Study Reading # 3: Revival and Reformation

1. Timely Greetings vol. 1, #10

THE KINGDOM OF JUDAH, THE SIFTING OF THE NATION

TEXT OF ADDRESS BY V.T. HOUTEFF,

MINISTER OF DAVIDIAN 7TH-DAY ADVENTISTS

SABBATH, DECEMBER 21, 1946

MT. CARMEL CHAPEL

WACO, TEXAS

Last Sabbath we concluded our study with verse eleven of Zechariah 14, and now in order to connect today's study with last Sabbath's, we shall briefly review the events concerning Jerusalem, as predicted in the first eleven verses of the same chapter. {1TG20: 11.1}

The first event predicted is a war against Jerusalem, in which all nations participate. In that war a part of the people in Jerusalem go into captivity, but the rest remain in the city. Moreover, in that day the Lord's feet stand on the Mount of Olives, and the mountain cleaves toward the east and toward the west, making a great valley. Then to this valley of the mountains, to the place where the Lord's feet stand, the people of God flee as hastily as if from an earthquake. Thus is Jerusalem to be re-inhabited by God's Own people. Evidently those who are not cut off, those who are left in Jerusalem, must be the faithful that are found therein. But those who flee to the valley to where the Lord's feet stand -- flee to Him, not away from Him -- must be the faithful from elsewhere. Plainly, Jerusalem is to become the great gathering place for God's people. {1TG20: 11.2}

These are some of the things which our last Sabbath's study, the first part of Zechariah chapter 14,

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brought to view, and any Bible student should readily see that they are pre-millennial: The people do not descend from Heaven, but instead they flee into the valley. They could not, therefore, be the wicked, for they flee to Him, not away from Him. Now let us continue with the twelfth verse. {1TG20: 11.3}

Zech. 14:12 -- "And this shall be the plague wherewith the Lord will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth." {1TG20: 12.1}

In one of the preceding verses we are told that the Lord is to fight against all those who fight against Jerusalem. And now in this verse we are told of the means which the Lord will employ in that warfare. He is not to use man-made weapons, but a plague. {1TG20: 12.2}

Zech. 14:13 -- "And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the Lord shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbour, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbour." {1TG20: 12.3}

Besides the plague, there shall be a great tumult -- a confusion and excitement that will turn every man against his neighbor. Thus shall the Lord defeat the enemies of His people. {1TG20: 12.4}

Zech. 14:14 -- "And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the heathen round about shall be gathered together, gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance." {1TG20: 12.5}

During this conflict of the nations, the Kingdom of

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Judah is to be restored. She also shall fight at Jerusalem, and shall gather to herself the wealth of the heathen. {1TG20: 12.6}

Zech. 14:15 -- "And so shall be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of the ass, and of all the beasts that shall be in these tents, as this plague." {1TG20: 13.1}

The plague falls on both men and beast that are found in the tents of the unbelieving. {1TG20: 13.2}

Zech. 14:16 -- "And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles." {1TG20: 13.3}

This sentence of Scripture emphatically implies that all who at that decisive moment refuse to be converted to the Lord, shall perish; only those who worship the Lord at Jerusalem on the feast of tabernacles, shall be spared. {1TG20: 13.4}

Zech. 14:17 -- "And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain." {1TG20: 13.5}

The "rain" will be withheld from all who do not then worship the King, the Lord of hosts, in order that they may fully realize their mistake. Moreover, not only those who shall fight against Jerusalem, but even all the families of the earth shall be thus sifted. {1TG20: 13.6}

Zech. 14:18 -- "And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the Lord will smite the heathen that come

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not up to keep the feast of tabernacles." {1TG20: 13.7}

If the drought fails to awaken them, then the plague will finally take them. Thus all who have not heard the message will be given opportunity to hear it. If it cannot save them it will eventually destroy them. {1TG20: 14.1}

Now we see that this event (the Lord's standing on the mount and the saints' fleeing to the valley) is not only pre-millennial, but even pre-probationary; that it commences the re-establishment of the house of Judah; that it prepares the way for lightening the earth with the glory of the angel (Rev. 18:1); that it is eventually to bring the end of sinners. {1TG20: 14.2}

Zech. 14:19 -- "This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles." {1TG20: 14.3}

Again we see the necessity of forsaking our preconceptions of the final work of the gospel. No, the Lord will not drop upon the world like a bolt from the sky. He will first magnify His Word, His power, His righteousness and His church or people. He is also to have, as it were, an ark of safety into which to gather His elect and shield them. All these facts, you see, are vividly borne out in this prophecy. {1TG20: 14.4}

Zech. 14:20 -- "In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the Lord's house shall be like the bowls before the altar." {1TG20: 14.5}

Bells on horses serve no other purpose than to help their masters locate them. Thus it will be that only those servants whose "bells" (voices) sound "Holiness unto the Lord" can the Lord locate and gather as His

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Own. {1TG20: 14.6}

Zech. 14:21 -- "Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the Lord of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the Lord of hosts." {1TG20: 15.1}

This verse is self-explanatory, it needs no comments. {1TG20: 15.2}

So it is seen that with the establishment of the Kingdom of Judah commences the sifting of the nations. It must be that we are on the verge of witnessing the fulfillment of these prophecies else the Scroll would not have been unrolled so far as to unseal them at this time -- certainly not if the Spirit of Truth alone leads into all Truth, and if the Lord gives "meat in due season." In view of this, let us wholeheartedly do God's bidding and sincerely act out our faith in His never-failing Word. {1TG20: 15.3}

2. Timely Greetings vol. 1, # 13

THE ONLY PEACE OF MIND

Volume 1

Numbers 13, 14

Copyright, 1953 Reprint

All rights reserved

V.T. HOUTEFF

THE REVIVAL AND REFORMATION

ISMS, AND THE REMEDY

OPENING PRAYER THOUGHT

I shall read the last paragraph from The Mount of Blessing, page 163, after which we shall engage in a season of prayer. {1TG13: 2.1}

M.B., pg. 163 -- "When we pray, 'Give us this day our daily bread,' we ask for others as well as ourselves. And we acknowledge that what God gives us is not for ourselves alone.... 'He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully'.... In teaching us to ask every day for what we need, -- both temporal and spiritual blessings, -- God has a purpose to accomplish for our good." {1TG13: 2.2}

The Institution's experience is a good illustration of the fact that those who bless others, they themselves will also be blessed. You know that this Institution began to be built in 1935, right in the midst of the depression, and that its work began with nothing more than a revelation from the Lord. In all respects its beginning was the smallest of the small and the poorest of the poor. And while countless individuals and business organizations went bankrupt, it grew and prospered. It was thus blessed because instead of hoarding its God-given blessings, it most liberally spent itself to bless others. Since this Institution by unselfishly blessing others from its very beginning to this day, even in a time of depression, has become what it is, then individuals may likewise reap a blessing if they, too, follow the same rule. {1TG13: 2.3}

Accordingly we should pray that we be granted an understanding of what it means to say, "Give us this day our daily bread;" and to know that selfishness leads to poverty and that management and liberality lead to abundance; that we as Christians positively know that to take the name of Christ is to do what Christ did -- to bless humanity, to let the world know that we are here to do it good, not to be a burden upon it. {1TG13: 2.4}

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THE REVIVAL AND REFORMATION

TEXT OF ADDRESS BY V.T. HOUTEFF,

MINISTER OF DAVIDIAN 7TH-DAY ADVENTISTS

SABBATH, NOVEMBER 2, 1946

MT. CARMEL CHAPEL

WACO, TEXAS

This afternoon we shall start our study where we left off in our previous study of Haggai's and Zechariah's prophecies. Let us turn to {1TG13: 3.1}

Hag. 2:1-3 -- "In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the Word of the Lord by the prophet Haggai, saying, Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and to the residue of the people, saying, Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?" {1TG13: 3.2}

As it was in the days of building the typical temple so it must be in the days of building the antitypical, in our days. From the type is seen that just as the Word of the Lord was then addressed to the governors, to the high priest, and to the common people, so the Word of the Lord today is to be carried to all the people, regardless of rank or station in life. {1TG13: 3.3}

The Word of the Lord to all the people in Haggai's and Zechariah's day was that the builders should consider to their heart-breaking disappointment that the glory of the temple which they were building was in their eyes as nothing in comparison with the glory of

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Solomon's temple. {1TG13: 3.4}

Hag. 2:4, 5 -- "Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the Lord; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the Lord, and work: for I am with you, saith the Lord of hosts: according to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not." {1TG13: 4.1}

The Lord assured His people that the love which He has had for them has not diminished, and that His power to deliver and to help was still the same as when He brought their forefathers out of Egypt; as He had not failed His people in those times then He was not to fail them either, and that His spirit was still to be with them. {1TG13: 4.2}

Hag. 2:6-8 -- "For thus saith the Lord of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; and I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts. The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine, saith the Lord of hosts." {1TG13: 4.3}

That the prophecy in these verses is yet to be fulfilled, is very obvious, for in the day this temple is built God is to shake the heavens, the earth, and the nations; that their expectation is then to come and that the temple is to be filled with glory; that the builders are not to worry about finances. {1TG13: 4.4}

It is true that men control and use the silver and the gold, but it must not be forgotten that it all belongs to God, and that if He has need of it, He is well able to take it and do what He will with it, that the builders

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need not fear a shortage of it if they use it as God would have them use it. {1TG13: 4.5}

Since it is plain that the ancient temple was typical of a temple to be built in the day God shakes the heavens, the earth, and the nations, the subject becomes absolutely clear that Inspiration is here speaking of an antitypical temple. {1TG13: 5.1}

Hag. 2:9 -- "The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts." {1TG13: 5.2}

The promise is that the glory which attended Solomon's temple, shall be far exceeded by the antitypical one, which is to be built by the church purified, the church during the harvest time, the time in which God shakes the heaven, the earth, and the nations -- during the great and dreadful day of the Lord. {1TG13: 5.3}

Since these promises were not fulfilled in the day of Zerubbabel's temple, the subject becomes crystal clear: that they are now to be fulfilled, and since these latter day truths are now revealed to us, we must be the builders of it, the glory of which is to exceed all the glory of the past. Moreover, the place where this antitypical temple is to be situated is to have peace, and the way that peace is completely to be achieved is told in-- {1TG13: 5.4}

Hag. 2:21, 22 -- "Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth; and I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall

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come down everyone by the sword of his brother." {1TG13: 5.5}

Again is seen that in the day the Lord shakes the heavens and the earth, He also destroys the kingdoms of the earth by allowing them to kill one another. No wonder then that the nations are now engaged in an armament race, and the whole world is on the verge of plunging into the bloodiest conflict ever known. It is difficult for anyone to come to any other conclusion than that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is at hand. {1TG13: 6.1}

In as much as Zerubbabel is a "signet," a symbol or a type of the builders in the day the Lord shakes the heavens and the earth, then Ezekiel's description of the mystic temple (chapters 40-47) which is yet to be built, could be the blueprint of Zerubbabel's antitypical temple. {1TG13: 6.2}

"But," you may ask, "is this idea not contrary to our former belief?" -- I admit that it is. But are we to go on by what we have believed? or by what the Word of the Lord says? And for what purpose are those prophecies if we are not to give heed to them? And why are they now unsealed and brought to our attention if this is not the time in which God is to manifest His power and accomplish all these things? It should be remembered that we are not the first and the only people who have had to change our way of thinking; we are not the first and only people to discover that God's plans are the opposite of our plans. Moses, too, found that his plan for delivering the children of Israel from their Egyptian bondage was not God's plan. Likewise God's plan for the route they were to take in their journey to the promised land was not their plan. The apostles positively believed that Christ was to set up His kingdom at His first advent, but they,

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too, had to change their belief. Moreover, since the Hebrews, whom out of slaves God had made kings, had been promised that their kingdom was to stand forever, they were indeed astounded when it went down. And there have been other surprises all along from the dawn of history. {1TG13: 6.3}

The pioneers of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination expected the Lord to come as soon as 144,000 converts joined the church, and expected to live to see Him come. The church membership though, already numbers several times 144,000, the pioneers are dead, and Lord is yet to come. So the question is not whether we want to change our minds or not, but whether we have to. {1TG13: 7.1}

Years ago we were told that "The workers will be surprised by the simple means that He will use to bring about and perfect His work of righteousness. Those who are accounted good workers will need to draw nigh to God, they will need the divine touch." -- Testimonies To Ministers, pg. 300. {1TG13: 7.2}

As Inspiration unrolls the Scroll it is, of course, but to be expected that it will find us surprisingly ignorant of many things -- the very reason that It unrolls. If we, therefore, fail to exchange our ideas for the Lord's then what hope is there for us ever to become enlightened and fitted for eternity? Our ideas are to fall flat, and the Lord's prophecies are to stand "high and lifted up." Our duty is to prove God's Word correct rather than to hold tenaciously to our preconceptions and misconceptions until God Himself steps in and puts us to shame. {1TG13: 7.3}

As Seventh-day Adventists we once boasted that we "know our Bible" but since this group ceased boasting

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it found that it knew very little in comparison to what it knows now, and still I cannot say that I have a sufficient knowledge of the Bible to carry me clear inside the pearly gates. In fact, I know that I have much more to learn. {1TG13: 7.4}

Hag. 2:10-13 -- "In the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, came the Word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying, If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and with his skirt do touch bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any meat, shall it be holy? And the priests answered and said, No. Then said Haggai, If one that is unclean by a dead body touch any of these, shall it be unclean? And the priests answered and said, It shall be unclean." {1TG13: 8.1}

Should one who bears the holy oracles of God touch a common thing, that thing would still remain common and unfit to bring to God; but should one whose body is defiled touch a holy thing, the thing would become unclean, unfit to be used for the Lord's sacrifice. That is, sanctified man must not bring an unclean thing to the Lord, and unsanctified man must not bring even clean things to Him. {1TG13: 8.2}

Hag. 2:15-17 -- "And now, I pray you, consider from this day and upward, from before a stone was laid upon a stone in the temple of the Lord: Since those days were, when one came to an heap of twenty measures, there were but ten: when one came to the pressfat for to draw out fifty vessels out of the press, there were but twenty. I smote you with blasting and with mildew and with hail in all the labours of your hands; yet ye turned not to Me, saith the Lord." {1TG13: 8.3}

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By this exemplary experience this scripture teaches that trying to make a living while neglecting to do the Lord's work, poverty rather than prosperity would be one's lot. It is, therefore absolutely essential that present Truth believers first seek the upbuilding of the Kingdom of God and His righteousness if they are to prosper. (Matt. 6:28- 34). Let us ever remember that if we are completely on the Lord's side, behind God's hedge, as was Job, we need not fear anything, not even the devil. {1TG13: 9.1}

Hag. 2:18, 19 -- "Consider now from this day and upward, from the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, even from the day that the foundation of the Lord's temple was laid, consider it. Is the seed yet in the barn? Yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, hath not brought forth: from this day will I bless you." {1TG13: 9.2}

The type teaches that from the day we begin to do the Lord's work, from that very day will the Lord bless us. {1TG13: 9.3}

Hag. 2:14 -- "...So is this people, and so is this nation before Me, saith the Lord; and so is every work of their hands; and that which they offer there is unclean." {1TG13: 9.4}

This verse shows that if we fail to perform our God-given task, then there is no substitute for it. {1TG13: 9.5}

As soon as they were told of their fathers' sins, and of their own, our types gladly conformed to the Lord's wishes. (See Hag. 1:5-11). He will in like manner bless us from this day on if we, too, admit our wrong doings, and correct them. {1TG13: 9.6}

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Hag. 1:12-14 -- "Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him, and the people did fear before the Lord. Then spake Haggai the Lord's messenger in the Lord's message unto the people, saying, I am with you, saith the Lord. And the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the Lord of hosts, their God." {1TG13: 10.1}

These verses tell us that just as soon as all the people gave heed to the messengers of God, just that soon the Spirit of the Lord stirred their energies, and then immediately all went to work. We, too, will have just such an experience if we now settle it in our minds that from this hour on we will pay strict attention to the message of God and serve the Lord our God with whole heart and soul. Let us not put off God's blessings from us. {1TG13: 10.2}

Hag. 2:20, 21 -- "And again the Word of the Lord came unto Haggai in the four and twentieth day of the month, saying, Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth." {1TG13: 10.3}

In view of the fact that the Lord is soon to shake the heavens and the earth, is it not imperative that we right now put away hypocrisy? Let us cease inviting "drought," "blasting," and "mildew" upon ourselves. Let us instead yield our hearts to God and thereby insure unto ourselves joy, peace, happiness and eternal life. Unless we do this, we shall certainly be shaken out instead of reformed and revived. {1TG13: 10.4}

3. Timely Greetings vol. 2, #8

REVIVAL AND REFORMATION PRECEDE GREAT AND DREADFUL DAY

TEXT OF ADDRESS BY V.T. HOUTEFF,

MINISTER OF DAVIDIAN 7TH-DAY ADVENTISTS

SABBATH, SEPTEMBER 27, 1947

MT. CARMEL CHAPEL

WACO, TEXAS

Our subject for this afternoon is found partly in Daniel 2, Matthew 4, Jeremiah 51, Micah 5, and Malachi 4, but mainly in Joel, chapters 2 and 3. We shall first turn to Malachi: {2TG8: 16.1}

Mal. 4:5, 6 -- "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." {2TG8: 16.2}

Here we have the promise that God is to send someone before the great and dreadful day of the Lord, and when he comes, whether he accomplishes anything else, he is to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers. {2TG8: 16.3}

Now, it appears somewhat puzzling that the hearts either of the fathers or of the children need to be turned toward the other. But if we consider that the work of Elijah is not of a domestic nature, but spiritual, then we shall see that Elijah's message is to intensify in the heart of the parents, as well as in the hearts of the children, a burden for the salvation of the

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other. Parents are very anxious to labor with other people's children but seldom with their own. Likewise children are anxious to preach to others, but not so anxious to preach to their own parents. Elijah's message of revival and reformation, however, will place the burden of saving souls primarily where it belongs. His message will be seen to be of real importance rather than a theory. And when its followers fully realize that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is at the door, they will be seen pleading first for those who are nearest their hearts. {2TG8: 16.4}

Let us now turn to Daniel's prophecy: {2TG8: 17.1}

Dan. 2:44 -- "And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever." {2TG8: 17.2}

It is understood by most Bible students that this great image of Daniel 2 represents the kingdoms from Daniel's time down to the end. Here, you see, the stone which is cut out without hands smites the image in the feet, and the stone fills the whole earth. "In the days of these kings," our time, declares Inspiration, God will set up the kingdom that is represented by the stone, and it will smite the nations and thereby bring their end. What could that day be but great for God's people, and dreadful for the nations? Indeed, it is to be the great and dreadful day of the Lord. {2TG8: 17.3}

Dan. 2:45 -- "Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and

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that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure." {2TG8: 17.4}

Daniel's account of the day is very brief, but Jeremiah describes the day in detail: {2TG8: 18.1}

Jer. 51:21-23 -- "And with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider; and with thee will I break in pieces the chariot and his rider; with thee also will I break in pieces man and woman; and with thee will I break in pieces old and young; and with thee will I break in pieces the young man and the maid; and I will also break in pieces with thee the shepherd and his flock; and with thee will I break in pieces the husbandman and his yoke of oxen; and with thee will I break in pieces captains and rulers." {2TG8: 18.2}

Here Inspiration explains that God with His Kingdom is to break the nations, that His people are to be His battle ax. Both Daniel and Jeremiah are definite that the Kingdom is to bring the kingdoms of the world to an end. {2TG8: 18.3}

Micah 5:7 -- "And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the Lord, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men." {2TG8: 18.4}

The remnant of Jacob (those who are left after the tares are taken out), when once set up as a kingdom, is to be as showers of blessing to those who seek salvation, and as a lion that tears in pieces those who continue in their sin. The day shall be great to the one people,

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and dreadful to the other. {2TG8: 18.5}

Now we turn to the chapters of Joel's prophecy that meet their fulfillment in the latter days. {2TG8: 19.1}

Joel 2:1-3 -- "Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in My holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand; a day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations. A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them." {2TG8: 19.2}

Here you see that a message is to be proclaimed to the church, to Zion, declaring that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is at hand; that it is to be devastating behind His people, and glorious ahead of them, -- that the Lord is thoroughly to comb the field, that He is to gather every grain of "wheat," and then burn the tares. {2TG8: 19.3}

Joel 2:4-6 -- "The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run. Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array. Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness." {2TG8: 19.4}

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We see that the power which attended ancient Israel while they were taking the Promised Land, shall also attend the servants of God at this gathering time. {2TG8: 20.1}

Joel 2:7, 8 -- "They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks: neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded." {2TG8: 20.2}

Nothing shall be able to hold down the people of God. Everyone shall perfectly attend to his business. They shall gather the fruits of the earth and nothing shall hurt them. The Spirit of Prophecy testifies: "As the saints left the cities and villages, they were pursued by the wicked, who sought to slay them. But the swords that were raised to kill God's people and fell as powerless as a straw" -- Early Writings, pp. 284-285. {2TG8: 20.3}

Joel 2:9 -- "They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief." {2TG8: 20.4}

"The servants of God" shall certainly gather all their brethren out of all nations (Isa. 66:20). Indeed so, for the legs of the Gospel are the legs of the people who proclaim it. Of course, only with perfect co-ordination and a bullet-proof army can the gospel work be finished when the two-horned beast declares "that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed." Rev. 13:15. {2TG8: 20.5}

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Joel 2:10, 11 -- "The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining: and the Lord shall utter His voice before His army: for His camp is very great: for He is strong that executeth His word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?" {2TG8: 21.1}

Having announced how great and dreadful the day is to be, the Lord is making this plea: {2TG8: 21.2}

Joel 2:12-14 -- "Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth Him of the evil. Who knoweth if He will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind Him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the Lord your God?" {2TG8: 21.3}

God's plea is that we prepare to meet the day; that now as sincere Christians who realize that for such an hour as this has this message of mercy come to us, we penitently return unto Him. {2TG8: 21.4}

Joel 2:15, 16 -- "Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet." {2TG8: 21.5}

In these verses, as in Joel 2:1, the command is given to blow the trumpet in Zion. This

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second trumpet, however, is not to announce the day of God, but to sanctify both a fast and the people, to call a solemn assembly, from which not one is to be excluded from the assembly. {2TG8: 21.6}

Joel 2:17 -- "Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare Thy people, O Lord, and give not Thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?" {2TG8: 22.1}

Here we are plainly told that God's people are to face persecution and distress, and that unless they keep close to the Lord their very existence may be at stake, God's name dishonored, and the heathen allowed to rule over them and to challenge their faith in God. {2TG8: 22.2}

Joel 2:18, 19 -- "Then will the Lord be jealous for His land, and pity His people. Yea, the Lord will answer and say unto His people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen." {2TG8: 22.3}

God finds refuge and freedom for them in their own land where nothing shall be lacking. {2TG8: 22.4}

Joel 2:21-23 -- "Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the Lord will do great things. Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength. Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for He hath given you the former rain moderately, and He will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month." {2TG8: 22.5}

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It is plain enough to see that God is speaking to His people who are to receive both the former and the latter rain in the first month. {2TG8: 23.1}

Joel 2:24 -- "And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil." {2TG8: 23.2}

Inspiration, of course, is not speaking of spiritual things only, but of material things as well. The rain (newly-revealed Truth) shall therefore produce a great harvest of souls as well as abundance of provisions. {2TG8: 23.3}

Joel 2:25-32 -- "And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, My great army which I sent among you. And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and My people shall never be ashamed. And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God, and none else: and My people shall never be ashamed. And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out My Spirit. And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in

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Mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call." {2TG8: 23.4}

Here we see that those who call on the name of the Lord after the latter rain falls, shall find deliverance on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, also in the remnant whom the Lord shall call. {2TG8: 24.1}

The very first word ("for") of the next chapter shows that the prophecy of chapter two continues through chapter three. {2TG8: 24.2}

Joel 3:1, 2 -- "For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for My people and for My heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted My land." {2TG8: 24.3}

These verses explain why, how, and when God's people are delivered in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem. These things, you see, are to take place when He brings again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem. Then shall He bring all the nations into the valley of Jehoshaphat and there plead for all His captive people whom the nations have scattered throughout the world. {2TG8: 24.4}

Joel 3:3 -- "And they have cast lots for My people; and have given a boy for an harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they might drink." {2TG8: 24.5}

Verse 3 reveals the vile practices of the world. {2TG8: 24.6}

Joel 3:4-7 -- "Yea, and what have ye to do with Me,

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O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine? will ye render Me a recompence? and if ye recompense Me, swiftly and speedily will I return your recompence upon your own head; because ye have taken My silver and My gold, and have carried into your temples My goodly pleasant things: the children also of Judah and the children of Jerusalem have ye sold unto the Grecians, that ye might remove them far from their border. Behold, I will raise them out of the place whither ye have sold them, and will return your recompence upon your own head." {2TG8: 24.7}

Tyre and Zidon, and the coast of Palestine, then, those nations which have scattered God's people, shall have their reward. What shall their recompense be? Here is the answer-- {2TG8: 25.1}

Joel 3:8-10 -- "And I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the children of Judah, and they shall sell them to the Sabeans, to a people far off: for the Lord hath spoken it. Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: beat your plowshares into swords and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong." {2TG8: 25.2}

Inasmuch as the nations will be preparing for war when these prophecies are being fulfilled, it is plain to see that atomic weapons will not bring peace. {2TG8: 25.3}

Joel 3:11 -- "Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause Thy mighty ones to come down, O Lord." {2TG8: 25.4}

Here we are told that God's mighty ones are

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to meet the armies of the heathen. And where will God judge the people? -- The following verses give the answer: {2TG8: 25.5}

Joel 3:12-14 -- "Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about. Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision." {2TG8: 26.1}

Yes, here is described the day of decision. The multitudes will then have to decide either to serve God and live or to continue serving the Devil and perish with him. {2TG8: 26.2}

Joel 3:15, 16 -- "The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of His people, and the strength of the children of Israel." {2TG8: 26.3}

What a day the world is now approaching, and how blind to the fact is even the church herself! {2TG8: 26.4}

Joel 3:17-21 -- "So shall ye know that I am the Lord your God dwelling in Zion, My holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall

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come forth of the house of the Lord, and shall water the valley of Shittim. Egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom shall be a desolate wilderness, for the violence against the children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land. But Judah shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation. For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the Lord dwelleth in Zion." {2TG8: 26.5}

Our final cleansing is to be in our own land. The Scriptures, you see, are correlated; one truth explains another. Verses and chapters, therefore, cannot be isolated from their context if they are to be rightly understood. A correct idea cannot be built upon any one verse when isolated from its continuity. And only when we take God at His word can we in truth study the Scriptures. Then we need but the key word to unlock the mysteries of God. And here we have it. {2TG8: 27.1}

Revival and reformation, a change of ideas and practices, therefore, is our greatest need. Without this we are sure to be found among those who shall say "to the mountains and to 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?" Rev. 6:16, 17. {2TG8: 27.2}

4. Timely Greetings vol. 2, # 30

THE REVIVAL AND REFORMATION CROWNED WITH THE PURIFICATION

TEXT OF ADDRESS BY V.T. HOUTEFF,

MINISTER OF DAVIDIAN 7TH-DAY ADVENTISTS

SABBATH, MARCH 6, 1948

MT. CARMEL CHAPEL

WACO, TEXAS

The text for our subject this afternoon is Malachi's prophecy. It treats of a revival and reformation such as the world has never yet known. Moreover, the fact that the prophecy is written in such a way as partially to apply to ancient Israel, and yet specifically for the people in the latter days, for those who are approaching the great and dreadful day of the Lord, prove that the reformation needed in Malachi's day is needed also in our day. {2TG30: 11.1}

There is nothing so mysterious in the writings of Malachi but what any Bible student can comprehend by studying the book itself. I shall therefore study with you the last two chapters. The first two you can study at your leisure. We shall begin with-- {2TG30: 11.2}

Mal. 3:1, 2 -- "Behold, I will send My messenger, and he shall prepare the way before Me: and the Lord, Whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' sope." {2TG30: 11.3}

Two persons are here disclosed to view, the messenger

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and the Lord. The messenger is to precede the coming of the Lord. He is to prepare the way, then the Lord is to appear. And who could this messenger be if not the one whom the Lord names? -- He declares, "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord." Mal. 4:5. {2TG30: 11.4}

This messenger of the covenant (of the promise), antitypical Elijah the prophet shall prepare the way; he shall restore all things. As he prepares the way, the Lord will suddenly come to His temple, to His church. And what is His work to be? To purify or cleanse His people by weeding the unrepented sinners from among them. The question: "But who may abide the day of His coming?" solemnly declares that we had better now get busy and do what it takes to make us stand before the cleansing begins. {2TG30: 12.1}

Whom in particular will He purify? -- Let us read-- {2TG30: 12.2}

Mal. 3:3 -- "And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness." {2TG30: 12.3}

The Levites, you know, comprised the tribe from which came the priesthood, the ministers of the Lord. And since this prophecy is to meet its complete fulfillment in our day, the figure is clear: The Levites, the ministers of the Lord in our day, are to be purified. What then? {2TG30: 12.4}

Mal. 3:4 -- "Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of

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old, and as in former years." {2TG30: 12.5}

This verse implies that the offerings which we now bring to the Lord are not pleasing to Him, not pleasing as in times past. {2TG30: 13.1}

Here we have the glorious promise that not long hence there shall be a pure ministry, a pure people, -- a people without guile in their mouths, without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing (Eph. 5:27). Those who do not measure to this standard will not "stand." Thereafter no sinner will stand in their midst, for "Henceforth," says the Lord, "there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean." Isa. 52:1. {2TG30: 13.2}

This glorious future is, moreover, reiterated by the Spirit of Prophecy in our day. Here it is: {2TG30: 13.3}

"...Only those who have withstood temptation in the strength of the Mighty One will be permitted to act a part in proclaiming it [the Third Angel's Message] when it shall have swelled into the Loud Cry." -- "Review and Herald," Nov. 18, 1908. {2TG30: 13.4}

"We have been inclined to think that where there are no faithful ministers, there can be no true Christians; but this is not the case. God has promised that were the shepherds are not true he will take charge of the flock himself. God has never made the flock wholly dependent upon human instrumentalities. But the days of purification of the church are hastening on apace. God will have a people pure and true. In the mighty sifting soon to take place, we shall be better able to measure the strength of Israel. The signs reveal that the time is near when the Lord will manifest that his fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly

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purge his floor. {2TG30: 13.5}

"The days are fast approaching when there will be great perplexity and confusion. Satan, clothed in angel robes, will deceive, if possible, the very elect. There will be gods many and lords many. Every wind of doctrine will be blowing. Those who have rendered supreme homage to 'science falsely so-called,' will not be the leaders then. Those who have trusted to intellect, genius, or talent, will not then stand at the head of rank and file. They did not keep pace with the light. Those who have proved themselves unfaithful will not then be entrusted with the flock. In the last solemn work few great men will be engaged. They are self-sufficient, independent of God, and he cannot use them. The Lord has faithful servants, who in the shaking, testing time will be disclosed to view. There are precious ones now hidden who have not bowed the knee to Baal. They have not had the light which has been shining in a concentrated blaze upon you." -- "Testimonies," Vol. 5, pg. 80. {2TG30: 14.1}

In the sifting, shaking time ("Testimonies," Vol. 5, pg. 80) we shall be better able to know how many are really serving the Lord. Those whom we may think are to lead the church into the Kingdom may be missing, while others entirely unknown to us take their places. {2TG30: 14.2}

Moreover, it will be found that those who are constantly drilling into the minds of the laity that there are to be no more messengers sent from God, no more Truth needed, and that someone is constantly trying to deceive them; that they should keep aloof from everything that does not meet the minister's approval, -- those who do this are the very ones who have already unwittingly deceived the laity, and are doing

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their best to keep them deceived. This fact, you see, stands up high like a beacon on a hill. {2TG30: 14.3}

The only thing their carefulness not to be deceived will accomplish, unless they awake, is to keep themselves deceived forever and away from Truth. These shall not be able to stand when the Lord appears in His temple. Hence, the revival and reformation brought to view in Malachi is the first and the last of its kind, and is indeed to be crowned with the purification of the Church. Those who do not awake now, will therefore sleep for ever. {2TG30: 15.1}

The Laodicean deception from within should not be news to you, for you well know that the Church has never in any age been deceived by any but by its own ministry, by those who have been as highly esteemed as were the members of the Sanhedrin, those who crucified the Lord, those who kept the nation deceived until it was too late to recover. Thus it was then, before then, and thus it has been ever since, and so it is now. Stop and think this through. {2TG30: 15.2}

No, I am not telling you something new. You know this to be so, but you never think of it, and that is the main trouble with the entire Denomination. {2TG30: 15.3}

The Church purified shall nevertheless triumph and march to victory. "'Fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners,' she is to go forth into all the world, conquering and to conquer." -- "Prophets and Kings," pg. 725. {2TG30: 15.4}

Let us once and forever realize that the Devil is more shrewd than we can imagine. He is not particular what you believe so long as he can keep you ignorant of revealed Truth. This is what he is now doing within

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the Church, using men of influence, men who can put on the best front, men who are clever, who know how to gain the confidence of the people, men who can easily and quietly lead the Church away from God's messages for today, the message of the Judgment for the Living -- the purification of the church, the cleansing of the sanctuary. Satan is doing as good a job now as he did in Christ's time. {2TG30: 15.5}

Is not the knowledge of Malachi's prophecy, the purification of the Church, the Judgment for the Living, more important to the Church than the Judgment for the Dead? Does it look to you as though you are being deceived by this Bible study, or does it look to you as though you need to reform? {2TG30: 16.1}

Hear, therefore, what the Lord is about to do: {2TG30: 16.2}

Mal. 3:5 -- "And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not Me, saith the Lord of hosts." {2TG30: 16.3}

These are only some of the sins in the Church in which men are indulging. Speaking of the message bearers of today and of the church's condition Inspiration further says: "...They lament and afflict their souls because pride, avarice, selfishness, and deception of almost every kind are in the church. The Spirit of God, which prompts to reproof, is trampled under foot, while the servants of Satan triumph. God is dishonored, the truth made of none effect." -- "Testimonies," Vol. 5, pp. 210, 211. {2TG30: 16.4}

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You will receive the mark of deliverance only if you sigh and cry against all these abominations. Ezek. 9:4-6. {2TG30: 17.1}

To this list of sins the Lord calls attention to the following, and asks us to repent: {2TG30: 17.2}

Mal. 3:6-9 -- "For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from Mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed Me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed Thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation." {2TG30: 17.3}

These verses do not blame the individual members of the church for robbing the Lord, but the whole denomination, the "whole nation." Moreover, you will note that the story of Malachi chapter three begins with chapter two. There you will note that the Lord addresses the ministry, not the laity, saying, "...O ye priests, this commandment is for you." Mal. 2:1. Plainly, then, the trouble lies in the fact that though the laity as a rule pay faithful tithe and offerings God nevertheless is robbed because the Denomination is taking the tithes and at the same time is fighting rather than accepting and promulgating His message for today -- the Judgment for the Living. His money is used to cheat His people from His Truth instead of enlightening them with It -- keeping His people in darkness and deception, even barring them from investigating the message of the hour for themselves. What a charge! {2TG30: 17.4}

Here is what God would have the laity do: {2TG30: 17.5}

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Mal. 3:10 -- "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." {2TG30: 18.1}

Where is one to look for God's storehouse? -- wherever God's Truth is for today, from wherever "meat in due season" is dispensed. {2TG30: 18.2}

The statement, "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse," implies that some are already bringing into it, but not all. This, along with the charge that the whole nation is robbing God, positively shows that the tithes are now brought, not to God's storehouse, but to some other house. To repeat, God's storehouse has ever been and ever will be where "the message of the Hour" is, where "Present Truth" is, the house from which "meat in due season" is dispensed at the time the tithes are paid. {2TG30: 18.3}

Since the old message, the "Judgment for the Dead," is out of date as is the message of Noah's flood, it is plainly seen that inasmuch as the Denomination as a whole has rejected and is fighting the message of the hour, but is still collecting the tithes of the people, it is indeed robbing God. {2TG30: 18.4}

His people are, therefore, asked to send their tithes to the "storehouse" whence Present Truth is dispensed, for it is Present Truth that the flock needs now. "There are many precious truths contained in the word of God, but it is 'present truth' that the flock needs now." -- "Early Writings," pg. 63. Those who obey have this promise: {2TG30: 18.5}

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Mal. 3:11-12 -- "And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts." {2TG30: 19.1}

Under no other conditions does He promise His blessings. You have hard luck? You cannot make ends meet? Start paying your tithes. Note carefully that God requires not only tithe but tithes; that is, tithe and free will offering. He does not want them spent on something of your own devising. You are to bring them into the "store house." "...Concerning the first tithe, the Lord had declared, 'I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel.' But in regard to the second he commanded, 'Thou shalt eat before the Lord thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the Lord thy God always.' This tithe, or its equivalent in money, they were for two years to bring to the place where the sanctuary was established. After presenting a thank-offering to God, and a specified portion to the priest, the offerers were to use the remainder for a religious feast, in which the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow should participate. Thus provision was made for the thank-offerings and feast at the yearly festivals, and the people were drawn to the society of the priests and Levites, that they might receive instruction and encouragement in the service of God. {2TG30: 19.2}

"Every third year, however, this second tithe was to be used at home, in entertaining the Levite and the poor, as Moses said, 'That they may eat within

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thy gates, and be filled.' This tithe would provide a fund for the uses of charity and hospitality." -- "Patriarchs and Prophets," pg. 530. {2TG30: 19.3}

The command is, "...they shall not appear before the Lord empty." Deut. 16:16. {2TG30: 20.1}

God does not lie. He carries out His promises. He never fails. There is nothing more offensive to Him than unbelief and unfaithfulness in His Word. {2TG30: 20.2}

Mal. 3:13-15 -- "Your words have been stout against Me, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against Thee? Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept His ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts? And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered." {2TG30: 20.3}

Here is pointed out another need of reform: We as a Denomination are charged with imagining that the ungodly are better off than those who serve God. Before drawing such a conclusion, let each first examine himself and see if he is really and honestly serving God. {2TG30: 20.4}

Mal. 3:16, 17 -- "Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name. And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him." {2TG30: 20.5}

If we give undivided attention to God's Word, if

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we do all He asks us to do, we shall indeed be His people, His "jewels." Then a book of remembrance shall be written of us and our good and heroic deeds shall be read by the redeemed throughout eternity! {2TG30: 20.6}

Mal. 3:18 -- "Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not." {2TG30: 21.1}

We may not now see the difference between him who serves God, and him who serves Him not, but the day is fast approaching when the difference will be seen by all. {2TG30: 21.2}

Mal. 4:1, 4 -- "For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.... Remember ye the law of Moses My servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments." {2TG30: 21.3}

Here we are asked to remember the law of Moses which God commanded in Horeb -- the ten commandments, the statutes and judgments (Deut. 4:10-14). {2TG30: 21.4}

Mal. 4:5, 6 -- "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." {2TG30: 21.5}

The word "behold," calls our attention back to chapter 3, verse 1, where we are told that the Lord will send His messenger to prepare the way of the Lord for the Judgment for the Living -- for the purification.

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Obviously, besides preparing the way of the Lord, Elijah, the Lord's messenger, is to declare that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is at hand. {2TG30: 21.6}

The work of ancient Elijah, you know, was the closing work for typical apostate Israel -- the Church. Likewise the work of Elijah of this day must be the antitypical closing work for His temple, the Church, before the great and dreadful day of the Lord. ("Testimonies," Vol. 3, pg. 266.) {2TG30: 22.1}

Moreover, if Elijah is a messenger, he is to have a message. His message is to be heart-searching, for he shall turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to the fathers -- the fathers shall long to see their children saved, and the children shall long to see their fathers saved. And this revival and reformation shall in truth be crowned with the purification of the Church, with the Lord's slaying the antitypical false prophets of today (Isa. 66:16). "For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" 1 Pet. 4:17. "For by fire and by His sword will the Lord plead with all flesh: and the slain of the Lord shall be many....And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard My fame, neither have seen My glory; and the shall declare My glory among the Gentiles. And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the Lord out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to My holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the Lord, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel

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into the house of the Lord." Isa. 66:16, 19, 20. {2TG30: 22.2}

This slaying, you see, takes place before probation closes for the escaped ones are sent to the Gentiles, to finish the gospel work -- to gather all their brethren from among them. {2TG30: 23.1}

"Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him;... Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into His rest, any of you should seem to come short of it." Heb. 2:1-3; 4:1. {2TG30: 23.2}

5. Tract #1

PERSONALLY WATCHING FOR EVERY RAY OF LIGHT.

One who entrusts to another the investigation of a message from the Lord, is making flesh his arm, and thus is foolishly acting as without a mind of his own. And "the mind that depends upon the judgment of others is certain, sooner or later, to be misled." -- Education, p. 231. {TN1: 3.1}

Similarly, one who allows prejudice to bar him from a candid investigation of anything new, coming in the name of the Lord, is unwittingly an infidel. {TN1: 3.2}

Likewise he who is satisfied with his present attainments in the Word of God, says in effect: "I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing." {TN1: 3.3}

All these, in variously acting out the part which provoked the condemnation written against the Laodiceans, thereby fulfilling the prophecy which they ought not fulfill, are preparing themselves to be spued out (Rev. 3:14-18). And if they continue in their self-satisfied attitude that they have all the truth, and so have need of nothing more, they will spurn every new claimant to truth and toss the message into the discard because it comes through an unexpected channel. Certainly, then, were this tract not the unfolding of prophecy, the fact is in-

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evitable that when the unfoldment did come, they would treat it in like manner, and consequently toss away their salvation! {TN1: 3.4}

Throughout the ages, all who have put their trust in the so-called wise men, and foremost Christians of the day, all reputedly godly men, have by these very ones been bereft of the crown of eternal life, as were the Jewish laity in the days of Christ because of their failing to assume full responsibility for their own salvation. Presumptuously trusting in the wisdom of their so-called "great men," they declined to believe in Christ's words "O Father, Lord of heaven and earth,...Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes." Matt. 11:25 "Where is the wise? where is the scribe?...hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?" 1 Cor 1:20. {TN1: 4.1}

"...if a message comes that you do not understand, take pains that you may hear the reasons the messenger may give, comparing scripture with scripture, that you may know whether or not it is sustained by the word of God." -- Testimonies on Sabbath-School Work, p. 65. {TN1: 4.2}

Will you not, therefore, Brother, Sister, cease to copy the mistakes of others? Will you not profit by them? If you will, you are duty-bound to use your own mind in reaching for salvation, lest you fail to understand the saving truth in the momentous expose, the

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PRE-"ELEVENTH HOUR" EXTRA! THE DARDANELLES OF THE BIBLE. {TN1: 4.3}

The call of Ezekiel to the prophetic office is one of the most interesting experiences of the ancient seers, and the revelation of what he saw by the river Chebar is perhaps of greater importance to heaven and earth at this time than is any other vision on sacred record, because in a remarkable way it reveals That Which unites Heaven with Earth, even as the Dardanelles links two important seas. Thus this study of Ezekiel's vision which brings to light earth's being visited by the Majesty of the Universe, may be aptly termed, "The Dardanelles of the Bible." {TN1: 5.1}

The reader who would best comprehend this seemingly most confusing and complicated of Bible symbolisms, will follow the cover-page objectification, in conjunction with

The Prophet's Description of the Mysteries Herein Treated. {TN1: 5.2}

"And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire. {TN1: 5.3}

"Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. And every one had four faces, and

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every one had four wings. And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf's foot: and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass. And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings. Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went everyone straight forward. {TN1: 5.4}

"As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle.... {TN1: 6.1}

"And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about. As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake." Ezek. 1:4-10, 27, 28. {TN1: 6.2}

"And it came to pass, that when He had commanded the man clothed with linen, saying, Take fire from between the wheels, from between the cherubims; then he went

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in, and stood beside the wheels." Ezek. 10:6. {TN1: 6.3}

To this marvelous scene which Ezekiel saw on the river bank in the land of the Chaldeans, our undivided attention is now called. Being "the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord," obviously, then, it was

The Lord on One of His Thrones. {TN1: 7.1}

Besides this divine appearance which Ezekiel saw (Ezek. 1:28), the Bible describes God enthroned on three other occasions -- once as seen by Isaiah, and twice as seen by John the Revelator; to wit: {TN1: 7.2}

(1) "...I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne high and lifted up, and His train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried and the house was filled with smoke." Isa. 6:1-4. {TN1: 7.3}

(2) "And immediately I was in the spirit: and behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne... And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns

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of gold... and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind." Rev. 4:2, 4-6. {TN1: 7.4}

(3) "And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb." Rev. 22:1. {TN1: 8.1}

Since the throne seen by Isaiah was a "train" (retinue), and since as it entered into the temple, "the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke" (Isa. 6:1, 4), it therefore is a traveling throne, whereas both the one of Revelation 4, having the "'sea of glass"' before it, and the one of Revelation 22, having the "river...of life"' before it, are stationary thrones. {TN1: 8.2}

Though the one which Ezekiel saw is similar to the one which Isaiah was shown, yet they are distinct and separate thrones, for each of the "seraphims" of Isaiah's vision has six wings, while each of the "cherubims" of Ezekiel's vision has but four. In the latter, moreover, the cherubims stood under the throne, whereas in the former, they stood above it. On record, therefore, are four thrones -- two stationary, and two traveling. {TN1: 8.3}

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In determining the location of the throne of Revelation 4, and the one of Revelation 22, we note to begin with that the latter, the one from which the "river...of life" proceeds, is, says the Revelator, "the throne of God and of the Lamb" -- that upon which Christ sat at the right hand of God after His resurrection. The former, the one having the sea of glass before it, is (also according to John's view) in the most holy apartment of the heavenly sanctuary, for John saw before it "seven lamps of fire" (Rev. 4:5) -- a sanctuary fixture. "As in vision the apostle John was granted a view of the temple of God in heaven he beheld there 'seven lamps of fire burning before the throne.' " -- The Great Controversy, p. 414. {TN1: 9.1}

Then, concerning the Father and the Son's moving from the throne of God and of the Lamb -- the one where the river of life is -- to the throne where the sea of glass is, we read: "I saw the Father rise from the throne, and in a flaming chariot go into the holy of holies within the veil, and sit down. Then Jesus rose up from the throne,... Then a cloudy chariot, with wheels like flaming fire, surrounded by angels, came to where Jesus was. He stepped into the chariot and was borne to the holiest, where the Father sat." -- Early Writings, p. 55. {TN1: 9.2}

Recording the same event as he saw it, Daniel says: "I beheld till the thrones were cast down and the Ancient of days did sit,

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Whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like the pure wool: His throne was like the fiery flame, and His wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him: thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened." Dan. 7:9, 10. {TN1: 9.3}

Our greatest interest, however, at this point, is to know the location and the mission of the throne which Ezekiel saw, and concerning which he says: "...I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north." Ezek. 1:4. The fact that the "whirlwind," enveloping the throne, "came," says Ezekiel, shows that this throne, just as with the one of Isaiah 6, is a moving one, and that it came to the banks of the river Chebar. {TN1: 10.1}

"This is the living creature," continues Ezekiel, "that I saw under the God of Israel [Who is "above the cherubims"], by the river of Chebar; and I knew that they were the cherubims." "And the cherubims lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight." Ezek. 10:20, 19. {TN1: 10.2}

As the chariot's mounting "up from the earth" shows that in this particular throne, God visits the earth and then, when His mission is accomplished, returns to heaven, naturally our uppermost desire is to know the answer to the question,

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When Will This Prophetic Vision Be Fulfilled? {TN1: 10.3}

According to Ezekiel 2:3; 3:1, 4, 5, 7, the prophet was to bear his message to the whole "house of Israel" (the term "house of Israel," denoting either all twelve tribes or only the ten tribes as the case might be). Yet he did not understand the meaning of the vision. Had he he would have explained it, rather than declaring: "I came to them of the captivity at Telabib, that dwelt by the river of Chebar, and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days." Ezek. 3:15. {TN1: 11.1}

Since at the time of the vision, the house of Judah, the two-tribe kingdom, was in captivity in the land of the Chaldeans, and the house of Israel, the ten-tribe kingdom, was in dispersion among the nations whither it had been carried away and scattered some years before (2 Kings 17:6), there was no possibility of Ezekiel's delivering the message to them. And as it is to both the house of Israel and the house of Judah (Ezek. 9:9), -- the twelve tribes, -- consequently it was prophetic in Ezekiel's time. {TN1: 11.2}

The Jewish nation, moreover, up to the time of Christ, had no light on this prophecy, and it appeared to them as too complicated to understand, and even unsafe for an ordinary mind to read. "All this chapter appeared so obscure and full of mysteries, to the ancient Hebrews, that, as we learn

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from St. Jerome (Ep. ad Paulin.,) they suffered none to read it before they were thirty years old." Douay Version, footnote to Ezekiel 1:5. And having seen no light in this scripture until the present time, the Christian church has made little or no attempt to explain it. {TN1: 11.3}

And finally as no slaughter such as the one described in Ezekiel 9 has ever occurred, its fulfillment is obviously yet future. {TN1: 12.1}

Plainly, therefore, the vision was prophetic in Ezekiel's time, and has been prophetic ever since. And if it is ever to be fulfilled, and not remain a useless and unprofitable writing, -- a thing which God never creates, -- then its mystery must, of course, now be unveiled, and its action executed in the near future. {TN1: 12.2}

In the clear light of these facts, chapter nine is seen to hold the climactic scene of the vision. Describing the awful work which the Lord is to do when, with the cherubim, He visits the earth, it shows the fearsome consequences to those who reject its message: its blessings missed, the kingdom lost! Tragic, frightful experience, it shall be the fate of all who refuse now to awake and to know about it, but who choose rather to remain in ignorance of its truth, and of

The Object of the Lord's Coming In His Throne. {TN1: 12.3}

As the prophet was looking toward the north, he saw a "great cloud" coming like a

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"whirlwind" to earth. Watching with intense interest its drawing nearer and nearer, finally he saw the "living creatures," the "wheels," and the rest, -- "the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord." Whereupon, "I fell," he says, "upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake [unmistakably the Lord Himself come to give a message to Ezekiel]. {TN1: 12.4}

"...And He said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against Me: they and their fathers have transgressed against Me, even unto this very day. For they are impudent children and stiff-hearted. I do send thee unto them: and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God. And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them. And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briars and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house." Ezek. 1:28; 2:3-6. {TN1: 13.1}

"And He said unto me," continues the prophet, "Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with My words unto them. For thou art not sent to a people of a strange speech and of an hard language,...whose words thou canst not understand." Ezek. 3:4-6. {TN1: 13.2}

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These mandatory words (of weighty significance to all) reveal that the message which the prophet received is only for God's people, and that therefore, by logical extension, the entire vision, of which it is a part, meets its fulfillment at a time in which the Lord sends forth the warning that because His church is at a very low ebb spiritually, -- "impudent and hard-hearted" and "a rebellious house," -- He will do within it a work of marking and slaying. And in all the Bible there is to be found in but one church a situation as to condition, cause, time, and result answering to that of the prophecy, and that is in

The Laodicean Church. {TN1: 14.1}

The condemnation of Rev. 3:14-18 against the Laodiceans, and the condemnation of Ezek. 2:1-7 and 3:4-7 against "the house of Israel," being the same, each therefore is the complement of the other: the one being the Revelation of that of which the other is the prophecy. {TN1: 14.2}

Both vindicate the Spirit of Prophecy's warning that no "greater deception can come upon human minds than a confidence that they are right, when they are all wrong! The message of the True Witness finds the people of God in a sad deception [instead of in an excellent condition], yet honest in that deception. They know not that their condition is deplorable in the sight of God. While those addressed are flattering themselves

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that they are in an exalted spiritual condition, the message of the True Witness breaks their security by the startling denunciation of their true condition of spiritual blindness, poverty, and wretchedness. The testimony, so cutting and severe, cannot be a mistake, for it is the True Witness who speaks, and His testimony must be correct. " -- Testimonies, Vol. 3, pp. 252, 253. {TN1: 14.3}

Since the Lord says that "all the house of Israel are impudent and hardhearted" (Ezek. 3 :7), then, certainly, will each one intent upon being saved, "determine to know the worst of" his "case" (Testimonies, Vol. 1, p. 163), and

The Time Of The Church's Low Ebb. {TN1: 15.1}

Were God's people to continue self-deceived, "impudent and hardhearted," and were the spirituality of the church to continue to dim away, then with such a church the Lord could never finish His work on earth, and probation must finally close upon a world in utter darkness, having no living saints to translate at the appearing of Christ. {TN1: 15.2}

"The Lord does not now work," says the Spirit of Prophecy, "to bring many souls into the truth, because of the church-members who have never been converted, and those who were once converted but who have backslidden. What influence would these unconsecrated members have on new

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converts? Would they not make of no effect the God-given message which His people are to bear?" -- Testimonies, Vol. 6, p. 371. {TN1: 15.3}

Having up till this time been holding back because of the unconverted and backslidden members in the church, what will He do now when, as He says, "all the house of Israel are impudent and hardhearted"? The very fact that He is holding back, is the most portentous evidence that He must do a special work for the church before it can finish His work upon earth. {TN1: 16.1}

Face to face with this solemn certainty, each one, therefore, who seeks "an inheritance on high," will maintain the strictest integrity and openness of mind as he studies concerning the special work involved, lest for his Laodicean affliction, he never find

The Remedy: {TN1: 16.2}

"...While the investigative judgment is going forward in heaven,...there is to be a special work of purification, of putting away of sin, among God's people upon earth.... Then the church which our Lord at His coming is to receive to Himself will be 'a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing.' Then she will look forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners.' " "Clad in the armor of Christ's righteousness, the church is to enter upon her final conflict....she is to go forth into

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all the world, conquering and to conquer." -- The Great Controversy, p. 425; Prophets and Kings, p. 725. {TN1: 16.3}

Mark the italicized words: "not having spot," "her final conflict," "going forth into all the world, conquering and to conquer." These statements emphasize a pure and triumphant church, perfected by a "special work of purification" which must take place before the work of the gospel is finished in any part of the world. {TN1: 17.1}

Showing the church's then fitness for the great work that is committed to her, Inspiration continues: "Mighty miracles were wrought the sick were healed, and signs and wonders followed the believers." -- Early Writings, p. 278. {TN1: 17.2}

As these mighty works are done in the time of the "Loud Cry of the Third Angel's Message," the purification, therefore, incontrovertibly takes place at the commencement of the "Loud Cry." And from this it follows as a logical necessity that Ezekiel's prophecy of marking and slaying must contain the announcement of the purification of the church. {TN1: 17.3}

Continuing to behold in vision the cherubim and the glory of God's throne, the prophet saw the Lord come to the threshold of the house (church), and as He gave charge to His angel who was "clothed with linen" and who "had the writer's inkhorn by his side," Ezekiel heard Him command the man: "Go through the midst of the city,

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through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. {TN1: 17.4}

"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. And He said unto them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth. And they went forth and slew in the city. {TN1: 18.1}

"And it came to pass, while they were slaying them, and I was left, that I fell upon my face, and cried, and said, Ah Lord God! Wilt Thou destroy all the residue of Israel in Thy pouring out of Thy fury upon Jerusalem? Then said He unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for they say, The Lord hath forsaken the earth, and the Lord seeth not." Ezek. 9:3-9. {TN1: 18.2}

Revealing a complete separation of the wicked from among the just, these verses, therefore, prophetically forewarn of the imminent purification of the church -- her only salvation. And taking place in "the city," "Jerusalem," "Israel," and "Judah, "

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-- terms by none of which the world can be called as they apply exclusively to the people of God the church, -- this work of separation is, accordingly, confined strictly to the church. {TN1: 18.3}

The fact, furthermore, that the wicked are taken from among the righteous, also shows that the separation cannot be in the world. Were it there, it would have to be done in the opposite way -- the righteous be taken from among the wicked. {TN1: 19.1}

Remember that the Lord said to Ezekiel: "Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against Me." "For thou art not sent to a people of a strange speech and of an hard language, but to the house of Israel" (Ezek. 2:3; 3:5) -- a mission which is to result in

The Sealing of the 144,000 -- The First Fruits. {TN1: 19.2}

"This mightiest of angels," says the Spirit of Prophecy, "has in his hand the seal of the living God, or of Him who alone can give life, who can inscribe upon the foreheads the mark...." {TN1: 19.3}

"This sealing of the servants of God is the same that was shown to Ezekiel in vision. John also had been a witness of this most startling revelation." -- Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 444, 445. {TN1: 19.4}

The sealing (Rev. 7) being the same as the marking (Ezek. 9), -- the "purification,"

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-- we thus are given a twofold view of the "closing work for the church,...the sealing time of the one hundred and forty-four thousand who are to stand without fault before the throne of God.... They feel most deeply the wrongs of God's professed people. This is forcibly set forth by the prophet's illustration of the last work under the figure of the men each having a slaughter weapon in his hand. One man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side." -- Testimonies, Vol. 3, p. 266. {TN1: 19.5}

Since the purification, or the sealing, came at the commencement of the "Loud Cry," as we have already seen, the 144,000 are therefore the "first-fruits" -- the first to be sealed; whereas those who are sealed after the purification of the church, are the second fruits, of whom John (after having seen the 144,000 sealed) says: "After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands." Rev. 7:9. {TN1: 20.1}

The fact therefore that there is an ingathering of two fruits, shows that the marking or sealing is in two sections -- two periods -- and that there are

Two Sealing Reports. {TN1: 20.2}

"And behold," says Ezekiel, "the man clothed with linen, which had the inkhorn

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by his side, reported the matter [while on earth] saying, I have done as Thou hast commanded me." Ezek. 9:11. Here is the first report, made at the completion of the sealing in the church -- the sealing of the firstfruits, the 144,000. {TN1: 20.3}

"I saw," says the servant of the Lord, "...an angel with a writer's inkhorn by his side returned from the earth, and reported to Jesus that his work was done, and the saints were numbered and sealed." -- Early Writings, p. 279. Here is his second report, made at the completion of the sealing in the world -- the sealing of the second fruits, the great multitude. {TN1: 21.1}

Comparing both reports, each is seen to be of a different event: At the first report, the Lord was on "the threshold of the house" on earth (Ezek. 9:3); at the second, He was in the heavenly sanctuary. {TN1: 21.2}

After the angel had made his first report, the Lord commanded him: "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. And he went in my sight." Ezek. 10:2. {TN1: 21.3}

But following his second report, "...all the angelic host laid off their crowns as Jesus made the solemn declaration, 'He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still; and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still:

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and he that is holy, let him be holy still.' " -- Early Writings, pp. 279, 280. {TN1: 21.4}

Were probation to close at the time of the first report (Ezek. 9:11), the Lord must, according to the foregoing statement, be in heaven, then descend to earth to receive His saints, instead of being already on earth, then mounting up in His throne, as He actually does, without His saints (Ezek. 10:19). {TN1: 22.1}

Again: the prophet's being left behind when the Lord went up, figuratively shows that at this particular descent and ascent, the saints are not to be taken to heaven, but only to be set free from sin and sinners -- fitted for the final work. {TN1: 22.2}

At the angel's second report, however, Jesus being in heaven, "moved out of the most holy place" (Early Writings, p. 280) to descend to earth. {TN1: 22.3}

This brief comparison brings into primary focus the twofold fact that at the time of the first report, Jesus went into the temple, whereas at the time of the second report, He went out. {TN1: 22.4}

Beyond the angel's reporting the matter of the marking and slaying in the church Ezekiel was not given to see. But Isaiah was. He saw

The Escaped Ones Go To All Nations. {TN1: 22.5}

"For by fire and by His sword," declares

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the gospel prophet, "will the Lord plead with all flesh: and the slain of the Lord shall be many.... And I will send those that escape of them unto the nations,...to the isles afar off, that have not heard My fame, neither have seen My glory; and they shall declare My glory among the Gentiles. And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the Lord out of all nations...to My holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the Lord,...in a clean vessel into the house of the Lord." Isa. 66:16, 19, 20. {TN1: 22.6}

Since "those that escape" the slaughter (the 144,000) shall "bring all your brethren [all those who shall be saved in the time of the 'Loud Cry']...into the house of the Lord," then it follows that those who escape are the ones who finish the work -- the reason they are called "the servants of God." Rev. 7:3. {TN1: 23.1}

The message, moreover, finding them in the church, not in the world, they are therefore "virgins;" that is, "not defiled with women" (Rev. 14:4) -- the churches of the world. And they are without guile in their mouths, having kept their tongues from

Criticizing And Faultfinding. {TN1: 23.2}

"...They will question and criticize everything" says the Spirit of Prophecy in forewarning of the purification, "that arises in the unfolding of truth, criticize the work and position of others, criticize

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every branch of the work in which they have not themselves a part. They will feed upon the errors and mistakes and faults of others, 'until,' said the angel, 'the Lord Jesus shall rise up from his mediatorial work in the heavenly sanctuary, and shall clothe himself with the garments of vengeance, and surprise them at their unholy feast; and they will find themselves unprepared for the marriage supper of the Lamb.' " -- Testimonies Vol. 5, p. 690. {TN1: 23.3}

These solemn words, may each lay well to heart, and may none let the enemy beguile them "with good words and fair speeches" on this life-and-death matter. Fix in your mind the fact that Christ's rising "up from His mediatorial work" cannot be after probation has closed, for, note carefully, He is to "rise up" during "the unfolding of truth." {TN1: 24.1}

Let each take heed that he fall not to criticizing the message or messengers, but rather that he "sigh and cry," as the Lord bids, "for all the abominations that be done in the midst [the church]," lest he be found on the wrong side ranged with evildoers, and thus doomed to fall under the angels' slaughter weapons. {TN1: 24.2}

"Cry aloud, spare not," is the heartening order, "lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins." Isa. 58:1. Take your stand, Brother, Sister, on the right side, and make sure, "having done all, to

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stand," for, no escaping the fact, the Lord has set His hand to separate "the wicked from among the just," as is further seen

In the Light of the Parables. {TN1: 24.3}

"And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:... Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matt. 22:11, 13. {TN1: 25.1}

This investigating and casting out takes place before probation closes, for the marriage ceremony had not yet been performed at the time that the "king came in to see the guests." {TN1: 25.2}

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth." Matt. 13:47-50. {TN1: 25.3}

In this scripture, too, is seen the purification of the church, for the bad ones are taken away from among the good, and not the good from among the bad, that is, the

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bad that are in the net (church) are thrown out, and the good ones kept. {TN1: 25.4}

This net represents the gospel work up to the time of the purification of the church, for after the church has been purified, only such as "should be saved" will be granted membership: "Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion, put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean." Isa. 52:1. {TN1: 26.1}

This rousing alarm must sound before probation closes, for it could do no good afterwards, indeed could be but a mockery then. Neither could it apply to the time of the "Loud Cry," for the church is not then asleep and without the "beautiful garments:" "Only those," confirms the Spirit of Prophecy, "who have withstood and overcome temptation in the strength of the Mighty One will be permitted to act a part in proclaiming this message when it shall have swelled into the Loud Cry." -- Review and Herald, Nov. 19, 1908. "And in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the Lord of hosts." Zech. 14:21. {TN1: 26.2}

"And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name." Isa. 62:2. "Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night;

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that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought." Isa. 60:11. {TN1: 26.3}

In the purification of the church, "the angels shall...sever the wicked from among the just" (Matt. 13:49), but in the time of the "Loud Cry," they shall gather the just from among the wicked. So it is written: "And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.... And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." Rev. 18:1, 4. {TN1: 27.1}

These two distinct separations, each at a different time, occur when (to recapitulate the facts specifically), in the time of the firstfruits, the wicked are taken from among the righteous in the church (net), and when, in the time of the second fruits, the righteous are taken from among the wicked in Babylon. And such a church -- pure in the absolute -- presupposes an absolutely

Pure Message. {TN1: 27.2}

Ezekiel's prophecy revealing itself to be a message for the church today, the prophet, himself, must necessarily, then, represent the messengers who carry the message to the church at the time appointed. And in response to the Lord's command, "Be not

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thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee," Ezekiel's reply, "Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness" (Ezek. 2:8; 3:3), shows that the messengers obey the Lord and love His Word above everything else. {TN1: 27.3}

"And I," said the Lord, "will make thy tongue cleave to the roof of thy mouth, that thou shalt be dumb,... But when I speak with thee, I will open thy mouth, and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; He that heareth, let him hear; and he that forbeareth, let him forbear: for they are a rebellious house." Ezek. 3:26, 27. {TN1: 28.1}

This positive declaration by the Lord, Himself, manifests that the message be unadulterated -- the pure truth, proof absolute against contamination of man's utterance. The messengers, being made dumb, can speak only when He opens their mouths, and only what He puts in their mouths -- a "Thus saith the Lord God." Taking no credit to themselves, they are to

Exalt Inspiration. {TN1: 28.2}

"If any man," says the Apostle Paul, "think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord." 1 Cor. 14:37. {TN1: 28.3}

When God speaks through a person, that one, as His mouthpiece, must acknowledge the fact, lest there overtake him a fate similar

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to that which befell Herod, who, "upon a set day...,arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost." Acts 12:21-23. {TN1: 28.4}

From this dreadful experience, recorded for our warning, and from the other grave truths brought forth herein, we plainly see that in order for the Lord to prepare His servants for the seal He is setting forth every necessary lesson, even the lesson inherent in

The Way the Message is Derived. {TN1: 29.1}

The reader will note that, though the prophet was bidden to go speak to his people, yet instead of being told what to say, he was commanded: "Open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee. And when I looked," says Ezekiel, "behold, an hand was sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein.... Moreover he said unto me Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll and go speak unto the house of Israel. So I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat that roll." Ezek. 2:8, 9; 3:1, 2. {TN1: 29.2}

As the words which Ezekiel was to speak to his people were found in the book which he ate, the "book" can be none other than

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the Bible, from which comes the message culminating in

Joy, Mourning, and Woe. {TN1: 29.3}

"And, lo, a roll of a book was therein; and he spread it before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe" (Ezek. 2:9, 10) -- dire writ envisaging the slaughter in Ezekiel 9, and the woes pronounced in the Master's parables: "The Lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for Him, and in an hour that he is not aware of. And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." "Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matt. 24:50, 51; 22:13. {TN1: 30.1}

And aforetime through His servant Moses, He declared unto His people: "It shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all His commandments and His statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee." Deut. 28:15. "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live." Deut. 30:19. {TN1: 30.2}

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The "book" which Ezekiel ate being "written within and without" (Ezek. 2:10), the writing "within," therefore, can only be the prophetic Word of God, proclaiming the curses and the blessings that are written in the Bible; while the writing "without," can be nothing else but the sure record of the fulfillment of that within -- the record, in short, of the prophecy's becoming history; showing thereby that God has spoken it and will perform it. {TN1: 31.1}

The writing "within and without," moreover, signifies also that the message will be in type and antitype. {TN1: 31.2}

When Ezekiel ate the "book," it was, as is also to be noted, in his mouth "as honey for sweetness," but not "bitter" in his "belly," as was the one which John ate (Rev. 10:10). Though, therefore, as the Word shows, there will be no disappointment with this message, as there was with the one in 1844 A.D., yet, sadly, it declares that to its warning, the people to whom it is sent

Will Stop Their Ears and Close Their Doors. {TN1: 31.3}

"But the house of Israel will not hearken unto thee; for they will not hearken unto Me: for all the house of Israel are impudent and hardhearted." Ezek. 3:7. "But thou, O son of man, behold, they shall put bands upon thee, and shall bind thee with them, and thou shalt not go out among them:...and shalt not be to them a reprover:

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for they are a rebellious house." Ezek.3:25, 26. {TN1: 31.4}

"In the last solemn work," predicts the Spirit of Prophecy in identical view, "few great men will be engaged." -- Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 80. "...they will not recognize the work of God when the loud cry of the third angel shall be heard. When light goes forth to lighten the earth, instead of coming up to the help of the Lord, they will want to bind about His work to meet their narrow ideas.... There will be those among us who will always want to control the work of God, to dictate even what movements shall be made when the work goes forward under the direction of the angel who joins the third angel in the message to be given to the world." -- Testimonies to Ministers, p. 300. Hence the question:

How Will the Message Reach the People? {TN1: 32.1}

On account of their refusing to hear, "God will use ways and means," answers the Spirit of Prophecy, "by which it will be seen that He is taking the reins in His own hands. The workers will be surprised by the simple means that He will use to bring about and perfect His work of righteousness." -- Id., p. 300. {TN1: 32.2}

"God has promised that where the shepherds are not true He will take charge of the flock himself.... In this time, the gold will be separated from the dross in the

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church. True godliness will be clearly distinguished from the appearance and tinsel of it. Many a star that we have admired for its brilliancy, will then go out in darkness.... Those who have been timid and self-distrustful, will declare themselves openly for Christ and His truth. The most weak and hesitating in the church will be as David -- willing to do and dare" (Testimonies, Vol. 5, pp. 80, 81) -- facts which, along with those which ensue, show that

Nothing Can Hinder the Lord. {TN1: 32.3}

Glancing at the cover-page objectification the reader will note that "two wings of every one" of the living creatures "were joined one to another." Ezek. 1:11. Both they and the wheels therefore, each formed a square: "one wheel by one cherub, and another wheel by another cherub." Ezek. 10:9. {TN1: 33.1}

As Ezekiel viewed the creatures approaching, he saw that they had "the face of a man" in the front, "the face of an eagle" in the back, "the face of a lion on the right side," and the "face of an ox on the left side" (Ezek. 1:10) for they four had "four sides" (Ezek. 1:8); also that they had wings, "two...on this side, and...two...on that side" (Ezek. 1:23). He saw the living wheels moreover, so arranged that "they went upon their four sides." Ezek. 1:17. (See cover-page.) {TN1: 33.2}

The four-way vision of the living creatures along with the four-way movement

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of the wheels, enables four-directional motion -- forward or backward, to the right or to the left: the living creatures "turned not as they went." Ezek. 10:11. {TN1: 33.3}

"And their feet" being "straight feet" (Ezek. 1:7), it enabled them to move freely in any direction without turning, so that they "ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning" (Ezek. 1:14). "And the glory of the God of Israel was over them above" (Ezek. 10:19), "and the likeness of the hands of a man was under their wings." Ezek. 10:21. {TN1: 34.1}

As these wheels, making a square formation "ran and returned," and as "over them above," God was sitting on His throne, it is evident that this marvelous living mechanism is the vehicle of God -- His chariot in which He has come to bring the message to separate the "wicked from among the just." Thus is animated the solemnity that as the "battle is the Lord's," verily "He will take charge of the flock Himself." {TN1: 34.2}

"As the wheel-like complications were under the guidance of the hand beneath the wings of the cherubim, so the complicated play of human events is under divine control. Amidst the strife and tumult of nations, He that sitteth above the cherubim still guides the affairs of this earth. {TN1: 34.3}

"The history of nations speaks to us today. To every nation and to every individual

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God has assigned a place in His great plan. Today men and nations are being tested by the plummet in the hand of Him who makes no mistake. All are by their own choice deciding their destiny, and God is overruling all for the accomplishment of His purposes." -- Prophets and Kings, p. 536. {TN1: 34.4}

"In Ezekiel's vision, God had His hand beneath the wings of the cherubim. This is to teach His servants that it is divine power that gives them success. He will work with them if they will put away iniquity, and become pure in heart and life. {TN1: 35.1}

"The bright light going among the living creatures with the swiftness of lightning represents the speed with which this work will finally go forward to completion" in behalf of His people during the Judgment hour (Testimonies, Vol. 5 p. 754): for the faces of the living creatures are

Figurative of the Saints in Time of Judgment. {TN1: 35.2}

The faces of the cherubim being the same as those of the beasts of the Revelation, they both necessarily have complementary significance the key to which John supplies: "And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation." Rev. 5:9. {TN1: 35.3}

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The very fact that these beasts have been redeemed by the blood of Christ and shall reign upon earth, shows that they are symbolical of the saints, even as the beasts of Daniel are symbolical of the nations. Necessarily, then, the faces of the cherubim, just as with the faces of the beasts standing before the Judgment throne, are figurative of the saints in time of Judgment. {TN1: 36.1}

The Lord's being "over them [the cherubim] above," signifies that this is the living chariot in which He, their Saviour, is subsequently to translate the saints. {TN1: 36.2}

And "on each side of the cloudy chariot," echoes the Spirit of Prophecy, "were wings, and beneath it were living wheels; and as the chariot rolled upward, the wheels cried, 'Holy,' and the wings, as they moved, cried, 'Holy,' and the retinue of holy angels around the cloud cried, 'Holy holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!' and the saints in the cloud cried 'Glory! Alleluia!' " -- Early Writings, p. 287. {TN1: 36.3}

That the all-happy hour is approaching when we shall mount up in this most glorious chariot, so stirs our hearts as to cause us fairly to shout the questions:

When Will This Chariot Arrive? How Long Will It Stay? {TN1: 36.4}

When considered in the light of the four main facts so far established, these questions are virtually self-answering: (1) the

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Lord comes to earth in this chariot; (2) from it He commands Ezekiel to go speak to His people; (3) Ezekiel did not bear the message to the people of his day; (4) he will bear it to the people at the commencement of the "Loud Cry." {TN1: 36.5}

Thus it is seen that when the time comes that the church has reached the condition described by the Lord (Ezek. 3-9), the mystery of the vision is to be revealed, and the message carried to the church. And that the church has already reached this time and condition is conclusively evidenced by the threefold fact that the first part of this "most startling revelation" (dilated herein), was published in December, 1930, in a 255-page book entitled The Shepherd's Rod Vol. 1; that the second part was published in the month of September, 1932, in a 304-page book entitled The Shepherd's Rod, Vol. 2; and that the third part -- the series of tracts (of which this is the first) which since 1933 aggregates to date some 898 pages -- comprises Volume 3. {TN1: 37.1}

The fact, therefore, that from the chariot, the Lord commands the prophet to go speak, bear the message, to His people, and that the message totals over 1250 pages of literature published since 1930, unfolding its truth from different angles, solemnly reveals that the chariot, though invisible to human beings (as to "the young man" were the chariots which covered the mountains -- 2 Kings 6:17), has already arrived. {TN1: 37.2}

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And since it is already here, it must of course be the divine instrumentality through which, as a sort of base of operations, the Lord is ordering and directing His work, and through which He shall do so until "this gospel of the kingdom...be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and...the end come." Matt. 24:14. "The end" -- the unbelievable! to those who say "Where is the promise of His coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation" (2 Pet. 3:4); but the long-looked-for, to those who shall say, "Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him and He will save us" (Isa. 25:9). -- Dreadful awful, finality! it should drive all to ascertain

The Purpose of the Message. {TN1: 38.1}

"And it came to pass, while they were slaying them, and I was left, that I fell upon my face, and cried, and said, Ah Lord God! wilt Thou destroy all the residue of Israel in Thy pouring out of Thy fury upon Jerusalem? Then said He unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great,...and as for Me also, Mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity." Ezek. 9:8-10. {TN1: 38.2}

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

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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. {TN1: 38.3}

The scattering of the "coals of fire...over the city" represents absolute purification of the heart (Gospel Workers, p. 23) effected by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon those who receive the "mark" -- those who escape the "slaughter. " {TN1: 39.1}

Following the completion of the "slaughter," and just preceding the scattering of the "coals of fire" "over the city," "the cherubims stood on the right side of the house,...and the cloud filled the inner court." Ezek. 10:2, 3. Later they "lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight," says the prophet. Ezek. 10:19. Then subsequently he saw them again "lift up their wings" (Ezek. 11:22, 23), showing that though they had departed after the separation took place (Ezek. 10:3, 19), they had later returned, and were now departing for the second time. {TN1: 39.2}

With the city thus purged of sin and sinners, and none but the "residue," the righteous, remaining, "I, saith the Lord, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.... Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord. And many nations shall be

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joined to the Lord in that day, and shall be My people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto thee." Zech. 2:5, 10, 11. (For a more ample explanation of these verses, see The Shepherd's Rod, Vol. 2, pp. 259-282.) {TN1: 39.3}

Mark that while He dwells in the midst of His people, "many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day," and that He will be unto them "a wall of fire round about." Here we are graphically reassured that "in that day," in the day that the Lord takes the reins in His Own hands and comes to dwell in the midst of the city, His Presence, His marvelous chariot, shall be a protection round about His people! {TN1: 40.1}

Thus it is seen that the Lord has come to purify His people by putting away the wicked from among them, "take charge" of His clean flock, and with them finish His work. In this we see that the church has come to her crisis. She that travaileth "must give birth." And "as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children." Isa. 66:8. {TN1: 40.2}

Then shall the chariot, being dedicated to the saints, and filled to capacity, take off for the portals of glory -- "the land that is very far off." "...and as the chariot rolled upward, the wheels cried, 'Holy,' and the wings, as they moved, cried, 'holy,' and the retinue of holy angels around the cloud cried, 'Holy, holy, holy, Lord God

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Almighty!' And the saints in the cloud cried, 'Glory! Alleluia!' And the chariot rolled upward to the holy city." -- Early Writings, pp. 287, 288. {TN1: 40.3}

In view of this glorious prospect, along with the overawing magnitude and majesty of the work before us, and the exceeding shortness of the time in which to accomplish it, let each hasten to share of

The Responsibility of Those Who Bear the Message. {TN1: 41.1}

Since Ezekiel represents those whose hearts the message has reached, then to them the Lord is speaking when He says: "Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at My mouth, and give them warning from Me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. {TN1: 41.2}

"Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and

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his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul." Ezek. 3 :17-21. {TN1: 41.3}

Because of the unfaithfulness of the former watchmen, the Lord makes the antitypical Ezekiel -- he and she who "sigh and cry for the abominations that be done in the midst thereof" (the church) -- a "watchman" (Ezek. 3:17) in their stead. Be careful, therefore, Brother, Sister, lest you also betray your trust and find yourself thrust out. "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." 1 Cor. 10:12. Only those who thus humble themselves now, will the Lord exalt in due time to be

His Faithful Watchmen to Stand Before the Unfaithful. {TN1: 42.1}

"Those who have trusted to intellect, genius, or talent, will not then stand at the head of rank and file. They did not keep pace with the light. Those who have proved themselves unfaithful will not then be entrusted with the flock. In the last solemn work few great men will be engaged. They are self-sufficient, independent of God, and He cannot use them." -- Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 80. {TN1: 42.2}

"The Lord's servants will be called enthusiasts. Ministers will warn the people

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not to listen to them. Noah received the same treatment while the Spirit of God was urging him to give the message...." -- Testimonies to Ministers, p. 233. {TN1: 42.3}

The fact that our conferences grant ministerial licenses only to college-trained men, attests that they are trusting to "intellect, genius, and talent." "God's watchmen will not cry, 'Peace, peace,' when God has not spoken peace. The voice of the faithful watchmen will be heard: 'Go ye out from hence, touch not the unclean.... Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord.' " -- Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 83. {TN1: 43.1}

Receive instruction and learn to obey the word of the Lord, for in so doing He will enable you to do great things in His name. Incline your ear and hear the Lord's heartening assurance: "Behold I have made thy face strong against their faces and thy forehead strong against their foreheads. As an adamant harder than flint have I made thy forehead: fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house....all My words that I shall speak unto thee receive in thine heart, and hear with thine ears. And go, get thee to them...and speak unto them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord God; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear." Ezek. 3:8-11. {TN1: 43.2}

Beyond this, the Spirit-controlled movement of the chariot shows that the Spirit is to be the all-controlling power: for "whithersoever

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the spirit was to go, they [the living creatures] went, thither was their spirit to go and the wheels were lifted up over against them; for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels." Ezek. 1:20. {TN1: 43.3}

"As never before, we should pray not only that laborers may be sent forth into the great harvest-field but that we may have a clear conception of truth so that when the messengers of truth shall come, we may accept the message and respect the messenger." -- Testimonies, Vol. 6, p. 420. Let us, therefore, sanctify the Lord of hosts Himself, and

Cease From Men. {TN1: 44.1}

As you will find yourself under severe trial if you obey your inner convictions and take hold of the truth, you must therefore let the Lord alone be your guide, and Inspiration your only teacher. Do not value your salvation so little as to trust to the wisdom of another. Be wise: obey the word of the Lord, investigate for yourself, and do not delay, for you know not the narrow margin of time between you and heaven! "Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom." Mic. 7:5. {TN1: 44.2}

The rulers of ancient Israel -- priests, scribes and pharisees -- who deprived the people of their God-given right to investigate for themselves the teaching of Christ,

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perished along with their victims under the condemnation of the laws which were to save them. {TN1: 44.3}

"Woe unto you, lawyers ! " therefore said Christ; "for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered." Luke 11:52. {TN1: 45.1}

This fatal mistake was repeated during the Reformation, also in the preaching of the First, Second, and Third Angels' messages. Thus each one who accepted the advancing truth and became a member of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination, did so only by making his own investigation and decision independently of priest or scribe or pharisee. And if that method of investigation was the only sane and safe one then, it is just as certainly so now when we understand God's Word better than when we first believed! And though for your following obediently in the way God commands, the unfaithful watchmen of today "cast you out," and remove your name from the church books, you should rejoice (Isa. 66:5, Luke 6:22 23), and gladly endure the trial of your faith knowing that it "worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Cor. 4:17); that, indeed, your accepting the truth and obeying it is the only thing that will forever insure your membership with the redeemed, in the church eternal, and that the only book that is worth-while having your name in is "The Lamb's Book of Life." {TN1: 45.2}

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"The people accept their ministers' explanations of Scripture, and do not investigate for themselves. Therefore by working through the ministers," says Satan, "I can control the people according to my will." -- Testimonies to Ministers, p. 473. Thus because of "those who...have confidence in the leading men, and accept the decisions they make;...many will reject the very messages God sends to His people, if these leading brethren do not accept them." -- Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 106, 107. "...if they carry their opposition so far as to oppose that in which they have had no experience,...the church may know that they are not right." -- Testimonies, Vol. 5, pp. 668, 669. {TN1: 46.1}

"Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams." 1 Sam. 15:22. {TN1: 46.2}

"And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The Lord will not do good, neither will He do evil." Zeph. 1:12. {TN1: 46.3}

"And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness." Mal. 3:3. {TN1: 46.4}

He "Whose fan is in His hand,...will throughly purge His floor, and gather His

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wheat into the garner; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." Matt. 3:12. {TN1: 46.5}

"And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." Dan. 12:3. {TN1: 47.1}

"Cry aloud," therefore, and "spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins." Isa. 58:1. {TN1: 47.2}

"Behold upon the mountains the feet of Him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off." Nah. 1:15. {TN1: 47.3}

"...the Lord of hosts mustereth the host of the battle." Isa. 13:4. {TN1: 47.4}

"The Lord's voice crieth unto the city, and the man of wisdom shall see thy name: hear ye the rod, and Who hath appointed it." Mic. 6:9. {TN1: 47.5}

"For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." Isa. 55:10, 11. {TN1: 47.6}

Tract No. 1 47

"But beware of rejecting that which is truth. The great danger with our people has been that of depending upon men, and making flesh their arm." -- Testimonies to Ministers, p. 106. {TN1: 48.1}

"For Zion's sake will I not hold My peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth." Isa. 62:1. {TN1: 48.2}

O my ministering brethren, though you have hardened your hearts against the message and have steadfastly refused to "hearken" to it, yet God is still pleading with you to surrender before it is too late. Thus this

Second Appeal And Prayer. {TN1: 48.3}

Though you have unrighteously ignored the Lord's written appeal placed in your hands at the General Conference convention in 1930, and have obdurately turned your eyes and your steps away from the additional light of the "Three Angels' Messages," yet even more unrighteously you broadcasted (before the meeting with us by the "Conference investigating committee," on February 19, 1934, at Los Angeles, California) throughout the denomination the false report that you had given us a hearing. But despite this misrepresentation, God still loves you, and we still love you, and He will forgive you and hold nothing against you if you will penitently ask Him to. {TN1: 48.4}

Tract No. 1 48

(Before the first edition of this tract was published, they had not given us any hearing. But since then they have. But that it was worse than none at all, is seen from the faithful report in our Tract No. 7 Count the Evidences on Both Sides Before Firing for or Against.) {TN1: 49.1}

My words being generally misconstrued, and carrying apparently but little weight with some, my prayer, therefore, shall be from the Scriptures, and my appeal from the Spirit of Prophecy. Surely, my brethren, you will take heed to the Words of God: {TN1: 49.2}

"Lord, I have loved the habitation of Thy house, and the place where Thine honour dwelleth." Ps. 26:8. And "...the zeal of Thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached Thee are fallen upon me." "It was not an enemy that reproached me;...but it was...a man mine equal, my guide,...we... walked unto the house of God in company." Ps. 69:9; 55:12, 13, 14. Therefore "save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to Thy holy name, and glory in Thy praise." 1 Chron. 16:35. {TN1: 49.3}

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Isa. 1: 18. "Anoint thine eyes

Tract No. 1 49

with eyesalve, that thou mayest see." Rev. 3:18. {TN1: 49.4}

Your attitude, my brethren, toward the glorious light now shining upon the "Three Angels' Messages," is but a fulfillment of prophecy: "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing," -- truth or prophets, -- you refuse to be interested in investigating the cry of the Angel whose glory is to "lighten the earth." {TN1: 50.1}

"The light which will lighten the earth with its glory will be called a false light, by those who refuse to walk in its advancing glory." -- Review and Herald, May 27, 1890. {TN1: 50.2}

"The prophet declares, 'And after these things I saw an angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened 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?" -- Review and Herald, April 1, 1890. {TN1: 50.3}

You well know that the Truth, in which we have greatly rejoiced since 1844, has come through God's appointed servant whose writings we call the "Spirit of Prophecy." That voice is now speaking to you, anew, in this urgent appeal: {TN1: 50.4}

Tract No. 1 50

"Let no one come to the conclusion that there is no more truth to be revealed." -- Testimonies on Sabbath School Work, p. 53. No one is to make up his mind "that the whole truth has been unfolded, and that the Infinite One has no more light for His people." -- ld., p. 60. {TN1: 51.1}

" 'Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found Him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him: Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?' Prejudice and unbelief sprang up in the heart of Nathanael, but Philip did not try to combat it. He said, 'Come and see.' " -- Testimonies on Sabbath School Work, p. 63. {TN1: 51.2}

"...if a message comes that you do not understand, take pains that you may hear the reasons the messenger may give,...for your position will not be shaken by coming in contact with error. There is no virtue or manliness in keeping up a continual warfare in the dark, closing your eyes lest you may see, closing your ears lest you may hear, hardening your heart in ignorance and unbelief lest you may have to humble yourselves and acknowledge that you have received light on some points of truth. {TN1: 51.3}

"To hold yourselves aloof from an investigation of truth is not the way to carry out the Saviour's injunction to 'search the Scriptures.' Is it digging for hidden

Tract No. 1 51

treasures to call the results of someone's labor a mass of rubbish, and make no critical examination to see whether or not there are precious jewels of truth in the collection of thought which you condemn?... Thus it was that the Jews did in the days of Christ, and we are warned not to do as they did, and be led to choose darkness rather than light.... No one of those who imagine that they know it all is too old or too intelligent to learn from the humblest of the messengers of the living God." -- ld., pp. 65, 66. {TN1: 51.4}

"Precious light is to shine forth from the Word of God and let no one presume to dictate what shall or what shall not be brought before the people in the messages of enlightenment that He shall send, and so quench the Spirit of God. Whatever may be his position of authority, no one has a right to shut away the light from the people. When a message comes in the name of the Lord to His people, no one may excuse himself from an investigation of its claims. No one can afford to stand back in an attitude of indifference and self-confidence, and say: 'I know what is truth. I am satisfied with my position. I have set my stakes, and I will not be moved away from my position, whatever may come. I will not listen to the message of this messenger; for I know that it can not be truth.' It was from pursuing this very course that the popular churches were left in partial darkness, and that is why the messages of

Tract No. 1 52

heaven have not reached them." -- Testimonies on Sabbath School Work, p. 65. {TN1: 52.1}

O, Brethren, what excuse will you have if you refuse to hearken to this entreaty also? Will it vindicate your wisdom and save your soul if you find yourselves on the wrong side? If so, surely then you will want to make the most of it. But if not, then do make haste to get on the right side, even though it humble you to the dust to come to the Light. May you not say again: "He has taken the Testimonies out of their setting." May you cease trying to obstruct the way, that the message reach not the people, since you are warned: "Let no one presume to dictate what shall or what shall not be brought before the people in the messages of enlightenment that He shall send, and so quench the Spirit of God." God forbid! {TN1: 53.1}

(all italics ours)

Though the subject matter of this tract could have been greatly enlarged, it has, for the sake of brevity, been thus conmpacted, carrying only the key points unlocking the message which is pleading at the doors of God's dear church. Whoever, therefore, has read this far, should let on obstacle prevent him from sending for all the

Tract No. 1 53

FREE LITERATURE {TN1: 53.2}

The Present Truth series of publications reveal that "the days are at hand, and the effect of every vision" Ezek. 12:23); that is, the prophectic visions which appeared to be full of mysteries, are now become plain facts. {TN1: 54.1}

Thirteen tracts, to date {1941} approximating 900 pages, will be sent free of charge to anyone requesting them. {TN1: 54.2}

Address all orders to The Universal Publishing Association to the address on the inside front cover page. {TN1: 54.3}

"...The Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come" John 16:13. {TN1: 54.4}

6. Answerer #2, p. 24, question 16

IS GOD'S TRAVELING THRONE A LOCOMOTIVE?

Question No. 16:

I have been told that the Davidians teach that the throne of Isaiah 6 is a train pulled by a locomotive belching forth smoke. Do they so teach? {ABN2: 24.2}

Answer:

No such idea as this is anywhere to be found set forth in the publications of The Shepherd's Rod, upon which all the Davidian teachings, are based, as a careful reading of the literature will completely verify. {ABN2: 24.3}

The word "train" is quoted from the Scriptures and means retinue," as explained in our Tract No. 1, The Pre-Eleventh-Hour Extra, 1941 Edition, p. 8. {ABN2: 24.1}

7. Answerer #2, pp. 42, 44, question 25

IS THE SLAUGHTER OF EZEKIEL NINE LITERAL?

Question No. 25:

"The Shepherd's Rod" teaches that the slaughter of Ezekiel 9 is literal. Could it not be a destruction such as is caused by so-called "acts of God"--earthquakes, famines, pestilences, the seven last plagues, or the like? {ABN2: 42.2}

Answer:

The five agents that destroy the wicked

Answerer Book 2 42

in the church are not forces of nature but men with slaughter weapons in their hands. They are supernatural beings, not natural elements. Hence they cannot fittingly represent earthquakes, famines, or the like. {ABN2: 42.3}

Neither can they be the seven angels with the seven last plagues, for these angels are seven in number, not five. Furthermore, they do not have "slaughter weapons" in their hands, but vials. Still further, the plagues fall in Babylon (Rev. 18:4), whereas the slaughter of Ezekiel 9 takes place in Judah and Israel (Ezek. 9:9). {ABN2: 43.1}

Ezekiel 9, whether literal or figurative, effects a separation between the good and the bad, the tares and the wheat, in the church (Judah and Israel), just as the plagues finally do in Babylon (Rev. 18:4). And as the plagues are literal, then how can the slaughter be any less literal? {ABN2: 43.2}

The angel with the writer's inkhorn is to place a mark upon the foreheads of all who sigh and cry for the abominations, then the destroying angels are to slay both old and young (Ezek. 9:4-6). {ABN2: 43.3}

"The church--the Lord's sanctuary," is "the first to feel the stoke 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

Answerer Book 2 43

trust. They had taken the position that we need not look for miracles and the marked manifestations 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."--Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 211. {ABN2: 43.4}

As in The Great Controversy, p. 656, only an indirect parallel can be drawn between the slaughter of Ezekiel 9 and the falling of the plagues, because a common end (death) befalls both the wicked in the church of Laodicean and the wicked in the churches of Babylon. And only those who say, "We need not look for miracles and the marked manifestation of God's power as in former days," think the slaughter is not literal. {ABN2: 44.1}

8. Answerer #2, pp. 67, 68, question 38

WHEN WILL HE LEAVE THE SANCTUARY?

Question No. 38:

"The Shepherd's Rod" seems to say that Jesus will leave the Most Holy place at the execution of the slaughter of Ezekiel 9, while "Early Writings," p. 36, seems to say that He will leave the place after His work in the sanctuary is done, and then will come the seven last plagues. How do you reconcile the two? {ABN2: 67.2}

Answer:

Though the author of Early Writings says that Christ will not leave the sanctuary before His "work is done," yet elsewhere

Answerer Book 2 67

she writes: "They will feed upon the errors and mistakes and faults of others, 'until,' said the angel, 'the Lord Jesus shall rise up from his mediatorial work in the heavenly sanctuary, and shall clothe himself with the garments of vengeance, and surprise them at their unholy feast; and they will find themselves unprepared for the marriage supper of the Lamb.'"--Testimonies Vol. 5, p. 690. {ABN2: 67.3}

Viewing the question in the light of both statements, we see that Christ leaves the sanctuary at a certain time in the "unrolling of the scroll." Coming to the church, He finds her not spotless and ready to meet Him, but deep in sin, yet self-complacently feeding upon the errors, faults, and mistakes of others. {ABN2: 68.1}

Now the problem before us is not to harmonize the Rod with Early Writings, but Early Writings with the Testimonies. These are automatically harmonized when it is understood that Christ leaves the sanctuary more than the one time: Once after "the closing work for the church" (Testimonies, Vol. 3, p. 266), and again after the closing work for the world. {ABN2: 68.2}

9. Answerer #3, pp. 41-43, question 56

WILL ALL COME TO THE TIME OF THE PLAGUES?

Question No. 56:

If the church is to be purified before the close of probation for the world and remain pure thereafter without any sinners in it, as "The Shepherd's Rod" teaches, then how do you harmonize this with "Early Writings," p. 71, which says: Some "will come up to the time of the falling of the plagues, and then see that they needed to be hewed and squared for the building"? {ABN3: 41.1}

Answer:

There are other statements from the author of Early Writings, which bear even more positive evidence that God will, before that time, have a church pure and true. (See The Great Controversy p. 425; Prophets and Kings, p. 725; Testimonies Vol. 5, p. 80; Isa. 52:1, 2.) {ABN3: 41.2}

As these several statements with reference to a preliminary purification are just as true as the one in Early Writings which seems to negate a purification, one cannot honestly disregard them and give consideration only to it. Let us remember always to observe the inviolable rule that an interpretation of one inspired statement must harmonize with all other related statements. {ABN3: 41.3}

Some who are anxious to risk Present Truth on the weight of what one inspired statement seems to say or imply, are thereby presumptuously or very ignorantly

Answerer Book 3 41

overlooking the "weight of evidence." Others are doing this through shortsightedness, while still others are doing it to prop up certain cherished ideas of their own. {ABN3: 41.4}

The basic foundation for the no-preliminary-purification doctrine is built, not upon solid rock, but upon the same shifting sand as that which underlies such as the erroneous ideas of the conscious state of the dead, the eternal torment of the wicked, baptism by sprinkling, Sunday sacredness, and the millennial age of peace on earth. {ABN3: 42.1}

Since, Truth is progressive, and since the purification of the church had not yet been revealed when the statement in Early Writings was written, the danger foretold and the counsel given therein could not possibly have been stated in terms other than those then familiarly comprehended. All were thus plainly forewarned that if they continued sinning, then after the close of probation for the world, the plagues, of which they already had some understanding, would be their recompense. So for the Lord to have explained the matter in Early Writings as He does through the Rod today, He would have had to reveal, out of due time, when Early Writings was being written, the message which is applicable only to the church for today, and which we are now therefore receiving. {ABN3: 42.2}

In the last analysis, the unrepentant sinners who are now in the church, may

Answerer Book 3 42

never see the seven last plagues, while others, who are now in the world, will in the time of the Loud Cry yet have opportunity to be "squared" for the building, and be treasured with the "living stones," or else to suffer the consequences of the plagues. {ABN3: 42.3}

No one should have difficulty in seeing this now, for all those to whom Early Writings primarily spoke are already dead, though the plagues are yet in the future. Furthermore, there is much more light to come concerning the truth of the seven last plagues, and when it comes, we may again see that we have "many lessons to learn, and many, many to unlearn."--Testimonies to Ministers, p. 30. {ABN3: 43.1}

10. Answerer #3, pp. 43, 44, question 57

ARE THE PLAGUES TO FALL UPON LAODICEA OR UPON BABYLON?

Question No. 57:

Is not the slaughter of Ezekiel 9 to be fulfilled by the seven last plagues? {ABN3: 43.2}

Answer:

The slaughter as described in Ezekiel's prophecy takes the lives of only those wicked who are in "the house of Israel and Judah" (Ezek. 9:9)--the church; whereas the destruction of the plagues falls upon all who are found in "Babylon" (Rev. 18:4) after the Lord has proclaimed "Come out of her, My people," and after they have responded and thus separated

Answerer Book 3 43

themselves from those in Babylon. The destruction of Ezekiel 9, therefore, can apply to her communicants only as an ensample or forerunner of the seven last plagues. {ABN3: 43.3}

Moreover, His people, the ones who are marked by the angel according to Ezekiel's prophecy, are not called out, but rather are left in. {ABN3: 44.1}

11. Answerer #3, pp. 69-71, question 68

PURIFIED BY GOD, OR BY SATAN?

Question No. 68:

Is the church to be purified before the enforcement of the beast's decree as predicted in Revelation 13:15-17? Or will this drastic decree be the means of purifying the church by sifting from her those who are disloyal to the Truth? {ABN3: 69.3}

Answer:

If it be true that the beast's decree is to sift out the unconverted (the tares) that are in the church, then one must conclude that the beast is not a symbol of a power of dragon-like principle, but a heaven-sent agency, sent to cast out the tares which the dragon has brought in! {ABN3: 69.4}

From Ezekiel 9 we see that not the "beast," but the angels are to do this. After

Answerer Book 3 69

the one with the writer's inkhorn by his side marks those who sigh and cry for the abominations that are done in their midst, the five with slaughter weapons follow on to slay all who are left without the mark. And this great purgation, as both the prophecy itself and the Testimonies specifically state, takes place in the church. (See Testimonies to Ministers, p. 445; Testimonies, Vol. 3, pp. 266, 267; Testimonies, Vol. 5, pp. 210, 211; also Tract No. 1, The Dardanelles of the Bible.) {ABN3: 69.5}

It is Satan's predetermined purpose to pollute the church by multiplying instead of reducing the disloyal members. And if his most drastic fiat is to purify the church, then to what purpose does the Lord "suddenly come to His temple ...and...sit as a refiner and purifier of silver" (Mal. 3:1-3); why is a message to cause the shaking (Early Writings, p. 270); and why are the angels of Ezekiel 9, those who "shall come forth," to "sever the wicked from among the just"? Matt. 13:49. {AB3: 70.1}

Is this burden of the purifying work, Satan's or the Lord's? Satan is doing nothing to purify the church, but is doing everything to pollute it. {ABN3: 70.2}

Therefore the beast's decree and his rigid enforcement of it, are not for the purpose of purifying the church, but for the purpose of blockading the way out of

Answerer Book 3 70

Babylon, thereby holding the world captive. This he does specifically to halt the steady flow of multitudes of converts to the then already purged and purified church. In spite, however, of the Enemy's heaviest efforts to keep them in Babylon, the faithful will come out. They will take heed to the Lord's counsel: "If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb." Rev. 14:9, 10. {ABN3: 70.3}

12. Answerer #4, pp. 22, 23, question 86

HAS HE OR WILL HE TREAD THEM DOWN?

Question No. 86:

Through Isaiah (chapter 63, verse 3) Christ declared of Himself: "I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with Me: for I will tread them in Mine anger, and trample them in My fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon My garments, and I will stain all My raiment." Does this scripture apply to Christ's work at the time of His first or at the time of His second Advent? {ABN4: 22.3}

Answer:

The first part of the verse applies to the first advent of Christ, and the last part to

22

the time of the purification of the church. Thus Christ by use of prophetic language, appears to be looking back on the time of His sufferings while He was on the cross, emphasizing that there were none with Him, and that, therefore, by inference, those who had no part in His agony have no right to rule over those whom He set free; and that whoever continues to hold His people in bondage and in ignorance of His Truth, will He tread in His anger and trample them in His fury and sprinkle their blood upon His garments, thereby staining all His raiment, and thus setting His people free. {ABN4: 22.4}

13. Answerer #5, pp. 56-57, question 134

HOW TO PROVE THAT THE SLAUGHTER IS LITERAL?

Question No. 134:

How can I prove to a Seventh-day Adventist that the slaughter of Ezekiel 9 is literal? {ABN5: 56.2}

Answer:

First call his attention to the fact that the Lord Himself was at the threshold of the earthly house while the slaughter took place therein. Carefully study Tract No. 1, The Dardanelles of the Bible, treating of the event as seen by the prophet, and get this point along with kindred ones well fixed in the mind. {ABN5: 56.3}

Second, acquaint him with Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 211, which says: "Here we see that the church--the Lord's sanctuary--was the first to feel the stroke of the wrath of God." {ABN5: 56.4}

Answerer Book 5 56

Then approaching the subject from another angle, introduce the Spirit of Prophecy evidence which reveals that when the message of Ezekiel 9 is proclaimed to the church, some will deny its literal fulfillment, saying: "He is too merciful to visit His people in judgment."--Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 211. And consequently is written the sad pronouncement: "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." --Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 211. To say that the slaughter of Ezekiel 9 is not literal, is to say, "The church will never feel the stroke of God. We need not look for miracles and the marked manifestation of God's power as in former days." Those who say this, are condemned for denying the plain warning of the literal, miraculous, slaughter described by Ezekiel. {ABN5: 57.1}

Third, from Isaiah 66:16, 19, 20 show that the slaying mentioned in verse 16 is to be literal, for those that escape are to be literally sent to all the nations, to proclaim His glory and His fame. Furthermore, that this literal slaughter is in the church only, is seen from the fact that those who "escape of them" are God's servants whom subsequently He sends to the Gentiles. If, though, the slaughter is not literal, then for what purpose will it be, and from what will they "escape"? Ezekiel saw them as literally slain (Ezek. 9:8). {ABN5: 57.2}

Answerer Book 5 57

14. Timely Greetings, vol. 1 #3, pp. 9-11

Do you now see what the men whom they call great, "men of experience," are doing? These unscrupulous deeds condemn their boast that saintly men are running the Denomination; and their boastingly speaking of the millions of dollars the Denomination annually gathers from the poor is anything but saintly if it has to be spent for such kind of work. They need to repent and correct the errors which they are passing as Truth before they can conscientiously accuse others. {1TG3: 9.1}

If John could not see exactly what the horses looked like, then how could he see that all the fish in the sea died (Rev. 8:9)? And with such a self-exalting precedent for studying the Scriptures as the kind the General Conference has set up, how can anyone be sure that any of the prophets saw anything right? Do you not realize that such foolish and twisted interpretations of the Scriptures are Satanic attempts to undermine men's confidence in the prophets and of Christ's ability to correctly reveal and portray Truth to His servants? Consider how damaging the charge against Inspiration, how soul-destroying, and blasphemous against the Holy Ghost Who leads into all Truth! and how repulsive it must be to Christ, especially for coming from those who pretend to serve Him! This alone ought to be sufficient to show that the angel (ministry) of the Laodiceans is blind and naked and in need of everything. For the sake of your life and for the lives of others, do not support such doctrines of devils. They are anything but Truth, anything but signs of the Spirit of Prophecy at work. Ask yourselves when Turkey or any other nation ever had 200,000,000 cavalrymen! And if you still wonder why God permitted the errors to creep into the church, the answer is: So that by their fostering and propagating them He may at a time such as this expose the workers of iniquity and prove to the laity that His

9

church is now as badly overrun by the Devil as was the Jewish church at Christ's time, thus to awaken the honest ones and to set them free from their Laodicean self-deception, and thus from the overflowing scourge (Isa. 28:13-15). {1TG3: 9.2}

Do you not now see the reason for the name "Blasphemy" over all seven heads of the leopard-like beast (Rev. 13)? And that if one head symbolizes a religious system, then they all must do the same, for they are all alike save for the wound on one of them, and all are on the beast (world) at the same time, not one after another. {1TG3: 10.1}

As for their charge that the "Rod" teaches that the church is Babylon, we challenge them to produce the statement. And if they do not know what Babylon is, then they better read "The Shepherd's Rod." {1TG3: 10.2}

True, the church is God's church, but those who have taken charge of it are no better than the Sanhedrin in Christ's day. It is because God has supreme regard for His church that He has thus with His Truth invaded it, and is thus to reclaim His people by cutting down those who are unlawfully enslaving them, teaching them doctrines of devils as shown in this study; and keeping them from coming in contact with Heaven's Truth for this time of crisis. Do you see why the General Conference is now no more the Voice of God to the people (General Conference Bulletin, 34th session, Vol. 4, Extra No. 1, April 3, 1901, pg. 25, Cols. 1, 2) than was the Sanhedrin's to the Jews in Christ's time? I hope you will no longer deceive yourselves that "The Shepherd's Rod" is tearing down anything that God has built up. Now

The Seven Seals {1TG3: 10.3}

The Laodiceans teach that the seals begin with the

10

resurrection of Christ, which, as you know, was about seventy years before John the Revelator had the vision of the seals. Let us now hear what the Voice of the Revelation Itself says: {1TG3: 10.4}

Rev. 4:1 -- "After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: Rev. 4:1 -- "After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter." {1TG3: 11.1}

The Voice spoke emphatically that the things which John was about to be shown had not taken place, and were not then taking place, but that they were to take place later in the stream of time. Since they were to take place after John had the vision (after 96 A.D., not in the first century of the Christian era), then is it not blasphemy to teach contrary to what the Voice said -- to say that the seals began over three decades before shown to John? No, the seals cannot, therefore, begin with the Christian church. To find out the Truth of them, read Tract No. 15, "To the Seven Churches." {1TG3: 11.2}

"What About Revelation Twelve?" {1TG3: 11.3}

"Does the woman clothed with the sun symbolize the church from the Pentecost on, clothed with the Gospel (sun) of Christ?" {1TG3: 11.4}

When the dragon attacked the woman, she was already clothed with the sun, and her child, the Lord, was not yet born. This being so, how can her sun clothing be symbolical of her being clothed with the gospel of Christ and how could she have been a representation of the Christian church, seeing that neither the gospel nor the church were then in existence. And how can she be Christ's mother before the Christian church herself is born? She cannot is the overall

11

answer. {1TG3: 11.5}

The theory, then, that the woman takes her beginning at the Pentecost, is about as logical as it is to say that the chicken is hatched before the egg is laid. {1TG3: 12.1}

"Is the slaughter of Ezekiel 9 to take place in the world or in the church? Is it the seven last plagues, or is it

The Purification Of The Church?" {1TG3: 12.2}

Ezek. 9:1, 4, 9 -- "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 the Lord said unto him, 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 that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. Then said He unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for they say, The Lord hath forsaken the earth, and the Lord seeth not." {1TG3: 12.3}

The angels have charge of the "city," Jerusalem, not of the world, and not of Babylon. Even an altogether uninformed Christian knows that the terms Jerusalem, Judah, and Israel, mean the church, never even as much as imply the "world." They have always meant the church and always will mean the church, for that is what they are. {1TG3: 12.4}

The slaughter of Ezekiel 9 is positively not the same as the seven last plagues (Rev. 16), because the plagues fall on Babylon, but the slaughter, on Judah and Jerusalem. Moreover, the angels of Ezekiel 9

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slay every one who does not have the mark, but the plagues do not slay anyone. By wresting Moses' writings, the Jews tried to refute Christ's teachings and it is certain that if the Laodiceans continue to wrest Sister White's writings in trying to refute the message for today, then their end shall be even more mournful than was the Jews'. Concerning what she says about Ezekiel 9 read Testimonies, Vol. 3, pg. 267; Id., Vol. 5, pg. 211; also The Great Controversy, pp. 656, 657. Ezekiel nine pictures the Judgment of the Living in the house of God (1 Pet. 4:17) -- the sealing of the saints and the destruction of the wicked in the church. {1TG3: 12.5}

15. Timely Greetings vol. 1, #52

FIVE MEN SLAY AFTER ONE SETS A MARK

TEXT OF ADDRESS BY V.T. HOUTEFF,

MINISTER OF DAVIDIAN 7TH-DAY ADVENTISTS

SABBATH, AUGUST 2, 1947

MT. CARMEL CENTER

WACO, TEXAS

The subject of our study this afternoon is found in the ninth chapter of Ezekiel. We shall begin with-- {1TG52: 15.1}

Ezek. 9:1-6 -- "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 with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brasen altar. And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon He was, to the threshold of the house. And He called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer's inkhorn by his side; and the Lord said unto him, 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 that 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

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were before the house."{1TG52: 15.2}

Note that at the command of Lord, the angels in charge are to slay the sinners in Jerusalem (in the church), not in the world. Only the abomination-hating ones, those who receive the mark for sighing and crying against the wrongs are to be left. {1TG52: 16.1}

The day Ezekiel had this vision in Babylon, Jerusalem had already been in captivity and emptied of its people for years. See Ezekiel 1:1; 8:7. No such a purification or cleansing as here described ever took place in Ezekiel's day or in the annals of the church since his day. It is, therefore, certain that the prophecy is yet to be fulfilled. {1TG52: 16.2}

Inspiration in our day, moreover, puts this foreseen cleansing still in the future and makes this explanation: {1TG52: 16.3}

"The class who do not feel grieved over 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.' {1TG52: 16.4}

"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," says the Spirit of God, "had

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betrayed their trust." -- "Testimonies for the Church," Vol. 5, pg. 211. {1TG52: 16.5}

The enemies of God, you note, have taken possession of the churches, but soon the tables will be turned, and the servants of the Devil will be no more; they will fall and not be found. {1TG52: 17.1}

The people, you note, are deceived by the ancient men who have betrayed their trust. You well know that the prophets, the apostles, Jesus Christ, and the reformers, were all in their times railed against and taunted as "Offshoots," but we thank God that the "offshoots" and the Truth, not the dead tops, triumphed. {1TG52: 17.2}

"...They [the ancient men] had taken the position that we need not look for miracles and the marked manifestation of God's power as in former days." -- "Testimonies," Vol. 5, pg. 211. {1TG52: 17.3}

Is not this now the position of the ancient men? Are they not now crying peace and safety? Are they not now preaching that Ezekiel nine is not now to take place and that it is not to take place in the church, that this message is a false alarm? What does it take to awaken a dreaming sleeper? They are dreaming that-- {1TG52: 17.4}

"...Times have changed. These words strengthen their unbelief, and they say, The Lord will not do good, neither will he do evil." "God will not slay His people," "The church is His most precious object on earth," they say. {1TG52: 17.5}

Of course the church is His most precious object on earth, and that is just exactly why He is to cleanse it, that is why He is to slay the wicked in the midst of her

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and seal (preserve) the penitent so that He may have a church clean, "without spot, wrinkle, or any such thing." -- Eph. 5:27. {1TG52: 17.6}

"...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." -- "Testimonies," Vol. 5, pg. 211. Continuing further, the Spirit of God asks: {1TG52: 18.1}

"Who are standing in the counsel of God at this time? Is it those who virtually excuse wrongs among the professed people of God, and who murmur in their hearts, if not openly, against those who would reprove sin? Is it those who take their stand against them, and sympathize with those who commit wrong? No, indeed! Unless they repent, and leave the work of Satan in oppressing those who have the burden of the work, and in holding up the hands of sinners in Zion, they will never receive the mark of God's sealing approval. They will fall in the general destruction of the wicked, represented by the work of the five men bearing slaughter weapons. Mark this point with care: Those who receive the pure mark of truth, wrought in them by the power of the Holy Ghost, represented by a mark by the man in linen, are those 'that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done' in the church. Their love for purity and the honor and glory of God is such, and they have so clear a view of the exceeding sinfulness of sin that they are represented as being in agony, even sighing and crying. Read the ninth chapter of Ezekiel." Then says the Spirit: {1TG52: 18.2}

"But the general slaughter of all those who do not

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thus see the wide contrast between sin and righteousness, and do not feel as those do who stand in the counsel of God and receive the mark, is described in the order to the five men with slaughter weapons: '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.'" -- "Testimonies," Vol. 3, pg. 267. {1TG52: 18.3}

Here are shown two classes in the church -- the faithful and the unfaithful -- those who view sin as sin and those who view it as fun. Also it is seen that the church has a closing work, a work that must be done especially for her, not for the world. In addition, it reveals that the closing work for the church is the sealing of the 144,000, that they, therefore, are the ones who will feel most deeply the wrongs among God's professed people. {1TG52: 19.1}

Ezek. 9:7-11 -- "And He said unto them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth. And they went forth, and slew in the city. And it came to pass, while they were slaying them, and I was left, that I fell upon my face, and cried, and said, Ah Lord God! wilt Thou destroy all the residue of Israel in Thy pouring out of Thy fury upon Jerusalem? Then said He unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for they say, The Lord hath forsaken the earth, and the Lord seeth not. And as for Me also, Mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity, but I will recompense their way upon their head. And, behold, the man clothed with linen, which had the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter, saying, I have done as Thou hast commanded me." {1TG52: 19.2}

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When is this separation of the wicked from among the righteous to take place? Jesus places it in the end of the world. Says He: {1TG52: 20.1}

"Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into My barn. Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away." Matt. 13:30, 47, 48. {1TG52: 20.2}

As tares they are burned; as bad fish, they are cast out. This is the way in which the Kingdom comes, says the Lord. And what is the harvest if not the Judgment for the Living? -- the work which separates the one from the other. {1TG52: 20.3}

"The true people of God," says Inspiration, "who have the spirit of the work of the Lord, and the salvation of souls at heart, will ever view sin in its real, sinful character. They will always be on the sides of faithful and plain dealing with sins which easily beset the people of God. Especially in the closing work for the church, in the sealing time of the one hundred and forty-four thousand who are to stand without fault before the throne of God, will they feel most deeply the wrongs of God's professed people. This is forcibly set forth by the prophet's illustration of the last work under the figure of the men each having a slaughter weapon in his hand." -- "Testimonies," Vol. 3, pg. 266. On which side do you stand? {1TG52: 20.4}

Now the subject of the 144,000 stands out brighter than ever before. Now you can clearly see that those

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who escape the slaughter foreseen in Ezekiel nine, are the 144,000 the future servants of God, the first fruits of the harvest, resulting from the cleansing of the sanctuary (church), the work of the investigative judgment of the living. This work and this Truth, therefore, are the most important for the day, and should whole-heartedly be heeded if one expects to receive the mark and the seal and escape the slaughter, survive the great and dreadful day of the Lord. Our neglect to sigh and cry for the abominations in the church would mean our eternal loss. We dare not allow anything to divert our attention from this great and glorious work for the saints, and most dreadful and inglorious for the sinners. This work must "engross the whole mind, the whole attention." -- "Early Writings," p. 118. Nothing should be allowed to interfere with your eternal welfare. No, not for a moment, for the day is far spent! What? -- friends, relatives, husbands, wives, you are to lose them with yourself if this Truth fails to convince you and them? But the promise to the faithful is: "For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them." Isa. 61:7. {1TG52: 20.5}

Do you, Brother, Sister, actually comprehend, actually realize, the crisis as outlined here? Do you see the prediction that the sealing message is to be resisted by those who foster the abominations? Are you with them? I hope not. Is there then any question that if the brethren are left ignorant of this cleansing work that God is about to do among His people, I say, if they be left ignorant of it, will they not fall in the general destruction of the wicked, represented by the work of the five men bearing slaughter weapons? {1TG52: 21.1}

Obviously all the sinners in the church will perish

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in this slaughter of the wicked, be they men, women, or children. Parents who continue to serve the Devil will have their little ones with them in hell; and parents who break away from abominations will have their little ones with them in the Kingdom. Where do you stand? Are you with those who have the burden of this work, or are you against them? This you see is the decisive hour for you, for me. {1TG52: 21.2}

"...Mark this point with care," counsels the Spirit of God. "Those who receive the pure mark of truth, wrought in them by the power of the Holy Ghost, represented by a mark by the man in linen, are those 'that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done' in the church. Their love for purity and the honor and glory of God is such, and they have so clear a view of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, that they are represented as being in agony, even sighing and crying. Read the ninth chapter of Ezekiel." -- "Testimonies," Vol. 3, pg. 267. {1TG52: 22.1}

Who are true Seventh-day Adventists at this crucial moment? -- Those who resist the closing work for the church? or those who put their heart and soul into it? Let us face the situation honestly and sincerely. Let us anoint our eyes with this Heavenly eyesalve that we might see and know what Truth is. Only those who repent and promote the message of the hour rather than fight against it will stand with the Lamb on Mount Zion. {1TG52: 22.2}

Let me read again: {1TG52: 22.3}

"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

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weeping, reproofs and warnings. While others try to throw a cloak over the existing evil, and excuse the great wickedness everywhere prevalent, those who have a zeal for God's honor and a love for souls, will not hold their peace to obtain favor of any. Their righteous souls are vexed day by day with the unholy works and conversation of the unrighteous. They are powerless to stop the rushing torrent of iniquity, and hence they are filled with grief and alarm. They mourn before God to see religion despised in the very homes of those who have had great light. They lament and afflict their souls because pride, avarice, selfishness, and deception of almost every kind are in the church. The Spirit of God, which prompts to reproof, is trampled under foot, while the servants of Satan triumph...." -- "Testimonies," Vol. 5, pp. 210, 211. {1TG52: 22.4}

No longer serve Satan. No longer fight God's Truth against your own interests. The Spirit of Prophecy in these lines has made it as plain as it can be made, that when the sealing message is brought to the attention of the people, the servants of the Devil will temporarily triumph, while God's servants and His Truth for a time will be trampled under foot by those who control the churches. This evil work, you are all well aware, is already in progress: The ministering brethren are already fighting the message instead of teaching it. The pulpits are occupied by men who Sabbath after Sabbath stage tirade after tirade against this Truth, the Truth of the Judgment for the Living. {1TG52: 23.1}

As the gospel prophet in chapter sixty-six was also given light on this subject, we shall turn to it. {1TG52: 23.2}

Isa. 66:15-17, 19 -- "For, behold, the Lord will come with fire, and with His chariots like a whirlwind, to render His anger with fury, and His rebuke with flames of

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fire. For by fire and by His sword will the Lord plead with all flesh: and the slain of the Lord shall be many. They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens [in places of worship] behind one tree [following a leader] in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the Lord.... And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard My fame, neither have seen My glory; and they shall declare My glory among the Gentiles."{1TG52: 23.3}

Here it is reiterated that the slaying takes place in the church among those who are well acquainted with the things of God, so much so that those who escape are sent to declare His glory, and His fame among the Gentiles. Moreover, the very fact that the Gentiles are not slain but are to be taught of God after the slaying takes place, positively shows that the slaying takes place in the church only, and before probation closes for the Gentiles. To repeat, those who escape the slaying are sent to preach salvation to the Gentiles. {1TG52: 24.1}

Isa. 66:20 -- "And they [the escaped ones, says the scripture] shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the Lord out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to My holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the Lord, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the Lord."{1TG52: 24.2}

Since the 144,000 are the first fruits, and also the servants of God, and are of both the antitypical house of Judah and of Israel, they must be the escaped and

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sent ones. Those whom they bring to the house of the Lord out of all nations (Rev. 7:9) must, therefore, be the second fruits. The former are the fruits from the church, and the latter the fruits from the Gentiles (See Revelation 7:2-9). {1TG52: 24.3}

In order to hush the Truth, the ancients in their wickedness and ignorance now teach the laity that the subject of the 144,000 is a moot question rather than revealed Truth! The Devil would have it thus so that the people might fall under the slaughter weapons of the angels. What folly! And, what a hold the Devil has on the men that control the churches! Are they not deceiving the very elect, the 144,000? This is truly the time for you to "come to the help of the Lord against the mighty," if you are to receive God's mark of approval, and if you are to escape the slaughter weapons of the angels -- if you are to be "left," if you are to be of the remnant. {1TG52: 25.1}

There has never been made so great an effort to awaken any people in any age, as the effort of today. Hundreds and thousands, yes, millions, of booklets have been scattered throughout the Denomination. These have been going now for over a decade. Truly it can even now be said of the church: {1TG52: 25.2}

"Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the Day of Judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto

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you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the Day of Judgment, than for thee." Matt. 11:21-24. {1TG52: 25.3}

The Devil today, you see, has the people deeper in the pit than he had them in the days of Christ or in the days of Luther. The Lord's victory, though, and the victory of those who escape from the pit, shall be just that much more glorious. "And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the Lord: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken." Isa. 62:12. {1TG52: 26.1}

"Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off." Nah. 1:15. {1TG52: 26.2}

The wicked in the church, you note, have finally come to their end. With which company do you stand? With those who close their eyes to this Truth? or with those who endeavor to bring It to the front? You judge your own case. {1TG52: 26.3}