Introduction: Since Brother Houteff’s death in 1955, Davidia has been buffeted and most assuredly has faced the onslaught of the Enemy of our souls and God’s Eternal truth. Amidst selfishness and deception of various kinds, many have claimed the prophetic office and have bidden present-truth believers to their feet, so to speak. Some have come and gone, and of course, others still remain, and more are arising. Truly, every “wind of doctrine is blowing.”
The purpose of this study is to summarily inform Rod Believers as to the Basic beliefs of the Bashan Association and the Rod’s Answer to its unfounded teachings.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO MEET THESE FALSE DOCTRINES?
“False teachers may appear to be very zealous for the work of God, and may expend means to bring their theories before the world and the church; but as they mingle error with truth, their message is one of deception, and will lead souls into false paths. They are to be met and opposed, not because they are bad men, but because they are teachers of falsehood and are endeavoring to put upon falsehood the stamp of truth.” {TM 55.1}
“Let the plain, simple statements of the Word of God be food for the mind; this speculating upon ideas that are not clearly presented there is dangerous business.” {1SM 181.1}
“All present truth believers should now see the necessity of shunning every wind of doctrine regardless how plausible or reasonable it might appear to be. Remember the words: "Behold, those that go toward the north country have quieted My Spirit in the north country." (See p. 27 of Tract No. 2, The Warning Paradox, -- Zech. 6:1-8.) Get your doctrine, Brother, Sister, only from the golden bowl (see The Shepherd's Rod, Vol. 2), and be not like the waves of the sea, driven with the wind and tossed -- be not carried about by the many winds of doctrine that are blowing wildly from every direction to cause you to lose your way to the everlasting kingdom.” Tract 11 pg. 12
“There are those today who will present falsehoods as testing truths, even as the Jews presented the maxims of men as the bread of heaven…When those who profess to believe present truth come to their senses when they accept the word of God just as it reads, when they do not try to wrest the Scriptures, they will bring from the treasure-house of the heart things new and old, to strengthen themselves and those for whom they labor."--The Review and Herald, June 18, 1901.” Answerer Book 3, pgs.57, 58.
IMPORTANT FACTS TO KEEP IN MIND
“The Enemy made Laodiceans believe they have no need of more Truth, that they have all Truth that is necessary to get them through Heaven's portals, although God has
declared that they are in need of everything, and are about to be "spued out" (Rev. 3:16).
Now we really are enriched with Truth if we have studied and assimilated what has been given us, for we have had made available to us the "gold that is tried in the fire" that we might be rich, the "eyesalve" that we "might see," and the "raiment" with which we may be covered (Rev. 3), and the "extra oil" that our way might be lighted (Matt. 25).
Therefore the Devil is not going to attack us where he attacked Laodiceans, but he will tell us that we are poor in Truth. He will do this in almost any way.” Symbolic Code, Vol. 11, No. 2 pg.11.
“From these and many other examples, we see that God not only never delegates one agent to alter, to reset, or to countermand the message with which He has charged another agent, without His first making the matter known to both, but also that He never honors with promotion those who seek to uplift and aggrandize self, but that He exalts in due season those who humble themselves under His mighty hand (1 Pet. 5:6).” Answerer Book 1 pg.53
“Remember, too, that the practice of comparing statements stripped of their context is fundamentally disingenuous, and leads today to as many perversions and misapplications of truth as does the deliberate wresting practiced in Satan's challenge to Christ…” Answerer Book 1 pg 48.
“Satan has ability to suggest doubts and to devise objections to the pointed testimony that God sends, and many think it a virtue, a mark of intelligence in them, to be unbelieving and to question and quibble. Those who desire to doubt will have plenty of room. God does not propose to remove all occasion for unbelief. He gives evidence, which must be carefully investigated with a humble mind and a teachable spirit, and all should decide from the weight of evidence." [VOL. 3, P. 255 (1873).] "God gives sufficient evidence for the candid mind to believe; but he who turns from the weight of evidence because there are a few things which he cannot make plain to his finite understanding will be left in the cold, chilling atmosphere of unbelief and questioning doubts, and will make shipwreck of faith." [VOL. 4, PP. 232, 233 (1876).]” {5T 675.3}
BASHAN THEORIES
In addition to the Basic beliefs of the Davidian SDA’s, Bashan adherents hold:
That Carmel (Mic. 7:14, Amos 1:2) withered in 1955 with Brother Houteff’s death. Some say at the time of the “Fiasco”, or false prediction of Ez. 9 by Sister Houteff and others. See keys of the kingdom p. 44.
That we are now feeding in the Bashan pasture.
That the Gilead pasture will exist in the time of the Kingdom.
That the living Spirit of Prophecy is the living human agent, the prophets or messengers of God.
That the church must have a living prophet, the Living Spirit of Prophecy (according to their understanding) at all times to guide and direct the church.
That the Porter/Prophet/President is today Brother M. J. Bingham (Sis. Bingham) residing presently at Exeter, Missouri, USA.
/that the Porter (M. J. Bingham – Sis. Bingham) (1TG. 2: 19, 20) is to inspect the “sheep” or church members and leaders as they enter the fold—the church.
There must be a president at all times to fulfill the order described in the Leviticus of D.S.D.A.
Note: The above teachings if accepted leads the believer to a host of many other theories taking them further out to sea and only a miracle may pull one back to the solid earth of truth.
THE ROD’S ANSWER
1SR 243 – This statement points out that they are spiritual pasture:
“Carmel, Bashan, and Gilead are used as symbols of good spiritual pasture. These places are where Israel had their victories. Mount Carmel is where Elijah had his experience with the backslidden Israel in the days of Ahab. It was in Carmel where he (Elijah) brought the fire from heaven which consumed the sacrifice upon the altar, after which he slew the prophets of Baal.”
Where did inspiration place the Carmel pasture?
God’s Headquarters is to be established in the midst of the land, Waco, Texas. 1SC 10: 1-4; 1SC 10: 2.
Should this be a permanent location? Yes. 1SC 16: 1-4.
Other references pointing to Mt. Carmel:
2SC 8:7 “Divinely appointed hill”
1SC 11, 12: 2 “The Camp”
1SC 11, 12:2, 3. “Place of Refuge”
2SC 5: 3 “Antitypical Hill of Green Pastures”
Where does the Rod teach that Esau and Jacob’s antitypical Headquarters should be?
12SC 5: 18.
Which Rod will you hear?
1TG 28: 16 – “Prophecy, for this day and hour recommends the message which the Rod contains, and which Carmel puts out, none other.”
When will Carmel whither and become deserted?
11SC 12: 30-32. When probation closes
Amos 1:2 When the Lord roars from Zion
2TG 41:7. At the Showdown for the Church. This must be Ezekiel 9, which is yet future.
Carmel withers (2nd application) at the close of probation
11 SC 12: 30-34 or 1 SC 14: 5-7.- Here Brother Houteff gives a double application to Amos 1:2. He shows that the closing of probation for the church and the world is symbolized by the withering of Carmel. That both events are yet future. Therefore, we are still living in the Carmel period. Carmel could not have withered yet.
Note: Some Bashan adherents may object to using this statement because it was written by Brother Houteff in 1935, before he had light on the Kingdom. But this is an unfair objection, for though he did not have the light on going to Palestine, he did know of the kingdom period or the Loud Cry (The Roaring from Zion falls in the same time period). The period is the same.
WHERE DO WE PLACE BASHAN AND GILEAD
Inspiration is silent on Bashan and Gilead. Inspiration gave no antitypical location for Bashan. Any proposed interpretation of Bashan and Gilead are classed as private interpretation-devising of men. We will have to wait until the scroll unrolls in the Kingdom.
Unfortunately, some have endeavored to interpret Bashan and Gilead by using Isa.33:9; But Brother Houteff himself provides no interpretation of this verse. See 1TG 34:12.
Note: Any attempt to interpret verses not found in “The Bowl” must be discountenanced.
“Find your explanations ‘in the Bowl,’ and you will have no trouble in knowing the truth or of avoiding the ever ready trap of deception. Thus the difficultly in knowing the difference between truth and error is eliminated.” 2SR 289.
“Plainly, then, whatever things Inspiration Itself does not teach and interpret, are not worth remembering, teaching, or even listening to.” Tr. 15 p. 31, 32
THE LIVING SRIRIT OF PROPHECY
Note: Those purporting the Bashan theories generally read statements from the Rod’s message where Brother Houteff stresses the need of the living Spirit of Prophecy in the Church, i.e. 1TG 10: 27. They then proceed to define the Living Spirit of Prophecy as the human agent, prophet, or the messenger with a message from the Lord. Such a definition is inserted in their explanation of the writings but not from the inspired writer ( Brother V. Houteff ) himself. On this supposition and assumption rests their ENTIRE MESSAGE.
What is the Living Spirit of Prophecy?
2TG 45:6- “A timely message….. Meat in due season.”
2TG 45:8, 2TG 20:24- “The inspired interpretations of the Scriptures.”
2TG 41:21-“His (God’s) living word passed on by his chosen and spirit- filled messengers.”
2TG14: 17-“The Spirit who uttered the prophecies.”
Tr. 6, 30 -“The Volumes”
Tr. 6, 78 -“The Writings”
See also 2TG 16: 22; 2TG 34:20; Tr. 6: 43,45,46,47.
1 SM 55- “These words…. Will still have life and speak….”
1 TG 11:12- “God’s word lives forever.” Not the human agent.
Note: On the Zechariah 4 chart that Inspiration places the term “Spirit of Prophecy on the bowl (writings) not the two pipes (interpreters).
Conclusion: Therefore the living Spirit of Prophecy is the living Word inspired, sustained, and energized by the Holy Spirit. The human being, the prophet or the messenger, the faucet or vessel is not ever living. Thus to have the living Spirit of Prophecy is to have a “Timely Message” an up-to-date truth, this we have today in the Shepherd’s Rod.
PROPHET IN THE CHURCH FROM EZEKIEL 9 THROUGH THE KINGDOM PERIOD
2TG 24:23 is often used by Bashanites to prove that there must be “a prophet” in the church before Ezekiel nine – when the earth swallows up the flood.”
Though this explains that there is to be a prophet in the church, it does not say before the earth swallows the hypocrites (Ez. 9) but “at the time,” and after. (See paragraph 2).
We have no doubt that from Ezekiel nine onwards Brother Houteff and other faithful S.D.A.’s including the Church’s founder E. G. White will come up in a special resurrection which will take place around Ezekiel nine and complete their work in the
Kingdom. See Dan. 11:4; 12:1-3; 2TG 7:9-11, 1, 5; Tr. 14; 25; WHR 46; 2TG 42, 28,
29; 2TG 33:1; 1TG 6:31; Tr. 12: 37, 38, 55, 56. These references show that Michael standing up and the special resurrection takes place when the “King of the north, or Assyria looses a gigantic war in Palestine – ‘the times of the Gentiles.’” (Lk. 21:24).
1TG 14: 21, 22 – Summary: Antitypical Zerrubbabel (Brother Houteff is to start and finish His work.
IS THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY EVER QUIESCENT?
In quoting Answerer Book 3 PG 60 some would have us believe that the Spirit of prophecy was inactive or dormant between 1915 (Sister White’s death) and 1930 when the Rod was introduced.
“Upon the death of Sister White, in 1915, the gift of Inspiration, the active Spirit of Prophecy, became quiescent, no longer manifesting itself for a time…” Answerer Book 3 PG 60
ELIJAH IS THE LAST MESSENGER
GCS 8. No other voice of “Timely truth” and “Authority”
GCS 19 – The “one to Interpret” and Announce” GCS 23 – “Last prophet to the church today” GCS 31, 32 – “The Last”
Tr. 9: 67 - “Last” Heaven sent proclamation”
Tr. 13: 11 - “Last” prophet to the “World”
1 Ans. 78 – “The last messenger who prepare the way of the Lord”
2 TG 10: 29 (3) – More light cannot come until the “sealing of the 144,000” has been effected. See also 1 TG 11: 12; 1 TG 14: 21 1 TG 5: 12; 2 SR 9, 230, 231 (Bottom).
Conclusion: Whoever claims he has the Spirit of Prophecy has a timely message (2 TG 45: 6) whoever claims that He is a teacher prophet, or seeks to compel us to hear his message or voice is an authority. Such an individual is a “Rank Imposter,” and will lead “their victims blind-folded into perdition” (GCS 8). As John the Baptist was last before Christ’s 1st Advent, the Elijah of today is the last before the 2nd Advent. (GCS p. 23).
Thus we see that we have come to the last. And these so-called prophets of today are contradiction to the former messenger, thereby speaking against God and His truth. We must accept the message as it reads. See 1 Ans. 53; 3 Ans. 58; 1 SM 180, 181.
THE PORTER IS A PROPHET
The idea that a man must inspect you is usurping the position of God. God alone knows the heart. See: 4T 453; DA 194; 4T 583; 5T 246.
1TG 2: 19, 20 – The porter is the “one through whom the Spirit of Prophecy is manifested.” – A prophet. He is to open the door to those complying with the “Requirements.” See also 11 SC 3: 10, 11; 1 TG 17: 1.
Conclusion: Brother Houteff was therefore the porter or prophet who brought the last message to the Church, thus he was the last messenger or porter. He opened the door by bringing a message of truth. The key note is the truth, the message is what decides who enters or does not. The porter was guided by the Spirit to bring a present truth message which we must live up to thereby sealing the saints – opening the door to those who comply with its requirements.
A PRESIDENT IS A PROPHET
The Bashan adherents claim that we must have a president at all times.
LD p. 6. - A president is an individual called and chosen by God. A prophet he/she is called in the same manner as was Moses, Ezekiel, and the Apostles.
LD p. 9. (a) (b) (c). - The Executive Council is to administrate or oversee the Assoiciation and fill any vacancy except the president’s. Thus, if the president is absent, the Executive Council is to administrate.
Conclusion: Since Brother Houteff was the last president/porter/prophet, then the Executive Council between sessions may fill any vacancy save the president or prophet, and may fully administrate the operations of the Association in the president’s absence.
Who is to lead us home to the Kingdom?
3 Ans. 20-23.- Here inspiration identifies the message of the Rod as “the only one ordained to lead the latter day Church…into the land of promise” (3 Ans. 23). Not the human agent.
The Conclusion of the whole matter: Though more can be stated, the aforementioned information makes it crystal clear that to follow Bashan’s teachings is to indeed walk in darkness, and in the end, to find one’s self traveling the path that leads to perdition. If the truth is to “set us free,” then we must heed the voice of truth and nothing but the truth.
May God help us to be wise, diligent ever watching unto prayer. May God bless you.