UPA7 Attacks God’s Workers Again

(Edstrom remodeled Tract that sold on Amazon)

The Spirit of Prophecy says the following in dealing with hypocrites —

“In the day of God you will not dare to plead as an excuse for your neglect to form a character for Heaven, that others did not manifest devotion and spirituality. The same lack which you discovered in others was in yourself. And the fact that others were sinners makes your sins none the less grievous. Both they and you, if you continue in your present state of unfitness, will be separated from Christ, and will with Satan and his angels be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.” (Testimonies, vol. 2, p.396)

Recently once again, we observed another YouTube report railing against Mt. Dale and Waco by UPA7.org, specifically the brethren below. They are false ministers according to Eric Edstrom , author of UPA7.org.

In their never-ending lambasting of these organizations, they attempt to take the higher ground of self-righteousness “do as we do” moral superiority. But is the author of this organization truly bearing good fruit, or are they yielding bad fruit behind gazing eyes? Do they even care that they are exposed in such blatant disregard for the Truth?

“He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” (Mark 7:6)

“They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.” (Titus 1:16)

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.” (Matthew 23:27-28)

“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)

Every one of us “present truth” believers should be afraid of hypocrisy. As can be seen from the word of God, this sin is very bad and offensive to the Lord. We well know He had no time to deal with the Pharisees and Sadducees who practiced such behavior. Would He not be a hypocrite Himself today if He sanctions it now?

For quite a long time now we have written extensively how God’s two organizations Mt. Dale and Waco are doing the final work in His vineyard as true organizations. Our recent 5 part post is going out into the field to shed some history of God’s leading His true Storehouses today. 

If UPA7 mounts the judgment seat, the author better be ready to stand out as an example of the right way to do things and should not be found a hypocrite and instead bear Godly fruit as a witness that their work is that of God. If not and they show the opposite bad fruit- hypocrisy, then we should know God is not behind such foolishness, rather it is the great deceiver of souls!

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” (James 1:22)

In this report we will go over two important reasons why the Edstroms (Eric and Connie) are hypocrites and doing false work in His vineyard (there are more but for the sake of brevity we’ll focus on two).

Hypocrisy no. 1 —  “The artwork from Mt. Dale and Waco has been changed and is the work of a foot”.

One of their main condemnations of God’s organizations is the changing of the artwork on the Tracts, TGs and Charts.

Comments from Edstrom during his video include —

“If you look at the text and the size and compare it carefully with a version that was published by brother Houteff , it’s different. She took it upon herself to change the Rod, to revise it by her own authority…we see here a dangerous trend, where somebody has taken it into their hands to tell brother Houteff how to teach his message. “ (7:00 to 8:00 mark-video link below)

“The Rod has been compiled into volumes and marketed for a price, sold, .. directly ignoring the divine instruction to go as the leaves of autumn without money or costs or obligation…this is in direct defiance of that, marketing the Rod , selling it… Don’t do it in the name of the Rod, accept Tithes and finance it.”     (30:30 – 31:20 mark)

At the 34:16 mark Edstrom shows Mt. Dale’s changing of the artwork on some of the Tracts, and says —

“..the cover artwork is different, the typesetting, the typography changes from the original and the whole feel and the look is different. …Covered art completely remodeled.”

 But what does Edstrom do behind gazing eyes? The one on the left is Edstrom’s public remodeling and the one on right is the original Rod Tract–

It addition Edstrom was selling these remodeled Tracts for money on Amazon.We were dumbfounded when this came to our attention! The Tract was on there for years and was marketed for a price the whole time while publicly condemning Mt. Dale and Waco for the same thing! A public display of blatant hypocrisy.

“..through His prophet Nahum, that the one who announces that the time has come for the wicked to be cut off from among God’s people, and that the Judgment for the Living (which, as we have already seen, is “the great and dreadful day of the Lord”) is about to take place, is to make the announcement of these events by his publications.  Further concerning this timely truth this “meat in due season,” Isaiah declares that it will be dispensed to all without their having to pay for it — “without money and without price.”(GCS, p.35)

When we heard of this, we went directly on Amazon and found it, but it is no longer there as they quickly covered their tracts and removed it. The Spirit forewarned us that would happen and we were able to make a copy (see at end of post).

Just a few weeks ago a FB chat message board was opened and we were invited to join. We found that many brethren were joined among them the Edstroms (including his wife Connie we believe). Soon they spammed the whole chat board with their continual “Mt. Dale and Waco are false!! They are Liars, thieves, apostates!!” etc. etc.

But we showed the brethren  the above remodeled Tract and they were amazed! After all they have heard over many years from UPA7 about the condemnation of Mt. Dale and Waco for doing this very thing!

Shortly after this exposure, they quickly posted “it is not there we took it down” in the chat and then continued on with their spamming as if they could sweep such news under the rug. “No big deal carry on” they said by their actions.

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

“It is no degradation for man to bow down before his Maker and confess his sins and plead for forgiveness through the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour. It is noble to acknowledge your wrong before Him whom you have wounded by transgression and rebellion. It lifts you up before men and angels, for “he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” (Signs of the Times, March 16, 1888)

“True repentance will lead men to bear their guilt themselves, and acknowledge it without deception or hypocrisy. ” (Ibid)

“True confession is always of a specific character, and acknowledges particular sins. They may be of such a nature as only to be brought before God; they may be wrongs that should be confessed before individuals who have suffered injury through them; or they may be of a general kind that should be made known in the congregation of the people. But all confession should be definite, and to the point, acknowledging the very sins of which you have been reproved by the Spirit of God.” (Ibid) 

Link to video —

Amazingly the Spirit had warned us many years ago to reach out to brother Edstrom to warn him his own actions should be watched carefully. We made the following comment four years ago in response to the above video blasting Mt. Dale and Waco (Remodeling the Shepherd’s Rod :1955 to 2010) for alterations of their artwork. We were not aware of his active Amazon Tract sales at that time.

“Many of us are praying for you brother. Just be careful your left hand does not destroy what your right hand is doing.” (posted on YouTube)

To which he responded —

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” — Isaiah5:20 You should be praying for these Associations that are passing out man altered dung and calling it present truth to change their ways.

You will be held accountable to God for continuing to support their error when the true original uncontaminated Shepherd’s Rod message is ready and waiting to be send like the leaves of autumn to our beloved brethren in Laodicea. Ponder this. We will pray for God to open your eyes and stand for the Truth before it is to late.”

Hypocrisy  no. 2 — Those who teach and believe in the New Codes are apostates. Those who Incorporate and vote are apostate.  All are apostates except Brother H.G. Warden and early 100% Rod only association.

As many know we believe the new codes should not be  taught as inspired writings. Where we differ from Edstrom/UPA7 is mounting the judgment seat. They have repeatedly condemned any and all who teach them.

But there is a strange hypocritical aspect to their judgment. In some of their videos they talk about Brother H.G. Warden in glowing words. For example in the below video link he is called “man of God” and “prophet of God” and “God’s representative”. “He was the hero who preserved  the integrity of the original Shepherd’s Rod and maintained the leadership ..” (mark 30:00 to 32:20 video below)

We agree that Brother Warden was a close and reliable confidant of Brother Houteff and well capable when he assumed a leadership role after the Knock Out blow of Florence Houteff.

Brother Warden believed strongly in three areas that Edstrom condemns.

1. Incorporating 
2. New Codes
3. Voting in executive/council members

First as to the Incorporating —

“On Nov. 8, 1963 Br. H.G. Warden (Vice President), and Sr. Ruby V. Haylock signed and had notarized papers to Incorporate with the State of California. On Dec.18, 1963, the “Articles of Incorporation were filed with the State of California under #462413.” (Davidia- the inside report, 1983, p.3)

Click to access 1963-Incorporation-in-California.pdf

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

“According to documentation that has been gathered from various sources, Bingham sought to gain control of the publishing work after the 1961 Session and was not successful. In 1962 his intentions were fully manifest in a out right break away from God’s true storehouse to form a new Association calling themselves the “Leah” Association that had moved from “Carmel” into the “Bashan” pasture of present truth.

In so doing they asserted that all other groups at the time were false. This Bingham originated theology became know as the “Jacob Typology” which was used to justify their claim to be the true storehouse. This effort was opposed by H. G. Warden, then V. P. of the Vista Association, and others. This may have been the primary reason they decided to incorporate in order to protect the remaining assets (tithes/offerings) of the Association from Bingham’s effort to gain control of them.” 

link to UPA7’s  Inc. report —
http://whyperish.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/irs-501c3-associations1.pdf

Fact —
Warden was continually actively involved in Incorporated Davidian associations after that first one in 1963 and never once made any public (or even private as far as we know) statements denouncing or even disagreeing with the act of Incorporation. Thus bro. Warden was complicit and very much cooperative in Incorporating as a necessary action for DSDA organizations.

Click to access 1963-Incorporation-in-California.pdf

Let us point out that the very act of Incorporating has not and does not harm the saints from studying the message of the hour. The winds, which we know are held back right now prevents anything including Incorporating from harming the sealing of the saints. Every one of the DSDA organizations after VTH’s death followed this method of getting Incorporated.

From a personal perspective the Federal/California tax laws have tremendously benefited our family. The money we have paid to the Mt. Dale and Waco organizations as tithes have helped us save  (deduct from our taxes)  and thus spend those funds on mailing costs for our many present truth packages going out around the world.

True, even without a  501-c3 tax exempt status churches can still be tax exempt if they qualify, but a 501-c3 forces a church/organization to be transparent in their money received by making timely mandatory church financial records to the public.

Thus we are able to see how our money is going to work in His vineyard. We like this as a form of accountability for Mt. Dale and Waco. 

UPA7 as criticizers of our DSDA Incorporating history would do well to consider taking the higher moral ground if so inclined and provide their own annual financial statements to the public. This would certainly  be an example worthy of discussion.

One should really question why all the 100% Rod only pioneers, including leader bro. Warden, not only did not hinder Incorporation but actively promoted and participated in it! Bro. Warden certainly knew very well VTH’s thoughts and teachings on this. God is in control and if He saw fit to allow this structure for all the post knockout associations, who are we to condemn them all?

Statements made from Aplos financial info site–

While 501(c)(3) status is not a necessity for churches, it does have benefits.

1. The IRS recognition gives added assurance to church leaders, members, and contributors that the church is recognized as exempt and their contributions generally are tax-deductible.
2. 501(c)(3) status enhances an organization’s financial transparency. Maintaining your status requires that informational tax returns be filed on an annual basis and this information is available to the public on GuideStar. As a result, potential donors are able to gain an essential understanding of the organization and determine whether or not he/she would like to make a charitable contribution. If your church administers a lot of charitable missions and services, this transparency has the potential to be highly beneficial.

Edstrom’s video comments —

“Those who teach short of the golden bowl are so doing in order to defend the interests of the apostate Mt. Dale and Waco Associations which are in fact confederated with the world in the form of IRS 501 c3 religious incorporations for financial benefits.” (video mark 18:05-18:45)

By the same judgment all Warden’s affiliated DSDA associations were also “confederated” with the world.  We suggest UPA7 take down all their praising words for this “man of God” and admit that according to their teachings God abandoned the flock after the Knockout Blow including brother Warden  because they ALL confederated with the world.

In this way the Edstroms are left alone with the sole idea that God never had anyone including his “man of God” brother Warden or even any movement for over 50 years until 2006 when UPA7.org magically appeared to finish the work as God’s “true” organization! Blasphemous indeed!

“For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matt 7:2)

If nothing is done to correct these glaring hypocrisies, our brethren will continue to see UPA7.org  lose all credibility.

“As a people professing to be reformers, treasuring the most solemn, purifying truths of God’s word, we must elevate the standard far higher than it is at the present time. Sin and sinners in the church must be promptly dealt with, that others may not be contaminated. Truth and purity require that we make more thorough work to cleanse the camp from Achans. Let those in responsible positions not suffer sin in a brother. Show him that he must either put away his sins or be separated from the church.“( Testimonies, vol. 5, p.147)

“If wrongs are apparent among His people, and if the servants of God pass on indifferent to them, they virtually sustain and justify the sinner, and are alike guilty and will just as surely receive the displeasure of God; for they will be made responsible for the sins of the guilty.” (Testimonies, vol. 3, p.266)

Next we look at the new code documentation of what brother Warden believed and espoused.

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)

Click to access 1983-Davidia-The-Inside-Report.pdf

If brother Warden and the 100% Rod only believers were alive today on Facebook, showing support for these New Codes would not the Edstroms (Eric and Connie) rail against them? “You apostates, you sinners, you liars! you thieves! etc.etc.”

Point 3 voting is next considered. Edstrom made the following comments about voting.

“Brother Houteff selected the GADSDA Executive Office Members. They were NOT voted by the majority. They were NOT elected. The president (VTH) had the right and authority to appoint his own cabinet, that’s what brother Houteff did.”(mark 29:50-30:35 below video)

Let us compare that statement with one from brother George Saether that he made in his memoirs with Baylor University. As many know brother Saether was a long time close associate of VTH and was on his council as well as active in many respects during the time VTH was alive and on the camp.

” ..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…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…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.”(Baylor Oral Memoirs of George William Saether, interview no. 7, p.20)

It appears Edstrom constructs his facts to fit his narrative and agenda. Brother Saether, whom we know to be a more intimate and authoritative witness of the original DSDA council practices shows us that after a while brother Houteff decided in be more in line with the standard practice of session voting by the council to elect officers.

As mentioned this is not all that UPA7 teaches that falls short of the Golden Bowl. The subject of their promoting stealing of God’s tithes ,pocket your own tithes at home-opposite of Answerer, vol. 4, Q-97, is another glaring apostasy teaching that all would do well to avoid. For those who would like to review that report —

https://hearyetherod.wordpress.com/2018/03/17/lets-have-thousands-of-home-storehouses-part-1-of-3/

SUMMARY —

The Kingdom is at hand brethren and we MUST know who is who among us and prayerfully stay clear of those who teach snares and traps. Hypocrisy is a sure indicator God is not with us, and if found within us we MUST repent and change course lest we be found naked in that day.

We have seen that to mount the judgment seat one must THOROUGHLY examine his own record first, and if this is done , the Lord’s words will be of benefit —

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matt 7:1-2)

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

In closing Apostle Paul under the Holy Spirit sums up this situation and we ask prayer for these people, that they come to repentance before it’s too late.

 “You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? 

Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.”(Romans 2:1-5)

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Only Davidian Membership Card Holders can teach the Message?

In our on going new code verification series we’ll look at New Code volume 11, no.3

We are reviewing the new codes for specific areas where things don’t add up compared to the original codes published by brother Houteff. One such area is the following —

“Many have asked who is eligible to lead in the service of the work?  The answer that goes out from Mt. Carmel is that anyone not holding a Certificate of Fellowship cannot be a Davidian teacher.  He can listen only.  Yet just the granting of a Certificate of Fellowship is a cheap thing.  That in itself would have no significance.  Who receives the Certificate? — Those who have personally studied all the Message and believe It; those overcoming temptation; those complying with all the requirements; those who put their treasure where moth and thieves cannot enter; those who keep all the commandments; those who are not flesh-eaters, drunkards, or tobacco users; those who do not rob God of tithes and offerings. (SC, vol. 11, no.3, p.10-11)

This so-called “sermon address” was supposed to have taken place Nov.11, 1944. Right in the heart of time when brother Houteff was near the peak of the work. But when we read this something didn’t add up, based on our recollection of past studies.

Let’s compare the above reference with this one published in 1944 as well.

WHAT IS MY GIFT?

Question No. 121:

   What is the meaning of 1 Timothy 4:14; “Neglect  not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery”?

Answer:

   In the scripture in question, the apostle Paul is urging the Christian to be faithful and full of zeal in the duties which God has placed upon him, and not to neglect his privileges and opportunities, nor to come short of his endowments and capabilities  to multiply his “talents.”

   The first duty of each Davidian is to be faithful in obeying the principles of the doctrine, in doing whatsoever work he is given to do, and by precept and example leading others to do likewise.

   Some are thus doing by building Mt. Carmel Center, some by giving studies, others by writing  letters and sending tracts and books to their relatives, friends, and acquaintances, and still many others by sending in names and addresses of Seventh-day Adventists to whom Present-truth literature may be sent.

   Each must be faithful in his duties, as was Daniel, so that he bring no reproach against his religious profession, but rather, by his consistent  behavior and faithful service in the name of Christ, lead others to the message of the hour. Today as Never before, the Christian is to be “not slothful in business,” but “fervent in spirit;  serving the Lord.” Rom. 12:11.  (Answerer, vol. 5 , p.40-41)

First we see that it is GOD who places duties upon us, not man. Yes, man may cooperate with God but the duties/gifts come from God. Those who have the gift of giving studies are able to do so by God giving them that gift. But according to the new code, they must have a certificate of membership to exercise that gift. Since when did man have to give permission for exercising a God given gift giving present truth studies?

Next let’s look at this —

WHAT IDENTIFIES ONE AS A DAVIDIAN SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST?

Question No. 150:

   As the Davidian Seventh-day Adventist Association does not have a formal membership what evidence can one give to identify himself as a member of the organization? And how can he establish the length of time he has been with it?

Answer:

   One’s support of the timely Davidian message, and his living out its principles (baptism, Sabbath observance along with the rest of the ten commandments, vegetarianism, dress reform total abstinence from tobacco and alcoholic beverages, and all else contained in the Spirit of Prophecy), are the truest witnesses of his affiliation, and the only genuine visible certification of the fact. These are the only absolutely convincing evidences of one’s worthiness to membership in the Davidian Seventh-day Adventist Association.

Just how long one has been a member of the Association depends entirely upon how long one has known and lived these principles.

   To those who make request, the Association will send an application blank for Fellowship. If the applicant is unable to comply in full with all the requirements of the message, then to his  application he must attach a satisfactory  statement of explanation. Otherwise a Certificate of Fellowship cannot be granted.  (Answerer, vol. 5, p. 82-83)

The first paragraph of the answer says it all. We abide in the message and we support the message we have –..”the truest witnesses of his affiliation, and the only genuine visible certification of the fact. These are the only absolutely convincing evidences of one’s worthiness to membership in the Davidian Seventh-day Adventist Association.”

And as the message requires us to spread it to our brethren, the New Code reference makes no sense whatsoever! We support the message (send in our Tithes) and live out the message, and then we cannot have studies and teach it unless we have a card?

IS ONE A MEMBER WITHOUT THE CERTIFICATE OF FELLOWSHIP?

Question No. 153:

   May one be a member of the Association without  holding a “Certificate of Fellowship?”

Answer:

   Yes, one may be a member without holding the Certificate of Fellowship. But to be an accredited  member, privileged to enjoy to the fullest all the benefits which the Association affords, he must hold the certificate. (Answerer, vol. 5, p. 84)

This is very important. All who support and live the message are–members of the Davidian association. The benefit of having the card are certainly good and useful BUT NOT REQUIRED.

The following is an unpublished letter from brother Houteff sent to M.J. Bingham.

“May we also frankly say that we do believe that you  are allowing yourself to worry too much about your Certificate. After all, Brother Bingham, it is only an external evidence of membership, and should not affect your Christian experience one way or another.“(Letters to M.J. Bingham, GSDSDA site, Dec. 11, 1946)

Although this was unpublished by the prophet, nevertheless the prophet shows that this certificate does not affect our Christian life, and certainly if we could not teach and give studies it would affect it!

This is strong evidence brethren of what many suspect, these false New Codes are either words from Florence Houteff, or VTH realized from the Spirit that the vol.11, no. 3  sermon was unworthy of the Golden bowl addition and purposely left it unpublished.

“.. we must therefore, as teachers of The Shepherd’s Rod (the official publications of the Davidian Seventh-day Association), teach only in the light of the Rod those passages which in one way or another need to be interpreted. Thus only will all Present-truth believers ever become of the same mind, seeing eye to eye and speaking the same things (1 Cor. 1:10; 1 Pet. 3:8; Isa. 52:8).

   And such as do choose to engage in private  interpretation are respectfully asked to desist from teaching in the name of the Rod and at its expense. Let them like honest men, teach in their own names and at their own expense. (Answerer, vol. 5,p.55-56)

 “Thus every true follower of Christ is inspired in his own lot–one to interpret, another to study, still another to teach, and yet still another to discern, and all to act and to sacrifice for His sake.” (Answerer, vol.1, p.54)

Our Lord Himself said something regarding this issue–

“And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in Thy name; and we forbade him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.“(Luke 9:49-50)

Those who work outside of a DSDA organization for the Lord’s Rod message is certainly “not against” Jesus nor the Kingdom message but often proclaim and teach it for His Kingdom’s sake!

Here is an absolute gem from the S.O.P on this matter. 

“No need to depend on the sanction of any minister or any people to do God’s work, God will vindicate you.” (GCB,  April 3, 1901, par 34)

But always remember you are a Davidian and rightfully  allowed to teach/give studies as long as you are doing “God’s work”  and shown by your “support of the timely Davidian message” and that does not mean supporting yourself, withholding Tithes, and making your own home the Tithe collecting storehouse.

“I will take illiterate men,” says the Lord, “obscure men, and move upon them by My Spirit, to carry out My purposes in the work of saving souls. The last message of mercy will be given by a people who love and fear Me.” — Review and Herald, Sept. 21, 1904. “He will use men for the accomplishment of His purpose whom some of the brethren would reject as unfit to engage in the work.” — Review and Herald, Feb. 9, 1895.

In this last call for laborers, all — small or great rich or poor, learned or illiterate — have the high and exalted privilege of becoming ministers of Christ.” (FB Tract, p.26-27)

In regards to the supposed sermon above in 1944 from the new codes, where the prophet was to have said “he can listen only” if he does not have a organization approved fellowship card, we asked a Bashan brother (who believes that that code was VTH’s words) the following question —

Can you explain the discrepancy of that code’s words “he can listen only” upon approval of Rod organization,  to the following produced by the Rod that SAME year 1944 ?  —

“Let me tell you,” continues the Spirit of Prophecy, “if your heart is in this work, and you have faith in God, you need not depend upon the sanction of any minister or any people: if you go right to work in the name of the Lord, in a humble way doing what you can to teach the truth, God will vindicate you. If the work had not been so restricted by an impediment here, and an impediment there, and on the other side an impediment, it would have gone forward in its majesty. It would have gone in weakness at first; but the God of heaven lives.” — Review and Herald, April 16, 1901. (See also Testimonies, Vol. 7, p. 25.) (FB Tract, p.25) (1944)

Um, one says – no need for approval except from God, the other you need approval from man. Only one is correct. Both cannot be.

In closing, in our Lev. Tract, the Lord showed us in the section “Qualifications and Duties of teachers” (page 51 to 65), many SOP references about this subject and NOT ONE instruction is given that “only” cardholders are allowed to teach the Rod message.

This seems another Florence Houteff insertion and not backed by the inspired VTH published writings. A “listen only” command goes solidly against the Bible, SOP and the Rod message. It is God’s “gift” of being a teacher and bestowed upon who He sees fit. Not to a man or organization who decides who can get a card or not in order to teach. Another obvious yet sneaky insertion from someone other than the prophet within these suspect “New Codes” we believe.

Let us clearly say that despite this, we are NOT opposed to having a fellowship card, not at all. As the Rod says, it brings much benefits. But to say that we “must” have one is crossing the line and going to the outer edges, something against Rod counsel —

“Stay in the middle of the road under all circumstances.” (2 TG, no.38, p.23)

Following Our Storehouse History (Part 5 of 5) Summary

GOD’S SALEM STOREHOUSE/HEADQUARTERS MOVES FORWARD

As we ended our last report, we mentioned that Bro. Adair was successful in his first missionary trip to the West Indies Islands. Adair explains more during these early years after the Storehouse transfer to Salem —

“So I was elected as  the new Vice-President in July of 1974 when I was forty-two years old ; and I continued working in the Salem office until  1975. During those years I went back to some of the West Indies Islands to study with the brethren; also to Jamaica six times. The leaders  were Bro. Edwards in Kingston and Bro. Morgan in Brownstown, who took me to visit the brethren in their cars.

And Bro. Norman Archer would sometimes take for a ride on the back of his motor bike to visit the brethren; so all the Davidians in Jamaica knew me very well. When I returned to  Salem, we continued to print the original SRod literature, which the Davidians everywhere wanted, because M.J. Bingham and Ben Roden were not printing it.” (A Davidian Testimony, p.283)

The Storehouse at that time, was procuring future leaders/workers for His advancing eastward movements, through Bro. Adair. Additionally we see that there seemed a shortage of Rod material in the field which Salem stepped in to fill.

“We are happy to announce that on September 4, 1971, we received the Charter from the State of South Carolina. This is the culmination of about fourteen month’s work with both South Carolina and California legal authorities in obtaining the necessary  legal procedure for a clear title to our Charter. we, the Council, believe that the Lord has led and the way is open to republish religious literature. Our chief aim is to print the Shepherd’s Rod message as given by Bro. V.T. Houteff. Publishing is to be done under the above name –‘General Association of Davidian Seventh-day Adventists.” (Sym. Code, vol. 10, no.2, July-Sept, 1971, p.9)  (A Davidian Testimony, p.260)

“Bro. V.T. Houteff, the author of The Shepherd’s Rod literature, wrote 168 books and tracts, totaling 4,700 pages (besides his other literature–The Symbolic Codes).   Some were combined together in Nos. and Vols., which totaled 40 books and tracts.   After his death in 1955, and his wife had liquidated his Association Headquarters at Mt. Carmel Center in Waco, Texas, it was re-established in Riverside, California and later moved to Salem, So. Carolina in 1970, where all of his 40 books and tracts were reprinted.” (Adair’s Davidian.org website)

During those years Adair tells of some challenges the headquarters faced with the Rodens and Vernon Howell, both attempted to influence the Salem organization to accept their teachings. Roden with the feast keeping, Holy Spirit is female, and Roden as the “Elijah” doctrines and Howell with his perverse “I am the current Lamb” doctrine. Salem soundly rejected these heresies.

A TURNING POINT IN 1982

At this point we’d like to step back and make mention of some very important insights that we must not lose track of. Our King began the post K-Blow movement with the “faithful 100% Rod only” movement in Californiain 1961.His Storehouse/headquarters regrouped and formed a Leviticus Tract based Rod government. But it very soon was challenged by our adversary, working through so-called” friends of the Gospel”, attempting to allow additions and false doctrines from M.J. Bingham.

But our King is too wise to allow His movement to get thrown off the ORIGINAL ROD MESSAGE. The message that seals the 144,000! Thus we know that God in His infinite wisdom watches over His flock carefully, especially when false man-made theories attempt to become part of His true Storehouse/headquarters.

Salem was indeed chosen as an eastward advancement of His movement, as explained in part four. Adair and his people , at that time, knew that from there the message of Elijah was to go forward and God made sure they resumed the lazy and haphazard work of publishing the Rod literature that apparently was lacking in the vineyard. It appears from hindsight that two important actions were to be accomplished by Salem 1) Resume the faithful publishing work 2) Secure the Lord’s future eastward leaders for his next Storehouse/location headquarters.

Soon God would resume His eastward movement through new channels. Salem’s additions, just like Bingham’s additions would not and could not, be allowed in the Golden Bowl. That turning point occurred in 1982. 

As mentioned, Bingham attempted to bring in additions to the Golden Bowl. One of those was the deceptive teachings on the “those with living” SDA who supposedly go with the 144,000 to the kingdom. In other words the teaching uses some selected Rod references , out of context, to show that there will be more than 144,000 sealed from “all” the tribes of Israel (the SDA church -Testimonies , vol. 9, p.164).

See our 7 part series dealing with the 144,000 teaching —
https://hearyetherod.wordpress.com/2014/06/07/the-144000-truth-part-1-of-3/

Adding to God’s Word is condemned in Scripture. The Word says 144,000 sealed from the church, no more  no less.

“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book.” (Rev. 22:18)

The Jamaicans came aboard from the straight Elijah message that Adair and the Salem leaders proclaimed. But apparently Adair had somewhere in the time he was in Salem adopted Bingham’s teaching of this “those with” doctrine. However, a fateful study would prove pivotal. Bro. Adair describes it —

“.. I went to New York to study with Salem believers about unnumbered saints who escape Ezek.9 slaughter “with” the 144,000 .. But Bro. Tony (Hibbert) contested this SRod study to what the SDA church teaches — only 144,000 saints saved from the entire world…His rejection of this truth caused a major split among Salem brethren, when he and all Jamaican Davidians rebelled against God’s headquarters.” (A Davidian Testimony, p.298)

NOTE: This statement is false. Bro. Hibbert contested Adair’s teaching that “more” than 144,000 would be sealed from the SDA church. Hibbert did not believe that the 144,000 is ALL that are saved from the world.

The issue of M.J. Bingham’s doctrine of “those with” now caused a serious divide
within Salem headquarters. Adair became combative about this uprising, he would not reconsider his teachings, under no circumstances. However, as stated already God is not mocked and when a “salvational” doctrine is mis-represented by ANYONE, especially when that one is at the head of His Storehouse/headquarters — it’s serious!

We as Rod believers should know that 144,000 Truth is paramount to our message .

“It has been said by some that it matters not whether one understands the subject of the 144,000 or not, so long as he does right.  This is certainly true if we DO RIGHT, but how do we know whether we do right or not, except we understand Bible doctrines? How can we know whether we keep the right Sabbath, or belong to the right church, unless we understand that doctrine?  Why is it important to understand Daniel 7, the beast and his image, and many other Bible prophecies?

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.14-15)

We as Rod believers MUST understand this 144,000 subject and cannot be led by false ideas-

“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 Jamaican brethren had learned the message well and professed the unwavering stand upon His 144,000  Truth. They did not, as guided by the  Spirit of Truth, fall for man -made theories first employed upon the faithful 100% Rod only brethren back in 1962 by Bingham and now by Adair. Just as they were rejected by the 1961 group, the Mt. Dale group would do likewise. It was time to resume His eastward course and they knew it.

THE 144,000 ISSUE BECOMES PARAMOUNT TO MT. DALE, NEW YORK BRETHREN

The Storehouse as we know, is where God’s “meat in due season” is stored. Because that meat had now been tainted with Salem’s leader attempting to add into the Golden Bowl, a doctrinal issue that was false and untrue, Mountain Dale New York would be the final leg eastward in the USA path, and onto the Kingdom.

Davidians re-grouped and began their work from there with new leaders such as Bro. Tony Hibbert, Bro. Norman Archer, Bro. Glenroy Matthews, Bro. Terry Harrison and other Jamaicans. Just as with the 1961 organization and the early Salem years, these believers would be “Golden Bowl only” pro-claimers.

Bro. Adair’s Salem group has stayed behind and held onto their additional teachings, even to this day. Additionally Salem for many years now, has not been active in sending out Tracts, TG’s, Charts, etc due to the fact that Adair believes the “fishing” period is over and now the “hunting” period is in effect.

“He stopped the fishing campaign in 1953 and “afterwards” he began the Hunting campaign!” (Salem report “Go By the Shepherd’s Rod”, July 28, 2013, p.18).

This Salem idea of quitting the fishing however, is proven incorrect because even AFTER VTH announced a new phase in the work “hunting” (1946, TG, vol. 1, no.9, p.5), Mt. Carmel still was also actively fishing as evidenced by 1954 Sym. Code, vol. 10, no.2, p.5.

“In Compton, California, Paul Philips, who is now a full-time ministerial student, then as a new believer wrote asking Mount Carmel’s opinion in his writing to all his relatives and the Seventh Adventist friends about importance of this movement. He showed his zeal and determination, as a young man who and just accepted the message, by sending in a second large list of Seventh-day Adventist names.”

“The Lord has been surely good to us during our stay here, and through His help we have been able to give the Message to hundreds of Adventists, and have distributed thousands of pieces of literature. The Shepherd’s Rod message is now confronting every S.D.A. in Trinidad, and little light-houses are now set up in different parts of the island.”(SC, vol.10, no.2, p.10)

In other words, the hunting task was/is an additional and integral part of bringing in the sheep. The fishing campaign did not end as Salem proposed. Praise the Lord it has not!  If it had, yours truly would not be here right now , proclaiming this wonderful message and writing these reports, for I came in through Mt. Dale’s “fishing” method — their 144,000 audio CD.

But make no mistake, the salvational misleading doctrinal error of the M.J. Bingham’s “those with living” teaching has gained a fair traction in the field largely by Adair’s continual proclaiming of it.  Further Adair labels those who don’t abide by their “those with living” teachings as “rebels” and they are lost (Salem report “Go By the Shepherd’s Rod”, July 28, 2013, p.6).

The Bashan organization, as well, is active in proclaiming it ever since Bingham first started promoting his theories. So we see that both Salem and Bashan were disqualified from being the Storehouse because of attempts to add and subtract to His Golden Bowl. The Mt. Dale brethren steadfastly held onto the 144,000 teaching as brought by the prophet.

THE TRANSFER  BECOMES OFFICIAL

“Minutes of the Religious and Business Meetings of the 1983 Historic Session, May 21 to May 28, 1983.

The long awaited meeting of the world field of Davidia, met its fulfillment, when most of the delegates and brethren from the different branches convened in Brooklyn, New York , to commence what was to be an historic occasion…. The Chairman proceeded to give his introductory remarks — stating to the effect, that the decisions that were yet to be made would have far reaching results. It was then that a most critical discussion was entered upon and continued through the whole day.

All were encouraged to express their views and thoughts on each vital issue. It was the general consensus that: 1) God’s work had long been languishing, 2) That the Salem association had betrayed its trust and 3) brought God’s work to its lowest ebb and had gone contrary to the dictates of the “Rod”.

Mountain Dale was now official and God’s final “east gate” location in the USA would commence its work. That fateful session brought, by election, the following officers —

Vice President —     Bro. Anthony Hibbert

Asst. to the V.P. —   Bro. Norman Archer

Secretary —             Bro. Peter Gibbs

Asst. Secretary —     Sis. Sharon DaCosta

Treasurer —             Bro. Lennox  Wilson

Asst. Treasurer —     Bro. Colin Harris

Member —             Sis. Jean Coleman

Link to that session —
https://www.gadsda.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/1983-Session-Code.pdf

Just as with that first DSDA association post K-blow, one of the first orders of business was to establish the Headquarters location, they reported at that time–

“By-Laws —

…Article I – Headquarters
Section 1 – Separation from Salem

a) The Executive Council  (See Article II, section 3), is to find and establish a world-wide headquarters to carry forward the work, as depicted by the Shepherd’s Rod, in all points, i.e, the distribution of literature, fellow-ship cards, the Davidic-Levitical Institute, etc. Furthermore the headquarters is to be established in any one of the eastern states (EV 394, 386)….

7. That God’s headquarters must be in the domain of the two-horned beast, USA, in the east, according to the river of Ezekiel 47. (SR 297)

Soon God’s headquarters location was found  —  in Mountain Dale, New York. Below is a picture of the grounds —

At this point let us step back and note the truly wonderful and far sighted vision of our Lord. As pointed out the 144,000 doctrinal issue stood out as the primary reason for the Mt. Dale brethren to break with Salem. However, nearly as important, in hindsight, is the fact that God surely knew that the last and final step in that eastward course would require brethren who are advanced in the electronic age. Salem, which was dominated largely by Don Adair, well advanced in years, certainly had no strong online electronic leanings.

Thus Salem fell farther and farther back in the message being spread via today’s new advanced technology and Mt. Dale stepped up to get the online work done. Further Mt. Dale became active in making CD’s and DVD’s covering many topics of the message. Their Symbolic Code updates keeping the world-wide brethren updated in a timely manner.

So Mt. Dale , free to now move forward, set out to establish an online website which is one of the best today —

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

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

The next phase of God’s work began, the brethren went to work spreading the Rod message. Overseas missionary trips, USA cities covered, online tools used, CD’s DVD’s published and sent out, etc.  the message was no longer “languishing”.

Of particular note is their widely acclaimed helpful study outlines. Short written studies on many topics, with supporting Inspired references.

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

MOUNTAIN DALE EXPERIENCES HEADQUARTERS CONTROVERSY

For the years 1983 to 1988 Mt. Dale went forward with the work unencumbered with much difficulties. Yes, there was the typical infighting and inner controversies that any organization experiences but largely things went forward until  a serious break in the ranks occurred in 1988-89.

Apparently some of the brethren became convinced that the true headquarters must be relocated back to Waco, Texas. Bro. Archer, Bro. Nosworthy, and others began to make their push toward relocating westward. As already discussed, just as in the case of Bro. Warden and his people back in early days of Salem, a westward course was made instead of an eastward course.

These brethren which were henceforth to be known as the Waco brethren, pulled out all the Rod references such as the one below —

1 SC 16:1: “We are happy to announce that the headquarters office of the sealing message moved from Waco to Mt. Carmel Center on September 29, to its new and permanent home location of the proclamation of the message of the ‘True Witness to the Laodiceans.’“

These and others were their Rod reference foundations employed to justify their idea of going east then circulating back west again. However, as mentioned we cannot escape the Lord’s true course, and settle with man’s. That course is EASTWARD. Ultimately landing in the Holy Land Kingdom for the final Loud Cry proclamation. Ezekiel 47 is not and cannot be a trinket. The course is clear.

WACO ESTABLISHES ITSELF AGAIN

In 1990 Waco sent out a “newsletter” to the field notifying that they would have their representatives appear at Mt. Dale’s 1990 session.

https://www.gadsda.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/1990-Letter-No.-1.pdf

In the above letter we see that Waco wanted to make officially known that “.. God’s headquarters had been established as per ordained since 1988 and that this is the last headquarters  before the kingdom is established. This has been God’s headquarters since 1935 and still is the headquarters to the present.”

Obviously a split occurred, with some of the Mt. Dale brethren deciding to go along with this idea of God calling His headquarters back to Waco. The split had their leaders, Waco with Bro. Archer, Bro. Nosworthy, and Bro. McCallum among others and Mt. Dale with Bro. Hibbert, Bro. Matthews and Bro. Harrison among others.

In 1991 Waco sent out their first Symbolic Code newsletter.
https://www.gadsda.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/1991-Wacos-1SC1.pdf

Despite this split, Mt. Dale went forward with the work, the missionary trips, the USA work, etc. all went forward. Their numbers increased and many came into the group. Waco as well began their Rod message proclamation.

So what do we have here? Has God circled back to Waco? No brethren we cannot stand upon the more sure word of prophecy with this course.

A CORRECT UNDERSTANDING OF MT.DALE’S AND WACO’S PURPOSE

Despite the mis-guided idea that God has relocated His Storehouse back to Waco, we as present truth believers, should not wholly write off Waco. No, in fact once we gather all the facts and understand the Lord’s purposes, we should clearly see that instead of Waco being “the Storehouse headquarters” which rightfully, as we have laid out, belongs to –Mountain Dale, New York, yet Waco IS A DIVISION OF MT.DALE.

Obviously we must stand on God’s word and one cannot misinterpret “premanent home location” which shows that God knew that Waco would have a presence permanently there in Waco, which has been fulfilled. Thus we see that the true headquarters is Mt. Dale (the east gate location), but with a branch division in Waco.  Thus TWO locations doing God’s work in proclaiming the final message of His Rod (Micah 6:9 and 7:14).

Long ago our Lord saw that the message would have more than one location publishing the message —

“In a large degree through our publishing houses is to be accomplished the work of that other angel who comes down from heaven with great power and who lightens the earth with his glory.” (Testimonies, vol. 7, p.140)

“According to the light which God has given me, there will yet be a large company raised up in the east to consistently obey the truth.” (Testimonies, vol. 1, p.414)

There has been attempts to unify the two associations in the past. But they came to logger heads on this “headquarters” issue. However it is the sincere prayer of this author that BOTH of them read closely this report and see how God has not abandoned the flock and His Storehouse headquarters. BOTH of these fine hard working organizations are  doing His work in His vineyard, let them JOIN FORCES, so that the message will finally gather the elect, fit for the kingdom. 

“Whether superiors, inferiors, or equals, your work is to begin with your own heart. Humble yourself before God. Come into right connection with Him by yielding to the creating power of the Holy Spirit. Then will be seen in the church the unity that is of value in God’s sight. There will be sweet harmony, and all the building, fitly framed together, will grow up into an holy temple in the Lord.” (MS, p.64)

 

 

Following Our Storehouse History (Part 4 of 5)

As we enter into part four, we shall now have to get deeper into the inner working of God’s true Storehouse. We are about to see some real maneuvering and adjustments that were necessary for the Storehouse to survive and prosper.

Briefly to recap, 1961 saw the Davidian S.D.A movement regroup and re-establish God’s Storehouse/headquarters in California. There was no other group of significance that formed from the Knock-out blow that held onto the Lord’s original Rod. Of course there was usurpers such as the Branch movement, and other small factions, but these were not made of some the 100% Rod only members, many of whom were indeed Brother Houteff’s personal representatives on Mt. Carmel during the camp’s time.

As mentioned there were two main leaders from the camp that led the 1961 movement –H.G. Warden and M.J. Bingham. Both had been on the executive council on Mt. Carmel. They were indeed very aware of the inner workings of Davidian government. Thus they brought with them this knowledge in forming the 1961 D.S.D.A  organization.

However it is important to note that those early years, particularly 1961 through 1969,were not without controversies and troubles for the Storehouse/headquarters. Members were not always on their best behavior, but let us always remember the Rod counsel ––

“And since the Enemy cannot get around the Truth, he does all he can to blacken character and to pick flaws in personalities.  The prophet’s message nevertheless cannot be judged by the behaviour of its professors, for even the Apostles misconducted themselves before the ascension of Christ. 

The multitude, too, that followed Moses was anything by exemplary; in fact, in many instances they were disgraceful.  And the “holy men of God” who wrote the Scriptures were faulty men.   Even Moses himself was not faultless. Regardless, though, he was still Moses, and his was the only message and movement for the day.” (GCS, p.8-9)

Additionally we showed in part three that order and positions were important, such as elected VP, Secretary, Treasurer and four other council members. This composed the Davidian leadership as God had planned since the beginning with Brother Houteff. They were not about to forget this plan and throw up their hands and say “Well the camp is done, let’s all go home , send out the original Rod message and to each his own let God lead us separately” No way!

THE SPLIT BETWEEN WARDEN AND BINGHAM

Unfortunately Satan is very active in this last message of the Lord, and we cannot expect him to stand idly by while God’s Storehouse is pushing forward! Distractions, inner squabbles, mis-behavior and all sorts of diversion is to be expected. On this Inspiration says —

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

Every wind of doctrine will be blowing, false revivals and reformations will be at their peak.  Everything that can be done will be done to distort the Truth and thus distract and dishearten believers and draw their attention to something other than the message of Elijah.

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

Nevertheless, one’s only safety will be in the teaching of Elijah, for there will be no other voice of timely Truth and authority to whom one may turn.  Any others will lead their victims blind-folded into perdition.” (GCS, p.7-8)

The divide started when Bingham went away for a trip overseas and contacted the association and told them , as editor, he wanted his new doctrine on the Bashan pasture published and sent to the vineyard. To this Warden and other association members  objected. This began the divide because of theological differences.

Soon after it appears that bro. Bingham made some moves that caused the brethren real consternation. One of those was his raid of the organization’s equipment in 1962. Apparently, Bingham had made up his mind and convinced himself that he was to branch out on his own (with his Bashan/Porter/Additions doctrine) and start his own headquarters, and thus he needed to “take back” the existing equipment without the proper channels of approval from the council as to who properly owned it. Apparently he thought that he rightfully owned it and therefore could take it by force.

Here is historical document describing this raid —
https://www.gadsda.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/1962-M.-J.-Bingham-Raid-in-CA..pdf

NOTE: We have spoken to brother Don Adair and he confirms his part in this. However, according to him, he was helping to get Bingham’s equipment out in order to cut ties with him for the association’s benefit. In other words Adair was not a supporter of Bingham’s ideas of new theology, he was simply trying to help get rid of Bingham. This explanation was accepted later by the association because they did not dis-fellowship Adair, rather they thought him worthy of a six month suspension.

This sadly was just a continuation of the problems brother Bingham had for quite a long time since his removal from Mt. Carmel for some impropriety in the 40’s. This  was while he was on the camp during Brother Houteff’s travels to his home town in Bulgaria.

We have posted many reports showing that Bingham was the originator of the false “those with living SDA” doctrine (primary witness being Sister Bonnie Smith) and he took that along with other new doctrines to his headquarters. Suffice to say that due to all of the private interpretations added by Bingham, this move was his and his alone, not in God’s plan for sure. The association remained there in California, while Bingham cut ties and later moved to Exeter Missouri establishing his Bashan headquarters.

KEY STOREHOUSE POINT

“It has been evident for some time that it would soon be necessary to seek a more central location for the office in order to serve the whole field efficiently, so those at headquarters have been praying very earnestly over this matter for many months, and as they kept on praying for light, the Lord finally indicated definitely that beautiful Southern California was no longer to remain the center of His work for the “lost sheep of the house of Israel,” but an eastward course was to be seen in the stream from that “fountain” which is to swell Into the great river of Ezekiel’s prophecy, and plans were soon formulated whereby a thorough search could be made In the territory indicated by the Lord where the future headquarters were to be found.” (SC, vol.1, no.10, p.3)

This Inspired Word of God shows us powerful unforgettable counsels —

1. California  was “definitely” no longer  the central location for His work
2. An Eastward course was God’s true direction of His work (Per Ezek. 47)
3. A Westward course would be in direct opposition to His Word.

Thus this important counsel was the reason for the move eastward from California. The association had in-depth studies in 1969 and decided it was time to make the move east. The question among them was where? After discussion they realized that there was only one place that VTH had authorized as an extension to old Mt. Carmel– the Salem rest home.

Adair in his book addresses this time and the reason eastward —

“..the Riverside Davidians realized from this Ezekiel’s River study in the Shepherd’s Rod book, that it was by the divine direction of the Lord in the Bible (Ezekiel 47) that Bro. Houteff had been led to move the Headquarters  of the Lord on an “eastward” course to Waco, Texas in the year 1935. And because they read where he stated that ” beautiful Southern California  was no longer to remain the center of His work,”  these Davidians knew that they also had to move eastward.

Now all of this about Ezekiel’s River in Ezekiel 47 the Davidians had reviewed in their studies in 1969 at their Headquarters in Riverside, California.” (A Davidian Testimony, p.248)

“Then said he unto me, These waters issue out towards the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea.” (Ezek. 47:8.)  It is remarkable to note how perfect these symbols are in each instance.  This direction of the compass denotes that the message of the “loud cry” is to start eastward when it is first revealed.  The church membership being largely east of California and across the Atlantic, naturally the message must start toward the east.  This symbolical prophecy reveals that the message of the “loud cry” is to originate in California. 

Thus fulfilling the prophetic words of the “Spirit of Prophecy” in a letter to Elder E. E. Andross: “I feel confident Elder Andross, that the brethren in Southern California will find a blessing in reviewing the teachings of the Scripture concerning the 144,000 and bringing to bear upon these teachings whatever light there may be in the published writings of the Spirit of Prophecy, and as prayerful consideration is given the matter in all its bearings, I believe that God will make the truth sufficiently clear to make possible the avoidance of needless and unprofitable questions not vital to the salvation of precious souls.”

   East being the Biblical direction of idolatry, it also signifies that the message is headed toward the conversion of sinners and destruction of idolatry.  “And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirits to pass out of the land.” (Zech. 13:2.) (SRod, vol. 2, p.296-297)

STOREHOUSE MOVES EASTWARD TO SALEM IN 1970

From 1961 the Storehouse existed in California, with bro. Warden largely at the helm. They kept up the work in the vineyard from there. Unfortunately we don’t have much information on the sessions or meetings that occurred during those years (although Adair most likely does have many of those reports). Brother Adair confirms that those 8-9 years were indeed the Storehouse /organizational headquarters for the majority of “100% Rod only” Davidians. Although those years we not without their difficulties and mishaps by the leaders.

No doubt many of the brethren knew of Bro. Warden’s close ties to Bro. Houteff and his rightful position as leader. The consensus was a move east was necessary.

Davidia was officially informed in the Symbolic Code news — Volume 9, no.3, July-Sept, 1970, from the Salem session.

New Headquarters

We are sure that all eyes in Davidia have been turned to Salem,S.C. since the announcement that the session would be held here. With this thought in mind and our sincere desire to acquaint everyone with developments, we wish to share some of our blessings with you.

All have been informed of the decision to accept the generous offer made by the group here for headquarters. In many different ways it was made clear that Providential events and circumstances pointed to a change which indicated leaving Vista, California….Our new home not only provides adequate space for the office and print shop but also living quarters.

And in addition to all the natural beauty and necessary space, we have our own beautiful little church, with the organ, piano, and wall to wall carpeting provided by the group here. The pulpit, chairs, and seats are the ones which were used in the old Mt. Carmel Chapel during the years Brother Houteff giving the “Elijah message.”

The hearts of the brethren were made glad as they viewed these simple furnishings and remembered the bygone days. We were all encouraged to learn that Brother Nations who pastored the flock here since the inception of the Shepherd’s Rod Message, had been told by Brother Houteff, that Mt. Carmel would one day move to Salem.”

This move was surely strengthened when a prior letter penned by Bro. Houteff  in 1949 was reviewed —

“If that particular home is to be entitled to support from funds here, then it seems that the best thing to do is to organize in the name of the General Association of Davidian Seventh-day Adventists, with headquarters on Mt. Carmel.” (Letter by VTH , Nov. 17, 1949 to Bro. Nation, A Davidian Testimony, p.249)

Thus the Salem home became the only extension property outside of Waco. Additionally Sister C.T. Smith  witnessed the following (as reported by Bro. Adair)–

“Bro. L. Nations was discussing the water shortage with bro. Houteff on Mt. Carmel and he asked why he did not move to Salem, So. Carolina where there is plenty of water. Bro. Houteff said:, “Not now, but one day Mt. Carmel will be at Salem.” Bro. Nations told Sis. C.T. Smith about this, at that time on Mt. Carmel, and upon his return  home to Salem, he related the same to his congregation. This incident was what prompted Bro. and Sis. C.T. Smith to move to Salem, So. Carolina.” (by Sis. C.T. Smith) (A Davidian Testimony, p.250)

From 1970 to early 1973 the de-facto Warden led Salem, South Carolina organization moved forward with the work. There was relatively smooth sailing during approximately 3 years at Salem. But in early 1973, Bro. Sump Smith (who was elected VP in the 1970 and 1972 sessions), and one of the original Salem home pioneers, told the council that instead of paying more money on the SRod publications it would be better to put it into the rest home. According to eye-witness Adair, Smith confessed to still believing in Florence Houteff’s idea of taking the message to the world.

Of course this did not go over well when word came back to the brethren in California. A diverse sort of issues soon developed, which is too lengthy to go into here now, but suffice to say that in 1973 brother Warden and other members decided to move back to California and “re-establish” the association headquarters there once again.

At this point there appeared a split among the Davidians. Adair and his people against Warden and his people. It is important now to really zoom in, not on what these men did, but the counsel from the Word in regards to His Storehouse movements.

GOD’S EASTWARD COURSE SOLIDIFIED

Ezekiel’s prophecy of chapter 47 stand outs as the key Storehouse prophecy giving us direction. There is no doubt about it because this is what the Rod message said (highlighted above). Therefore we have no choice but to accept the course of Salem being God’s Storehouse/headquarters location during that time.

It appears that Bro. Warden and his people erred in their decision to  a) attempt to move the Storehouse/headquarters westward after being told to go eastward in 1969  b) disregard what the Lord had spoken to them already through His prophet (eastward lesson of Ezek. 47)  c) Go back to somewhere the prophet said was “definitely” no longer the headquarters location.

Do we think that Bro. Warden and those with him made an unpardonable sin? No, that is not for any of us to say. But Bro. Adair and his people were,  on this issue, firmly grounded upon the “more sure word” of prophecy.

So there became a division of the two factions. Bro. Warden and his people re-established in California, while Bro. Adair and his people continued on in Salem. However, some issues arose with the rest home property and Adair’s group had to move a few miles away to establish another property for the headquarters (still in Salem).

So at this time (1973)  God’s Salem Storehouse/headquarters went forward. Bro. Adair at the helm spreading the final message of Elijah. Bro. Warden and his group did the same from California. The California group made subsequent different moves after 1973, however these were man-made mistaken courses for God’s Storehouse /headquarters purpose. For more on this time period see Adair’s book “A Davidian Testimony”.

A very important missionary trip occurred in 1973. God, working through His Salem headquarters sent Bro. Adair down to the West Indies Islands, Trinidad, Barbados, San Lucia and Jamaica. Adair made much headway in bringing many new converts to the faith. He battled many of M.J. Bingham’s people, as Bingham had gone there before and made them Bashanites. But according to Adair , his work produced many converts from the Bashan doctrine. Unbeknownst to them at this time , this trip would be the seeds of God’s future advancement of His Storehouse/headquarters.

This concludes part four. Next post we’ll look at the next advancement of the Storehouse/Headquarters, which is extremely important as we conclude this series.   .

Following Our Storehouse History (Part 3 of 5)

NOTE: Due to the amount of information needed to post we’ve made the series into 5 parts

As we enter our next post of this series, let us briefly review our last post points.

The Storehouse was moved to the proclaimers of the Rod message soon after 1930, and then formally the headquarters location/Storehouse was established in 1935 at the original Mt. Carmel site in Waco Texas. This official Storehouse lasted until the prophet’s death in 1955.

So we are now going to have to really zoom in. The understanding from here on will require we “dig deep” to know what movements took place and how, where and when God has kept alive His Storehouse even to this very day! As mentioned, we have been led to post this study due to its extreme importance. There is mass confusion out there among Davidians about this issue. The underlying purpose of this report is to show God HAS NEVER ABANDONED HIS FLOCK! It’s been hampered, yes, but not ignored, forgotten nor eliminated. The transfer has been there all along!

Unfortunately some teach that God has abandoned His flock and that each must be on his own thus to keep their tithes and do as they “think” God instructs them to. This is a trick! For review  let us show again what SOP says —

“I was shown that it is Satan’s special work to lead men to feel that it is God’s order for them to strike out for themselves and choose their own course independent of their brethren.” (TM p.29)

There has always been the Lord’s desire for harmonious workings of His people. This is proven by our Biblical history. Spirit of Prophecy brings this home —

“The Lord desires His chosen servants to learn how to unite in harmonious effort. It may seem to some that the contrast between their gifts and the gifts of a fellow-labourer is too great to allow them to unite in harmonious effort; but when they remember that there are varied minds to be reached, and that some will reject the truth as it is presented by one labourer, only to open their hearts to God’s truth as it is presented in a different manner by another labourer, they will hopefully endeavour to labour together in unity.

Their talents, however diverse, may all be under the control of the same Spirit. In every word and act, kindness and love will be revealed; and as each worker fills his appointed place faithfully, the prayer of Christ for the unity of His followers will be answered, and the world will know that these are His disciples.” (GW, p.483)

Thus our Lord remains steadfast, even now, that we work together however possible and that His Storehouse be known and His tithes returned there for advancement of His work -unitedly! This truth did not stop at the prophet’s death in 1955.

SEVEN YEARS OF TROUBLESOME TIMES FOR HIS STOREHOUSE (1955 to 1961)

Ok let us now take up the rocky period after VTH’s death.

As many know the death sparked an upheaval to the message. Shock and bewilderment soon set in, because some had seen the prophet never dying and being translated as the original Elijah was. But the void was quickly filled by Florence Houteff, much to the chagrin of some of the faithful. As we know she proved a usurper and ultimately prophetically fulfilled the “knockout blow” in 1959.

According to brother Saether’s testimony in the Baylor archives, the tithes soon began to grow smaller due to the obvious confusion and misunderstanding of brother Houteff’s death. And once the knockout blow occurred in April 1959, they literally shrank to small levels, understandably. Florence saw the writing on the wall and began to dismantle the whole thing — property, message and whatever else she could destroy.

So that short approximately 7 year period after VTH’s death, really was a difficult time for the faithful. That is why the Rod message warned the flock to be ready for that blow (WHR p. 33).

“Unparalleled, therefore, is the urgency that every eleventh-hour church member now quickly and solidly brace himself against the Enemy’s effort to deliver a knockout blow.  We must be alert, too, to realize that the blow is to come from surprisingly unsuspected foes — from professed friends of the gospel, who are no less pious than were priests in Christ’s day.”

We could liken it to the type, when Jesus died and the flock really was confused,disorganized and bewildered for a short while. Obviously the Storehouse/organization was in a state of flux. The transition period was short but difficult, so too those first few years with the Rod Storehouse/headquarters confusion.

But God did not forsake His people. The two messengers He used predominantly were brother Warden and brother Bingham. Although after awhile unfortunately Bingham proved himself an adder/subtractor to the message. It was brother Warden who seemed God’s steady instrument to firm up the ship and get it back on track.

It was during this K-blow period that the first usurper, Benjamin Roden, came on the scene and began to appoint himself the successor Elijah, the “true” one who would never die. He succeeded in pulling away a small portion of the flock and thus the tithes.

THE TRUE STOREHOUSE RESTORED (1961)

But in late 1961 the brethren, led by brother Warden sent out their first Symbolic code (Aug-Dec, 1961, vol. 1 no.1) to the flock scattered around the Lord’s vineyard. Their location was on Norwood Ave., Arlington, California. In it was the Association’s fateful announcement made to all the Lord’s present truth people in the field.

“Again it is our joy to salute you, our faithful Davidian brethren, as we all now return to our heaven appointed task in Laodicea ( the S.D.A Church), of gathering the 144,000 first fruits. Scattered throughout the Denomination, which is God’s appointed place for them in His great vineyard, they are waiting for the angel of Ezekiel nine to place the mark upon their foreheads — the mark each of us must have to stand on Mt. Zion with the Lamb.

When we say “return” to our task, we use the word in accommodation. The facts are that, in reality, 100%-ROD believers never turned from that work at any time, and that now we shoulder it with new vision, new zeal, and new vigor in the certain prophetic knowledge that the Lord has given us no other work but to go only “to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matt. 10:6), and in the certain promise of success:

“..smite the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.” (Zech. 13:7)

…The success of the Association depends on how each one of us does his duty. If we do our whole duty, the work will succeed.

…Friday evening, July 28, 1961, 7:30 o’clock, brought to fruition the dream and hope and faith and struggle of 100%-ROD-only Davidian Seventhday Adventists, as delegates to the first International Session, along with believers from various
places, assembled in the Church of the Resurrection in Los Angeles, California, for the first service of the Session.

…Sunday morning, July 30, found the delegates assembled, first for worship, and then for work in the first business meeting of the Session, with Brother Allan A. Allen as chairman, and Brother Reuben Rolle as secretary. As soon as preliminaries were over and the standing orders were adopted, the several requests for time to present various views to the Session, came up for consideration.

…Early on the agenda came the concern as to the location of headquarters. This proved to be the most difficult problem of the Session. Some were of the opinion that it must, in view of one or two statements in the ROD, be the Lord’s will that we somehow gain control of old Mt. Carmel, that we might carry on and finish the work from there.

A study from the Bible and the ROD was presented to us by Brother Bingham, proving conclusively that there are three places of spiritual pasture where God’s people are to feed (see 2SRod 243:2). The study went on to show that since the Carmel of the ROD (old Mt. Carmel) is no more, and since Gilead is the Kingdom (see Jer. 51:8 and Jer. 46:11.12), we are therefore now in the Bashan period and must, accordingly, get our meat in due season from the ROD in BASHAN . (This entire study will be published as soon as possible.)

The delegates unanimously concurred that the evidence is conclusive that the Carmel period is past and that therefore we are not to try Or even to hope or to want to return to Carmel. During the extended discussions of the matter, a num- ber of prospective sites were considered, but were found in one way or another to fall short of meeting our needs. It was therefore decided to establish temporary headquarters in Arlington, California, and, to ask the Executive Council to appoint a location committee to work on this problem.

…The Executive Council was charged with the responsibility of publishing the Fundamental Beliefs of the Association, as soon as it is found possible to do so.

Also, the Council was charged with the responsibility of re-establishing the Davidic-Levitical Institute for the training of workers, as soon as facilities are available.

…As The Symbolic Code is “the official organ of the Association” (The Leviticus. p. 7), the delegates gave careful study to its future, finally voting to retain its present size and format. 

…Election of officers to serve the Association for the next four years was held though the afternoon and evening of the fifth day of the business meetings. Those elected were H.G. Warden (vice president), Mrs. Ruby V. Haylock (Executive Secretary), Mrs. Jemmy E. Bingham (Treasurer), Charles H. Haylock, Allan A. Allen, W.H. Green, and W.J. Matthews, as regular council members, with Arthur H. Harris (Australia), Paul S. Bateman, and Mrs. Lelia Rolle as alternate members.

…In order to provide monies with which to defray the expenses of the next Session, it was voted (1) to build up a session-expense fund by diverting to it 5% of the first tithe and unspecified offerings from the United States, 4% from Canada and England, 3% from Australla, and 1% from the Islands and other countries; and (2) to adjust percentages for all countries in accordance with their changing economic status. (Some have already designated offerings for this fund.) 

…Since the Association is the people, with each one thus responsible to God for its success, the Session unanimously voted that the treasury department is to render a financial report once each year to all supporters of the Association.

…The Session extended a vote of thanks to Brother and Sister Bingham for their untiring efforts in working to bring about Constitutional Association/ and to Sisters Warden and Green for so ably taking care of the culinary department during the Session. And no Iess is their appreciation of the pre-session efforts of Brother and Sister W.H. Green and of Sister Vera Prestwood, and of the thorough and excellent work which Brother and Sister Charles H. Haylock did on the Agenda. 

…Are you here as “carpenters,” on fire to build up? Or as “horns,” on fire to tear down? Are you here on fire for peace or for war? On fire to hear the Spirit of God, to accept what He has, and to put over His program? Or to have the Session hear you, accept your ideas and theories, and to put over your program?

Are you come to this Session, on fire to vote principles of Truth and Righteousness, or prejudices, peeves, and preferences? To vote for God’s friends–for Truth’s supporters and defenders? Or for your own friends–for your supporters and defenders?”
 

Ah, what a treasure trove of truth nuggets in our historical Storehouse understanding! Let us carefully breakdown this fateful announcement. First, as mentioned God did not forsake the flock, thus to those who truly believe this, we must take note of the structure and methods employed in the first official Storehouse post knockout blow.

It appears that due to the obvious “poor fishermen” financial condition of His remnant, the brethren were made to have no building structure for the association at that time. The Norwood address, if we are not mistaken, was a private home. But, they nevertheless knew that in order to properly construct the Storehouse/organization, it must be in accordance to the Levitical guidelines (Tract), and the example given them by the prophet as to organization, structure, etc. —  as much as possible. In fact at the end of the Code they show the importance of locating a building organization —

REMINDERS
1. Remember the hour of united prayer (morning, noon, and evening, daily, and at 5:00 P. M. Fridays), t ha t every Association supporter make full and abiding surrender to the Holy Spirit, and faithfuliy study, pray, and seek-­

(a) To discover and employ every honorable
means of getting names and addresses;
(b) To raise the needed money for the purchase of a printing press;
(c) To find and secure the place God has
for headquarters;
(d) To meet the ever-increasing calls for
food and clothes for the needy.

2. Remember to send all communications, other than remittances, to The Davidian Seventhday Adventist Association, 5654 Norwood Avenue, Arlington, California. Continue to send remittances to The Davidian Seventh-day Adventist Association, 1437 North Carmelita Avenue, until November 10, 1961. After that, send them to 5654 Norwood Avenue, Arlington, California.
*******
Applications for Certificates of Fellowship in The Davidian Seventh-day Adventist Association wlll be sent to 100%-ROD-oniy Davidians upon requests to the Association’s Office in Arlington.

They chose to have their first session at a local church building in Los Angeles, Calif. So let us look at the Storehouse structure as in this first headquarters after the K-blow.

1. They used the official publishing organ , the Symbolic Code, for important field notices and reports.
2. They realized that unity was a must and that each had their duty to perform.
3. They knew sessions were important.
4. They knew that although they temporarily had no official headquarters location, they needed one to be in compliant with the Rod Levitical structure “Constitutional Association” and Mt. Carmel’s example. They took this task seriously as evidenced in that first code and began to search it out.
5. Publishing the message was an important task.
6. Training workers via the Davidic-Levitical Institute was also important.
7. They elected their representatives by vote. They had an executive council of VP, Secretary, Treasurer and four council members (7)
8. H.G. Warden was elected Vice-President. 
9. They were  authorized to collect tithes, believing wholeheartedly that they were led of God and was God’s continuation of His Storehouse/Headquarters for the advancement of the SRod work. 
10. There were other areas they touched on, such as a committee to handle grievances,  but we highlighted the main important points for our study.

Link to that code —
https://www.gadsda.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/1961-Symbolic-Code.pdf

Brother Don Adair explains more during that time —

“..in 1961 while Sis. Houteff was dissolving (new) Mt. Carmel Center, which began the fulfillment of Elijah’s prediction of the “knockout blow” that Bro. Adair and other Davidians, who were tithe payers and members of Mt. Carmel, and who had cards signed by Bro. Houteff and Sis. Houteff, had a right to call for a session in Calif. They reorganized Mt. Carmel, and elected new Council members before (new) Mt.Carmel was officially shut down in 1962.”( “Go BY The Shepherd’s Rod” report, July 28, 2013, p.4)

These faithful “100% Rod Only” members knew very well that God had NOT abandoned the flock, he also astutely stated in the same report on page four —

“..the Davidians who re-organized Mt. Carmel in 1961 knew they had suffered a “knockout blow” and that Sis. Houteff and her Council were the “professed friends” who instigated that blow. Also they knew Jesus had the “reins in His own hands” to control the work, but some false Davidians could say He lost His reins when Elijah died. If so, they  would be like the unfaithful people of Israel:

“Israel’s real danger, we now see, was not in what Moses did, but in their unbelief of God’s having the reins in His hands..” (TG,vol.1,no.7,p.6)

This concludes part 3, and we will continue with part 4 soon.

Following Our Storehouse History (Part 2 of 5)

Continuing our series on the Storehouse history, we begin part two. As we learned in our first part, the beginning history of our Christian movement, had a brethren unity. They came together and collected Tithes and used them for the benefit of all.

Then after the wilderness period our King brought us back as a people. The Seventh-day Adventist church rose up and became the Storehouse/organization which the Lord wanted His Tithes brought to.

But in 1930, we as present truth believers know that a new and final message came to us–the Lord’s Elijah message. Yet even in those beginning years the Storehouse remained the S.D.A church. The message said this in the first volume of SRod —

“In case some one’s name should be taken off the church books for carrying on the message, do not be discouraged in any way but press onward as though nothing has happened.  Pay your honest tithe and offering to your church, and feel like “IT IS” your Father’s house.  Continue your work of reform with as many as you can possibly interest.” (Srod, vol. 1, p.251)

STOREHOUSE TRANSFER TO THE DAVIDIAN SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST MOVEMENT

But as the first few years passed it became evident that the message was not accepted by the leadership and even worse–fought bitterly against. This was dealt with in the following Symbolic Code —

“The instruction in the SRod, Vol. 1, p. 251, regarding tithe, proves that we have payed our honest part all the way. It says that the tithe should be paid to the old S.D.A organization. But now since the leading part of the denomination has rejected the sealing message of the 144,000 and is passing on to the people a pseudo refutation of its subject matter to justify their actions, doing all they can to prevent the people from coming in contact with the message, the action of the SRod in calling not only for the tithe but also for the offerings to be brought in for the support of the message of present truth is Divinely approved and justified, for present truth has always constituted God’s “storehouse.” (SC, vol. 1, no.5, p.9)

 “Let only those who do not have the light on the sealing message support the message of the judgment of the dead which is passing away as the setting sun, then we will not deprive either the one or the other. Moreover, what success do you suppose we can hope to have in bringing the sealing message to the church if we support those who are rising against us like the waves of the sea?

No, Brother J., if we continue paying our tithe to them, we will not only be weakening our power against the enemy, but also our position in relation to the message we bear, for then they will say to us, “If you have a message for us, you will put your gifts toward the advancement of your message and not toward ours.”

Hence, by supporting the church and its warfare against the message we bear, we will instead of winning the confidence of the brethren to what we believe, not only be driving them away, but also strengthening the forces of the enemy and weakening ours, for you cannot fight your adversaries by lending them your weapons to stand strong against you.” (SC, vol. 2, no.5-6. p. 9)

“The instructions in The Shepherd’s Rod, Vol. 1, p. 251, “Pay your honest tithe and offering to your church, and feel that ‘IT IS’ your Father’s house,” came near the close of 1930, before the leading brethren, as a denomination, had rejected the sealing message.  Clearly, then, The Shepherd’s Rod has faithfully discharged its duty in refusing to accept any tithes or offerings until after the books were scattered throughout the denomination,  and after the brethren began bitterly to oppose the message.

Now, though, since the opposition is no longer passive, but intensely active, and the proclamation of the message supremely urgent, the only course open is apparent.  It will take an army of workers, including the tithes and offerings, to reach the people.”(Tract 4, p.66)

Thus it was changed officially from the S.D.A church to the Davidian movement. Present truth and its unified proclaimers were now to be the recipients. In the Symbolic Code, volume 1, no.10, the first report came excitedly telling of the new organizational headquarters.

“To build the “fort,” to cast the “mount,” to set the “camp,” and the “battering rams” will require a fearless band of Gideonites who will not bow down to their knees for a drink. (Jud. 7:2-7.) God’s ancient people, while building the tabernacle, the two temples, and in the days of the apostles, responded to their call very faithfully.

But shall we now in the end of this world, while making history that will stand for eternity, draw back or do less? God has bestowed upon us greater blessings than He has upon any other people at any time. Shall we therefore by our deeds fail to show to Him that we appreciate His great gift as much as they? Let every reader of the Code answer this question to himself,

   In order to fulfill the call we must build the “fort,” cast the amount,” set the “camp,” and  the “battering rams against it round about — “This shall be a sign to the house of Israel.” (Ezek. 4:3.) Hence, the first question to be asked is, Where shall we build? The answer comes from Him Who “is taking the reins in His own hands” (Testimonies to Ministers, 300): “In that day shall Israel be…even a blessing in the midst of the land.” (Isa. 19:24.)

   As no one puts a light in a corner but rather in the center of the room, so the wise “husbandman” built “a tower in the midst of” His “vineyard.” We are living in that prophetic time when men were to run to and fro” (Dan. 12:4), and in which “a short work will the Lord make.” (Rom. 9:28.)

   Consequently, the Lone Star state, being in the midst of the land for both Americas, North and South, is the place where we must set the “camp,” so that the light may be equally diffused east and west, north and south. Moreover, the “camp” from where the “battering rams” are to be sent, naturally must be centrally located so that the distance between the “rams” and the “camp” may be cut down to one half, thus reducing the time and the cost for transportation and supplies as well as for mailing. We thank God for such a wise plan as this.

   Therefore, He has given us one of His beautiful lakeside hills adjacent to Waco, Texas, a city of about 60,000, yet far enough from it to be away from the world and its evil environment — about 5 miles from the center of the city, and about 2 1/2 miles from the city limits. There lies 189 acres of land for our “camp.” (SC, vol. 1, no. 10, p.1)

Now the remnant people of God were told clearly where and what was the new storehouse and headquarters.

“Knowing full well as we do that the security and sovereign existence of any government depend primarily, not on human and military power, but upon Divine sufferance and protection, we are consequently still the more compelled to render implicit obedience to Heaven’s principles governing our duty to our land.

This high compulsion rests with even more compelling force upon us who have been placed here in Providentially free America, because of the happy fact that for these last momentous hours of time He has placed the headquarters of the church here where she is to enjoy unprecedented religious liberty, to function freely, and to discharge without obstruction her Divinely appointed duty world-wide.” (MS, p.7-8)

Indeed, the message went forth from there until the prophet breathed his final breath. But God in His infinite wisdom gave us certain clear unmistakable injunctions that deal with Tithes. We shall deal with them now.

Let us make no mistake, God knows all about the Storehouse situation, from the past to today. Therefore we should never think He has abandoned us, left us out of the loop as to the right course to take to return His Tithes–NO, God forbid the thought!

Sadly there are some who teach that God has nearly abandoned us and left us to meander around guessing and kind of just shooting from the hip, in giving who, what and where we think we ought to. But the fact of the matter is, that HE HAS given us a road map to know His depository  for His Tithes today.

Ok, let’s look at the powerful and clear counsel He has given us through His Rod message.

1) No one ( we are not saying no Constitutional DSDA organization) has the right to make his own home, apartment, flat, studio, mansion, or wherever else he lives  –The Storehouse AND collect/keep the Lord’s Tithes to use at his own discretion.

It’s important to make the above clarification (personal home versus Constitutional DSDA org. using a temporary home address) because we will soon find out , it became necessary during the early days after the K-blow for survival of the DSDA from a members home. This eventually was straightened out later, but we are getting ahead of ourselves.

Proof — Answerer, vol. 4, Question 97

Note: It has been alleged by some  that Q-97 gives proof that one can have their own home the storehouse and collect tithes, when it says no such thing. They base this on the reasoning that the some early post K-blow storehouse locations were private homes. Completely twisting the whole intent of Q-97.

The whole point of Q-97 is not mainly talking of property structure as it is about those who falsely strike out on their own collecting tithes and “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!”

However,  if we want to help out a cause in furtherance of His kingdom, we should pay for it through our offerings NOT tithes. These MUST return to His storehouse.

2) If we disagree with how the true Storehouse of God is working, we are not to abandon it, rather know that if God Himself allows it, then all we can do is let the authorities know our complaint and the rest is out of our hands. We have done our duty , now if they continue to make errors as we see it–it’s on them and God will deal with the responsible parties.

Proof — Answerer , vol. 4, Question 98

3) If we are doing much work for the Lord, sending out Tracts, and other literature, despite this great work we are NOT to solicit money for our cause. Those who do this are in direct violation of God’s following command.

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

With the above clear instructions , after reading them closely, we cannot fail to know what God requires of us on these points. Only those who have an agenda contrary to the direct counsel, will ignore , twist, or try to eliminate these injunctions.

Sadly that agenda is to take control of their own course by keeping the Lord’s Tithes and dispensing them where and when they feel like it. But often “feeding themselves” in  the guise that the Lord really didn’t mean what He said above. Repetition of Saul, Korah, and the other examples of non-obedience.

“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.” (Testimonies, vol. 1, p.198) 

Ok , now that we have some basics on Tithes commands. Let’s look at our second and no less important point. That is structure. How did our Davidian model, brother Houteff’s organization operate as the headquarters? Let’s look at that.

The foremost book in this regard is — The Leviticus Tract. There was clear organization structure shown.

ORDER

   “God is a God of order.  Everything connected with heaven is in perfect order; subjection and thorough discipline mark the movements of the angelic host.  Success can only attend order and harmonious action.  God requires order and system in His work now no less than in the days of Israel.  All who are working for Him are to labor intelligently, not in a careless, haphazard manner.  He would have His work done with faith and exactness, that He may place the seal of His approval upon it.” — Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 376. (Leviticus, p. 21)

Thus this Tract lays out our Davidian order, our model, our example. 

We will briefly touch on the structure. First there is no president today, as we know, because that was the role of the prophet brother Houteff (see page 6). Next, we see that “the vice president shall assist the president in administering the affairs of the Association.”(page 6). Thus with the prophet temporarily gone, the VP is now in charge.

There is to be a secretary who keeps proceedings of all the meetings. Also a treasurer who collects all funds and pays the bills, distributing money as needed (page 7). 

It appears that there was a total of 7 members on the Executive council including the above positions. (See FB, p.16) (Later evidenced by meeting minutes Feb. 6, 1955)

Sessions are to be held “at such time and place as the Executive Council shall designate by notice in the Symbolic Code..”(page 7). By-laws can be made as long as they do not go against the Constitution, these can be amended, repealed, etc “by such a representation and vote as is exampled in the Acts of the Apostles, pages 195 and 196.” (page 8)

We should note that voting is acceptable form of leadership as AA page 195-196 shows. But that was voting from within the Council, not from the general field membership. By-law details are explained on page 9 and 10.

The balance of the Tract explains the purposes of the organization. It is noted the following —

“Only as they were united with Christ, could the disciples hope to have the accompanying power of the Holy Spirit, and the co-operation of angels of heaven.  With the help of these divine agencies, they would present before the world a united front, and would be victorious in the conflict they were compelled to wage unceasingly against the powers of darkness.

As they should continue to labor unitedly, heavenly messengers would go before them, opening the way; hearts would be prepared for the reception of truth, and many would be won to Christ.  So long as they remained united, the church would go forth, ‘fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners.’ (Page 24)

Through out the Rod message and again in the Leviticus Tract we see unity as a MAJOR element in the Davidian movement.  United Davidian organization is the theme behind the Lord’s Leviticus Tract. Note the following final words of this Tract.

“The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished; but chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government.” –– 2 Peter 2:9, 10.

   “Let all things be done decently and in order.”–1 Cor. 14:40. (page 102)

One quick note before we close the report and that is we all should know that even our own home can be a storehouse of present truth. For example, we have at our residence an office complete with  Tracts, TG’s, small 8 x 11 charts, CD’s, DVD’s, and other literature of the Rod message. We send them out as the “leaves of Autumn”  as the message tells us. We do not charge for these, we even pay the postage. However, we cannot cross the line and collect or solicit Tithes or donations, nor can we keep them and use them for our own ideas and purposes. God’s Storehouse has not disintegrated  into small atoms here and there as some foolishly teach.

Note: By way of disclosure there has been times where some have sent in their donations for our work, and we do not turn them away. However we do make sure they know we do not consider ourselves as a Tithe receiving Storehouse. We explain that as the Rod message shows, we cannot consider our house a Storehouse as we have no executive council, no sessions, no official DSDA structure per Leviticus Tract.

This brethren is the whole purpose of these reports, to help show from the Rod our correct actions in regards to paying our Tithes and not falling for deceptive teachings telling us to keep them and just do your own thing, however sincere we may be. 

Summary of part two —

The Storehouse was indeed transferred to the Rod movement from the S.D.A, which later organized at Mt. Carmel and gave us the example of the DSDA Storehouse/Tithe structure (Executive Council). Serious warnings were given by the Lord of what not to do in returning Tithes. With these building blocks and this clear and unambitious counsel we shall follow the Storehouse movement after the great “knockout blow” prophesied and delivered by Florence Houteff and her crony council, in part three. This is where the “rubber meets the road” as they say, we need to zero in on our past history and see how God did not forsake the flock, and provided a clear road map to follow.

 

Following Our Storehouse History (Part 1 of 5)

Let’s face it, today we are often confused as to “where is God’s true storehouse?”. Being in the Lord’s vineyard work several years now, we have had that asked us many times, and especially recently.

There are winds of doctrine on this issue flying all over the place! One brother says,  “It’s Waco, they are the true original location and  therefore the true storehouse”. Another, “There is no true storehouse today, due to the abominations in all of them.” Still another, “Your house can be the true storehouse as long as you publish the original Rod message.” And a myriad of other ideas floated about.

But has God really left us in the dark? Are we really sure about this issue or are we left with–to each his own, do what you think is best and you’ll be fine? In this series we would like to examine our history on this issue and delve deeply into it , in order to better understand  it and hopefully come to a clearer understanding of this VERY important subject.

THE BEGINNING —

We shall start out with our roots, the first Christian era. SOP starts us off with enlightening words —

“It was at the ordination of the Twelve that the first step was taken in the organization of the church that after Christ’s departure was to carry on His work on the earth. Of this ordination the record says, “He goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto Him whom He would: and they came unto Him. And He ordained twelve, that they should be with Him, and that He might send them forth to preach.”(AA, p.16)

The word says that Christ formed the Apostle group for the “organization of the church” Thus we see that the embryo of the divine work was to be an organized church work.

“.. in the days of the apostles He wrought mightily for His church through the agency of the Holy Spirit. The same power that sustained the patriarchs, that gave Caleb and Joshua faith and courage, and that made the work of the apostolic church effective ...today God is still using His church to make known His purpose in the earth.” (AA, p.53)

Once again we see emphasis on the organizational church as God’s vehicle of purpose. The Scriptures also show church structure —

“So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said,”It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”

This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.” (Acts 6:2-6)

Design, planning and structure was indeed the work of the early church, and success was the result. We do not see any single atoms (individual work) being apart from the structure–the organizational church body. Sure there may have been some individuals branching out with the message, but that was not God’s intent for ALL the body, or even the majority of His people. Money was consolidated as well, no doubt the Tithes included —

“The record declares, “Neither was there any among them that lacked,” and it tells how the need was filled. Those among the believers who had money and possessions cheerfully sacrificed them to meet the emergency. Selling their houses or their lands, they brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet, “and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.” (AA, p. 70)

“The Jewish church, in which reposed the truth up to the time of Christ, was ever to be “the storehouse,” and the priests were ever to be its stewards.  But when they rejected Christ, they forced God to transfer His “storehouse” to the little handful who did accept the added message for that day.  The unbelieving thereby unwittingly forfeited their stewardship.

Their followers who paid tithes to them from then on were diverting the Lord’s money from His treasury to His enemies, to persecute His people.  But those who were God’s true people, followed “the Lamb whithersoever” He went, and “as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostle’s feet.” Acts 4:34, 35. (Tract 4, p.63-64)

The idea was that the organized structure of leadership (church) was to handle the money as they were guided by the Lord.  Not to hunker down in their respective homes and do as they think is right with the Lord’s money.

THE SCATTERING PERIOD —

Our next time line brings us to the great prophesied “in the wilderness”, the 1260 days (years). From history we know that this period was a time when —

   “The two Witnesses,” says the Spirit of Prophecy, “represent the Scriptures of the Old and the  New Testament…. They continued their testimony throughout the entire period of 1260 years…. The period when the two Witnesses were to prophesy clothed in  sackcloth, ended in 1798…. “(Tract 2, p.47-48)

So we can gather that indeed it was a quiet sackcloth time where the storehouse and organized church –fled into the wilderness. Thus we have no historical accounts of the storehouse working onward during that time. It appears this was a time of survival instead of much growth.

FOUNDING OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST MOVEMENT —

Just prior to the S.D.A formation we know that William Miller and the “First day Adventists”, were given a brief work to do from the Lord. By just as in the sackcloth period we don’t have much light on the storehouse work at that time except that their structure was not generally a cohesive organization structure , but that was to soon change with the prophetess Ellen White coming onto the scene in 1844.

But now the Lord was to get it all back into organization, let  us read —

“It is nearly forty years since organization was introduced among us as a people.[* WRITTEN IN 1901.] I was one of the number who had an experience in establishing it from the first. I know the difficulties that had to be met, the evils which it was designed to correct, and I have watched its influence in connection with the growth of the cause. At an early stage in the work, God gave us special light upon this point, and this light, together with the lessons that experience has taught us, should be carefully considered.

From the first our work was aggressive. Our numbers were few, and mostly from the poorer class. Our views were almost unknown to the world. We had no houses of worship, but few publications, and very limited facilities for carrying forward our work. The sheep were scattered in the highways and byways, in cities, in towns, in forests. The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus was our message….TM-24

Our numbers gradually increased. The seed that was sown was watered of God, and He gave the increase. At first we assembled for worship, and presented the truth to those who would come to hear, in private houses, in large kitchens, in barns, in groves, and in schoolhouses; but it was not long before we were able to build humble houses of worship.” TM-26

“The Introduction of Church Order”

As our numbers increased, it was evident that without some form of organization there would be great confusion, and the work would not be carried forward successfully. To provide for the support of the ministry, for carrying the work in new fields, for protecting both the churches and the ministry from unworthy members, for holding church property, for the publication of the truth through the press, and for many other objects, organization was indispensable.

Yet there was strong feeling against it among our people. The first-day Adventists[* SEE APPENDIX.] were opposed to organization, and most of the Seventh-day Adventists entertained the same ideas. We sought the Lord with earnest prayer that we might understand His will, and light was given by His Spirit that there must be order and thorough discipline in the church–that organization was essential. System and order are manifest in all the works of God throughout the universe. Order is the law of heaven, and it should be the law of God’s people on the earth.

We had a hard struggle in establishing organization. Notwithstanding that the Lord gave testimony after testimony upon this point, the opposition was strong, and it had to be met again and again. But we knew that the Lord God of Israel was leading us, and guiding by His providence. We engaged in the work of organization, and marked prosperity attended this advance movement.” TM-26-27

Undeniably, our S.D.A church was indeed led of the Lord to organize and thus prosper. These words cement the issue so very clear in our minds. Structure, harmony, unity among the brethren, was our very core, our foundational church purpose. Notice in particular the words highlighted in red. These points are so powerful in the whole lesson of God’s storehouse structure, it is not “a man here and a man there” and scattered all over, answering to no one except God, so they think.

Ok this point should be clear. However the Lord also shows the opposite position of those who not only tear down the structure work of God, but teach foolishly that all can do as they do, strike out alone and stay away from organized church structure, let us read —

“Satan well knows that success can only attend order and harmonious action. He well knows that everything connected with heaven is in perfect order, that subjection and perfect discipline mark the movements of the angelic host. It is his studied effort to lead professed Christians just as far from heaven’s arrangement as he can; therefore he deceives even the professed people of God and makes them believe that order and discipline are enemies to spirituality, that the only safety for them is to let each pursue his own course, and to remain especially distinct from bodies of Christians who are united and are laboring to establish discipline and harmony of action.

All the efforts made to establish order are considered dangerous, a restriction of rightful liberty, and hence are feared as popery. These devoted souls consider it a virtue to boast of their freedom to think and act independently. They will not take any man’s say-so. They are amenable to no man. I was shown that it is Satan’s special work to lead men to feel that it is God’s order for them to strike out for themselves and choose their own course independent of their brethren.” TM-29

This is why God sent us messages from His prophets. They speak HIS WORDS to warn, instruct and show us the way! But as we just read Satan knows this all too well and can snare those presumptuous ones among us who hear his voice, thinking they are special and can indeed break away and teach others to also become a one man show.  “You do not need to organize, or be associated with any organization structure, just be yourself with God’s true message, pocket His tithes, do your own thing, why God loves you!” they proclaim from their videos,websites, blog, and Facebook. Satan cares not who he fools, but through GOD’S WORD we are secure.

We as present truth believers know well that the “present truth” message went from EGW’s message to Victor Houteff’s Shepherd’s Rod message in 1930. And this has been our message of the hour ever since. Next post we will begin to look at the next phase of God’s storehouse movements. 

Looking at Bro. Stanford’s New Codes Report (Summary)

After review of brother Stanford’s report we have no alternative than to conclude it is not supportive in convincing us to change course and rely upon the New Codes as –Inspired. Let us review in summary the points raised in his report–

Only a few people are questioning the New Codes

Not true. Just the mere fact that Mt. Dale has some members questioning them is alone evidence that this issue is not a “few here and few there” situation. In fact being brought up as one of the recent topics of discussion in their session shows the level of awareness they now have.

Being involved in the work for several years now, we get a good view of the brethren’s views on many topics and can assuredly state that there is a sizable group of DSDA who reject the New Codes as inspired. So let’s face the situation as it is, not how we hope or think it should be.

Look to the world’s authorities to help explain the meaning of the words in the Rod

This one point seems very outlandish. To find out the meaning of certain words in the Rod, according to BS , we should consult the world’s dictionaries. The word “publish” should not be interpreted as how the Rod explains, but the world’s dictionaries! This is  not  in accordance with the “writer’s point of view” (See Tract 3, p.91).

The so-called sermons were preserved in the “card files”

As mentioned, no cards of the sermons have been publicly shown as far as we know. But, even IF they were, the issue of authorized comes into play. Can we trust someone who was not at all led of God, to pull them out behind gazing eyes and publish them? Is Florence Houteff’s integrity above-board? Of course not! She began her devilish work on the VERY DAY VTH died (calling a business meeting to discuss, among other things her future compensation).

Being put away by the prophet and NOT published should mean something to us, especially when no written authorization was ever produced to giving instructions to release them for post-mortem publication. Some were put away 15 or 20 years for publication later?? Make no sense at all. Unlike Florence we KNOW God was directing brother Houteff’s entries into the Golden Bowl (those authorized and published by VTH).

No evidence of any brethren disputing them in the pioneer days

False.

“..We may pardonably emphasize the fact that when the Council’s predictions and program as set forth in Codes, Vol. 14, Nos.6,8, and 9, come to naught (30th day of this April [1959] is the absolute limit of the 3 1/2 years embraced in their own pronouncement: “..we have already [November 1955] entered the period of forty-two months…” — 11 Code 1:13:3, it will be the private predictions and the private program of the new- Code and new-Carmel, not the inspired program of the ROD which will thus be denuded of integrity, discredited, and humiliated. The ROD and genuine ROD Davidians will endure to the end to finish their Heaven-ordained mission to the Church and to the world.” (Our bold highlight added) (“protest letter” dated April 9, 1959 by some original DSDA brethren).

It was common understanding among the pioneers that Florence had an agenda “program” and she used the codes as her vehicle. True, some of the pioneers had no reason to think she would falsify her published codes, but in hindsight this appears simply due to her status as the “faithful wife”, a cover that later we all know was exposed. Many, unfortunately were simply proving the old adage “can’t see the forest for the trees.”

Those who engage in a deep study of this New Code issue and do not believe in them are –infiltrators.

Here, we must say is one of the most disturbing aspects of Errol Stanford’s report. An almost Pharisaic approach to this issue will certainly do more harm than good. Brethren , such as this writer, will not stop encouraging others to “weigh the issue” based on ALL the facts, then carry forward and do as Jesus says “How readest thou?” In other words, find the underlying truth here and carry forward but DON’T condemn those who study this issue and come away with a different belief.

Right now as mentioned there is a serious discussion as to the truth/inspiration of these New Codes, even within Mt. Dale. And if we dogmatically proclaim that brethren who don’t see this issue like us are–“infiltrators, deceivers, lost, dangerous enemy” or such, we mount the judgment seat on an issue that is not black and white. Oh , how we wish it  was!!

If we go the opposite of Stanford’s dogma, and tell people who believe in them they are lost, we unfortunately must also condemn many of our faithful pioneers such as one of brother Houteff’s main supporters and close confidant–brother H.G. Warden. He almost single-handedly kept the DSDA ship sailing during the knock out blow period (1959-1963). From many documents of the early days post knock out blow, the pioneers appear to have supported them and even mentioned their references in the sessions and meetings. This is why we cannot with a wave of the hand condemn all those who believe in them past or present (more on this at end of report).

Apparent contradictions between Old Codes and New Codes aren’t really contradictions.

False. In fact BS inadvertently showed us one of the KEY reasons why the New Codes should not be followed as inspired. Let us review.

There appears at least one main major difference in the Codes. The New Code believers say that the time of Jacob’s trouble will, to a large degree take place pre-Ezekiel 9. They speak of  some type of literal persecution (even a death decree) coming to the DSDA then. However , this can be shown to directly contradict the original Codes, let us read again–

“After the sighing and crying ones were marked(which is not to be understood as
being consummated in its entirety worldwide before the slaying follows anywhere), the slaughter completed, and the matter reported, the Lord “spake unto the man clothed with linen, and said, Go in between the wheels even under  the cherub, and fill thine hand with coals of fire from between the cherubims, and scatter them over the city.” Ezek. 10:2. (Tract 1, p.38-39)

Unfortunately BS then mis-interprets the above and says —

“Notice the point of focus in this paragraph: “which is not to be understood as being consummated in its entirety worldwide before the slaying follows anywhere”. This is in perfect harmony with the statement expressed in 11SC 7: 8-9. (Blue Book 591). “You notice here that the angels are not told to hold the winds until Ezekiel 9 has all been fulfilled, but until the servants of God are sealed.”

The one statement is saying that the hurting by the angels could start before sealing is fully completed, and the other statement is saying there could be some trouble by the winds before Ezekiel 9. Now the problem only comes if we mark out an EXACT time line for each event as though there could be no blending or overlapping.” (see our part 2).

To which we responded —

Note: The marking (sealing) is NOT TO BE understood as being completed (consummated) in entirety BEFORE the slaying (of Ezek. 9) starts (anywhere). What BS has done is mis-read the text! He has taken liberty to say “the slaying” as being a different slaying apart from Ezek. 9  and that the marking is finished before Ezek.9 happens.

How do we notice this? Because the CONTEXT shows us only ONE slaying it speaks about –Ezek. 9. Further we see that the marking (sealing) is the main point here and shows us that  the marking will be consummated ONLY AT THE EZEK. 9 EVENT.  Not before this, thus not allowing for any intervening time.

This one reference actually proves BS’s whole idea–wrong. Because he and those in agreement with the New Codes all teach that there will be an “intervening time”. In other words, the sealing is completed before Ezek. 9 , which Inspiration just said won’t happen(“not to be understood as being consummated in its entirety worldwide before the slaying follows anywhere” ).

Thus we see that the original codes allow no such “intervening time” because the marking is still going on up to Ezek.9. The only place one may find such ideas is the New Codes. There are many other contradictions but suffice to say, this one alone is so clear and was produced by BS that we need not say more. For those who wish to get what we feel is the best report out there on this New Code controversy, we suggest the following link —

Click to access NewCodes-BRC.pdf

Final Comments —

What we have here is a confusing issue, which unfortunately has been with our history post knock-out blow. Why do we say confusing? Because from our analysis “some” of the New Codes appear to be truly brother Houteff’s writings, such as those in volume 13, that deal with the Sabbath (no.5-6,7-8,9,11-12).

Brethren read those carefully, they are so deep, scientific and powerful that we cannot imagine Florence Houteff or anyone else, save the prophet, from writing such wonderful and inspiring words! This is what the “Spirit of Truth” has guided us personally to see.

So, bottom line we have a mix of truth and error. In other words we have–compromise. Thus it behooves us to say that due to the unfortunate circumstances of Florence Houteff and/or her crony council involvement in a) their unauthorized publishing of them b) her known apostate behavior–even starting at VTH’s death! c) proven serious doctrinal contradictions, we CANNOT support the idea of them as –Inspired.

We hope this report has helped clear some of the cobwebs on this issue and that you, in the closet of prayer, research this issue FOR YOURSELF and let the Lord’s  “Spirit of Truth ” guide you.

 

Looking at Bro. Stanford’s New Codes Report (Part 4 of 5)

We continue with part four….

RECAPPING AND CONTINUING

Thus far we have clearly seen and refuted the doubtful argument made, that to “publish” means only what has come through the printing press. Brethren, we also want to continue to be logical thinkers and not bait hunters. To objectively know the meaning of a word,what do we consult? A dictionary and/or an encyclopedia, or do we take someone’s private opinion?

This false premise is addressed in  part one.

Since we have already established this point, using an official and respectable dictionary of the English language, we reaffirm our correct procedure according to good sense, logical thinking and Inspiration.

To reiterate, when someone stands before a congregation of witnesses and presents a subject once (or more so twice), certainly that subject cannot be treated as a rumor. Not even in a secular court, would two or three consistent witnesses be treated as saying rumors. Reliability is even more decisive when the sermon or presentation is recorded; written on his card files as in the case of all brother Houteff’s sermons.

If we are not mistaken, no “card files” with the authentic sermons has ever been produced for viewing to the public. But let us not forget brethren, this is really a mute point because , as we have shown the New Codes have teachings and ideas that are at odds with the message. This alone, should make us weary of their legitimacy. And additionally as many Davidians know the issue of authorization is not a minor point as well.

NO authorization from VTH has ever been produced saying that they were to be written out  and published into the Golden Bowl at anytime, especially after his death. This was the apostate Florence Houteff’s/and/or her crony council’s decision. The Prophet was not led of man or the adversary (like we all know Florence Houteff was to formulate the knockout blow), he was led of God  to put into the Golden Bowl what he was told. AUTHORIZATION,  is one of the KEY issues here.

Certainly, we cannot overemphasize the need to be clear and “logical thinkers and not bait hunters.” Still further an unfair comparison has been made trying to confuse the above points comparing them to unfounded reports of what sister White ever said, and of her sensible advice to go to her writings to know in reality what she said. Sister White is obviously right. But notice the crucial point, brethren. If sister White had designated persons to record her sermons that she preached in the presence of a congregation, she would NEVER deny the record as to what she preached, nor would she treat reliable witnesses as saying rumors.

For this reason therefore, we must not allow ourselves to be confused by unfair comparisons. Bro. Houteff’s sermons were indeed recorded. Clinching the point here, we see that the sermons that bro. Houteff preached are not a question of what one or two persons asserted that the prophet said. They were recorded sermons preached before a CONGREGATION of witnesses and sometimes the same sermon waspreached more than once. (5 Answerer 55-56). Clearly, therefore, the statement about teaching only that which is published, includes all that Bro. Houteff wrote and preached before his congregation of witnesses, and had recorded on his card files.

I guess the question we could all be asking the one who wants to rob us of the Sermon Codes, is where in all the many quotations offered it is said that we should discard the prophet’s sermons along with the recordings in his card files? We are still awaiting any such references, that evidently do not exist.

The reference to avoid being extremists is good. But how can we ever be extremists when all we are doing, is accepting what the prophet wrote and preached on specific dates? Is it not rather extremism, or insincerity to conveniently ignore the dictionary definition and context of key words, when it suits a person’s plans or unclear motives?

At this point we’d like to ask brother Stanford, who is this “one” who is against the New Codes? Lennox Sam and his organization? Is it UPA7.org? Yours truly with our blog reports? The idea  that there is but a tiny few who are not in agreement with these New Codes is false brother Stanford. There is not “one” but many who are coming to the forefront to raise this issue up and to get it straightened out.This movement is wider than many think, we are sincere seekers of the TRUTH and as such we’ve looked at ALL the facts about these Codes and come to the “logical and sensible” conclusion that they are compromised.

We are aware  some of the leaders there at Mt. Dale came into this message through bro. Don Adair,and were taught from the very beginning that the New Codes were inspired and thus to this day that is the current understanding that Mt. Dale has. But make no mistake God has brought this issue to the forefront for a reason.

Inspiration says–

“There is no excuse for anyone in taking the position that there is no more truth to be revealed, and that all our expositions of Scripture are without an error. The fact that certain doctrines have been held as truth for many years by our people, is not a proof that our ideas are infallible. Age will not make error into truth, and truth can afford to be fair. No true doctrine will lose anything by close investigation.” (CWE, p. 35)

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

Evidently as time goes by a prophet gets more and clearer understanding of the
prophecies.If there is an intervening time between the sealing and Ezekiel 9, does not mean that he whole Mark of the Beast system would start,culminate and terminate in one day.Obviously not. The fact that the winds are being held shows that the preparations are already made by the enemy and the activity must be held back for the sealing to complete. This harmonizes with 5T p. 152.

Here again, we should point out that BS already showed us in his report that there will be no intervening time by quoting the Rod (Tract 1, p.38-39). When we carefully read that statement we can see that the New Code ideas are in direct contrast with the original Rod as published and authorized by VTH.

Quoting earlier statements in the first years of a prophet’s message should never be used to contradict the modifications or updates made by the prophet later as he or she gets fuller and more complete revelations of light with the passing of time.

Absolutely. For instance, we know that the Rod suggested we return the Tithes to the Mother church at the beginning of the Rod scroll. Then later this was modified to change it to the DSDA Leviticus built organization.

Consider still another point, brethren. Do you realize that Jesus did not write any portion of the New Testament? The Apostles published his sermons. Shall we be extremists, concerning “that which is published”, also excluding Christ’s sermons and questioning the memory of the Apostles? I trust that we shall not be that fanatical.

This point is not at all on point and we consider it a stretch and faulty reasoning. “Extremists” are not those who take up the deep and studious study of searching for Truth in the New Code issue. Once we do that , only those who are “stuck” in denial of the compromises that exist within them and about their history, will term them as “inspired”.

Historical ? Yes, based on the weighing of evidence. Inspired? No, based on the facts.

CONCLUDING SUMMARY

It should be very clear at this points that the prophets sermons preached on the specified dates are fully as reliable as his written work.min fact his sermons were recorded on his card files. Praise The Lord for this. Praise The Lord indeed!

We see also that while the time of trouble is to be essentially after Ezekiel 9 while on his way home to Palestine, the types show that as Esau and Jacob struggled in the same womb (same church) before they were delivered or born, we know definitely that in the antitype there will be this terrible trouble (struggle) for Jacob with his brother Esau– (the Laodiceans) BEFORE the144,000 (Jacob) is delivered. Thus we cannot dogmatically say that there will be no time of trouble for Jacob with Esau before the event.

The Sermon Codes are in harmony with this point and it makes a lot of sense, since, to reiterate, Jacob and Esau were from the same womb (church); and as dead Esau cannot give trouble to Jacob, the trouble with Esau must necessarily be before he (Esau) is dead in the slaughter of Ezekiel 9. In this way there is perfect harmony with type and antitype concerning Esau and Jacob. Please remember that where there is no type there is no truth. Thus Jacob will have trouble before and behind, in harmony with the message and Codes.

We highlighted the red area that speak directly to the truth of the matter. However, BS’s idea that the JTT prior to Ezek. 9 includes a “death decree” or other such drastic trouble from the USA government is false, and not supported by the original Rod. 

We showed in our part three that the Rod affirms “trouble before” for Jacob prior to the church judgment. And truly many of us have experienced this trouble from Esaus in our church. Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 45 , p.14-15 supports this view.

We’ll finish this series with a final summary in our last part 5.

Looking at Bro. Stanford’s New Codes Report (Part 3 of 5)

In our last part 2, we discovered some mis-reading of the references. This is not minor, but rather very important in our search for Truth of these New Codes. We are in the part of the report where BS tries to explain the harmony between the Old and New Codes. In his first example, he fails to give us harmony there, Let us continue.

Next BS explains that because Esau and Jacob were from the same father, then in order to fulfill type, we as Davidians much be persecuted by the “Esaus” in our church and that can only happen pre-Ezekiel 9. After that there will be no more Esaus within the SDA church. He posts the following quote —

“Two Classes Of People
The Bible says the twins represent two classes of people. If this is true, then we have two classes of people in the church. One class is represented by Esau, the other by Jacob.Referring to Testimonies to Ministers, page 46, we read:”There are two opposing influences continually exerted on the members of the church. One influence is working for the purification of the church, and the other for the corrupting of the people of God.”

One of the twins was red and hairy, and the other smooth and white. Both people are sinful. Why? Because Esau was red, which is scarlet, the sign of sin. Jacob was white, but the name betrays the man, for the name “Jacob” means “deceiver.”

Symbol Of Birthright
Esau was the one born first. Whatever was to be inherited by the birthright was to be Esau’s. The law of the Bible is that the first-born had the right to the priesthood. For this reason, Jacob coveted Esau’s birthright. Esau, then,represents a class of priesthood.” 1 SR 53,54.

“Thus Inspiration makes it ABSOLUTELY CLEAR the time in which this struggle and deliverance must take place. Jacob and Esau are from the same womb, same church with one father. And as Esau cannot attempt to take the life of Jacob with the help of gentile soldiers, after Ezekiel 9, he must attempt this killing of his brother (Jacob’s time of trouble), before Ezekiel 9.

This is an irrefutable point: how can Esau persecute Jacob after he is dead in Ezekiel 9? Can the dead Esau come back and persecute his brother (unless we believe in spiritualism, and reject Eccl. 9:5,6, that the dead know not anything)? Now according to the Bible and Inspiration, Esau and Jacob were from the same womb (the same church in our case), (See also 1 TG 45:12-16, 23; 1TG 49:7) in which they struggled even before birth(Hos. 12:3; Gen. 25:22-23).

Moreover, Esau did nothing less than attempt to kill his brother along with 400 gentile soldiers. So could our brothers in the Laodicean church (from the same womb), do this to us in the antitype after they are dead in the purification of the church? Did not the prophet explain that “where there is no type there is no truth.”? (1 TG 47:14,15). 1 Obviously they cannot persecute the 144,000 in any form after they are dead, therefore this antitypical persecution of Jacob by his brother in the SDA church, must take place BEFORE Ezekiel 9. Jacob consequently will have trouble before and after Ezekiel 9, but will be delivered.” 

As we have posted so many times before we MUST get out our SROD Index and review ALL the references on Jacob’s time of trouble (or any subject) , to properly put it all together in a harmonious way. Otherwise if we cannot do this, we should, as the Rod counsels, admit we do not have enough light on the subject.

The truest part of Bro. Stanford’s words here are highlighted in red. That is why we cannot harmonize all the references unless we realize there seems to be two applications of Jacob’s time of trouble, one from the SDA church (pre-Ezek. 9) and one from the world’s Esaus (after Ezek. 9). Let us look at some supportive references showing the case —

Isa. 66:5, 6 — “Hear the Word of the Lord, ye that tremble at His Word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for My name’s sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified: but He shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.  A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the Lord that rendereth recompence to His enemies.”

  “Some have already had the experience of being carried bodily out of the churches for no other reason than for having read “The Shepherd’s Rod,” and for having said, “I believe what It says.”  Of course, it is incredible that men should act like demons.  It is nevertheless so, and God Himself testifies against their demon practice. 

We do not pity ourselves, and are not at all angry at our adversaries, but we are sorry about their spiritual blindness, misery, poverty, and nakedness, for we know that the coming joy is to be ours, and the sorrow and shame and gnashing of teeth, theirs.  This we know as verily as Jacob knew that God was with him in his flight from the face of Esau.

The Esaus of today, though, do not know this.  No, they do not know it any more than Esau of old knew of Jacob’s night vision of the ladder that extended from heaven to Jacob’s dew-soaked bed.” (Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 45 , p.14-15)

The Rod acknowledges the existence of “Esaus” in our church now. As rightly so! How many of us, including brother Houteff himself, have been abused by the Esaus within our church in one form or the other? But we got to harmonize it with the following —

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).(Fundamental Beliefs, p. 13)

Looking at the above FB beliefs, how can we square away the two different time periods? BS’s report has a timely reference in it to help us out —

“The trouble lies in the fact that the questioner draws for these events a prescribed line that is altogether too narrowly confined to time, that is, taking for granted that because the time of trouble is to be in the time of the plagues, it could not commence before. Then too, a large proportion of what he read in the publications in question [word to the little flock), must not be taken as absolute time-prophecy of the events mentioned, but simply as an interpretation of Scriptures as they were understood at that time…”(3 SC #1, p. 10)

Notice  the important word “develops”? Even though the time of trouble has it’s start in Bro. Houteff’s day, and we experience it today, it continues until it develops into the post Ezekiel 9 Jacob’s time of trouble, apparently the most serious time of the trouble and the primary application. This is the only way we can harmonize those two references.

We see that this time comes AFTER the church judgment of Ezek.9. We know this because the winds aren’t let loose until after the sealing of the 144,000 takes place. We learned in our prior post from 1 Tract, p.38-39, that the sealing concludes at the same time as Ezekiel 9 occurs (See Testimonies to Ministers, p.445). Inadvertently BS showed us that in his report!

The S.D.A. church, repeating the history of the Jews (5 T 160), will be swayed by its “priests” and “rulers” today to take a course against “the faithful servants of God “similar to that followed by the priests and rulers in their treatment of Christ’s and the apostles’”. As the 144,000 become more and more like their Saviour, “the light of the world.” making manifest the “darkness and error” enveloping the church, the leaders in their “fanatical hatred” of the saints will move “the mob to a mad fury” against them and, in desperation born of blind and raging hatred, will reach out for the civil arm of power to accomplish their evil ends, merging the following type into antitype.(Sym. Code, vol. 1, no.9, p.3).

Swayed indeed!  Yours truly has been a part of the “siege team” a couple of times and have witnessed the fanatical spirit of some of the SDA leaders (mob fury), including calling the police on the Sabbath trying to get us either arrested or taken away  from the premises. Sister Patricia, and her family have been physically escorted out of the church by the strong-arm of the police! Doing nothing but sitting quieting in the seats with her children. Many others have experienced similar strong-arm tactics.

“By having instilled in rank and file throughout Laodicea an unprecedented fear and prejudice against reading or hearing anything but that which enjoys someone’s official sanction and blessing, Satan’s subversives have sought to sever the lines of communication between the Spirit of Truth and the people of God.  Then to hold them in subjection to themselves and their worldly standards, they threaten with disfellowshipment and perdition any who, fearing God more than man, would dare venture to know the Truth for themselves. 

And the few who do have the courage to carry out their convictions, straightway in consequence become targets for the Enemy’s fiercest darts of opposition, — bitterest prejudice, scandalizing falsehood and character defamation, ridicule and scorn and hatred embarrassment and hardship. 

Thus “all that will live godly in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 3:12) find themselves “outcasts” (Isa. 66:5; Luke 6:22; Acts 24:14) at the hands of persecutive forces perpetuating and even outdoing the worst that was ever in Judaism and Romanism.  And what is still worse, when these revivalists of tyranny, clothed in apostle like robes, succeed in confusing and overthrowing the faith of an investigator or of a follower of Truth for this very time, they compel him to submit to rebaptism in order to be readmitted into church fellowship, even though he has become more faithful than ever before!  What astounding blasphemy!”(White House Recruiter, p.54-55)

Persecution indeed from the Esaus in our church today, we cannot dispute this.

Moreover, Esau did nothing less than attempt to kill his brother along with 400 gentile soldiers. So could our brothers in the Laodicean church (from the same womb), do this to us in the antitype after they are dead in the purification of the church?

Yes, there could be made a case in the “primary” application, post Ezek. 9. Just as the Rod shows the timeline of JTT as after Ezek. 9 in the FB’s, SOP also has several references placing this also in the time of the Loud Cry, even in the time of the plagues (See  GC, p.615-616, Patriarchs and Prophets, Page 201-203).

As for being Esaus in the church after Ezek. 9, we know that the church will become a new church (purified) and as such no Esaus will be inside it. But it will be filled with Gentiles (Great Multitude).So we are left with the understanding that the persecution part of the anti-type in the post Ezek. 9 timeline , may come from the  purified new member’s (Gentiles) former churches– their Esaus.

How else can we harmonize SOP and the ROD’s post Ezek. 9 persecution from Esau? We admit that the clarity on this part of the subject is not crystal clear.

SHOULD WE NOT BEWARE OF THE SAME ERROR: drawing a line for these events
that is “too narrowly confined to time”, thinking that Jacob’s time of trouble will only take place after Ezekiel 9, or that it cannot start before? Shall we make the same mistakes as the Pharisees? Shall we reject God’s messages in the Codes and call them false inventions because some persons cannot harmonize God’s time line with their own interpretations? Shall we let the enemy rob us of vital truth because we are too hasty,superficial or too prejudiced to diligently and prayerfully seek out the underlying harmony?

Agreed, the narrow timeline is often a mistake. However when we let sink in the above references , we then see that indeed JTT starts within our SDA church, even beginning with Brother Houteff’s time! This timeline is not a narrow one and is very harmonious with ALL the references from the ORIGINAL codes.

In tract # 15 p. 60,61, Ispiration explains that the winds and angels bring about the “great and dreadful day of the Lord.” –two armies in conflict. The nations against the saints, and God’s judgments falling upon his enemies. Page 61 shows that the angels (see Tr # 1 ) can begin to hurt right after the sealing (not necessarily waiting until after Ezekiel 9).

Once again we are puzzled by BS’s mis-reading of the references.Let us read Tract 15, p.61.

“..that the nations from the north and from the south, from the east and from the west were engaged in World War I, and also in World War II, although the 144,000 are not yet sealed, is another irrefutable evidence that the trouble which is forecast by the winds’ blowing and the angels’ hurting, is yet future.  That it is a global disturbance, is again seen in the fact that the winds on the one hand, and the angels on the other hand, are to trouble both earth and sea.

   It being a foregone conclusion that Satan is against the saints, and that the Lord is against the truth-hating and evil-doing multitude, the  subject becomes crystal clear: When let loose, the winds are to strike against the faithful “remnant,” against those who are left after the earth has opened her mouth and swallowed up “the flood,” the “tares” (Rev. 12:16, 17); but the angels who are stationed to hurt, are  to smite those who make war against the remnant. 

Those whose names are found in the book, are “delivered.” Dan. 12:1.  Seeing that the 144,000, the servants of God, are not as yet sealed (not yet enclosed, protected, guarded, and ready to take their stand with the Lamb on Mt. Sion, but rather are still commingled with the tares) the angels are commanded to forestall the clash.

   Consequently, when this sealing work is completed, then the angels who hold the winds, will let the winds blow, and the angels who are to hurt the earth, sea, and trees, will then commence their given work.” 

The red highlighted reference clearly shows the winds hurting AFTER Ezek. 9 which is the consummate time of the sealing. There exist no “intervening time” from the original Codes, written and published by Brother Houteff.

BS should not be teaching things that are not so according to the “Thus sayeth the Lord”.Another mis-read of the text unfortunately.

Note:
“Jacob’s wrestling with the angel typifies the time of “Jacob’s trouble” (for the church). We read in Early Writings, pages 36, 37: “A decree went forth to slay the saints, which caused them to cry and night for deliverance. This was the time of Jacob’s trouble.” See also Patriarchs and Prophets, pages 202-203.

A decree went forth to slay the saints. Now who can dogmatically say that there
can be no government or Assyrian order to slay God’s servants before they are
delivered, before Ezekiel 9?

Did not the authorities kill the Branch Davidians in Waco Texas?

BS  stands  upon the assumption that the “winds are let loose” pre-Ezek.9 allowing government persecution of the saints. As we have already clearly shown this is NOT shown in the original Codes. The only place he can find that idea is in the New Codes. Again this is paramount. One view sends us down a cloudy confusing path, the other to a harmonious clear path.

There will be NO DEATH DECREE prior to Ezek. 9. This is one of the hallmark false ideas spread by believers in the New Codes. So to answer BS’s question  who can dogmatically say that there can be no government or Assyrian order to slay God’s servants before they are delivered, before Ezekiel 9?  Those who trust in God’s ORIGINAL Rod and not the New Codes.

…to be continued in Part 4