Meet the Lord’s Young Workers

(Brothers (from left) Ali Mwanza, Boniface Mwanza and Elvis Mweetwa)

Today’s youth are bombarded at every turn. They are diverted into outrageous music (noise), perverted and violent TV shows and video games. The diversions are never ending it seems. Yet to the ones who avoid all that and stay on the straight and narrow, the Lord declares in His word, “They shall be Mine,” says the LORD of hosts, on the day that I make them My jewels.” (Mal. 3:17)

Let us meet some of His “jewels”. These are young people who are not only professing to be followers of His word, but –doers!  Recently I received a email from  brother Boniface from Ndola, Zambia,  that I knew had to be spread. In the following letter, note the obvious fact that the devils are very active once you and I start obeying His word and attempting to show others. Showing us another obvious fact that we’re on the right path towards His Kingdom.  These kind of stories really bless us and motivate us to continue on that “straight and narrow road”.

His word is clear, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” (1 Peter 4:12-14)

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Greetings brothers and sisters in the lord Jesus Christ,

Last year in August we decided to move to another Church having seen that were known and that our names were polluted. We moved to the church which is just near by the Military Barracks, so most of the Church members are in the military, we went their with the aim of inviting the brethren to our Bible studies, and to avoid open conflicts with the leaders, we talked less and invited more.

We were welcomed very well the first time went there, a month after, we started distributing literature and DVDs, and some people got interested and wanted to know more. The opposition started last year when the Church elder received the Rev 7 booklet, He didn’t even bother to read it but he just announced in Church on Sabbath, saying “we’ve been invaded by offshoots and you can even see how good your leaders are that we are even warning you, currently they are in a habit of distributing literature and how knew ,I was given one, and if they won’t stop, we are ready to fight”.

People were confused, they didn’t understand what he was trying to tell them thus some got interested to find out, and also when were learning the Sabbath School study guide, we use quote to from the Spirit of Prophecy many people enjoyed our contributions and some approached us, trying to find out were learnt the lessons from, others wanted to associated with us so that they to can have the same understanding , we invited them to attend our Bible Studies, they really enjoyed the lessons, others failed to attend because we usually have the lessons in the afternoon on Sabbath,.

Last month we sat down and began to evaluate what we’ve archived and planned the way forward asking the lord to guide us, we came up with the plan to join youth movement so that we have some time together, we get to know them better, distribute some DVDs and to share the message of truth with others, we praise God that the plan worked. 

Last Sabbath we went to Church early in the morning, upon entering the Church we kneeled down prayed and then we sat down according to, 6T 362

“We do not obtain a hundredth part of the blessing we should obtain from assembling together to worship God. Our perceptive faculties need sharpening. Fellowship with one another should make us glad. With such a hope as we have, why are not our hearts all aglow with the love of God? We must carry to every religious gathering a quickened spiritual consciousness that God and His angels are there, co-operating with all true worshipers. As you enter the place of worship, ask the Lord to remove all evil from your heart. Bring to His house only that which He can bless. Kneel before God in His temple, and consecrate to Him His own, which He has purchased with the blood of Christ. Pray for the speaker or the leader of the meeting. Pray that great blessing may come through the one who is to hold forth the word of life. Strive earnestly to lay hold of a blessing for yourself.” {6T 362.4}

We were told to take the morning service together with the bro who is interested in the message, and enjoys watching prophetic DVDs, he prepared a power point presentation about the use of music and the wrong use of it with Ali and I was asked to lead them in prayer, when they started their presentation, bro Ali read Rev 3: 17, and then whist I was in front I noticed that 

the Sabbath school leader got upset so much so that she wanted to end the presentation, but we thank God that they did the presentation, the Sabbath school leader reported us to the head deacon and so they sat down and planned what they’ll do to us, having done the presentation the Sabbath school leader said that she wanted to see us after the main service, we were certainly sure that what we are being called for was nothing good, just after the main service I prayed to God, asking Him for guidance and that we may stand for that which is written.

We were called by the Sabbath school leader and her name is SR Siyamwinga:

SR Siyamwinga > “As a prayer Band Leader or the prayer Ministry Leader, brethren the reason why I called you is about what you usually do when you enter in church, you like kneeling down when offering your silent prayers and am telling you that, what you do is not correct, it is wrong, you are disturbing the order of service, in the Church we have different times when we stand and kneel down together as a Church, am not encouraging you to be doing that.”

BRO Boniface > “If you remember very well, just before we got baptized we made some vows and vows that said that we believe in the Spirit of Prophecy and we also read in Isaiah that if we do not speak according to the law and to the testimonies then there is no light in us, you should have asked us why we kneel down upon entering the church, and where it is written, we kneel down because we’ve read from the Bible and the Spirit of prophecy that it is our privilege to bow down when offering our prayer unto the Lord.”

BRO Ali > “SR we are not saying that we know everything, perhaps we’ve gone wrong, give us the references as to why praying whist kneeling down when we enter the Church is not correct, where is it written?

SR SIYAMWINGA > “what am saying is that what you are doing is not correct, as the leader of the prayer ministry, I am not encouraging that!”

BRO EURIAHS > “”If you wont give us the references, we won’t stop kneeling down when we enter the place of worship”

SR SIYAMWUNGA > “Brethren you are just bring confusion, we must follow the order of service, when you come to church in the morning, just sit and offer your silent prayers whilst sitting and you’ll be kneeling down when the whole church is asked to do so, and brethren we don’t even know where you came from, you started worshiping with us some two years ago and now you want to become problems!”

Upon failing to give the references she decided to call the head deacon and they came the head Deacon was like

“Mwanza I don’t want confusions here if you want to bring confusions go and create your own Church because if you continue I’ll beat you, I don’t want to see you here have you heard, we don’t need you here, just go back where you came from!”

.BRO BONIFACE > “Am very disappointed with the way you handling the issue as the head deacon, I thought you are going to handle this issue with love and caring, you should have told 

us where we’ve error according to what is written unlike what you are saying, you should have asked that brothers why do you do that, where is it written? And if we are wrong show us according to what is written”

THE DEACON “you think you know everything just because you’ve studied one or two books of EGW, let me tell you young men, I have EGW’s book, I bought them with my own money and for you, you didn’t even buy them, I know I know what they contain, where in the Bible have you read that must be kneeling down when praying and if you won’t find it, Mwanza I’ll beat you!!!”

BRO BONIFACE > “lets read Philippians 2 vs 9-11.” “2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth;

2:11 And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

THE DEACON “have seen, you don’t even understand the English very well, what can you tell me! Mwanza you are just a grade eleven pupil, what is it that you know about the Bible, I’ll beat you If you are playing with me!”

BRO EURIAHS >”lets read another quote”

THE DEACON >”silly! What grade are you? There is nothing that you can tell me!”

BRO ALI “well brethren let us not fight the battle which does not belong to us, we don’t want to engage our self into a physical fight, for it is written that “it not by mighty nor by power, and are not talking about education here.”

BRO EURIAH “we’ve given you the reference, now give us the your reference as to where it is written that we should not bow down when praying.”

THE DEACON > “have never read that scripture which says “”as He stood”?

We all replied in unison “no, show us please!”

THE DEACON > “huh young men, stop playing games, you mean you’ve never read that verse?”

BRO BONIFACE “Well sir, I have the Bible with me, we don’t know where it is written, show us please.”

THE DEACON > “let me go and get my Bible, and if I find it, am telling you that you will be in trouble!”

SR SIYAMWINGA > “brothers let us not try to challenge another and let us not exaggerate the issue, I just wanted to tell you that what you like doing just show hypocrisy and that you should stop”

THE DEACON > “they think they are more Christian than us, like they are more learned.”

The deacon flipped the all book of Luke and never found the verse and upon falling to give us the reference he said that “brethren what you are doing is disturbing worship you might even be arrested if I report you to the police!”

BRO ALI >”the order of worship was given to EGW in the book 5T 490-491, don’t forget that she’s the founder of the SDA CHURCH”

BRO BONIFACE >”brethren I think this discussion won’t help us in any way because you don’t want us to read the quotes and you are upset, find time, so that we can sit down together and prove everything according to the law and to the testimony.”

THE DEACON >”I don’t have time to sit and discuss with you, am a very busy man, in the mean time go back were you came from!”

After the discussion the deacon pushed us out of the gate and shouted on top of his voice that we should not go there again.

The next Sabbath we went back early in the morning even before the leaders arrived, we prayed and sat down, then we started singing hymns, just an hour after that the church leaders came and found us in the church, upon seeing us they went out and called a police officer who congregates at the same church and he came in, he called us out, I recorded the conversation that we had, its is attached to this file.

They didn’t spare us that time, the same deacon wanted to withhold us, so that his fellow deacon whom they say he’s violet could find us, but the police officer refused his evil plan, the deacon chased us out, the police officer was shocked with the move that was made he followed us whilst we were walking out of the church premises and told us that he didn’t want us to leave, we gave him the quotations that talks about the behavior in the house off God, after we read the quotes he said “Brethren what I can tell you is that, a person can be a pastor, an elder or deacon but he doesn’t have the truth, he is useless.” We gave him the leaflet on the same topic although to him it was quite hard to get it in the eyes of the church members, but we thank God that he received it,

The church members have aroused to their senses, they were disappointed with what the church leaders did, (chasing us for kneeling upon entering the place of worship) the bro whom we were with the other Sabbath when we took the Sabbath school, followed us and told us to meet in the afternoon, we called him in the afternoon and invited him to attend the Bible study, and when he came we even changed the lesson and presented New Light And Personal Investigation, after the lesson we escorted the brother home and whist on the way, we met three brethren from the same Church, they too got interested to study with us and promised to be with us next Sabbath.

Although they’ve chased us from the church, the Lord has opened another way through the Adventist Youth Society, they requested for a Bible study next week on REV 7.

They can prevent us from going to Church, but they can’t prevent the truth from reaching the people. Let us join hands and pray for the leader of this Church so that the Lord my help them and also for the brethren who’ve started studying the message, we are also requesting for your prayers, so that we can stand firm despite the opposition and leave up to the truth that we have.

Please keep these young workers in your prayers and may our Lord continue to guide them.

 (Brother Euriah Chileshe)

” Though the messenger, to the exposure of persecution and scoffing, even endangering his life, declares the truth with love to save, the sinner will often arise against a friend of his soul.  Said the prophet “Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.” Eze. 33:9. (Shepherd’s Rod, vol. 1, p.248)

Professing the Rod with Better Results

              As those of us know, the Lord’s Elijah message aka the Shepherd’s Rod message, is a two edge sword. On the one side we know it’s power and it’s life-giving message. On the other we know it’s ability to harm if used in the wrong way. For instance, which of us would want to sit down with someone who has new interest and start off with the slaughter and only 144,000 will survive of the approx. 20,000,000 Adventists? Most would probably be highly skeptical and in fact build an immediate defense and possibly an unshakable prejudice.

We must as the Bible states, ” ..be as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves.”(Matt.10:16). Build our case one truth at a time and then when the time has come and the confidence is secured with our student, then we can let them know the solemn things of the Elijah message.

Ellen White describes this tactful approach, “The truths that we hold in common should be dwelt upon first and the confidence of the hearers obtained; then, as the people can be brought along, we can advance slowly the matter presented. great wisdom is needed to present unpopular truth before a prejudiced people in the most cautious manner, that access may be gained to their hearts.” (Testimonies for the Church, vol.3, p.426)

Of course if you are dealing with a more sophisticated individual, perhaps one who is already “teaching” what he thinks is God’s truth, then we may find our discourse should be more straight forward and  the main points of the message brought out.

One thing to keep in mind we must be very cautious not to let our precious jewels of truth  be thrown before the very ones who are professed adversaries of the Lord’s message. Again our prophetess has some great words of advice.

“Angels weep to see the precious truth of heavenly origin cast before swine, to be seized by them and trampled with the mire and dirt.” (Ibid. p. 425-426)

So with these thoughts in mind let us look at a plan approved by brother Houteff on an approach to deliver the sealing message. We suggest that you copy this for future reference and as a guide, remember it’s got the prophet’s stamp of approval.

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..In regard to laboring most successfully, there are a few general principles which, if closely followed, will tend to minimize prejudice and accomplish the greatest results. These of course must be flexible so as to meet the individual circumstances and condition. Following is a straight enumeration of those points which seem most important.

  (1)   First, if necessary, open up to the prospective believer the subject of investigating purported truth. There is no use in trying to adduce evidence in support of something if the mind in question is every step of the way being cluttered up by thoughts which are continually falling from the preconception that we either need not or should not investigate into any unknown messages. We must first remove this fallacious conception before we can get anywhere with our presentation of the truth.

To this end we should always have at command the ensuing group of statements which will always compel the honest mind that believes in the Spirit of Prophecy to lay aside the implements of warfare until it has come and given a fair hearing to what you have to present. “Testimonies on Sabbath School Work,” (abbreviated TSSW, a little book which, if you have not, you ought by all means procure as soon as possible from your Book and Bible House), page 59: “Listen with candor…; p. 60, “When new light…; p. 65, “Precious light…; p. 65, “If a message comes…; p. 66 (complete page); T.M. 69-70 “Preaching Contrary to Established Doctrines.” 5T:728 (full page); T.M. 106-7 “But beware of rejecting…; T.M., pp. 108-10; G.W. 300-1, 303-4; T.M. 476 “Brethren, we must…; M. to Y. P.. 260; C.T. 463; R. & H., March 25, 1890 and May 28, 1890; T.M. 30 “We have many lessons…; T.M. 119 “When a message…; 2T:130 “Men, women, and youth…; 4T:361; “We are on dangerous ground when we cannot meet together like Christians, and courteously examine controverted points. I feel like fleeing from the place lest I receive the mold of those who cannot candidly investigate the doctrines of the Bible. Those who cannot impartially examine the evidences of a position that differs from theirs, are not fit to teach in any department of God’s work.” — R. & H., Vol. 67, No. 7, February 18, 1890. See also tract #4, pp. 80-84,

(2)   Second, prove that there is a message due the church and that it is to be borne in the spirit and power of Elijah. References: 5T:254; E.W. 155; 5T:709; 8T:332; T.M. 117. (Couple 3T:252-3 with 5T:254) ; E.W. 277, past par.

   (3)   Next show that the message will be rejected. References: Ezekiel 2 and 3; The Review and Herald references quoted on pages 45 and 46 of the tract, “Warning Paradox”; and the following which is also from R. & H.: “Several have written to me, inquiring if the message of Justification by Faith is the Third Angel’s Message, and I have answered, ‘It is the third angel’s message in verity.’ The prophet declares, ‘And after these things I saw an angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lighten with his glory.’ Brightness, glory, and power are to be connected with the third angel’s message, and conviction will follow wherever it is preached in demonstration of the Spirit. HOW WILL ANY OF OUR BRETHREN KNOW WHEN THIS LIGHT SHALL COME TO THE PEOPLE OF GOD? As yet we have certainly not seen the light that answers to this description, God has light for His people, and all who accept it will see the sinfulness of remaining in a lukewarm condition.” R. & H., Oct. 7, 1890, p. 609; G.W. 303, last par. and T.M. 106, last par.

Vol. 1 Symbolic Code No. 5  pg. 7

(4)   Take the main subjects treated of in the Rod, i.e., the sealing of the 144,000, Ezek. 9, purification of church, sealing of great multitude, judgment of living, and present them as forcibly as possible. Clear these main points so they stand out like mighty beacon lights that cannot be escaped. Then when this is done, read one or two statements such as the following: G.C. 527 “While God…; G.C. 528 “There is…; 5T 690 “Those who…; 5T 68-9 “If you…; 3T 255 “The True Witness…; 3T 258 “The word…; P.P. 290 “We should obey…; 5T 729 “It is…; 5T 486 “Has the Lord…; 5T 94 “Gather up…; 1T 262 “We must walk…Having done this, you leave the individual without a vestige of footing upon which to stand and cavil over inconsequentials and recondite points which one needs much discernment to understand.

(5)   Do not entertain subjects which are only partly clear unless constrained to do so. Cleave strictly to the great truths that no candid mind can dispute. The failure to do this will constitute a constant impediment, giving rise to needless disputes and controversies which will invariably leave the mind of the individual more prejudiced than before.

   (6)   In order to allay as much as possible the prejudice caused to some by the strong condemnation voiced in all the publications, I refer you to 3T 252-3; 8T 249; 5T 72; C.O.R. 150; 5T 217; 8T 146; T.M. 397; T.M. 174-5; 2T 124, and many, many others of similar tenor, all of which either explicitly state or imply the necessity of denouncing the abominations in our midst.

   (7)   If it be said that those bearing the message are too strong in word and deed, point them to T.M. 475; T.M. 410; T.M. 408; D.A. 468; T.M. 165; T.M. 411; T.M. 412, 413; G.C. 606, etc.

(8)   Avoid the subject of tithe until the individual believes that the SRod is true and is the message for the hour. To bring it up prematurely is to make crooked paths for his feet and to cast a stumbling-block before him. When you see, however, that he believes the message, then show him that the tithe belongs where present truth is. Read to him G.C. 609 where the Lord says “Who dare refuse to publish?” and observe the fact that if one dare not refuse to publish, one dare not then refuse to take the tithe to help support the work.

Also you may present the matter from still other angles. Jesus and the apostles were Jews and members of the organized church at that time, yet they had a treasurer of their own. Moreover the apostles received everything that was brought and laid at their feet — tithe, offering, and principal. Acts 4:34, 35. This gives us the finest apostolic precedent one might wish, for the apostles were also bearing a special message to the church, just as we are today, and not to the world.

Then you may present the matter yet from this angle if necessary: We are sent “to the lost sheep of the house of Israel,” and it “is not meet to take the children’s bread and cast it to the dogs.” (Matt. 15:24, 26.) God has not sent us “into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans,” but to the church, and He has commanded: “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house.” The storehouse Is where present truth is, and as we bear present truth — meat In due season — then the Rod must be the storehouse, and the Lord says “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse.”

Then too, you might well reason with the individual along this wise: “Suppose we should all feel that our tithes must go to the treasury at Tacoma Park, then how would the message ever reach the endangered souls in our churches? God is not desirous at this time to bring the unconverted into the church to meet the fearful slaughter of Ezekiel Nine, but is exceedingly anxious to save His church.

Let only those who do not yet have light on the sealing of the 144,000 support the church in its present activities, — in its round of formalities, goal getting, devisings, etc., and those who have the light let them “follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth.” There is the past message and the fresh message. “God does not want any man to think that no other message is to be heard but that which he may have given. We want the past message and the fresh message.” R. & H., March 18, 1890. Let each side follow the course of supporting that which they believe present truth (after all, the inevitable course), then the interests neither of the one nor the other will suffer.

“Moreover,” we might continue to reason, “what success do you suppose we could hope for in getting the sealing message to the church if we should support that side which is rising against us like the waves of the sea? No, my Brother, if we should continue paying our tithe to them, we would not only be weakening our power against the enemy, but also our position with the message we bear, for then they would think, and justly so, that if we had something vital to their salvation, we would dare not before heaven do other than place our gifts to the advancement

Vol. 1 Symbolic Code No. 5  pg. 8

of the present message and not the past message. To do the latter would, instead of winning the sheep, not only drive them away, but also would strengthen the forces of the enemy and weaken God’s, for no man can fight his adversaries by lending them his weapons with which to stand strong against him.”

The instruction in the SRod, Vol. 1, p. 251, regarding tithe, proves that we have payed our honest part all the way. It says that the tithe should be paid to the old S.D.A organization. But now since the leading part of the denomination has rejected the sealing message of the 144,000 and is passing on to the people a pseudo refutation of its subject matter to justify their actions, doing all they can to prevent the people from coming in contact with the message, the action of the SRod in calling not only for the tithe but also for the offerings to be brought in for the support of the message of present truth is Divinely approved and justified, for present truth has always constituted God’s “storehouse.”

(9)   Avail yourself of charts as soon as possible, as they aid inestimably both in learning the message and presenting it to others. (Signed) M.J. Bingham

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Can we bypass the Last Prophet and live?

Recently I had a 3 week online study with a “Mark” whom I happened to meet while surfing the internet doing research on the “seal of God”. What I found was quite good. Mark had put together a “Seal  of God” post on his web-site. Many of the Scriptural and SOP references were there. He laid out the foundation that only the 144,000 will be sealed from the SDA and there will be a church purification to come very soon.

We as Davidians, know that what Mark is teaching is spot on. So I naturally was inspired to contact him to see how far along he was in the Elijah message. So I left him a message to contact me. We corresponded after a few days. I let him know that the post he made was true and thought the Lord was guiding him in this matter. I then began to inquire if he’d be willing to have some studies on the “Elijah message”.

He responded that he would. So I wanted to clear the fact that he was grounded first, in the church purification. He seemed quite informed in this area, so we concluded we were on the same page here. Then I brought up the  subject of the prophesied Elijah to come (Test. to Min. p. 475, Mal.4:5). He looked everything over then responded that he was in agreement with the well-known asterisk placed by the SDA leaders on that p.475 statement . He concurred that EGW was talking of herself. As I felt that this wasn’t going the way it should, I told him we’d revisit this later.

On to the next study we went. It was on the pre-millennial kingdom. I spared nothing here. Daniel, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Isaiah, I showed it all. But again, Mark continually countered the interpretations. He stood fast in rejecting this earthly kingdom. After a week of this back and forth, we finally had to call it quits.

But this situation is certainly not unique, for we Elijah messengers encounter this shortsightedness and blindness frequently among our brethren. But it got me thinking–how is it that one can be guided to know the truth clearly in one area of the message and then be blinded in another? Is the “Spirit of Truth” working part time? Only the Lord knows why this is occurring with this man, but regardless, He HAS sent us our final prophet  and as such we must refer to his writings to clear His truth for us today– the “present” truth.

Here’s brother Houteff’s writings on what happens when we reject a prophet sent to His people.

Now, suppose that we have a vision and also an interpreter, but do not have faith.  Then what? — If such be our case, then I believe that in such an unhappy state of mind we would be better off if we had neither vision nor interpreter, because if we had both a vision and an interpreter, but no faith we would be held responsible for rejecting both, and thus doubly sin against the Holy Ghost.  Then we would find ourselves in an even more unenviable position than were the Jews.

   There is no forgiveness for sinning against the Holy Ghost, against Inspiration, because once rejected there is nothing else by which a sinner can be brought to Christ.  Consequently there is no more hope for such a one, for there is nothing more that Heaven can do to awaken him to his poverty, and hence no more remedy, no forgiveness of sin.

   But one may say, “I do have faith in the Bible, in the Word of God.”  We may have even more faith in the Bible than had the Jews, but if such one-sided faith was a detriment to the Jews, then what would it be to others?  No, the Jews were not condemned for lack of faith in the Bible, but for having no faith in the messengers of God, no faith in the prophets and their interpretations of the Scriptures. 

Moreover, faith in the Bible without faith in the Interpreter Who dictated the Bible is as good as to admit that bread is indeed the staff of life, but to refuse to take a bite of it!  Let us see what the Bible itself has to say concerning such unfortunates:

2 Chron. 36:14-17 — “Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the Lord which He had hallowed in Jerusalem.  And the Lord God of their fathers sent to them by His messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because He had compassion on His people, and on His dwelling place: but they mocked the messengers of God, and despised His words, and misused His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, till there was no remedy. 

Therefore He brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: He gave them all into his hand.”

   The transgressors herein mentioned, you see, were not left to the slaughter simply because they were great sinners; God had compassion on them while sinning, and sent messengers to correct and to enlighten them.  But after they rejected His messages, and slew His Spirit-filled messengers, they sinned against the Holy Ghost, then there was nothing more that He could do but to let their enemies destroy them.

   Let us consider another example, this one in Jesus’ time.  The Jews in His time had even greater faith in the Scriptures than any before them.  With the Scriptures they accused, tried, and crucified the Lord.  The thing in which they had no faith was Jesus’ interpretations of the Scriptures.  As a result, some years later their city was destroyed, and every one that was found in it burned as rats, only because they failed to heed Jesus’ instructions:

Luke 21:20-22 — “And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.  Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.  For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.”

   Without vision, you see, the people perish.  And also without an interpreter and without faith they likewise perish.  And this is why “the Spirit of Prophecy” is an absolute necessity to the people of God in all generations.

   Laodiceanism today, you know, is in a worse situation than any people at any other time, for by protesting that there is no need of prophets, no need of more truth, they have already rejected them, yes, actually killed them.  If they expect no more truth and if Jesus Christ Himself should come with more truth would they not crucify Him also?  I know that I am not making a rash statement, not exaggerating either, and I also know that the Bible will sustain me in what I am saying, else I would not say it.

   We have now already seen that the Scriptures are not of private interpretation, and that Christendom as a whole has no inspired, Divinely-appointed interpreter, does not even claim to have one, and that the people are as confused as were the foolish Babel tower-buildings when their language was replaced with diversified languages.

   Now, then, if it is Truth that makes anyone free, and if It comes only through Inspiration, and if Christendom fails to recognize this and thus give God no chance to save it, then what is to be its fate, and also the fate of the Church itself?  You know the answer.

   The root of this blundering, though, springs from the heart of the church that professes to be the light of the world, for she feels rich and increased with goods, in need of neither Truth nor prophets in spite of the fact that the Lord Himself tells her that she is wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked, about to be spued out, and in need of everything (Rev. 3:14-18.)

To overlook this charge and still to say we have need of nothing is to insult the Lord, and to charge God with having forsaken the earth, the Church, and the people, and leaving them all to do the best they can in their confusion and carnal security, expecting to lift themselves out of their deception by the straps of their boots!

   There is but one thing that her people have been taught to look for, and that is to look out for false prophets, and as the people do not realize that there can be no false where there is no true, can you not see their inconsistency? 

And what terrible self-deception for a people to think themselves right when they are all wrong! — Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 3, pg. 253.  I say terrible, and I mean terrible, because if they keep on imagining that they are rich and increased with goods, in need of nothing, while they are destitute of everything, they will certainly be “spued out.”

   If they do awake to their poverty, it will be the greatest miracle since the beginning of the world.  I say it will be the greatest, because they feel no need of God’s help through Inspiration, expect none, are prejudiced, suspicious, and fearful of everyone that disagrees with their preconceived idea.  They are therefore even harder to reach with the saving Truth for today than were the Jews of yesterday.

   Will the Church forever remain in her self-deception, or will she awake to her great need?  We shall have these questions answered if we turn to the Revelation:

   “And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.  And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ…for the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy.” Rev. 12:16, 17; 19:10.

   Here is the Bible’s own answer, which says that there is to be a people who will have the Testimony of Jesus Christ at the time the earth swallows up the flood, the hypocrites.  And since this incident is yet future, it shows that there is to be a prophet in the Church, for the Bible’s own interpretation of “the Testimony of Jesus Christ,” is “the Spirit of Prophecy” (Rev. 19:10). 

The first part of chapter 19 you will note explains that the Spirit of Prophecy is brought to them by a man, a “fellow servant,” and that those who receive him feel like worshiping him, but he directs them to worship God, not a man.

   The remnant that are left, the saints who were not swallowed by the Dragon’s flood as the earth opened her mouth, you note have the “testimony of Jesus Christ,” the living Spirit of Prophecy active in their midst.  The Church therefore will not sleep forever, the true people of God will awake to their poverty, they will profit at this rousing call, but the Dragon’s flood will fill the bowels of the earth.

   Let now no one deceive himself by thinking that the Bible Itself is the active Spirit of Prophecy.  Let us be God’s real people, logical thinkers, not bait hunters.  The Bible, you know, without the human channel, is as inactive as though It were but ink and paper.  Moreover, the Spirit, too, apart from man, is also inactive:

He, too, works through the human agent.  Hence, without an inspired interpreter the concealed prophecies and the Spirit that unfolds them are inactive.  Moreover, how could it be said of one particular group having the Spirit of Prophecy, when all the sects in Christendom have the Bible?

   The remnant, who have the Spirit of Prophecy among them are directed to keep the commandments of God, while the rest of the world, through the influence of the Dragon, persecute them.  In this light, you again see that a remnant will escape from the present self-deception that has befuddled the whole Christian world.(Timely Greetings, Vol.2, no.24, 18-23)

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(Please pray for this brother Mark, that the Lord may open his eyes and bring a spirit of contriteness to his spirit, that he may no longer feel he is “increased with goods and in need of nothing”(Rev. 3:17) 

Let us solve the Headquarters dilemma–The Lord’s way

A while back I was given a 5 part DVD set , concerning a meeting,  that took place several years ago between the two big organizations–Mt. Dale and Waco. The conference meeting centered on the main topic–where should God’s headquarters be today?

As I watched, many of the brethren from both sides got up and gave their heartfelt reasons for why their particular location should be God’s headquarters for the Elijah message. One side presented good sound reasons and then the other side did the same. They had charts, diagrams, and of course the Scriptures, Tracts, TG’s and Codes.

It became clear as the meeting progressed that although they tried very hard to convince the other side that their particular position was the Lord’s position , the opposite side was grounded just as deep as they were. In other words, it would take the wisdom from on High ONLY to settle this stalemate.

Then as the days went by the Lord occurred an  answer to this situation. and it was shown in true simplicity how this could be resolved. It’s the old tried and true plan--ASK THE LORD!  That’s right. When all else fails read the instructions of our Maker.

Brother Houteff gives us an example of squaring a difference or disagreement between His people.

“Inspiration, moreover, always brings the messengers of God into perfect harmony, never into division.  This prime truth is seen beautifully illustrated in the experience of the Apostle Peter, a Jew, with Cornelius, the Roman Centurion, a Gentile.  The Lord knew that Peter would never receive a Gentile, and that Cornelius would never present himself to a Jew.  So both were given a vision instructing them what to do.  (See Acts 10.)  And obeying the heavenly vision to which they had mutual respect, they without trouble drew into mutual accord.”(Symbolic Code, Vol.8, no.1-12)

Do we as  the light-bearers of His end time Elijah message believe that He can give us the same visions to our dilemma? We should and we must, If we are to finally break through in this long time problem.

Let them call together a chosen person of each group and go before the Lord together as one in kneeling prayer to ask for the answer to this very important question and then let them be on wait from the Lord.

David exhorts, ” Wait on the LORD, be of good courage and He will strengthen your heart, wait I say on the LORD!” (Psalms 27:14)

Just as He did with Peter and Cornelius, He is well able to give the clear answer to both. Do we believe that? Our Lord said, “Do not be afraid, only believe.”(Mark 5:36) I know this is very simplistic but it’s the only way , at this point, to find out the answer  from the Almighty and All-seeing One. How able and willing He is my brethren!

Let us consider this Biblical plan of God to resolve this Headquarters dilemma. Then after the answer comes, the two organizations shall be as ONE, ready to give that last momentous 11th hour message to Mother and the laity. They are in desperate condition and we,  as Davidians, should reach out as one team. If the two organizations join as one, I believe there will be  great force and power in the Lord’s final work!

In closing let us look at some applicable Inspired words.

“The day is at hand. For the lessons to be learned, the work to be done, the transformation of character to be effected, the time remaining is but too brief a span.” (Education, p.184)

“And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of Him.”(1 John 5:14-15)

“Is Christ divided?–No. Christ abiding in a soul will not quarrel with Christ in another soul. If we are at variance with those around us, we may know that it is because self has not been crucified. He whom Christ makes free is free indeed. And we are not free unless we love one another as Christ has loved us. Our characters must be molded in harmony with Christ’s character; our wills must be surrendered to His will. Then we shall sit together in heavenly places with Him. Then we shall work together, without a thought of collision.

Little differences, dwelt upon, lead to actions that destroy Christian fellowship. Let us not allow the enemy thus to gain the advantage over us. Let us keep drawing nearer to God and to one another. Then we shall be as trees of righteousness, planted by the Lord, and watered with the river of life. And how fruitful we shall be! Did not Christ say, “Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit”? (Pacific Union Record, March 26, 1903)

Is It Safe To Challenge?

In 1941 brother Houteff was asked the following question.

“If we are to “prove all things,” and to “hold fast that which is good,” and to be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks us a reason of the hope that is in us, then ought we not challenge those who are enemies of the Rod to prove it in error?” (The Answerer, question 231, vol. 7, no.7-12)

Today this question really is quite a contemporary one. As the Satanic armies are working through their many human agents, we as Davidians, seem to be almost bombarded at times against the doubters, evil surmisers and just plain naysayers of God’s end time message.

Brother Houtef, as a gifted prophet of God, knew way back then the right course to take in opposing these people. Let us look at the great words of inspired advice.

“Answer–  “Present Truth believers who are fully established in the Truth, who have no doubts as to its Inspiration, who are settled once for all that The Shepherd’s Rod message is heaven-sent, but who are incapable of defending it in all its aspects, are in no wise justified in exposing their precious jewel of Truth to the enemy whose only aim is to take it away from them.  Especially when he is not coming with a promise to give them something in addition to what they already have, but to take it away, they cannot afford to challenge themselves to give him a chance to prove as to whether or not he can cheat them of their treasure.  When it is gone, the proof will be sad consolation!”

(Here we see that unless we are very familiar with the Rod message, we shouldn’t expose our “precious jewel of Truth” to them. They have already hanged their doubts upon many pegs, why give them another peg?)

“So placing themselves on Satan’s vantage ground will make them guilty of the folly not only of presumptuousness but of waste of time and of energy as well, and, last but not least, of a fearful chance-taking with this most precious gift.  It will be but inviting the Devil to rob them of eternity.  We must guard our heavenly treasure with the utmost care, and preserve our faith in it by studying to give an answer to every man that asks us a reason of the hope that is in us, but not by inviting the enemy’s deceitful questions.”

(Wow. that is so good! We have a jewel of great price, why dangle it in front of  potential thieves?)

“If, though, for any compelling reason you, dear reader, must assume the risk of meeting the enemy in this great spiritual warfare, you hold him to answer to the whole Truth; do not let him make you to answer for a certain point of truth which, perhaps, no one at the moment could clear.  Do not permit yourself to be pushed up on the line of defense, but rather keep yourself on the offensive.

And do not forget that the enemy who seeks your crown is mightier than you, and that therefore if you are not absolutely settled on the message, then by all means rather than study with its enemies, you had better first study with its friends.  Not until you have thus done all to prove it right, and cannot, can you rightly study with the opposition if you want to do all to make sure of not being cheated of a message from the Lord.”

(Again brother Houteff emphasizes the important point that we must be well grounded in the message before we attempt to meet the enemies of the message. I know it’s tempting to get our “feelings” involved but this cannot be allowed to cloud our judgment in engaging the enemy. Recently I was watching a YouTube video by a man by the name Charles … . He was saying some things quite strange and against the true Rod message. I almost sent him a message on YouTube, but had second thoughts and didn’t. Why stir up a hornets nest, I figured. I recalled “Let them alone” as Jesus says, (Matt. 15:14)  because those that  are “actively” teaching off doctrines from the Scripture, SOP or the Rod,  are way steeped in their ways.)

“For remember that if there is someone ready to refute one truth, there is another one ready to refute another truth, and so on and on.  In fact, the enemy is ready to refute every truth in existence, even the Bible Itself, if you but let him.  Certain it is, though, that Satan does not have so good an argument against the Rod’s truths as Sunday keepers have against the Sabbath truth.

Hence for one who is settled in the Truth and is searching for more, voluntarily to interview a known enemy, is but to put one’s sword in the enemy’s hand and to challenge him to cut off one’s head.

Ever bear in mind, though, that “the efforts made to retard the progress of truth will serve to extend it” (Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 454), and that your loss is but your own.

“Our convictions need daily to be re-enforced by humble, sincere prayer and reading of the word.  While we have an individuality, while we each should hold our convictions firmly, we must hold them as God’s truth and in the strength which God imparts.  If we do not, they will be wrung from our grasp.”–Testimonies, Vol. 6, p. 401.

In closing, we’d do well to remember this counsel on how to tread cautiously in debating another person who seeks to dis-prove our message. There are too many sincere honest of heart brethren, if we’ll only pray to have God show them to us. Our time shouldn’t be wasted with exercises in futility.

Specific Truths from the Prophet

We’d like to share some statements from the Elijah prophet. We have included some that we feel particularly important and timely for us today.

The first one makes some important distinctions on our “sigh and crying”.

  “As long as you keep wavering on Present Truth, your sighing and crying will be too feeble and insufficient to place the seal of God in your forehead — on display; that is, openly confessing that you are a disciple of Christ;..”(Sym. Code, Vol.2, no. 5-6, p.8)

This short paragraph is packed with some solid info. First we notice that there are degrees of  ‘sighing and crying”. In other words it’s possible that we can “dabble” in the message and think we are sealed. Kinda like one toe in the water, not fully going forward and “openly confessing” we believe in Him, as evidenced by our proclaiming His message. Unfortunately the ones who go forward in admitting and proclaiming the message of Elijah, with only a superficial effort, a half-hearted effort, can be in serious jeopardy of not getting the seal of God in their foreheads.

There are points we wish to bring out here. In Rev.21:8 we read, “But the cowardly …shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” This goes hand in hand in what brother Houteff just said–“openly confessing that you are a disciple of Christ.”  Not that we just say “I am a Christian” often, no, no! For the heathen who call themselves Christian do that. It’s standing up for the unpopular Elijah message that is to show we are “disciples of Christ” today.

Does someone ask you–“Are you Davidian?'”  Do you admit it or do you deny it?  Does someone ask you to participate in a church abomination, like being a money bag passer in the sanctuary on the Sabbath? Do you agree or say no to it? These are just a couple of the many ways we can show the Lord we are willing to stand up for Him and be counted.

  “Those who are too young in the faith are not required to understand more of the teachings in “The Shepherd’s Rod” than time has permitted them, but they are under obligation to continue studying and to “sigh and cry for all the abominations” in the church. There is no excuse for neglecting this duty. The existing evils in the church are very easily recognized and one must speak even though one may not understand every point of the doctrines…But those who have voluntarily rejected the sealing message, whether they live or die, we suppose have been judged by it. ” (Sym. Code, Vol.2, no.5-6, p.7)

Here we see that we do have two very important duties. To “continue studying” and to “sigh and cry for all the abominations” in the church. Brother Houteff says “one must speak”. We can’t expect to profess the message and then look the other way at the abominations. For to do so, makes us no different from those who have rejected the message, both ignoring the sins of the church. And worse yet many are participating in them. We also notice that just because we don’t understand all the doctrines of the Elijah message, it is most important that we at least speak out about the evils in the church. We show our brethren we are against the sins and not a partaker. Lastly the most solemn statement — those who reject the sealing message will be judged by it. It’s our present truth that we are to accept or deny.

In summary, let us remember our lesson for today. 1) We show courage and stand up for the Lord by admitting and confessing that we accept and obey the Elijah message  2) We sigh and cry , not with an occasional or weak voice, but with a consistent and straight forward appeal, concerning the sins done in our midst (church and our own lives). 3) We are active and continue to study the message, it’s our primary focus today. 4) We advance in our walk and proclaim the message whenever possible.

May He give you wisdom.

One “Last” Prophet, Who is it?

As we begin this most important topic of the “last” prophet, let’s first look at Inspiration and what it says about the very basics of understanding the pure straight and simple word. Inspired statements are in bold. Author is in regular setting.

Here we see that the plain things are never to become doubtful.

“Study with desire to know everything but never allow the hidden things to cause doubts about the things that are made plain.”  (Symbolic Code, Vol. 2, no. 5-6)

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

Notice that the words “simplicity” and “plainly” are used to bring home the point that we must hold on ever so tight to the “Word” in all it’s plainness and simplicity. The minute we throw out the plain simple meaning of an Inspired statement, we can truly go down a  path of deception.

“The language of the Bible should be explained according to it’s obvious meaning, unless a symbol or figure is employed.”(The Great Controversy, p.598-599)

The key words in the above is–“obvious meaning”. When something is said that can only mean what it obviously says, we must hold to that without any second guessing. In other words, we can never say that what it plainly says is not what we are to believe. This would constitute violence done to His word!

Ok now that we’ve shown clear simple to understand inspired instructions to how we are to trust in the plain and simple meanings of His words, as brought by the prophets, let’s look at our subject matter.

As Davidians, we are well familiar with the controversial topic of –“Who is the last prophet?” There appears two camps in this dispute. One camp believes that Victor T. Houteff was the last prophet to come before the great and dreadful day of the Lord. The other camp believes that someone else or even many others were to come after Victor T. Houteff. But strangely, almost all of the people in the second camp say that Victor T. Houteff  WAS A PROPHET!

Ok if that is the case, then we see that BOTH camps truly believe that Victor T. Houteff was a prophet of God. So it stands to reason that we should look to this mutually undeniable prophet of God and see what he said about our subject.

As we Davidians know,  the specific subject matter is covered in the “General Conference Special.” Let us now look at this tract and see what Inspiration has to say. We shall start at the beginning of the tract and show each quote that has reference to our subject matter. To clear up any doubt as to whether Victor T. Houteff was the last prophet to come before the great and dreadful day of the Lord, or not. After all if he was not we definitely should know about it , right?

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” Mal. 4:5, 6.

   In the light which this prophecy sheds on the subject, no one can possibly escape the conclusion that a prophet — a person — is to be sent “before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord,” and that thus only can there be a group of people in connection with Elijah’s message.  The Scriptures make definite and sure the promise, the time, and the work, also the way to our security in the great and dreadful day, “lest,” as says the Lord, “I come and smite the earth with a curse.” Mal. 4:6.

Ok what do we find in this inspired quote? We find that  “a person” is to be sent. Notice VTH does not say “persons” is to come, correct? And we see that after this person comes then other people come that are in “connection” with Elijah’s message. In other words they help spread this message.

 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)

In the above we find VTH making reference in describing himself as the — “last prophet”. This statement is indeed plain and simple, no difficulty in understanding it.

“Thus will be the Devil’s deal while the day of God is approaching, and while Elijah is making the announcement of it as the scroll unrolls and while the prophecies concerning the day of God are being unsealed.   His work and his interpretation of the prophecies for the great day will identify him as the promised Elijah the prophet (“Testimonies to Ministers,” p. 475), and this will enrage the Devil as never before.  Nevertheless, one’s only safety will be in the teaching of Elijah, for there will be no other voice of timely Truth and authority to whom one may turn.Any others will lead their victims blind-folded into perdition.” (GCS, P.7-8)

This is one powerful statement. Look at the straight fact that “no other” voice can we turn to before the great and dreadful day of the Lord. The people in the second camp clearly must sweep away these plain and simple words of Inspiration. For they say that “another” has been sent by the Lord. Another voice has a more clear, timely and updated message from the Lord. In other words this “Elijah”, Victor T. Houteff was not the last prophet!  Violence is done to the plain and simple words of Inspiration.

“Finally, for what other purpose could any right thinking minds suppose the Lord would send His prophet if not for them to give ear to him, that they might thereby survive the great and dreadful day of the Lord?   For what else, indeed, could the Lord have made a record of prophecy and promise of His last-day prophet?  Ponder this, Brethren; think it through.” (GCS, P.9)

Notice that the Lord would send “His prophet”. Does it say “The Lord would send His prophets”? Of course not. One prophet is to be sent in order to survive the great and dreadful day of the Lord, not more than one. “…promise of His last-day prophet.”–singular.  Certainly we know we are in the “last days” so if Inspiration intended for more than one, it would have said–“last day prophets”.- plural.

“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)

Here it is quite plain, direct and simple. Elijah is the last of the prophets. No one else is to come as a “prophet” of God. As we learned earlier, there will be other “Elijah messengers” which help to proclaim the Elijah message, but no other prophet except brother Houteff.  Any one who throw outs this clear and unmistaken word, is making shipwreck of faith because the plain and straightforward word of God cannot be trusted, very sad indeed!

“Since the promised Elijah is to be the last prophet to the church today, as John the Baptist was the last prophet to the church in his day, and since the last work on earth is the Judgment for the Living, the truth stands forth like the light of day that  Elijah’s message is the message of the Judgment for the Living, the last, which in the very nature of the gospel is of far more importance and consequence than any other message ever borne to a people.”(GCS p.23)

We see that Inspiration now becomes even more clear. That the Elijah prophet is the last prophet to the “church today.” So who do the so-called prophets of camp two claim to be a member of? You got it–the SDA church! We can’t have it both ways. We must accept one of two scenarios. Either VTH wasn’t inspired and there is additional prophets to come to our church, or these rank imposters are violently throwing down the word of God and exalting themselves to a position which is not explicitly stated  by the word of God.

As if the above is not enough, let’s look at further considerations. In (Hosea 3:7) we read, “Surely the Lord does nothing unless He reveals His secrets to His prophets.”

Ok, if the Lord has to reveal a BIG secret like a prophet is to come after the Elijah prophet, does it exist in Scripture  and SOP, to tell us of this great fact?  No it does not. In fact the following confirms only ONE to come before the great and dreadful day of the Lord.

SOP- “Somebody is to come in the spirit and power of Elijah, and when he appears, men may say: “You do not interpret the Scriptures in the proper way, let me tell you how to teach your message.” (Test. to Ministers, p.475-76). What do we see? A “somebody” singular, not “somebodies”. And a “he” not “they”.This is the only clear reference Ellen White was inspired to make from the Lord,  to show us that a singular prophet was to come after her.

Scripture- “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and dreadful day of the Lord”. (Mal. 4:5).  Notice one man–“Elijah” and one prophet–“the prophet”. How much more obvious and clear can it get?  Go and search Scripture and SOP and see if you find ANY secret from the Lord through His prophets spoken word, that another prophet is to come after the Elijah prophet. You will never find such a thing. Case closed! The clear plain simple instructions of the Lord stand solid.

In looking at this situation from another angle, many of us SDA and DSDA are well familiar with our arguments with the Sunday keepers. There are many Scriptures that we marvel how the Sunday keepers cannot see the plain word of God. For example in (John 14:15) we read, “If you love me, keep my Commandments.”  But this straight forward simple word of God doesn’t mean what it says to the Sunday keepers. They ignore it’s simple plain instructions. So the same spirit of twisting, doubting and ignoring  is in them both. The DSDA in camp two, and the Sunday keepers!

You see the devils care not how they get you to make shipwreck of your faith. And one of the ol tried and true ways, is to deny what the straight word of God says.

In closing, we’d like to point out what our great Teacher did in regards to the straight truth. In speaking of His great sermon of the Sermon on the Mount, Ellen White explains, “...The language is plain, and the thoughts and sentiments are marked with the greatest simplicity. The poor, the unlearned, the most simple-minded, can understand them…All should copy the Pattern as closely as possible.” (Test. for the Church, vol.5, p.254).

We have seen that beyond doubt, the straight testimony is that only one prophet is to come to the SDA church before the great and dreadful day. To believe otherwise is to throw out the clear inspired word. Some have done just that and to continue their course they put Scripture, SOP and VTH writings out of context to support themselves. Let us steer clear of such fables and be on the side of our Lord. The side that believes as a child the plain, simple, straight words of the Lord. Let us not destroy the clear word–last. Scripture and Inspired writings were written for the humble in heart, the ones who can take to the bank, spiritually speaking, what His word plainly says.

Stay Focused

In answering a timely question for us today, brother Houteff gave counsel on how we can stay focused on speading the work(message). Very importantly we see that if we keep an eye on “our own work” we won’t be side tracked into side issues that the devil’s bring our way.

WHO IS THE KING OE MT. CARMEL CENTER–GOD OR MAN?

Question No. 88: (Answerer book no. 4)

   Most of us have had a struggle to loose ourselves from the bands laid upon us by the church’s present leadership, and it seems no more than right that we have the assurance that the Lord is directing in all the movements at Mt. Carmel. May we know just how much of the work of Mt. Carmel is under the direction of the Lord?

Answer:

   A careful thinking-through of this matter can end only in the realization that as God has promised to take the reins in His own hands, then that is exactly what He of necessity must be doing. Hence, all the confusion and perplexity with attendant questioning criticizing, and doubting over the work are irrational, inexcusable, and damaging.

   “Satan,” says the Spirit of Prophecy, “has ability to suggest doubts and to devise objections to the pointed testimony that God sends, and many think it a virtue, a mark of intelligence in them, to be unbelieving, and to question and quibble. 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 a teachable spirit, and all should decide from the weight of evidence.”–Testimonies, Vol. 3 p. 255.

   Moreover, no man can judge the work by his own wisdom or by the wisdom of other human beings, for, says the Spirit of Truth: “The workers will be surprised by the simple means that He will use to bring about and perfect His work of righteousness….Let me tell you that the Lord will work in this last work in a manner very much out of the common order of things, and in a way that will be contrary to any human planning.”–Testimonies to Ministers, p. 300.

   “It is not for you to be intimidated by outward appearances, however forbidding they may be. It is for you to carry forward the work as the Lord has said it should be carried.”–Testimonies, Vol. 9, p. 141.

   If each does well his part in the work that is given him to do, he will soon see that he has neither need nor capability to look after the Lord’s duties, or after the work that is assigned to others. He will know that the greatest and the only right thing he can do is courageously to accept the high challenge of “the angel of the Lord” unto Joshua: “If thou wilt walk in My ways, and if thou wilt keep My charge, then thou shalt also judge My house, and shalt also keep My courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.” Zech. 3:7.

   To Present-truth believers, one of the surest evidences that the Lord is leading in the work of Mt. Carmel, is that regardless of ceaseless opposition, paucity of laborers, and many other handicaps, the work is steadily moving onward with an irresistible power. It is, indeed, like the mustard seed.

   Despite its humble, insignificant beginning, the criticism and the opposition against it, and the multiform obstacles and impediments which it has had to surmount, it is awakening multitudes throughout Laodicea. It has launched the ship of Reformation, and while many have already boarded it, others are rapidly approaching the decision to seek the safety it affords.

They are restudying the Bible in the Divine Light of The Shepherd’s Rod. The Three Angel’s Messages have become to them as clear and sweet as a mountain stream. And those who never owned, and even those who never believed, the writings of the Spirit of Prophecy, are now purchasing all the volumes.

   Certainly no one can thoughtfully say that such is the work of the Enemy, not without attributing authorship of the Bible to Satan. If the Bible is of the Lord, the message in the Rod cannot be of the Devil, for it is the Bible unfolded. Never without the power of God could it have so leavened the whole Denomination, for the All-Powerful One declares: “I the Lord do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day. Fury is not in Me: who would set the briers and thorns against Me in battle? I would go through them I would burn them together.” Isa. 27:3, 4.

   Those who only profess to believe, are here warned that the Lord knows their work, and that He has not left His workmen in the darkness concerning it. Exposing their secrets, He says: “Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying,

Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the Lord. And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as My people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not. And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them.” Ezek. 33:30-33.

Handling Doubtful Issues (Rod, SOP, and Scripture)

Sometimes in our studies we come up against issues  we just don’t quite understand. We try hard and grapple with it. We try to examine the points through different angles and still we remain “stuck”. Some of the well-known areas are –“Those with the 144,000”, “The Special Resurrection”, “Jacob’s trouble-before or after Ezekiel 9?” and so forth. We sometimes even have to address the issue of Ellen White seeing little children in the “kingdom”, for example.

We found this today that sheds some good light on this. It’s from our prophet and we hope it blesses you in more understanding.

   “The Shepherd’s Rod” has cleared many perplexing questions to which we were not able to give an answer before it came, and in addition to these, it has brought forth great light from the Word of God on prophecies which heretofore have appeared to be only mysteries, and it is true that no other two volumes in the world contain so much light.”

“But you say, “If every point on these subjects is not understood, it will be a source of doubt in our minds and perhaps loss of all faith we now have.” If you understand everything else, and these few minor points be the only things which you do not understand, you may have a good reason for your doubts, but inasmuch as you do not understand it all, I hope you may take the following advice of the Spirit of Prophecy:

   “There is but one course for those to pursue who honestly desire to be freed from doubts. Instead of questioning and cavilling concerning that which they do not understand, let them give heed to the light which already shines upon them, and they will receive greater light. Let them do every duty which has been made plain to their understanding, and they will be enabled to understand and perform those of which they are now in doubt.” — “The Great Controversy,” p. 528.

   “While God has given ample evidence for faith, He will never remove all excuse for unbelief. All who look for hooks to hang their doubts upon, will find them. And those who refuse to accept and obey God’s word until every objection has been removed, and there is no longer an opportunity for doubt, will never come to the light.” — “The Great Controversy,” p. 527.

   Study with desire to know everything but never allow the hidden things to cause doubts about the things that are made plain.  (Symbolic Code, Vol. 2, no. 5-6)

So in conclusion, while we are not given to know “all things” we must keep in mind that should we differ with other brethren on things that are known as confusing subjects, we must never use this disagreement as a wedge to stop fellowshipping with each other. Remember brethren the Rod message is a simple one- convert your own walk from sinning to not sinning as best you can. Review often your own walk to see if you are obeying each and every one of the 10 Commandments as best you can. Sigh and cry for the abominations in our own lives and in the church. Spread the sealing message as far and wide as you can. There it is in a nutshell.

 Souls to win are at stake,  and bickering and squabbling is exactly what Satan wants to see. Unity is thus replaced with dis-unity. Let’s be on the winning side! The Lord’s united kingdom side!

Taking on the Enemy, A Rebuttal (part 3 of 3)

(As in our previous posts the color codes are the same as listed in part one)

Examining Mr. Houteff’s Applications

Knowing these things, how, then, do we interpret the passages of scripture that

Mr. Houteff uses to support his views? Do they teach that there will be a slaughter of unfaithful Seventh-day Adventists to purify the church so that it can finish the gospel work? Does the Bible teach that God’s people are to be gathered together to ‘Jerusalem which now is’ in order to complete the commission given unto them?

Let us examine the passages that Mr. Houteff uses to support these ideas, using the method of interpretation given to us by the apostles to determine what they do teach. In the quotes that follow, those portions that are underlined are emphasis supplied by the writer and are not in the original passage.

Ezekiel 9

To begin, let us look again at the ninth chapter of the book of Ezekiel:

‘ “He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand. And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed in linen, with a writer’s inkhorn by his side; and they went in and stood beside the brasen altar….And the LORD said unto them, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. And to the others He said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.’

Ezekiel 9:

 As stated earlier, Mr. Houteff believes that this passage is referring to a time when Christ will send His angels to slaughter those in the Adventist faith (Jerusalem) who have not lived up to the light given by God to the church. This slaughter will begin with the ministry (Ancient men)  Again we see John Lewis ignore the very plain writings of Ellen White.

“The class who do not feel grievedover their own spiritual declension, nor mourn over the sins of others, will be left without the seal of God. The Lord commissions His messengers, the men with slaughtering weapons in their hands: “Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.” {5T 211.1} Here we see that the church–the Lord’s sanctuary–was the first to feel the stroke of the wrath of God. The ancient men, those to whom God had given great light and who had stood as guardians of the spiritual interests of the people, had betrayed their trust. They had taken the position that we need not look for miracles and the marked manifestation of God’s power as in former days. Times have changed. These words strengthen their unbelief, and they say: The Lord will not do good, neither will He do evil. He is too merciful to visit His people in judgment. Thus “Peace and safety” is the cry from men who will never again lift up their voice like a trumpet to show God’s people their transgressions and the house of Jacob their sins. These dumb dogs that would not bark are the ones who feel the just vengeance of an offended God. Men, maidens, and little children all perish together. {5T 211.2}

This passage has its counterpart in Revelation chapter seven. In this chapter we find the fulfillment of the vision given unto Ezekiel:

‘And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying, hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.’Revelation 7:1-3

 Here is a wonderful revelation of God’s forbearance with His people! He is preventing the wind from blowing upon the earth until His people are prepared to withstand it. What exactly is God preventing? The four winds in Bible prophecy have been used to symbolize warfare among nations used by God to carry out His judgments (see Jeremiah 49:36,37 and Daniel 7:2). The winds that are about to blow are about to blow on the entire earth, and not just the church. How do we know this? Either the author is purposely being ignorant or hasn’t read enough of Ellen White’s writings. EGW clearly describes the “four winds” as follows:

”The time is coming when we cannot sell at any price. The decree will soon go forth prohibiting men to buy or sell of any man save him that hath the mark of the beast. We came near having this realized in California a short time since; but this was only thethreatening of the blowing of the four winds. As yet they are held by the four angels. We are not just ready. There is a work yet to be done, and then the angels will be bidden to let go, that the four winds may blow upon the earth. That will be a decisive time for God’s children, a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation. Now is our opportunity to work.” {5T 152.2}

 This vision was given to John to answer a question made in desperation by the rejecters of His grace in Revelation 6:17. When the sixth seal is opened up, tokens of God’s wrath are exhibited throughout the heavens, and they are not without effect on the secular world:

‘And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and said to the mountains and the rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?’ Revelation 6:15-17

 To answer this question, John is shown the vision of the 144,000 that are sealed. The great day of God’s wrath begins when He pours out the seven last plagues

(Revelation 15:1).This is not correct. As we saw from EGW the “Lord’s sanctuary was the FIRST to feel the stroke of God’s wrath”. This happens BEFORE the seven last plaques obviously. This leaves John Lewis in a BIG quandry—how does he know the time length between the church slaughter and the beginning of the seven last plaques? Could it cover the time of the Loud Cry, the time to give to the saints an opportunity to call the faithful out of Babylon before the seven last plaques, as brother Houteff teaches?The wind, then, being held back until the 144,000 are sealed represents the wrath of God to be poured out on the entire earth. The scope of the Old Testament prophecy is restricted to the church. The New Testament fulfillment, however, applies it to the world. This is not correct as has been shown in several prior statements.

 The writings of Ellen White that expound on this subject make this plain as well.

In the fifth volume of her Testimonies for the Church, we find an article titled ‘The Seal of God’. It draws from Ezekiel’s vision an application for the church today.

 In speaking of the patience that God exercises toward the entire world she writes:

“With unerring accuracy the Infinite One still keeps an account with all nations While His mercy is tendered, with calls to repentance, this account will remain open; but when the figures reach a certain amount which God has fixed, the ministry of wrath commences. The account is closed. Divine patience ceases. There is no more pleading of mercy in their behalf.

‘The prophet [Ezekiel], looking down the ages, had this time presented before his vision. The nations of this age have been the recipients of unprecedented mercies. the choicest of heaven’s blessings have been given them, but increased pride, covetousness, idolatry, contempt of God, and base ingratitude are written against them. They are fastclosing up their account with God.’

Testimonies, Vol. 5, pg. 208:2,3

Notice the scope of the application of this prophecy includes the whole world, and

not just the church. Let us again correct Mr. Lewis here, the whole book of Ezekiel does include applications of both the sealing time and the seven last plaques time. For him to isolate the verses of the slaughter to the exclusion of the other prophecies in Ezekiel is disingenuous. Further on in the article, in speaking of those who receive the seal,

she writes:

‘In the time when His wrath shall go forth in judgments, these humble devoted followers of Christ will be distinguished from the rest of the world by their soul anguish, which is expressed in lamentation and weeping, reproofs and warnings. ‘

id., pg. 210:2

According to Mr. Houteff, when God begins to pour out his wrath, there will be two distinct classes in the church, but the world will still have some who have not yet rejected the light from heaven. However, according to the inspired account, when God’s wrath is about to be poured out, the entire world will be divided into two classes. Those who are not sighing and crying for the abominations done in the midst of Jerusalem, whether in the church or out of the church, will not receive the seal of God and will therefore suffer His judgments. The author fails to understand that the Scriptures point out that there shall be TWO sealings in the last days. One for the 144,000 and one for the great multitude. For more info see this report http://www.shepherds-rod.org/basic/Sealing.html

We’ve decided that even though Mr. Lewis has made more accusations and baseless points against the Shepherd’s Rod and brother Houteff in his report, we’ve made our points clear. We hope that you’ve seen the report for what it is—baseless and without merit.

 May the Lord’s truth keep guiding us.