ON THE THRESHOLD OF A
NEW WORLD IN THE SIGHT OF THE OLD
TEXT FOR PRAYER
The Truth Shall Make You Free
I shall read from "The Mount of Blessing," page 186, paragraphs one and two. These
paragraphs, you will notice, are based on the scripture which says, "Give not that which is holy
unto the dogs."
M.B., pg. 186 -- "Jesus here refers to a class who have no desire to escape from the slavery of
sin. By indulgence in the corrupt and vile, their natures have become so degraded that they cling
to the evil, and will not be separated from it. The servants of Christ should not allow themselves
to be hindered by those who would make the gospel only a matter of contention and ridicule.
"But the Saviour never passed by one soul, however sunken in sin, who was willing to receive
the precious truths of heaven. To publicans and harlots His words were the beginning of a new
life.... Beneath an appearance of hatred and contempt, even beneath crime and degradation, may
be hidden a soul that the grace of Christ will rescue, to shine as a jewel in the Redeemer's crown."
Here we see that in His statement, "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs," Christ instructs
His followers to abstain from trying to poke down any Bible truth into those who have no desire
to be freed from sin. Regardless how far one may have fallen in sin, God will not overlook even
one soul who is willing to be helped, and willing to accept and practice the Truth. With this
assurance, let us pray for an increased desire to escape from slavery of sin. Indeed the important
thing is not how good or how bad we are or have been, but how susceptible and submissive to
present Truth we are now while It unfolds. The real burden of our prayer, should be that we
catch a vision of the Truth that makes free if accepted as the Scroll unrolls.
Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 28 12
ON THE THRESHOLD OF A
NEW WORLD IN THE SIGHT OF THE OLD
TEXT OF ADDRESS BY V.T. HOUTEFF,
MINISTER OF DAVIDIAN 7TH-DAY ADVENTISTS
SABBATH, FEBRUARY 15, 1947
MT. CARMEL CHAPEL
WACO, TEXAS
This afternoon we are to study the seventh chapter of Micah. This chapter brings to our
attention three divisions of time in which three different conditions obtain on the earth. The first
condition is recorded in the first four verses; the second in verses 5-14; and the third, in verse 15
down to the end of the chapter.
Now let us begin our study with--
Micah 7:1 -- "Woe is me! for I am as when they have gathered the summer fruits, as the grape
gleanings of the vintage: there is no cluster to eat: my soul desired the firstripe fruit."
Something is likened to a vintage after its fruit is gathered in. What is it? We will find the
answer by reading--
Mic. 7:2-6 -- "The good man is perished out of the earth: and there is none upright among men:
they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net. That they may do evil
with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great
man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up. The best of them is as a
Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 28 13
brier: the most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge: the day of thy watchmen and thy visitation
cometh; now shall be their perplexity. 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."
The righteous having been taken out of the world and the wicked alone left in it, its condition is
depicted by a vintage that has been robbed of its fruit and left in a state of loneliness and fear
because of total wickedness. This sifting takes place in the day God visits His watchmen; that is,
in the Judgment day, the day He separates the "wheat" from the tares (Matt. 13:30), the good fish
from the bad fish (Matt. 13:47, 48) the sheep from the goats (Matt. 25:31-46).
Mic. 7:7-10 -- "Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my
God will hear me. Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in
darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me. I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have
sinned against Him, until He plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: He will bring me forth
to the light, and I shall behold His righteousness. Then she that is mine enemy shall see it, and
shame shall cover her which said unto me, Where is the Lord thy God? Mine eyes shall behold
her: now shall she be trodden down as the mire of the streets."
These verses present God's faithful people, the people to whom these prophecies have been
unfolded as having an enemy that bears the feminine designation "she." This "she" questions and
doubts God's presence among His people, she mocks them for their faith.
Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 28 14
Since these prophecies are now for the first time brought to light they constitute the message of
the hour; and since upon us has been placed the burden of carrying the message to the church, and
since she is our enemy as was the Jewish church to the Christian, Inspiration thus bears witness
against her, and pronounces her doom.
Then it shall come to pass that "the Gentiles shall see" the saints' righteousness and all kings
their glory and they as a people shall "be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall
name." Isa. 62:2.
Mic. 7:11, 12 -- "In the day that thy walls are to be built, in that day shall the decree be far
removed. In that day also he shall come even to thee from Assyria, and from the fortified cities,
and from the fortress even to the river, and from sea to sea, and from mountain to mountain."
Since this decree is removed in the day the Kingdom (the church purified) is restored, in the day
the saints are fortified, the decree has no effect on them. In that day, declares Inspiration, there
shall be a great gathering from Assyria and from the fortified cities, even from sea to sea and
mountain to mountain. This message, therefore, is the one that precedes the harvest of the earth,
the great and dreadful day of the Lord, the Judgment for the Living, the day in which all things are
to be restored (Mark 9:12).
Mic. 7:13, 14 -- "Notwithstanding the land shall be desolate because of them that dwell therein,
for the fruit of their doings. Feed thy people with thy rod, the flock of thine heritage, which dwell
solitarily in the wood, in the midst of Carmel: let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of
old."
Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 28 15
Before these promises are fulfilled, though, Inspiration declared the land was to be desolate, the
dispersion of the people would first take place.
This Rod of God not only speaks, but It feeds, too. And what can It be if not "meat in due
season"? if not the message of the hour? The people, explains the scripture, are those who dwell
solitarily in the woods, in the midst of Carmel. Prophecy, for this day and hour recommends the
message which the Rod contains, and which Carmel puts out, none other.
Mic. 7:15 -- "According to the days of thy coming out of the land of Egypt will I shew unto him
marvellous things."
We are given the promise that the saints' experience is to be similar to that of the Exodus
movement; that is, just as they were led out of Egypt by the mighty hand of God, and were
brought safely into the promised land, so shall it be now.
"And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set His hand again the second time to
recover the remnant of His people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from
Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands
of the sea. And He shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel,
and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth." Isa. 11:11, 12.
Mic. 7:16-18 -- "The nations shall see and be confounded at all their might: they shall lay their
hand upon their mouth, their ears shall be deaf.
Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 28 16
"They shall lick the dust like a serpent, they shall move out of their holes like worms of the
earth: they shall be afraid of the Lord our God, and shall fear because of Thee. Who is a God like
unto Thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of His
heritage? He retaineth not His anger for ever, because He delighteth in mercy."
"The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim
shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim. But they shall fly upon the shoulders of
the Philistines toward the west; they shall spoil them of the east together: they shall lay their hand
upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them. And the Lord shall utterly
destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with His mighty wind shall He shake His hand over
the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make men go over dryshod." Isa. 11:13-15.
As great as shall be the day of the Lord for the faithful, just that dreadful will it be for the
unfaithful.
Mic. 7:19 -- "He will turn again, He will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities;
and Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea."
Our God is wonderful indeed! He retains not His anger. He delights in mercy. He remembers
not the sins of the penitent, He casts them away where they cannot be found anymore.
Mic. 7:20 -- "Thou wilt perform the Truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which Thou hast
sworn unto our fathers from the days of old."
Inspiration reaffirms all God's promises. They
Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 28 17
never fail. His prophecies are sure. We are on the threshold of a new world in the sight of the old
-- soon there shall be sin no more.
"Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple: and
He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst
any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of
the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe
away all tears from their eyes." Rev. 7:15-17.
Even now, says the Lord, "I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never
hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence, and give Him
no rest, till He establish, and till He make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.
"The Lord hath sworn by His right hand, and by the arm of His strength, Surely I will no more
give thy corn to be meat for thine enemies; and the sons of the stranger shall not drink thy wine,
for the which thou hast laboured:
"But they that have gathered it shall eat it, and praise the Lord; and they that have brought it
together shall drink it in the courts of My holiness. Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye
the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for
the people.
"Behold, the Lord hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion,
Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him. And
they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the Lord: and thou
Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 28 18
shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken." Isa. 62:6-12.
We are indeed at the threshold of this new world in sight of the old. Let our works and faith
now answer the Lord's most astounding questions since the world began:
"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: 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.
"Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old,
and as in former years. 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. For I am the Lord, I change not;
therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." Mal. 3:1-6.
Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 28 19
The Truth Shall Make You Free
I shall read from "The Mount of Blessing," page 186, paragraphs one and two. These
paragraphs, you will notice, are based on the scripture which says, "Give not that which is holy
unto the dogs."
M.B., pg. 186 -- "Jesus here refers to a class who have no desire to escape from the slavery of
sin. By indulgence in the corrupt and vile, their natures have become so degraded that they cling
to the evil, and will not be separated from it. The servants of Christ should not allow themselves
to be hindered by those who would make the gospel only a matter of contention and ridicule.
"But the Saviour never passed by one soul, however sunken in sin, who was willing to receive
the precious truths of heaven. To publicans and harlots His words were the beginning of a new
life.... Beneath an appearance of hatred and contempt, even beneath crime and degradation, may
be hidden a soul that the grace of Christ will rescue, to shine as a jewel in the Redeemer's crown."
Here we see that in His statement, "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs," Christ instructs
His followers to abstain from trying to poke down any Bible truth into those who have no desire
to be freed from sin. Regardless how far one may have fallen in sin, God will not overlook even
one soul who is willing to be helped, and willing to accept and practice the Truth. With this
assurance, let us pray for an increased desire to escape from slavery of sin. Indeed the important
thing is not how good or how bad we are or have been, but how susceptible and submissive to
present Truth we are now while It unfolds. The real burden of our prayer, should be that we
catch a vision of the Truth that makes free if accepted as the Scroll unrolls.
Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 28 12
ON THE THRESHOLD OF A
NEW WORLD IN THE SIGHT OF THE OLD
TEXT OF ADDRESS BY V.T. HOUTEFF,
MINISTER OF DAVIDIAN 7TH-DAY ADVENTISTS
SABBATH, FEBRUARY 15, 1947
MT. CARMEL CHAPEL
WACO, TEXAS
This afternoon we are to study the seventh chapter of Micah. This chapter brings to our
attention three divisions of time in which three different conditions obtain on the earth. The first
condition is recorded in the first four verses; the second in verses 5-14; and the third, in verse 15
down to the end of the chapter.
Now let us begin our study with--
Micah 7:1 -- "Woe is me! for I am as when they have gathered the summer fruits, as the grape
gleanings of the vintage: there is no cluster to eat: my soul desired the firstripe fruit."
Something is likened to a vintage after its fruit is gathered in. What is it? We will find the
answer by reading--
Mic. 7:2-6 -- "The good man is perished out of the earth: and there is none upright among men:
they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net. That they may do evil
with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great
man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up. The best of them is as a
Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 28 13
brier: the most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge: the day of thy watchmen and thy visitation
cometh; now shall be their perplexity. 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."
The righteous having been taken out of the world and the wicked alone left in it, its condition is
depicted by a vintage that has been robbed of its fruit and left in a state of loneliness and fear
because of total wickedness. This sifting takes place in the day God visits His watchmen; that is,
in the Judgment day, the day He separates the "wheat" from the tares (Matt. 13:30), the good fish
from the bad fish (Matt. 13:47, 48) the sheep from the goats (Matt. 25:31-46).
Mic. 7:7-10 -- "Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my
God will hear me. Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in
darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me. I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have
sinned against Him, until He plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: He will bring me forth
to the light, and I shall behold His righteousness. Then she that is mine enemy shall see it, and
shame shall cover her which said unto me, Where is the Lord thy God? Mine eyes shall behold
her: now shall she be trodden down as the mire of the streets."
These verses present God's faithful people, the people to whom these prophecies have been
unfolded as having an enemy that bears the feminine designation "she." This "she" questions and
doubts God's presence among His people, she mocks them for their faith.
Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 28 14
Since these prophecies are now for the first time brought to light they constitute the message of
the hour; and since upon us has been placed the burden of carrying the message to the church, and
since she is our enemy as was the Jewish church to the Christian, Inspiration thus bears witness
against her, and pronounces her doom.
Then it shall come to pass that "the Gentiles shall see" the saints' righteousness and all kings
their glory and they as a people shall "be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall
name." Isa. 62:2.
Mic. 7:11, 12 -- "In the day that thy walls are to be built, in that day shall the decree be far
removed. In that day also he shall come even to thee from Assyria, and from the fortified cities,
and from the fortress even to the river, and from sea to sea, and from mountain to mountain."
Since this decree is removed in the day the Kingdom (the church purified) is restored, in the day
the saints are fortified, the decree has no effect on them. In that day, declares Inspiration, there
shall be a great gathering from Assyria and from the fortified cities, even from sea to sea and
mountain to mountain. This message, therefore, is the one that precedes the harvest of the earth,
the great and dreadful day of the Lord, the Judgment for the Living, the day in which all things are
to be restored (Mark 9:12).
Mic. 7:13, 14 -- "Notwithstanding the land shall be desolate because of them that dwell therein,
for the fruit of their doings. Feed thy people with thy rod, the flock of thine heritage, which dwell
solitarily in the wood, in the midst of Carmel: let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of
old."
Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 28 15
Before these promises are fulfilled, though, Inspiration declared the land was to be desolate, the
dispersion of the people would first take place.
This Rod of God not only speaks, but It feeds, too. And what can It be if not "meat in due
season"? if not the message of the hour? The people, explains the scripture, are those who dwell
solitarily in the woods, in the midst of Carmel. Prophecy, for this day and hour recommends the
message which the Rod contains, and which Carmel puts out, none other.
Mic. 7:15 -- "According to the days of thy coming out of the land of Egypt will I shew unto him
marvellous things."
We are given the promise that the saints' experience is to be similar to that of the Exodus
movement; that is, just as they were led out of Egypt by the mighty hand of God, and were
brought safely into the promised land, so shall it be now.
"And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set His hand again the second time to
recover the remnant of His people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from
Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands
of the sea. And He shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel,
and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth." Isa. 11:11, 12.
Mic. 7:16-18 -- "The nations shall see and be confounded at all their might: they shall lay their
hand upon their mouth, their ears shall be deaf.
Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 28 16
"They shall lick the dust like a serpent, they shall move out of their holes like worms of the
earth: they shall be afraid of the Lord our God, and shall fear because of Thee. Who is a God like
unto Thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of His
heritage? He retaineth not His anger for ever, because He delighteth in mercy."
"The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim
shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim. But they shall fly upon the shoulders of
the Philistines toward the west; they shall spoil them of the east together: they shall lay their hand
upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them. And the Lord shall utterly
destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with His mighty wind shall He shake His hand over
the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make men go over dryshod." Isa. 11:13-15.
As great as shall be the day of the Lord for the faithful, just that dreadful will it be for the
unfaithful.
Mic. 7:19 -- "He will turn again, He will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities;
and Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea."
Our God is wonderful indeed! He retains not His anger. He delights in mercy. He remembers
not the sins of the penitent, He casts them away where they cannot be found anymore.
Mic. 7:20 -- "Thou wilt perform the Truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which Thou hast
sworn unto our fathers from the days of old."
Inspiration reaffirms all God's promises. They
Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 28 17
never fail. His prophecies are sure. We are on the threshold of a new world in the sight of the old
-- soon there shall be sin no more.
"Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple: and
He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst
any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of
the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe
away all tears from their eyes." Rev. 7:15-17.
Even now, says the Lord, "I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never
hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence, and give Him
no rest, till He establish, and till He make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.
"The Lord hath sworn by His right hand, and by the arm of His strength, Surely I will no more
give thy corn to be meat for thine enemies; and the sons of the stranger shall not drink thy wine,
for the which thou hast laboured:
"But they that have gathered it shall eat it, and praise the Lord; and they that have brought it
together shall drink it in the courts of My holiness. Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye
the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for
the people.
"Behold, the Lord hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion,
Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him. And
they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the Lord: and thou
Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 28 18
shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken." Isa. 62:6-12.
We are indeed at the threshold of this new world in sight of the old. Let our works and faith
now answer the Lord's most astounding questions since the world began:
"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: 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.
"Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old,
and as in former years. 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. For I am the Lord, I change not;
therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." Mal. 3:1-6.
Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 28 19