There are two other references but they are in the new codes, which we do not prescribe as part of the Golden Bowl. For a comprehensive study report on why, see this link —
Three of the references instruct us that the four carpenters “build for” Judah/ God’s people. What does it mean –build for? Let us look at the references.
“Here the same powers which scattered Judah and Israel are again seen, not as horns, but as carpenters; not to scatter God’s people,but to build for them, and to cast out the horns (powers) of the Gentiles — those who rule the land. Plainly, then, on one hand the nations which do not rule Palestine are to arise as “horns” against those who rule it, and on the other handthey are to rise as carpenters for the people of God. Thus will “the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” Lu. 21:24.(1 TG, no. 11, p.11)
“Previously the prophet saw these as four horns, as powers that scattered Judah, Israel and Jerusalem throughout the Gentile nations, but as the angel projected the prophetic view to the time of the end he saw them as four carpenters; that is, as “horns” they come to “fray” and to “cast out the horns of the Gentiles” from the land of Judah, but as carpenters they obviously come to build for Judah.Evidently, then, when the horns (powers) of the Gentiles are cast out of the land, and God’s people are brought into it, then “the times of the Gentiles” shall have been fulfilled.”( 1 TG, no. 12, p.15)
“Once God raised “horns,” nations, to scatter His people throughout the Gentile nations, but those “horns” in the restoration of “all things,” are seen to become “carpenters,” so that while they as horns at long last cast the Gentiles out from the promised land,they are as carpenters to build for Judah. Thus Zechariah, as do all the prophets before him, prophesies of the restoration of the kingdom of Judah.”( 1 TG, no. 15, p.18)
Obviously for the Lord’s Rod to triple down on what the four carpenter do (build) we need to focus on this.
When it says build for, does that imply they take instructions from God’s people? In other words for example , we would not expect in the real world for builders to build for themselves when it is expressingly said they build for someone else, right? Obviously common sense and logic, which apply as present truth believers as we are “Close reasoners and logical thinkers”.
So if they build for God’s people, we know that only the 144,000 and anti-typical “Joshua” would be the people as they have the final message of the Kingdom and know what needs to be done according to the Lord’s word.
“Obviously they are called to come to the Kingdom who immediate citizens are to be the first fruits, the 144,000, the church purified and set apart from the world.” (1 TG, no. 12, p.23)
Even though they arrive there first, their instructions to build and instruct the four carpenters , though, comes from the Lord as we read —
Zech. 6:12 — “And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and He shall grow up out of His place, and He shall build the temple of the Lord.”
Joshua is well instructed that the burden and the ingenuity for building this spiritual temple, belongs to Him Whose namw is “the BRANCH.” He is to grow out of His place. To Him be the glory. He alone is to be exalted. He is to build the temple of the Lord.” ( 1 TG, no. 8, p.27)
So as with everything God has order and we see that there will be a threefold directive — The Lord — The 144,000 and anti-typical Joshua (VTH) — the four carpenters. The team that builds the kingdom.
There are others who build but they are accessory builders. For more on that aspect see our post —
In this part 1, we’ll start with some much needed counsel on how we are to arrive at the truth of a subject.
A very interesting topic of the present truth message is the subject of the “Four Carpenters” mentioned in Zechariah 1:20-21, it reads —
“And the LORD shewed me four carpenters. Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it.”
Unfortunately this subject has many views with not many agreeing to the subject in unison. In this series we shall take a close look at the references to get a better picture (in part 2).
Before we do let’s reiterate what we find is the analogy of arriving at the “truth” of any subject or topic of present truth.
Each subject is what we call a picture of truth, and we liken it to a puzzle picture. As with any puzzle you have all the pieces in disarray and they are ready for you to put them together to make the picture. The peices cannot work unless they all fit together and only then will you complete the puzzle picture and see the beautiful picture.
The references are the pieces of the puzzle and we must gather all the pieces together first before we can assemble the picture. If we leave out some of the peices we may find there are holes in the picture and we cannot appreciate the beautiful picture as intended by our divine King. In other words there will be no harmonization. The Rod’s many statements confirm –we must harmonize (see our study link below).
As we read the references, we can then see how they fit one to the other. In other words, how they harmonize and present the subject in a clear and wonderful picture. Each subject is that picture, waiting for us to put the references together in a harmonious way. After all God is not the author of confusion as we read —
“For God is not the author of confusion” (1 Cor. 14:33)
It is us where the confusion comes in. But, if we go about our study and “rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15) then we shall have a clear conception of truth.
Now, in order to make the picture, we should have handy the Scriptural Index for both the Rod and the SOP. But most assuredly at least the Rod index. This way we first find all the references we have on a subject. Afterall it is INSPIRATION’S interpretation we need, not our own private ideas and assumptions.
As we right down all the references, we then are able to read each closely “marking each word” and noting what they specifically say. As we do this the Lord’s “Spirit of Truth” shall guide us into all truth (John 16:13).
For those who want to see our prior post on the five study keys to helping understand the message, click this link —
Depending on the subject and how complicated it may be, most likely even under the very best research we won’t find “all” the pertinent references, but will find the vast majority of them to help see the clear picture. The reason in this part 1 that we are stressing these points is because we simply have way too many “private interpreters” today among us so called present truth believers! We are talking about some of our “teachers”. We are simply amazed at the extent of this problem. But there are simple, clear and defined answers to avoid this if we will only follow inspiration’s counsels.
It is very clear to us why the Lord told His beloved apostle James to warn us —
“My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” (James 3:1)
The word “Fundamental” in the dictionary means the following:
“forming a necessary base or core; of central importance.”
“a central or primary rule or principle on which something is based.”
“of central importance.”
“serving as, or being an essential part of, a foundation or basis”
We see that bascially our fundamental beliefs are our core, basic and essential beliefs. In other words they are PILLARS on which we stand as DSDA! Let us never forget that. We as DSDA should have no issue believing in them AS THEY ARE WRITTEN, not as we would like to reconstruct them!
The message itself proclaims the importance of them.
After showing our SDA fundamental beliefs which we subscribe to and believe, the Rod then lists our 15 additional beliefs with the following statement —
In additon to these fundamental tenets of our faithheld in common with the Seventh-day Adventists, the Davidian Association holds …” (FB Tract p.11)
Then it goes on to list our 15 addtional beliefs as Davidian Seventh-day Adventists. We see that these essential beliefs can be “taken to the bank” as the old saying goes.
Let us show another important point in this matter —
“The only ones that will endure to the end will be those who carefully watch their steps from being carried away either by his additions to, or by his subtractions from, the works of Inspiration.” (2 Tg, no. 46, p.43-44)
We see that not only are our FB’s essential to our faith, they are NOT to be added to, or subtracted from in any way. So now that we have laid the groundwork, let’s look at the sequence in our FB’s.
This is the area we will concentrate, and shall make comments after each one —
4. That the destruction of the tares from among the first fruits of the living (Matt. 13:30, 48, 49; Ezek. 9:6, 7) results in the purification of the church.
There is universal agreement that our no. 4 is speaking of the SDA Church judgment. The only issue , unfotunately, is that our arch enemy has found a way to add to this, by saying the “results” of the purification will be MORE than 144,000. This is indeed a serious issue, as we know the subject of the 144,000 is shown as salvational and we must be on the right side if we teach it.
See this link for more on this salvational subject —
5. That immediately thereafter, the angels let loose the four winds (Rev. 7:1-3), whereupon ensues the time of trouble and Michael’s standing up to deliver from it, all whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Dan. 12:1).
This one is also fairly well agreed upon as trouble begins at the conclusion of Ezekiel 9. These winds in this context means as Tract 8 describes —
“Revelation 7:1-3, therefore, reveals a two-fold conflict: wicked men against God (the blowing of the winds) and God against them (the angels hurting them). But though the blowing of the winds and the hurting of the angels after the servants of God are sealed, will bring the “time of trouble,” yet “every one that shall be found written in the book” “shall be delivered.” Dan. 12:1.” (Tract 8, p. 23)
However the word “immediately” with the literal interpretation of it meaning that immediately after Ezekiel 9 the Sunday Law happens — is a big misunderstanding. The beginning troubles that occur in the world will not be the Sunday Law, as it develops later AFTER the Church Federation develops. Satan will use other weapons first ( as shown later in this report). Let us again look at the Harvest Chart for clarification.
Notice clearly that the develpoment of the Church Federation happens before the appearance of the False prophet in the two horn beast domain (USA).
For those who say “Yes but the prophet changed that timeline later as more light came about the final events and the kingdom.” Well that cannot stand, as we have evidence that the prophet did not change this Chart timeline even until the last of the writings. In 1953 the Hunter’s manuel was published for the Bible workers. Let us read the Lord’s instructions in 1953 to us about this Chart.
7. THE BEASTS A. Scriptures: Daniel 7 Revelation 13, 17 and 18 B. Charts to use: The World’s History in Prophetic Symbols The Harvest Period and the Close of Probation C. Literature to leave: “Timely Greetings,” Vol. 2, Nos. 17, 18 D. Points to stress: Point out events soon to transpire in the political world, and the destruction of sin and sinners. Show that the beast’s would has been healed and that there is a need of starting the reformation all over again – wounding the beast so that he will never recover;that these events, one following the other are to separate the church from the world as a shepherd separates his sheep from the goats; that the church becomes a pre-millennial government of its own, as is pointed out by the stone smiting the image and bringing the world to an end. (Page 12)
So when we talk of the Beasts (Two horned and Scarlet colored) we are to TEACH “events one following the other”. The Chart shows the events in order of their sequence, THIS is what we teach. The Chart clearly shows the Church Federation (which will take time to develop) coming after Ezekiel 9, and the Sunday Law (first in the USA) coming after the Chruch Federation. Very simple and clear. The SL develops in the USA first then goes world wide to the Woman on the Scarlet colored Beast — Babylon phase (worldwide).
6. That the angels’ letting loose the four winds to blow over the four corners of the earth (Rev. 7:1),does not anticipatea 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.
Now this number 6 is perhaps the most misunderstood one of all. Notice the highlighted area. We must not skip over this. Let us read the importance of “each word”.
“…as there are no useless words in either of the writings, those who desire to know the truth must carefully mark every word, otherwise they will never comprehend the truth and, as a consequence, they will be driven by the winds as the waves of the sea until the winds cease blowing (probation closes), and they be left to sink down in their sins as do the waves in the sea.”(SC, vol. 2, no.7-8, p.10)
“..to him who digs deep into the well of salvation, and that can think and reason for himself. Such a one reads between the lines andnotes the full value of each word.” (1 TG, no.45, p.22)
“Hold not to what fabricated ideas seem to make the Scriptures say, but grip tenaciously to what the Word, in simplicity, plainly says.” (Tract 10, p.13)
“..the only safe and sane procedure is to read closely every page of the solemn message contained in The Shepherd’s Rod publications. Let not a line escape your attention. Study every word carefully and prayerfully. Be earnest and diligent in your perusal of Truth, and “prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” 1 Thess. 5:21. (5 Ans, p.29)
If we would use the above counsel indeed we would see “eye to eye” what the message says! Unfortunately we all will not see eye to eye due to failing to be corrected. SOP says this is the greatest reason why we are spiritually blind (See Testimonies vol. 3, p.255).
The word anticipate is skipped over by large goups of Davidians. If we mark that word and it’s meaning we then can see and understand what no. 6 is saying. If we don’t, we’re likely to misinterpret the meaning of it.
Translating and applying the word anticipate, the meaning says that the four winds here described is forcasting (predicting, looking forward to, will ultimate in) the Sunday Law when it comes into it’s final phase of the Law- the Babylon period. In other words number 6 is saying that because the winds are now let loose (number 5) that they will proceed to develop into the worldwide Law, the mark of the beast worldwide.
It IS NOT saying the Sunday Law is established immediately after Ezekiel 9. If it was then we’d have a problem because that understanding could not harmonize with the Harvest Chart. Further, this would then be Satan’s first weapon he would use upon God’s people after Ezekiel 9. Making the following statement false and showing non-harmonization–
“Is Satan working for God’s and His church’s interest or against? If against, he will never do one thing to purify the church or to fulfill the prophecy. The only thing that would compel him to pass blue Sunday laws and go “to make war with the remnant of her seed” (with those that are left, Rev. 12:17) is the purity of the church when God by the slaughter weapons of Ezekiel Nine takes away the tares which received not the mark,and even then Satan will not enact “blue Sunday laws” until after he has exhausted every other weapon against the church.” (2 SC, no. 1, p.9-10)
We either believe the words of this message or we don’t. We either harmonize this message or we don’t. Let’s get down to business brethren!
7. That subsequently, the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jer. 30:7) for the 144,000, the sons of Jacob, logically develops on their way home (Gen. 32:1, 24) to the land of their fathers (Ezek. 36:28; 37:21, 25).
This is the classic FB, the one that has interpretations all over the board! Due to the teaching of Don Adair, many current leaders of Mt. Dale and Waco, teach that we cannot take the sequence shown in our FB’s. Why? Because it fails to support the teaching of Adair’s Assyrian Confederacy! In other words they proclaim that no. 7 acutally takes place before no. 4! Unbelievable. Even though it clearly says “subsequently” before no. 7. Subsequent to what? All the prior numbers of events/declarations.
Let us pause here for a moment to remind us that to believe “privately” something is one thing, but to TEACH it is quite another. Brother James spoke the Lord’s warning —
“My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing thatwe shall receive a stricter judgment.” (James 3:1)
We at Pre-11th hour Ministry subscribe to the FB’s as written and pray that each DSDA do the same. We are safe this way!
8. That the foregoing epochal event shall cause the 144,000 to have their names changed as did their father, Jacob (Gen. 32:28), and as a body receive a new name which the mouth of the Lord shall name (Isa. 62:2).
This one is fairly plain and straight forward. The name change appears to take place before the saints reach the Kingdom, as in Jacob’s experience, the type.
9. That these events shall ultimate in the setting up of the Kingdom (Dan. 2:44; Isa. 2:1-4; Mic. 4; Ezek. 37), wherein the 144,000, those who follow the Lamb “withersoever He goeth” (Rev. 14:4), shall stand with Him on Mt. Zion (Rev. 14:1), and there “receive the forces of the Gentiles. “ Isa. 60:5, 11.
Notice that Ezekiel 9, the release of the Four Winds and time of trouble, Jacob’s time of trouble, the name change all happen PRIOR to the setting up of the kingdom! In harmony with many areas of the written word. Remember that authorization must occur BEFORE the saints can give the Loud Cry. This shows that the organization is set up first in the Kingdom before the saints head out for their mission.
Let us read —
Verse 14 — “And the crowns shall be to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in the temple of the Lord.”
Verse 14 reveals that Joshua is to pass the crowns on to his helpers whom the Lord Himself names. This is to be a memorial, an everlasting reminder in the temple of the Lord. { 1TG8: 26.2 }
What can all this mean? — Just this: Joshua is Heaven’s appointed judge, ruler. He himself is crowned as such. And in response to the Lord’s Own command, Joshua crowns (authorizes) his helpers whom the Lord Himself names.In other words, as members of “the house of David,” Joshua authorizes them to engage in the work. So, Joshua is responsible to the Lord, but his helpers are responsible to Joshua. Here is seen an organization having a Leader and an under leader — the Lord and Joshua. Thus it is that whatever is to be bound on earth, is also to be bound in Heaven (Matt. 16:19.) { 1TG8: 26.3 }
As concretely as Heaven can make it, this symbolism depicts that God’s people in this final work are not to labor at cross purposes. All are to speak the same thing. So it is that His “Watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion.” Isa. 52:8. Then His people shall be called “The Holy people, The redeemed of the Lord,” “Sought out, A city not forsaken” (Isa. 62:12). (1 TG, no. 8, p.26-27)
10. That with this sequence of events will ensure the Loud Cry of the angel that lightens the earth with his glory (Rev. 18: 1), as the other Voice cries, “Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” Rev. 18:4.
Again we see the word “sequence”. Very important to understand that the events AS WRITTEN, is our event timeline we believe and TEACH. The Loud Cry begins after no. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 take place.
11. That in response to this call, many nations will say: “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” Mic. 4:2. (FB Tract, p.12-14)
The Loud Cry shall do it’s work! Bringing in the great multitude which no man could number!
Summary —
Our Fundamental Beliefs stand as our pillars, our prayer is we understand them as written and teach them as written. Because there is some confusion in DSDA’s it shows that often we have failed to abide by counsel and the plain clear word. May God help us to be guided into all truth as the Lord promised (John 16:13)
The much anticpated meeting/study occured today Sunday on our Free Conference Call platform. It was well attended with close to 60 brethren attending. Our subjects were The Don Adair self proclaimed “Assyrian Confederacy”, which he admitted he put together from his own personal studies. Unfortunately many DSDA have fallen for it’s legitmacy as a true doctrine. Brother Terry completely dismantled it today. Yours truly came on in the afternoon portion and presented the New Code Report, which we did a few years ago. We provide the links to both studies be blessed and enlightened.
We as present truth believers today, still struggle with the correct understanding of JTT. Some say, it’s before Ezekiel 9 and others say it’s after. Well, God is not the author of confusion. If we carefully follow the following counsel we will know the answer.
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” ( 2 Tim. 2:15)
“Let us remember always to observe the inviolable rule that an interpretation of one inspired statement must harmonize with all other related statements.” (3 Ans. p.41)
“In considering the several scriptures bearing on this point and on the kindred points in question, we must base our conclusions solely on the weight of evidence, so that we may not only know all the truth, but also teach nothing but the truth.. (Tract 9, p.6)
In the following video we carefully go over the JTT and it’s placement, may you be blessed and enlightened.
His name is Vasko Belovski and has the YouTube channel called “Seventh Day Press”. By the Lord’s guidance we were going through YouTube videos on the Shepherd’s Rod and came upon this video. Once again we are amazed how the workers of the enemy are active in their bearing false witness, a serious crime according to the Lord’s 9th Commandment. The link is provided below. When time allows please review and see the tricks the enemy is using to dispell the Lord’s final message of Elijah.
We are going through his report and rebutting the points that we feel should be addressed. Here are our comments posted on his video —
PART 1 of our Rebuttal (first 30 minutes) —
Pardon me brother but for Truth’s sake, we must clarify. 1) David Koresh was NOT part of Victor Houteff’s Davidian SDA movement(stated at 1:40 mark). He was connected to the Branch DSDA movement, which was started by Ben Roden. Roden had his own ideas and doctrines APART from the Davidian SDA faith. It’s like saying the Jehovah’s witnesses are a part of the Mormon faith .
2) Koresh was NOT inspired by the writings of Victor Houteff, he was inspired by the writings of Ben Roden. He was tutored by his wife Lois. At this very beginning point(2 minute mark) I can tell you know little about the Davidian SDA faith nor it’s history.
3) You are using deceptive tactics by connecting Koresh with Houteff. You hope to taint and slant people’s perception of Houteff by connecting the well known disgraceful Koresh to him.
Houteff spoke well of these tactics —
“And since the Enemy cannot get around the Truth, he does all he can do blacken character and to pick flaws in personalities. ” (GeneralConference Special, p.9)
One by one we will dismantle your attempt to build a castle of supposed truth, but instead it will be found out to be a Sand Castle of falsehood.
4) Your very first true and accurate statement(10:40 mark)that VTH taught that there IS a Trinity. And yes a small amount of DSDA are now presenting anti-trinitarian views.
5) EGW did make many statements to the idea of the Trinity, particularly towards the later part of her work. This would be another study all in itself but we have done an idepth study on her writings of Three Beings composing one Godhead.
“In Co-operation with the Three Highest Powers –We are to cooperate with the three highest powers in heaven,– the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and these powers will work through us, making us workers together with God.” (Special Testimonies, Series A (1897) . One of MANY showing she believed in the concept of THREE Beings in the Godhead.
6) You state that VTH was advocating a false reformation, this is completely false. First of all the DSDA faith states that ALL SDA fundamental beliefs are true and to be followed (DSDA FB Tract, p.3-11,). Secondly, the reforms advice VTH expounded was ONLY Bible and SOP reforms, nothing more or less(16:35 mark).
7) You step in and suggest what God should have done in sending a prophet. Great presumptioness of the highest order (25:00 minute mark). There is only one last prophet to come to God’s church and that is promised in Mal. 4:5 — anti-typical Elijah. Now as to his message, why do we suppose God would send Elijah and not Noah, David, Daniel, ir any of the other prophets? Because his message was to warn of the “great and dreadful day of the Lord”. What are we to do to prepare, what are we to know prophetically about this day, etc. At this point we should point out my brother that you are fulfilling EGW’s prophecy perfectly, let us read —
“Prophecy must be fulfilled. The Lord says: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.” Somebody is to come in the spirit and power of Elijah, and when he appears, men may say: “You are too earnest, you do not interpret the Scriptures in the proper way. Let me tell you how to teach your message.” There are many who cannot distinguish between the work of God and that of man. I shall tell the truth as God gives it to me, and I say now, If you continue to find fault, to have a spirit of variance, you will never know the truth.” (Testimonies to Ministers, p.475-476).
8) At the27.00 markyou try to claim VTH was out to win followers for himself. False. Again your errors are getting to the point of you clearly breaking the 9th Commandment “Thou shall not bear false witness.”Let us read just one of the many statements VTH made that shows he was not after bringing souls to himself , nor advocating they leave the SDA church, but rather that they stay in the church and learn the Truth for their time (and ours).
“Assuredly we do believe that this is no time to be pulling apart, but indeed to be pressing together. And the message which we are bearing to the church, not only does not contain any doctrine or teaching which would warrant our leaving her ranks to become a separate cult, but does on the contrary absolutely forbid our doing so. For these reasons, we have from the beginning steadfastly refused, even in the face of abusive treatment, to leave the Mother church.” (The Answerer, vol. 2, Q-32)
HearYeTheRod 