” (Isaiah 27:12)

“And it will be said of Zion, “This one and that one were born in her.” The Most High himself will establish her. When He registers the peoples, the LORD will record, “This one was born there.” Selah” (Psalms 87:5-6)

As we read, this work of collecting the saints (144,000) is going on in His church as we speak, from all nations where He has scattered them.

“Therefore say: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will gather you from the nations and bring you back from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you back the land of Israel again.’ (Ezek. 11:17)

Both SOP and the Rod always refers to the church as “Israel”. Some of the many references —

“In order to be purified and to remain pure, Seventh-day Adventists must have the Holy Spirit in their hearts and in their homes. The Lord has given me light that when the Israel of today humble themselves before Him, and cleanse the soul-temple from all defilement, He will hear their prayers in behalf of the sick and will bless in the use of His remedies for disease.”(Testimonies, vol. 9, p.164)

“God will have a people pure and true in the mighty sifting soon to take place we shall be better able to measure the strength of Israel. The signs reveal that the time is near when the Lord will manifest that His fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor.”(Testimonies, vol. 5, p.80)

“But the Israel of our time have the same temptations to scorn reproof and hate counsel as had ancient Israel. They too often turn a deaf ear to the words that God has given His servants for the benefit of those who profess the truth.” (Testimonies, vol. 4, p.165)

The desolation of Jerusalem stands as a solemn warning before the eyes of modern Israel, that the corrections given through His chosen instruments cannot be disregarded with impunity.”(Ibid, p.166)

“… there are two separations ––one from the church (Israelites), and one from the Gentiles, —those who escape and those who are gathered in — then the former are the first fruits and the later the second fruits — those of Revelation 7:4, 7-9, one from the tribes of Israel, and one from the Gentile nations.” (JL, no.2, p.6-7)

“The city” is figurative of Judah and Israel, the church in which are to be found the 144,000 servants of God(Testimonies to Ministers, p. 445) those who are to be called by another name after the unworthy servants are slain. And as the 144,000 are the first fruits (Rev. 14:4) of the harvest, they are the“escaped” of the Isaiah 66:19 and of Ezekiel 9.” (Tract no.14, p.19-20)

“In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.” Isa. 4:2.Note that this glorious promise is for those that shall escape (Israel–the 144,000).” (SRod, vol. 1, p.218)

We are clearly told that our SDA church is– Israel. Ok, let’s look at what else the message says about this subject —

“Regardless, therefore, whether one be Jew or Gentile, he can have no part in the kingdom of Christ, save through the second birth, by which he becomes one of the seed of Abraham.  This spiritual transformation, nevertheless, does not fix anyone’s racial identity and tribal  lineage. 

It can not, in other words, make one Judaite if he is not descended of Judah, or make him Ephraimite, if he is not descended of Ephraim.  Consequently, the 144,000, being of the sons of Jacob, cannot be of the Gentile nations.  They therefore, first of all, are lineal descendants of Jacob, though Not Necessarily of the Present Identifiable Jewish Stock…

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

Thus just as obvious as strange is the fact that no one today but the recognized Jew can vouch for his ancestry, with the result that the 144,000 can be gathered from almost every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, and yet be of the sons of Jacob!” (Tract 8, p.7-11)

The lesson is clear–God alone has kept track of the Jewish lineage and knows who is who, and they are from many nations around the world. But now let’s look at something that is profound. The following will prove that there cannot be “pure Gentiles” in our church.

“We are not to conclude that the Jews are the only descendants of Abraham. Those who are fortunate enough to have this revelation brought to them, are the people. There is no other safe conclusion if God causes the prophecies to be written, sealed, and then unsealed at His will and at the time appointed…

…The Christian church herself is an upshoot of the Jewish church and nation — the Apostles and her followers, up to about 35 A.D. were all Jews. Then it was that again a multitude of Jews lost their identity by calling themselves “Christians.” Comparatively speaking, only a few Jews, from the Kingdom of Judah, have preserved their national title, Jews.

The descendants of the early Christian Jews and the descendants of the ten tribes, down the stream of time must have increased to a great innumerable multitude, for Abraham’s seed was to be as the sand of the sea for multitude. It is, therefore, obvious that the few identified Jews of today are not the only descendants of Abraham’s, but that many of the Gentiles must be of Abraham.

Since this mixed up situation exists, hardly any one can really say for sure that he is not one of Abraham’s children. Perhaps many of the nations whom the world calls Gentiles are the children of Abraham. We do not know for sure who is who. God, however, has kept a perfect genealogical record…” (1 TG, no.37, p.11-12)

Thus it is that all who know about this message have the bloodline of Abraham! Now, you ask –“Well what about the ones in the church who don’t know the message? They could be Gentiles so will God destroy them anyway?

The message says —

“Just as soon as we as a Denomination awake to the fact that “many nations shall be joined to the Lord,” and be His people just that soon will the theory of only first fruits die out. And just as soon as this message reaches every church member, just that soon will the purification take place.” (TG, vol. 1, no.12, p.26)

Conclusion — There can be NO PURE GENTILES in our church. Sadly, although the message will reach every member, the very few (144,000) will accept it and live it.

The message NEVER states such things as “mixed church”, “Gentiles in the church”, etc., it only says we are the “Israel of today”.

Bottomline –This idea that there are pure Gentiles in our church fails from the Word of God.

Brother Hibbert Makes a new Report (Part 3 of 5)

(Note: due to more information to discuss, we’ve added this report to 5 parts)

In our last report we cleared the teaching on the travel to the kingdom after Ezekiel 9. Let’s recap.

BT’s question —

“So, how and when would Jacob have this trouble after the judgement in Ez. 9 when we are told we are getting to the kingdom by supernatural means?”

“We are therefore not to worry about a possibility of anyone’s hurting the work of God. Neither are we to worry about how we are to get to the Mount Zion, but are to make sure to be ready to board the chariot of God when the angels cry out, ‘All aboard!’” (1 TG no.11, p.13)

We showed that based on the weight of evidence the above quote must be taken symbolically, and as such BT’s premise that JTT cannot come after Ezek. 9 (on the way to the kingdom) because of the saints being in a flying saucer taken to the kingdom, does not stand upon the firm word of God.

Now, we will look at the next subject BT’s teaches on JTT.

“..how can JTT take place after the purification of the church when there will be no“Esau” to confront us, and no threat? It is called Jacob’s trouble because Jacob of old was fearful to meet his brother Esau! Thus, it must be so today! Antitypical Jacob must have to face antitypical Esau with a threat of death against him! That cannot occur after antitypical Esau (our false brethren) have been removed in the slaughter of Ezekiel Nine!!”

On the surface that seems a very good and possibly unsurmountable question? But let’s look at it through important teachings from the Rod as to “Esau”.

Point 1 —  Esaus will exist after Ezekiel 9.

The Rod was faced with this general subject and answered it as follows —

“Please harmonize the apparent contradiction:

“Vol. 5, p. 81 says, ‘The mark of the beast will be urged upon us. Those who have step by step yielded to worldly demands, and conformed to worldly customs, will not find it a hard matter to yield to the powers that be, rather than subject themselves to derision, insult, threatened imprisonment, and death.’ But the SRod teaches that the unfaithful ones will not be permitted to unite with the church at that time.”

The teaching in the SRod regarding the purity of the church in the time of the Loud Cry is as plain a truth as any ever taught. It is possible that one can not harmonize this subject with every statement written by Sr. White, but this should not cause us to lose faith in the message, for there are many passages in the Spirit of Prophecy which the denomination is unable to harmonize.

This difficulty arises among us as a people because we do not as yet fully understand all the events connected with the closing of the gospel work. However, though the mark of the beast is yet future, and difficult to define ahead of time, we may submit a thought on how the above quotation will meet its fulfillment, which will show the possibility of the church being free from the unfaithful and yet how some who have been unfaithful will at the same time “yield to the powers that be.”

The SRod does not claim that all those professing to be S.D.A’s “who have step by step yielded to worldly demands,” will fall under the slaughter weapons of Ezekiel’s vision, but rather that every active member who does not receive the “mark” (or seal of Eze. 9), excluding those who have departed from the organized work but who yet claim to be Seventh-day Adventists — a class at the present time numbering thousands.

According to Vol. 5, p. 81 some of those who are independent of the organization but still claim to be S.D.A’s will not “subject themselves to derision, insult, threatened imprisonment, and death,” but will “slide into any position to suit the tenor of their feelings.” T.M. 112. {1 SC no.5,  p.5}

It is a proven fact that a sizeable portion of current SDA members does not go to church regularly. We, of course, don’t know the amount but it is safe to say that of the 20 million-plus registered as SDA, hundreds of thousands, if not millions fall into this category. If only 1 in 20 does not attend church regularly, that would be 1 million!

These people, though absent from regular church attendance, are still viewing themselves as Adventists! Thus it is simple to see that although the Rod teaches that they will miss the slaughter due to being inactive in attendance (Answerer, vol. 4, Q- 90), they will not miss the terrible things that befall unbelievers after Ezek. 9!

This being true, we certainly cannot dismiss the fact that of these sizeable numbers of SDA, there will no doubt be “turncoats” who come against the faithful in the time of trouble–persecuting Esaus indeed! “..S.D.A’s will not “subject themselves to derision, insult, threatened imprisonment, and death,” but will “slide into any position to suit the tenor of their feelings.

The above supports clearly that Esaus from the SDA church will exist after Ezekiel 9. They of course, as we learned, will be the non-active ones who escaped the slaughter of Ezekiel 9 but are lost anyway due to their unfaithfulness and rejection of the message.

 

Point 2 — Worldly Esauites (our brethren) shall come forward to persecute God’s church post-Ezekiel 9.

“Let us now for a moment consider Mohammed, to whom something like 220,000,000 people bow. What kind of man was he? Was he a deceiver? or was he a teacher of righteousness? — Let us also consider the people who were taught by him. They were the descendants of Lot and Abraham, — Moabites, Esauites, and Ishmaelites, etc., all of them bitter enemies of the Hebrews, and their religion.” (2 TG, vol. 2, no.26, p.17-18)

Fact- the Rod says that Esauites come for Lot and Abraham. Thus today we have Esauites that exist in the world. They are enemies of God’s true religion down through time and against today’s true religion — Davidian Seventh-day Adventism.

 

“The Jews never rose higher than the height to which Moses led them. When Moses died, they as it were died with him so far as spiritual progress was concerned. Thus it was that they rejected and killed the prophets that came after Moses, not sparing the Son of God.

The same spirit prevailed in the Christian church. She never rose above the level on which the Apostles left her, and for a time she even fell almost to the bottom of the pit. And she would have dropped out had God not again visited His people in the persons of Luther, Knox, Wesley, Campbell and the other reformers, through whom the Lord brought to light certain parts of Bible Truth that had long been trampled under foot.

But did the Christian world as a whole see the Light? And did all walk in It? No, indeed not, not as a people, but only as individuals. This is what accounts for the present multi-sectarian world; that is, as it became necessary for Christ to organize a new church, the Christian, separate from the mother church, the Jewish, in His day, just so the reformers found themselves cast out from the mother churches, and necessarily were obliged to organize the followers of advancing Truth into a new denomination, one after another.

In this light, you see the spirit which keeps the Jews still Jews, the Buddhists still Buddhists, the Mohammedans still Mohammedans, the Catholics still Catholics, the Lutherans still Lutherans, the Methodists still Methodists, the Baptists still Baptists — the very same spirit is today working within our own denomination, the Seventh-day Adventists, presumptuously believing that they are rich and increased with goods, in need of nothing more. It, too, thinks that its dead founder was the last in the line of the prophets, that there is no need of another.

It feels certain that the light and energy in its ship, Zion, is sufficient to take it to the shore of the Kingdom, though they well know that their message, the Judgment for the Dead is not the last, but that the Judgment for the Living, the which they do not yet have, is the last!

This spirit of sliding back rather than going forward, of opposing spiritual growth, and at the same time fostering the spirit of lukewarmness, is successfully working with many in spite of the fact that the prophecies of the Bible which point to our day, are to them still mysteries. They care not to know them.” (2 TG, no.26, p.21-22)

Thus we see that the same spirit from the offspring of Lot and Abraham (specifically Esauites) has ever been in the world coming against God’s truth. And when the time comes that the church is purified will the world’s Esauites stop this spirit of hatred? Of course not! They will bring a time of trouble.

Point 3 — Both the 144,000 and the Great Multitude will experience JTT on their respective way home.

 

“JACOB’S TIME OF TROUBLE; JUDAH AND ISRAEL GOING HOME

We are now to continue the same subject which we have been studying from the book of Isaiah, but today we shall study it from the book of Jeremiah.

To begin with, we shall notice that the first chapters of the book deal with ancient Judah and Israel, with their sins and stubbornness of heart, and with their resultant dispersion throughout the Gentile nations. The thirtieth chapter, however, deals, not with the scattering of ancient Judah and Israel, but with the gathering of Judah and Israel in our day.

We shall now begin our study with the first three verses–

Jer. 30:1-3 — “The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord God of Israel, saying, Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book. For, lo, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will bring again the captivity of My people Israel and Judah, saith the Lord: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.”

Note that both Judah and Israel together have the promise of returning to their homeland. As this has never yet been realized, the prophecy is yet to be fulfilled.” (1 TG, no. 47, p.13-14)

The message clearly says “Israel” can be termed for the GM , as well as the SDA church. Here is a prime example —

 

“THE MOTHERS OF JACOB’S DESCENDANTS

“ Along the chronological path of this numerous-phased typology, we now in thought follow Jacob on to Padan-Aram. There he took unto himself four wives — Leah and Rachel, the daughters of Laban; then Zilpah and Bilhah, their respective maids. These four were the mothers of the twelve sons of Jacob, who in turn were the fathers of the twelve tribes of Israel.

In this type-progression of spiritual Israel, only one of the four, Leah, was Jacob’s legal wife. Only she, therefore, can typify the true and legal church — the one which was organized in Jerusalem by the twelve-tribe kingdom, and which finally evolved into the Christian Church.

Shepherd’s Rod Tract 1 34

Rachel must necessarily represent a sister church — the one organized in Samaria by the ten-tribe kingdom and dispersed with it among the Gentiles.

Zilpah and Bilhah, being “strangers” and servants to Leah and Rachel, must necessarily represent subsequent churches of Gentile origin.

From these four lines descended the antitypical children of Israel. And what is true in the physical genealogy must be true also in the spiritual genealogy. Hence, while the antitypical, like the typical, twelve tribes come through both Israelite and Gentile mothers, yet they are begotten by one and the same father — an Israelite.” (SRod Tract, p.34)

Thus it is clear that in this context both Judah (the 144,000) and Israel ( the GM) will go through JTT on their respective travels home. Both are to experience trouble with Esau.

Summary —

As we learned from points 1 and 2, there will be SDA Esaulites and worldly Esauites (our brethren from Lot and Abraham) who will come against both the 144,000 and the GM. Again showing that Esau will indeed exist after Ezek. 9 . But let us remember in reagrds to the 144,000, they only  “attempt” to persecute the brethren in God’s purified church. We know that the 144,000  shall not be touched but nevertheless will have that mental anguish that Jacob experienced on his way back to the kingdom.

In conclusion of report 3 we see that BT’s point is again shown to be misguided and not the “more sure word of prophecy”.

Report 4 to follow soon …..

Brother Hibbert Makes a new Report (Part 2 of 3)

In continuing with our subject of JTT, in part two we shall get into more of the doctrinal points that BT expounds upon.

So, how and when would Jacob have this trouble after the judgement in Ez. 9 when we are told we are getting to the kingdom by supernatural means?

“We are therefore not to worry about a possibility of anyone’s hurting the work of God. Neither are we to worry about how we are to get to the Mount Zion, but are to make sure to be ready to board the chariot of God when the angels cry out, ‘All aboard!’” 1 TG 11:13

“And if the flying saucers are indeed the Lord’s, then what else are they come for but to deliver every one whose name is found written in the Book (Dan. 12:1), and to slay those who oppress them (Isa. 66:16?)” WHR 11.

The top reference certainly can be used as evidence that the saints get to the kingdom by “Chariot”. The bottom reference cannot. As it says “to deliver every one whose name is found written in the Book” we know that during this time the Lord delivers His people through the “time of trouble such as never was” (Tract 5, p.77, Tract 8, p.23),  which is BOTH the saints and  the Great Multitude. Thus WHR p.11 cannot be used as support that shows the saints being transported to the kingdom. Although with (Isa. 66:16) being used we know they are involved in the Lord’s work. 

But BT makes a good point with 1 TG, no.11, p.13 that we must consider. This is actually one of the more solid points that the pre-Ezek. 9 JTT advocates bring up. However this one reference must be balanced against the preponderance of the other references. As we all should know taking one reference and clinging to it at the expense of the others is NOT weighing the evidence.

   “We would never try to establish an idea on the basis of agreeing with one passage of Scripture while disagreeing with another, for such a conclusion is as sure to be erroneous as if one should conclude that when the sun sets in the evening, it will never arise in the morning.” (2 SC, no. 1, p.5) 

In this part two we shall deal with this issue of “travel” to the kingdom. Both by the saints and those who are brought out of Babylon.

Many of us post-Ezek. 9 JTT believers have to deal with the following question —

” If the saints are to experience  JTT after Ezek. 9, then tell me how this trouble comes while we are in the Chariot?”

This is a fair question but a big assumption that ONLY Chariot travel is described for the saints- is that true?

Ok let’s look at some of the references in travel to the kingdom (at least what we are aware of ).

1) “And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD.” (Isaiah 66:20)

There is no doubt this travel concerns both the saints and the Great Multitude but after the kingdom is set up. And we see a diversity of transportation modes such as physical travel with the “swift beasts” possibly meaning auto or airplane travel. 

2) For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.  Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you….God plainly and solemnly promised to recreate and to rebuild the ancient kingdom, to set it up in its own land. This He is to do after Judah and Israel are scattered among the Gentile nations, and assimilated by them — after they have lost their racial identity — then as Christians, not as Jews, He is to gather them from the four corners of the earth and to bring them to their own land….  The 144,000 descendants of Jacob, whose fathers were assimilated by the Gentile nations and who thus down through the centuries lost their racial identity, are the first fruits, the first to be gathered unto Judah.  They are those who stand on “Mount Zion with the Lamb.” Rev. 14:1.( 1 TG, no. 15, p.9-10)

As we closely zoom in on this quote we see that both the GM and the 144,000 are here described as being brought and gathered from the “four corners of the earth” onto the kingdom. Now, if we want to try and project this as meaning chariots being dispersed all over the sky, crisscrossing all over bringing the GM and saints into the kingdom, we can, BUT that seems wholely illogical as we review further more clarifying statements. Remember this statement is describing both groups, including the saints being “gathered unto Judah”.

The main question that would need to be clarified is “will bring you into your own land” mean by Chariot for the 144,000?

3) Isa. 11:11, 12 — “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set His hand again the second time to recover the remnant of His people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.  And He shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners

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of the earth.”

   The Lord is to recover the remnant (those that are spared) of His people in the day this Kingdom is set up; that is, the Kingdom is set, then those who are left behind among the Gentiles, those who seek after the ensign, the Lord is to recover them.  This second recovery of His people declares Inspiration, is to be from the four corners of the earth. The first, as you know, was from Egypt only.

Isa. 11:13-15 — “The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim [–there shall be no sinner among them].  But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines toward the west; they shall spoil them of the east together: they shall lay their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them.  And the Lord shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with His mighty wind shall He shake His hand over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make men go over dryshod.”

   Both kingdoms, Israel (sometimes called the house of Ephraim) and Judah, are to be restored and united in the antitype.  They shall never again envy or vex each other. And through Ezekiel commands the Lord:

   “Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in Mine hand.  And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes.  And say

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unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land: and I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all: neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwellingplaces, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be My people, and I will be their God.” Ezek. 37:19-23.

   Thus it is that “…in the days of these kings [not after their days] shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it [the kingdom] shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.” Dan. 2:44, 45.

   If the Kingdom is to destroy all these kingdoms, then It must be set up before these kingdoms are destroyed.  The stone that is cut out of the “mountain” in the days of these kings, is itself to become a great mountain, and It, the Kingdom, is to fill the whole earth (Dan. 2:35, 45).

   In the days of Moses the Lord smote but one stream, the Red Sea, and one nation, Egypt.  But now the

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Lord promises to smite every stream (all “seven”) and cause His people from the four corners of the earth to reach their land without so much as getting their feet wet.  Although today as in Moses’ day, such a thing seems utterly impossible, yet it is certain that just as God made it possible then, He will now, too.  The battle is the Lord’s, the will is ours.  We have nothing to do but to obey His voice.  That is our only duty Brother, Sister.

   There is no Bible Truth plainer than this, and there is no truth as important at this time as is this Truth.  These are the very reasons that it either saves or destroys — to accept It is to have all your sins blotted out; to reject It, is to sin against the Holy Ghost.  “Today if ye will hear His Voice, harden not your [heart]” is God’s counsel for you and for me.  You well know now that this Truth is irrefutable. Try and see for yourself.

The above is powerful! Truly illuminating in our search for travel to the kingdom! This is one of the most clarifying of all references on our subject, let us CAREFULLY break it down. We’ve red highlighted specific areas we’d like to address.

First, we see that the context begins with the 144,000, how do we know that? Because the Rod says the “remnant” is those who the Lord sets up the kingdom with. As He  “shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.”

Second, the GM is then to be recovered.

Third, the travel clarity comes clearly through with the Lord smiting all “seven” streams, all seas, rivers, lakes, or any water barrier in order for the 144,000 and GM to go over dry land without getting their feet wet! Type–Moses deliverance meets anti-type –144,000 and GM deliverance!

4) Isa. 11:16 — “And there shall be an highway for the remnant of His people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.”

   After the first fruits and the Lamb are gone to Mount Sion, there shall be a highway for the second fruits, for those who are still in “Assyria,” the world.  In other words, all obstructions shall be removed.  Our faith shall not fail us, and our hope shall not be in vain, for God has not forsaken the earth.  He Who rules and guides the stars in their unerring path, is able to lead us safely to our own land. Indeed, just as not one of them fails in its course, so not one of God’s promises shall ever fail to materialize.  Let no one deceive you in this.  Study verse by verse, word for word, read, stop and think…., ( 1 TG, no.31, p.8)

The GM are shown to go over dry shod just like the 144,000, but after the saints have been to Mount Sion. Also we note it must be as it was when Moses led Israel out of Egypt–not by flying by Chariot but by land!

5)“Again: from Isaiah 11 we see that the Lord is to “set His hand again the second time to recover the remnant of His people” (Isa. 11:11), and that when He does so, He will prepare a way for them “like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.” Isa. 11:16.

  And Jeremiah testifies that the Lord “will bring again the captivity of Jacob’s tents, and have mercy on his dwelling places; and the city shall be builded upon her own heap….and their nobles shall be of themselves and their governor shall proceed from the midst of them.” Jer. 30:18, 21. 

  To Ezekiel, moreover, “thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land.” Ezek. 37:21. ( 1 Ans. p.25)

6)“And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them; for I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I am the Lord their God, and will hear them.  And they of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as through wine: yea, their children shall see it, and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the Lord.  I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased. 

And I will sow them among the people: and they shall remember Me in far countries; and they shall live with their children, and turn again.  I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria; and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon;  and place shall not be found for them.  And he shall pass through the sea with affliction, and shall smite the waves in the sea, and all the deeps of the river shall dry up: and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart away.  And I will strengthen them in the Lord; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the Lord.” (Zech. 10:6-12) (Tract 8, p.68-69)

As I read this, the thought comes that the Lord truly looks forward to showing His great power, as He did in Moses’ time. This time the whole earth shall see His power and watch, not just the Egyptians! Great large seas shall be torn open for travel! And all these prophetic words shall be read back and encourage the faithful that He does what he says He will do! Powerful!

7)“And the Lord shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea [world]; and with His mighty wind shall He shake His hand over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make men go over dry shod.

   “And there shall be an highway for the remnant of His people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that He came up out of the land of Egypt.” Isa. 11:10-16.

   Very evidently, then, the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night that so gloriously led the Hebrew host out of Egypt foreshadowed and even greater and more glorious protective covering, victoriously leading Israel of today not only on their way to the land of promise but all the while they are there.” (SRod Tract, p.54)

8) “Therefore say unto the house of Israel, thus saith the Lord God; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for Mine holy name’s sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went.  And I will sanctify My great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, saith the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. 

For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.  Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.  A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.  And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them.  And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be My people, and I will be your God.” Ezek. 36:22-28.

   Note how clear these verses make the picture — that what God does for His people, He does, not because they are worthy of it, but for the sake of His own name; that He does it not before, but after, He takes them out of all countries and brings them into their own land; that He then and there cleanses them and changes their hearts.  All of which shows that as long as His people are commingled with the tares, and live among the Gentiles, they can never be fitted for translation.  Obviously, therefore, the land of our fathers is to be our final and superb dressing chamber to fit us for the society of pure, sinless, eternal beings.

   Do we see, then, as plain as we should, that to fail to heed the truth of this most momentous event in all church history, is to forfeit the gift of miracles, fitness for translation, and the right to live and reign with Christ during the thousand years?  We dare not let the Enemy cheat us of this new-heart fitness for Heaven.

   This ingathering is indeed to be the second exodus, and it is to be exactly as the Lord has said:

   “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set His hand again the second time to recover the remnant of His people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea….like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.”Isa. 11:11, 16. (2 TG, no.46, p.36-38)

9) “In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land I have given as an in heritance to your fathers..” Jer. 3:18

10) Isa. 51:9, 10 — “Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm

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of the Lord; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon?  Art thou not it which hath dried the sea, the waters of the great deep; that hath made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over?”

   If His people were not asleep, then what need would there be for calling them to awaken?  We are glad that God Himself is arousing us and plainly telling us that as our forefathers did great things, we, too, as the Lord’s “arm,” can and shall do even greater things than they.

Isa. 51:11 — “Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.”

   Thanks be to God that He is not only to awaken His people and to cause them to sing while marching into Zion, but is also able to remove their sorrows and their mourning forever.  He is well able to put everlasting joy upon their heads.

The context of this last quote is on the 144,000. Marching is emphasized and certainly helps our physical travel understanding. This “marching” quote is supported by the next one as well.

11)  “At long last has come the hour for Zion’s deliverance from Gentile bondage, and for her children to return to the land of their fathers  (Ezek. 36:23-38), the vineyard of the Lord of hosts. So let her stand ready and eager,  awaiting her Lord’s order to start marching  thitherward.” (Tract 14, p.24)

Summary– 

There is overwhelming evidence that the saints (144,000) and the Great Multitude go over dry land on the way to the kingdom. Thus the travel suggests the time of JTT is after Ezek. 9 on their way home, just as in type. One of the outstanding questions, though, is “when” does the JTT actually happen for the saints after Ezek. 9? Right after Ezek. 9 heading home, or as a Brother suggests —  while coming back home with the GM, which occurs later and after the saints stand on Mt. Sion with the Lord?

One of the biggest problems the pre-Ezek. 9 JTT believers have is that the type clearly shows ON THE WAY TO THE KINGDOM not meandering around Jabob’s homeland where he lived for several years. Their antitype of us Davidians meandering around our homeland receiving the JTT is not based at all on the type .

Although we do have to admit that an application of JTT for the saints is described in the message occurring prior to Ezek. 9 but that is not in the twisted form (based from New Codes) outline that they say. Their idea is the saints get sealed and then a time delay happens before Esek. 9 which is when the time of JTT occurs complete with a “death decree” given on the 144,000 prior to Ezek. 9– astounding imaginative misconstrued manipulation!

In summary for part 2, we bring the two other “chariot” references we just recently found–

“Wherever they live, there they must be hunted, although It will not be a small easy task to catch at home something like 300,000 Adventists scattered throughout the United States alone, besides over 500,000 scattered throughout the foreign lands.  Moreover, it is mighty expensive work, too, demanding many hunters with expensive chariots (cheaper ones could not stand up), covering hundreds of thousands of miles and requiring as many barrels of gasoline and oil.  This is not a small task, proportionately there has never been the like, and will therefore take every present Truth believer to keep this going and get the work done, so that we can soon go to Glory Land.” (JL, no. 6, p.6)

“Tract No. 14, War News Forecast, which came out several years ago, tells the truth concerning World War No. 2 and its outcome. The Tract gets its light from Nahum’s prophecy. The war there predicted, the prophet declares, is fought in the day of the automobile, in the day men “run to and fro,” while the “chariots…rage in the streets,…justle one against another in the broad ways…while [running] like the lightnings,” — in our time.” (2 TG, no.41, p.15)

We have three references for Chariot travel for the 144,000, one for flying and two for driving. At this point, it sure points to the fact that the driving chariot will be the actual “chariot” that will be involved in the travel back to the Kingdom. There are ten references for dry land travel. What are we, then, to make of the flying Chariot reference? Obviously, after weighing it with the others, it’s simply symbolic.

Regarding the Rod, it’s undeniably clear, though, of a heaven Chariot to take the believers to heaven —

  “The Jews wanted a kingdom of their own, a kingdom of this world (saint and sinner in it).  Yes, they wanted a kingdom on earth, but none in Heaven.  What is more, they wanted it two thousand years ahead of schedule.  Now, ironically, in the time of the restoration of the Kingdom, the Denomination takes an opposite attitude: It wants a kingdom in Heaven, but none on earth.  Indeed, it wants to board the “chariot” from Takoma Park. ” (1 TG, no. 15, p.20)

“Then shall the chariot, being dedicated to the saints, and filled to capacity, take off for the portals of glory — “the land that is very far off.”  “…and as the chariot rolled upward, the wheels cried, ‘Holy,’ and the wings, as they moved, cried, ‘holy,’ and the retinue of holy angels around the cloud cried, ‘Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!’  And the saints in the cloud cried, ‘Glory! Alleluia!’  And the chariot rolled upward to the holy city.” — Early Writings, pp. 287, 288. (Tract 1, p.40-41)

BT’s statement and assumption stated above about leading us to fly by Chariot to the pre- mil Kingdom and negating the dry land travel is not backed up by the “more sure word of prophecy” and by the golden rule of the weight of evidence.

…Too be continued. 

Brother Hibbert Makes a new Report (Part 1 of 3)

It is with some sadness that we have to counter one of our beloved ministers of present truth– Brother Tony Hibbert. 

However in this particular issue  –Jacob’s time of trouble, we have to disagree with his knowledge, placement, and timing of said subject. Granted, the timing of JTT is not at all easy to layout. And we certainly don’t claim to have all the answers, but we do know from solid and weight full evidence from the Inspired Word that the JTT definitely comes after Ezek.9.

Ok let us begin. We will highlight specific areas in his report where we need to address Brother Tony’s (BT) points..

The“Fundamental Beliefs and directory of the Davidian Seventh-day Adventists,
(FB) pp 12 – 13, Nos. 5- 7,” would on the surface appear to teach that Jacob’s time of Trouble (JTT) is after the judgement of Ezekiel Nine. However, I believe that the“weight of Evidence,” (5 T 675 ) clearly suggests otherwise. The evidence reveals that JTT takes place prior the slaughter described in Ezekiel Nine or Judgement in the church.

Here we see the reason for his report, which is to deny what the FB Tracts shows as a sequence of events. The word “sequence” apparently does not mean what it says.

Subjects Must Be Understood In Their Full Perspective. Before going further, we need to bear in mind, the obvious fact,that FB is not designed to reveal everything pertaining to the subject(s) indicated, but to provide FUNDAMENTAL outline, sketch, or summary of the beliefs of Davidian Seventh-day Adventists, of which Jacob’s Time of Trouble is just a part! FB was not designed to be a treatise of JTT, “the winds,” the “mark of the beast” etc! To fully understand the JTT, one must study the entire topic in “full perspective” 3 Ans 91.

This is a fair statement. However, not all that sensical. Fundamental Beliefs are not given as an “afterthought” or “loosely stated” or “haphazardly put together”, no no! They are “fundamental” to what we believe, our core beliefs in other words. All religions put out their FB’s and these are their key doctrinal teachings, not some off the cuff “take it or leave it” beliefs!

So right from the get-go we see a demoting influence, as it were, of the FB’s by BT. This apparently is meant to lessen their importance because as we’ll see these pillars must not stand for their pre-Ezek.9 JTT scenario.

True, the shortly worded FB Tract’s sequential numbered beliefs cannot at all be expected to detail all the events and happenings. This is elementary and common sense. 

He then quotes 3 Ans and the following Rod counsel —

It is Not Safe to Base a Conclusion on a Single Statement
“Let us remember always to observe the inviolable rule that an interpretation of one inspired statement must harmonize with all other related statements.” 3 Ans 41. [Bold added]

True, but we also have the other interpretive understanding where words matter and MUST be understood.

“…as there are no useless words in either of the writings, those who desire to know the truth must carefully mark every word, otherwise they will never comprehend the truth and, as a consequence, they will be driven by the winds as the waves of the sea until the winds cease blowing (probation closes), and they be left to sink down in their sins as do the waves in the sea.”(SC, vol. 2, no.7-8, p.10)

So we must balance the references giving weight to words, clarity, and quantity.

So, it is perilous and disingenuous to base a conclusion on a single or         primary statement. One statement cannot overthrow all the others that may express a different point of view on any one subject.

Again, we see a deliberate attempt to paint our FB’s as a common thing. Of no real importance, in order to lessen their worth. When we search the FB Tract we find clues as to the FB’s worth —

“IN ADDITION to these fundamental tenets of faith held in common with the Seventh-day Adventists, the Davidian Association holds:” (FB, p. 11)

We see that the Rod calls our SDA and DSDA FB’s “fundamental tenets of faith”

What does “fundamental tenets” mean? Google Dictionary–

fun·da·men·tal

/ˌfəndəˈmen(t)əl/

adjective

forming a necessary base or core; of central importance.

 

ten·et

/ˈtenət/

noun

plural noun: tenets

1. a principle or belief, especially one of the main principles of a religion or philosophy.

Thus Fundamental beliefs mean our core important beliefs, essential beliefs in other words. Not just common or regular statements. This is what the Rod declares!  Thus to us as Rod believers these FB’s carry much “weight”.

We are told by the JTTafter (JTT-A) advocates, that we are to have our trouble on the way home to the kingdom. This of course is true. But this phrase has to mean figuratively going home—not literally walking or traveling to the kingdom using standard travel modes of transportation. It simply means that the church in the latter days—the church just before the kingdom—is established is to be the people to return to the promised land.

If you are a little unsettled by this blanket statement — you should be. BT makes an assertion that the Rod’s FB statements simply can’t mean what they say. They mean simply “figuratively” stated common statements! What we see is a privately interpreted analysis of the INSPIRED FB Tract! We shall see this more clearly as we proceed.

End of part 1. To be continued….

Let The Word Speak

In the Gospel of John we read —

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”(John 1:1)

Our King’s Word is one and the same as the King, our God. Thus today in His holy Word we need to focus closely on EVERY Word. The message indeed tells us much in this regard–

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

“…as there are no useless words in either of the writings, those who desire to know the truth must carefully mark every word, otherwise they will never comprehend the truth and, as a consequence, they will be driven by the winds as the waves of the sea until the winds cease blowing (probation closes), and they be left to sink down in their sins as do the waves in the sea.”(SC, vol. 2, no.7-8, p.10)

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

“..to him who digs deep into the well of salvation, and that can think and reason for himself.  Such a one reads between the lines and notes the full value of each word.” (1 TG, no.45, p.22)

“Hold not to what fabricated ideas seem to make the Scriptures say, but grip tenaciously to what the Word, in simplicity, plainly says.” (Tract 10, p.13)

“..the only safe and sane procedure is to read closely every page of the solemn message contained in The Shepherd’s Rod publications. Let not a line escape your attention. Study every word carefully and prayerfully. Be earnest and diligent in your perusal of Truth, and “prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” 1 Thess. 5:21. (5 Ans, p.29)

Thus we gather from Inspiration a key to understanding His Word, His message and counsels for us. A perfect example of this counsel we showed recently on a post concerning understanding the FB’s timeline. In number 6 we pointed out how some crossed out the word “anticipate” and inserted “established”, thereby canceling out His plain Word and meaning.

This is just one example of the practice of ignoring, sidestepping, canceling or whatever –EACH WORD and their meaning.

The Spirit of Prophecy adds more —

Satan is a cunning worker, and he will bring in subtle fallacies to darken and confuse the mind and root out the doctrines of salvation. Those who do not accept the Word of God just as it reads, will be snared in his trap. ” (SLM, vol. 2, p.52)

Recently we had an ongoing email discussion with a brother who insists there is a delay, and intervening time AFTER the sealing of the 144,000 and the beginning of Ezek. 9. This, as we know, is popular among the new code crowd because they say the FB timeline is not in sequence. What??

Remember the above counsel? Each Word?

10. That with this sequence of events will ensure the Loud Cry of the angel that lightens the earth with his glory…” (FB Tract, p. 13)

What sequence? Obviously the prior listed numbered events! But as they have an agenda (back up their new codes ideas) they must cross out important clear Words of God. Thus Satan has snared some even among us present truth believers.

Another important example is our prior posts on those who think they can rob God and keep, collect, and solicit tithes into their own home/cause.

“The message invests no one with authority to solicit financial help to carry on either their work or that of The Shepherd’s Rod.”  (SC, vol. 8, no. 1-12, p.23)

The thieves cross out the Words “no one” and insert “me” or “my family”, “my mom and pop organization”, etc.

This is prevalent all across the message by private interpreters, a thing condemned by the Word —

“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation..” ( 2 Peter 1:20)

“You dare not add to the Word nor subtract from it.” (WHR, p.23)

The Rod tells us to “grip tenaciously to what the Word, in simplicity, plainly says”. In this way we are secure.

“Study verse by verse, word for word, read, stop and think..” (1 Tg, no. 31, p.8)

Now, if any still are having problems understanding His Word, then a close look in the mirror may be needed for the Word tells us —

“Those that do the will of God shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God for no deception will cloud their minds.” (Testimonies on Sabbath School Work, p.64-65)

Are we —

Returning His tithes to His storehouse?

Keeping the Sabbath holy in all respects?

Not murmuring or spreading slander?

Obeying each of the Holy 10 Commandments?

Trying to encourage unity and not division as much as possible?

There is a snare brethren, and that is the most seductive and delusional of all, let us not be found falling for Satan’s camouflage trick —

“If one cannot part from his sins now, neither will he later. And as he cannot deceive God, he is left without the seal though he may be a professor of the Truth.” (Answerer, vol.2, Q-22)

Taking the Place of the Spirit of Truth

Our King gave us this promise —

“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.” (John 16:13)

This one promise is so far-reaching and powerful as to be one of our main pillars of faith. Faith that we shall know the Truth by the Spirit of Truth working in us. But sadly some among us today want to do the work of this Spirit, want to insert themselves as Truth guiders.

It is true that the Word tells us we are to be teachers when the opportunity arises. For we read in Colossians 3:16 —

“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”

“Thus every true follower of Christ is inspired in his own lot — one to interpret, another to study, still another to teach, and yet another to discern, and all to act and to sacrifice for His sake.” (SC, vol. 8, no.1-12, p.5)

“We need to be always learning in the school of Christ in order that we may be teachers.” (ST, series A, no. 3, p.42)

The Rod counsels us to “give a study” when the time comes —

“Now is the time to study and to learn the Truth for this time, to find out how to give a study and how to answer questions in a simple way, without having to go into a lot of history or biography.” (1 TG, no. 4, p.27)

But unfortunately, instead of teaching by letting the Word be taught just as it reads, some have interjected their own ideas into the Golden Bowl, without Inspired references to back it up. Others have quoted the Word and inserted their own interpretations within the sacred Word.

Let us be clear, the Lord’s prophets are the ONLY ones given this privilege, as THEY are inspired to add or subtract from the Word as they receive it from the Lord. Here is an example of (   ) in use of the Inspired Word —

Isa. 11:13-15 — “The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim [–there shall be no sinner among them].  But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines toward the west; they shall spoil them of the east together: they shall lay their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them.  And the Lord shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with His mighty wind shall He shake His hand over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make men go over dryshod.” ( 1 TG, no.31, p.6)

Recently we reviewed one of brother Don Adair’s reports called “Seventh-Day Adventist Church is Not Babylon”. The main premise is correct, that the SDA church is not Babylon. However all through his report, we find his (insertions) as shown in the following —

He quotes Early Writings, p.40 —

“Then I was taken to a world which had seven moons. There I saw good old Enoch, who had been translated {type of the great multitude who will also be translated}. On his right arm he bore a glorious palm, and on each leaf was written ‘victory’. ” 

In the red highlighted area Adair inserted his interpretation of what the verse was saying. Although he is correct in this addition, the point is that inserting in the middle or anywhere in the body of the HOLY WORD is not something we should ever do!

When we read the Word, after we have prayed, the job of the Spirit of Truth is to “guide” us, it is not another human who is to guide us as we read the Holy text. Yes, as teachers we can help but in regards to what the Word says inside of the actual text, we should not be inserting our interpretations for the reader.

Once we get into this habit of self-insertion it can be a slippery slope. For example, brother Don does it often in his reports (144,000 and those with them) and his following insertion, we believe is false. 

“Remember, too, that you [living Davidians} are candidates for the first fruits, to be either one with {living or dead} or one of the 144,000 {who never die}, that you are to be without guile in your mouths.” (Rev. 14:5).(1 TG, no. 4, p.27)

Again we see insertions that “he” and not the Spirit of Truth adds. For example, does not the Lord know all things? Did He not know that VTH would be speaking to predominantly “those with” during his ministry? Of course! So when we see it from that clear view now, we see that most all VTH students were told that they were to be candidates as one with. Thus the importance of saying they (the church members) had two options as candidates, one of which was predominantly applicable to their time–“those with”.

Some may ask — “Well why did VTH tell his own people that one of the options was that they could one “of” the 144,000″? A good question, but we should remember that the Word tells us that each of the prophets spoke more for our time than theirs (EGW and VTH not excluded).

“Each of the ancient prophets spoke less of their own time than for ours, so that their prophesying is in force for us..” (SLM, vol. 3, p.338)

“But no man, however honored of Heaven, has ever attained to a full understanding of the great plan of redemption, or even to a perfect appreciation of the divine purpose in the work for his own time. Men do not fully understand what God would accomplish by the work which He gives them to do; they do not comprehend, in all its bearings, the message which they utter in His name.” (GC, p.343) 

But you say “Then the other option is applicable for us today to be one “with”, correct?”

No, as the preponderance (aka weight of evidence) does not support that idea. See our 7 part study on the 144,000.

The 144,000 Truth (Part 1 of 7)

Adair insertions are serious indeed! Seeing the Holy Word from “his” point of view rather than letting the Spirit of Truth tells us. Insertions into the references, the Holy Word, is wrong and we should not practice this ever.

This is not all that some do to take the place of the Spirit of Truth, let us show another example. Recently we had a brother post several reports on our website Truth Tellers. He attempted to tell us that, just like Adair, there are more than 144,000 sealed from the SDA church at Ezek. 9. His angle was from the Israelite/Gentile position. 

But as we showed from our last post, he used PP, p.279 as one of his pillars for showing that the type/anti-type shows Gentiles surviving the Ezek. 9 judgment and being “those with” the 144,000. Thus he reasons, the actual sealings in the church are more than 144,000.

But as we explained this is nothing more than private interpretation, which is condemned by Scripture (2 Peter 1:20). The prophet well knew of this reference and he did not say one thing about it in all the Rod! Thus this private interpreter is caught with his hand in the Golden Bowl.

Wise counsel is given —

“The Bible and the books of the Spirit of Prophecy being the sole source of The Shepherd’s Rod message, therefore when the Rod is taught, the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy are taught. And since none but the Spirit of Truth who transmitted  the mysteries of Inspiration can interpret them, then those who attempt to teach them without  this Inspired interpretational authority inevitably fall into the forbidden practice of private interpretation (2 Pet. 1 :20)–the great evil which has brought Christendom into its present almost-boundless state of schism and consequent confusion, strife, and impotency.

   As we dare not follow in such a path, we must therefore, as teachers of The Shepherd’s Rod (the official publications of the Davidian Seventh-day Association), teach only in the light of the Rod those passages which in one way or another need to be interpreted. Thus only will all Present-truth believers ever become of the same mind, seeing eye to eye and speaking the same things (1 Cor. 1:10; 1 Pet. 3:8; Isa. 52:8).

   And such as do choose to engage in private interpretation are respectfully asked to desist from teaching in the name of the Rod and at its expense. Let them like honest men, teach in their own names and at their own expense.”(Answerer, vol. 5, Q-133)

“The most common cause of doctrinal confusion among Bible students lies in their so very frequently failing to view a subject in full perspective from the writer’s point of view—a failing which results in their seeing it from some foreign standpoint so narrowing their view that instead of gaining the writer’s idea on the subject, they gain a false idea on it.” (3 Ans p.91)

The Rod did not make that type/anti-type proclamation, as this brother did, because it went against what the Rod teaches (only 144,000 sealed from the SDA church at Ezek.9).

   “We know that the Spirit Who leads into all Truth and all knowledge is not Himself led or taught by any man.  Hence, why should we depend on any man that is divested of Inspiration to pass judgment on inspired Truth?” (2 TG, no. 9, p.7)

In closing, the Spirit of Truth is well able to guide us and we should believe that. Those who attempt to add or subtract from the Lord’s Word, are in potential fearful condemnation as Rev. 22:18-29. Let’s be careful and respect the Word of God.