Dear ------,
Dara forwarded me your e-mail relative to the “Tribal Inheritance” study. I understand your concerns, as I also have had these concerns, and I would like to take the time to address them and clear up some misunderstandings that you may have of this study. I will walk through your letter point by point and explain to you the reason for my faith.Sincerely,
“1) I noticed that you were using a book from a Jewish ‘kabalistic’ man as a reference source. Please see a dictionary to find the definition of kabala or cabala. They have deep spiritualistic definitions. 2) It is said by inspiration that anything other than the ‘golden bowl’ is rubbish (2 T.G. 27:8,9). 3) And no other ray of light would come from Babylon (2 S.R. 97). 4) It is the Rod which God recommends us to hear and read (2 T.G. 34:28,29).”
5) The wise men studied astronomy as did the Babylonians sent to congratulate Hezekiah on his recovery (DA 59, and PK 344). They were not astrologers. 6) Astrology is not approved of God it is of Satan, and is denounced in the scriptures (see Isaiah 47:13,14) this is one of Babylon’s abominations and one of the reasons of its destruction. I fear for you. 7) For the truth’s sake please reconsider your position and I would like to encourage you to no longer promote this subject on a public forum. For in promoting and to publicly hand out these teachings that are not of Inspiration, we would be held responsible for leading astray other unwary souls. We have the example Solomon to witness (PK 84,85)
8) The 144,000 are Israelites indeed (1 T.G. 37:11) and in their mouth was found no guile- they had a pure message that came from the young cow and two sheep.
9) Astrology is another name for letting the stars “divine” your future. See what God thinks of “divination” (G.C. 516). These dark arts come along with evil spirits (MYP 275-277). 10) I implore you to break free in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth from these things, and teach nothing short nor beyond what is written. Please see 3 S.C. #5,6 p.14 (blue book p.328). It is entitled “Warning Do not deeper fall into the pit but get out” and continues to say “failure to comply with this requirement will disqualify any one as a worker in this cause.”
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.” – Isa. 1:18, 19.
1) Yes, I reference a book entitled “Kabbalistic Astrology.” It shows that astrology has its roots in religion. I used it to show the history of the Jews and how they used to believe and understand astrology in its relation to understanding the characteristics of the tribes. This book was written to help all religions understand the basis for astrology.
Sr. White, the founding Fathers of the SDA Church, and Br. Houteff, all used outside references to prove their points on events that happened in history. We should not discredit something just because someone has used it in a wrong way. Many Truths that belong to God are used wrongly. That does not make the Truths wrong, but the people that use them. The Jews keep the Sabbath. Jesus said of them, “Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do.” – John 8:49. We cannot discredit the Sabbath day because of a people that misrepresent it. It is our duty to see where the Truth lies and put it in its proper context. God will not remove all occasion for doubt. We are to make our decisions for Truth based on the weight of evidence, not on who, or what, wrote it or said it. (3T255; 5T676; 1AB46) “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word there is no light in them.” – Isa. 8:20.
“It is at the peril of our souls that we are willingly ignorant of the conditions under which we have enlisted in the army of the Lord. We are to be co-workers with Christ in seeking to save that which is lost. As God's professed people, we are to have an EXPERIMENTAL knowledge of him. We are to SEARCH FOR THE DOCTRINE of Christ, armed with faith, and EMPLOYING WHATEVER RESOURCES GOD HAS PROVIDED. Diligent, prayerful search is essential. We must search for the truth as for hid treasure.” – RH 11/29/1898 Paragraph 7. [Emphasis added.]
“It is proper and right to read the Bible; but your duty does not end there; for you are to search its pages for yourselves. The knowledge of God is not to be gained without mental effort, without prayer for wisdom in order that you may separate from the pure grain of truth the chaff with which men and Satan have misrepresented the doctrines of truth. SATAN AND HIS CONFEDERACY OF HUMAN AGENTS HAVE ENDEAVORED TO MIX THE CHAFF OF ERROR WITH THE WHEAT OF TRUTH. WE SHOULD DILIGENTLY SEARCH FOR THE HIDDEN TREASURE, AND SEEK WISDOM FROM HEAVEN IN ORDER TO SEPARATE HUMAN INVENTIONS FROM THE DIVINE COMMANDS. The Holy Spirit will aid the seeker for great and Precious TRUTHS WHICH RELATE TO THE PLAN OF REDEMPTION. I would impress upon all the fact that a casual reading of the Scriptures is not enough. We must search, and this means the doing of all the word implies. As the miner eagerly explores the earth to discover its veins of gold, so YOU ARE TO EXPLORE THE WORD OF GOD FOR THE HIDDEN TREASURE THAT SATAN HAS SO LONG SOUGHT TO HIDE FROM MAN. The Lord says, ‘If any man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching.’ John 7:17, Revised Version.” – RH 9/11/1894 Paragraph 2. [Emphasis added.]
2) In 2TG27:8-10, Br. Houteff defines “rubbish” as, -- “THEORIES—wood, hay, stubble—brought in by men whom God has not sent, NOT INSPIRED…theories which appear to arise from a great store of knowledge, but which are devoid of the Spirit, are as you already see RUBBISH on which the fire of God thrives and the souls of men starve…If we wish our structure of Truth to withstand the storm, we need to throw out the rubbish and take ALL the GOD-SENT MATERIALS as we CONTINUE building…Since the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, we had better have nothing to do with it, and quit taking sides -- one for Luther, another for Wesley, still another for Campbell, or White [or Houteff] -- but we had better stand with the Lord, and accept ALL the Truths from ALL His servants He chooses to send. Otherwise when we arrive at the door He will have to say to us, ‘Depart from Me, I never knew you.’…To glory in man, whether it be in self or in another, is to cheat yourself of everything. Take for example the Jews: They were determined to ‘be of Moses,’ and AS THEY SAW IT, TO ACCEPT THE PROPHETS, OR EVEN CHRIST, TO THEM IT MEANT TO GIVE UP MOSES! As a result, rather than all things being theirs, they lost everything, even Moses, and where are they today? The wood, hay, and stubble which they piled upon the structure of Truth AFTER Moses left them, has long been swept away by the Fire of Truth, the Holy Spirit…THE ONLY SAFE WAY TO BUILD IS WITH TRUTH SENT FROM THE THRONE OF GOD. This is how Moses, the prophets, and the apostles built, and this is how we must build. Moses, for example, founded his structure of Truth on the solid rock of creation, the Genesis, on the work of Him Who created the worlds (Heb. 1:1). The prophets after him, also the apostles, continued building on the same foundation, not on the theories of the priests and rabbis, the so-called religious educators of that day. And that is why their structure of Truth stands today firmer than ever before.” -- 2TG27:8-10.
Br. Houteff is warning us to not build with “rubbish” – the uninspired theories of men. We are to build only with inspired material that has its foundation on previously inspired messages. All of the Truths that the Lord has given me have their foundation and interpretation from the “golden bowl” and can be taken back to the Bible for their authenticity. I claim inspiration for the message brought in “Tribal Inheritance” and all the published Truths brought in “A Word to the Wise.” These are not my theories. They are the Lord’s Truths brought through the Spirit in a Present Truth message, to His church, to prepare His people for the final Harvest. (See “The Hedge About.”)
The message of “Tribal Inheritance” continues Br. Houteff’s message of the Harvest by showing how the Harvest will be gathered. The 144,000 must be sealed and designated into their tribes before the winds are let loose. – Rev. 7:1-8. The Vanguard is represented as the wave sheaf, the FIRST of the firstfruits. – Lev. 23:10. They are the FIRST of the 144,000. -- Rev. 14:4. This group must be gathered and offered before the Harvest can begin. (PP539.6) The Truth in “Tribal Inheritance” shows how, and when, this is done.
The message in “The Shepherd’s Rod” writings should open our minds to the Truths and principles of God, not bind them. “And ye shall know the Truth and the truth shall make you free.” – John 8:32. The theme of “The Shepherd’s Rod” is to wake us up from our Laodicean condition so that we will realize that we are in need of “more Truth” and “prophets” to understand the Judgment of the Living -- Harvest. (2TG24:21-27) God does not want us to be lost. He warns us with the experiences of previous generations and prophets. We are to be open to new Truths when they come and not spend all of our time building “the tombs of the prophets” and garnishing “the sepluchers of the righteous.” – Matt. 23:29. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which I have sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her wings, and ye would not!” – Matt. 23:37.
"There is NO EXCUSE FOR ANYONE in TAKING THE POSITION that THERE IS NO MORE TRUTH TO BE REVEALED, and that all our expositions of Scripture are without an error. The fact that certain doctrines have been held as truth for many years by our people, is not a proof that our ideas are infallible. AGE WILL NOT MAKE ERROR INTO TRUTH, AND TRUTH CAN AFFORD TO BE FAIR. NO TRUE DOCTRINE WILL LOSE ANYTHING BY CLOSE INVESTIGATION." -- Counsels to Writers and Editors, p. 35. [Emphasis added]
3) The quote in 2SR97 reads, “…That is to say that God would let no light shine upon His word through these fallen churches…” The light of “Tribal Inheritance” is not coming “through” the “fallen churches” but through God’s True church. This message is from the Davidian church to the Davidian church.
The Truth of Astrology may have been “hidden in Babylon,” but it was found and restored by God’s True Church. God has “lost” Truths just as He has “lost” sheep. Everything belongs to Him. The message of Elijah is the “restitution of ALL things.” – Matt. 17:11. God will restore His Truths just as He will restore His people. [See “William Miller’s Dream” – EW81.]
4) Yes, we are told to “hear ye the rod.” “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.” -- Micah 6:9.
“The ‘Shepherd’s Rod,’ the books that Inspiration so named and inspired its contents, being the only ‘Rod’ in the world that can be heard speaking, the Lord commands that you should hear it, that you do not waste any time in deciding between the ‘Rod’ literature and some other. For there is none other TODAY than the ‘Rod’ literature which God recommends you hear…” – 2TG28, 29. [Emphasis added]
Br. Houteff does not contradict himself. The voice of the “rod,” in his day, was the ‘Shepherd’s Rod’ literature. He qualifies his statement with the word “today.” If his message was the last message, it would disqualify many of his statements about the last message “restoring all things” and announcing the “great and dreadful day of the Lord.” The “Shepherd’s Rod” is still present Truth for SDA’s who have not heard its message. But it is a message in confusion, as there are many interpretations by the Davidian groups.
The “rod” in Micah 6:9 represents the voice of God. Br. Houteff is dead and his words can be misinterpreted because he is not here to correct any error. Private interpretation is what causes “isms” and this is the reason that there are now “isms” in Davidia. (See 1TG14:12 – Isms, and The Remedy.) The only way God can clear the confusion over the “Rod” and stop the isms in Davidia is by sending another inspired prophet, or messenger, with a Present Truth message that correctly interprets the “Rod” and represents the voice of the “rod.”
“From these and many other examples, we see that INSPIRATION WORKS IN DIVERS WAYS Its wonders to perform. Through man and through beast, in fact through all creation, Its work is seen in many forms. Some have heard It in audible voice, both through agents seen (Ex. 34:30-35) and agents unseen (Ex. 3:2). Others have witnessed It through definite impressions, dreams, visions, providences, preternatural and instantaneous speech endowments.
“In all diligence, therefore, give heed to ANY supernatural manifestation in the church of God, IRRESPECTIVE OF SOURCE, whether it be human or brute, small or great, black or white, rich or poor. UNBIASEDLY COMPARE ITS WORK WITH THE SCRIPTURES, AND IF IT IS IN HARMONY WITH THEM, IF IT FINDS ITS FOUNDATION AND PREDICTION THERE, MAKES MEN LOYAL TO THE LAW AND TO THE PROPHETS, AND ADDS LIGHT TO THE PRESENT TRUTH, accept it whatever the cost in money, property, position, friends, and relatives, FOR IT IS YOUR VERY LIFE. He who will prove faithful in this responsibility will receive a hundredfold for the sacrifice it has cost him to be true to the Lord's voice (Matt. 19:29).
“But to be true, and thus to save oneself from the unpardonable sin, one must be constantly on guard. And this he can do only by PRAYERFULLY INVESTIGATING THE SPIRIT THAT PURPORTS TO COME IN THE NAME OF THE LORD. Failing to do this, he stands in greatest peril of rejecting the pleading of the Holy Ghost (Inspiration), and thus of indifferently tossing away his very life.
"’When a message comes in the name of the Lord to His people,’ says the Spirit of Truth, ‘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 cannot 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 heaven have not reached them.’"--Testimonies on Sabbath-School Work, p. 65; Counsels on Sabbath-School Work, p. 28.
“Inspiration makes very clear that the Lord's messenger dare not in any way improvise upon revelation (Rev. 22: 18-20), although often privileged to articulate it in his own words. JUDGED BY THE SAME STANDARD, NO ONE ELSE DARE MEDDLE WITH THE INSPIRED WRITER'S WORK. THIS RATIONAL SEQUENCE CONSISTENTLY CONCLUDES THAT WHEN A POINT IN ONE'S WRITINGS IS NOT CLEAR, THEN ONLY THE WRITER HIMSELF SHOULD BE CONSULTED CONCERNING IT, IF HE IS LIVING. OTHERWISE, ONLY THE SAME SPIRIT OF INSPIRATION, THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR OF THE WRITINGS, CAN CLARIFY WHATEVER IS INVOLVED. Indeed, ‘if a message comes,’ as Inspiration says, ‘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, pp. 65, 66; Counsels on Sabbath-School Work, p. 29.” – 1AB45-47. [Emphasis added]
5) The “Webster’s II New Riverside Dictionary” defines astrology as “The study of the supposed influence of planets and stars on the course of human affairs.” (Note: They say “supposed” because you would have to understand how God works and then have faith to believe it.) This same dictionary defines astronomy as, “The science of the stars and other heavenly bodies, their motion, position, size, etc. – astronomer.”
The 3 wise men “studied the indications of Providence in nature… As they studied the starry heavens, and sought to fathom the mystery hidden in their bright paths, they beheld the glory of the Creator.” -- DA59. The 3 wise men were not just astronomers, they were also astrologers. They studied the signs of heavens to know the indications of Providence in nature and sought to find the mystery hidden in their bright paths. This made them astrologers. They were not just interested in the science of the heavenly bodies.
The wise men of Hezekiah’s day were astronomers. “…Among its people were wise men who gave much attention to the study of astronomy; and when they noticed that the shadow on the sundial had been turned back ten degrees, they marveled greatly. Their king, Merodachbaladan, upon learning that this miracle had been wrought as a sign to the King of Judah that the God of heaven had granted him a new lease on life, sent ambassadors to Hezekiah to congratulate him on his recovery and to learn, if possible, more of the God who was able to perform so great a wonder” – PK344. Yes, the wise men only understood astronomy. By their scientific study of the heavens they saw that something marvelous had happened. They did not know what it represented. They could not apply it to human events. It was king Hezekiah that had used astrology to apply the event as a sign from God that he had a new lease on life. Through the sundial being turned back ten degrees, King Merodachbaladan was brought to seek more Truth of the living God.
In the 03/21/1901 issue of “The Youth’s Instructor,” Sr. White writes an article about Matt. 16:1-4, entitled, “Show Us a Sign From Heaven.” In it she explains how the Pharisees and Sadducees desired that Christ would show them a sign from heaven. “The sign they asked for was a miracle,--some wonderful token in the heavens to gratify their curiosity. Signs were frequently given by the prophets; and if he were the Messiah, they argued, he would give some evidence to prove it.” Christ answered them by saying, “When it is evening, ye say, it will be fair for the sky is red. And in the morning, it will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?” – Matt. 16:2, 3.
When Pharisees and Sadducees looked to the heavens to discern the weather. They were being astrologers. Christ told them that he was not there to satisfy their curiosity by giving them a sign in the heavens. “It was not Christ’s mission to exalt himself as an astrologer.” Sr. White applies the term of astrologer just as it is defined in the dictionary. To exalt something means to elevate or glorify. When used in this context Sr. White is saying that Christ’s mission was not to give a sign in the heavens, especially to the unbelieving Pharisees and Sadducees, as the other prophets had done in the past. From her statement we can see that Christ was an astrologer, he understood the influence of the planets and stars, literally and symbolically, on the course of human affairs. He could have exalted Himself as an astrologer if it was part of His plan. If the Pharisees and Sadducees had opened their minds, they could have not only discerned the face in the sky, but by Christ works, they could have understood the signs of the times.
“And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to DIVIDE the day from the night; and let them be for SIGNS, and for SEASONS, and for DAYS, and YEARS.” – Gen. 1:14. This is God’s definition of astronomy and astrology. It can be applied literally and symbolically. We are to learn both applications. We will know through God’s True Church (sun, moon and stars) how to separate Truth from error -- day from night. It will also show us events that are going to take place -- signs, and what time period we are in -- seasons, days and years.
It was by the Holy Spirits guidance that such a study was done to find the Truths of “Tribal Inheritance.” By searching the heavens (planets and stars) in the Bible, it was found that we are in the gathering SEASON of the antitypical Harvest of Leviticus 23. That God is now ready to start gathering the FIRST of the FIRSTFRUITS, the Vanguard, by placing the “fish” (God’s children) into their “vessels” (tribes). The proclamation of this event was announced through the “Tribal Inheritance” study.
“To EVERY THING there is a SEASON, and A TIME to EVERY purpose under heaven...a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.” – Eccl. 3:1, 2.
“These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocation, which ye shall PROCLAIM in their SEASONS.” – Lev. 23:4.
“To PROCLAIM the acceptable YEAR of the LORD, and the DAY of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that morn.” – Isa. 61:2.
Astrology has been around since the 4th day of creation. It is not by coincidence that the characteristics of the tribes are reflected in the characteristics of their corresponding zodiac sign. This is by the design of God and has been proven by the test of time. “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.” – Ps. 19:1-5.
Satan has twisted and misused the term “astrology,” just has he has twisted the very name Davidian, to give it a bad reputation. It is in his best interest that we fear “astrology.” For without the understanding of astrology, in its proper context, he can put a stop to the Harvest.
6) When Astrology is used to determine the future in place of the scriptures and prophets, then it is of Satan. In Isa. 47:13, 14, Isaiah is condemning the people for using methods of predicting the future that were not confirmed by God’s Words and prophets. God also condemns His “pastors,” “shepherds,” “prophets” and Church in the scriptures for misusing His Truths. We must look at all things in the context in which they are being used. The use of astrology in this study is to show how the alignment of the planets and stars effects and determines peoples’ characters. And that it is their character that determines their tribal heritage. The understanding of this Truth leads you back to the Bible, not away from it. It turns “the heart of the fathers [12 sons of Jacob] to the children [12,000 from each tribe], and the heart of the children to their fathers…” – Micah 4:6.
7) It is for the Truth’s sake that “Tribal Inheritance” was published. It was my duty to God to publish that study. (Isa. 52:7) It is in harmony with Sr. White, Br. Houteff and the Bible. It is God that wants to gather His scattered sheep, I am only His servant. (Jer. 30:10; Isa. 49)
I trust that God’s Spirit will guide me into all truth. (John 16:13; 14:26; Ps 37:23) I “fear God” and rejecting Present Truth more than I fear being deceived by Satan. (Rev. 14:7; Ps 111:10; Matt. 12:31, 32; Isa. 8:12)
No one from Davidia has claimed inspiration for a message that explains the Harvest in detail, as the message found in “A Word to the Wise.” Until someone comes along, who claims inspiration, and can show me a better understanding of the message, I will stand by this Truth. “Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled; who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? Let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth.” – Isa. 43:9.
“Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” – Acts 4:19, 20. “We ought to obey God rather than men.” – Acts 5:29.
“And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.” – Acts 5:38, 39.
8) The 144,000 are Israelites indeed. And though they were scattered, and lost their identity, they will now be gathered and sealed into their tribes. (Jer. 30:10; Rev. 7:1-8; Isa. 49:5, 6) See responses 2, 4 and “Tribal Inheritance.”
9) “Divination” is defined as, “The art of foretelling the future or the unknown through supernatural means.” The study does not advise divination. See “Should We Be Looking Into Astrology? Isn’t It Dangerous?” It gives the example of the wise men studying “the indications of Providence in nature” and seeing the “signs” in the stars. They saw signs in the heavens and then went to search the “prophecies in order to find out what the event was.” They let the Bible and the prophets tell them the prophecy, not the stars. See responses 5 & 6.
Today’s so-called psychic astrologers are the counterfeit of True Biblical astrologers. These counterfeits would fall under the same condemnation of Isa. 47:13, 14.
10) “It is imperative, therefore, that every Present-truth believer teach and practice only Present Truth--teach not short of nor beyond what is published, weave not into it private interpretations or constructions, theories and ideas, and do nothing less or nothing more than what the message calls for.” – 1AB69.
“Question No. 133: ‘The Symbolic Code’ says: ‘Teach only that which is published.’ Will you please explain whether this restriction is Intended to include Bible, Spirit of Prophecy, and ‘The Shepherd's Rod’ literature, all together, or just the writings of the ‘Rod’?
“Answer: The Bible and the books of the Spirit of Prophecy being the sole source of The Shepherd's Rod message, therefore when the Rod is taught, the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy are taught. And since NONE BUT THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH WHO TRANSMITTED THE MYSTERIES OF INSPIRATION CAN INTERPRET THEM, THEN THOSE WHO ATTEMPT TO TEACH THEM WITHOUT THIS INSPIRED INTERPRETATIONAL AUTHORITY INEVITABLY FALL INTO THE FORBIDDEN PRACTICE OF PRIVATE INTERPRETATION (2 Pet. 1:20)--the great evil which has brought Christendom into its present almost-boundless state of schism and consequent confusion, strife, and impotency.
“As we dare not follow in such a path, we must therefore, as teachers of The Shepherd's Rod (the official publications of the Davidian Seventh-day Association), teach only IN THE LIGHT OF THE ROD those passages which IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER NEED TO BE INTERPRETED. Thus only will all Present-truth believers ever become of the same mind, seeing eye to eye and speaking the same things (1 Cor. 1:10; 1 Pet. 3:8; Isa. 52:8).
“And such as do choose to engage in private interpretation are respectfully asked to desist from teaching in the name of the Rod and at its expense. Let them like honest men, teach in their own names and at their own expense.” – 5AB55, 56.
This is true, as this is the only way that God can keep a pure church as shown by responses 2 and 4. A definition of the Present Truth is, “the progressive Truth of the living Word revealed through inspiration.” – TR14:39.0. The publications of “A Word to the Wise” are an inspired, published, Present Truth message. It is interpreted and taught “in the light of the Rod.” It takes the light of the “Rod” and continues on with the Judgment of the Living message. It goes into greater detail and explains how the Harvest will take place. It interprets only those “passages which in one way or another need to be interpreted.” When the publications of “A Word to the Wise” are taught, the Bible, the Spirit of Prophecy, and the Rod are taught. This can be seen in “The Hedge About.”
Sr. White and Br. Houteff told us many things that are going to happen and what we need to look for. We need to be looking for the pieces that fill in the holes of the puzzle until we have a complete picture. If we are only to get the remaining Truths from Sr. White and Br. Houteff we will never know who the man is that represents “666.” They did not specifically say. They just told us what to look for. We need to be reasonable and responsible in our search for Present Truth. We also need to trust that God will work through His servants to bring Present Truth messages to His Church. (2TG16:23.0)
I pray that this letter will calm your fears and help you to see the reason for God’s works. Jesus did many things. “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written.” – John 21:25. The Jews accused Jesus of having a “devil.” – John 8:48-59. He performed many miracles – walked on water, made water into wine, fed 5000, etc… With fear, and without knowledge, these miracles could be perceived as witchcraft. Jesus promises, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” – John 14:12. (See Joel 3:28)
Many things are going to happen in the “last days.” All Truths and manifestations must be taken to the test, “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word there is no light in them.” – Isa. 8:20. We must investigate Truth, irrespective of its source.
May you continue to study the unrolling of the scroll in the Present Truth message published under “A Word to the Wise” that you may be prepared for the Harvest.
“Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” – Luke 12:32.
“Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and BE NOT DISMAYED AT THE SIGNS OF HEAVEN; for the heathen are dismayed at them.” Jer. 10:2.
