The Gun Lap

Many of us are familiar with the popular Track and Field events around the world. The most important part, the last part, the part that requires we give our “all”, is known as the “Gun lap”, “Last lap” or “Final lap”.

This final part requires total concentration, the very best we got.The whole effort comes down to this–the last lap. In our analogy, where are we today? You got it–the Gun Lap.

The gun has sounded, our efforts are now called to the stretch. Let us look at why we believe the end events are even now “at our door.”

There are many many clues piling up now, all pointing to the nearness of the “great and dreadful day of the Lord.” Let us start with our first clue.

1)World unrest–  The world is cracking up! Beheadings shown on mass media. War and rumors of war. Crime gone amuck. The middle east is a power keg ready to explode. Israel’s enemies are closing in. Iran is going forward, somewhat unmolested, in developing it’s bomb. The UN is aligning with the Palestinians and declaring Israel as possibly doing illegal land grabs. Israel is getting it’s back pushed to the wall.

We as present truth believers know all too well the Scripture–

“Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired; Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD’S anger come upon you.Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’S anger.”(Zeph. 2:1-3)

The Jewish state is now “gathered together” and appears ready to take a mis-step into the “anger of the Lord.” This is very important to know. Let us look at this powerful statement–

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

2)The Blood Moon Tetrad.  One blood moon is rare. When you add FOUR of them and put them on Biblical holy days, back to back to back to back, well let’s just say this is a sign from God, no doubt about it!  This is how our Savior works.

“God does not send judgments upon His people without first warning them to repent. He uses every means to bring them back to obedience and does not visit their iniquity with judgments until He has given them ample opportunity to repent.” (Testimonies, vol. 4, p.179)

“The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.”(Joel 2:31)

The last date of the last blood moon is Sept. 28, 2015

This is a warning my brethren! Make no mistake about it.

3)The Summary Chart. We did a post on this. When we see that the final last section of time (now) cannot be longer than any other section as shown in the chart, we know that time is just about up. Please see our post here https://hearyetherod.wordpress.com/2014/03/16/the-chart-a-summary-chart-of-types-part-1-of-2/

4) Seven Billion people now in the world. Recently the world just crossed the 7 billion mark. We as present truth believers all know that the number–7, is a complete number. In terms of billions, it is now the complete. Although it has now passed this mark, due to God’s mercy, the world appears to have all its suppose to have.

5) Mass distribution of the message. The Elijah message has now become available to nearly all people around the world. Internet and smart phones have made the message within nearly all SDA members worldwide.as the Lord does not bring judgment until all have been sufficiently warned, we can see that very shortly there will be no more excuses.

The message is available like never before. Proclamation is ever widening, take Wikipedia article on the DSDA for example. Each month there is about 1200 plus views and these people are spreading the word on His Truth. Blog sites are well read, YouTube videos are getting many worldwide views. Facebook has many active Elijah message sites going. Present Truth packages are being sent out all through out the month worldwide. Groups are forming, particularly in the poorer countries, eagerly studying the message.

“And just as soon as this message reaches every church member, just that soon will the purification take place.” (Timely Greetings, vol.1, no.12, p.26)

6) The circle will soon be complete.  On July 2nd, 2015, the SDA General Conference Session will be held near the same area of the world that the Elijah message started– near Waco, Texas! Only 180 miles. Conveniently enabling the DSDA people to converge on the session and distribute His final warning to His church! Oh, what perfection and pleading!

7) SDA church is filled to the brink with abominations. All one has to do is see that His beloved church has sunk so low that the sickle is about to be put in. Abortions, gay SDA churches, Rock and Rap music in the sanctuary, dress reform a thing of the past. Health reform ignored. SDA churches being rented out to Sunday keepers on Sunday. The sanctuary defiled. We did a post on this very abomination, called “Backs to the Temple.”http://godsloveandlaw.com/2013/08/17/backs-toward-the-temple/

So there we have it. The clues stack up to one clear view- the time is ripe for harvest.

“The signs reveal that the time is near when the Lord will manifest that His fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor.” (Testimonies, vol. 5, p.80)

And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud onesat like unto the Son of man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in Thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for Thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. And He that sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.(Rev. 14:14-16)

The big question is–are we ready? Or are we looking at these clues and yet still pointing fingers at those who are doing the work in these last hours, or are we doing the work that the Lord would have us do?

ADDITIONAL NOTE: The Latino Fox News outlet just reported this– “Precisely this Friday, in an interview on Mexico’s Televisa television, the first Latin American pope made a surprising statement in acknowledging that “I have a feeling my pontificate will be brief. Four or five years, I don’t know.” (March 14, 2105)  Does he instinctively know something will cut short his reign? Yes, no doubt–the conquering of God’s true triumphant church!

Let us be awake and give our all in this last lap!

“In a divided, halfhearted life, you will find doubt and darkness. You cannot enjoy the consolations of religion, neither the peace which the world gives. Do not sit down in Satan’s easy chair of do-little, but arise, and aim at the elevated standard which it is your privilege to attain. It is a blessed privilege to give up all for Christ. Look not at the lives of others and imitate them and rise no higher. You have only one true, unerring Pattern. It is safe to follow Jesus only. Determine that if others act on the principle of the spiritual sluggard you will leave them and march forward toward the elevation of Christian character. Form a character for heaven. Sleep not at your post. Deal faithfully and truly with your own soul.”(Testimonies, vol.1, p.241)

“Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.” (Isaiah 52:1)

Staying in the Church

We as obedient present truth believers often feel as our prophetess said–

”Their righteous souls are vexed day by day with the unholy works and conversation of the unrighteous. They are powerless to stop the rushing torment of iniquity, and hence they are filled with grief and alarm. They mourn God to see religion despised in the very homes of those who have had great light.

They lament and afflict their souls because pride, avarice, selfishness, and deception of almost every kind are in the church. The Spirit of God, which prompts to reproof, is trampled underfoot, while the servants of Satan triumph. God is dishonored, the truth made of none effect.” (Testimonies, vol. 5, p.210-211)

Yet despite this sometimes overwhelming sense of betrayal and “rushing torment of iniquity” we sometimes think–“I just have to stay away from this great influence  of evil.” We then want to stay away from church on a regular basis. We may use our family as an excuse as well. Rationalizing that we are protecting our younger ones from this influence.

Ok so what are we to do? Well, it’s the old proven unchangeable and unmovable– word of God. Fortunately God has provided answers for us.

In His all knowing vision of what was to come, He knew that we would have to face this very tough situation. He knew that we as His remnant people would need a prophet to “restore all things”. So the prophesied Elijah was to come. As believers and searchers of His word, we know that His messenger was sent to our church.

Let us now look at His instructions for us in regard of whether to-  stay in or stay out of the church. We will be armed with the Lord’s three powerful writings–Scripture, Spirit of Prophecy and the Elijah message.

–Scripture –

“And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works, not staying away from our worship meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:25)

“For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which He obtained with His own blood.”(Acts 20:28)

We see that we are instructed by God to–

a) Not to stay away from worship services.

b) Be attentive to God’s “flock” His “church of God, which He obtained with His own blood.”

—Spirit of Prophecy –

“We should remember that the church, enfeebled and defective though it be, is the only object on earth on which Christ bestows His supreme regard. He is constantly watching it with solicitude, and is strengthening it by His Holy Spirit.”—Manuscript 155, 1902(November 22, 1902.). (Selected Messages, vol. 2, p.396)

“The church is the property of God, and God constantly remembers her as she stands in the world, subject to the temptations of Satan.” (Testimonies to Ministers, p.20)

“In the pamphlet published by Brother S. and his associates, he accuses the church of God of being Babylon, and would urge a separation from the church. This is a work that is neither honorable nor righteous.”( Ibid, p.36)

“He has a church, but it is the church militant, not the church triumphant. We are sorry that there are defective members, that there are tares amid the wheat… Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.” (Ibid, p.45)

“Some people seem to think that upon entering the church they will have their expectations fulfilled, and meet only with those who are pure and perfect. They are zealous in their faith, and when they see faults in church members, they say, “We left the world in order to have no association with evil characters, but the evil is here also;” and they ask, as did the servants in the parable, “From whence then hath it tares?” But we need not be thus disappointed, for the Lord has not warranted us in coming to the conclusion that the church is perfect; and all our zeal will not be successful in making the church militant as pure as the church triumphant.” (Ibid, p.47)

“My brother, I learn that you are taking the position that the Seventh-day Adventist Church is Babylon, and that all that would be saved must come out of her. You are not the only man the devil has deceived in this matter. For the last forty years, one man after another has arisen, claiming that the Lord has sent him with the same message; but let me tell you, as I have told them, that this message you are proclaiming is one of the satanic delusions designed to create confusion among the churches.” (Ibid, p.58-59)

“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.” (Ibid. p.46)

“The church of Christ on earth will be imperfect, but God does not destroy his church because of its imperfection.” (Review and Herald, Sept.5, 1893)

Wow, now if that is not clear as to what Inspiration says about our defective church, I do not know what is! The sum of what is said is that our church will be defective yet despite this, our King bears with it, and we are also to bear with it! Not only  this, but we are to be “working for the purification of the church”. How can we do that when we are no longer involved with it?

–The Elijah message–

Let us keep in mind that being the “restored” message from the Lord, we must pay particular attention to the following.  as It is our present truth.

“The SRod does not claim that all those professing to be S.D.A’s “who have step by step yielded to worldly demands,” will fall under the slaughter weapons of Ezekiel’s vision, but rather that every active member who does not receive the “mark” (or seal of Eze. 9), excluding those who have departed from the organized work but who yet claim to be Seventh-day Adventists — a class at the present time numbering thousands.”(Sym. Code, vol.1, no. 5, p.5)

We see that there is a real possibility that should we become “inactive” within our church, we may be spared the slaughter of Ezekiel 9, but at what cost? We cannot claim to be part of His remnant church, and thus be open to satanic attacks when the Devil is “wroth with Woman.”

“We again warn our people to remain faithful to God and follow complete instructions in every move they make. There can be no success in the work of God and He cannot use us if we exercise our wisdom independent of His. Let everyone remain at the post of duty as though all the work of God rested on his shoulders. God has forewarned that everyone must remain in the church where he belongs, regardless of what may happen to his church membership.” (Sym. Code, vol.1, no. 8, p.2)

Again the Lord has informed us as clear as crystal– “everyone must remain in the church..”

“..if we separate ourselves by staying away from the churches, we give them the opportunity to accuse us of being an offshoot from the body, and ourselves lose the occasion to contact the people. Moreover, if we separate ourselves from the organization, then in the fulfillment of Ezekiel 9, when those who have not the mark are taken away, we shall have no right to claim possession of the denomination.” (Sym. Code, vol. 1, no.8, p.8)

Scary! “If we separate ourselves from the organization..we shall have no right to claim possession of the denomination.” And as such we cannot expect to go to the kingdom with the 144,000. Remember to “separate” does not necessarily mean to quit the SDA,  it means to with draw ourselves from it’s fellowship and become inactive in participation of the divine worship services.

This reminds me of the battlefield analogy. Some of the most shameful and disdainful people down through our history, have been those who walked off the battlefield during a war. The greatest of all wars, in the spiritual sense, is happening right now in our church.  Are we to walk off the field in the midst of it?  Or do we  stand at our post, doing our best to help our brethren know and obey the Truth that God has given us today?

Our last reference from SRod again proves clearly the correct position in staying in the church–

“..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.” (Answerer, vol. 2, Q-32)

Of course there are times when because of being unjustly dis-fellowshipped from our local SDA church, we have no choice but to withdraw ourselves from the local church. But should that happen, we should attempt to make efforts to “go back” now and then, who knows maybe the Lord will soften their hearts and allow those present truth believers to at least attend the service. If they threaten police action or other serious warnings, then of course we won’t be able to make much headway. If this is the case then do as instructed–

“Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.”(Luke 6:22-23)

Summary –

His divine instructions are clear, we must remain in our church, remain at our post. A dereliction of duty will be placed upon us, if we neglect these instructions.  Our Lord may very well guide just one person into the church, to get to know us because the Lord wants them to know His last message of Elijah. What happens when we are not there? No one else most likely can do it, because the great light He has imparted to us must be ready to give to those willing and led of God directly to us.

Lastly, for those among us who have perverted the Elijah message, claiming that there is to be another church formed now because the current Davidians are not true and are imperfect, we quote the Rod–

“I have never taught nor published anything to the effect that there is to be another church besides the seven churches of the Revelation, chapters Two and Three. These seven prophetic sections of church history cover the period while the wheat and tares are growing together.” (Sym. Code, vol. 2, no. 5, p.10)

Do the right thing my brethren–STAY IN THE CHURCH AND PLEAD WITH MOTHER (Hosea 1-2).

The All Important Seal in the Forehead

Today we are faced with the supreme challenge– get that seal in our foreheads. Let us look at this most important subject.

The Spirit of prophecy says —

“Just as soon as the people of God are sealed in their foreheads–it is not any seal or mark that can be seen, but a settling into the truth, both intellectually and spiritually, so they cannot be moved–(MS, no.173, 1902)

This is very clear. We are told we must have a solid foundation in the Truth “both intellectually and spiritually.” Once we have this, we cannot be moved.

Wow! This is quite a deep and powerful statement. Let’s expand upon this a little more. How do we get “settled” into the Truth? Well, we must look to the Holy Scriptures, first and foremost.

Let us follow It’s simple plan.

First, we must “know” Him first to know His Truth. Can we agree with this? How do we get to know Him?

“And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his Commandments.” (1 John 2:3)

There it is. IF and I repeat IF we keep them we will know Him. If we carelessly keep some of them and continue to break others, can we expect to know Him?

“He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his Commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”(1 John 2:4)

Second, we cannot fool God, He knows whether we are coveting, stealing, bearing false witness against our neighbor, carelessly keeping the Sabbath, etc.

Again, the Spirit of prophecy gives counsel—

“When one Commandment of the Decalogue is broken, the downward steps are almost certain.” (AH, p.58)

But once we truly give our best efforts to keep them each day of our life, we are then promised a spectacular promise. One that should make us leap for true joy and happiness.

“When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak whatever He hears. He will also declare to you what is to come.” (John 16:13)

Wow again! Do we understand this? It promises us to be guided into “all truth”! Did it say part truth? Of course not. That means that the Lord’s Spirit shall be a sort of “truth detector” in our lives.

Now we ask, why is it important to know truth from error? Scripture is clear as well as the Rod message.

“He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them.” ( 2 Thes. 2:10)

We see that our adversary is the counter truth (deception), and will snare us if we don’t know and keep His truth. Our last post of “the showdown” was a perfect example of that. One party had truth and other had truth and error.

Brother Houteff explains —

“Even as it is a blessed thing to accept the truth, so it is a fearful thing to reject it.  And rejection need not include all truth.  To reject a part may be just as fatal as to reject the whole.  So all should beware.” ( SRod, vol. 1, p.160)

There are other aspects we need to know and obey.

Satan’s often successful trick is to have us teach and spread the Lord’s present truth , yet we ourselves are tripping up in our daily walk.

“There are many even among those who teach the truth to others who will not receive the seal of God in their foreheads. They had the light of truth, they knew their Master’s will, they understood every point of our faith, but they had not corresponding works. These who were so familiar with prophecy and the treasures of divine wisdom should have acted their faith. They should have commanded their households after them, that by a well-ordered family they might present to the world the influence of the truth upon the human heart.” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p.213)

So as we see, our daily walk must be the prior prerequisite to our ability to teach and proclaim His Truth.

Let us not kid ourselves we must be overcomers —

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

Additionally, we as present truth believers, know that the message calls for sighing and crying for our own sins and those of the church. 

Question No. 21:

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

Answer:

Being sealed in Christ “with that Holy Spirit of promise,” after having “heard the word of truth” (Eph. 1:13- 4:30), the saints are consequently sealed by Present Truth—the truth preached in their own day.

“The seal of the living God,” the Truth, by which the 144,000 are sealed (Rev. 7:2), is a special seal, being the same as “the mark” of Ezekiel 9. (See Testimonies to Ministers, p. 445; Testimonies, Vol. 3, p. 267; Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 211).

It demands one’s sighing and crying over the abominations which defile him, and which desecrate both the Sabbath and the house of God, especially against selling literature and raising goals during Sabbath services. As the saints have this seal or mark on their foreheads, the angels will pass over them, not slay them.

It is equivalent to the blood on the door post on the night of the Passover in Egypt. The angel is to place a mark upon the foreheads of all who by sighing over their own sins, and over the sins in the house of God, show fidelity to the Truth.

Then the destroying angels will follow, to slay utterly both old and young who have failed to receive the seal. (See Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 505)

So, the former seal enables the receiver to rise from the dead in the resurrection of the just, while the latter seal enables the sighing-crying one to escape death and forever to live for God. (Answerer, vol. 2, Q-21)

In closing, we cannot afford to be careless on obtaining this seal in our forehead. Time appears VERY short with all that is prophetically unfolding before our eyes right now. Let us know and keep each of His Commandments and sigh and cry for the sins in our life and in the church. Then we shall be confident He has guided us into “all truth” and placed that seal in our forehead.

“However when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that  shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.”(John 16:13)

The Showdown in the Philippines (part 2)

In our last post of this showdown, we’ll look at the specific points raise in the Q and A.

At the 54:00 mark, after hearing JK’s explanation of what is the method of the brethren to be of one accord, Ariel quotes 2 TG 46:43 and says, “We need to be very careful of some ministers who are adding and subtracting.”

Here it is seen a confusing statement due to the fact that JK did not “add or subtract” anything but relied upon the revealed truth of Zech.4 as his basis for his answer. Ariel would have been more correct to say, he did not like JK’s answer rather than say JK was going outside of the God’s word.

Concerning  Ariel’s request to explain Tract 6, p.12, “only to their despising the gift of the Spirit of Prophecy, the eyes of the church (1 Sam, Isa. 29:10), which alone can see to draw them into a state of oneness, of unbreakable unity.” Kakouri responds, “I thought I answered that my brother.”

However we must note that Ariel misquoted this reference and said , “only through the gift of the spirit of prophecy can lead God’s people into a state of oneness and unbreakable unity.” This is “adding and subtracting” to God’s word for it puts on a different meaning and context to God’s intended meaning.

At 58:00 mark, Kakouri then quotes 2 SR, p.286 (concerning Zech.4)  “This divinely illustrated lesson is too plain to be misunderstood, or its meaning misconstrued.  The only safe way by which God’s servants and His church can be free from error, full of faith without guile in their mouth (all speak the same thing) is the never erring guide — “The Spirit of Prophecy.””  He then adds “When you speak all the same things, that is unity.”

About the 1 hour mark, JK continues to point out that the two golden pipes of Zech. 4 are the only interpreters to which revealed truth can be put in the bowl and extracted.

Unbelievably Ariel again misquotes Tract 6, page 12, saying, Can you explain 6 tract 12, “only through the gift of Prophecy…“? The original true statement says “only to their DESPISING the gift  of the Spirit of Prophecy..” The important word “despising” is left out and another is substituted.

He attempts to show JK has not addressed his question.

At 1:04:00 mark, Ariel asks, “can you explain in the Shepherd’s Rod what is Inspiration?” Kakouri attempts to start explaining but Ariel cuts him off due to the fact that JK does not start explaining by quoting some references immediately. Ariel appears agitated because the session is not going according to his plan.

Ariel then asks, “please explain what does it mean that when the prophet is dead gift of Inspiration is cease?” Again Kakouri attempts  to answer and is cut off. A new question is asked, “What is Inspiration, is it the books?” Kakouri then explains that in the old days the people had the scrolls which the scribe quoted the  prophet a “thus saith the Lord”. He continues, “And when the living instrumentality died, the active Spirit of Prophecy ceased. ..What we have today is interpretive prophets, Ellen G. White and brother Houteff. They have gone into the trees and drawn out revealed truth that is sufficient for us to see us into the 144,000. .. The word of God lives and abides forever and it’s in the bowl.”

At 1:10:20 Ariel responds, “We are not interested in your own words, because according to 1 TG, no. 4, page 20, it says that, “Man’s own words are only stumble, hay..” (However in researching this reference it does not say those words).

Then he goes on to ask JK to explain more of the Three Decrees. Now something very important is about to happen. Ariel again, as has been shown through out this presentation, misquotes the reference, missing a key word. Here is what the original Inspired reference says,

“Thus it is that Artaxerxes’ decree of chapter 7, being the third on record, has received the classification as such, although it may in fact be the fourth. Accordingly, there must have been two Artaxerxes’ decrees.”(Answerer, vol. 3, Q-62)

Ariel reads this reference but leaves out the word “may” and says “..although IN FACT IT IS THE FOURTH DECREE.” Notice the changing of this reference.

Ariel asks, “can you locate the four decrees in the anti-type?”

But Kakouri catches the misquote and asks Ariel to repeat the reference and this time Ariel quotes it correctly. The Ariel then switches and asks, “Can you locate in the chart (The Temples) the name of V.T. Houteff?”

JK responds, “I just read in 279 2SR that brother Houteff says that in 1929 such a message came (Third Decree) entitled the Shepherd’s Rod, that’s Victor T. Houteff.”

Ariel responds by re-reading Answerer Q-62. Kakouri interjects, “Can you read further down this time bro?”

At  1:26:00 mark, after Ariel reads the quote again, JK, says, “Let me just share this, one thing that we need in these last days is the spirit of discernment.” Kakouri continues, “This is where the shift is, for example the General Conference Special tells you that the last message that Elijah brings is represented by the Baptist message. But we’re coming now and saying brother Houteff was the baptist but another prophet is the tishbite.” Ariel cuts him off and says, “..The principal of V.T. Houteff is there must type and anti-type.”

He seems agitated because JK starts to explain more of his answer but it is not  pleasing to Ariel. Ariel explains that in the days of VTH, brother VTH would admonish  the ministers of the SDA for not answering the questions asked in a direct way. Undeterred Kakouri responds, “If it’s not in the bowl it’s of no avail.. when I look in the bowl I don’t see anywhere where brother Houteff gives type and anti-type of 4 decrees.” Then the direct question is asked to Ariel, “Can you show me that brother Ariel?”

Ariel responds, but prefers to not answer that question now and says “Maybe after the lunch, if you are still here, I will be the one for that lecture.” Then Ariel asks a new question, “V.T. Houteff uses the phrases judgement for the living and judgement of the living, now my question, according to your best knowledge, is the judgement for the living and judgement of the living, the same?”

Kakouri responds, “..the judgment of the living is in 3 phases” then explains that “You have the message of judgement of the living , then Ezekiel 9,the judgement of the living, then the judgement for the living is 2 SR page 220, which is to be the date given to the church triumphant after Ezekiel chapter 9.”

Ariel is not happy with this answer and asks for written Rod evidence backing up his explanation. Jimmy appears agitated and asks straight to Ariel, “First of all show me from the word that there is a difference (between the two phrases).”

Ariel defers and says again, “..wait for my presentation.” Kakouri goes on the offensive and says, “I am still waiting for the 4 decrees, where in the bowl there are 4 anti-typical decrees.”

At the 1:34:00 mark a new question is asked of Kakouri, “What is the present truth under the seventh seal?” JK responds, “The seventh seal being the complete sealing of the saints, the 144,000 once the church has been purified after the half an hour silence, they are going to preach Rev. 18:1 ok?.. When the seventh seal opens that will be the time for the great multitude to be sealed..Isaiah 66 ‘You shall declare my glory to all the brethren and then you are going to bring the brethren into a clean vessel.”

Kakouri appears in the Spirit, and after some dismissals from Ariel, he continues, “now who brought the message of the kingdom.. none other than brother Houteff. The message of the kingdom is here but it won’t be preached in it’s Loud Cry phrase until the church has been purified.”

Ariel smiles and responds by quoting 1 Sym.code,6, page 10. Indicating the words,   “Concerning the angel of Rev. 18:1, with whose glory the earth is to be lightened, we do not claim to have as yet all his light,” then asks, “Who’s the messenger who is to bring the light of Rev. 18:1?

JK responds, “For me that is one of the easiest questions to answer, let me just answer that bro. Brother Houteff says we do not claim to have all the light as yet of the angel of Rev. 18:1.  He then goes on to explain more points along this line.

Ariel asks, “What is the message that was not bestowed to brother Houteff in the Loud Cry message?” JK responds, ” To be specific, when the house of David comes into existence, which brother Houteff says very clearly in 2 SR is the church purified.. I think we are having a mis-understanding of when this Loud Cry period is..when the angel of Rev. 18 goes to all the world after Ezekiel 9 and the house of David has come into existence.. then God pours upon the house of David the spirit of grace (Zech.10) and of supplication.

Now during that time 2SR 220 comes into play.. it’d st that time that God makes know the date of the judgement of the living..The complete light of Rev. 18 will come just before the Loud Cry begins.. and this last message will come by God’s visible leader.”

He then discusses Tract 8 concerning the leader in the house of David. He closes with “During this period of the kingdom (after Ezekiel 9) more light will have to be given because God will warn the whole world.There are things now that we don’t fully understand and we don’t need to understand until the Loud Cry begins.”

Ariel shakes his head then tries a new question, he asks JK to  explain who are the 5 angels (messages) that are delivered before the “close of probation?” Kakouri is in the Spirit now  as he continues forcefully to address the new question, he begins,”Be very careful brethren, and what I want to encourage you is in this–you must have spiritual discernment, you must have discernment because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

He strongly emphasizes that they must not go when a so-called prophet calls them out from the Shepherd’s Rod teachings. JK, then asks, “How many close of probations is there? 1 Peter 4:17 says that Judgement starts in the house of God and if you look at Matt. 25 verse 10 where the door was shut, that was shut on the 10 virgins, that’s the close of probation for the church first. And Rev. 22:11, that’s the close of probation for the world.”

Kakouri then goes on the explain each of the 5 angels and their messages. They are 5 different messages and not about just a person. He points out that as said in RH, Nov.19, 1908, only the “overcomers” will be allowed to take part in the Loud CRY, the fifth angels message.

Again Ariel is not satisfied with JK’s explanation and says, “2 SR says that Rev. 18.1 angel is one messenger so it is totally according to the Shepherd’s Rod, what are you saying today?.. V.T. Houteff says that the Bible without any human channel is inactive.. now this is my question.. When the prophet died the living spirit of prophecy became inactive, …can you explain this to us?”

Kakouri then explains that the Bible lies dormat without a prophet to explain it. Such as brother Houteff, explaining Matt.20, Zech. 6, Hosea 1 and 2, Daniel 2, etc. .. But now Victor Houteff , he says, has revealed  the Truth and it’s in the Golden Bowl.

He finishes by saying, “brethren all we need to do now is follow what is in the bowl, the revealed truth.. if you really study what is in the Golden Bowl you are going to see that there is truth that is going to take us right into the kingdom.”

Ariel closes with , “may the good Lord help you and thank you very much.”

Summary–

The discussion was quite lively and spirited at times. Ariel , to be honest, was often not coherent and mumbled through out the presentation. We found also that he misquoted the Rod numerous times. Kakouri was purposeful and seemed to be intensely grounded in the Rod, although Ariel was not in agreement with his answers.

Ariel often cut Kakouri off. JK later said to us that Ariel’s promise to come back and explain the 4 decrees (Type and anti-type) did not occur.

For those who are true searchers of the Truth we should explain that there were two desired goals in this debate.

1) Bro. Kakouri desired that the Rod be lifted up and shown for all the Truth it has.

2) Ariel desired that the Rod be shown in a light that points to him as the final Elijah

We are promised the “Spirit of Truth” (John 16:13) and let each of us pray and ask the Lord who had God’s truth here in this “showdown”. For the link to see it yourself click here –https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8olLPkFxy8

The Showdown in the Philippines

Until conversion came, I was a life long boxing fan. I read all the magazines, watched all the favorites fights. Even sacrificed many important meetings and social events to stay home and watch a highly anticipated match. But one of the most important and standard elements of the sport of Boxing was the commentators “round by round” coverage and description of the fight.

Recently many Davidians saw a back and forth debate and discussion between two camps, as it were. A “showdown” of sorts. On one side was brother Jimmy Kakouri, from England and on the other was brother Ariel Dacutanan, from the Philippines.  So what we’d like to do, is similar to the boxing format above. We’d like to do a play by play commentary of the last video made before bro. Jimmy went back to England.

We’ll comment from the beginning to the end,  the specific points and counter points and running analysis. Hopefully this will serve as an enlightening view of the result of this issue. The session lasted about 2 hours.

Before we start, let’s briefly state the background and general beliefs of each opposing party .

Jimmy Kakouri — Lives in England. Is an active Davidian Seventh-day Adventist (DSDA). Holds to the original Rod’s teaching that there is to be one final “Elijah” to come to the SDA church, This was Victor T. Houteff.

Ariel Dacutanan —  Lives in Philippines. Is active DSDA. However he promotes the idea that  Victor Houteff was not the last prophet to come to the SDA church. His teachings indicate that he, himself, is the final Elijah to come.

Ok let’s begin.

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

Jimmy begins the sermon kneeling in prayer asking the Father to be among them during their meeting.

The first 8 minutes he goes into Joel, chapter 2 and other Scriptures. Unity and seeing eye to eye is God’s plan for His people, he explains.

At about the 8 minute mark he then shifts and speaks about sanctification.He points out that pure living is must if we are to know Christ. He says importantly, “A mere ascent  to the truth constituted righteousness..” Showing that the Pharisees believed this false idea and it proved fatal.

At the 10:30 mark, Jimmy then begins to speak of diverse subjects such as love, the 144,000, Elijah.

At the 14:00 minute mark he then goes into the study of the “Temple Types”. A chart is brought out. He explains that it took 3 decrees for the gospel to be restored in ancient times. Begins to quote 2 SR, p.278-279. Jimmy points out that the 3rd decree was to be severe one. Importantly, he makes note of 2 SR, p.289, “We are told in 2 SR 289, if it is not in the bowl, it is of no avail.”

He points out that 2 SR says that the 3rd decree message came in 1929 (p.278-279). He brings out the important point that according to brother Houteff it is the 3rd decree that will accomplish it’s mission. The 3 anti-type decrees were 1844 message, 1888 message, 1929 message.

At 23:00 minutes, the point is made that the “Living Spirit of Prophecy” is ever-living and that although it comes through living channels, when that channel dies the LSP is still active and alive.

At the 25:00 mark, he begins to talk about the Tract “1950 General Conference Special”. Pointing out page 7, “one’s only safety will be in the teaching of Elijah (singular), 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.”

Continuing, he points out that Victor Houteff was prophesied to be the man who was to feed the young cow and two sheep. That Ellen White spoke of one Elijah to come (Test. to Ministers, p.475). He says, ” Someone was to come, not two people, three or five… You cannot have two Elijahs in these last days.”

At approx. the 28:00 mark, he says that we must ponder seriously page 23 of said tract. Nowhere in the golden bowl, he says,  is there anything remotely suggesting that there are to be two Elijahs to come. In other words –no promise of the coming of “Elijah the tishbite” after Victor Houteff.

The 29:00 mark brings out the first straight blow from Kakouri. Addressing the crowd and looking at Ariel, he flatly says, “What I have been hearing here, of my study here, is that brother Houteff is John the Baptist Elijah, and that brother Ariel is anti-typical Elijah the tishbite.”

Going further, he warns that with God using VTH as the “last prophet to the church today”(page 23), His purpose will accomplish the mission to seal the 144,000. No other person or message will be used.

At 31:20 Jimmy begins to talk about the judgment for the living(2 SR, p.220). He points out that the saints will know the date of the judgment for the living at the casting of the fire from the altar, spoken of in Rev.8:5 and Ezekiel 10:1. After the half hour silence in heaven, then God will make known to the saints the “date” of the Judgment for the Living.

He quotes 2 SR, p.198, “Thus, present truth has the power to change the individual and fit him for eternal life..” “It is present truth that we need now brethren and that present truth we are privileged to find in the Golden Bowl” he says.

Then comes the powerful statement that this Truth found in the Golden Bowl is made known to us by the two golden pipes, sister White and brother Houteff.

Another comment is uttered , ‘Truth can only sanctify you when you obey it.”

At the 42:00 mark, In closing his sermon he brings up 1 TG, no. 13, p.15, which quotes Nahum 1:15 and gives meaning to it. Pointing out the VTH gives evidence that 2nd world war is the time there spoken of. At the time the war is fought (page 16), there was to be someone “upon the mountains” declaring messages of peace(upcoming Kingdom). This could only be brother Houteff, no one else.

Strongly bring home the point once more, he again emphasizes that we must accept the messages in the Golden Bowl. The question is raised, “Who else has brought this message, who else has explained these mysteries?” He cautions that we must be careful not to “look into the veil” when God has not seen fit for us to do so. Implying that those who partake of prophesying outside the Golden Bowl do so at their soul’s risk.

At the 48:30  mark Jimmy concludes his sermon.

After a break there follows and Q and A session.

At 49:30 mark Ariel arises to ask a question. He begins by saying, “Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” Also, “We at the Laymans Movement do not accept any doctrine except a ‘Thus saith the Lord”.

It must be noted that Kakouri spoke the sermon, using many Bible and Rod quotes. So this question is perplexing and vague. If Ariel means that the sermon should have been exclusively with quotes, then this position falls upon the weakness of reason. In order to establish “why” a reference is important the speaker must of course, use his own words to build his case.

Also we must note that for the first couple minutes, there is wavering and Ariel appears to be confused in gathering his thoughts in order to bring his first clear question.

At the 51:30 mark, the question comes, “According to it is written, what is the instrument that God will use,  in order for God’s people, to arrive into one accord?”

Kakouri responds that God’s method of revealed Truth as found in the Golden Bowl of Zech. 4 will eliminate any false doctrine, thus enabling His people to see “eye to eye.”

Ariel responds that the reference that JK gives(2 SR, p.289) does not have any mention of the word–one accord. He then asks to explain Tract 6, p.12, “only to their despising the gift of the Spirit of Prophecy, the eyes of the church (1 Sam, Isa. 29:10), which alone can see to draw them into a state of oneness, of unbreakable unity.”

(This concludes part 1, in part 2 we’ll finish with the Q and A session)

Exposing Vance Ferrell’s Deceptions (Part 3 of 3)

In our final part 3, we look at some of the specific teachings that VF and others have tried to show as error within the Shepherd’s Rod teachings. In VF’s reports he copies the old “Reply to the Shepherd’s Rod” arguments that were made in the 30’s by the leaders at that time. As we obviously cannot address each and every point due to time and space, we’ll condense our responses and break them down section by section.

1) Section Two– The Kingdom

In their first rebuttal of brother Houteff’s teachings, they soundly reject any idea of a pre-millennial kingdom here on earth prior to the Lord coming in the clouds. Their reasons are numerous such as —

“He (Victor Houteff) said also: “This prophesied era of absolute righteousness, peace, and knowledge of God On the kingdom) under the reign of the ‘rod’ (David) and of the ‘Branch’ (Christ), must begin before the close of probation. “-“Behold, I Make All Things New. (1942), p 45.

It is obvious that the Shepherd’s Rod theory does not envision Christ, the great Son of David, as the visible ruler governing that kind of Davidic kingdom, since it is supposed to be set up here on earth before He shall come in glory to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.” (Parenthesis is ours)

” Mr. Houteff has instructed his followers that God promised “an antitypical David” to rule over them in that envisioned Davidic kingdom.”

“Mr. Houteff planned for his followers a Davidic kingdom to be governed under the ensign of a “David the visible king and Christ the invisible King of kings.” Ibid., p 47. That is, his plan is that Christ, as “the invisible King Of kings,” should rule over the proposed Davidic kingdom by means of an antitypical underling described as “David the visible king.”

To begin with they make the claim that the pre-millennial kingdom that is set up “before the close of probation” is Victor Houteff’s idea. Let’s take a look at what Scripture and brother Houteff says about it–

“And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.”(Isaiah 11:10)

Brother Houteff explains the above verse, “And as after the close of probation, the doors of the kingdom will be shut to all, the ensign must therefore be set up before probation closes: the only time that the Gentiles will have a chance to be converted to the Lord and to His kingdom,– a conclusion common to the following scriptures:

“Also, O Judah, he hath set an harvest for thee, when I returned the captivity of my people.” (Hosea 6:11)

He goes on to quote overwhelming Scripture evidence such as-  Isaiah 2:2,3    Isaiah 60:9-15   Jeremiah 30:3, 17-19   Ezekiel 36:24-27

What we found truly remarkable is that this first section of the rebuttal report of the pre-millennial kingdom, they totally ignored the above said clear Scriptural references showing a kingdom set up here on earth PRIOR to our Lord coming in the clouds! This is similar to a prosecuting attorney making his case by ignoring powerful evidence to the contrary!  The so called religious leaders should take a lesson from the heathen.

For a very clear explanation why and how this pre-millennial kingdom is to be set up see Tract no.9, and The Answerer, vol. 2 Question 42.

2) The True Anti typical David

They state the following in an effort to discredit the teaching through Scripture and subsequently by brother Houteff, that a “shepherd” will lead them in the pre-millennial kingdom–

“One of the Old Testament prophecies used by Mr. Houteff to bolster his theory of the Davidic kingdom is Ezekiel 34:23 (Ibid., p.19,47). On the other hand, Ellen G. White speaks specifically of Christ, and not another person, as the antitypical David referred to in Ezekiel’s prophecy:

“The Holy Spirit through Ezekiel had declared: ‘I will set up one Shepherd over them and He shall feed them.’ ‘I will seek that which was lost and bring again that which was driven away. . and will strengthen that which was sick.’ ‘I will make with them a covenant of peace.’ ‘And they shall no more be a prey to the heathen. . but they shall dwell safely and none shall make them afraid.’ Ezekiel 34:23,16,25,28. Christ applied these prophecies to Himself, and He showed the contrast between His own character and that of the leaders in Israel.”-The Desire of Ages, p 477.

Something very sneaky is done here. Let’s follow this closely. The Scripture of Ezekiel 34:23-24 in FULL says the following–

“And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the LORD have spoken it.”

Notice the clear language employed. First the Lord establishes that he will have “one shepherd over them” and then He points out that “I the Lord will be their God”. Two different beings with two different and distinct responsibilities.

So yes this prophecy certainly applies to our Lord. But that does not change the characters involved!  Brother Houteff sheds more light on this topic —

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 spirit to pass out of the land.” Zech. 13:2.  That is, at the time that this gospel-proclaiming kingdom is set up, it will be a church without guile — free from all idolaters and false teachers.  And it shall be fed by “one shepherd…even My servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.  And I the Lord will be their God, and My servant David a prince among them.” Ezek. 34:23, 24.

   When the Lord thus takes “the reigns in His own hands” (Testimonies to Ministers, p. 300), and again rules the church as a theocratic government (in the last days), “it shall come to pass,” as says Isaiah, “…that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it. 

And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.  And He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” Isa. 2:2-4. 

 4) Ezekiel 9

After quoting selected references from the Rod, they say,

“Thus they teach;

1. That Seventh-day Adventists, leaders and people, who reject the message of the Shepherd’s Rod will be slaughtered during the half hour of Revelation 8:1.
2. That this half hour will mark the beginning of the time of harvest.
3. That the time of harvest is synchronous with the loud cry of the third angel’s message.
4. That the removal of the tares from the church is the same as the slaughter referred to in Ezekiel 9.
5. That the slaughter of Ezekiel 9 will take place prior to the close of probation, and not at or subsequent to the second advent of Christ.”                                  Then they make a point of showing how Ellen White shows how the Ezekiel 9 destruction will come in the plagues.                                                              Brother Houteff addresses this —Question: “5 T 212, bottom of page, seems to teach that the destroying weapons are the seven last plagues. The SRod teaches that Ezek. 9 is the purification of the church. Please explain the apparent contradiction.
7. “Answer: Relative to 5 T 212, let us first observe a parallel, in certain respects, from pre-Noatic times. Jude proves that Enoch was a messenger of God, and yet that he warned his generation of the destruction of the world by the second advent of Christ when, in fact, the flood was the event which was to and subsequently did destroy the world of Enoch’s time! Enoch simply was not shown the truth of the flood. Therefore, he preached the destruction then in terms of the coming of the Lord.So it was with Sr. White. As no one had light on the destruction of Ezekiel 9 she made the comparison with it to the seven last plagues with which they were more conversant. Nevertheless, later on in 3 T 266, 267; 5 T 210-212; TM 431, etc. she applied Ezekiel Nine to a time before the seven last plagues. Thus, Ezekiel Nine is applicable at two different times — first, at the time of the separating of the firstfruits, the 144,000; and second, at the time of the separation of the second fruits, the great multitude of Rev. 7:9.

In  concluding our study, as mentioned we would have to spend much time, maybe 10 to 15 parts, to fully address the twistings and out of context writings that Vance Ferrell has compiled. As we have many  other projects going we just don’t have the time now to devote to such an endeavor. By God’s grace maybe soon we will. But let us know that Satan is working over time to block, twist, hood-wink, or flat out lie, to keep the Lord’s Rod from reaching the people. May the Lord be your guide and may the Spirit of Truth guide you “into all truth”. Amen.

Exposing Vance Ferrell’s Deceptions (Part 2 of 3)

(Note: as there are many inaccuracies, false and mis-applied statements from Vance Ferrell’s reports, we obviously cannot spend time clearing them all. We’ve selected some that show specific clear deceptions.)

As we continue with our second part, we’ll look at more of Vance Ferrell’s reports. Before we do, we want to quote from the Rod and Testimonies these applicable Inspired references.

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

Let those who delight to trace words of calumny and falsehood against the servants of Christ remember that God is a witness of their deeds. Their slanderous touch is not profaning soulless vessels but the characters of those whom Christ has purchased by His blood. The hand which traced the characters upon the walls of Belshazzar’s palace keeps faithful record of every act of injustice or oppression committed against God’s people.(Testimonies, vol. 5, p.244-245)

As we go further, pay particular attention to VF’s attempt to blacken Victor Houteff’s character. This modus operandi is a general theme through out his reports. VF time and again pulls the trigger at brother Houteff then ask questions later.

In the beginning of his “The History of the Shepherd’s Rod” report VF says–

“He immigrated to the United States in 1907 at the age of 22, after having been expelled from Bulgaria. Originally a Greek Orthodox, Houteff had become involved in some kind of difficulty with his native church; so much so that they requested the Bulgarian Government to expel him from the country.”

VF doesn’t waste any time in his slanderous story, by providing sketchy details. His blanket statement “involved in some kind of difficulty” shows purposeful vagueness. Why? Because VF doesn’t know or have the facts nor did he bother to investigate what really transpired.

So clearly VF wants to portray Victor as a troublemaker. This way people can be prejudiced right from the get-go! See how Satan’s henchmen work? They build their web of lies cunningly and as it builds, one block of error is piled upon another. Soon the un-suspecting and agenda hunters look at the whole report and say “Ah ha, Victor Houteff was a deceiver, a false prophet.”

The only ones who come to the clear understanding of the truth is those who “weigh the evidence”.

The “difficulty” that Victor had,  was because his flower business became very successful to the extent that his fellow competitors became bitter and vengeful. Soon even the local bishop sided with them. Instead of being expelled by the government, he was driven out by envy, jealousy and hate at gunpoint. Victor explains what happened–

I came to America, not because I wanted to, but because God wanted me to.  And since I knew not my future work, and as God could then no more make me understand than He could at first make Joseph understand his trip to Egypt, I was therefore driven out of the country at the point of a gun as was Moses driven out of Egypt, although I had done nothing to bring trouble upon myself. 

And who do you suppose led the rebels to storm me out of the country?  None other but the Greek Orthodox bishop of the province!  And where do you suppose he sponsored his pursuing campaign?  In the church on Sunday morning while in his full regalia and about twenty feet from where I stood!

At that time I knew not what my going away from home to such a distant land was about, but now I know as well as Joseph knew that his brethren’s hope to defeat God’s plan for him was but God’s plan to get him down into Egypt.  And so rather than to thwart the plan, they really caused the plan to be carried out!

   When things go contrary to one’s will and way today, most Christians give credit to the Devil.  Only when things go according to their liking do they give credit to God!  Balaam, too, was happy when the way opened for him to go to Balak, but when the angel of the Lord blocked the road he was traveling on, then Balaam, became as mad as a dog and smote the ass. (Timely Greetings, vol. 2, no.35, p.29-30)

So we read evidence straight from the man himself. On the contrary VF provides no documentation backing up his “story” (report) concerning his indirect claim that the government “expelled” him from Bulgaria. VF attempts the ol tried and true media ploy–Say it and many will believe it.

As we scan further down his report we find, “Next spring, Houteff hectographed copies of a study that he entitled The Shepherd’s Rod, and distributed it to a number of the leaders attending the 1930 General Conference Session, which was held in San Francisco from May 29 to June 12. One of those who received it-and had time to carefully examine it-was the well known F.C. Gilbert, whose doctrinal books we much value today.”

“carefully examine it”? Let’s see what F.C.Gilbert said in a letter to Victor about it–

“Dear Brother:-

While at the last General Conference convened in San Francisco you stopped me one day in the hall near one of the entrances to the auditorium, and handed me rather a voluminous document which you said you wished to place in my hand, and asked me to read it, and write you my comment on the same.

The document being of so voluminous a type that it would make it well nigh impossible for an ordinary man to dispose of in some months. I realize that time is very precious, and of course I presume you are desirous of receiving some sort of reply.

So I took a little time and perused certain sections of the document, and I thought I would render to you my findings.”

Now let’s compare. VF said Gilbert “carefully examined it” and the man himself said, “took a little time and perused certain sections of the document.” Who’s kidding who?  Does reading a few certain sections constitute an insightful opinion on a book with many sections? Is that “weighing the evidence”? Does that constitute a “careful examination”?

The Spirit of Prophecy advises, “Those who desire to doubt will have plenty of room. God does not propose to remove all occasion for unbelief. He gives evidence, which must be carefully investigated with a humble mind and teachable spirit, and all should decide from the weight of evidence. (Testimonies, vol. 3, p.255)

Men, women, and youth, God requires you to possess moral courage, steadiness of purpose, fortitude and perseverance, minds that cannot take the assertions of another, but which will investigate for themselves before receiving or rejecting, that will study and weigh the evidence, and take it to the Lord in prayer.” (Testimonies, vol. 2, p.130)

So once again VF is exposed as an incomplete and slanted author wishing to tell the tale as he wants it believed, regardless of facts.

This being said, we will  not delve on the subject of how F.C. Gilbert’s analysis falls woefully short in attempting to show Victor Houteff his error in those certain sections. Brother Houteff does a thorough job of it in Tract 7, p.6-12. A must read if one wishes to see a shaky foundation crumble from those who attempt to bring short-sighted reasoning to the table against Inspiration. No match.

Continuing on VF’s report, he next tries to show that “men of experience” called a formal meeting to once and for all get to the bottom of brother Houteff’s writings. Prove it right or prove it wrong. The reason the meeting was needed was that many of the laity around the country were abuzz with the Shepherd’s Rod writings. To some they appeared so truth laden that Inspiration was indeed at work. And when a Conference leader in South Carolina, E.T. Wilson, came out publicly with endorsement of  Victor’s writings, the GC leaders hands were forced.

This meeting was indeed held, but the outcome was not as VF writes. In being true to form, VF tries to paint the picture that Victor’s character was at fault, that he was uncooperative and dis-respectful in the meeting, thus being responsible for the abrupt end of the 7 day meeting.

This is another subject that has been documented by careful research. In brother Erik Bell’s site http://mtccamp.org/ , he has provided an in-depth report based on solid historical evidence. The heading is “Secret Tribunals of SDA”. Here you’ll read, among other things, about the SDA’s admitted self incriminating participation of another high level Conference meeting occurring at the same time as the Los Angeles meeting was. Unbelievably, while the so-called “get to the bottom” meeting with brother Houteff was going on in Los Angeles, a Washington DC meeting was being held condemning Victor’s writings and formulating a church wide response to his teachings!

In other words, the Los Angeles meeting, the one VF is so careful to describe as fair and upfront, was nothing but. The GC leaders put it together as a facade to make the laity believe that Victor’s teachings were being reviewed fairly by “men of experience”. A perpetrated fraud with the outcome predetermined!

This once again shows Vance Ferrell as the agenda writer he is, without carefully looking into the facts of important relevant information, he steamrolls ahead taking with him all who are gullible, naive, or have a like-minded anti-Rod agenda.

Further down in his history report, he writes “On February 15, 1935, Houteff wrote in The Symbolic Code, his monthly publication for his followers, that they should stay in their local churches and not separate, for “if we separate ourselves from the organization, then in the fulfillment of Ezekiel 9, when those who have not the mark are taken away, we shall have no right to claim possession of the denomination.” His point was that when in fulfillment of his predictions, the wicked Adventists were suddenly slain for not having accepted the Shepherd’s Rod, then the only ones still alive in the church would be the Rodites! They could then take over the entire denominational treasury and its properties,-at least Victor wishfully hoped so.”

If this rebuttal wasn’t meant to be serious, I would have to burst out laughing! Before we tackle the “his predictions”, let’s look at the last bold statement. Remember when we advised to keep and eye on VF’s intentional effort the blacken Victor Houteff’s character? Well here is a prime example. We see that VF insinuates that Victor was out for riches and had an ulterior motive in sticking with the church. Anyone who has read the Rod material at length knows this preposterous. VF provides not one single reference showing brother Houteff wished to “take over the entire denominational treasury.” The vain imaginations of Vance Ferrell at work again.

To further expose VF’s slander, in 1948 the “Central Texas Bureau of News” did an article on Mt.Carmel and it’s founder–brother Houteff. In it,  the article says–” Money is another subject Houteff does not like. ‘No one is here for money motives’ he says in his heavy accent. ‘Any profit that is shown at the end of the year goes back into Mount Carmel. We never worry about it.”

So we see that Victor Houteff, himself, declared that money was not important as such. It was a means to an end, the building up of God’s camp to publish His final message around the church,then the world.

Continuing, VF states that Ezek. 9 fulfillment is somehow  “his predictions” (Victor’s) predictions. The Spirit of Prophecy says, “Study the ninth chapter of Ezekiel, these words will be literally fulfilled.” (Manuscript releases, vol. 1, p.260)

VF continues to hood wink the unsuspecting with, “Among other concepts, Victor Houteff taught that he would not die, but would lead his people to old Jerusalem and thence to the heavenly Canaan. So it came as quite a shock to his followers when, on February 5,1955, he passed to his rest at the age of 69. “It just could not be; it just could not be: Houteff is dead and Jesus hasn’t come back yet!” they thought, and yet it had come to pass: Houteff had died.”

Again VF does not provide any proof that Victor taught he would not die. In fact to the contrary, the book “A Davidian Testimony” by one of the few remaining living members of the original Mt. Carmel camp, Don Adair, shows the real fact about what Victor taught in this regard.

In chapter 16, page 171, Adair writes, “One day someone at old Mt. Carmel Center told me about other Davidian workers there who were debating this subject: “Was Bro. Houteff going to die?”.. I heard that some Davidians told Bro. Houteff about their debate and asked him to settle it. He said, “Take this Bible and show me where I cannot die.”

As Davidians knew very well that Victor was the prophesied person to bring the “Elijah” message(Mal. 4:5), they began to think that because Elijah (the type) never died, so brother Houteff would not die. However Victor never said he was the anti-type of Elijah but said, “John’s work the type, ours the anti-type” (1 TG, no. 36, p.4). And as John the Baptist died, then by parity of reason so would he. The 144,000 were to be the anti-type of Elijah (PK, p.227)  (SRod tract, p.22)

In the remaining portion of the History report, VF explains about the well-known false prediction of Florence Houteff and her council concerning the 1260 day later day fulfillment, ending on April 22, 1959. True to form he attempts to lay all the subsequent disaster at the feet of brother Houteff. It’s more of his blackening the character and writings of Victor T. Houteff.

As we wrap up this second part of our report, we see clearly that VF has been fast and loose with the facts. Deception is his underlying foundation. But thank the Lord, those who sincerely love the Truth, and are guided by the “Spirit of Truth” can see who is behind this smear job.

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”(2 Tim 4:3-4)

Next post we’ll close with looking at some of VF’s complaints against the doctrines of the Rod. They are mostly rehashes of the early General Conference rebuttals against the Rod.

Exposing Vance Ferrell’s Deceptions (Part 1 of 3)

Recently we came across Vance Ferrell’s (hereafter referred as VF)  website sdadefend.com. We had been working with a brother who was reading some Rod quotes and literature we had sent him. He later sent us a report from VF’s website about the “Shepherd’s Rod”. Being new to the message and definitely not grounded in it, my friend expressed real doubt about brother Houteff and the Shepherd’s Rod. And who wouldn’t, as this report “seems” well documented and thorough. It may be a lengthy report but is it grounded in Truth?

But the forces of darkness like to deceive with cunning and with many words. Let us look at his report and point out some clear deceptions and mis-conceptions which obviously VF wants to put over on the un-suspecting.

Before we start, we are told the following —

“He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them.” (2 Thes.2:10) 

The 9th Commandment reads–

“Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor.”

Keep these powerful Truths in mind as we go over VF’s statements.

In his report “The Shepherd’s Rod” his second paragraph reads, “How did the Davidian Seventh day Adventist Church begin? What are some of its outstanding prophets? What did they teach? Here you will find the drama and tragedy of the Shepherd’s Rod, from its beginning in 1929 down to the present time. This is an unusually complete historical presentation.”

Let us begin by noticing the bold question “What are some of its outstanding prophets”? This question right here tips us off that Vance Ferrell has not really studied the Rod at all! For if he had done his homework and not just surface read the selected Rod quotes that he wants to use to bolster his anti- Rod agenda, he would know that to pose such a question is ludicrous.

Let us see what the Rod says about this matter.

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 to which one may turn. Any others will lead their victims blind-folded into perdition. (GCS, P.7-8)

“To re-emphasize the fact, let it be said again that being the last of the prophets Elijah is therefore, the only one who can open to our understanding all the prophecies of the Scriptures pertaining to the great and dreadful day of the Lord — prophecies which heretofore have been only mysteries to all.  Thus he is, as the Scriptures say, to blow the trumpet in Zion, and to sound an alarm in God’s holy mountain, in the church.”(GCS, P.19)

However, I would remind you, Brethren, that no prophet of God has ever been welcomed by the church.  On the contrary, each in his time was rejected, abused, and most of them were martyred by the ones to whom they were sent — the very ones who were supposed to be serving God!  Indeed, the Lord Himself paid the same price.  For this very reason we must remember that when the last prophet comes he will have the greatest opposition to meet, for Satan well knows that if he loses now, he loses forever. 

What makes Elijah’s work especially hard is that Christendom has long been drilled in the idea that no prophet is to come, that there is no necessity for one, that it has enough revealed Truth to carry it inside the Pearly Gates.(GCS, p.6)

“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.'” — “Testimonies to Ministers,” pp. 475, 476.

   There are two main points to note in these quotations:  (1) that the message and messenger here mentioned are the very last; (2) that they are to restore all things, (3) that there is danger for some to make fools of themselves by daring to tell him how to teach his message — assuming to take God’s place!(Jezreel Letter, no.9, p.1)

We highlighted important words that emphasis that brother Houteff straightly told of “one”, “last”, “no other voice”, “very last” prophet to come before the great and dreadful day of the Lord–the Elijah prophet. As many Davidians believe, Victor T. Houteff was that promised Elijah.

Therefore, we can see how VF attempts to palm off that the Rod teaches that more than one prophet is to come. It should be very plain to see that any and all others who promote themselves as a so-called “prophet” are not doing it in accordance to the words of the Rod of the Lord! Therefore they are not true “Davidians” but rather rank impostors.

By VF giving the impression that the Rod has many prophets, he is then able to take the un-suspecting down a slippery road and try and show them as false and wanting “Rod” prophets. All this in an effort to dis-credit the real Rod and its true teachings. It reminds me of the sly magicians who have us look one way while his other hand is doing the secretive work.

Now with all these clear facts in mind, we can now see how all VF”s writings and reports about the other so-called prophets is a moot point and invalid. Trickery at it’s finest. His two reports called “The Shepherd’s Rod-new prophets” and “The last prophet of the Rod–Marc Breault” also can now be seen as an exposed futile attempt to lead into a false path of deception.

Shame on this man for teaching lies and falsehood, may the Lord bring him to his senses before it’s too late!

Next post we’ll look at more of Vance Ferrell’s deceptions.

Teaching the Rod

The Rod says the following–

“Some teachers of the sealing message are taking an extreme position on health reform, dress reform, marriage, etc., and therefore, we request that all Present Truth followers refrain from reaching anything more or less than has been published in the Code, the books, and the tracts. The messages are plain in themselves, and you need not enlarge upon any point, but rather make sure that you, yourself, are walking in the light only as far as the light of Present Truth leads you, for which light and progress in the Christian pathway you, yourself, and those whom you teach, are responsible. Thus by precept and example, you will avoid all the pitfalls, whether they be in health reform, dress reform, or other doctrines, and will save yourself the embarrassment of having to put out the sparks of your own kindling, which only burn, wound, and lead astray instead of giving light and warmth.” (Sym. Code, vol. 2, no.12, p.11).

When we read these instructions,  we should remember the cardinal rule– read in context. Some may read this quote and think that Inspiration means that we should not teach, by adding our own words while we teach. If one looks at the whole context which the prophet writes, we notice it’s heading–“Be Not Extremists”. Under this heading the prophet attempts to show us the “extreme” positions, “enlarging” as to engage in an extreme position, going past what we should.

The above quote is understood clearer when we see the prophet wrote an additional reference on “magnifying” the message.

 Isa. 2:6 — “Therefore Thou hast forsaken Thy people the house of Jacob, [those men that are causing the people to follow them], because they be replenished from the east, and are soothsayers like the Philistines, and they please themselves in the children of strangers.”

   At the time the great ingathering here projected is about to take place, His professed people, He declares, please themselves among the unconverted and are charged with being soothsayers, ably explaining away God’s revealed Truth for this time rather than to magnify and to proclaim It.” (1 TG, no.5, p.9)

What we see here is that Inspiration admonishes those who fail to “magnify and to proclaim it”. Soothsayers instead of Truth magnifiers. The dictionary explains “magnify”–   enlarge, boost, enhance, maximize, increase,augment, extend, expand, amplify, intensify.

So clearly we cannot assume that Inspiration does not want us to teach and to enlarge what we are inspired to teach. Let us look at another reference.

All we are called to do is to teach and practice the Truth for today, to let the people make up their own minds for or against It. (1 TG ,no. 22, p.29)

We hardly need to explain the word “teach”. How many of us went to school and heard the teacher just quote from the text-book, unwilling or able to add any of their words in helping teach the subject? Of course the answer is –never. Teaching must require the teacher to use words of his choice, however ,as we have learned we must not be extremists. We should not , for example teach dress reform so much that we over do it! This is what Inspiration must be telling us as we take the subject in whole view and context.

Inspiration said, “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.” (Sym. Code, vol. 8, no.1-12, p.5).

This one says much and should clear the matter that if God has given the gift to either “interpret, study, teach, or discern” for His people, who are we to doubt  or discard these gifts from a brother or sister? We would do well to keep in mind that just because someone has these gifts does not mean that they are prophets. Sadly, as we present truth believers know today, the usurpers assume these gifts and make “prophetic” claims. These gifts are for the furthering of His kingdom, not the furthering of one’s status, agenda or following.

 “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” (Isaiah 8:20)

How do we know if a teacher of the Rod is properly teaching it? They exhibit a desire to uphold the “Law and testimony” rather than their own agenda. Let us look at examples of the latter among us today.

1) A brother is currently teaching that there shall be at least 3 Ezekiel 9’s to occur. The first one, a church judgment among Davidians, then one for SDA, then one for the world.

2) A brother teaching that feast day keeping is a must and that we need a living prophet to guide us now.

3) A brother teaches that he is the last “Elijah”, even signing his reports “A.D.Jezreel”.

The Rod has to be defended when we see mis-interpretations spread among the people. The Rod counsels us –“Our duty is to prove God’s Word correct rather than to hold tenaciously to our preconceptions and misconceptions until God Himself steps in and puts us to shame.” (TG, vol. 1, no.11, p.6)

In closing, we are all gifted in our own way, and let us try to use  our God-given gift to save others for the Kingdom. That, the Rod says is our duty (SRod, pocket addition, p.5).

The King be with you.

Identifying “those with” the 144,000

Note: When we refer to the “proponents of those with” we are addressing those who believe in others in the S.D.A church besides the 144,000 who survive the Ezek.9 church judgment.

Recently we finished our lengthy 7 part study of the 144,000. However there are some “loose ends” we’d like to tighten up, so that we do indeed have a clear conception of truth in this salvational subject.

As we pointed out in our prior posts, one of the big contentious issues today among Davidians is this ‘those with” issue. But does the Rod shows us who they are? Can we search closely and find who they will encompass?  Yes it does.

Once we can see who this group represents we are in much better position  to help our brethren out by giving them “an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” (1 Peter 3:15)

Ok , let us look at this subject with a singular focus to identify the much talked about “those with”. Also known as “along with”.

To begin with, we should remember that as was shown from the prior study, the overwhelming preponderance of evidence from Scripture, SOP and the Rod shows that the “those with” cannot be those who are alive in the S.D.A church at the judgment. In other words the Inspired word shows that only 144,000 LIVING S.D.A members are to “escape” the Ezekiel 9 church judgment.

So what we need to do is study some key verses that mention the “those with” and see how we can correctly understand the meaning and context.

First we’ll start with a very popular reference that the proponents of the “those with” surviving Ezek.9, like to use to promote their understanding.

“All that are found members of the church up to the fulfillment of Ezekiel Nine will either receive the seal and be a part of or with the 144,000, or else be left without the seal and fall under the “slaughter weapons” of the “five men.”(SC, vol. 2, no.5-6, p.8)

Ok, in surface reading this, one can easily fall into the trap of thinking this is saying that there are “two” groups ALIVE that survive the Ezek. 9 church judgment. One is the “a part of the 144,000” and the other is “with the 144,000”.

First, who is it that “finds” the members of the church? Is it not Christ? He is the One who finds them. And where does he look? He searches the “books” in heaven AND the physical churches. Is this not where “ALL” of the members would be found? The problem in this verse is that we limit the words to hold limited meaning. We are counselled that God’s thoughts are higher than ours.

“For as  the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9)

So once we understand that “all” members of the S.D.A church exist BOTH in the heaven books and the living churches,  then we can clearly understand that the those “with” are those who are the ones whose names are in the books and are still considered alive (now sleeping)  and members. The Lord tells us the faithful are just sleeping —

“And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt.” (Daniel 12:2)

Just so we are clear, this statement cannot be referring  exclusively to living members active in the church at Ezekiel 9 because of the following fact.

In 1944 brother Houteff published the Answerer, and in this publication published the following statement —

“Notwithstanding the fact that “in the closing work” for the Seventh-day Adventist denomination, only 144,000 are to be sealed (Answerer, vol. 3, Q-54) NOTE: this statement shows that all prior quotes said by VTH prior to 1944 cannot possibly mean more than 144,000 sealed from the S.D.A church who survive Ezekiel 9 church judgment.

Obviously, under Inspiration the prophet was led to republish his understanding again to emphasize the point that only 144,000 would survive the Ezekiel 9 judgment. This is key my brothers and sisters,  to understanding where VTH was coming from and his understanding of this issue.

That brings us to an important question: If this statement, ““All that are found members of the church up to the fulfillment of Ezekiel Nine will either receive the seal and be a part of or with the 144,000, or else be left without the seal and fall under the “slaughter weapons” of the “five men.”(SC, vol. 2, no.5-6, p.8)” doesn’t prove any support for the living “those with” arguments, then how can later date statements saying the same thing prove anything as well such as 1 TG, no. 4, p.27? They basically say the same thing–“be part of, or with the 144,000”. So are we to think that –“to be a part of or with the 144,000” in the later statements (after 1944) means brother Houteff now knows that  surviving S.D.A. “others with” will be with the 144,000?

Now we come to one of the most crucial references explaining who these “those with” are. It is found in the Answerer, Vol. 4, Question 93 .

Question No. 93:

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

Answer:

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

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

Ah, this is one enlightening statement! First , we notice that a NON-MEMBER of the S.D.A wants to know if he can be one of the 144,000. Then we see that the Elijah prophet cannot confirm this but does confirm that “you will at least be one with them.”

Let us keep in mind that the many thousands of books, tracts, and codes,  that brother Houteff published and mailed out, no doubt found their way into the hands of non S.D.A members throughout  the world. And today, with the advent of electronic media, so much more of this is happening no doubt.

Proof of this is found in the Answerer.

WHAT TRACTS ARE FOR OUTSIDERS?

Question No. 130:

   Which of “The Shepherd’s Rod” series of tracts are suitable to give those who are not members of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination?

Answer:

   The Shepherd’s Rod literature is designed for Seventh-day Adventists, but should occasion demand giving some to non-Adventists, Tracts No. 12, 13, and 14 are best adapted.

In recapping what we’ve learned so far, we see that  there are two groups that fall under the term “those with” so far.

They are the sealed S.D.A and non-members found in the heaven books and the non-members living today found outside the S.D.A who are living up to the Elijah message. Remember we showed in the prior study that there exists about 500 Sabbath keeping churches around the world, so there certainly a real possibility that more than a few comprise these “those with”.

In further support of this line of thought the prophet states it another way.

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

   This class of saints must be those who have at one time been married to some unchristian mistress, a heathen church, and who consequently are not descendants of either Jacob or the Christian  church.  So there are to be two harvests — one from the church and one from the world: the record of the former, mentions only Israelites, the 144,000, those not defiled with women, though it does not say that there may not be others; while the record of the latter, however, definitely embraces a “great multitude” from all nations which must necessarily be both of undefiled and defiled ones — Jews and Gentiles. (Tract 9, p.56)(1940)

Notice that in the top heading VTH is discussing “Second Fruits”. And notice that the point of the paragraph is about the “two harvests”. The church harvest will comprise the “Israelites” but it may also include “others”as the Rod states. Who are these others? Well, we just learned that there will “others with” such as non-S.D.A members. Conclusively , we can see how the first harvest can bring in some of these ‘those with” and they can be those “not defiled with women” , meaning that they have walked in the Lord’s light despite their current church’s false ways. Staying above reproach despite the surrounding circumstances, in other words.

Some may say ask — Wouldn’t non-S.D.A members be considered from the world and not the church? Fair question.However the Rod made the following statement in regards to who can be a part of the “redeemed church”.

“Moreover, having one’s name on the church books does not assure any one of being saved. Having your name written in the books of heaven is what counts. Your acceptance of the truth and a desire to comply with all the requirements which the message provides, is what secures your membership in the church of the redeemed.” (SC, vol. 1, no.11-12, p.8) (1935)

Another powerful enlightening statement. We see that there are some in  the world and outside the S.D.A church who God considers part of His “redeemed church”.  So in answer to the question, it appears that the “others” that are not defiled exist in the world now, yet are part of the “church”. Amazing how deep God’s word is!

Key point— The fact is that we should understand what Inspiration is telling us. That there is the possibility of hundreds if not thousands around the world (7 Billion people) who know the Rod and are living up to it’s light (reformed life and obeying it’s word) yet NOT a member of the SDA church.

As for the Tracts, and as a reminder of our prior study, we should remember that this Track 9, p.56 quote, cannot be in any shape or form advocating “others with” the 144,000, such S.D.A church members will survive and escape the Ezek. 9 church judgment. Why? Because remember that the Answerer was published in 1944, after that Tract was written. Also Tract 14, which came AFTER Tract 9 told us this.

“The city” is figurative of Judah and Israel, the church in which are to be found the 144,000 servants of God (Testimonies to Ministers, p. 445) those who are to be called by another name after the unworthy servants are slain. And as the 144,000 are the first fruits (Rev. 14:4) of the harvest, they are the “escaped” of the Isaiah 66:19 and of Ezekiel 9.” (Tract no. 14, p.19-20) (1943)

When the Rod says “the escaped” of Isaiah 66:19 and Ezekiel 9, we cannot mis-understand those clear words. The word “the” means the whole or all. If the prophet intended to support the false understanding of the “those with” proponents, wouldn’t it read something like, “they are part of the escaped”? Further we see that this statement makes mention of  “the church”. In other words–The escaped of the church is 144,000. So clear.

Let’s go on to our third verse —

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

As present-truth adherents in the first-fruit period, may God help us all, Brother Sister, to be either among or along with the first fruits, the 144,000. It is left to every one himself to determine his own destiny.” (WHR, p.46) (1951)

This quote is the classic example of looking at the WHOLE context. if one were to read the last sentence without carefully understanding the prior sentences one could take that at face value and presume that some living S.D.A will be “along with” the 144,000. This is exactly what the proponents of the ‘those with” do.

Notice clearly that the prophet mentions those “privileged either to come up in the resurrection of Daniel 12:2, or to stand a forehand with the Lamb on Mount Zion (Rev. 14:1). Two groups. Then in continuing his line of thought, he notes that present-truth adherents are “to be either among (the 144,000) or along with ” ( the resurrected of Daniel 12:2). Again not complicated and easy to understand.

Another quote —

“Remember, too, that you are candidates for the first fruits, to be either one with or one of the 144,000, that you are to be without guile in your mouths (Rev. 14:5).” (1 TG, no. 4, p.27) (1946)

This is one of the “testing quotes” I believe the Lord allowed  us to see, and to know whether we were truly studying His Rod or whether we are surface readers. Admittingly one could take it at face value and be convinced it means two “living” groups we can be a part of. But we must ask, with the fact that we know that He will have “those with” around the world outside the church  who will join the 144,000, did Inspiration write in such a way as to speak to those as well? We must come to that conclusion based on the evidence.

Further, as the above can be construed as leading one to think there are S.D.A living ‘those with”, such statements as the following certainly shoot down any thoughts like that  —

If one cannot deny that the 144,000, the first fruits, are members of the church, then one cannot deny that they are of her seed. And as they remain alive from the slaying of the unfaithful in their midst, they are therefore the “remnant”—that which remains. (Answerer, vol. 2, Q-33)

Let us stop here for a moment and say that we as present truth believers are neither happy or glad in any way that the Lord must do His judgment in the way His word declares. it all points to us doing all we can within our power to be “among the 144,000.” (SRod , pocket addition, p.7 and 17) and to “help save the brethren, the 144,000 (Jezreel Letter, no.6, p.8).

Theses quotes reminds us of the absolute clarity of statements the Rod says in regards to our issue. None should fail to see it.

Here’s a quote showing EGW as one of “those with”.

“ANY RESURRECTED AMONG THE 144,000?

Question No. 161:

Sister White was told that only the 144,000 may enter the holy temple in heaven. Since, however, she herself went in (for she says, “The wonderful things I there SAW”–“Early Writings,” p. 19), is she not one of the 144,000?

Answer:

“We must realize that Sister White entered the temple only in vision, not in reality. The 144,000 were not bodily there, and neither was she. She was taken there in vision for no reason other than to view the things therein, that she might describe them to us. So necessarily, of course, she had to enter in. And since she certifies that the 144,000 are “living saints” Early Writings, p. 15) and since she herself died, she cannot be one of them, though she can be one with them.” (Answerer vol. 5, Q-161)

Summary —

The true “those with” the 144,000 that the Rod intends us to know about, is not the living S.D.A at the time of Ezekiel 9 church judgment but rather the 1) Resurrected saints from the S.D.A  2) Resurrected non-S.D.A  church members around the world  3) Those alive at Ezekiel 9, who are non-S.D.A members, yet are a part of the “church of the redeemed.”

In closing, we can now see clearly that the Rod can beautifully explain the ‘those with” if we only let it. We should not be surface readers but view it in a full perspective as the Rod says-

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

Christ our King be with you all.