LE CODE SYMBOLIQUE
BULLETIN DE NOUVELLES
Volume UnNo 10
Dans l’intérêt de la Dénomination ASJ
« AUX DOUZE TRIBUS QUI To build the “fort,” to cast the “mount,” to set the
“camp,” and the “battering rams” will require a fearless
SONT DANS LA DISPERSION »
band of Gideonites who will not bow down to their
knees for a drink. (Jud. 7:2-7.) God’s ancient people, Tous nos frères ont sans aucun doute hâte d’entendre ce
while building the tabernacle, the two temples, and in qui a été accompli par le voyage au Texas. Nous
the days of the apostles, responded to their call very sommes maintenant prêts à faire rapport.
faithfully. But shall we now in the end of this world, La responsabilité que Dieu nous a confiée en ce while making history that will stand for eternity, draw moment est si grande qu’aucun esprit humain ne peut la back or do less? God has bestowed upon us greater comprendre pleinement ou la prendre trop au sérieux ; blessings than He has upon any other people at any c’est-à-dire que Dieu nous a donné les « paroles de time. Shall we therefore by our deeds fail to show to vie » à porter à Son église errante, plaçant ainsi la Him that we appreciate His great gift as much as they? lumière pour le peuple entre nos mains ! En d’autres Let every reader of the Code answer this question to termes, nous nous tenons pour ainsi dire à la barre du himself, grand navire à bord qui est le peuple de Dieu, et si nous le détruisons, tout le monde tombera par-dessus bord.
In order to fulfill the call we must build the “fort,” cast Par conséquent, si nous pouvions réaliser à quel point cette chute serait grande, nous transpirerions aussi « de the amount,” set the “camp,” and the “battering rams against it round about -- “This shall be a sign to the grosses gouttes de sang ». Il se peut que Celui qui a calmé les eaux folles avec les mots : « Reste house of Israel.” (Ezek. 4:3.) Hence, the first question to be asked is, Where shall we build? The answer tranquille » divisera la mer et ainsi, sans l’aide du navire, conduira à terre ceux qui ne sont pas comes from Him Who “is taking the reins in His own hands” (Testimonies to Ministers, 300): “In that day responsables de sa chute. Mais malheur à nous, si nous provoquons une catastrophe aussi effrayante, soit par shall Israel be...even a blessing in the midst of the land.” (Isa. 19:24.)un effort insouciant et sans enthousiasme, soit par un zèle qui n’est pas inspiré par la puissance divine.
At this time we are to make the most important move
As no one puts a light in a corner but rather in the since the message found us. Therefore, we earnestly
center of the room, so the wise “husbandman” built “a solicit the prayers of every believer Present Truth, so
tower in the midst of” His “vineyard.” We are living in that there be nothing done which God can not bless.
that prophetic time when men were to run to and fro”
(Dan. 12:4), and in which “a short work will the Lord
The Word of the Lord is sounding in our ears, saying:
“Thou also, son of man, take thee a tile, and lay it before thee, and portray upon it the city, even
Consequently, the Lone Star state, being in the midst Jerusalem: and lay siege against it, and build a fort
of the land for both Americas, North and South, is the against it, and cast a mount against it; set the camp also
place where we must set the “camp,” so that the light against it, and set battering rams against it round
may be equally diffused east and west, north and south.
Moreover, the “camp” from where the “battering rams”
are to be sent, naturally must be centrally located so
that the distance between the “rams” and the “camp” Hence, we must respond to the call else we may steer
may be cut down to one half, thus reducing the time and the heavily loaded ship to its eternal ruin.
the cost for transportation and supplies as well as for
mailing. We thank God for such a wise plan as this. 3 Therefore, He has given us one of His beautiful “Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, lakeside hills adjacent to Waco, Texas, a city of about and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord. And 60,000, yet far enough from it to be away from the
many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and world and its evil environment -- about 5 miles from the
shall be My people: and I will dwell in the midst of center of the city, and about 2 1/2 miles from the city
thee, and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath limits. There lies 189 acres of land for our “camp.”
sent me unto thee.” (Zech. 2:10, 11.) “He shall feed His Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds; Woe be
flock like a shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently should not the shepherds feed the flocks? Ye eat the fat, lead those that are with young.” (Isa. 40:11.) and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are
“Awake,” my brothers and my sisters, “awake”! Do fed: but ye feed not the flock. The diseased have ye not
you not see that you have become meat for the beast of strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was
the field? Do you receive help from the shepherds? sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken,
Shall not the shepherds feed the sheep? Shall not they neither have ye brought again that which was driven
strengthen the “diseased”? Shall not they heal the away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but
“sick”? Shall not they bind up the “broken”? Shall not with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them. And
they bring “again that which was driven away?” Or will they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and
you strengthen their cruel hands so that they may they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when
continue to kill the sheep and feed themselves? “Cry they were scattered.” (Ezek. 34:2-5.)aloud, spare not.” “Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the
earth, which have wrought His judgment; seek
righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid Since the apostles passed away, God’s sheep have
in the day of the Lord’s anger.” (Zeph. 2:3.) abundantly furnished their shepherds with wool and fat, but the shepherds from that day to this have done little or nothing for the sheep. “Therefore, ye shepherds, hear Therefore, it is needful to send some of the brethren the word of the Lord; as I live, saith the Lord God, to Waco, Texas, to prepare the way for the removal of surely because My flock became a prey, and My flock the headquarters by erecting a temporary building, etc. so that we may move perhaps in the next two months, became meat to every beast of the field, because there after which we may plan to build other buildings so that was no shepherd, neither did My shepherds search for we shall be able successfully to proclaim the message My flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not to the church, furnish work for our people, and take My flock; therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of care of the poor, the sick, the aged as well as of the the Lord; Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am children among us.against the shepherds; and I will require My flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any
In view of this tremendous responsibility which God more; for I will deliver My flock from their mouth, that
has laid upon us, shall we not unite in agonizing prayer they may not be meat for them.” (Ezek. 34:7-10.)
to the end that God may bless us and give us wisdom
from above and make His people willing in this day, for
saith the Lord, “Thy people shall be willing in the day Glory be to God, for He “has promised that where the
of Thy power.” (Ps. 110:3.) “If ye be willing and shepherds are not true He will take charge of the flock
obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: but if ye
refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword:
for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” (Isa. 1:19, 20.) “Sing. O ye heavens; for the Lord hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the
Beloved Brethren in Present Truth-- Lord hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified Himself in
The many letters of encouragement received during the past several weeks, most of which indicated that While in Waco our attention had been called to a you were praying earnestly that the Lord would guide property situated about five miles from the center of the His servants in wisdom and counsel while seeking a city, and near an artificial lake from which the city’s supply of water is taken, so the more we considered this central location for headquarters from which to operate the work of proclaiming the message to the church, location the more convinced we were that the Lord was have been greatly appreciated by all and especially by directing us to this place, as evidenced by “many those who have been spying out the land, as it were, and infallible proofs,” which we dare not question, for the we are happy indeed to bring to you a good report and whole setting of the scene was at first “contrary to any human planning” of our own.a few grapes from this trip and, in the language of the faithful ones of old, we can say, “We are well able?” to take the city, but we know this can be done only as we
This property consists of 189 acres, one half of which do as those two warriors of old did, namely “follow the
is in a high state of cultivation, the other in timber, most Lord fully.”
of which is cedar of various sized trees, and some oak It has been evident for some time that it would soon
and elm, and a few other kinds of small trees which be necessary to seek a more central location for the
would furnish, besides fuel, quite a considerable office in order to serve the whole field efficiently, so
amount of timber for constructing fences and building those at headquarters have been praying very earnestly
foundations. The land has a highway frontage of about over this matter for many months, and as they kept on
a mile, one half of which is overlooking this beautiful praying for light, the Lord finally indicated definitely lake which extends several miles in length and in full that beautiful Southern California was no longer to view of the wooded section of the place from northeast remain the center of His work for the “lost sheep of the to southwest.
house of Israel,” but an eastward course was to be seen in the stream from that “fountain” which is to swell Into
From the lake front side there is a rapid incline to an the great river of Ezekiel’s prophecy, and plans were
elevation of about 300 feet, and then the surface of the soon formulated whereby a thorough search could be
land is comparatively level and, except for two or three made In the territory indicated by the Lord where the
canyons dividing the woods into two hilltop sections, future headquarters were to be found.
gradually slopes back to the east and south sides of the
farm land, thus affording ample building sites for
everything needed for the present at least.
In response to an invitation to become members of the party selected to look for the new location, three of us met in San Antonio, Texas about the first of February,
There is not the slightest thought in mind of large and for more than two months we have followed to the
expensive buildings, for this has always been contrary best of our ability every indication of our divine
to the instruction given us in such matters, and all the Leader, searching the land thoroughly from San
more so at this time, when we know there is but little Antonio to Dallas and Fort Worth, which is within the
time in which to finish the work. Therefore “simplicity” territory indicated where the Lord would have us
is to be the watchword for everything we do now when locate.
the Lord is about to “surprise the workers by the simple
means that He will use to bring about and perfect His
work of righteousness. -- “Testimonies to Ministers,” One thing was clear in our minds concerning the new
300.
home for our work, and that was that we should have a rural base from which to operate -- one with room enough to demonstrate that the Lord made no mistake
While we do not have light farther than that we should when He told us through His messenger that we should
make a beginning, yet we hope soon to have something be out of the city, and in an environment conducive to
very definite. But we are clear in extending an health, and one where we could care for the needy
invitation to all our fellow believers in Present Truth to among us, and furnish employment to those who are
join us in earnest prayer to the end that no mistake be learning how to give the message.
made at this time. We will welcome any suggestion also
concerning how we might quickly develop something 5 that will be the nearest to what we have all longed to see established among us to represent every branch of
That we “can do nothing against the truth but for the our work, first to the church and incidently to the world
truth” is impressively demonstrated by the following in preparation for that greatest of all demonstrations
experience:
when the “great multitude” shall sweep into the “house of the Lord” through the gates that shall never be closed. (Isa. 60:11.) A visiting minister came to deliver us from deception.
He brought Sr. Colvin with him, who heard the reasons
he gave against the SRod. The Lord sent Brothers Last but by no means the least item of interest in
Houteff, Deeter, and Wilson just in time. They were connection with this trip through Texas, is that
graciously accepted as the Lord’s messengers, and as a concerning the new believers in Present Truth. While
result, not only are we here confirmed in the message, the primary object of the trip was to seek a new location
but there are about fifteen believers in the Waco church, for headquarters, we felt that a two-fold object could be
and more studying!
observed, so we made use of all the time, in which we were not otherwise engaged, in studying with our dear Now we receive the following warning through the people, many of whom were hungry for that which they conference paper:know they are not receiving, and as a result we are pleased to announce that there are several little companies along the trail covered by this tour, which
“There are men in our conference at present who are rejoicing in the advanced
claim to be Adventists. The new light which they claim light of the Third Angel’s Message as set forth in the
to have has not been accepted by our organization....To SRod, and already good reports are coming from them
accept their doctrines means to sever fellowship with concerning the interest that is being aroused in their
our organization. We believe when the Lord has new respective communities.
light for us, He will reveal it to the leaders of this
organization and not to those who criticize it.”
How earnestly we should all pray that God will grant unto us the same passion for souls that characterized
Though they may remove our names from the church the Man of Calvary, and the soul anguish possessed by
record, we are glad that it will not be for disobeying the Him who wept over the city of His love and care, that
S.D.A. message and that they cannot remove them we may be able to say as did He, “Father forgive them,
from the Lamb’s Book of Life.
for they know not what they do,” when our dear brethren treat us unkindly, for their burdens are many, and they are not acquainted with the blessed message of May God help us to be faithful! May we “cry aloud Present Truth, and are therefore to be pitied rather than
and spare not.”
censured.
(Signed) Mrs. R.F. Mc Conathy,
(Signed) V.T. Houteff,
Temple, Texas M.L. Deeter, and E.T. Wilson
I realize how far from God we have been. I feel so To those who love “Present Truth” Greetings!
weak and incompetent to give this message to the
church, but I have given myself and my all to God and
am asking Him to give me wisdom and understanding Zeph. 2:3 -- “To be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger”
that He may work through me by His Spirit to the is our plea.
saving of souls.
(Signed) Mrs. Mollie Hartman, This sealing message is more precious than ever
Montrose, Colo.
before. There are nine Adventists here: seven are believers in present truth; please pray for the other two.
We surely do appreciate the Code. Especially did we secretary visited the Columbia church for the purpose enjoy the last one.of crying down the SRod’s teachings.
Our church here has changed the time for the service Although the pastor of the church promised the doctor of the Lord’s supper, etc. from morning to evening in that he and the visiting brother would meet the little the hope of keeping the “cast out” ones from attending. company at 6 P.M. on Monday, Tuesday, and This is the first time they have ever done this. However, Wednesday of the appointed week for the meeting, they were all surprised to learn by experience that the same we are going to make it convenient to be there any way, plan of procedure that was followed in Charleston as did the sisters in Wyoming. They have our sympathy, while the tirade against the SRod was staged there was and we pray that they will, along with ourselves and all being carried out in Columbia. The plan was that the rest, continue to go and endure all for our precious instead of meeting, as scheduled, with the believers in Saviour Who did so much more for us.
the Present Truth Message, and showing them what
were the purported errors of the Rod, all the time was Please pray for our little band here. We are continually taken up in denouncing the so-called heresy from the remembering all of you. Wishing God’s richest blessing pulpit, not allowing anyone to ask a question which on you.would involve the speaker in any way, or show his
pitiful ignorance of the SRod message. Later it was
(Signed) Mrs. J.C. Campbell,
learned that their tactics were to take one at a time so Columbia, S. Car.that the two elders together might be able to corner one
poor sheep by himself!
I am still holding meetings here; also we have organized a prayer band which meets on Thursday The doctor then tells of the disappointment of the little nights. The new ones that recently met with us told company “standing in the light” upon their learning that some of the other church members that they could feel the elders were not to meet with them but, says the the Lord’s presence there. We have Sabbath P. M. doctor, they were “not cast down. Rather they were studies also.lifted up. We had a good season of prayer, and thanked
God for all that He had done for us. I was reminded of
the thought, `One man of you shall chase a thousand: I am glad to tell you that we have one more member
for the Lord your God, He it is that fighteth for you.’” in our company. The church voted him out last night, March 4. He is determined to help rescue the brethren in Zion.
Our brother states further: “I begged and pleaded with
this elder to come and meet with us but no he would We want you to pray that God will continue with us, not. He did not think it best to meet with the group, but and that to bless and save more souls.he said he might come and talk with me personally,
though he never did. He however, in company with the
(Signed) Oran Richardson,
pastor of the church, went to see one of our sisters, but Muncie, Indiana
could not mention a thing about the SRod. Do you think
the Lord kept them from taking advantage in such a
AN INTERESTING EXPERIENCE FROM
way? I believe that He did. They called another sister
COLUMBIA, S. CAR.
by telephone, and asked about coming out but she
promptly told them that if they couldn’t meet with the
group she did not care to meet with them at all. From an interesting communication from Dr. John H.
Young of Columbia, S.C., greeting “The Twelve Tribes “My prayer is that the God of all truth may bless His Scattered Abroad,” we herewith relate a recent
people, and sanctify us in His truth through grace that experience which the little company, of which the
is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Brethren let us pray for one doctor is leader, had during the time a Gen. Conf. field 7 another.”
SHADES OF THE PAST
ONCE TIMID NOW DOING AND
Since the presentation of the message by Bro. Houteff
DARING
in Keene last week, ten are rejoicing in Present Truth,
and the result was that on Wednesday night the prayer
meeting reminded us of similar meetings held in
Recently the minister here got up and said, “I am
Methodist churches ten years ago in trying to console going to talk plain this morning. There are a Mr.
the Flock and make them satisfied with their own Wilson, a Mr. Deeter, and a Mr. Houteff travelling in
condition after the S.D.A’s had been in the community. Texas. Do not give them any support financially or
(Signed) Mrs. J.O. Conrad, physically, for they are teaching the SRod which, though it claims to be light, is anything but light.”Keene, Texas
All eyes were immediately fixed upon me....Then We are glad to tell the Code family that Sr. Mullenix, after the service I met the minister at the door and asked a mother in Israel, who was so seriously injured in an him if I might speak with him for a moment, so he automobile accident early in January that her life was stepped aside with me, and I said, “Do you know that I despaired of by physicians, is now recovered. She says: “I am back home since my accident, and almost over all would not be in your place this morning for a million my injuries. I am thankful for the SRod prayers and dollars?” He said, “Why?” I answered, “Because you thankful to my loving Saviour.condemned God’s servants and God’s message, about which you know nothing except what you read in a book that you got at the recent council in St. Louis.”
“I want to testify that present truth has been to me a Then I bid him read Gospel Workers, the chapter
present help in all times of trouble, and that it has made headed “Danger,” and 5 T 80-1 and explain them to me.
me a better S.D.A. than I ever was before.
A sister to whom I lent a set of the SRod volumes said
“I appreciate the Code and look for its monthly visit. to me, “I care not what they say, I am reading and am
It bears a message from God, which I pray that our going to continue to read.” There are many who are
churches will receive before it is too late.” reading, but are non-committal for fear of being put out Mary Mullenix, of the synagogue.
Florence, Colo.
I thank God for the courage He has given me, for I have always been the shrinking kind....I praise Him for
THE MESSAGE GROWS
the light of present truth. I have read Vol. 1 of the SRod through twice in the last week, and every time I read I
MORE BEAUTIFUL
get more light -- and how the “Codes” help me: I always read them through two or three times, count the pages, and wish there were more.
The further I study the SRod the brighter becomes the
light to my feet. Each day it shines forth more
beautifully.
I pray for all the dear ones and long for the time when we shall enjoy a purified church. May God bless His work and workers.
I have long felt that my tithe should go to the
(Signed) Mrs. A. Oswald, storehouse of present truth to help send its light to our
S.D.A. brethren far and wide. So last month I decided Tom Ball, Texas to send it there and I will continue to do so as long as I would say, “Well son, you keep the Sabbath, don’t have any to send, for I believe with all my heart that this you?” -- “Yes.” “And you pay tithes and believe in the Spirit of Prophecy and obey health reform, don’t you?” message is the purifying message, “meat in due season” from the great Provisioner, and that we should do all we “Yes.” “Well, then, you are all right; you don’t need to worry.can to help carry it to other hungry souls.
But I failed to be convinced. When one falls down on I want to be counted worthy to suffer for Christ’s sake.
besetments, repents and is forgiven, and then does the
(Signed) Mrs. Lillian Davidson,
same thing over and over again, there is no soul rest in Belfair, Wash.that: that is not what God has promised in the new
covenant. Yet this is just where the difficulty and
ANOTHER BEREAN
trouble
I could hardly wait till the books and tracts arrived, to get to reading them. I knew they were truth from all my
lies with the Seventh-day Adventist’s rest. It is a pity. previous Bible study and reading of the Spirit of
The ministers are at fault, and yet the ministers Prophecy. As I read Vol. 1 of the SRod it came to me
themselves were never led into the true and living way again and again, “what fools and slow of heart we have
by those who in turn brought them into the truth. “Spare been to believe all that the prophets have said.” One is
Thy people, O Lord, and give not Thine heritage to reminded of the disciples who did not see nor
reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: understand till after the resurrection what Jesus told
wherefore should they say among the people, Where is them plainly. I am reading with my eyes wide open and
their God?” (Joel 2:17.)
comparing scripture with scripture as I pass from one point to another. Naturally in all this reading I have made notes of many points upon which I may later send
I thank God for these new truths of the SRod, and they you some questions if I do not find the answer to them
must be made to urge God’s people to see the perilous while reading farther along, as I have done in several
situation before them, and the necessity earnestly of instances.
seeking the revival long overdue. Many agree to
reformation but the new order must be revival and
reformation, for to clean up the outside alone of cup The reading so far has led me to look back over the
and platter does no good. Merely to correct the dress, experiences of my life and to see the truthfulness of all
hair, and outside deportment will profit not at all. Christ that the SRod says regarding the S.D.A. denomination.
must be formed within the hope of glory, or the loss is ...I know by experience as a boy and in the years since
eternal...we must be born again: do we have the marks how the doctrinalistic, Christless manner of teaching
of the new birth? He that is born of God sinneth not. Do the precious doctrines of our faith put me in black
we have hope of eternal life? He that hath this hope despair and caused me to settle down in a hopeless state
purifieth himself even as He is pure.
and remain that way for a long time.
I pray God that by His grace I may have part with His When I was in my teens I used to say, “Mother, I have
people in this work and message...which takes us back studied over again all the prophecies and doctrines, and
to the lively experiences of those days when the Spirit written over again all these Bible readings in a
of Prophecy was first given to our pioneers and some memorandum, and I cannot see in this whole system of
were receiving and some rejecting the gift which God truth where there is any provision made for the
had sent to enlighten His people. As for me, I want to victorious life. Where is that power of God that keeps
be a co-laborer with those who are carrying on the one from falling and from experiencing Romans the
cause of present truth.
seventh chapter? Where is the victorious life?” And she
9(Signed) L.C. Forsythe, the close of the study: “O what they are missing at that
little church!
Wapakoneta, Ohio
Never, in all my work as a minister in this cause have
ENCOURAGEMENT FOR ALL
I seen a more direct fulfillment of that striking
statement in volume nine which tell us that the “final
movements will be rapid ones.
Not that I have either been sick or idle, but because I have been enjoying the testimonies of others, is the As a concrete example of the above statement, we reason for my silence during the past three months, but have recently witnessed a company of people in Waco, I do want to add my testimony to yours in the present Texas become established in present truth after ten issue of the Code, for God has been good to me, and studies, and another company in Keene, Texas become signally blessed my feeble efforts in the little corner established after only seven studies! So, dear fellow where I have been laboring.
workers, we are actually seeing fulfilled the truth of that
kindred statement in Early Writings to the effect that in Joining Brethren Houteff and Deeter in San Antonio,
the last days, some will have to learn in a few months Texas about Feb. 1, and with them visiting some of the
what others have spent years in acquiring, so let us pray largest centers in the Lone Star state during the past two
earnestly that the Lord will quickly lead us to the very months, the Lord has blessed our efforts by giving fruit
place He would have us labor while the fulfillment of in most every place where we have studied with the
Ezek. 9 lingers.
people, and we have left a company of ten or a dozen in
(Signed) E.T. Wilson each of two places fully established, with several interested ones who are reading and studying the message.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
It is interesting to note that one of these companies was raised up right under the shadow of the Union Conf. Office, and in the village where one of our older
Question: “Is it now understood why the number of schools is located, and where many workers and
the beast should be 666? What does Sr. White mean teachers live, all of which goes to show that even the
when she says, in “A Word to the Little Flock,” p. greatest men among us can do nothing against the truth
19, that she saw the number was made up?” but for the truth, and all the tirades staged against the beautiful message of present truth contained in the SRod, only creates more interest in it.
Answer: The scroll has not yet turned far enough to
reveal why the number of the beast should be 666, nor
is the number yet made up, nor will we be able to Replying to Sr. J.A. Dundore’s question in the Feb.
understand fully until after the event has taken place. Code, concerning the progress of the work, I will say that I was present in Charleston, S. Car. while Question: “Early Writings, p. 281 says: ‘The plan of Elder______ was there tirading against the SRod, and I
salvation had been accomplished, but few had can truthfully say that instead of his “stamping out the
chosen to accept it. This statement is used very SRod doctrine there,” his actions served to establish all
extensively against the doctrine of the ‘great those who had accepted it before, and created an
multitude’ as taught by the SRod. Please harmonize interest in others to investigate the message for
it with the latter’s teaching.”
themselves, and one of the ladies, who heard him, invited me to her home to give a study, and remarked at Answer: It is true that the words, “few chosen” often appear in sacred writings. However, it is unbiblical to
Now the question is, if we conclude from the explain the Word privately. We must let the Scriptures
statement in Early Writings, p. 281, and from Matt. explain themselves. The following example will serve
20:16 that only a few are to be saved, what shall we do to show how fatal it is to explain the Scriptures by the human way of reasoning.
Controversy, p. 665? No candid Bible student could
from the above statements arrive at any conclusion
which would lead him to base his interpretation of the Says Paul: “But now once in the end of the world hath
subject on one scripture and wholly ignore the other, He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of
but would rather seek to make his final analysis in such Himself.” (Heb. 9:26.) If one should expound the above
a way as to be in perfect harmony with all inspired quotation as some expound the words, “few chosen,”
writings or else confess that he does not have the light he would be compelled to do one of two things; namely,
on the Scriptures.
either humble himself as a little child and admit that he does not understand Paul’s writings, or else, separate from divine wisdom, exercise his human judgment and
The only doctrine that, in the present connection, will accuse Paul of being wrong in his statement, for the
stand the test and be in perfect agreement with all world did not end at the time Christ was sacrificed.
sacred writings is the one that the “few” are those who
were saved during the ages past, which period is Therefore, let us examine the words, “few chosen,” in figuratively classified in the parable of Christ as the the light of the Bible. While Jesus declares that “many time before the “Harvest.” But in the closing of the be called, but few chosen” (Matt. 20:16), Isaiah by the world’s history, in the ingathering time -- the Harvest -same Spirit says: “Thy gates shall be open continually; there is to be saved a great multitude. It is only natural they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring that there were comparatively but few saved in the ages unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings past, because of the fact that that period of time was not may be brought...A little one shall become a thousand, the Harvest, and it is likewise just as natural that now and a small one a strong nation: I the Lord will hasten “in the end of the world,” -- the time of the Harvest
(Matt. 13:30), -- there shall be a great ingathering of
souls which no man can number.
Zechariah, while prophetically speaking of our time, also says: “Many nations shall be joined to the Lord in
“Then shall the children of Judah and the children of that day.” (Zech. 2:11.) Furthermore, the Lord says: “It
Israel be gathered, and appoint themselves one head, shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord,
and they shall come up out of the land: for great shall two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third
be the day of Jezreel.”
shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on My
As the idea of a great multitude is opposed only to the name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is My people:
devil’s plan, let us not therefore work to his interest. and they shall say, The Lord is my God.” (Zech. 13:8,
Question: “In regard to the destruction of the beast 9.)
at the close of probation, I would like to know if this
is a literal destruction, and if so, who is destroyed, or
if it is not literal, then what is it?”
Moreover, while the Early Writings says: “But few have chosen to accept it,” the same author in The Great
Answer: The destruction of the Daniel 7 beast, Controversy, p. 665, classifies the great multitude of
though it is a literal destruction is not specifically of Revelation 7:9 as a company separate from the martyrs
persons but rather of principles, as is evidenced by the and others who are to be resurrected, making it
fact that the other three beasts of Daniel 7, which are impossible to conclude that the “great multitude” are
recapitulated in the two composite beasts of Rev. 13 the resurrected.
and 17, -- progressive symbols of our present world, --
10continue to the end, whereas the woman (the principle
of false religion) astride the beast of Rev. 17 is
destroyed at the close of human probation, and reveals
the same thing that the Dan. 7 beast symbol prophesies;
namely, the dissolution of the principle of false religion
as expressed through the institution of religio-
politicoism.
However, through this dissolution is to be the direct
result of the break up, it seems inevitable that those
human lives inextricably woven into and involved in
the structure of the institution itself must perish when it
falls: for revolutions of the kind here symbolized
always bathe the earth with blood. In this particular
case, it will doubtless be let of those hierarchic retainers
(priests, ministers, et al) of the “woman,” who have
deceived the nations.
A close perusal of SRod, Vol. 2, pp. 154, 155, 160,
161 will be repaid with a clearer grasp of the whole
subject.
Question: “5 T 212, bottom of page, seems to teach
that the destroying weapons are the seven last
plagues. The SRod teaches that Ezek. 9 is the
purification of the church. Please explain the
apparent contradiction.”
Answer: Relative to 5 T 212, let us first observe a
parallel, in certain respects, from pre-Noatic times.
Jude proves that Enoch was a messenger of God, and
yet that he warned his generation of the destruction of
the world by the second advent of Christ when, in fact,
the flood was the event which was to and subsequently
did destroy the world of Enoch’s time! Enoch simply
was not shown the truth of the flood. Therefore, he
preached the destruction then in terms of the coming of
the Lord.
So it was with Sr. White. As no one had light on the
destruction of Ezekiel 9 she made the comparison with
it to the seven last plagues with which they were more
conversant. Nevertheless, later on in 3 T 266, 267; 5 T
210-212; TM 431, etc. she applied Ezekiel Nine to a
time before the seven last plagues. Thus, Ezekiel Nine
is applicable at two different times -- first, at the time of
the separating of the firstfruits, the 144,000; and
second, at the time of the separation of the second
fruits, the great multitude of Rev. 7:9.
Question: “5 T 216, speaking to the brethren, says
that some are preparing for the mark of the beast,
but according to the SRod, all unfaithful S.D.A.’s
will be destroyed before the mark of the beast.
Please explain.
Answer: If the questioner will restudy 5 T 216, she
will see that it is not the brethren who are preparing for
the “mark of the beast,” but rather “Those who are
uniting with the world,” not with the church.
Question: “I am unable to reconcile the teaching
that Ezekiel 9 removes the unconverted (the five
foolish virgins) from the church at the beginning of
the Loud Cry, with the parable of the ten virgins
which preserves the wise and the foolish together
until the Lord’s coming.”
Answer: The parable of the ten virgins cannot
preserve the virgins until the Lord’s coming, but rather
up to some time before the final close of probation, for,
note more carefully what the scripture saith: “And they
that were ready went in with Him to the marriage: and
the door was shut.” (Matt. 25:10.) The words “to the
marriage” denote that the call was made and the door
was shut before the marriage took place, and as Christ
is married or crowned at the close of human probation
(see The Great Controversy, 426, 427), and before the
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