Are There Any Gentiles in Our Church?

Recently once more, we had a fierce ongoing battle on Facebook with the “those with living” crowd. This seems to be never-ending and perhaps one of the top three controversies among us present truth believers.

The latest well attended discussion was about 50/50, half supporting the “only 144,000 sealed from the church at Ezek. 9” and the other half saying there will be more than that number sealed.

But these discussions (more than one thread) have shown to be largely centered on this supposed fact –there are converted Gentiles in our SDA church. Their case is being presented that there will be 144,000 sealed from the church, but those are Israelites. Because there are Gentiles also in our church today, those converted Gentiles obviously will survive the judgment and “go with” the 144,000 to the kingdom. This, they say, will mean more than 144,000 sealed from the SDA church and escape the judgment.

But is that the “more sure word of prophecy”? Is that grounded upon the Lord’s final restoring message of the Rod? The message that “we” living in the days right before the great and dreadful day of the Lord must know and proclaim?

Let us look into this issue and see what the Lord’s Word says about it.

First, let’s look at some SOP 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)

“In these days He has instituted no new plan to preserve the purity of His people. As of old, He entreats the erring ones who profess His name to repent and turn from their evil ways. Now, as then, by the mouth of His chosen servants He predicts the dangers before them. He sounds the note of warning and reproves sin just as faithfully as in the days of Jeremiah.

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. Though the Lord in mercy withholds for a time the retribution of their sin, as in the days of Jeremiah, He will not always stay His hand, but will visit iniquity with righteous judgment.”(Testimonies, vol. 4, p.165)

A sin-hating God calls upon those who profess to keep His law to depart from all iniquity. Neglect to repent and obey His word will bring as serious consequences upon God’s people today as did the same sin upon ancient Israel. There is a limit beyond which He will no longer delay His judgments. 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)

Ok fair enough SOP shows us we, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, are the “Isreal of today” but that still leaves open the possibility that there may be some Gentiles within our church. We need to look to the “restoring ” message from the Lord.

Let’s look at some Rod references that deal with our subject —

“… 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)

“FIVE GROUPS IN THE KINGDOM – “These groups are (1)the 144,000, Israelites the first fruits of the living, whose “nobles shall be of themselves,” and whose “governor shall proceed from the midst of them…” (Jer. 30:21)…”(Tract 9, p.65-66)

“As God called out Israel from Egypt anciently, just so now, God is calling His church out from worldlings and worldliness, to be a separate, peculiar people to His honor and glory. This does not mean another movement, but it does mean that God is to deal with the entire body,and those who escape are Israel, the 144,000.”( SRod, vol. 1, p.107)

“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). This has no reference to the people in the world, but to those in God’s church, for the third verse says, “he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy.”(SRod, vol. 1,p.218)

“Those that escape from the slaying of the Lord, you note, are sent to the Gentile nations there to proclaim to them the Lord’s fame and His glory, and also to bring all their brethren (all that can be saved) to the house of the Lord. From this you can plainly see that those who escape must be the first fruits, the 144,000Jacobites (Rev. 14:4). (TG, vol. 1, no.25,p.11)

We cannot escape the fact that the 144,000 are of Jacob’s bloodline. The ancestral intermarriage of the Jews with the Gentiles, yet God still knows the seed down through time.

“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)

“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.” (Tract 8, p.7-11)

Let us look at perhaps the most logical, yet flawed argument that the “Gentiles in the church” proponents try to make.

In Patriarchs and Prophets, page 279 we read —

“Many of the Egyptians had been led to acknowledge the God of the Hebrews as the only true God, and these now begged to be permitted to find shelter in the homes of Israel when the destroying angel should pass through the land. They were gladly welcomed, and they pledged themselves henceforth to serve the God of Jacob and to go forth from Egypt with His people.”

Ah, they say, we see that the type shows Gentiles surviving Passover (Ezek. 9) and thus there will be Gentiles in the anti-type from the SDA church when the church judgment comes. Yes, this sounds reasonable, even logical. But there are at least two flaws in this.

1) In a review of the SRod Index, when we search for any mention of PP, p.279, it is conspicuously absent of any comment at all. It does make mention of page 277 (2 places in Rod) and page 283 (also 2 places). Obviously, the prophet was well familiar with the reference yet did not put it into the Golden Bowl! This is powerful, because as mentioned this would have been the perfect reference (according to OUR ideas) to make that type –anti-type connection for Gentiles surviving in the church at Ezek. 9. But it does not!

2) There appear at least two reasons for this. The first is that the Rod not only does not teach this idea but in fact teaches opposite this idea, let us read —

“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…”(Answerer, vol. 3, Q-54)

The straight facts are that –only 144,000 are shown to be sealed as mentioned in the Rod. And these are “Jacobites” as shown later down in this report.

Second, if we carry this Gentile idea to its logical conclusion, how would we explain that the type shows Gentiles escaping the Ezek. 9 judgment, yet they get killed prior to reaching the kingdom (only two adults  Joshua and Caleb Jews make it)? How would the anti-type of this killing be shown? It could not be and thus this idea falls headlong to the ground!  That is why INSPIRATION makes the type and anti-type declarations, and NOT us private interpreters!

Ok we have established beyond doubt that the 144,000 are from Abraham, specifically from Jacob’s bloodline. Now we shall remove all doubt that there cannot be Gentiles in our church. The following Rod Truth should be well understood and relied upon and this undisputed confirmation  will expose all false proclaimers that say , “There are Gentiles in our church who will be sealed and go with the 144,000 to the kingdom.”

“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 Jews, therefore, are not the only descendants of Abraham. “(TG, vol. 1, no.37, p.11)

We see that we who have this message revealed to us are descendants of the Jewish bloodline. We have the bloodline of Jacob. Now we are to see more light as expressed with the following statement —

 “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)

Summary–

1) Those who have this message are of Jewish bloodline. That means you and I are not Gentile.

2) All SDA will be “reached” with this message before end of probation showing that this message will be revealed to ALL in our church, none will have an excuse.

3) It is clear anyone who has or will have the Rod revealed to them, which is all the SDA church members before Ezek. 9 –are the people (Jewish descendants).Of course, as we know some Gentiles from outside the church, after the church judgment, will “go with them”. These along with the faithful SDA who have died, and are raised, are the ONLY true and complete “Those with” the Rod speaks about.

Remember Ezek. 9 cannot happen until ALL SDA has had a chance for acceptance of this message. So if this is the Truth, and it is, then let us ask the “living those with” proclaimers –Where can the Gentiles be in our church, as ALL SDA members will have received this message (or at least know about it) before closing of probation, thus eliminating any chance of Gentiles in our church?

Lastly, we know in Rev. 12:17 that the Dragon brings in a flood into the church. Who is this flood? They are people not called from God! Could there be non-Israelite bloodlines in the church? Food for thought.

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 those with crowd as we have shown many times before are truly those who side on the “minority” of references versus the majority. If one will do a FULL review of ALL the references you will have about 80-85% more references showing only 144,000 get sealed from the church and escape the church judgment. This is called going with the “weight of evidence” (see Answere vol, 1, Q-6).

Not one reference exists of showing any other number than the 144,000 escape. There are so many that say –144.000 escape. Let’s leave it there brethren. 

The weight of evidence is not only arrived from preponderance but also from clarity. In this area, the actual reference is “weighed”  as to how clear and straight in what it says, as opposed to something more ambiguous and not so clear, or taken out of context such as the well known those with quote in WHR, p.46. See our posts on “MJ Bingham’s proof of living those with”

https://hearyetherod.wordpress.com/2020/01/11/mj-binghams-proof-of-the-living-those-with-part-1-of-2/

https://hearyetherod.wordpress.com/2020/01/24/mj-binghams-proof-of-the-living-those-with-part-2-of-2/

“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, ..” (Answerer, vol. 3, p.26)

Does Lennox Sam think he is Anti-Typical King David?

As present truth believers, we know that the prophecies of anti-typical King David are fascinating and soon to come to fulfillment. Yet today, just as with many other areas of prophecies there is some disagreement on who, and how, this particular prophecy will be fulfilled.

We have voiced our opinion on it in a prior report, but none of us can be 100% sure until this unrolling of the scroll actually occurs. But to be sure there is enough Rod evidence to be safely secure in who it will be.

Today there is a well known private interpreter known as Lennox Sam, who believes that God has given him great light and in fact, on his website he is not ashamed to announce his Davidian “supplemental beliefs”. These he feels, are advanced present truths for the Davidian movement. 

There are 22 such beliefs, each expounding on certain subjects in the message, that he feels must be clarified and amazingly even corrected according to his great light. Here is his list —

https://www.gadsda.com/shepherds-rod-message/

We have dealt with some of these before in a prior post —

https://hearyetherod.wordpress.com/2016/04/30/lennox-sam-two-churches-dsda-and-sda/

But the supplemental belief number 22 is the one we will deal with in this post, it reads as follows —

22. That Antitypical David is neither Brother V. T. Houteff nor the Shepherd’s Rod message, but a man who Christ will send to reign in His stead before His return to reckon with His servants, the Davidians. Pursuant to TN9: 43.2; TN8: 71.1,2; 2TG2: 14.3, 17.2.

Just as we did in the prior post, we’ll go over each of the references Sam uses to back up this no. 22 belief.  As we have mentioned before these references must be the best he’s got due to them being used as INSPIRED support for his theories. But do these really say what he tries to put over?

1) Track 9, p. 43.2 —

“As ancient David is in his grave, the king here promised must be an antitypical David, just as the Elijah of Malachi 4:5 must be an antitypical Elijah. Otherwise, in order to fulfill the prophecies, ancient David must necessarily rise from his grave, and ancient Elijah descend from Heaven.”

This reference cannot mean any evidence at all for support of his ideas. What we see is that the Rod is simply saying that David will not be the King in the pre-millennial kingdom. How do we know that? Because the subtitle of the above paragraph is called “Setting Up His Kingdom.” An anti-typical King must come just as anti-typical Elijah must come as well. 

2) Track 8, p.71.1, 2 —

“As they “sent a message after Him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us,” the only conclusion admissible is that shortly before His return, Christ shall inform His “citizens” that He is taking “the reins in His own hands” to set up His kingdom, and that they, upon hearing the announcement, shall refuse to submit themselves to the one through whom He is to rule.

   Observe that in the message which they “sent after Him,” his servants did not say, “We will not have You to reign over us,” but rather, “we will not have this man to reign over us.”  What they objected to was Christ’s reigning over them through someone else.  Clearly, then, before He is coronated, and prior to His return to reckon with His servants, He appoints a “man” to reign over them in His stead.  Whereupon they say to Him, by their attitude and stand toward His message, “We will not have this man to reign over us,” although “this man,” as we now see, is the antitypical David (the “simple means”), the visible king.”

In our search to gain  more light on this Scripture we see that the Rod expounds upon it —

“No one denies the fact that a number of times in the Scriptures Christ is called “a man,” but you surely will not try to make me believe that the “man” in Luke 19:14 is Christ Himself. I care not how spiritually blind you may be, you can still see the literal part of the scripture: that at the time those citizens sent the message, Christ was in Heaven, and the “man” whom they did not want to reign over them was on earth, and that this happened before Christ’s return.” (5 SC,  no.6-12, p.15)

Let us go carefully over these references. We note that the following, ” before He is coronated, and prior to His return to reckon with His servants, He appoints a “man” to reign over them in His stead.  Whereupon they say to Him, by their attitude and stand toward His message, “We will not have this man to reign over us,” although “this man,” as we now see, is the antitypical David (the “simple means”), the visible king.”

Lennox Sam no doubt implies that another man right now must be rejected because of giving Christ’s message. Instead we know that VTH’s message was indeed rejected by the SDA, Sam’s though is largely rejected by DSDA. The SDA knows very little about Sam. So in order for this parable to apply for Sam’s purpose Christ would have had to mean that us DSDA are the “servant’s” here mentioned. This new and strange interpretation is certainly not found in the Golden Bowl but is an addition by Lennox Sam’s own pipe inserted into the bowl. Our case will be clarified as we go on.

3) 2 TG, no. 2, p. 14:3, 17:2 —

“Ezek. 34:23, 24 — “And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even My servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.  And I the Lord will be their God, and My servant David a prince among them; I the Lord have spoken it.”

Nowhere except in the fertile imagination of Lennox Sam can we use the above reference to discount Victor Houteff as that “one shepherd”. For there is nothing to base his ideas on here. All we know is the one man will be that shepherd. This Scripture is worthless as a basis from Sam’s no. 22 doctrine. 

But let us now show why Sam is way off in his theory of a currently living person being the future anti-typical Kind David.

Before we do we need to show just what Lennox Sam thinks of himself, he writes in one of his reports and also throughout his various messages our noted highlighted words  —

“Mt. Carmel’s Trumpeter
Presentation No. 7 Part 1 Section 1
MT. CARMEL’S TRUMPETER
Presents
PRESENTATION NO. 7
PART ONE
SECTION I
“HOW TO STUDY THE SROD MESSAGE”
By The Lord’s Ordained Minister
Lennox Sam
Minister of Davidian Seventh-day Adventists
Mt. Carmel, Waco, Texas”

Click to access Presentation-No.-7-%E2%80%93-Part-1-%E2%80%93-Section-1-How-to-Study-the-SROD-Message.pdf

Are we to assume Sam exalts himself so much that he is the only “Lord’s Ordained Minister” and there are no others? Sure looks as such.

Additionally, we need to point out that while Sam does not say, “I am the anti-typical King David”, his actions speak volumes. For instance, thinking he is God’s true ordained minister today (solo) and failing to announce publicly that he is NOT or will not be the anti-typical Kind David, despite some of his followers continuing to imply or even say so, certainly shows underlying intentions to promote himself as the prophesied anti-typical King David, however subtly.

If this is not the case, we ask Lennox Sam to come forward and make publicly clear his denial of the claim/rumor. Otherwise, he is seen as what is obvious to many– a self-promoter teaching his followers he is the anti-typical King David, soon to rule in the kingdom. Blasphemous indeed!

Ok let us see why the Rod’s position leans heavily of Brother Victor Houteff being the future anti-typical King David. Additionally why Lennox Sam’s private theories (specifically supp. belief no.22) are found wanting and false.

Foundational Rod Statements —

1 — The anti-typical King David shall be appointed after Ezek.9 in the time of the pre-millennial kingdom set up, while gathered in the Holy Land.

Proof —   

Ezek. 34:13 — “And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country.”

   In the days of this antitypical David God gathers His flock from all the countries where they have been scattered, and brings them into their own land.  God will no longer leave them in the mountains and the hills of the Gentiles.  “Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint themselves one head, and they shall come up out of the land: for great shall be the day of Jezreel.  Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the Lord their God, and David their king; and shall fear the Lord and His goodness in the latter days.” Hos. 1:11; 3:5.  (2 TG, no.2, p.17-18)

“Ezekiel’s pictorial prophecy, found in chapter 37, perfectly answers the question. The prophet Ezekiel was commanded to take “two sticks,” one for “Judah” and one for “Ephraim ” after which he was asked to put the stick of
Ephraim with that of Judah, which plainly shows that the kingdom of Israel, the ten tribe kingdom, is to be merged into the kingdom of Judah and not that the kingdom of Judah is to merge into the kingdom of Israel.

Moreover, speaking of this ingathering time of both kingdoms, the prophet Hosea writes thus: “Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint themselves one head, and they shall come out of the land: for great shall be the day of Jezreel.” (Hos. 1:11.) (2 SC, no. 5-6, p.11)

2 —  Jezreel is synonymous with the one head, the Shepherd, the anti-typical king David.

Who does the Rod say is this Jezreel? Victor T. Houteff

Proof —   

“Also if you know of other open-minded, free-thinking, Truth-seeking brethren, I shall appreciate your mentioning how many, and If they wish you may send in their names and addresses either for our mailing list or for a private interview, or for both.  You may address me:

   V. H. Jezreel, H. B. 
   Mt. Carmel Center 
   Waco, Texas”                                            (Jezreel Leters, No.1, p.8)

 

“Hosea’s aforequoted vision not only projects God’s tearing down His ancient (typical) Kingdom, and His consequently scattering His people world-wide, thus causing them, to lose their identity and to become assimilated by the Gentile nations during these many centuries, but also projects the glorious restoration of His Kingdom (the antitype), and His subsequently gathering into It His people from all nations, while He is closing the work of the gospel. 

Moreover the contents of Hosea’s timely vision decisively point out that this great world-wide work of ingathering cannot begin till “Jezreel” appears on the scene.  And who can sanely suppose that Satan will let this crowning, eleventh-hour achievement of the gospel come to pass without a last-ditch encounter with the mightiest forces of darkness? 

Nor may anyone even for a moment suppose that the Almighty did not foreknow the situation and did not provide the means by which to meet it, one of which is the allegorical name Jezreel, the pen name for His eleventh-hour agent. 

Through this simple expedient (unfamiliar name) Heaven disarms the opposition, secures a welcome reception for the Recruiter (the voice of Jezreel), and thereby enables It to survive the waste basket and stove, and thus to reach minds confused by falsehood, and hearts hardened by prejudice.

Thanks to this means of victory over Satan’s conspiracy, not only the elect but even the whole earth as well “shall hear Jezreel,” and “great,” therefore, “shall be the day of Jezreel.” Hos. 2 22; 1:11.  (A detailed exposition of Hosea’s entire prophecy can be secured upon request.)” (WHR, p.64-65)

 

This is hard to deny. We see that the prophecy prediction is —not only the elect but even the whole earth as well “shall hear Jezreel,” and “great,” therefore, “shall be the day of Jezreel.”

The Rod cannot be controverted. We now see with all the blazing light that Victor T. Houteff, who the Lord has established as “Jezreel” is to proclaim the final gospel and the elect along with the world “shall hear Jezreel”.

But also in the above reference, we see that “this great world-wide work of ingathering cannot begin till “Jezreel” appears on the scene.

This means that brother Houteff, who is resting in the grave, will be raised in the Special Resurrection (Dan.12:2-3) at or right after Ezek. 9,  and then will appear on the scene.

3. God will raise up Victor Houteff to reign as anti-typical King David.

Proof —  “Ezekiel, then, was not given a vision of the shepherds in his day, nor of those before his day, but of the shepherds after his day — the day in which God raises up this antitypical David to feed His hungry and neglected flock. 

God’s people shall then no longer serve strangers, “But they shall serve the Lord their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them.” Jer. 30:9.  Here we see that not only Ezekiel, but Jeremiah also was given a vision of this same truth.  Yes, all the prophets.”( 2 TG, no. 2, p.14-15)

Yes, raising up is what the Lord will do! We can come to no other conclusion if we know that Jezreel is the anti-typical King David. Those who think a self-promoter like Lennox Sam will be that king are fooling themselves as much as Satan fooled Eve on that fateful day in the garden.

   “No one is lost for believing a false interpretation of a prophecy before the truth of it is revealed, provided the false interpretation does not draw him away from some other truth.  Such individuals, however, are in great danger because, as history reveals, very few who become thus involved in error are willing to humble themselves by renouncing their errors and accepting the truth when it is made known.

They are consequently in constant peril of sinning against the Holy Ghost.  And being acutely aware of this, Satan misinterprets the prophecies before they are divinely revealed.  He realizes full well that many, unwilling to be corrected and to exchange their errors for revealed truth, will thereby be led to eternal ruin.” (Tract 5, p.7)

 

 

 

Is the Understanding of the 144,000 Salvational?

As we continue to work in His vineyard, we are frankly surprised that some present truth believers simply shrug off whether they have a good solid knowledge of the 144,000.

The Rod does tell us some clear counsel in this regard, let us look at it.

To begin, we find the very first words of the Lord’s Rod say–

“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.” (Preface SRod, vol.1)

Thus we see two purposes that begin the Lord’s Rod, obviously extremely important subjects. The first one is that we are to finally know just what, who and where the 144,000 are!

SOP , as we know did not have the light on this subject as it was not given Sister White, but was to the Elijah prophet, to know and disclose. This should excite and truly satisfy us in this great and wonderful knowledge, as we “strive with all power God has given us to be among the one hundred and forty-four thousand.”(RH March 9, 1905)

This knowledge is all-encompassing but obviously keeps in line with SOP’s counsel that we are not to say we are one or somebody else is one of the 144,000.

“Christ says that there will be those in the church who will present fables and suppositions, when God has given grand, elevating, ennobling truth, which should ever be kept in the treasure-house of the mind. When men pick up this theory and that theory, when they are curious to know something it is not necessary for them to know, God is not leading them.

It is not His plan that His people shall present something which they have to suppose, which is not taught in the Word. It is not His will that they shall get into controversy over questions which will not help them spiritually, such as who is to compose the hundred and forty-four thousand. This those who are the elect of God will in a short time know without question.” (Selected Messages, p.174-175)

We know that  Satan has used the above quotation as a bucket of cold water to be thrown on people wanting to learn the truth on the 144,000. But as usual, this quote like many others is misinterpreted by those not in connection with Christ.

As Mt. Dale’s CD on this subject “The 144,000 who are they?” noted — How can we strive with all power God has given us to be among the 144,000 if we don’t know anything about them? By way of disclosure this writer came into the message by their wonderful CD, See this link —

http://www.shepherds-rod-message.org/audio/rev_7.mp3

Ok, let us look at more Rod references that support the idea that this understanding is salvational.

“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)

“Some day this subject must be understood, for Inspiration makes no useless statements, and it cannot be in the Bible for a trinket.  It must be understood before the number (144,000) is made or it would be of no value.  When understood, it will guide the feet of the 144,000 in the straight path just as the first, second, and third angel’s messages have led thousands of souls to Christ.”(SRod, vol. 1, p.14)

“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)….

 …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)

There is no doubt that strong statements like “it must be understood”,  “may not be sealed” and “life and death matter to all ” makes our issue very clear. We know that this correct understanding of the 144,000 is paramount to our knowledge of the message.

But Satan well knows this also. He has influenced some of our leaders to shrug this understanding off, put it to the side, make it of no real importance!

This brings us to why we are often confused on the understanding of the 144,000. There is a long running confusion due to the debate–is there only 144,000 sealed from our SDA at the time of Ezekiel 9 or is there the “those with” who also escape and are sealed?

The “those with” living SDA promoters, as we have so many times reported before, fall way short in the whole perspective of the message on this teaching of the “correct” understanding of the 144,000.

1) The weight of all the references lean heavily on ONLY 144,000 sealed and escaping Ezek. 9 judgment

2) There is no group or type in ALL the message that shows us the “living those with” are a legitimate group that gets sealed –read Tract 9, p.65-66

3) The message teaches that the “those with” are either faithful SDA that have died (ie. Sister White or Brother Houteff) or possibly some outsiders that go with the 144,000.

4) This issue is paramount, as shown above is a “life and death matter to all”

Satan wants confusion, let us read —

“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)

Obviously, our Enemy has inserted false counterfeits, such as Sunday worship, marriage, etc. So too he will insert a false understanding of the 144,000 doctrine.

Let us look at the “big 4” associations and what they profess as an organizational belief on this issue. Note that this is their official position and is not to say that all their members believe in that official position.

Mt. Dale —  Only 144,000 sealed at Ezek. 9 and escape. Others with generally refer to SDA faithful who have died in the faith. Infact this issue is one of the prime reasons Mt. Dale broke off from Salem in the early ’80s.

Waco —  Only 144,000 sealed at Ezek. 9 and escape. Others with generally refer to SDA faithful who have died in the faith. Held onto this position along with Mt. Dale while breaking from Mt. Dale to form Waco association in the late ’80s.

Bashan — 144,000 sealed at Ezek. 9 and there will be “others with” among the living SDA who survive the judgment and escape. Well known among many DSDA that MJ Bingham, founder of Bashan was the originator of this doctrine as an official DSDA teaching.

Salem —  144,000 sealed at Ezek. 9 and there will be “others with” among the living SDA who survive the judgment and escape. It is believed Don Adair was a student of MJ Bingham at one time and got this doctrine from him in the early 60’s. The leading proponent of this doctrine for decades now.

In closing, let us not be lazy and think that we can sail through to the kingdom without a clear and solid understanding of the 144,000. The Lord’s Rod indicates we should be clear on this issue among us who are striving to be among that number.

 

Understanding FB’s no. 4 to 7

 

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“Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and soundan alarm in my holy mountain.”

As we all should know the Fundamental Beliefs are not some haphazard off the cuff written words from the prophet. No, they are our “core beliefs”, our foundation if you will. Thus it behooves us to know them correctly, what they say and in the case of no. 4 to 7– their timeline and events to come.

Additionally, once we know them we have alot of work to do, particularly among us Davidians because unfortunately, due largely to the new codes, many interpret them incorrectly and give the last day timeline that will not happen.

So let’s begin. Here is the subject matter.

4. That the destruction of the tares from among the first fruits of the living (Matt. 13:30, 48, 49; Ezek. 9:6, 7) results in the purification of the church.

   5. That immediately thereafter, the angels let loose the four winds (Rev. 7:1-3), whereupon ensues the time of trouble and Michael’s standing up to deliver from it, all whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Dan. 12:1).

   6. That the angels’ letting loose the four winds to blow over the four corners of the earth (Rev. 7:1), does not anticipate a World war but rather a world wide decree enforced throughout Babylon by the image-beast, and that then no one may buy or sell save he who worships “the image.” Rev. 13:15-17.

   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). (FB Tract, p.12-13)

Before we begin it is important to know that these numbers are in sequence. We know it because the FB Itself say so —

10. That with this sequence of events will ensure the Loud Cry of the angel that lightens the earth with his glory (Rev. 18:1),.. (FB Tract, p.13)

Let us carefully breakdown each number.

Nearly all present truth believers have no contention with no. 4. We know that it simply says that the Ezek. 9 church judgment results in the purified church –the 144,000.

Number 5 is a little more deeper. After Ezek. 9 we see that Michael stands up to deliver His people, both the 144,000 and the GM. Trouble begins at this time, right after Ezek. 9.

Dan. 12:1 — “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great Prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.”

   At that time (that is, at the time the king of the north comes to his end and none help him) shall Michael stand; and at the same time there shall be trouble such as never was even to that very time.  Only God’s people, who have their names written in the book, will be delivered.  None other. (2 TG, no. 7, p.10)

Ok we see that this time of Dan. 12:1 is when the King of the North’s hold on the holy land Israel –, comes to an end. We know from our past studies that what identifies the King of the North is he who controls Israel, the holy land. Thus the King of the North is not the USA, for it has not and is not –controlling the holy land. That is being done by the Zionists, controlled and run by the Rothschild dynasty which is basically–Great Britain. Amazingly how the Rod saw all the way down to our time in declaring GRB as the KON at the time of the end. The USA does have a final role but that is a long study.

For the study of the King of the North  see this link —

https://hearyetherod.wordpress.com/2016/10/23/a-study-of-the-king-of-the-north-part-1-of-3/

At this time is when the great gigantic war as spoken of in Zech. 14 and Zeph. 2 comes to fulfillment.

Tract 9, p.58 gives us more light about this time in no. 5 —

“The angels’ holding back the winds at the four corners of the earth denotes that they are holding back some world-wide trouble which, should it break out while the church is in her Laodicean condition, would block the sealing.  And from this fact, it follows that immediately after the 144,000 are sealed, the trouble will begin, signalizing  the angels’ loosing the winds.  With this trouble “such as never was since there was a nation” (Dan. 12:1), the great multitude is to be brought face to face while being called out of Babylon (Rev. 18:4) into the kingdom.” (Tract 9, p.58)

Ok so far we can see that at this time of Jesus standing up, it’s at the completion of the sealing of the 144,000 which comes at Ezek. 9 fulfillment.  Then “immediately” after this the great trouble “such as never was since there was a nation” begins.

At this point both camps, the new code believers and the orig. code believers have little disagreement. Now we shall look at the bone of contention.

6. That the angels’ letting loose the four winds to blow over the four corners of the earth (Rev. 7:1), does not anticipate a World war but rather a world wide decree enforced throughout Babylon by the image-beast, and that then no one may buy or sell save he who worships “the image.” Rev. 13:15-17.

Ah, now we get to the great misunderstandings. Here is where a deviation occurs.

No. 6 initially tells us something of significance will occur after the letting loose of the four winds. Then comes a part that some do not closely focus on. Do you see the pivotal word “anticipate”? This is key to know what no. 6 is saying. Our English dictionary says of that word —

“an·tic·i·pate”

verb – regard as probable; expect or predict. (Google Dictionary)

With this correct understanding of that word we can safely conclude the following.

The letting loose of the four winds is not to expect a world war but to expect or predict –the Sunday Law. Thus no. 6 cannot be meant to say it ESTABLISHES the Sunday Law at that time, only that the winds are let loose for the PURPOSE of the Sunday Law. It is coming and all should know it’s now in its embryonic stage — right after Jesus standing up and during the time of trouble such as never was.

If we say AT THAT TIME, the Sunday Law is made up then the word anticipate is the completely wrong word. The words such as “establishes a world wide decreee”  or “sets up a world wide decreee” etc. would certainly lead us to that conclusion. Inspiration makes no mistakes!

The message tells us an extremely powerful and unforgettable lesson —

“..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.” ( 2 SC, no. 2, p.3)

So no. 6 is letting us know that the winds are now to formulate their purpose — ultimately to set up the Sunday Law, but it cannot be proven to say that it is established at that time. Again, anticipate means future, predict, expect.

Now we can proceed to no. 7 —

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).

One of the recent new ideas we heard recently was that no. 6’s time in the sequence established that the Sunday Law came into fulfillment. If we follow this reasoning, it would illogically show that the 144,000 STAY in USA during the whole Sunday Law set up process! This process takes time (from Ezek. 9 to the establishment of the SL) and from what we know may take months if not longer than a year!

The Loud Cry gives the warning first from Jerusalem, before the setting up of the Law. This is a fundamental teaching we should know from the Rod.

When we questioned him about his ideas, he responded that the Sunday Law should be put into the FB timeline and no. 6 is the only logical place in the FB Tract. No, not necessarily. Sometimes an obvious assumption is made that the reader knows how to think it through.

“The tracts do not tell everything, but what they tell, they tell it straight.” (TG, vol. 1, no. 3, p.18).

This INCLUDES the FB Tract.

Remember also that Jacob’s time of trouble happens ON HIS WAY HOME. It doesn’t happen while he meanders around his own land! Some new code believers make a serious error in proclaiming JTT happens before Ezek. 9 as well. 

Further, we know well that the message tells us that the Loud Cry goes out to the GM from Jerusalem. So illogically their idea would put the message not going from Israel during the Sunday Law set up period, but from the USA! Total confusion.

Also we should remember that the message establishes that when the great war is happening THEN the Ezek. 9 Church purification happens —

” .. 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)

Let’s look at what happens after Ezek. 9 — what do the saints do? Do they meander around the USA for a while, get persecuted there in USA, even a death decree against them as the new code proclaimers teach? Then later start to go to the holy land Gospel Headquarters?

“…prophecy tells the way the work is to be finished– that the law of the Lord during the judgment day of the living is to go from Zion, and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem, — not from Takoma Park, not from Mt. Carmel Center, and not from some other place either. (1 TG, no.5, p.5)

Do the saints proclaim the message during the Sunday Law setup, stuck in the USA? Obviously not!

” Yes, wonderful things are spoken of Zion and Jerusalem.   At one time the Lord forsook the city and scattered the people. But at the time these scriptures are being revealed, He is to return, to gather His elect, and to bring them to Zion and Jerusalem.  When this great work shall have been accomplished Jerusalem will then be called “a city of Truth,…the holy mountain” — a people well versed in God’s whole Truth and without a sinner in their midst.  

This great wonder evidently takes place during the Judgment of the Living, the righteous are taken there while the wicked are being bound in bundles as it were for to be destroyed.  And while the Lord dwells in Zion, His Truth shall then emanate from Zion and Jerusalem.  Then it is that “many people and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord.”  Now is our greatest chance to work and pray “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.” ( 1 TG, vol. 16, p. 24)

The following shows how quickly the saints (144,000) will start out for the holy land at the conclusion of Ezek. 9 and that gigantic war —

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.  (1 TG, no.19, p. 4-5)

Again, after Ezek. 9 there is no immediate Sunday Law set up , the saints stuck in USA to be persecuted, and then later the JTT comes. No, that is to make a mockery of the clear 4 to 7 timeline, not to mention numerous other studies of these topics. Let’s stay on Inspiration’s clear, plain words of Truth.

 

SUMMARY —

We conclude that the FB timeline 4 to 7 means exactly what it says —

4 — Ezek. 9 and the 144,000 all sealed

5 — Trouble begins and Michael stands up (JOL begins)

6 — Winds released and start to formulate the Sunday law (though not set up yet)

7 — After Ezek. 9 (4) and (5) and (6) the saints start home and experience Jacob’s time of Trouble

Dealing with Eric Edstrom’s/UPA7’s Private Storehouse Theories

In our last post of this series, we will address Edstrom’s last statement from his last WhyPerish post .

Edstrom — “False Charge No. 3: upa7.org teaches “promoting stealing of God’s tithes, pocket your own tithes at home” contrary to 4 Ans 44”

He then proceeds to say —

Rob Peralta is unread and has no understanding of what actually constitutes a storehouse of present truth. We have explained repeatedly for over ten years that at its most essential element a storehouse, by it very definition, is the place where the present truth comes from and ever since 1930 that has been the original SRod publications coming from The Universal Publishing Association, regardless of location. But Rob Peralta cannot and will not believe this because he is wedded to his idols of Mt. Dale and Waco with their unauthorized, misapplied, and contradicting titles of “Mt. Carmel Center” and GADSDA.

We have no problem with the understanding that God’s present truth can come from a home, a factory, a cave, or wherever it may be, during times of development of the message. In fact, we know that during the dark ages the word of God did come from caves! The Apostles did not operate out of an office building or church as well. But Edstrom misses the point.

Answerer vol. 4, Q-97 is not establishing the point of where the storehouse structure is coming from, but how we as individuals CANNOT use God’s money for our own purposes. This is the lesson. 

Yes, the original 100% Rod only group did work from a home some of the early years. But they DID NOT tell people, like Edstrom does, that you can keep your tithes and collect them as long as you publish the original Rod. We also learned from our prior posts that these pioneers proclaimed the new codes and had 501 c3 titles, which according to Edstrom’s private teaching should have disqualified them as a true storehouse! This is the BIG error that UPA7 has and proclaims.  Confusion, nothing but confusion brethren.

Edstrom — The statement in Answerer book No. 4 as it was first published in 1944 was at a time when only one storehouse existed and that was old Mt. Carmel Center Waco, Texas under the direction of the prophet Brother Houteff. So for an individual to use the Lord’s money at their own discretion would have been totally inappropriate since there was only one place that was publishing the SRod message at that time.

Thus sayeth Edstrom! Pure private interpretations and assumptions. Notice that the actual quote makes no mention or hint of this reasoning (that quote was limited to that VTH’s time alone). Again the point of that Inspired reference is to warn the people not to do as Edstrom does, keep and ask for tithes, from private homes, organizations operating as mom and pop shops, etc. God in His infinite wisdom saw all the way down to our day, warning us about usurpers who would try to teach opposite His word about tithes.

There are basically two very important references that deal with instructions of the tithes on what not to do, they are —

1 )  “The message invests no one with the 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)

These are clear words. But are we to believe that this reference too, as Edstrom preaches, is meant for just in VTH’s day? Yeah, let’s slice and dice the word to make it fit our ideas, that’s it!

2 ) CANNOT MY HOME BE HIS “STOREHOUSE”?

Question No. 97:

Is it Scriptural for one to retain and personally use his tithe and offerings in order to carry on the gospel work in his own community, according to his own plans?  {AB4: 44.3}

Answer:

Nowhere in the Scriptures do we find permission to use the Lord’s money at our own discretion. The only justification for so doing would be sheer inability, for some reason to send it to the Lord’s “storehouse.” Should one voluntarily, though, engage in such a practice then he would set the wrong example before others. And if following in his lead, others assume  the same right, their course must inevitably result in seriously handicapping the Lord’s work, bleeding and subverting His treasury, and thus disorganizing His work and reducing the church to a mere shell, while her members are hiring themselves as laborers in the Lord’s vineyard, helping themselves to the Lord’s money, and running without having been sent! What a Babylon that would be! 

Though the Lord commands, “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse” (Mal. 3:10), He does not say to bring all the offerings. Thus, He shows that if we would engage in some personal charity or missionary activity, we should sustain it from offerings, not from the tithe.

“Angels keep a faithful record of every man’s work, and as judgment passes upon the house of God, the sentence of each is recorded by his name, and the angel is commissioned to spare not the unfaithful servants, but to cut them down at the time of slaughter….And the crowns they might have worn, had they been faithful, are put upon the heads of those saved by the faithful servants….”Testimonies, Vol. 1, p. 198.Answerer Book 4, p. 44, 45

Proof of UPA7’s abominable doctrine–

Edstrom –“So yes, you can start a storehouse and if you publish the original Shepherd’s Rod then you are qualified to accept Tithes. So move forward, break free from man-made justifications.” (Mark 57:43 – 57:57 of his video “Davidian Storehouses vs. Headquarters: History and present applicability”)

Edstrom– after Brother Houteff died in 1955 the question then arises where did God’s storehouse go? We have very carefully documented and proven in a series of presentations backed up with extensive original documentation that God’s storehouse was distinguished from a number of counterfeits that have arisen over the decades by which group or association published or kept alive the original SRod literature.

Ok if we watch his presentations, what will we learn? We will learn that the early 100% Rod only group was the “true” storehouse of God during the 60’s and early 70’s. Yet once again we must repeat –EDSTROM AND UPA7 calls them true storehouses, yet they taught the new codes and had 501 c3’s! Nothing but hypocritical teachings and utter confusion brethren, let’s not be fooled here by this sleight of hand.

As mentioned before, Edstrom must teach that the early 100% Rod only brethren were working for God , because if not he would be forced to preach that ALL brethren in ALL groups since the Knock-out blow (1955) were false until he came along with UPA7 in 2006, some 50 years later! In other words, God abandoned the organized work until 2006. Untenable and total baloney and he knows it.

Edstrom — upa7.org arose out of necessity in 2006 because of a crisis that was observed in the Philippines where numbers of converts in the SRod message were coming in but there was little or no literature for them to read and study for themselves.

Here Edstrom is trying to paint the picture of a lone ranger who comes to the rescue. Let us state here, that Edstrom knows we at Truth Tellers (our online ministry) has for YEARS sent out free of charge  — Tracts, CD’s, DVD’s and other Rod literature all over the world, including the Philippines. We provide the material through a self-funding ministry where many brethren over the years have received what is known as “present truth packages.”

Our material is always obtained from either Mt. Dale or Waco (except Blue Book, SRod Index and SRod 1 and 2 from Salem), where unlike Edstrom’s poor quality literature, the Tracts and books are well made, strong and durable. Mt. Dale and Waco has been GENEROUS in supplying all our literature needs.

Recently we heard from a brother who was truly disappointed when after ordering some Rod material from UPA7, he found sheets that needed cutting and stapling to put together! Let’s settle for quality and professionalism which the Rod is worthy, not mom and pop shops who teach soul losing doctrines such as –stealing from God’s treasury  and bringing upon us the solemn prophecy —

   “Angels keep a faithful record of every man’s work, and as judgment passes upon the house of God, the sentence of each is recorded by his name, and the angel is commissioned to spare not the unfaithful servants, but to cut them down at the time of slaughter….And the crowns they might have worn, had they been faithful, are put upon the heads of those saved by the faithful servants….”Testimonies, Vol. 1, p. 198.”

Now, let’s deal once more with some new revelations regarding Edstrom’s hypocritical teachings that we should teach only from the original charts. By way of disclosure, yes this is a solid point and we should do it. If Mt. Dale or Waco teaches from altered Charts, we do not agree with it or condone it. BUT, to say that, for example, the Entering Wedge cover was colored in from the original is akin to saying what some of the historic old-timers said when the Bible was made in Book form and changed from the scroll design. They blasted it as evil and not the true design of God. The main message is STILL THERE and the type set or even colors does not change the ideas or message.

On Oct. 25, 2014  Edstrom’s YouTube channel published the following video, titled –“God’s storehouse from Genesis to the Reformers” and we want to pay close attention to the 35:30 to 36:25 mark. He says, “Here’s the rendition of this chart (Ezek. 4), based on the original. This was done by Yucaipa in the 1970’s…”

Ok so what is wrong about this? He is teaching from an altered Wanda Blum chart! Doing exactly what he said not to do all throughout his reports and videos!

On July 12, 2013, over a year before, Edstrom published a video entitled, “Grains of Ezekiel four: More alternations of Inspiration”. In this video he lambasts Wanda Blum and Yucaipa for altering Ezekiel four chart! In fact he says —

“As we see here plainly, there is some rather dramatic differences. Things added and subtracted…a man-made manipulation..we better shun it.” (mark 1:30 -10:10)

Yet Edstrom one year later published a video teaching from Wanda Blum’s (Yucaipa) chart on Ezek. 4 ! Brethren this is total hypocrisy, once more showing that UPA7 is spreading confusion and division among the brethren.

“God hates hypocrites more than He hates any other kind of sinners.”(1 TG, no.44, p.5)

“Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?” (Isaiah 2:22)

Edstrom — Upa7.org teaches proper principles of tithing and does not take even one penny of the people’s tithes but encourages each group to gather their tithes and offerings and organize of publishing work in their area to publish the original SRod. 

Back in 2012, we recall sending in “tithes” to UPA7 and being accepted by them. Until of course we found out the real situation with this organization. Current solicitations for financial help on Edstrom’s  UPA7.org and Shepherd’s Rod Speaks websites show the Lord’s counsel is meaningless   —

“The message invests no one with the 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)

We all know that Edstrom thinks himself an “exception” to the rule. And worse yet teaches you too can be an exception! But make no mistake God is not mocked and the time will come, we shall soon see who stands.

Summary–

Bottomline is that Edstrom/UPA7 is justifying their doctrine of private separate tithe collecting storehouses because according to him, God has rejected the current Mt. Dale and Waco associations because they are doing abominations such as new codes and 501 c 3. Yet in the 60’s and early 70’s God accepted the early associations as His, Edstrom teaches,  even though they did the same thing! No brethren it’s all a smoke screen. Confusion and twisting in full bloom. Stay upon the solid Rod counsel and be safe!

In concluding this post series, know for certain that the Rod has clearly shown us that tithes and offerings are sacred and not to be messed with or cunningly explained away. There are clear unmistakable “do not” tithe counsels which Eric Edstrom and his UPA7 blatantly ignore and twist away. We warn any and all to be aware of these sleights of hand tricks for they are deadly!

“Truth is straight, plain, clear and stands out boldly in its own defense; but it is not so with error. It is so winding and twisting that it needs a multitude of words to explain it in its crooked form. ” (EW, p.96)

“God lays his hand upon the tithe, as well as upon gifts and offerings,and says, ‘That is mine. When I intrusted you with my goods, I specified that a portion should be your own, to supply your necessities, and a portion should be returned to me.'” (RH Dec. 12, 1890)

Sad Saga Continues ( Part 4)

As we begin our next post we will deal with the following —

Edstrom–“False Charge No. 2: upa7.org supports Brother Warden so it is ok to be state incorporated 501c3 and publish the New Codes.”

No, that is not what we said or are saying. We are saying that Edstrom has been proclaiming for years that those who teach the new codes and have 501 c3 are apostate yet the following is also proclaimed by him. Take careful notice that Edstrom claims that many pioneers (1961-69 100% Rod only org. and Salem org.) who had new codes and 501 c3 were operating “as a proper storehouse, having an executive council, publishing free literature, holding sessions, issuing Certificates of Fellowship cards, etc.” —

1.  “After the attempted “knockout blow” predicted by Brother Houteff 9 occurred in the spring of 1959 the few faithful Davidian’s that were scattered about reorganized the storehouse in Arlington, California in 1961.10 Here the Association operated until the Session voted to move in an eastward course across the United States, again upon prayerful consideration of Ezekiel’s river. In 1969 it was decided to relocate the Association to Salem, SC which was completed by 1970.11

This was prompted, in part, by the location of one of the original Davidian rest homes operated by the Smith family, which already had a building and good location available. Here it operated as a proper storehouse, having an executive council, publishing free literature, holding sessions, issuing Certificates of Fellowship cards, etc.” (Knockout blow Chronicles, p.10, May-June 2011, “Going Eastward: A Study From Ezekiel 47 Movement of God’s Storehouse Foretold?” — Edstrom’s WhyPerish.org website)

2.  Along the pathway we have to identify who kept the Rod alive, the original Rod, not the counterfeit or the remodeled stuff but the original. So this is the golden thread if you will to trace the history. So let us begin.

In Southern California, there was a call for reorganization. And from 1961 to 1970 God had a storehouse here. Sept 1961: session held in Arlington Calif. to reorganize the “100% Rod only” believers.. (The Scattering Time ( video) mark: 30:15-30:40)

We could go on and on with more quotes from actual Edstrom reports/videos but I think the brethren get the point. UPA7/Edstrom is so confused and hypocritical that is boggles the mind! On one day he says that Mt. Dale and Waco are apostate due in large part because they teach the new codes and have a 501 c 3, and then on another day he teaches that Warden led 100% Rod only organizations and early Salem organizations are storehouses led by “God”.

Let no one be fooled here, those organizations taught and believed in the new codes and setting up a 501 c3. But somehow Edstrom believes that you and I are not capable of seeing this double-minded teaching.

“I hate those who are double-minded, But I love Your law. You are my hiding place and my shield; I wait for Your word. Depart from me, evildoers, That I may observe the commandments of my God.” (Psalms 119:113-115)

Edstrom — It is true that Brother Warden incorporated the Vista Association with state of California in 1963 to thwart off a hostile takeover by M. J. Bingham and his minions as previously discussed in our detailed analysis of the 501c3 confederacy issue within Seventh-day Adventism (http://whyperish.org/2010/09/irs-501c3-state-incorporation-a-trap-for-davidians/).

False! Nowhere is it ever said that Warden incorporated due to a potential “hostile takeover” by anyone including M.J. Bingham. Further had this been the reason then why did brother Warden go along with and sanction another 501 c 3 in Salem? To protect against Bingham or others again? No, this is Edstrom’s idea to protect his theories of  — they really didn’t want to do it, but under one time dire circumstances– type of excuse. Who buys this circular reasoning?

The plain fact is that they knew that Incorporating had so many advantages to proper management and protection that it was wise to do so. They knew as bro. Saether pointed out in his memoirs that towards the end of VTH’s life, he knew it was good to be on “some kind of legal basis”.Further, they knew, and Edstrom conveniently forgets, that the winds CANNOT harm any of the saints including any government intervention until they are let loose (Ezek. 9).

“…the “four winds,” figurative of all the nations scattered to the four corners of the earth, are not permitted to blow — to hurt anything (Rev. 7: 1).

   And as during the sealing period, the nations are restrained from obstructing the sealing of the righteous, and the “four angels” (Rev. 7:2) are commanded not to hurt the wicked, we see that the 144,000 are sealed in a time of peace — not, though, in a time of peace among the nations themselves, but rather in a time during which neither the nations are permitted to persecute the church (those who are being sealed) nor the angels permitted to hurt the wicked. (Tract 9, p.52-53)

Edstrom — What about Brother Warden’s stand on the New Codes? It is true that he was a leader who did not publicly stand up and oppose these Codes and question whether we should publish them in his day (1961-74). Does that mean that we today as wide awake Davidians must accept the New Codes publications are part of the original SRod message?

What planet is Edstrom living on? Let us read that not only did Warden fail to “stand up and oppose” the codes he ACTIVELY endorsed them, yet he calls brother Warden a “man of God” and accuses Mt. Dale and Waco as “apostate” for believing in these same codes??

We agree Warden was indeed used of God to steady the ship but because he believed in the new codes, it shows God is working despite this new code issue!

Let us remember that Edstrom’s argument that we are just singling out Warden is not correct. We show that not only does Edstrom hypocritically endorse one man (Warden) but the whole 1961-70 100% Rod only movement as they too believed in the new codes and 501 c3. So it’s a larger hypocritical issue than just Warden.

In the 1972 Session report from Salem, we read —

“Items VI– Doctrine.  Brother Warden made the motion, seconded by Sister Thara Smith and carried that the Association immediately begin the abundant planning of the printing of the Entering Wedge, General Conference Special, Tracts 12 and 14, and the White House Recruiter as set forth in the Recruiter concerning the seventh round, the Confederacy as in Isaiah 7 and 8. Also that all of Brother Houteff’s sermons in Codes Vols. 10 through 13 and the Jezreel Letters be printed. It was unanimously carried.” (page 56)

https://www.gadsda.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/1983-Davidia-The-Inside-Report.pdf

In the July-Sept Code 1970, vol. 9, no.3, We read of many of the brethren gathering in Salem, S.C for session. In this particular code we read of brother Warden’s comments. Take careful note to see what was discussed in this Leviticus called session –-the new codes.

As the new codes were referenced this shows that the brethren , including brother Warden believed in them enough to quote them in the session.

Quoted were vol. 12, no.3, p.6 —

“We must continue to believe even in the face of the severe circumstances that will present themselves to challenge our faith.  We must realize, therefore, that not a little faith but very much faith is required of any who would be among this great people.  Ever remember that the Israelite multitude and later the whole nation completely lost out simply because of their unbelief which led to their rebellion against God’s ways until there was no remedy.”

and S.C, vol. 13, no.1-2, p.10 —

 “Trouble is coming.  It is not going to be a small trouble… The trouble is to be exceedingly great.

   Some of us may think we have hardship now, but the fact is that we do not know what hardship is.  We cannot now comprehend or even imagine how great the trouble will be.  “Alas!  for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.” 

The trouble actually is what saves him.  Then the time of trouble is coming for the good of the latter-day Jacobites.  It is coming to deliver them. through this most difficult time, it is the man who has the greatest faith in God that will fear the least.  The more faith one has then the greater will be his deliverance.”

See this link, pages 11 and 18 —

http://www.upa7.org/PDFs/Storehouse%20Docs/Salem-9SC-3-1970-s.pdf

Edstrom — “..Peralta himself does not accept the New Codes are part of the SRod message. But Peralta makes a fatal error and exposes himself as a total hypocrite because although he does not believe said Codes he continues to uphold the hands of sinners in Zion by defending Mt. Dale and Waco who do.”

Edstrom knows better than to post this twisted idea. He knows very well that we have posted many times our thoughts on this new code issue. He reads our posts here and ignores what we have plainly taught — the new codes are a complicated issue and as such we do not mount the judgment seat as he does and condemn those who believe in them. Further, he knows very well that we do our work behind the scenes with some MT. Dale brethren, and we are making progress in bringing this issue to the forefront and by God’s grace, a solution will be made soon on this issue at Mt. Dale.

But instead of helping roll up his sleeves and get to work reaching out to the brethren, he prefers, as is his practice, to throw stones and condemn from afar. Woe to those who lift no hands in helping in an emergency!

“If God abhors one sin above another, of which His people are guilty, it is doing nothing in case of an emergency. Indifference and neutrality in a religious crisis is regarded of God as a grievous crime and equal to the very worst type of hostility against God.” (Testimonies, vol. 3, p.281)

Edstrom very well knows Mt. Dale is in an ongoing battle yet where is his help? He lambasts from videos and reports as if his whips we bring it all together. Shame!

Here is evidence he knows Mt. Dale is in a battle —

http://whyperish.org/2018/08/the-final-death-blow-to-the-unauthorized-new-code-sermons/

Here is evidence we know Mt. Dale is in a battle —

https://hearyetherod.wordpress.com/2018/08/11/mt-dale-reviews-the-new-codes/

Edstrom — “Rob Peralta is not only unread and unskilled in the handling of spiritual truths, he is a blinded ideologue who is a man pleaser at the feet of Errol Stanford and Norman Archer.” 

Once again either Edstrom is purposely lying or he thinks his audience is midget minded dolts unable to see what we here at HEARYETHEROD have posted. No, Edstrom we do not cater to bro. Stanford or Archer, nice try. We have in fact posted a warning to bro. Stanford, which Edstrom well knows we did, yet like is his custom, tries to fool people with his cunning twisted words. The following is 5 part report and our link concerning bro. Stanford —

https://hearyetherod.wordpress.com/2018/11/27/looking-at-bro-stanfords-new-codes-report-part-1-of-5/

To summarize part 4, we see once again that UPA7/Edstrom relies on short-sightedness and careless present truth advocates who don’t dig deep and trust in his sleight of hand tricks, God is not mocked, time will soon tell it all.

In our next part of this series, addressing UPA7/Edstrom’s Whyperish article, we look at —

“False Charge No. 3: upa7.org teaches “promoting stealing of God’s tithes, pocket your own tithes at home” contrary to 4 Ans 44”

Sad Saga Continues (Part 3)

“You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Matt.7:5)

Once again, we recently read the latest blog post of Eric Edstrom/UPA7 continuing to cause us amazement and bewilderment.

There is an old adage that says, “the truth hurts”, and apparently it has. He has exploded in hateful rage labeling us names such as, “Lying devil, prophet of Baal, insane, epileptic, derelict, retard, sneaky snake, total hypocrite, unread, unskilled, blinded ideologue, a man pleaser, bait hunter.”

Many of our readers well know by now that more than a few past posts have, reluctantly, had to deal with UPA7 and it’s author–Eric Edstrom. The latest post dealt with the fact that he has been caught trying to promote a “remodeled” Tract (Entering Wedge) on Amazon for sale to the public, after years of publicly blasting Mt. Dale and Waco for the same thing! They had this advertisement up for many years until a brother discovered it a couple months ago and he then quickly covered his tracks (pun intended).

https://hearyetherod.wordpress.com/2019/04/07/upa7-attacks-gods-workers-again/

One would be hard pressed to think that Christ is working through such bombastic and fuming individuals who resort to name calling to force down his points upon the brethren. Let us read who teaches this tactic–

“And since the Enemy cannot get around the Truth, he does all he can to blacken character and to pick flaws in personalities.” (GCS, p.8)

Nevertheless, once again we will carefully respond, not in likewise hate-filled language but in clear logical reasoning backed by a “Thus sayeth the Lord”.

“Take your stand on higher ground. Move steadily onward and upward in the path that Jesus trod.”(Review and Herald,  April 26, 1906-EGW)

Let us provide the brethren with unfiltered facts and evidence refuting their latest attempt to soil and stain our work here on HEARYETHEROD.

Rest assured the Lord’s Truth cannot and will not die nor be put asunder by people who specialize in twisting the facts and using smear tactics. If the Truth is on our side, those who try to twist and destroy It against us, will experience the boomerang effect.

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” (Gal. 6:7)

Before we begin, the latest article by Edstrom does bring out two areas that we have considered and corrected. We are not like our brother Edstrom, when we see some situation that needs correction or adjustment, we admit it, correct it,  and move forward.

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but who so confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13)

We agree that a rewording was in order on our prior post and have now corrected the author name of the remodeled Tract on Amazon–it’s Eric Edstrom, who is the author of UPA7.org, not UPA7.org as seller.   Second, the Entering Tract we showed, had been filled in with color, which was not the original design (black and white). We have corrected the photo of the original.

So let us go over UPA7’s recent “WhyPerish” article.

Edstrom —“Peralta’s first accusation that upa7.org has secretly sold copies of the Entering Wedge (EW) on Amazon with altered cover artwork is a complete lie.”

First, we did not claim that it was a secretive selling of Edstrom’s remodeled Entering Wedge Tract. In fact we were, as many were, shocked and bewildered that such an outspoken opponent of “changing artwork” on Tracts, TG’s, etc. would actually do the same thing publicly! One can only think that carelessness, arrogance, or just plain ol ignorance causing this blunder.

“…you may be sure that your sin will find you out.” (Numbers 32:23)

Edstrom — “..he attempted a sneaky snake attack and false [ SIC] charged upa7.org with selling an altered version of the EW on Amazon…the altered image of the EW that appeared on Amazon was never the work of upa7.org but rather that of a personal side project of Eric Edstrom that was connected to long since disabled health website. When this artifact that was inadvertently left on Amazon was brought to the attention of Brother Edstrom it was immediately removed from the internet. End of story.””

What he is doing is trying to separate his own work from UPA7.  As he is the “author” of UPA7, he should realize that his own advice ( do not change the artwork on the Rod literature) is something that he himself should practice, lest he been found a hypocrite and worse. Which is the very case that has now been observed by Davidians throughout the vineyard. 

Yours truly is not the only one who had this information beforehand. The Holy Spirit somehow guided some brethren to find this (John 16:13) before it came to our attention.

But this blatant PUBLIC act of hypocrisy will not escape those who are Truthseekers. To say “opps, we forgot” and “it’s just a personal side project” is to call the people midget minded dolts unable to comprehend what is going on. This fruit is BAD and those who have open eyes can see it. Once again we quote the Lord’s applicable word —

“Those who are ready to condemn their brethren, would do well to examine their own works and character. Such an examination, honestly made, will reveal the fact that they, too, have defects of character, and have made grave blunders in their work.” (Review and Herald, Sept. 14, 1905)

Let us be clear again, this report and those in the past concerning Edstrom and his UPA7 site, are responses to his actions. We, like Edstrom, are firm in our belief and unfortunately, there is a wide divergence of opinion on where the storehouse is today and where the tithes should go. A warning must be sounded though, as Edstrom’s UPA7 has continually lambasted what we believe is two of God’s organizations –Mt. Dale and Waco. Additionally, this brother and his group are teaching a false salvational teaching to the flock (you can steal from God by making your home a storehouse and collecting and keeping tithes). See our post for an in-depth report about their tithe teaching —

Let’s Have Thousands of Home Storehouses! (Part 1 of 3)

God’s counsel —

“False teachers may appear to be very zealous for the work of God, and may expend means to bring their theories before the world and the church; but as they mingle error with truth, their message is one of deception, and will lead souls into false paths. They are to be met and opposed, not because they are bad men, but because they are teachers of falsehood and are endeavoring to put upon falsehood the stamp of truth.” (TM, p.55)

Next post we’ll look at the two other points raised by Edstrom —

“False Charge No. 2: upa7.org supports Brother Warden so it is ok to be state incorporated 501c3 and publish the New Codes.”

“False Charge No. 3: upa7.org teaches “promoting stealing of God’s tithes, pocket your own tithes at home” contrary to 4 Ans 44”

In closing this post, we are truly saddened by the brethren who often come to us and say “They really show Satanic possession”, “Their behavior is anything but Christ-like” and other similar sentiments concerning Edstrom and his wife Connie. To be sure those who have seen them in responses to people that disagree with them, on Facebook, for instance, know exactly what we are talking about.

“You Liar!!!!!!”  “You are the devil !!!!!!” , “You are apostate!!!!!” Their hallmark is lots of !!!!! We need not say more on this point. God is not fooled and either is the brethren.

But as always we ask for prayers for the Edstroms.  God is well able to remold any of us, we only have to be willing to be corrected and repent.

“Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.” (Matt 3:8)

“Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.” (Proverbs 19:20-21)

 

Understanding the “Porter”

One of the foremost teachings that the Davidian Bashan group uses is the idea that a man, a human being must stand in a position of authority to “inspect” the people of God. They teach that this guide  (porter) is needed today to properly manage, inspect and instruct the flock to enable them into the kingdom. But is that really so?

As we began to investigate this porter teaching we came across Mt. Dale’s study guide explaining clear concise points  on this subject. So why re-invent the wheel? So here is the part of their Bashan report dealing with the porter.

NOTE: If giving a presentation on this, the highlighted helpful quotes (in green) should be discussed as they bring further clarity to our subject.

Is The Spirit Of Prophecy Ever Quiescent?

Note: Quoting 3 Ans. p. 60 some would have us believe that the Spirit of prophecy was inactive or dormant between 1915 (Sister White’s death) and 1930 when the Rod was introduced.

3 Ans. 60 —The “gift of Inspiration” became quiescent not the Spirit of
Prophecy.

There Is To Be No Prophet In The Church Before The Kingdom

GCS 8 – No other voice of “Timely truth” and “Authority”

GCS 19 – The “one” to “Interpret” and “Announce”

GCS 23 – “Last prophet to church today”

GCS 31,32 – “The Last”

9 Tr 67 – “Last Heaven sent proclamation”

13 Tr 11 – “Last” prophet to the “World”

1 Ans. 78 – “The last messenger to prepare the way of the Lord”

2 TG 10:29 (3)—More light cannot come until the “sealing of the 144,000” has been effected.

See also 1 TG 11:12; 1 TG 14:21; 1 TG 5:12; 2 SR 9, 230, 231 (Bottom)

(Note: We at HEARYETHEROD would add that Jezreel Letter, no. 9, p.1-2 shows that Brother Houteff would be the “very last” prophet with the “very last” message to the SDA church.)

Whoever claims he has the Spirit of Prophecy has a timely message (2TG 45:6). Whoever claims that He is a teaching prophet, or seeks to compel us to hear his message or voice is an authority. This is a “Rank Imposter”, and will lead “their victims blind-folded into perdition”

(GCS 8). As John the Baptist was last before Christ’s 1st Advent, the Elijah of today is the last before “the Great and Dreadful day of The Lord”. In other words, though we expect to learn much more of God’s word in the Kingdom, we have come to the last of the prophets. Ellen White said another would come (TM 475), but here we see that “one” clearly and emphatically from the Scriptures stated that we have come to the last. Thus we so-called prophets of today are contradicting the former messenger, thereby speaking against God and his truth. We must accept the message as it reads.

See 1 Ans. 53; 3 Ans. 58; 1 SM 180,181.

The Porter Is A Prophet

The idea that a man must inspect you is usurping the position of God. God alone knows the heart. See 4 T 453; DA 194; 4T 583; 5T 246.

Summary: 1 TG 2:19,20 —

a. The porter is the “one through whom the Spirit of Prophecy is manifested” —A prophet.

b. The Porter is to open the door to those complying with the “Requirements”. (1 TG 2:20.)

c. The Porter would be just an average mortal with a message from God.

Conclusion

Brother Houteff was therefore the Porter or prophet who brought the last message to the Church, thus he was the last messenger or Porter. He opened the door by bringing a message of truth. The keynote is the truth, the message is what decides who enters or does not. The Porter was guided by the Spirit to bring a present truth message which we must live up to thereby sealing the saints-opening the door to those who comply with its requirements.

Education Department
Davidic Levitical Institute
Mt. Carmel Center
Mountain Dale, New York 12763

Getting to the Bottom of the Incorporation Issue

There is no doubt that one of the most contentious issues surrounding us as Davidians is the 501 C3 incorporation issue. For many years now this issue has often been brought up in reports, blogs, videos, etc.

Let’s face it when we think of Incorporation we most likely think of big companies, worldly transactions, money, property and a host of other world connections. So we should be very careful to understand this issue fully when it comes to our religion.

Unfortunately, there have been some reports and videos that have covered this issue with an agenda in mind to taint all other organizations that Inc. thus attemtpting to bring the flock to their un-Inc. group. For instance, some so-called “storehouses” in our midst have not incorporated and because they see this as God condemned, they accuse any and all who do such things as “evil, apostate, corrupt”, etc.

But we would like to review this issue from our DSDA history and look at the arguments against and for Incorporation. Let’s try and get to the bottom of this issue because as we looked out in the Davidian world we found no counterview, so we were forced to step up to the plate.

AGAINST ARGUMENTS

The first and most often Rod reference used against Incorporation is found in Tract 8, page 4. However, instead of the practice of taking the reference from its context, let’s show the full reference.

1. The Rod reference about Incorporation — “Time has already demonstrated that the S.D.A. organization is fulfilling the type.  Preferring to incorporate, and to elect officers by the people’s vote, they have thereby manifested that they have cared not so much to please God by being “a peculiar people,” as He would have them to be, as they have to please themselves by being as much as possible like the other denominations — just as in Saul’s time the people wanted to be like the nations round about them (1 Sam. 8:5, 7).And although chosen by the people, yet the General Conference officers were nevertheless accepted by God to be the rulers over His people now, as Saul was anciently.  Just as he betrayed his trust, however by disobeying the Word of God as spoken to him by the prophet Samuel, so the present church organization, “the ancient men…before the house,” have, says the prophet to the church today “betrayed their trust.” — Testimonies Vol. 5 p. 211. (For a more ample treatment of the subject of organization, see our Organization Manual.)

   Speaking to the S.D.A. leadership, the servant of the Lord says: “You have no right to manage, unless you manage in God’s order. Are you under the control of God?  Do you see your responsibility to Him?… That these men should stand in a sacred place to be as the voice of God to the people, as we once believed the General Conference to be, — that is past.  What we want now is  reorganization.” — General Conference Bulletin, 34th Session, Vol. 4, Extra No. 1, April 3, 1901, p. 25, Cols. 1 and 2. (Tract 4, p.48-49)

It is noteworthy to say that despite the Incorporating and election by the people they were “accepted by God”. Let us also remember, the act of choosing of Saul was not God’s people’s undoing, rather the disobedience of Saul (the SDA leadership today) in following God’s orders that were. 

“Now the day before Saul came, the Lord had revealed to Samuel:  “Tomorrow about this time I will send to you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel. He shall save my people from the hand of the Philistines. For I have seen my people because their cry has come to me.”  When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord told him, “Here is the man of whom I spoke to you! He it is who shall restrain my people.” (1 Samuel 9:15-17)

       2.  An Incorporation is a form of Confederacy to the world.

The adherents of the anti-incorporation position are vocal in warning that such a connection to the state will bring dire results. For example on one of the vocal anti-Inc. sites it reads —

“..this masterful plan of deception, designed to entrap and destroy the power and force of the Rod message, has been passed upon us hardly without notice nor much thought of concern.”

Designed to entrap and destroy the Rod message? Is that really true or hyperbole?  Does this 501 c3 really destroy the power and force of the message to the people? Or is this fear-mongering by a couple of organizations, well known for slandering and down beating Waco and Mt. Dale for example? Do they have an agenda to divert members and/or tithes from other more successful and prosperous organizations into their own coffers?

In this confederacy argument, one site uses Isaiah 8:11 in their anti-Inc. article.

“Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.”—Isaiah 8:11

However as mentioned previously in one of our posts, the Isaiah 8: 9-15 confederacy issue is addressed by the Rod  in three references only —

1 — TG, vol. 2, no.41, p.18-20

2 — Tract 14, p.44-45

3 — Military Stand Tract, p. 5, 12,15

None of these have the remotest application to DSDA with Incorporation or the like, or even SDA and their Incorporation since 1863.  See this link for this Isaiah 8 study —

https://hearyetherod.wordpress.com/2018/06/09/unmasking-the-confederacy-issue/

      3. Traps set by Incorporating

Noted on the anti-Inc. site is —

“Corporations, as creations of the government do not possess natural rights. Only natural persons (created by God) can possess the natural rights that God bestows. The so-called “rights possessed by corporations are merely government-granted privileges and benefits—artificial rights for artificial persons. Once a church incorporates, it may no longer rely on the Constitution to protect its unalienable rights. It has voluntarily waived its constitutional protections and exchanged them for the protection of the state.”

Ah, this appears formidable and scary, right? Has the Incorporating trapped us and caused damage to the present truth message? As we continue we will see that this is nothing more than a paper tiger, toothless and used for fear mongering to faithful Davidians by unscrupulous organizations.

Ok, let’s now look at the opposite view.

INC. SUPPORTING ARGUMENTS

First, we shall look at our Davidian History in regard to Incorporation.

        1. Historical precedent 

Let’s look at what was actually practiced by brother Houteff in later years. There is a sound reason why the original DSDA management structure needed to adapt to the times. We shall quote an eye witness who resided on the camp during the active years of the Mt. Carmel camp under VTH –brother George  Saether. He is not just an ordinary witness but a long time council member during VTH’s tenure.

Let’s look at the evolution process of the council.

McGEE: Let me get this straight. Up until 1948, the council was composed of seven and four of those were the officers.

SAETHER: That’s right,

McGEE: If I remember those four officers were Brother Houteff, Elder
Wilson was vice president, Mrs, Houteff was secretary and Mrs. Hermanson
was treasurer.

SAETHER: Your memory’s good,

McGEE: Okay. Then there were three others who were members of the
council who made up the whole council.

SAETHER: That’s right.

McGEE: In 1948 that changed. How large a council—
SAETHER: Well, we had seven.

McGEE: Seven members of the council. Were any of the four people that
I’ve just named on that council?

SAETHER: No, they weren’t. And none of them attended. For six years
not one of those including Brother Houteff ever attended the council
meetings. And, I was the secretary.
McGEE: For the council.

SAETHER: For the council.

McGEE: During those six years, did you have approximately the same
people as members of the council?

SAETHER: Well they—pretty much so. They changed a little. Some
moved away in those six years and maybe—

McGEE: How were those seven people originally chosen? Who chose them?
SAETHER: Brother Houteff chose them.

McGEE: Brother Houteff appointed them.

SAETHER: That’s right.  (Baylor memoirs of GWS, interview 7, p. 309-310)

McGEE: The chairman was appointed by Brother Houteff?

SAETHER: Brother Houteff. Now the three of us, maybe we appointed
them, I don’t recollect. Anyway, it was the duty of the council to
fill any vacancies among the officers. The council members were to
be chosen by the council.

At first they were appointed by Brother Houteff. He made this
suit himself. I mean—he wasn’t about to relinquish any hold on it.
As he said one time, “With people coming in”—there were all different
kinds of ideas. A person had to be wise enough to keep things on the
level keel or something of that order.

I remember one time he said, “Not one of you ever voted me into
this office here.” He bought the land himself, under his oxmi name,
at first. Then as time went on he could see that it was—didn’t take
him very long then, to consider that it was necessary to have this
thing on some kind of a legal basis.

If he sold the land, who would sell it? Well, it would be in the name of the General Association. The way he had it, all the officers and all the council members were to be selected by a vote of the council in session. Except the president. (Interview 7, p.315-316)

Although not making a corporation outright, the organization structure (council elected by voting) was set up and established. The DSDA ownership title became important.

      2. 100% Rod only groups Incorporated

Since 1963 official DSDA associations, from Warden led California group to Bro. Adair’s Salem group to Mt. Dale/ Waco, all have Incorporated. It may be appropriate to ask — Why did Brother Warden who was one of VTH’s right-hand man Incorporate? He was well read and obviously knew the organized structure of the original VTH’s DSDA and the LEV. Tract counsel? Nearly ALL the pioneers took part in this INC. structure. Why?

No doubt there must be more than meet the eye here. They not only did this, but the tiny few who regrouped gained converts and went from a tiny few to the ten’s of thousands of DSDA we have today! Does not the message tell us the Lord is in control of His work (sealing of the 144,00)? Ezekiel Tract shows us this.

The anti-Inc. sites, to be perfectly honest, must admit according to their condemnations of Incorporation of DSDA organizations, that Christ our King HAS ABANDONED THE WORK  for over 60 years! That is right. Because they think Christ has not nor is now working with Incorporated associations! What a corner they have painted themselves into!

     3. The Incorporated Associations have numerous benefits from INC.

Under the IRS 501 c3 “Tax Guide for Churches & Religious Organizations” public report it reads —

Religious Organizations

Unlike churches, religious organizations that wish to be tax exempt generally must apply to the IRS for tax-exempt status unless their gross receipts do not normally exceed $5,000 annually.

The above IRS guidelines show that Mt. Dale and Waco, for example, could not receive Tax exempt benefits if they did not INC. Why? Because they cannot and do not meet the qualifications of a “Church” but rather a religious organization. One of the requirements which they cannot meet is regular worship services, obviously. This cannot be done as we DSDA do not have a separate church for worship purposes.

Further being INC. requires them to have some legal accountability concerning their income (Tithes) and expenses. The members can request to see them and know just where the funds are going and for what.  But the anti-Inc. groups have no such legal accountability. They can privately without oversight do whatever they want and not be accountable at all!

Another VERY important aspect to formally Incorporating is that it keeps property and finances protected from unscrupulous parties they may come into management to pilfer and abuse assets. This could have been the reason the Lord allowed the very first Inc. back in 1963 as there was obviously some financial difficulties in those early days with some unscrupulous characters.

Next time you hear the anti-Inc groups talk about INC. groups as condemned, ask them if they show any annual tithe income/expense accountability to their tithe payers? The subject is mooted by them because they want no accountability! The Lord is not mocked.

Our DSDA history shows financial accountability —

” The Financial Status of Mt. Carmel Center, S.R.S.D.A’s.

Having viewed Mt. Carmel’s improvements, we feel sure that Present Truth believers will also greatly appreciate a financial report. We are therefore setting forth the following comparative tithe and offering report, also a Balance Sheet for the years 1930, 1935, 1936, and 1939….

Receipts and Disbursements Statement-–The foregoing report represents the total amount of all monies received (including loans) and disbursements made since coming to Mt. Carmel. It discloses the fact that the total receipts since the work on Mt. Carmel began, are $77,567.20, whereas the assets are $90,728.10, showing that the assets exceed the receipts by $13,160.90. These figures reveal that we have carried the message and the school for five years, at a profit of $13,160.90.” (SC, vol. 6, no.1-6, p.9)

Our SDA church history also shows this transparent accountability as follows —

“BIENNIAL REPORT OF GENERAL CONFERENCE DISTRICT 6

W. T. KNOX

This district includes the States of California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, and Utah, also British Columbia. The territory is divided into four Conferences,—California, North Pacific, Upper Columbia, and Montana,—Utah still remaining a General Conference mission field. The history of the work in the district during the past two years contains some interesting features. GCB April 4, 1901, p. 53.10

Twenty-nine churches have been organized during the past biennial period, the number in the district now being 184. There are also 27 unorganized companies. The present membership is 9,286; 8,488 being connected with the organized churches, 358 with the unorganized companies, and 440 isolated. This shows a gain of 1,260 Sabbath-keepers. Fourteen church buildings have been erected. There are 157 laborers in the field, 64 ordained ministers, 46 licentiates, and 47 missionary licentiates; 122 of these receive Conference support. Six of the workers have been ordained to the gospel ministry. GCB April 4, 1901, p. 53.11

The financial statements show that $153,629,72 tithe has been paid into the treasuries, a gain of $28,730 over the previous two years. Every Conference has participated in this gain, the per capita rate being increased from $15.56 to $16.59, an increase of $11.03 per capita. The donations for foreign missions, regular and annual, have amounted to $17,649.52, a gain of $7,384.62. During the same time the Sabbath-schools have contributed $15,020.75; $5,253.54 of this amount being devoted to the foreign work. A total from these sources of $22,903.06 has thus been given for the spread of the gospel in distant lands.

The tithes, missionary offerings, and Sabbath-school donations have been $185,299.99. The canvassing work has not had that prosperity it should have enjoyed. Books to the value of $57,888.29 have been disposed of by a rather small corps of canvassers. The outlook for better work in this line is encouraging. Of our periodicals there are taken 1,519 of the Review and Herald, 5,583 Signs of the Times, 1,794 Youth’s Instructors, and 1,904 of the Sentinel of Liberty.” (GCB, April 4, 1901)

Another great benefit is that Tithe payers can deduct their Tithes yearly from their taxes. Personally speaking, this has been a big boon to our family! It has allowed our annual total tithes paid to offset our secular income and lowering our tax bill to the government, thereby enabling us to have more funds to send out present truth packages around the world. No such deductions can be taken from an anti-inc group nor their tithe payers unless they skirt the law and try to gamble with the IRS.

Summary —

How can we add it all up? There is no doubt that the Lord is in control and He has allowed Incorporation to exist for His storehouses for about 56 years (since 1963). Thousands have come into the message through INC. associations. Ironically the very anti-Inc people who scream the loudest are also in the message because of the Lord’s INC. associations bringing them into it! But they never think of that, do they?

Lastly, and most important of all, we must remember that the winds are held back according to Rev. 7 until the 144,000 are sealed. What does that mean? That any and all strife, persecution, government meddling, etc CANNOT stop any and all from learning and accepting the Rod message right now. Can we name one thing Incorporating has done to harm the spreading of the message?

Remember the false and deceitful words  “this masterful plan of deception, designed to entrap and destroy the power and force of the Rod message” by the anti-Inc. tricksters are nothing but scaremongering designed to make you lose faith in God’s true associations, and separate you from your money into their coffers.

If you are bothered by this Inc. status bring your  case to the proper authorities, but while the case is being heard and after thorough discussion let’s do as we are counseled–

“Make your complaint, plainly and openly, in the right spirit, to the proper ones. Send in your petitions for things to be adjusted and set in order; but do not withdraw from the work of God, and prove unfaithful, because others are not doing right.” (Testimonies, vol. 9, p.249)

“…whether our management of the tithe be right or wrong, after the tithe has been turned to the “storehouse,” the tithe payers have done their duty and stand blameless before God, whereas the stewards of God’s “storehouse” alone from that time on bear its responsibility.” (SC, vol.2, no.1, p.7)

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” (John 10:27-28)

 

 

 

How will the Saints get there?

Recently we heard of a study from a brother who was making the case that Jacob’s Time of Trouble comes before Ezek.9. This has been a long running battle , as we know, with one side saying “pre” and the other saying “post”.

The comment was made ” If the saints are to experience  JTOT after Ezek. 9, then tell me how this trouble comes while we are in the Chariot?” Fair question. This got us to thinking –what does the Rod teach in regard to actually transporting to the kingdom, how do they get there?

In Exodus 14:13-18, we read–

“And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation^[b] of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.  The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”

And the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward.  But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. And I indeed will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them. So I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, his chariots, and his horsemen. Then the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gained honor for Myself over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.”

In our type we see that despite an improbable hinderance the Lord made a way for the people to go to the kingdom. There is no doubt in anti-type the same shall be provided.

We know from Isaiah 11:12 that soon the remnant of God’s people shall likewise begin their trek to the kingdom —

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

One of the key references we can gather information from is Isaiah 11:15 —

“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.”

The Rod says the following concerning the above reference —

“In the days of Moses the Lord smote but one stream, the Red Sea, and one nation, Egypt.  But now the 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.” (1 TG, no. 31, p. 7-8)

Here it is safe to assume that the Rod gives us the example of God’s smoting LITERALLY the sea and comparing it to a latter literal smoting of seven streams. Thus to now say that the latter is symbolic when the type was not is not well grounded interpretation.

But there is one reference that the brother is relying on–

“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 Mount Zion, but are to make sure to be ready to board the chariot of God when the angels cry out, “All aboard!” Let us ever remember that those who once wrecked the ancient kingdom and cast out its people, shall now come to build it up and to cast out the horns of the Gentiles who now rule the land, so even our enemies of yesterday God puts working for us today.” (1 TG, no.11, p.13) 

Apparently the red highlighted area is taken by some to mean a literal chariot. Some type of aircraft/carrier that will zoom us over to the Holy Land in rapid time. Thus they ask how is it possible to have any Jacob’s time of trouble while being whisked away in a chariot?

This line of thinking usually comes from the “pre-Ezek. 9 JTOT” believers. They use the above quote as more proof that a post Ezek. 9 JTOT is illogical and therefore not the true timeline. But as with any study we must “weigh” the evidence and not take one or two references out of the whole and make our doctrinal stance.

More references —

“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)

“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)

“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 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.53-54)

“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.” (1 TG, no. 37, p.16)

Then will the Lord’s feet stand on Mount Olives and the Mount shall cleave in the midst thereof and make therein a very great valley. Thus shall the Lord open the way for His people to flee there to the “valley” where the Lord’s feet stand, and all the saints with them (Zech. 14:4, 5) (2 TG, no.44, p.50-51)

Is it logical to imagine to “flee” by physical means or by a flying chariot? Clear it is, the way is open for the people to come back as they did in the type.

“Isa. 11:15 — “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.”

   Yes, the Lord will open the way for the gathering of His people.  The Exodus of today, therefore, shall be as the Exodus of yesterday, only on a greater scale.  God’s people in these last days shall be gathered from every land, not from the land of Egypt.” (2 TG, no. 31, p.8)

How was the Exodus movement made? By chariot or by walking? Here we have Inspiration telling us–Exodus transport past is the Exodus transport future. For if we are gathered by chariot this would not be as the days of the type.

Thus although there is a limited amount of references in this study, we see that the clearer references side with the literal Exodus example of making it to the kingdom.

The Rod does point to one clear unmistakable definition of a flying saucer, let us read-

“Brethren, may you make the good and wise choice, make sure to stand on Mount Zion with the Lamb, ready to board Heaven’s flying saucer (Early Writings pp. 287, 288) at the sound of the trumpet, the blast which will be heard round the world as God finishes His judicial work with His people and with His ministry and its headquarters — the General Conference.” (WHR, p.74)

This vehicle is explained as the final transport to heaven. In this setting, we are to understand the “Chariot”, “Flying Saucer”, in its proper context/usage in regards to the saints.

A brother brought up a good point — “Is the chariot to visit every land? If so why smite the seven streams?” Let us be logical thinkers and close reasoners.

In closing the Rod says, “Neither are we to worry about how we are to get to Mount Zion,..” so although we are not told for sure the transport mode, by weighing the evidence we can be reasonably sure that God’s powerful hand will be seen clearing the way as the 144,000 make their way to the kingdom. And as we present truth believers believe in the fundamental Beliefs of the DSDA (our core beliefs)  we cannot logically say the transport will be a chariot because that throws out the FB Tract timeline of a “post Ezek. 9 JTOT” on the way to the kingdom.