Many present truth believers were shocked this morning (July 2) to find out Ariel Dacutanan, the self proclaimed Elijah and 4th angel, had died. This has rocked many in Davidia, as it appears to be unplanned and sudden. But this is a sure sign that has occured, let us discuss this.
Before we begin, we would like to extend our heartfelt sorrow to the family and friends of Ariel. They are surely under deep grief.
But let us look at what was the history and serious issues with Ariel and his “Layman’s movement” based in the Philippines.
The Rod counselled us with this stern warning —
“Every wind of doctrine will be blowing, false revivals and reformations will be at their peak. Everything that can be done will be done to distort the Truth and thus distract and dishearten believers and draw their attention to something other than the message of Elijah.
Thus will be the Devil’s deal while the day of God is approaching, and while Elijah is making the announcement of it as the scroll unrolls and while the prophecies concerning the day of Godare 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),
General Conference Special, page 7
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)
In the last 10 years or so, we can think of no other, with the possible exception of Lennox Sam, of describing just who the enemy hired to carry on his “distractions” and “every wind of doctrine” than Ariel. His false prophecies are legend and too numberous to recount here. For some of you who want documented testimony of them, just contact brother Erik Bell for the info.
In Sept. of 2011 under the guidance of the Lord, we started the first Rod Facebook group called Truth Tellers. In the very beginning, our other founding brother B. Albert Graham joined a few hundred brethren from around the world to our group. It happened that many of these were Ariel’s followers.
We had SO MUCH trouble right after the opening as they wanted to argue about any and everything and just cause much disruption. There were fireworks as they say. The whole FB SDA/DSDA community it seems was talking about it. Long story short we ended up having to delete a good portion of them.
Later Ariel and yours truly had some back in forth about some subjects, but we remember sternly warning him he was NOT the anti-typical Elijah. In fact we counselled him to publicly state he wasn’t. He never did do that.
Just as with Ben Roden, now Lennox Sam, Ariel’s main argument against VTH being the Elijah to come was that he died. The “real” anti-typical Elijah was not suppose to die. Thus Ariel’s, just as Roden’s argument did, became useless and moot. They both used this argument to self exalt themsleves into the anti-typical Elijah position. Lennox Sam will meet the same fate unless he repents and pronto! You see brethren, our enemy is not satisfied with the “average Joe” as his leaders. No, he wants sharp, bright, zealous ones. Ones that can mis-construe God’s Word just good enough that traps are set , souls are snared. But the Lord, in many cases, let’s us know, He must make drastic moves in order to save His flock. For example, Korah, Datham, and Abiram and their followers, the type.
The link below is from Ariel’s YouTube video recorded March 28, 2020. Here he explains his reasons for why VTH could not be the last prophet to the SDA church. Numerous constructions of Scripture, SOP and the Rod are given to position himself to the idea that he is that last prophet (Elijah the tishbite) to our church. The Word says —–
“Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” (1 Cor. 10:11)
The death of Ariel is no doubt an “ensample” for us. Those who step outside of the faith, run ahead, and self proclaim their agenda, will ALL surely meet the same fate. We must “take heed”.
Due to this important event, we’ve postponed our part two of the “Obvious Error” report. We hope to bring that soon.
Ok, we can understand there are some hard to understand Rod references. For instance this reference —
“Those who believe in Present Truth, yet continue to find fault with Brother Houteff’s marriage, prove to us one of two things: either that they are shallow thinkers, or that they have no faith in what they believe, for the message teaches that we, as a part of the 144,000, shall never die.” (3 SC, no. 5-6, p.8)
When we read this we can get snagged into thinking “error” or “false prophesying” or the like. Yet, if we step back and ponder the WHOLE Word of God, we must take it from the INSPIRED INTENT. Let us look at a past example of this very issue.
“Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” ( 1 Thes. 4:17)
Here we see that Apostle Paul was showing he intended to remain alive at Jesus’ second coming, yet that obviously did not happen. Those of weak faith, reading that false promise and prophecy, surely doubted the rest of the story.
But the greater point is this — GOD NEVER TAKES AWAY HIS PROPHET’S HOPE. So too was it in anti-type with brother Houteff. He had that hope that he would , just like Paul, remain alive to see the Lord. Type meets anti-type. So there is an explanation to the above hard to understand Words of God. But let us now look at straight out error and something that cannot be accepted, much less taught as “inspired”.
These straight out and unmistakable errors and falsehoods are found within, you guessed it –the New Codes. Yes, the codes Florence Houteff published. Let us look at them.
1 — The Sixth Trumpet
New Codes —
“Now we wish to ascertain what period we are living in. At the sounding of the sixth trumpet, the four angels are to be let loose and they are then to kill a third part of men; and their army, moreover, is to number 200,000,000 “horsemen” and that many “horses.” Since no such thing as this has ever happened, it therefore speaks for itself that the sixth trumpet is yet in the future. It has not yet commenced to sound.” {12SC#2:4.1″
“In view of the fact that we are not living in the sixth trumpet…” {12SC#2:4.2
“The fifth trumpet, therefore, sounded when Christ came nearly 2,000 years ago. We find ourselves therefore living in the period of the sounding of the fifth trumpet — the Christian period — before the sounding of the sixth trumpet. ” {12SC#2:8.0}
“But now in this period before the sixth angel sounds his trumpet, some men are to seek death and they will not find it, and would desire to die and death would flee form them.” {12SC#2:8.1}
Beyond doubt the New Code references say the sixth trumpet is yet to sound. Does this supplement the original codes published by the prophet? Let’s see.
Brother Houteff Published Codes —
“…The altar’s being in the holy apartment of the sanctuary at the sounding of the sixth trumpet, proves that the trumpet sounded before the Most Holy apartment was opened for use. For had it been in use, the “voice” would necessarily have come from therein, where the throne is. Hence, the sounding of this trumpet had to take place before the door of the Most Holy was opened and the throne occupied.” {TR5:31.2}
Before 1844 it was sounded! Truly amazing what we see here.
“In coming from the “golden altar,” the command, “Loose the four angels,” shows that the sixth trumpet sounded sometime before the vail to the Most Holy apartment of the heavenly sanctuary was lifted. Otherwise the voice would have come from the throne — the Most Holy place… But as has been shown, we are still in the period of the fifth trumpet, a fact which evokes the question: How, then, could the sixth trumpet have sounded before the events of the fifth had expired? It will be observed that though each of the trumpets begin at a definite time, yet one overlaps the other, and all seven extend to the second coming of Christ.” {TR5:78-9.4}
But this contradiction is not the worse of it. The Trumpet Chart will prove beyond reasonable doubt that the New Code author of the above statements could NOT have been brother Houteff. If we say it was, then we have a error filled man , not inspired at all.
(Click to enlarge)
Further, in case we still have doubters as to the fraud and error posted by the real author of Sym. Code, vol. 12, no. 2. Let us read additional evidence of proof to strike down this fake code and remove it to the dust bin of “historical writings” and not “inspired writings.” At the beginning of this code Florence Houteff said “The sermon selected for this issue of The Symbolic Code was delivered by Brother V.T. Houteff on July 20, 1946”.
Ok we need to really “zoom in” now. The error filled “sermon” (SC, vol. 12, no.2) shown above was given according to Florence was July 20, 1946. But a little over one year later on Nov. 1, 1947 (2 TG, no. 13, p.11, 1948 published edition), one of the TG sermons brother Houteff published, he said “We have now seen the nature and time where the Seven Seals and the Seven Trumpets begin and end, and those who want to know the subjects in all their details can do so by studying the tracts, — “The Final Warning,” and “The Breaking of the Seals,” — which will be mailed free upon request.”
So in 1947, the prophet said if we want the truth on the seven trumpets we should go to Tract 5, published in 1942. He did not say to go to the TG published on July 20th, 1946 which shows total contradictory information on the sixth trumpet! The prophet was NOT confused. The confused one was the author (most likely Florence Houtef) and we see now, the utter exposure of her tricky work!
A business meeting is called on March 26, 1959. Less than one month before the predicted event (April 22, 1959).
“Held in the Office of the Vice-President March 26, 1959 , 2 pm.… The council now set about to determine the exact date for the commencement of the 1260 days of Rev-elation 11. It was in October of 1955 that the code article on the 1260 days was written. It was thought that this might be the beginning of the time. The records were gotten out and the mailing of the Novem-ber Code occured November 9, 1955… With this date as the starting point and counting the 1260 days the period ends April 22, 1959….Meeting concluded at 6:15 pm.”
The date of the end of the 1260 days is now official according to Florence and her council. The public is informed and by some accounts, over 1000 people will soon arrive on the camp. The Rod is to now be set upon the altar. The people had been warned that solemn church judgment would come in a prior new code newsletter by the council as follows –
As Florence and the council were approaching the date of fulfillment, they considered when the “solemn assembly” should be called. Meetings were called and prayers offered to know exactly when to call it.
On March 30th, 1959, a meeting is called to announce the following – “G.W. Saether now moved “that a resolution be drawn up that all Davidians in this country assemble on Mt. Carmel Center, Waco Texas, on or before April 16t, 1959.and that all Davidians in foreign countries be notified of this meeting and that they also hold themselves in readiness where they are to get their de-liverance from the Assyrian yoke. That these announcements be sent out as soon as possible. There was a second to this by J.O. Conrad and all were in favor of it. The meeting closed after 9 ½ hours at 6:30 P.M. T.O Hermanson offered the closing prayer.”
NOTE: This was sent out to all Davidians.
Dudley Goff, a close associate to Florence Houteff goes public to announce to the world Florence and her council’s expectations.
Soon bewilderment comes in and desperation begins to set in as to – why? Why had the people not been led to witness what surely, according to the deep study by the Florence and her council, would be the fulfillment of the 1260 days and the slaughter of Ezekiel 9 on April 22, 1959?
After prayer and many days of nothing happening, a sad realization begins to set in. On June 21, 1959 a council meeting is called and some of the comments made were –
Cecil Helman: “It was a mistake to place the Shepherd’s Rod on the altar. The Message stands on its own feet. This was the stand of the Council only and not that of the members of the association.. The events predicted have not taken place. .. The Council usurped the Spirit of Prophecy in prophesying and if the Lord condemns the General Conference then He will condemn us too.”
The disulution and break up soon occurs:
Florence decides that the message should not only go to the SDA church but to the world. She, along with others, particularly Dudley Goff embark on a radio program to reach the world. It soon fails miserably.
As time goes by the DSDA membership begins to lose members because of disillusionment and of the floundering of the Florence led movement.
Some subsequent events after the Knock out blow:
1) Ben Roden comes to Mt. Carmel frequently to promote His “Branch Davidian” teachings, relying on the central idea that Victor Houteff could not be the “real” Elijah because he died. The implication was that he, Roden, would be that one to finish the work, the “real” Elijah. He died in 1978. (See Adair’s aforementioned book)
2) After floundering through about 3 largely fruitless years with the message and seeing many leave the movement, Florence and the council throw in the towel and decide to end the movement altogether. She turns over the remaining assets to a lawyer for liquidation She later disavows the Rod message and even Ellen White as a true prophetess of God. Ironically she later marries and becomes Florence Eakin! Pronounced as “Achan” as in the Joshua thievery Biblical lesson.
3) A few of the original Rod members decide to regroup, led by brother H. G. Warden and M.J. Bingham, to form the “100% Rod only” group in California. Warden later joins up with Don Adair to start the Salem association in 1970. Bingham goes on to start Bashan organization. 4) Florence quits the movement and never returned. She retired in the state of Washington. She dies as Florenece Eakin at the age of 89.
The moral lesson for all Davidians:
The lesson of Florence Houteff is a sad one indeed. No matter how close we think we may be to the inner circles of God’s people, whether a council member, a team leader, secretary or any other position in the message, we are never to think our arch enemy will not attempt to throw us down or worse – out. Florence, just like Judas, was as close as one can get, yet ended being so far. Our King forewarned us in the White House Recruiter, yet sadly despite this warning many Davidians left this movement as the “blow” showed their lack of faith. Let us cling to our King and not to man and heed this solemn ensample for our admonition.
“Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” (1 Cor. 10:11)
“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” (1 Cor. 10:12)
“Exactly at the close of the seventh year of the sealing message, and, as with our father Adam, on Friday, the sixth day of the week, January 1, the outworking of Providential purpose and design, restoring type in antitype, united in holy wedlock Brother V.T. Houteff and Miss Florence Hermanson, who has been connected with the message of Present Truth from its inception, and who, for the past three years, has been in active service to this cause. The ceremony, performed by Elder E.T. Wilson, was simple, solemn, and unforgettable, beautifully befitting the occasion. Moreover, it was the first marriage on Mt. Carmel, the home of the Elijah message, which is now in the process of restoring ‘every divine institution.’(3 SC, no.3, p.8, 1937)
Note: Pictures are from sister Bonnie Smith (age 90) taken while she was a young woman on the camp. Picture of brother Don Adair and sister Bonnie about two years ago.
Florence’s contributions on the camp:
She served on the Mt. Carmel camp as his doting wife, also doing secretarial duties along with help such as the stenographer for the Timely Greeting sermons. By many accounts she was a faithful helper to brother Houteff and the message. But due to the age difference, she was 17, he was 52, at the time of marriage, some criticized the it.
“The trouble is not with Brother Houteff’s marriage, but rather with those who judge Brother Houteff by their own standards. Had Brother Houteff married for the same reason that most others marry, then, of course, he could have taken a wife of almost any age, and it would have made no great difference to him. But Brother Houteff’s critics seem utterly to forget that he has a tremendous work, and that he does not need a wife able only to make a home for him, but rather one most able to assist him in his work. Hence, an aged woman, or one without experience in the work, would be to him a hin-drance rather than a help. Therefore, God has provided for him a “helpmeet” that will really help him, as he cannot successfully carry on the work while single.” (3 SC, no.5-6, p.8)
Note: Mrs. Hermanson, Florence’s mother was wholeheartedly in support of the marriage
Florence is privileged to write into the Golden Bowl:
“As a secretary of the reform movement, I have seen, in my observation of the field of “wheat” (Present Truth believers), that some are letting the showers pass by. They are not only failing to make use of the “rain,” but are even brushing from their garments the drops, fearing that it will do them harm!….Do not, my brothers and sisters, abuse God’s mercy, and turn a deaf ear to His pleadings by questioning and crit-icizing everything now “in the unfolding of truth,” when you should be feeding on the “green pastures” and on the holy “rain,” lest He surprise you at your “unholy feast. ” (“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. 5, p. 690. (Florence Houteff) (3 SC, no. 5-6, p.3, 1937)
Brother Houteff was proud of her. “When I go out with my wife, people that have never seen me before, that have no idea who I may be, with but very little hesitancy call me “Reverend” because they take her to be a preacher’s wife. That shows what the people of the world think when they see properly well-dressed women. Better to have them think that you are a preacher’s wife or daughter, than to have them guessing what you could possibly be.” (1 TG, no.6, p.32)
Things drastically change on February 5, 1955:
Victor Houteff took ill at the beginning of 1955 and was submitted to the hospital. According to brother Don Adair, Florence went to see Victor the night before he died. The nurse had expressed hope that Victor would be released the next day. While he lay in his room, she I nquired about the anti-typical 1260 days of Rev. chapter 11. She knew he had been studying this prophecy for the correct understanding of the anti-typical event to come. He responded to her inquiry, “you’ll have your answer in the morning”. It was not to be. Victor died early that morning (Feb. 5). The whole Rod movement was to be upended! Florence would soon take this matter of the prophecy of the 1260 days into her own hands. The propheised “Knockout blow” would come through her. (Source — Don Adair’s book — “A Davidian Testimony”)
“Unparalleled, therefore, is the urgency that every eleventh-hour church member now quickly and solidly brace himself against the Enemy’s effort to deliver a knockout blow. We must be alert, too, to realize that the blow is to come from surprisingly unsuspected foes — from professed friends of the gospel, who are no less pious than were priests in Christ’s day.” (WHR, p. 33)
Brother Houteff dies:
Right after VTH died on Feb 5, 1955,Florence called a business meeting the very next day. The body had not even been cold yet. One of her main topics for discussion was what her compensation would be from that time forward. This, as we look back, raised all kinds of red flags. What wife who has suddenly lost her husband does such things? No true heartfelt grieving but instead a cold calculated “what’s in it for me” behavior. A sure sign of things to come.
The actual meeting minutes:
“To the Executive Council, I am requesting by this letter that the council convene for the purpose of considering and passing a resolution on the following requests made by V. T. Houteff before his death.
1) That in case of V.T. Houteff’s death which would automatically leave vacant the office of President, Mrs. Florence Houteff be appointed to fill the office of Vice President
2) That someone be appointed to succeed Mrs. Florence Houteff as secretary
3) That T.O. Hermanson be appointed a member of the executive council
4) That the council make a resolution to provide for the welfare of Mrs. Florence Houteff as long as she lives
Notice that all the meeting resolutions were strictly for the benefit of Florence and her family. She becomes the leader of Mt. Carmel (Vice-President). Later that year (1955) in the following code she makes the announcement –
“During the last months of his life Bro. Houteff was engaged in studying Timely Greetings, Vol. 2, no.15, preparatory to enlarging upon the subject matter therein for its reprint. At this time he expressed the definite conviction that the time prophecy of Revealtion 11:2-12 and Daniel 12:6, 7 could have met their fulfillment only in type from 538 A.D. to 1798 A.D. and that they have a latter-day fulfillment.” (11 Sym. Code, no. 1, p.3)
Note: VTH never expressed verbally or in written word what this latter-day fulfillment propehcy would be.
The anti-type of Rev. 11 prophecy becomes Florence’s obsession:
She is determined to complete the undone work of the prophet. Bro. George Saether gives us more light about her obsession, in his oral memoirs at Baylor University. Bro Saether was a long time council member on the camp with Bro. Houteff and then later with Florence Houteff.
Baylor University Institute for Oral Historylocated in Waco. Texas
Note: Baylor University has much old Rod literature, including numerous “new codes” that have been ignored by DSDA yet were published by Florence. They have numerous problems with them and contain outright falsehoods thus they are not discussed.
Information on brother Saether:
Brother George Saether was one of the old time members of the Mt. Carmel “camp”, as the original Davidians called it. He was there from 1937 to 1961, which was the year of the dissolution of the Waco organization. He played a very influential part in the Davidian movement.
After listening and reading the 10 interviews recorded at Baylor, we believe that unbeknownst to Daniel McGee, the Baylor interviewer, we feel the Lord was indeed guiding him because Mr. McGee, time and again, zeroed in on the subjects that would later prove noteworthy due to today’s controversies surrounding specifically Florence Houteff and the new codes and Ben Roden and the Branch DSDA.
The interview:
McGEE: … “Mrs. Houteff was now vice president and general manager. How did things develop from that point forward?” SAETHER: ….”She said, “I’m interested in the Bible study and I want to do some private studying.” Well, it wasn’t long after that— in 1955 and Mrs. Houteff cornered me one day in the office. We closed at noon on Friday so everybody could go home and get ready for Sabbath. She cornered me there and she talked all afternoon to me, trying to persuade me to her idea in Revelation 11… You haven’t got the proof, you haven’t got the backing of it. Where is the proof of this?” I was courteous with her, I wasn’t rough. I should have even made fun of it but I didn’t. She was in earnest, I thought she’d lost her mind.” (Interview no. 8, p.336-340)
As the months went by after VTH’s death , she continues to study the anti-type fulfillment of Rev.11. But something else very noteworthy occurs during that time that was done in secrecy as revealed by brother Saether.
SAETHER: “When we were selling this property here in Waco she sold— I’ve forgotten how many acres, herself, without any okay from the council at all. And to this day I don’t know what the price she got for it. I don’t remember and I think it wasn’t clear how much she got but I think she made a big mistake doing that. And, not only that, it was illegal. She didn’t have the backing of the council. That was the agreement; all the sales had to be okayed first by the council. And then the board of trustees— signed the deeds to the properties that we sold. We sold lot by lot.”
So Florence was involved in three very big endeavors – 1) privately writing out the latter day fulfillment of Rev. 11 in anti-type in the new codes 2) presenting it to the flock as “inspiration”, 3) literally selling acres of Mt. Carmel property by herself and not approved by the council.
This was all happening from 1955 to 1959 (and prior to the Knock out blow). and before the day she and her council predicted would culminate in the slaughter of Ezekiel 9 through out the church. Despite Florence’s private interpretations, some expressed doubt of her predictions presented in the new codes.
Saether: “in 1959 I was over here (old Mt. Carmel) trying to sell this place and it came to me forcibly that I should drive out and tell the people (the council) In the spring now, April 22, the time (that the 42 month) was supposed to end. It’d be better to tell them now than to wait… I told them when I came in. I said “I just was impressed that we ought to write and tell the people that we’re mistaken. That we made a blunder here and we want to rectify it before that times comes (April 22, 1959). There’s still time. Anyway they didn’t see it that way…”
The annoucnement of the 1260 day prophecy in anti-type is made:
“..we have already [November 1955] entered the period of forty-two months…” — 11 Sym.Code no.1, p.13
“Mt. Carmel hereby serves notice that she now leaves the prophecy of Revelation 11, as the Code has explained it, as the test by which the Lord will demonstrate whom he is leading.” (Sym. Code, vol. 14, no. 6, page 29) But other brethren objected to Florence and her council’s predictions by sending a letter to her and the council prior to the predicted date of the slaughter.
“…We may pardonably emphasize the fact that when the Council’s predictions and program as set forth in Codes, Vol. 14, Nos.6,8, and 9, come to naught (30th day of this April [1959] is the absolute limit of the 3 1/2 years embraced in their own pronouncement: “..we have already [November 1955] entered the period of forty-two months…” — 11 Code 1:13:3, it will be the private predictions and the private program of the new- Code and new-Carmel, not the inspired program of the ROD which will thus be denuded of integrity, discredited, and humiliated. The ROD and genuine ROD Davidians will endure to the end to finish their Heaven-ordained mission to the Church and to the world.” (“protest letter” dated April 9, 1959 by some original Mt. Carmel DSDA brethren).
Note: As shown, it appears some DSDA saw her publishing of the new codes (those VTH did not publish) as a “private program” with an agenda.
The above picture is of the well known king –King David. His courage, his devotion, his complete love for our Savior, gained him the well known admiration spoken by our King.
“I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will” (Acts. 13:22).
Well, it is now official to the world. Lennox Sam has now exalted himself to the “anti-typical King David.” Not stopping there, he goes further. He is also anti-typical Elijah, and Jezreel. Wow, now that is saying something!
We mentioned this big news to some brethren and here are some samples of what we got back —
One said “Now we don’t have to wonder any longer, he has exposed himself.”
Another said “He lied to me, He said he was not a prophet to me.”
Another, “wow”
Another, “Looks like he has all his bases covered (with David, Elijah, Jezreel).”
To be sure Sam is now going to see what the great God of heaven will do about this declaration. To those of us who know about his strange fire doctrines that are leading many into perdition unless they repent and turn from such deception, we can only say in bewilderment, “Lord, may Your will be done and save Your people!”
Brethren have sent us a copy of his association’s latest symbolic code (Jan-Mar, 2021).
Here is the actual page of the declaration (page 2) —
At this point, there’s not much else to say. This says it all brethren. Beware and spread the word! Just as Ben Roden declared to be the “real” Elijah who wouldn’t die like VTH did, and Ariel Dacutanan did as well, both died and proved false. Lennox Sam will meet the same fate lest he repents.
Our King gave us profound instuctions when He was tested on the point of our involvement in government accountability. We read in Mark 12:14-17 —
“And when they were come, they say unto Him, “Master, we know that Thou art true, and carest for no man: for Thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? Shall we give, or shall we not give? But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye Me? Bring Me a penny, that I may see it.
And they brought it. And He saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto Him, “Caesar’s”. And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at Him.”
We are to be accountable not only to God but to the government! Many of us, even present truth believers, have loathed the paying of taxes to the government. Afterall we know that tremendous worldly evils are commited by our rulers. And it seems that our hard earned money shouldn’t go to this evil world, including our own government. But was Ceasar’s government more righteous, less evil? Many would argue — no. Yet, our King said to basically play by their rules and return there printed money (taxes) according to their laws. The instructions can not be clearer.
But with these injunctions, there are some today that are claiming the “holier than thou” false righteousness of accusing some organizations (particularly Mt. Dale and Waco) of doing un justly in regards to tithes, taxes, and government structures (501-C3). His word applies to those —
“I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that wasnot good, after their own thoughts; A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick; Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine’s flesh, and broth of abominable things in their vessels; Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.” (Isaiah 65: 2-5)
Recently we noticed another lamblasting post from Eric Edstrom , labelling God’s storehouses (Mt. Dale and Waco) as apostate due to their 501-c3 status. This time he lumps the accusation with Isaiah 8’s confederacy references. Let’s examine this long time misunderstanding coming from UPA7. First, it will be helpful to post a refresher on what we have posted before on Edstrom’s hypocrisy. We responded back then to his accustions and his labeling us a “Lying Devil” because we dared expose him as a blantant hypocrite for accusing Mt. Dale and Waco for altering some Tract’s art work, when he did the SAME THING! He did even worse by going on Amazon and advertising the Rod’s Entering Wedge Tract(complete with his new added art work)for sale to the general public! Amazon copy below.
“You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.” (Romans 2:1)
So hypocrisy is the hall mark of Edstrom’s UPA7 work. Now, let’s look at some recent additional statements of his ignorant “beam in the eye” remarks.
At the 12:46 -13:45 mark he says, “..in addition he (VTH) built up branches of the work, which included a rest home for the old people, to take care of the sick. Also it included schools, DLI, ministering training programs to train up Bible workers. It also included a school for children. It had agricultural enterprises, peach orchard, and farms to grow their own food. It was a self sufficent community. So that encompassed the work of Mt. Carmel center, Waco Texas, under brother Houteff.
This is not to be confused with the counterfiet unauthorized Mt. Carmel centers that exist today. They are not doing any of this. They don’t publish the original literature. They aren’t self supporting agricultural eneterprises. They don’t have rest homes to take their older Davidians. And they don’t even have schools for the children. So we got a little problem with people mis-appropiating titles to themselves in the days after brother Houteff.” (see video link below)
So let us add up what he is trying to get across. He labels “Mt. Carmel Centers” (ie. Waco and Mt. Dale) as “counterfeits” based the aforesaid accusations. Granted, Waco and Mt. Dale are not fully in line with all those areas, that is true. But God will judge them for faithfulness as to the Mt. Carmel blueprint. But what about Edstrom and his UPA7 association? Are they “doing any of this”?
Not quite. Mt. Dale and Waco produce all the Tracts, SC’s, Charts, etc. Sure, they need to improve in some areas (stop actively promoting the new codes, for instance). But where’s the old folks home for UPA7? The school for children? Where’s the headquarters? An apartment with a small office? Why no mailing address except a mail box? UPA7 sessions been called the years past? Does Edstrom really have a location with Davidians in mind or just a remote location, sort of like a cyber/internet headquarters? UPA7 doesn’t even come close to comparing to Mt. Dale and Waco as to a business/ professional set up.
In other words, UPA7 can accuse associations of not doing what is right, yet their association is perfectly fine not doing those things he finds so objectable, and they call themselves God’s “true” association? Once again Edstrom falls short of Truth and exposes himself a rank imposter.
Apparently, Edstrom thinks God has authorized his mom and pop shop (without sessions, without a governing council, without financial liability or responsiblity to the tithes payers, etc.) to be the current true association after taking Mt. Dale out of the picture in 2006 as shown by a recent snap shot of one of his latest videos.
SOP warned us long ago, the danger of striking out for ourselves as lone rangers —
“Satan well knows that success can only attend order and harmo- nious action. He well knows that everything connected with heaven is in perfect order, that subjection and perfect discipline mark the movements of the angelic host.
It is his studied effort to lead professed Christians just as far from heaven’s arrangement as he can;therefore he deceives even the professed people of God and makes them believe that order and discipline are enemies to spirituality, that the only safety for them is to let each pursue his own course, and to remain especially distinct from bodies of Christians who are united and are laboring to establish discipline and harmony of action.
All the efforts made to establish order are considered dangerous, a restriction of rightful liberty, and hence are feared as popery. These devoted souls consider it a virtue to boast of their freedom to think and act independently. They will not take any man’s say-so. They are amenable to no man. I was shown that it is Satan’s special work to lead men to feel that it is God’s order for them to strike out for themselves and choose their own course independent of their brethren.” (Testimonies to Ministers, p.29)
But most importantly, Edstrom does not forget that he wants to separate you from your money —
“The message invests no one with the authority to solicit financial help to carry on either their work or that of The Shepherd’s Rod.” (SC, vol. 8, no.1-12, p.23)
Found on his website —
Getting back to 501 c-3 status.
Edstom’s anti-incorporation position is very vocal in warning that such a connection to the state will bring dire results. For example he says —
“..this masterful plan of deception, designed to entrap and destroy the power and force of the Rod message, has been passed upon us hardly without notice nor much thought of concern.”
Designed to entrap and destroy the Rod message? Is that really true or hyperbole? Does this 501 c3 really destroy the power and force of the message to the people? Or is this fear-mongering by UPA7 and just more slandering and down beating Waco and Mt. Dale for example? Do they have an agenda to divert members and/or tithes from other more successful and prosperous organizations into their own coffers?
In this confederacy argument, he uses Isaiah 8:11 —
“Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.”—Isaiah 8:11
However as mentioned previously in one of our posts, the Isaiah 8: 9-15 confederacy issue is addressed by the Rod in three references only —
1 — TG, vol. 2, no.41, p.18-20
2 — Tract 14, p.44-45
3 — Military Stand Tract, p. 5, 12,15
None of these have the remotest application to DSDA with Incorporation or the like, or even SDA and their Incorporation since 1863. See this link for this Isaiah 8 study —
“Corporations, as creations of the government do not possess natural rights. Only natural persons (created by God) can possess the natural rights that God bestows. The so-called “rights possessed by corporations are merely government-granted privileges and benefits—artificial rights for artificial persons. Once a church incorporates,it may no longer rely on the Constitution to protect its unalienable rights. It has voluntarily waived its constitutional protections and exchanged them for the protection of the state.”
Ah, this appears formidable and scary, right? Has the Incorporating trapped us and caused damage to the present truth message? As we continue we will see that this is nothing more than a paper tiger, toothless and used for fear mongering to faithful Davidians by unscrupulous organizations. KEY POINT — FOUR WINDS ARE HELD BACK. Since when does the holding back the four winds of Rev.7 fail to stop persecution of the saints? Edstrom gives us a big fear of gays and others coming into the Davidian movement and causing uncontrolled damage. What foolishness. You think God can’t protect us by the holding of the winds?? 501 c-3 or anything else can’t harm the saints.
That is the whole purpose for the winds being held back, to not hinder God’s people from doing their work unmolested (spreading the Rod message).
100% Rod only groups Incorporated
Since 1963 official DSDA associations, from Warden led California group to Bro. Adair’s Salem group to Mt. Dale/ Waco, all have Incorporated. It may be appropriate to ask — Why did Brother Warden who was one of VTH’s right-hand man Incorporate? He was well read and obviously knew the organized structure of the original VTH’s DSDA and the LEV. Tract counsel? Nearly ALL the pioneers took part in this INC. structure. Why?
No doubt there must be more than meet the eye here. They not only did this, but the tiny few who regrouped gained converts and went from a tiny few to the ten’s of thousands of DSDA we have today! Does not the message tell us the Lord is in control of His work (sealing of the 144,00)? Ezekiel Tract shows us this.
The anti-Inc. sites, to be perfectly honest, must admit according to their condemnations of Incorporation of DSDA organizations, that Christ our King HAS ABANDONED THE WORK for over 60 years! That is right. Because they think Christ had not then (since the 100% Rod only group) nor is now, working with Incorporated associations! Edstrom knows perfectly well that his often praise for the 100% Rod only group soon became Incorporated after the Knock out blow and they all have been Incorporated since. But he tries to excuse this off of course. What a corner UPA7 and other anti-inc. advocates have painted themselves into!
Did Edstrom come into the message from an “apostate” DSDA assoc. that was Inc? Think this through brethren.
The Incorporated Associations have numerous benefits from INC.
Under the IRS 501 c3 “Tax Guide for Churches & Religious Organizations” public report it reads —
Religious Organizations
“Unlike churches, religious organizations that wish to be tax exempt generally must apply to the IRS for tax-exempt status unless their gross receipts do not normally exceed $5,000 annually.“
The above IRS guidelines show that Mt. Dale and Waco, for example, and we the tithe payers, could not receive Tax exempt benefits if they did not INC. Why? Because they cannot and do not meet the qualifications of a “Church” but rather a religious organization. One of the requirements for being a Church which they cannot meet is regular worship services, obviously. This cannot be done as we DSDA do not have a separate church for worship purposes. They also make much more than 5000.00 annually in tithe receipts.
KEY POINT —Being INC. requires them to have some legal accountability concerning their income (Tithes) and expenses. The members can request to see them and know just where the funds are going and for what. But the anti-Inc. groups have no such legal accountability. They can privately without oversight do whatever they want and not be accountable at all!
Another VERY important aspect to formally Incorporating is that it keeps property and finances protected from unscrupulous parties they may come into management to pilfer and abuse assets. This could have been the reason the Lord allowed the very first Inc. back in 1963 as there was obviously some financial difficulties in those early days with some unscrupulous characters.
In closing brethren, let us be careful of cunning devised fables and half truths purported by “professed friends of the Gospel”. Associations like Edstrom’s UPA7 are trying to fool the unsuspecting in their sleight of hand tricks. Where is UPA7′ s annual financial statements since 2006, for instance? What was done with the tithes sent him? Conviently because they are not Incorporated they don’t have that responbility. Mt. Dale and Waco has consistently provided financial accountability to those who pay tithes, and who really is God’s workers? They are the honest and transparent , unlike the false accusers, who talk a good game but expose themselves as imposters and thiefs.
“There has ever been a class among God’s people who make it their business to question and to criticize everything in the “unfolding of truth.” They say, “We accept this and that, but we will not accept the other.” They think it a mark of intelligence to question and to criticize. But this proud and self-esteeming class among church members, who think they are so wise and so capable of judging even the message which they have already acknowledged that God has sent them, have always met the displeasure of the Lord, and He has demonstrated to men that their so-called wisdom is nothing short of foolishness.
They are so foolish that even though their case has been presented to them in the experience of others for thousands of years, they cannot discern their evil and soul destroying course. These self-appointed judges of the messages that God sends to His people, have, by their doubts and criticisms, scattered away from Christ many weak souls who are subject to being affected with the disease whenever they are exposed to it. Therefore, thus saith the Lord, “Because ye have thrust with side and with shoulder, and pushed all the diseased with your horns, till ye have scattered them abroad; therefore will I save My flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between cattle and cattle.” (Ezek. 34:21, 22.) (5 SC, no.1-5, p.2)
Let’s face it, today we are witnessing great censorship being foisted upon us for our right to free speech. Mass media and tech is clamping down more and more upon the masses that don’t go according to the “party line” aka liberal viewpoint. But what about censorship among us as present truth believers? Is there some silencing of our voices among us? By secular ways? Not too much, but by we ourselves? Oh yes, let us explain.
First, the message tells us we are to guard our camp —
“The Lord’s dealings with Joshua reveal that His servants must vigilantly watch that no evil enter into their ranks, and that His words through His prophets be feared as though He Himself were speaking directly to the people.” (Tract 4, p.30)
So yes, when we have an organization or Facebook group for example, we should guard diligently against troublemakers, false teachers, and other divisiveness. But there is a form of censorship that isn’t right, we feel , and should be exposed.
Recently, we were informed by a brother of a YouTube video that blasted the Lord’s Rod. As we had never heard of this speaker (Patrick Herbert) we curiously watched it. Well, as usual, these types are sprouting half truths and distortions of the Lord’s message. He was no exception.
After watching about a quarter of it, we decided to make a YouTube comment. He was saying that VTH , as claiming to be the anti-type of Elijah, should be exactly like the type. In other words, he pointed out Elijah never died and because VTH died, then VTH was a fraud. He used the example that anti-type must be as the type and that the Lamb was the type and Christ was the anti-type.
So I commented, “Your anti-type analysis is superficial. Anti-type does not always follow EXACTLY all partuculars as in type. For instance the lamb did not speak a message to the people.” Well it took Patrick a very short while to go on his YT site and delete my comment. I thought –what? This guy is standing up for truth? What kind of honest discussion is that? Well brethren , this , sadly is not uncommon for SDA and some so called DSDA.
“There is no excuse for any one in taking the position that there is no more truth to be revealed, and that all our expositions of Scripture are without an error. The fact that certain doctrines have been held as truth for many years by our people, is not a proof that our ideas are infallible. Age will not make error into truth, and truth can afford to be fair. No true doctrine will lose anything by close investigation.” (R and H, Dec. 20, 1892)
All questions should be addressed fairly and not cut off from honest discussion. Surely the Lord is not happy with such censorship. You got the Truth? Then stand up for it and not run away from another’s investigation, or dispute in your teaching.
But Patrick is not the only one among our people. The infamous Lennox Sam has done this to us as well. We have posted comments to his YT videos, yet sure enough, they are deleted. Again, this is a tell tale sign that the presenter has something to hide. Sam is always claiming unfairness in other DSDA discussing points of doctrine, yet when one goes on his channel and brings honest points up that may differ from his–they get whacked off! Talk about a rank imposter for “fairness”.
One of the things yours truly has always been firm about is that any comment or questions in our YT channel, or blogs, or FB group Truth Tellers, is always allowed to stand. The only two exceptions 1) if it crosses the line and gets too personal or foul 2) if it promotes a strange fire doctrine or false teaching of an important doctrine among us as present truth believers.
There are indeed times where we must remove or censor others from our sites or groups. A well known divisive person for example, one whose reputation preceeds him as an “accuser of the brethren” cannot be allowed to join our groups unless we want the fruits of division to be our lot. The Word counsels —–
“I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.” (Romans 16:17)
Ofcourse those who we must boot nearly always claim foul and that is because their log in their eyes has made them blind. Brother Houteff had one such example which brother Don Adair related in His book “A Davidian Testimony”.
The story goes that one day a man was in the dining room telling everyone that milk was really bad. That it was not pleasing to God and must be eliminated from the diet. He was protesting strong about this. VTH heard about it and came to him and asked him what good was he performing on the camp. He didn’t give a good answer so VTH had him escorted off the camp.
As he is leaving he puts up his hands in the air and shouts “I am being persecuted for the Lord! Praise the Lord!” False humility in full bloom! So despite our best intentions those who are guardians of the site or camp, must expect unjust claim of censorship against us.
In closing, our inspired counsel shows us we must be good guardians but if we cross that line and become bad guardians, willing to censor, cancel , or remove for the wrong reasons, then we are no better then the heathen. In fact, we are much much worse.
One of the most often confusing and debated topics of the message is the discussion on the pre-Ezekiel 9 trouble to the church. In this post we’d like to delve into it and try and make some clarity. The confusion is largely based on a few references that come from the Spirit of Prophecy.
“The work which the church has failed to do in a time of peace and prosperity she will have to do in a terrible crisis under most discouraging, forbidding circumstances. The warnings that worldly conformity has silenced or withheld must be given under the fiercest opposition from enemies of the faith. And at that time the superficial, conservative class, whose influence has steadily retarded the progress of the work, will renounce the faith and take their stand with its avowed enemies, toward whom their sympathies have long been tending.
These apostates will then manifest the most bitter enmity, doing all in their power to oppress and malign their former brethren and to excite indignation against them. This day is just before us.
The members of the church will individually be tested and proved. They will be placed in circumstances where they will be forced to bear witness for the truth. Many will be called to speak before councils and in courts of justice, perhaps separately and alone. The experience which would have helped them in this emergency they have neglected to obtain, and their souls are burdened with remorse for wasted opportunities and neglected privileges.” (Test, vol. 5, p.463)
The above reference is one of the references that the supporters of the great trouble coming before Ezekiel 9 use. There are some big problems with this usage. First and foremost, the Rod never speaks about it. Second, the close scrutiny of it, shows gapping holes in alignment with what the message, by preponderance of evidence, shows about the pre-trouble.
The next reference that is also much used is —
“That night I dreamed that I was in Battle Creek looking out from the side glass at the door and saw a company marching up to the house, two and two. They looked stern and determined. I knew them well and turned to open the parlor door to receive them, but thought I would look again. The scene was changed. The company now presented the appearance of a Catholic procession. One bore in his hand a cross, another a reed. And as they approached, the one carrying a reed made a circle around the house, saying three times: “This house is proscribed. The goods must be confiscated. They have spoken against our holy order.” Terror seized me, and I ran through the house, out of the north door, and found myself in the midst of a company, some of whom I knew, but I dared not speak a word to them for fear of being betrayed. I tried to seek a retired spot where I might weep and pray without meeting eager, inquisitive eyes wherever I turned. I repeated frequently: “If I could only understand this! If they will tell me what I have said or what I have done!”
I wept and prayed much as I saw our goods confiscated. I tried to read sympathy or pity for me in the looks of those around me, and marked the countenances of several whom I thought would speak to me and comfort me if they did not fear that they would be observed by others. I made one attempt to escape from the crowd, but seeing that I was watched, I concealed my intentions. I commenced weeping aloud, and saying: “If they would only tell me what I have done or what I have said!” My husband, who was sleeping in a bed in the same room, heard me weeping aloud and awoke me. My pillow was wet with tears, and a sad depression of spirits was upon me.” (Test. Vol. 1, p.577-578)
Let’s closely look at these references.
“The work which the church has failed to do in a time of peace and prosperity she will have to do in a terrible crisis under most discouraging, forbidding circumstances.“
Yes, there is no doubt that the message shall have to be given while the winds are blowing during a “terrible crisis”. That is why the Word calls it “time of trouble shuch as never was” (Dan 12:1).
And at that time the superficial, conservative class, whose influence has steadily retarded the progress of the work, will renounce the faith and take their stand with its avowed enemies, toward whom their sympathies have long been tending.
These apostates will then manifest the most bitter enmity, doing all in their power to oppress and malign their former brethren and to excite indignation against them. This day is just before us.
Obviously, the pre-trouble proponents see this and say “this is before Ezekiel 9 because no SDA will be around after Ezek. 9”. The issue of some SDA still being around after Ezek. 9 is two-fold.
First, the “non-active” members are still considered SDA by God, although unfaithful and destined to experince a fate, we dare say worse than being cut down. They pretentiously think they are a part of the church, a worthy member. But they have left their post of duty and will have to go trough the time of trouble and find out their sad fate.
“Vol. 5, p. 81 says, ‘The mark of the beast will be urged upon us. Those who have step by step yielded to worldly demands, and conformed to worldly customs, will not find it a hard matter to yield to the powers that be, rather than subject themselves to derision, insult, threatened imprisonment, and death.’ But the SRod teaches that the unfaithful ones will not be permitted to unite with the church at thattime.”
The teaching in the SRod regarding the purity of the church in the time of the Loud Cry is as plain a truth as any ever taught. It is possible that one can not harmonize this subject with every statement written by Sr. White, but this should not cause us to lose faith in the message, for there are many passages in the Spirit of Prophecy which the denomination is unable to harmonize. This difficulty arises among us as a people because we do not as yet fully understand all the events connected with the closing of the gospel work. However, though the mark of the beast is yet future, and difficult to define ahead of time, we may submit a thought on how the above quotation will meet its fulfillment, which will show the possibility of the church being free from the unfaithful and yet how some who have been unfaithful will at the same time “yield to the powers that be.”
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.
According to Vol. 5, p. 81 some of those who are independent of the organization but still claim to be S.D.A’s will not “subject themselves to derision, insult, threatened imprisonment, and death,” but will “slide into any position to suit the tenor of their feelings.” T.M. 112. {1SC5: 5.5}
These apostates will obviously turn against their former brethren when the mark of the beast period is under way. Although, the issue of hurting the 144,000 is impossible, so logically the persecution comes against the second fruits of the then exisitng church of God.
“..the truth is clearly seen that after the earth swallows the flood, after the angels separate the wicked (“the tares,” the “bad” “fish”) from the righteous (the “wheat,” the “good” “fish”) in the church, and take the righteous to Mount Sion (“the barn,” “the vessels” Matt. 13:30, 48), the dragon will then be angry with the woman (the servants of God), and as a result will war against the remnant (the second fruits, those who are then to be called out of Babylon–Rev. 18:4).” (2 Ans. p. 16)
The message shows that the dragon (Satan) gets angry at the Lord’s servants AFTER the purification and can only go after the second fruits , and THAT is who these references are describing. Let us also remember that the type (Jacob) never had hands laid upon him in his trouble–only mental anquish!
“As the storm approaches, a large class who have professed faith in the third angel’s message, but have not been sanctified through obedience to the truth, abandon their position and join the ranks of the opposition. By uniting with the world and partaking of its spirit, they have come to view matters in nearly the same light; and when the test is brought, they are prepared to choose the easy, popular side. Men of talent and pleasing address, who once rejoiced in the truth, employ their powers to deceive and mislead souls. They become the most bitter enemies of their former brethren. When Sabbathkeepers are brought before the courts to answer for their faith, these apostates are the most efficient agents of Satan to misrepresent and accuse them, and by false reports and insinuations to stir up the rulers against them.” (GC, p.608).
Again, we ask — where in the Rod does this SOP reference interpreted to mean 1) the 144,000 being persecuted 2) that it is a time before Ezekiel 9? NOTHING exists from the Rod giving that meaning to this text. In fact the Rod says NOTHING at all on this text. Do we think our prophet didn’t know about it? Of course not. But some brethren push their own pipe into the Bowl and explain 1 and 2 as its meaning! We have shown above how there will be a large class of SDA still around after Ezekiel 9.
The other form of apostate, is the former SDA, which again numbers thousands. One of the ring leaders is a former SDA minister named Dale Ratzlaff. This man has done some damage to the SDA faith. In other words, a true hinderer of those who would enter.
Dale and Carolyn Ratzlaff founded Life Assurance Ministries in 1999. Dale is author of Sabbath in Christ,The Cultic Doctrine of Seventh-day Adventists, The Truth About the Seventh-day Adventist Truth, and Adventist to Christian. Dale was an Adventist pastor for 13 years, seven of which he spent teaching Bible at Monterey Bay Academy , La Selva Beach, California. During his doctoral studies at Andrews University in the 1980’s, Dale became convinced that the investigative judgment could not be supported by Scripture. Since he could no longer teach this doctrine, he and his wife Carolyn left the Adventist denomination. Dale and Carolyn host a Former Adventist Fellowship Bible study near Phoenix, Arizona.
Don’t think for a moment that these apostates who now worship on Sunday, and have left the faith, will not turn on their former Sabbath SDA brethren and the GM!
In regards to our second reference (1 Test. p.577-578) the Rod does speak on it —
“The promise, however, is that the flood of tares will remain therein only until the harvest, the natural time for their separation–the end of the world.
So long as Satan can successfully carry on this subversive work of flooding the church, he will never move a finger to persecute any for joining her, lest thereby he thwart his own evil design to honeycomb her ranks with his agents–the flood, the tares. To insure the success of this insidious work, he casts out those who dare live a consistent Christian life there among the tares, while he is going about with his extinguisher turned on, trying to put out every lifespark of light.
Finally, though, as prophecy discloses, the tables are turned, and the long controversy ends with the Lord’s casting out and destroying (Rev. 12:16) Satan’s agents, the “flood” (the tares, the bad fish), and then lighting the earth with the glory of His angel (Rev. 18:1)! ” (2 Ans, p.13-14)
The ref — “If they would only tell me what I have done or what I have said!” is clear! We as Rod believers have often sighed these very words to ourselves and others! Dis-fellowshipped , demoted, slandered — all for telling the Truth! What have we done?? So to say that ref is about a persecution of some type by authorities is grasping at straws for a false theory.
The Rod adds popery like inflictions have been in use already–
“Therefore, shall we wonder why they have gone even so far as to impose on the conscience of the laity, depriving them from the God-given liberty of investigating the truth for themselves, questioning their intelligence and disfellowshipping all who dare think for themselves? Nevertheless, the multitude, “spoiled” and “robbed,” swoon in the streets and while the “alarm” of warning is sounding in their ears they kick against it like drunkards, showing that they would rather be robbed than disturbed.
At the same time the robbers are cramming the ears of their victims by spreading falsehood against the Rod and doing all they can to silence the alarm by crying, “Unholy! Unholy!” against the messengers of present truth, and thus when the SRod adherents are in church they are herded to a corner by themselves for fear that they may drop a word and awaken some hungry soul. Is this less than popery? (1 SC, no.14, p.3-4)
Identifying the 144,000.…. They are sealed in time of peace while the four angels are “holding the four winds.” Rev. 7:1-3.(Tract 9, p.51)
“The fact that the 144,000 are without guile in their mouths shows that, as servants of God, they have a message to proclaim, and that they are to be found blameless in their proclaiming of it: speaking the truth and nothing but the truth, they shall prosper wherever they go with the message, although they are sent with it
When the Winds Are Loosed and Blowing.
The angels’ holding back the winds at the four corners of the earth denotes that they are holding back some world-wide trouble which, should it break out while the church is in her Laodicean condition, would block the sealing. And from this fact, it follows that immediately after the 144,000 are sealed, the trouble will begin, signalizing the angels’ loosing the winds. With this trouble “such as never was since there was a nation” (Dan. 12:1), the great multitude is to be brought face to face while being called out of Babylon (Rev. 18:4) into the kingdom.
This time of trouble is foreshadowed by the present trouble which the church is bringing upon the first fruits, those who are being sealed, marked, in her midst, to be removed to the kingdom — the barn (Matt. 13:30), the vessels (Matt. 13:48).” (Tract 9, p.58)
Let us note this very carefully — The sealing of the 144,000 WILL NOT BE CONSUMATED until the slaughter takes place. How we know this is the following.
“After the sighing and crying ones were marked (which is not to be understood as being consummated in its entirety worldwide before the slaying follows anywhere), the slaughter completed, and the matter
Tract 1 page 38
reported, the Lord “spake unto the man clothed with linen, and said, Go in between the wheels even under the cherub, and fill thine hand with coals of fire from between the cherubims, and scatter them over the city.” Ezek. 10:2.
One of the main points to remember is that the “Dragon” is never shown persecuting the144,000 prior to Ezekiel 9 within the Rod (published by VTH). For a great example reference to show this we read —
“..the Revelator points out that not until after the flood is swallowed by the earth, after the unconverted are “slain” and buried, and the church thereby purified, will the dragon wage his fiercest warfare against the remnant of the woman’s seed. Hence, the harvest time in the church, the time the earth swallows the flood, is before the dragon wars against the remnant.”(2 Ans. p.47)
Key point — the four winds are holding back persecution to the 144,000, until they are sealed. JTT will be after the sealing “on their way home” and this is the extent of trouble the 144,000 are to experience. The type (Jacob) does not show the 144,000 (anti-type) experiencing JTT while meandering around in their homeland. They were TRAVELING towards HOME. We know this from tons of references, and the BIG clear ref, is our own Fundemental Beliefs timeline in FB Tract, p.12-13.
To bring out a few SOP and try to change the clear time outline and insert persecution for the 144,000 prior to Ezekiel 9, is to fall short of the Truth as it is in the Rod timeline. Both the trouble of Daniel 12:1 and Jacob’s time of trouble will be after Ezekiel 9. Right now we have a work to do and won’t be stopped because of God’s four angels protecting us. NO councils to appear before, no strong arm of the authorites to persecute us as strivers to be among that number (144,000) ! This all takes place after Ezekiel 9 and it will be to the GM , not the 144,000.
As we continue on our present truth journey, it is truly amazing how many STILL don’t receive God’s fulfillment of His contract of Malachi 3:10. God’s extended hand not grasped and shaken to enter into His mighty promise! Could it be that Satan has so strongly and vastly infiltrated us with false teachers, all leading us down either 1) keep God’s tithes and dispensing them as we see fit? 2) sending them to the wrong storehouse, thus neglecting the ability to receive the promise? 3) coveting them, because they are hook winked by false teachers that “all Davidia is messed up”, why bother?
No! Satan cannot exclude you or I from partaking in God’s contract, His promise. In fact He HAS left us a road map, a good solid one that points to where His storehouse is today. Yes and amen! Please take time to watch our latest series of the history and get the knowledge of how to experience His great blessing . So much you will “not have room enough to receive”.
One of the most grounded teachings and most simplistic to know and understand is the idea that we are told both in the Rod and SOP — to NOT time set. Let us read —
“Let all our brethren and sisters beware of anyone who would set a time for the Lord to fulfill His word in regard to His coming, or in regard to any other promise He has made of special significance.” (TM, p.55)
“DOES THE SHEPHERD’S ROD SET PROPHETIC DATES?
Question No. 14:
In the following statement, “While God clears the way for the seven last plagues by laying some of His people to sleep in the grave, He has done the same for the event to take place in 1931 (if that date be correct),” does “The Shepherd’s Rod,” Vol. 1, p. 219, mean to teach that the judgment of the dead closed in 1931 or thereabouts?
Answer:
In the statement in question, the Rod has no reference to the Investigative Judgment. The message sets no date, either exact or approximate, for the closing of the judgment of the dead, or for the beginning of the Judgment of the living.The time of the cessation of the one event and the beginningof the other, is not to be known until the one is past and the other begun.” (1 Ans, p. 94)
Remember those words “either exact or approximate”.
Ok we would think the above is so weightful that to miss it would be like missing that Christ died on the cross! But no brethren, Satan does not sit idly by and let the straight clear words of God stand, without doing his original trick way back in the Garden.
We remember when God told Adam and Eve that they would surely die should they eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Yet Satan came later to Eve and said “You will not surely die”. In today’s modern terms this is called “gaslighting”. In other words, what you really hear or see, you aren’t really. To create a form of doubt and bewilderment is the goal of those who are gaslighting their victims. Satan was the first gas lighter!
So logically Satan finds workers in our midst who will teach the opposite of God and cancel, twist and ignore the straight clear above words. Well, what else is new, we bring you our old tried and true imposter –Lennox Sam. Now keep in mind what the Lord’s counsel is above and then take a look at the blatant trespassing of it in the following video clip.
So we have a choice brethren, we can believe in Satan’s gaslighting us through one of his active imposters today or we can stand firmly upon the “Thus sayeth the Lord”. The choice is ours. The time is almost at hand where God forbid SOP’s warning may apply to us as portrayed in Rev. 6:12-17 —
“In these scriptures two parties are brought to view. One party permitted themselves to be deceived, and took sides with those with whom the Lord has a controversy. They misinterpreted the message sent them, and clothed themselves in robes of self-righteousness. Sin was not sinful in their eyes. They taught falsehood as truth, and by them many souls were led astray.” — “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. 9, page 268.
If those people who exalt themselves so much as to make their own oil from the trees and try to put it in the Golden Bowl, would repent and turn, the Lord’s mercy would come.
“And such as do choose to engage in private interpretation are respectfully asked to desist from teaching in the name of the Rod and at its expense. Let them, like honest men, teach in their own names and at their own expense.” (FB Tract, p. 36)
You see those words “either exact or approximate” from Inspiration?You really didn’t see them.
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HearYeTheRod 