The Shepherd's Rod Volume 2
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 2
THE SHEPHERD'S ROD
Volume 2
By V. T. HOUTEFF
"Every scribe which is instructed
unto the kingdom of heaven is like
unto a man that is an householder
which bringeth forth out of his
treasure things new and old."
Matt. 13.52
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THE SHEPHERD'S ROD, Vol. 2
Copyright, 1932
By V.T. HOUTEFF
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 4
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS IN THE HEART OF THE
EARTH 22
THE IMAGE OF DANIEL 2 29
THE FOUR BEASTS OF DANIEL 7 31
THE LION OF DANIEL 7 35
THE BEAR OF DANIEL 7 37
THE LEOPARD OF DANIEL 7 39
LION'S WINGS PLUCKED, MAN'S HEART GIVEN TO IT 44
THE GOAT AND RAM OF DANIEL 7 51
NON-DESCRIPT BEAST IN HIS FIRST STAGE.
DANIEL 7:7 57
NON-DESCRIPT BEAST IN HIS SECOND STAGE.
DANIEL 7:8 59
THE WOMAN AND THE DRAGON OF REVELATION 12 64
THE WOMAN WITH THE EAGLE'S WINGS OF
REVELATION 12 74
THE BEASTS OF DANIEL AND REVELATION 84
WORLD'S HISTORY IN SYMBOLS OF RAM AND GOAT 128
THE DESTRUCTION OF THE BEASTS,
THE HARVEST AND THE PLAGUES 150
THE SEVEN SEALS AND THE JUDGMENT 204
THE HISTORY OF THE GOSPEL, ELEVENTH HOUR CALL,
MATTHEW 20. HISTORY OF THE GOSPEL 224
THE FLOOD--TYPE AND ANTI-TYPE 250
THE TWO TEMPLES IN TYPE AND ANTI-TYPE 270
THE MIGHTY RIVER OF EZEKIEL 294
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TOPICAL INDEX
Introduction 9
IN WHAT MANNER WERE THE SCRIPTURES GIVEN? 12
Sin Against The Holy Ghost What Is It? 13
INTRODUCING CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR
Three Days And Three Nights In the Heart Of The Earth 17
The Passover Preparation 20
Time Table From Passover To The Resurrection 23
THE PROPHECY OF DANIEL AND THE REVELATION OF JOHN
CONTAINS THE WORLD'S HISTORY 27
Symbol Of Wings And Ribs 33
"Arise Devour Much Flesh" 42
Plucked The Lions Wings 42
Man's Heart Given To It 45
THE BEAR AND THE LEOPARD 50
The Ram And The He Goat 53
Kingdom Of Brass Rules The World 53
THE NON-DESCRIPT BEAST. DAN. 7 56
Attempts To Establish Ecclesiastical Governments 56
THE RED DRAGON. Rev.3 65
War In Heaven 66
Time Cast Out 66
The Dragon's Horns And Heads 68
The Dragon's Crown 69
The Accuser Of The Brethre 69
THE CHURCH OF GOD IN SYMBOL OF A WOMAN.
Rev. 12 71
THE CROWN OF TWELVE STARS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
PERIOD 76
THE LEOPARD-LIKE BEAST. Rev.13:1-10 85
The Crowns And The Horns 87
Horns And Heads All Present 88
The Symbol Of The Heads 88
One Head Wounded Unto Death 96
His Deadly Wound Was Healed..................................................... 97
All The World Wondered After The Beast 98
The Name Of Blasphemy 98
Separating The Tares From The Wheat 101
Confidence In Man Is Satan's Sure Trap 103
A Brief Summary Of The Leopard-Like Beast 106
THE TWO-HORNED BEAST. Rev.13:11-18 108
THE SCARLET COLORED BEAST. Rev.17 111
THE WOMAN RIDING ON THE "BEASTS,"
"HEADS" AND "WATERS." Rev.17 121
Who Is The Woman Riding On The Beast? 121
How Long Has The Woman Been In Existence? 123
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TOPICAL INDEX
THE EXCEEDING GREAT HORN OF DAN. 8:9 126
Rome's Power Not Her Own; Understanding Dark Sentences 127
The Horn Reveals That Which The Beast Fails To Do 129
Cast Down The Host And The Stars 129
The Daily And The Sanctuary Cast Down 130
How Was The Church Paganized? 134
How Idol Worship Crept Into The Church 136
SUMMARY--The Horn "Bears Rule Over All The Earth" 139
The Sabbath "Trodden" Only Once 141
Double Worship In All Ages 142
THE BEAST (666), FALSE PROPHET, MOTHER OF HARLOTS,
MAN OF SIN, WHO ARE THEY? 148
The Destruction Of The Beast And The Prophet 152
The Destruction Of The "Man Of Sin" 153
The Mother Of Harlots Not The Beast 153
The Time Of the Woman's Destruction 154
Who Is The False Prophet? 157
The Woman Sitting On The Heads 157
The Woman Sitting On The Beast 158
The Cup, Jewels, And The Loud Colors 159
SUMMARY 160
THE ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-FOUR THOUSAND.
Rev. 7 & 14 163
The 144,000 Sealed While In The Church 163
Servants Of God In The Time Of The Harvest 166
Are The 144,000 Of Both Sexes? 167
AT PROBATION'S END, GRAVES CEASE--
Rev. 14 & 15 170
THE TWENTY-FOURTH CHAPTER OF MATTHEW, AND
THE SIGNS OF CHRIST'S COMING 174
Committed To S.D.A. Denomination 178
The Ten Virgins--Matthew 25 180
Summary Of The Ten Virgins 185
THE SEVEN SEALS AND THE SANCTUARY 187
The Plan Of Salvation Preceded The Fall 188
Is The Sanctuary The Eternal Place Of God's Throne? 188
Where Is The Throne Seen By John? 189
The Judgment And The Seals--Revelation Chapter 4 194
Sea Of Glass 198
The Opening Of The Book 200
The Seals By Periods--Revelation Six 201
The Meaning Of The Horses And Riders 202
First Seal--White Horse 205
The First Rider 205
Second Seal--Red Horse 206
The Rider On The Red Horse 207
The Third Seal--Black Horse 208
The Balances In The Rider's Hand 209
Hurt Not The Oil And The Wine 210
The Fourth Seal 211
The Fifth Seal 212
The Sixth Seal 213
The Seventh Seal, Revelation 8:1-5 214
Reformation In View 219
Summary Of Commencement And Termination Of Seals 221
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WHEAT AND BARLEY EACH FOR A PENNY 222
The Ancient Time Clock 225
The Morning Call 226
Second Call In The Third Hour 227
The Sixth Hour Call 227
The Ninth And Eleventh Hour Calls 229
Why Stand Ye Idle? 231
The Last First And The First Last 233
Give Them Their Hire 235
Why Early In The Morning? 236
Seven Universal Movements 236
Reason Why Three Hours To A Movement 237
WHY MILLER'S MISTAKE; WHAT IS THE FLOOD
TO US? 240
The Flood A Type Of The Destruction Of The Wicked 246
Flood Coincides With The Passover And Crucifixion 254
The Significance Of The First And The Second Month 256
Cain And Abel 257
THE FIRST AND SECOND TEMPLE--TYPE AND
ANTI-TYPE 259
The Second Temple 259
The Literal And Spiritual Distinction Between The Two Temples 261
First Temple Literally Greater, But The Second Spiritually 262
The Time For Building The Anti-Typical Temple (Church) 266
Three Decrees Issued Before Temple Was Built 273
False Accusations And Excuses 273
Objections Against The Channel God May Use 275
The Second Decree To Build "The Temple" 276
The Third Decree To Build "The Temple" 278
The Time For The Establishment Of The True Church 279
The Power Of God's People To Build His House 280
The Result Of Obedience To God's Word 281
ZECHARIAH 4 283
The Two Golden Pipes 285
The Seven Lamps 285
The Seven Golden Tubes 285
What Is Inspired and What Is Not? 287
THE RIVER OF EZEKIEL'S VISION 290
Ezekiel 47 291
JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH; WHAT IS IT? 299
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Introduction
This book is not published to explain, or comment on truths which have been previously revealed,
and accepted as such, but is to disclose realities which God has Preserved through many generations,
not only from becoming extinct, but also preventing their meaning from being discovered by men of
wisdom. Thus, He who controls the Scriptures is able to reveal present truth to His people at a time
when needed. Therefore, though such truths are originally prophetic, they become new, and stand
as a direct letter from God to men at the time revealed. "Thus saith God the Lord,... Behold, the
former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of
them." (Isa. 42:5, 9.) Hence, it will prove the contents of this publication new, interesting,
instructive, inspiring, and converting. The message it bears being taught by symbols and types
illustrated on charts, becomes simple, and all who are searching for truth with intention to fit
themselves for the heavenly garner, can easily comprehend it.
The book of "Revelation" is said to be a closed book full of symbolical mysteries, incomprehensive
to human beings. This is true of all prophetic truths. The one who admits this fact of the book of
"Revelation," automatically confesses that he does not understand the Bible; for all the books of Holy
Writ meet and end in the "Revelation." Therefore, to understand that book is to understand the Bible.
"The One who reveals the mysteries to John will give to the diligent searcher for truth a foretaste of
Heavenly things. Those whose hearts are open to the reception of truth will be enabled to understand
its teachings, and will be granted the blessing promised to those who 'hear the words of this prophecy,
and keep those things which are written therein'." -- "The Acts of the Apostles," pp. 584, 585. Thus,
when the Revelation is understood, it will unlock the great Store House and bring to light all the
prophetic mysteries that are stored in it.
The message in this volume was prophetically timed by the parable of the "Householder" who sent
laborers into His "vineyard." (Matt. 20:1-16.) Proving to be the "11th hour" "call," -- the last, and
at the right time. The fact that this wonderful revelation of the Scriptures cannot be contradicted,
proves the message correct, and its inspiration true. This prophetic call is based on the prophecies
of Daniel, and its explanation made clear
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by the book of Revelation. Thus, it is symbolically explained. These prophetic symbols of beasts,
wings, horns, heads, crowns, etc., prove to be most perfect symbols in revealing the truth represented
by them and when correctly applied it is certain that their meaning cannot be misconstrued.
As the present day confusion and misunderstanding of the Scriptures among Christendom is proven
by the multiplicity of sects, it is evident that the churches are in the Laodicean state: "Wretched, and
miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." And by denying the charge of this plain statement proves
the words of the "True Witness" correct, "and knowest not." While they think they are right, the
"True Witness" declares: "Thou art all wrong." What greater deception than this? (Read Rev.
3:14-18.) Since the Bible plainly says that it is the "truth" that shall make us "free," we can not too
closely examine ourselves and the things we believe, for if no two of this multi-sectarian Christianity
believe alike, it is evident that most, if not all, are blind. And as the Bible is correct in the words: "If
the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch," then it would be useless to dispute the truth --
the world is headed for the "ditch." Would not this indisputable statement arouse the professed
people of God from their slumber and sleep? Past experiences prove that many will say, "It is not I."
Knowing that this deception would arise in the last days, God has devised this pictorial representation
of the truth, by which He is able to enlighten His church and call out His people.
While the enemy has succeeded in confusing the written Word, God lightens the earth with His
glory by these symbolic revelations; and by which He discloses the entire truth and uncovers the traps
of the devil! Thus through types and symbols He makes wise the simple and confounds the prudent
by showing that where there is no type there is no truth.
This volume contains a complete symbolic revelation of the entire world's history, both civil and
religious. The reason these wonders were portrayed by symbols is the same as that which caused
Christ to teach by parables. "And the disciples came, and said unto Him [Christ], Why speakest thou
unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the
mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given." (Matt. 13:10, 11.) "But the wicked
shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand." (Dan.
12:10.) "The chief purpose of teaching by parables is that the truth may be revealed to God's children
and at the same time concealed from His enemies.... For this same reason the prophecies that
described the great
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antichristian powers and their work down to the end of time had to be clothed in symbolic and
parabolic language to insure their preservation." -- "Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly," p. 33.
Second Quarter, 1932. "Christ was the foundation of the Jewish economy. The whole system of
types and symbols was a compacted prophecy of the gospel, a presentation in which were bound up
the promises of redemption." -- "The Acts of the Apostles," p. 14.
Each of these subjects could be greatly enlarged, but had we done so, this volume would have
become too voluminous, also less comprehensive. Thus we have omitted many details.
(All bold face ours.) THE AUTHOR.
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In What Manner Were The Scriptures Given?
The Way God Speaks To Us
"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the
prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son." (Heb. 1:1.) God called Abraham by
His voice. He also conversed with him through angels, dreams. (Gen. 12:1; 15:12, 13;17:1-6;
18:1-22.) Jacob had the same experience. (See Gen. 28:12; 32:1, 2.) The great I AM spoke to His
servant Moses from the burning bush. (Ex. 3:1-10.) Israel heard the voice of God from the cloud
on mount Sinai. (Ex. 20:18, 19.) The ten commandments were "written with the finger of God." (Ex.
31:18.) Pharaoh king of Egypt and Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon were given dreams, but the
Spirit of God, through Joseph and Daniel revealed the secrets. (Gen. 41:28-36; Dan. 2:19.) David
and Solomon wrote the Psalms and Proverbs, not by visions, dreams or angels, but by the silent voice
of the Spirit of God imprinted in the minds of His servants. God spoke to Esther and Ruth by
experiences through divine providence. John received the "Revelation" by visions. God speaks to
us also by types and anti-types -- through the ceremonial law, by the patriarchs, and by the
experiences of ancient Israel. (See Shepherd's Rod, Vol. 1, pp. 223-235.)
God used the dead and the living, the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, the fish of the sea, the
land and water, sun, moon, and stars, to reveal His divine plan and to sustain His servants, etc. (See
Gen. 16:7, 9; 1 Sam. 6:7-15; Num. 22:30; 1 Kings 17:4-6; Jonah 2:10; Matt. 17:27; Num. 16:32;
Matt. 24:29.) God has a thousand ways whereby He can render help in a moment. Truly, what more
could divine love do for fallen human beings?
How Are The Scriptures Revealed, And Properly Interpreted?
Analysis of ancient and modern history, both sacred and secular, prove that sealed, or prophetic
truth has never been revealed through the educational system of the world, or by the wisdom of man,
but only by the power of God. If anything is true, it is this one thing. Said Jesus: "When He, the
Spirit of Truth, is Come, He will guide you into all truth." (John 16:13.) Christ plainly declares, that
we are led into truth, not by wisdom of man but by the Spirit of God. Not into some truth, but in all
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truth. When God reveals truth, He is able to lead His servants in all truth, and does not allow such
instruments to mix His truth with error. Though they may not understand all, yet the message they
bear is the truth and nothing but the truth. Therefore, such truths are originally revealed by
inspiration only. When the time divinely appointed is fulfilled, then God calls servants of His own
choice, and by the Spirit of Truth reveals a portion of His Word to them. Usually in the form of a
message which they must first bear to the church.
By the same power God moved upon His numerous servants, the prophets, each writing a portion
of the Bible, and when compiled it made a complete book, dealing with one main subject -- salvation
in Christ. Though some of these writers lived hundreds of years apart, yet each portion of Scripture
perfectly harmonizes, -- one throwing light upon another. Thus it proves that God was the overseer
of the Scriptures and skillfully led His servants in all truth.
Sin Against The Holy Ghost, What Is It?
As the Bible is free from error, even so its interpretation under the same Spirit of Inspiration must
also be correct. Therefore, the interpretation of the Bible is true, only when it is revealed through a
channel of inspiration. In no other way can God lead His people in all truth. Anything less than this
cannot disclose Biblical truth, regardless of its simplicity. Said the Angel to Daniel. "But I will shew
thee that which is noted in the Scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these
things, but Michael your prince." (Dan. 10:21.) One of the gifts for the church in the Christian
dispensation, is "prophets." "And he gave some, apostles; and some prophets." (Eph. 4:11.)
Paul, again declares of the Scriptures in his time and afterwards: "Which in other ages was not made
known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto His holy Apostles and Prophets by the Spirit."
(Eph. 3:5.) When the truth of the Scriptures is presented by God's servants, "the letter" can be
understood by all who study it; but the same spirit is required to seal, change the heart, and direct the
steps in newness of life. This transforming power is granted only as the receiver of the truth humbly
repents from sin, renounces the world and accepts Christ. When such a message is presented, those
who oppose the messenger and resist the truth, reject the Spirit, and sin against Him. The Spirit in
a message is the only medium to awaken the conscience. When rebelled against, the sinner cuts
himself off from the channel through which God communicates. "Wherefore
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I say unto you, all manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the Blasphemy against
the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of
man, it shall be forgiven him; but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven
him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come." (Matt. 12:31, 32.)
The antediluvian world sinned against the Holy Ghost, because they believed not in the message
of truth sent to save them from the dreadful flood. Therefore, they perished under sin that shall never
be forgiven them. The same is true when one revolts against the divine message in any generation.
Men are not condemned because they have sinned, but they are condemned when they turn a deaf ear
to the divine call that is to save them from their sin.
As all prophetic truths are timely revealed, it is evident that there can be nothing disclosed by the
wisdom of man, no matter how simple it may be. When God reveals a portion of His holy Word
through one of His chosen instruments, analysis of history prove that they are never erring as far as
the message they deliver is concerned. It is also true that those who erred in their supposed message
of truth, have had no truth. So the great apostle says: "But God hath revealed them unto us by His
Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the
things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man,
but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of
God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak,
not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing
spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for
they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1
Cor. 2:10-14.) Therefore, when a message is proclaimed, it is either all truth or there is no truth in
it, save the quotations of the prophets.
"Yet the fact that God has revealed His will to men through His Word, has not rendered needless
the continued presence and guiding of the HOLY SPIRIT. On the contrary, the Spirit was promised
by our Saviour, to open the Word to His servants, to illuminate and apply its teachings. And since
it was the Spirit of God that inspired the Bible, it is impossible that the teaching of the Spirit should
ever be contrary to that of the Word." -- "The Great Controversy," p. VII.
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Those who are inclined to question the ability of God to lead one into all truth, are not only
unconsciously denying the faithfulness of His Word, but they also minimize His power by their act,
and thus have "Limited the Holy One of Israel." (Psa. 78:41.)
"The Spirit was not given -- nor can it ever be bestowed -- to supersede the Bible; for the
Scriptures explicitly state that the Word of God is the standard by which all teaching and experience
must be tested. Says the apostle John, 'Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are
of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.' (1 John 4:1.) and Isaiah declares,
'To the law and to the testimony, if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no
light in them.' (Isa. 8:20)" -- "The Great Controversy," p. VII.
"The term 'prophet' as used in the Bible... is employed to designate men and women engaged in a
wide range of service in connection with the work of God. Some of these never uttered a prophecy
as that term is generally understood... Some were used only for a special occasion, others for a Iong
series of years. Some wrote out the message God revealed to them, and others gave them orally.
To some, as in the case of Daniel and others, were committed prophecies reaching into the distant
future, portions of which are still unfulfilled.
"Some were God's messengers raised up in periods of great crisis, to warn the church and the world
of threatened judgments, and to call men back to allegiance to God. Such were Samuel, Elijah, John
the Baptist, and others. John disclaimed the prophetic title, claiming rather that he was a voice or a
messenger of God, sent to prepare the way of the Lord in calling Israel to repentance. But as God's
messenger he was declared by Christ to be a prophet, and 'even more than a prophet.' Luke 7:26.
'Surely the Lord will do nothing, but He revealeth His secrets unto His servants the prophets.' Amos
3:7." -- "The Present Truth," Vol. 5, No. 72.
"In the highest sense the prophet was one who spoke by direct inspiration, communicating to the
people the messages he had received from God. But the name was given also to those who, though
not so directly inspired, were divinely called to instruct the people in the works and ways of God."
-- "Education," p. 46.
These heavenly messengers usually were men and women of a humble character; some could neither
read nor write. Though not having the advantages that great men do, these instruments in the hand
of Omnipotence, caused human knowledge and worldly greatness to sink into insignificance. Thus
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God sought by these methods to reveal His transforming power in the human machine both in intellect
and in character. To rebel against God's chosen instruments is to renounce His power in preference
to the human, placing the finite above the infinite, who can transmit more knowledge in a moment,
than the human could in a lifetime.
Though truths are revealed through inspired channels, the instrument of iniquity has often mixed
them with error. Such iniquitous workers oft times resort to the use of portions of divine revelation,
unlawfully using them as an entering wedge to pass on error and thus deceive the simple. Let none
flatter themselves that they can escape the clutches of the devil by the studious effort of another.
Everyone must study for himself to understand his own position, and with candid mind be ready to
listen to all with a teachable spirit of a child. "Verily I say unto you, Whoever shall not receive the
kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein." (Mark 10:15.) Prejudice, has beguiled
and ruined more souls than any trap ever devised by the great deceiver. The one who refuses to listen
to reasons offered by another, is the most ignorant. Such a man is usually prejudiced because the
argument presented contradicts his view of the subject, or it may be that he considers himself more
intellectual or of superior social standing. Others will not hear the truth because it hurts their sinful
conscience and for fear that they must part from some selfish lust. This class is under the power of
the devil, and on the way to everlasting ruin -- sinning against the Holy Ghost. Those who are sincere
in their errors are the very ones who are found in the bottom of the devil's kidnaping bag. This class
is the hardest to convince that they are on the way to hell.
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Introducing Christ Our Savior
Three Days And Three Nights In The Heart Of The Earth
The question as to how long Christ remained in the tomb, and the day on which He was buried and
resurrected, has been as widely discussed as any other Biblical subject. A number of theories have
been advanced and doubtless much valuable time has been wasted, however, confusion upon the
subject has not lessened, but rather increased.
Some one has asked, "What has that to do with our salvation?" It may not have much to do with
the salvation of some, but it seems that with others it has a great deal to do. A certain sister said: "I
believe all the S----- denomination teaches, but I cannot agree with the position Sister W---- holds
on the subject of Christ's burial and resurrection. I know that Christ was three days and three nights
in the tomb, but Sister W---- states He was buried on Friday evening and resurrected on Sunday
morning. Therefore, I cannot believe in all her writings, and for this reason I have not, and will not,
become a member of your church."
The misunderstanding of this question has kept this sister from connecting with the church. Now,
if that particular denomination has the truth for the world at this present time, and this sister's
misunderstanding has kept her from accepting it, then we must concede that this widely discussed
subject has something to do with the salvation of some people, to say the least.
Said Jesus: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened
unto you: For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh
it shall be opened." (Matt. 7:7, 8.)
There could be nothing more pleasing to God than for one of His children to ask in faith the way
of truth. If there is any power in the words of Jesus, then surely he who desires to know the truth
and is willing to obey it, though it may demand that he sell all and give to the poor, renounce the
world and all its inducements, it would be impossible for that soul to remain in darkness. Let the
searcher after truth make just such a vow to God and thus try out His power and never failing
promises
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 17
through the words of His Son. But though it be possible to deceive men, we can never impose upon
God, for He knows what is in the heart.
One of the chief reasons why confusion arises among Bible students is because they do not entirely
depend on the Biblical expression of the words. They think themselves wiser than the prophets who
were inspired with the Spirit of God, and thus wish to correct the words and meaning of the Holy
Bible! Hence finite mortals have attempted to rectify and correct the Infinite One, whose wisdom,
power, and vision is unsearchable! Though they know their interpretation of a text is not altogether
in harmony with the whole tenor of the book and law, they see no injury, and fear not God. And
when the fact is revealed they refuse to exchange error for truth because it contradicts their false
theology. We invite the earnest attention of the reader upon this subject and that he take notice of
the wonderful harmony of the Scriptures and the great wisdom used in them.
The sister was asked: "Where is your evidence that Christ was three days and three nights in the
tomb?" "My answer is," she said, "in Matthew 12:40, 'For as Jonas was three days and three nights
in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth'."
Again she was asked, "On what day do you think Christ died?" She said, "John 19:31 has the
answer: 'The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon
the cross on the Sabbath day, (for that Sabbath was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might
be broken, and that they might be taken away.' " Here she explained that it could not have been the
preparation for the seventh-day Sabbath, for that Sabbath was an "High" day, so it was the
preparation for the passover -- Wednesday. Then she began to count, "Thursday (1) Friday (2),
Saturday (3); Wednesday night (1), Thursday night (2), Friday night (3). Thus there are three days
and three nights."
According to this sister's reasoning she thinks her explanation is unquestionably correct. But not
that Christ died at the ninth hour, just three hours before the end of the day (Matt. 27:46-50) and was
buried at sunset -- 12 o'clock. (Luke 23:52-56.)
If He was buried on Wednesday, He would have been three full days and four full nights in the
tomb, for the Bible plainly declares: "In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn [daybreak]
toward the first day of the week, [Sunday A.M.] came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see
the sepulchre." (Matt. 28:1.) Again we quote from Mark 16:9, "Now when
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Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene."
Let us examine the theory from another angle. Said Jesus: "Ye know that after two days is the feast
of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified." (Matt. 26:2.) "Then [after the two
days] assembled together the chief priests... and consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and
kill him." (Matt. 26:3, 4.) The time Christ said the words: "Ye know after two days is the feast of
the passover," could not have been later than the beginning of Tuesday, if the feast of the passover
was on Thursday. Then all that took place in connection with His judgment, crucifixion, death, and
burial, had to be accomplished from late Tuesday morning to sunset Wednesday, which would have
been impossible according to the Biblical time table as we shall endeavor to set forth.
Note the following Scriptures: "Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples
came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?" This
was the preparation day for the feast of the Passover. "And He said, Go into the city to such a man,
and say to him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my
disciples. And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them, and they made ready the passover.
Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. And as they did eat, he said, Verily I
say unto you, that one of you shall betray me." (Matt. 26:17-22.) The passover feast can only be
observed after sunset at the beginning of the first day of unleavened bread: "In the fourteenth day of
the first month at even is the Lord's passover." (Lev. 23:5.) This is the last day of preparation for the
passover. Therefore, Jesus was not yet in the hands of the priests on the preparation for the passover
feast, and much less crucified. Furthermore, Matthew is altogether clear on the subject and leaves
no room for argument: "And as they did eat, [the passover] he said, Verily I say unto you, that one
of you shall betray me." (Matt. 26:21.) How could Jesus eat the passover with the twelve had he
been crucified and buried? We are ready to accept truth, but when the theory is contradicted by the
Scriptures, then we must not submit to erroneous conclusions, for, he who believes a lie is an
abomination unto God.
Permit us to clear the controversy by facts that can stand the test. Let the reader bear in mind that
the passover is a seven-day affair, or what is called the "passover week." We quote Lev. 23:4-8:
"These are the feasts of the Lord, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their season.
In the
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 19
fourteenth day of the first month at even is the Lord's Passover. And on the fifteenth day of the same
month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the Lord: Seven Days ye must eat unleavened bread. In
the first day ye shall have an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. But ye shall offer
an offering made by fire unto the Lord seven days: in the seventh day is an holy convocation: ye shall
do no servile work therein."
Now mark, the seventh-day Sabbath is controlled by the weekly cycle, and the passover by the
monthly calendar. Therefore, in each passover week there is a seventh-day Sabbath and it may fall
on any one of the seven paschal days. Again, mark that the fourteenth day is called the "Passover"
day, but the fifteenth is the Passover "Feast." (See Num. 28:17; Joshua 5:11.) The seventh-day
Sabbath is called, "The Sabbath." The sheaf offering was the first fruits of the harvest and it was to
be offered before the Lord on the morrow after the Sabbath, that is, on the first day of the week,
commonly called Sunday. (See Lev. 23:11.) The sheaf offering was a type of the resurrection -- the
first fruits. Said the apostle: "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of
them that slept" -- those whom He raised. (1 Cor. 15:20; also Matt. 27:52, 53.)
Thus Christ "led captivity captive" on the very day to which the type pointed.
The Passover Preparation
The passover is a feast of seven days; therefore, the preparation for the week required longer than
a day. Quoting Ex. 12:3, 6, "In the tenth day of this month [the first] they shall take to them every
man a lamb... And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month." The people were
commanded to commence the preparation on the tenth day of month. On the fourteenth day, before
sunset, all leaven was to be put out from their houses. Then the fifteenth day drew on, being the first
day of unleavened bread, and the passover week commenced by killing the passover lamb. "Seven
days shall ye eat unleavened bread even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses."
(Ex. 12:15.) Therefore, the fourteenth day was the last day of preparation, and the fifteenth, or the
first day of the feast, was a holy convocation, and they were to do no servile work therein. Matthew
26:17, has reference to the same day upon which Jesus ate the passover with the twelve. (See Matt.
26:20, 21.)
The only possible days for the passover week would be as
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 20
[Passover Chart]
PICTURE
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 21, 22
follows: The fourteenth day of the first month that year was on Wednesday, and the day ended at
sunset (even). The first day of the passover feast (15th day of the month) came on Thursday; the
second, on Friday; the third, on Saturday (Sabbath); the fourth, on Sunday; the fifth, on Monday, the
sixth, on Tuesday; the seventh and the last of the feast on Wednesday the 21st day of the month.
(Follow chart on page 22).
Time Table From Passover To The Resurrection
The lamb could not be killed before the fourteenth day at even and be called "The Passover Lamb"
according to the instruction given in the following Scriptures: "And the whole assembly of the
congregation of Israel shall kill It (the lamb) in the evening." (Ex. 12:6.) Suppose everything was
ready and the lamb was killed as soon as the sun went down. It would take about fifteen minutes for
it to die; then the pelt must be removed. In addition to this every part of it had to be dressed, washed,
and placed back in the sacrifice and the opening sewed together, for there was not any part of it to
be thrown away, save the waste. Therefore, the preparation for roasting the sacrifice would require
not less than an hour. Thus we read: "Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with
fire; his head with legs, and with the purtenance thereof." (Ex. 12:9.)
The ancient method of roasting required more time than our modern way. A rod was drawn
through the sacrifice, then it was placed over coals of fire, and kept continually turning about by
means of the rod. This method of roasting would require about four hours. To eat the passover
ordain the Lord's supper, and the ordinance of humility, then sing a hymn, would have added another
hour and a half. Afterwards they went to the mount of Olives. (See Mark 14:26.) The mount is
about one half mile east of the third wall of the city. Therefore, it was some distance from the place
where the passover was celebrated. Thus it would have taken them close to half an hour to get there
on foot; after which Jesus took the three to the garden of Gethsemane.
There could not have been less than an hour and a half spent on the mount and in the garden while
Jesus prayed; after which the apostles were told to take their rest in sleep, for Jesus went out to pray
three times, and on returning, twice He found them sleeping, "and He cometh unto the disciples, and
findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me One Hour?" (Matt.
26:40.) We may suppose they
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 23
spent at least an hour in sleeping, otherwise the words of the Master on His third return: "Take your
rest" (Matt. 26:45), would have been spoken in vain. After these experiences Judas arrived with the
multitude and there was a little time spent in taking Jesus; and by the time they led Him to the priests
it must have consumed not less than two hours. According to this computation of time, the total of
hours spent from sunset Wednesday evening (beginning of the passover by killing the lamb) to the
time Jesus was led to the high priest could not have taken less than twelve hours.
The analysis of the foregoing time table, proves that when Jesus was led to Caiaphas, the high
priest, it was about the twelfth hour, or shortly before daylight on Thursday morning; and after His
trial before the high priest, "Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was
early." (John 18:28.) "And it was the Preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he
[Pilate] saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!" (John 19:14.) As John states that it was early when
they led Him from Caiaphas to the hall of judgment, and as he also states that it was about the sixth
hour (either midnight, or midday according to ancient time), then it must have been shortly after
midnight (about the sixth hour) when Pilate said to the Jews, "Behold your King," for John would
not call midday, early. Therefore, after He had been judged by the Sanhedrin they called Pilate, and
then went to the hall of judgment. This was done on the morning of the day following, after they had
taken Jesus from the garden -- early Friday morning.
Says John, "And it was the preparation of the passover." We have previously explained that the
preparation for the passover lamb was not one day, but rather a four day affair.
Furthermore, Matthew plainly says: "They made ready the Passover. Now when even was come, He
[Christ] sat down with the twelve. And... they did eat." (Matt. 26:19-21.) Therefore, the passover
preparation mentioned by John, cannot be the preparation for the passover lamb, but rather the
preparation for the passover Sabbath (the seventh-day), called the passover preparation, because it
was in the passover week, as it occurred only once a year. So then, that Friday is called "the
preparation of the passover." Thus, the seventh-day Sabbath in the passover week was called a "High
Day," because it was a Sabbath within a Sabbath -- the highest day in the year.
According to time tabulation, the Jewish rulers tried Jesus from twelve o'clock Thursday morning,
to about six o'clock Friday morning (ancient time). Nine hours later -- at the third hour (Friday),
Jesus was crucified. (See Mark 15:25.) After
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 24
He had been on the cross for three hours the sun was darkened (at six o'clock -- noon. See Mark
15:33.) Three hours later Jesus died and the sun again gave light. (See Matt. 27:45-50.) In the three
remaining hours to sunset, very hasty preparation was made and the Saviour was placed in Joseph's
new tomb just before the seventh-day Sabbath drew on. We quote Luke 23:53-56: "And he took it
down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man
before was laid. And that day was the preparation, and the Sabbath drew on. And the women also,
which came with Him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how His body was
laid. And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the Sabbath day according
to the commandment." Thus Jesus remained in the tomb from twelve o'clock Friday evening to about
twelve o'clock Sunday morning. This is also proven by Mark 16:9, "Now when Jesus had risen early
the first day of the week." Therefore, a total of about thirty-six hours in the tomb; and a grand total
of eighty-four hours from the commencement of the passover to the resurrection.
Now mark, that from the time the Jews laid hands on Christ (Thursday the 12th hour) to His
resurrection (Sunday the 12th hour), there were exactly seventy-two hours or three days and three
night. Thus fulfilling the words of Jesus: "For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's
belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." (Matt. 12:40.)
The idea that in the "heart of the earth" means in the grave, is man's supposition without Bible
foundation. If the Saviour had in mind His experience in the grave, He would have said so. If His
grave was in the center of the earth -- about 4,000 miles beneath its surface (the heart of the earth)
then one may suppose He meant the heart of the earth. Jesus used the expression to indicate that He
was to be three days and three nights in the hands of sinners, and in the grave. Why are sinners called
"The heart of the earth"? Because man was made of it according to Gen. 3:19, "For dust thou art,
and unto dust shalt thou return."
At this point we draw the reader's attention to the chart on page 22. Take notice of the infinite
wisdom used to devise the picture of the great sacrifice (the Cross) for human beings, which is an
evidence of boundless love Divine. Note first, that the hand on the clock dial made its round three
times. Mark that each event was three hours apart (3 x 9 and 6 x 12), making the cross.
Now observe that the position of the cross as it is on the dial, does not show the proper proportion.
But if the reader will
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 25
turn the diagram upside down as it were, which would show the way the ancient clock measured time
-- being regulated by sunset at twelve o'clock, then the cross appears in its perfect form; thus we have
another view of divine perfection.
The line across the dial between the hours of four and five, ten and eleven -- marked north and
south pole, gives the exact position of the globe as it travels on its yearly orbit. Now look to the
upper right at the sun as it was then in its proper relation to the earth, as it darkened from the sixth
to the ninth hour and we see the sun stood in accurate position over the hours that remained in
darkness! Is not this picture perfect -- beyond question? If so, could an intelligent being imagine that
this all happened by accident? Does not this show unmistakable evidence that God had pre-ordained
it all, and that by His mighty power it has come to pass to teach His children His plan, and the
salvation that is offered to them? Said Paul, "The works were finished from the foundation of the
world." (Heb. 4:3.) John also declares that the lamb was slain from the foundation of the world. (See
Rev. 13:8.) Sinner, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world!"
Though the passover lamb typified the crucifixion of Christ, it was not intended that He should be
offered on the very day the lamb was killed. This fact is self-evident, for the lamb was killed in the
evening and Christ was crucified in the morning -- three hours after sunrise, -- and died three hours
before the evening.
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 26
The Prophecy Of Daniel And The Revelation Of John Contain The World's History
"Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things
which are written therein: for the time is at hand." (Rev. 1:3.)
"Let none think, because they cannot expound the meaning of every symbol in the Revelation, that
it is useless for them to search this book in an effort to know the meaning of the truth it contains. The
one who revealed these mysteries to John will give to the diligent searcher for truth a foretaste of
heavenly things. Those whose hearts are open to the reception of truth will be enabled to understand
its teachings, and will be granted the blessing promised to those who 'hear the words of this prophecy,
and keep those things which are written therein'. " -- "The Acts of the Apostles," p. 584.
"In the Revelation all the books of the Bible meet and end. Here is the complement of the book of
Daniel. One is a prophecy; the other a revelation. The book that was sealed is not the Revelation,
but that portion of the prophecy of Daniel relating to the last days. The angel commanded, 'But thou,
O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end'." -- Id. p. 585.
"The number seven indicates completeness.... while the symbols used reveal the condition of the
church at different periods in the history of the world." -- Id. p. 585.
"Finite men should beware of seeking to control their fellow men, taking the place assigned to the
Holy Spirit. Let not men feel that it is their prerogative to give to the world what they suppose to
be truth, and refuse that anything should be given contrary to their ideas. This is not their work.
Many things will appear distinctly as truth, which will not be acceptable to those who think their own
interpretation of the Scriptures always right. Most decided changes will have to be made in regard
to ideas which some have accepted as without a flaw." -- "Testimonies to Ministers," p. 76.
A large portion of Christendom agree that we are living in the last days of this world's history.
When Jesus was asked by his disciples for the signs of His return to earth again, and of the end of the
world, one of the many signs He gave was; "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of
desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 27
readeth, let him understand:)." (Matthew 24:15.) It is evident from the words of the Master that the
book of Daniel contains information regarding the signs of the times and of the end of the world. The
prophecies of Daniel were of little worth to the disciples and the early Christian church, for Daniel
says the book was sealed to the time of the end. (Dan. 12:4.) And since the book is now open it is
evident that we are living in the time of the end. (Rev. 22:6-10.) But the book was to be open to one
class of people and shut to another, for He added, "Many shall be purified and made white, and tried;
but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall
understand." (Dan. 12:10.) Therefore, it is important that we should be free from all wickedness and
obedient to the divine requirements, if we would understand and receive the blessings contained in
the book.
The intention of this publication is not to explain the symbols which have heretofore been fully
explained in various publications and proved to be correct in general outline up to the present, but
our intention is to clear certain features which have been hidden by the Spirit of God for a time. The
outstanding symbols which are so familiar to Bible students, will be briefly visualized, sufficient only
to connect the thought with the symbols that are to be explained. We shall endeavor to prove that
the symbols of the book of Daniel and Revelation contain the entire world's history, both civil and
religious, from creation to redemption.
In the second chapter of Daniel, beginning with the first universal kingdom (Babylon) after the
flood, we have the world's history from thence to the second coming of Christ, or to the end of the
present world, represented in one great metalic image. "Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great
image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof
was terrible. This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, and his thighs of
brass, his legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. Thou sawest till a stone was cut out
without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to
pieces.... And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never
be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and
consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. Forasmuch as thou sawest that stone was cut
out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver,
and the gold: the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 28
PICTURE
THE SYMBOL OF THE WORLD
DANIEL 2
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 29
hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure." (Dan. 2:31-34, 44, 45.)
The gold, silver, brass, and iron have been interpreted to represent Babylon, Medo-Persia, Grecia
and Rome. The mixture of iron and clay -- the feet and the toes -- the present kingdoms succeeding
the fall of Rome. Wonderful prophecy it is, so simple and so true. But this great image only reveals
the framework, as it were, of our world's history.
In the seventh chapter of Daniel we have the same chronological arrangement in symbols of various
beasts. The reason for the duplication is to reveal in detail the historical events which were to
transpire within the framework of the great image. "Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by
night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea. And four beasts came up
from the sea, diverse one from another. The first was like a lion, and it had eagle's wings: I beheld
till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made to stand upon the
feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it. And behold another beast, a second like to a bear,
and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and
they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh. After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard,
which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was
given to it. After this I saw in the night visions, and beheld a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and
strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: and it devoured and break in pieces, and stamped the
residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten
horns. I considered the horns, and, behold there came up among them another little horn, before
whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and behold, in this horn were eyes
like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things." (Dan. 7:2-8.)
The lion, the bear, the leopard, and the non-descript beast depict the same kingdoms as the gold,
the silver, brass and iron. The unnatural and peculiar symbols connected with the beasts, namely, the
wings, ribs, horns, and heads, are capable of disclosing the mysteries of historical occurrences which
were to transpire within the great prophetic periods. The most wonderful thing about these prophetic
symbols is that they are perfectly capable of revealing the truth, and once understood aright, they
cannot be contradicted. Any interpretation of symbolical prophecies that do not perfectly fit the
explanation given is never to be depended upon. The interpretation of such symbols must not
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 30
PICTURE
THE WORLDS HISTORY IN SYMBOLS OF
BEASTS
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 31, 32
only be in harmony with the whole tenor of God's book and law, but it must point out some important
lesson for God's people; and when such an explanation, as referred to, is derived from the scriptures,
then only we have the truth.
While the head of gold on the great image represented the kingdom of Babylon at the height of her
glory, the lion covers a greater period according to Genesis 10:8-10: "And Cush begat Nimrod: he
began to be a mighty one in the earth. He was a mighty hunter before the Lord: Wherefore it is said,
Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the Lord. And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel,
and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar." The beginning of Nimrod's kingdom was
"Babel," or as it is in the Greek, "Babylon." His dominion extended over the four cities of the plain;
namely, Babylon, Erech, Accad, and Calneh. If the reader will turn to Genesis 10:1-8 and carefully
count the persons born from the family of Noah after going out from the ark of the deluge to the birth
of Nimrod, it will be noticed that Nimrod is the 26th person born after the flood. The location of the
city was in the land of Shinar, as in Genesis 11:2: "And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the
east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there."
The name Babel (Babylon in Greek) originated at the time the tower of Babel was in building, after
which God confounded the multitude by diversity of speech. According to Daniel, the capitol of
Babylon stood on the same plain: "And the Lord gave Jehoiakim, king of Judah into his hand [The
king of Babylon],... which he carried into the land of Shinar." (Dan. 1:2.) Therefore Babylon was
founded immediately after the flood, perhaps somewhere between 2400 and 2300 B.C., and had
reached her height as a universal empire between 400 or 500 B.C. Babylon, in her development, had
consumed a period of about 1800 years or more. Certainly no one would think that Babylon made
very rapid speed in conquering the ancient world.
Symbol Of Wings And Ribs
We may now inquire the meaning of the wings on the lion and on the leopard; also the ribs in the
mouth of the bear. The wings on the lion certainly cannot represent speed, as some have taught. If
wings were to represent rapidity they should have been on the bear, for Cyrus and Darius conquered
old Babylon over night. Furthermore, if wings represent speed on one beast, they must likewise
represent the same on the other. Could they represent speed on the four-headed leopard beast?
Certainly not. A careful observation of the symbols
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 33
show that the leopard beast had nothing to do with Alexander's conquest of Medo-Persia. The
leopard represents the kingdom after the conquest was accomplished. The four heads are the four
Grecian divisions after the death of Alexander; namely, "Cassander, Lysimachus, Ptolemy, and
Seleucus."
The conflict and conquest between Medo-Persia and Grecia is brought to our attention in Daniel
8:5-7: "And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole
earth and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. And he came
to the ram which had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran into him in the
fury of his power. And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against
him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before
him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could
deliver the ram out of his hand."
In Dan. 8:20, 21, Daniel was told by the angel that the he goat "is Grecia," the ram, "Medo-Persia,"
and the notable horn between his eyes, is "the first king." Therefore, Alexander's swift conquest is
represented by the "he goat" which touched not the ground. If wings were to represent speed they
should have been on the "he goat" and not on the leopard. Since the truth of what has been said
cannot be denied, and as the thought that has been entertained by some is contradictory to the
symbols, we must look elsewhere for the application of the "wings." We think it is far safer and wiser
as well as more reasonable for one to admit his mistake -- as we mortals are apt to make many of
them -- rather than to become involved in contradictory interpretations of the Word of God.
First, we must understand that Inspiration is recording by means of these symbols the entire world's
history. Let us not forget that there was a world before the flood. If one of us should undertake this
wonderful architectural feat to devise a blue-print, or chart, of this world's history, we certainly would
take into consideration a complete account of all its parts. God being infinite in wisdom, as well as
in power, would certainly not overlook or thoughtlessly neglect in His great chart of historical events
to consider His world before the flood.
A record of a divine survey of this world's history from creation to redemption would be of great
importance at this present time. In an age of infidelity, atheism, and hypocrisy, men who profess to
be wise in secular, as well as religious matters, have lost sight of the source of true wisdom and
knowledge. "Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 34
[Picture of Beast of Dan. 7:2,4]
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 35, 36
[Picture of Beast of Dan. 7:5]
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 37, 38
[Picture of Beast of Dan. 7:6]
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 39, 40
were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing
themselves to be wise, they became fools." (Rom. 1:21, 22.) Even those who profess to be teachers
of righteousness, have forfeited their faith in the Biblical reckoning of creation. God having
knowledge of the present deceptive denial of His holy Word, has devised a prophetic blue-print in
symbols of beasts, wings, ribs, horns, heads, crowns, etc., by which He points out in this prophetic
panorama, the facts, with a force that should humiliate men and show them their utter ignorance and
lack of wisdom.
According to Biblical reckoning the flood came more than 1600 years after creation. God
originated the human race through Adam and Eve. Therefore, one people, one race, one language
and nation from creation to the flood. The rulership given to Adam we call the first universal Adamic
empire. Babylon was the second; Medo-Persia is the third; Grecia the fourth; Rome the fifth; the
broken state of Rome (symbolized by the feet and toes of the great image of Daniel 2, which is the
present unstable civilization) is the sixth; and from the close of the millennium after the resurrection
of the wicked to their second death, is the seventh and last. Thus the Biblical number seven, as
always, signifies, completeness. Therefore, seven such universal empires, revealing a complete
history of the world, denote the end of sin and its dominion.
If we mortals were to devise such a chart by symbols of beasts, it is certain we would have
sufficient intelligence to number every beast in his regular order. We may not suppose that God is
less thoughtful in His marvelous perfection. Therefore, He has numbered every beast. We must first
consider those which represented the Old Testament time, by the great metallic image; namely, the
Gold -- Babylon; the silver -- Medo-Persia; the brass -- Grecia. Gold is the chief of metals which
would stand as number one; silver is second to gold, therefore number two; brass is third to gold,
meaning number three. The lion, the bear, and the leopard are numbered in like manner. The lion
is king or chief of beasts, therefore number one, corresponding with the gold. The bear is second to
a lion, therefore number two, corresponding with silver. The leopard is third to a lion, hence number
three, corresponding with the brass. These are the first set of numbers, but there is yet another set
of which we must speak.
These would bring us back to our subject of what is the meaning of the wings on the lion as well
as on the leopard, and the ribs in the mouth of the bear. God certainly would not have mapped out
the world's history, from the flood to the end, and
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 41
failed to take into account all its parts. There must be something in this chart of historical events to
indicate that He had a universal empire before the flood, as previously explained. That empire being
the first, naturally stands as number one; Babylon number two; Medo-Persia, number three; and
Grecia, number four. If this claim is correct, we must find this set of numbers on the lion, bear and
leopard.
The wings on the lion denote empire number two. The lion by nature is first -- first from the flood
but (unnaturally) by two wings, second from creation. The ribs in the mouth of the bear signify
empire number three. The bear by nature is second from the flood, but (unnaturally), by three ribs
he is third from creation; ribs are used, for wings go in pairs. The four wings on the leopard denote
that Grecia is the fourth universal empire. The leopard by nature is third from the flood, but
(unnaturally), by the wings, fourth from creation. History flies, therefore wings make a perfect
symbol.
"Arise, Devour Much Flesh"
"Arise, devour much flesh," said the ribs to the bear. (Dan. 7:5.) The Medo-Persia opened the
way for imperial wars, therefore: "Arise, devour much flesh." Thus empire after empire plunged into
bloody wars. The ribs in the mouth of the bear cannot mean nations, as some have taught, for nations
are symbolized by horns, and not by ribs. Neither can they denote certain provinces that Medo-Persia
could not have conquered, for he has them in his mouth, and it would be inconsistent to suppose that
the Persians would have oppressed certain states more than others. Had that been the case, the bear
would have stamped upon them as did the non-descript beast. (Dan. 7:7.) The symbol is contrary
to such suppositions, and there is neither proof nor lesson that could be derived by any such theory.
Plucked The Lion's Wings
Coming back to the lion, symbol of Babylon, Daniel says: "The first was like a lion, and had eagle's
wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made to
stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it." (Dan. 7:4.) "His wings were
plucked." The symbol denotes the same as the plucking of the three horns from the non-descript
beast. (Dan. 7:8.) If the plucking up of the horns denotes their kingdom was taken from them, then
plucking the wings signifies that Babylon, as empire number two was to pass away, fulfilling Daniel's
interpretation of the
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 42
[Picture of Beast of Dan. 7:4]
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 43, 44
handwriting on the wall: "This is the interpretation of the thing: Mene; God hath numbered thy
kingdom, and finished it." (Dan. 5:26.) Therefore, Babylon fell into the hands of the Medo-Persian
kings. Thus his wings "were plucked," and the Medo-Persian empire, number three, succeeded the
lion, number two.
Man's Heart Given To It
After the wings of the lion were plucked, says Daniel: "He was made to stand upon his feet as a
man, and a man's heart was given to it." Whatever is meant by the position of the beast and the
exchange of heart, its application is after Babylon had fallen under Medo-Persian rule, for he stood
as a man after the wings "were plucked." If we are to acquire the understanding of the symbol, we
must first consider the function of the heart, for the symbol itself must be perfect, otherwise the truth
cannot be determined.
The function of a heart is to preserve the life energy in the body. Let the heart stop and all is lost.
This most vital organ is a governor of the body. As an empire is composed of numerous individuals,
and their necessities, just so is the living body composed of a multitude of life cells, and all their
essentials. As the duty of a king is to preserve the life energy in his kingdom, also punish or uproot
the evil and to supervise the good, just so does the heart. By contraction and expansion it controls
and imparts the flowing, living energy in the form of pure blood. The evidence gathered thus far
Proves that the heart is a fitting symbol of a king. But we must specify the difference between the
human and the beastly heart. Daniel 4:16, speaking of the penalty that was to fall upon the king
before he was driven from his throne to the field with the beasts, says: "Let his heart be changed from
a man's and let a beast's heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him." After the king's
heart was changed, he lost his reason, and by nature became equal to an ox. "The same hour was the
thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as an oxen and
his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails
like birds' claws." (Dan. 4:33.)
The human intellect does not consist in the external image of mankind, but it rather exists in the
human heart. This thought is very emphatically entertained by the scriptures: "For out of the
abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." Therefore, the symbol (man's heart) may denote
intelligence. However, the symbol cannot infer human vision, but rather a proper
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 45
understanding of God, for the Bible says: "The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God." (Psa.
53:1.) Obtaining a clear vision of the infinite power of the Eternal One is what God calls true
education. The sum of the symbol is, Babylon was forced to acknowledge the existence of the Most
High by removing one king (beast's heart) and setting up another (man's heart).
Having made clear what the symbol seems to indicate, we must take a brief survey of the ancient
monarchy to see if this interpretation can be fully supported by the symbolical heart. As the
everlasting example set forth by the flood for future generations had failed to teach the Chaldean
rulers God's power and existence, the Creator of mankind in His mercy, patience and long suffering,
not willing that any should perish, made a supreme effort to save that nation. "The Lord is not slack
concerning His Promise, as some men count slackness; but is long suffering to us-ward, not willing
that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9.)
When the dream of the great image was given to Nebuchadnezzar his memory of the object was
blotted out, but the impression left in his mind was greatly increased. After the urgent demand from
the wise men had failed to reveal the king's dream, Daniel, by divine revelation, unmasked the
mysterious phenomena by interpreting the dream. This wonderful miracle should have converted the
king and all the wise men of Babylon to the Hebrew worship, for by the power of Daniel's God they
had escaped the death penalty; but there was no change for the better. Though the king honored God
with his lips, his heart drew away from Him. The king destroyed not the idols in the land, but in his
blindness proceeded to set up superior ones; for shortly after the interpretation of the dream he
demanded of all his subjects the worship of the "golden image" which he had set up in the plain of
Dura. (Read the third chapter of Daniel.)
The refusal of the three Hebrews to bow down to the idol, and the miracle by which they were
saved from the fiery furnace, had deeply affected the minds of the rulers, but it too, failed to change
the king's heart. Again he honored the God of gods with his lips but not by his deeds. The king's
ungodly deeds made it necessary for a supernatural penalty. Hence a tremendous effort to bring him
to a realization of his dependence upon the Creator was necessary. The dream given him (in Daniel
four), of the great tree -- a symbol of himself -- and its interpretation by Daniel, had convinced the
hard-hearted monarch of its truth, and the judgment that was to fall upon him, except he repent.
Daniel said: "Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by
righteousness,
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 46
and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it be a lengthening of thy tranquility.... At the
end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.... The same hour was the
thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar; and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his
body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like
birds' claws." (Dan. 4:27, 29, 33.)
At the end of the painful experience, the king said: "Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and
honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and His ways judgment: and those that walk
in pride He is able to abase." (Dan. 4:37.) Though he acknowledged the power of the Eternal One,
worshiped Him, and uttered words of praise with a most sublime expression, the king failed to
surrender his heathen heart and renounce the pagan system of worship. He failed to embrace the
great importance of imparting the knowledge of Jehovah to his posterity for the tranquility and
endurance of his kingdom.
These wonderful experiences were for an object lesson to future kings. Shortly after the fulfillment
of the dream, the kings' grandson had ascended the throne. In his heathen custom he ventured to defy
the God of gods, and the King of kings, who is able to make oxen out of kings and kings out of oxen,
and rulers out of slaves. "For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor the
south. But God is the judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another." (Psa. 75:6, 7.)
The sacred vessels had never before been defiled by any king as in Belshazzar's drunken feast. God
will forbear until man steps over the boundary line. This Belshazzar did by bringing the sacred vessels
before his lords, concubines, and heathen gods. At the appearance of the hand writing on the wall
his guilty conscience troubled him; his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against the other.
Belshazzar, like his father, ignored Daniel and summoned the wise men of Babylon to interpret the
writing; though he should have known their inability to reveal the secret. At last Daniel was called
and at his appearance he said: "This is the interpretation of the thing: Mene; God hath numbered thy
kingdom, and finished it. Tekel; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. Peres; Thy
kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians." (Dan. 5:26-28.) The priceless experiences
of his father that were at his access could have been everlasting blessings, but by ignoring the power
of God the king reversed the benefits from a blessing to a curse, and brought a final end to his
kingdom. Every resource to make the lion (Babylon) stand up like a man under the rule of the
Chaldean kings had been exhausted, and every effort failed.
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 47
Therefore, the time had come for the Lord to apply the last remedy to the lion kingdom.
Cyrus, of whom God had spoken by His prophet many years in advance, was granted to enter the
capital city of the Chaldean king. (See Isa. 45:1.) Babylon as empire number two passed away, and
the symbol of the "plucked" wings met its fulfillment. "In that night was Belshazzar the king of the
Chaldean's slain." The lion's heart is a symbol of the heathen king -- Belshazzar who was slain -- and
thus the beastly heart was removed. Man proposes, but oftentimes another power over which he has
no control, disposes.
Daniel was made first president over the 120 princes because an "excellent spirit was found in him."
Both Cyrus and Darius were converted to the worship of the true God. Therefore, the everlasting
Arm which intervenes in the affairs of mankind, set up a king of His own choice.
In this manner the symbols met their fulfillment and the lion "was lifted up from the earth, and made
to stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it."
The heart is a fitting emblem of a ruler of a nation. The contrast between a godly and an ungodly
king is as vastly different as between the human and the beastly heart. The heart is the life-giving
energy to the human body, just as a king is the head of a nation.
After freedom had been granted to the Jews, Cyrus, in his proclamation said: "Thus saith Cyrus king
of Persia, The Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and He hath charged
me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all His people?
His God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the
Lord God of Israel, (He is the God,) which is in Jerusalem." (Ezra 1:2, 3.) This godly influence of
the kings of Medo-Persia did not wear out until years later. The decree made by Cyrus was written
in a roll and placed at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of the Medes. Years later the
roll being found by Darius, the edict was immediately carried out. Cyrus had decreed that all should
make a free will offering, and the king himself contributed without limit. He said: "Moreover I make
a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the
king's goods, even of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expenses to be given to these men, that
they be not hindered." (Ezra 6:8.) He further decreed that all the needs to maintain the sacrificial
services "be given them day by day without fail." Then he added "That they may offer sacrifices
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 48
of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons." (Ezra
6:10.) Nebuchadnezzar professed conversion after his wonderful experience with the God of heaven,
and declared: "And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and He doeth according to
His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay His hand,
or say unto Him, What doest thou? At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory
of my kingdom, mine honor and brightness returned unto me, and my counsellors and my lords
sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.
Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth,
and His way judgment: and those that walk in pride He is able to abase." (Dan. 4:35-37.)
Though the sublime words spoken by the Chaldean king seems to reveal a change of heart, his
works showed failure in what his lips proclaimed. What a contrast between the Babylonian monarch,
and the Medo-Persian kings! Nebuchadnezzar declined to set God's people free, he refused to restore
the sacred vessel to the King of heaven; he made no decree for the rebuilding of the house of God;
he gave no gift of any kind to the King of kings; he imparted not the knowledge of Jehovah to his
people; he left his children and his household to worship the heathen gods of wood and stone; he
made no effort to give God the glory, save with his lips.
Though we have these living examples before us, yet how often we admit by our lips that which is
right and true, and make no move to reach for the stretched out Arm of divine love. Multitudes are
aping the standard set by the ancient monarch. "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth,
and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me." (Matt. 15:8.)
Though Nebuchadnezzar failed in these sacred things, God, in His great mercy saved the King.
God bore long with the Babylonian king, but "the once proud monarch had become a humble child
of God; the tyrannical, overbearing ruler, a wise and compassionate king. He who had defied and
blasphemed the God of heaven, now acknowledged the power of the Most High, and earnestly sought
to promote the fear of Jehovah and the happiness of his subjects. Under the rebuke of Him who is
King of kings and Lord of lords, Nebuchadnezzar had learned at last the lesson which all rulers need
to learn." -- "Prophets and Kings," p. 521.
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 49
The Bear And The Leopard
The example made of the Babylonian monarchs should have an object lesson to all successive kings.
The godly influence of Cyrus might also have been retained, but the kings of Medo-Persia, like the
Chaldeans, were looking forward to worldly glory without fear of Him who can set up Kingdoms,
and depose kings.
The priceless lesson taught by the punishment of the Chaldean kings, should have been a blessing
to them, but in their vain imagination they departed from the source of true wisdom and from power
that is never failing. Thus that which was intended as a blessing became a condemnation. Therefore,
the kings of Medo-Persia grew worse than the kings of Grecia whose idols were their gods, and
perverse appetite their only rule of life. Thus again the time had come for the ribs in the mouth of the
bear to speak, "Arise and devour much flesh." Therefore, the arm of Omnipotence was withdrawn
from the Persian king, and Alexander, with the swiftness of an eagle marched upon his prey. So,
Medo-Persia opened the gateway for the bloodiest wars in our world's history. In this manner the
words, "Arise, devour much flesh," met their fulfillment.
Says Daniel: "And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the
whole earth, and touched not the ground; and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. And he
came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran into him in
the fury of his power. And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against
him, and he smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand
before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that
could deliver the ram out of his hand.... The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings
of Media and Persia. And the rough goat is the king of Grecia; and the great horn that is between
his eyes is the first king." (Dan. 8:5-7, 20, 21.) Therefore, Alexander, whose love for conquest knew
no bounds, was the first to successfully lead the west against the east.
But no sooner had Alexander conquered the empire, than he engaged in a drunken debauch and
passed away while yet in his youth. Thus the horn of the "he goat" was broken off from between his
eyes, "And for it came up four notable ones towards
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 50
[Picture of Ram & Goat]
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 51, 52
the four winds of heaven." Alexander not having a successor to inherit the throne, the kingdom was
divided between his four generals; namely, Cassander, Lysimachus, Ptolemy, and Seleucus. Thus
time and providence brought about the four-headed leopard beast.
The Ram And The He Goat
The entire conflict between the nations is symbolized by the ram and the goat, with various horns
coming up and breaking off. Why a ram and a goat? Why not some other species of animals? Jesus
gives the answer: "And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from
another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand,
but the goats on the left." (Matt. 25:32, 33.)
By these domestic beasts inspiration conveys the thought that the inhabitants of earth are but sheep
and goats -- true and false religion. It also signifies that wars are a strife between good and evil. But
why Medo-Persia by a ram, and Grecia by a goat? Why not the reverse? The kings of the
Medo-Persian empire became believers in the true God as previously explained; thus having principle
is contrary to those of Grecia. For that reason Medo-Persia was represented by a ram and Grecia by
a goat. Wonderful it is to note how perfect and thoughtful was the great wisdom and care of the
Infinite One, as exercised to devise these symbols. Only omnipotence can invent such perfect
prophetic art, foretelling historical events.
Kingdom Of Brass Rules The World
It has been previously explained that the lion, the bear, and the leopard beasts are divinely
numbered. The leopard being the fourth empire from creation, and as the numbers in that fashion
stop with him, naturally the question would arise: Why not continue the numerical order with the
beasts that followed the leopard? There are several reasons for the change with that particular beast.
As Rome was slowly rising from within the Grecian empire she finally absorbed the last Grecian
division and the Ptolemy dynasty became a province of the Roman state about 27 B.C. Thus the Old
Testament closed with Grecia and with Rome the New began. Therefore, between Grecia and Rome
lies the dividing line. It also noted that the beasts representing the Old Testament are hornless, but
the ones in the New are with horns. All of which signifying the close of the typical and the
commencement of the anti-typical period.
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 53
The numerals of the Bible are like rich veins of metal beneath the surface of the earth. Thousands
walk over these unknown treasures until some unseen power brings them to the surface. We know
that the Trinity is best expressed by the use of the terms, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Likewise we
express God's attributes in three terms, namely, omnipresence, omniscience, and omnipotence. This
feature could be greatly enlarged upon.
If three is the symbol of the Triune Jehovah, four must designate that which proceeds from Him,
as revealed in creation. The cherubims consist of four living creatures, each having the face of a lion,
a calf, a man, and an eagle, respectively. There are four regions of the earth: East, North, South and
West, which is expressive of the completeness of direction; likewise: winter, spring, summer and
autumn covers a complete circle of the seasons. We have already observed that there were four
universal empires in the history of the world from creation to the crucifixion. We may also note the
fact in connection with this subject that there is a combination of the three-fold with the four-fold as
clearly seen in the work of creation in which the first four days were employed in forming the sphere,
and the remaining three in the creation of the living creatures and culminating in a Sabbath rest. The
fourth day saw the material substance of creation finished, and on the fifth and sixth days, was the
peopling of the earth. In the book of Revelation under the head of the seven seals, we observe that
the first four seals were clearly separated from the last three by the symbols of four horses. Thus it
appears that the four-fold measure in each case precedes the three-fold, just as in creation order: each
division culminating in the seven of perfection. For this reason there are four sections in the great
image of Daniel Two, four beast's in Daniel's vision, four wings and four heads on the leopard with
whom the numbers in that fashion ceased. Thus it is evident that the Old Testament closed with a
symbolic number -- four (the leopard-beast). Showing that all the necessary provision for the
salvation of the human family was completed under the dispensation of this prominent number, "four,"
as it terminated about the time of the crucifixion. Thus this number is used in connection with
incidences to signify earthwide.
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 54
Blow ye the trumpet in Zion,
and sound an alarm in
my holy mountain; let all
the inhabitants of the land
tremble; for the day of the
Lord cometh, for it is nigh
at hand. (Joel 2:1.)
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 55
The Non-Descript Beast
Daniel 7:7
Following the four-headed leopard comes the non-descript beast of Daniel 7:7, representing the
fourth universal empire from the flood, but the fifth one from creation. Rome is represented by a
more terrible symbol than the kingdoms before it. There must be a special reason why the Roman
monarchy is represented by a non-descript beast. The symbol reveals that the Roman system of
government was an arrangement that could not be described. The nearest approach to a correct name
is the term -- non-descript.
We shall now consider its government administration. -- The crucifixion of Christ and the
martyrdom of the Christians give evidence that the Roman executive authority was vested in
paganism, which was at war with Christianity. As these Christians were put to death for refusal to
worship the gods of the people, it is obvious that the Jews used the civil arm of Rome to try and
enforce their own religious customs; Jesus being an example, for He was crucified as a result of
religious controversy. Rome in the first century persecuted the Christians, but after adopting
Christianity, she ill-treated the pagans; compelling them to join the so-called Christian church. From
the evidence gathered, it is plain to see that the Roman monarchy was a tool for either Pagan Jew,
or Christian; alternating in favor of one, and then of the other. Inasmuch as the character of the
Imperial Roman jurisdiction could not be defined as Pagan, Jew, or Christian, "non-descript" is the
only fitting symbol. It is said of Constantine at his death that his subjects knew not what kind of
burial to give him, since he was a professed Christian, but at heart a Pagan. Perhaps many nations
as well as some professed Christians at this present time are non-descript like the Romans, for the
apostle has described their condition thusly: "For the time will come when they will not endure sound
doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers having itching ears; and they
shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (2 Tim. 4:3, 4.)
Attempts To Establish Ecclesiastical Governments
The question may arise: What hindered Satan from establishing an ecclesiastical monarchy before
the closing period of
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 56
[Picture of Beast of Dan. 7:7]
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 57, 58
[Picture of Beast of Dan. 7:25]
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 59, 60
the Old Testament? The only answer that can be given, is, the Jewish nation permitted him to
becloud their eyes. They were told not to make a confederacy with the world, but, unmindful of the
command they made a league with the Romans, and that is what helped Satan to accomplish his
scheme.
The following will show that this great enemy of mankind tried this same procedure in the days of
Babylon: "Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold whose height was threescore cubits, and
the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. Then an
herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages... ye fall down and
worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: And whoso falleth not down and
worshippeth shall the same hour be cast in the midst of a burning fiery furnace.... The nations, and
the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image." (Dan. 3:1, 4-7.) But there were three
Hebrews found who rebelled against the king's command and refused to bow down to the idol.
"Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar we are not
careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from
the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known
unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set
up... And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach and
Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace... Therefore because the king's
commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that
took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Then Nebuchadnezzar...
answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt;
and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of
the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the
most high God, come forth, and come hither." (Dan. 3:16-18, 20, 22-26.)
Then these men came forth unhurt. It is wonderful what God accomplished with but three slaves
against a world's empire. These three men, with faith in God, broke the Satanic contrivance,
abolished the establishment of an ecclesiastical government and brought the king's decree to naught.
Satan worked out a similar plot in the Medo-Persian government with plans that were carried out
by intrigue, taking the
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 61
king unawares. Though Daniel was cast into the lion's den, he too, came out unharmed, but his
enemies perished as did those who threw the three Hebrews into the fiery furnace. Thus Satan's
power was broken in both of these ancient empires. Had there been such men as these Hebrews in
the days of the establishment of the Roman monarchy, or at the closing of the Old Testament history
and during the commencement of the New, conditions would have been entirely different. The world
is in urgent need at this time of men like the three Hebrews, who would rather yield this present life
than to offend their God -- men like Daniel, who looked with strong faith to the Lord and was
without fault in his religious and secular duties. By such men as these the world has been blessed
with everlasting benefits and rewards that no human lips can describe.
"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth
peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God
reigneth! Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing for they shall
see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion." (Isa. 52:7, 8.)
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 62
PICTURE
[Chart of Rev. 12]
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 63, 64
The Red Dragon
Rev. 12:3
"And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under
her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelves stars: and she being with child cried, travailing in
birth, and pained to be delivered. And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great
red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew
the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth; and the dragon stood before the
woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.... And the
great dragon was cast out that old serpent called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole
world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." (Rev. 12:1-4, 9.) The
dragon was seen in heaven and being "cast out," it is obvious that the symbol is of heavenly origin.
Of him it is said: "That old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan." Note that the dragon is a symbol
of Satan, even as the Lamb having "seven horns and seven eyes" is a symbol of Christ. (Rev. 5:6.)
Since the numerous beasts form an unbreakable chain of the world empires, the dragon cannot
intersect between the links as the symbol of a separate earthly system; thus he represents just what
the Scripture says: "The Devil, and Satan." The figure is given to reveal Satan's scheme at a certain
time in our world's history.
The "woman clothed with the sun" is understood to be God's church. The child to which she gave
birth was Christ. The twelve stars that comprise the woman's crown were originally symbols of the
twelve patriarchs. This will be made plain in another study. Therefore, we shall endeavor to make
clear the time of the dragon and his work. It will be noticed that the dragon stood ready to devour
the child (Christ) as soon as He was born. It is evident, that the old serpent armed himself with seven
heads and ten horns prior to the birth of Christ.
"And his tail drew a third part of the stars of Heaven." The Scripture is self explanatory as to who
the symbolical stars are, for Inspiration says: "He was cast out into the earth, and his Angels were cast
out with him."
Therefore, the "third part of the stars" represent the angels who were deceived by Satan's
controversy. Quoting "Testimonies for the Church," Vol. 3, p. 115: "Satan, in his rebellion,
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 65
took a third part of the angels. They turned from the Father and from His Son, and united with the
instigator of rebellion." The question may arise: Why draw them with his tail and not some other
way? The symbol is perfectly capable of indicating the manner in which Satan drew them to the earth.
Had it been done with claws, it would denote that Satan defeated Michael (Christ), and by force
dragged out a third of the angels. But since he drew them with his tail, the significance is that a third
part of the angels joined him in rebellion against Michael. For when the dragon was cast out naturally
he was coming head first, and as he drew them with his tail, it reveals that they voluntarily followed
him. Thus Christ could do nothing for them.
War In Heaven
"And there was war in heaven: Michael and His angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon
fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was there place found any more in heaven." (Rev.
12:7, 8.) The conflict was in heaven. The name "Michael' means who is like God; hence it is one of
the many titles of Christ. Daniel calls Him "Michael the Great Prince which standeth for the children
of thy people." (Dan. 12:1.) Christ has numerous titles, each bearing a definition of a certain phase,
or character of His work. The angel said to Joseph, "and thou shalt call His name Jesus, for he shall
save His people from their sins." He is also called "Emmanuel," meaning, "God with us." etc.
Time Cast Out
Satan could not have been cast out of heaven immediately after he sinned, or when he deceived
Adam and Eve, for in Job 1:6, 7, we read: "Now there was a day when the sons of God came to
present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. And the Lord said unto Satan,
whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth
and walking up and down in it." "The sons of God" are the representatives of unfallen worlds equal
to Adam before he sinned, created by the hand of God, and representatives in the same capacity as
Adam could have been had he not fallen from his throne by sin. Quoting from The Spirit of
Prophecy: "The commanders of the angel hosts, the sons of God the representatives of the unfallen
worlds, are assembled. The heavenly council before which Lucifer had accused God and His Son,
the representatives of those sinless realms over which
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Satan had thought to establish his dominion." -- "The Desire of Ages," p. 834.
Satan still had access to heaven in Job's time. Therefore, he must have been cast out at a later date.
Says John: "And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman
which brought forth the man child." (Rev. 12:13.) The next necessary step is to find when the dragon
first persecuted the "woman" (Christian Church); we shall then have the truth of the time Satan was
cast out. That time of persecution is recorded in The Acts 8:1, "And Saul was consenting unto his
[Stephen's] death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at
Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except
the apostles." Thus the great persecution against the church was about 34 A.D. It is true that Satan
persecuted Christ before that time, but Christ is not the "woman." He is the "Child" whom Satan
wished to "devour." Therefore, Satan was cast out immediately after Christ ascended on High. The
Spirit of Prophecy speaking of the occasion says:
"All are there to welcome the Redeemer. They are eager to celebrate His triumph and to glorify
their King.... He presents to God the wave-sheaf, those raised with Him as representatives of that
great multitude who shall come forth from the grave at His second coming.... The voice of God is
heard proclaiming that justice is satisfied. Satan is vanquished. Christ's toiling, struggling ones on
earth are 'accepted in the Beloved.' Before the heavenly angels and the representatives of unfallen
worlds, they are declared justified.
"Satan saw that his disguise was torn away. His administration was laid open before the unfallen
angels and before the heavenly universe. He had revealed himself as a murderer. By shedding the
blood of the Son of God, he had uprooted himself from the sympathies of the heavenly beings.
Henceforth his work was restricted. Whatever attitude he might assume, he could no longer await
the angels as they came from the heavenly courts, and before them accuse Christ's brethren of being
clothed with the garments of blackness and the defilement of sin. The last link of sympathy between
Satan and the heavenly world was broken." -- "The Desire of Ages," pp. 833, 834, 761.
The time he drew a third part of the stars (angels) from heaven, and the time of the war in heaven,
were two distinct occasions. He drew the angels when they followed him from heaven to earth and
sought to devour Christ. "And when the dragon saw that he was cast out into the earth;" that is, after
Christ was crucified, Satan at his return to heaven was forbidden
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an entrance. Thus he "saw" -- understood that he was cast out. Then he persecuted the church.
The Dragon's Horns And Heads
The only possible time for the application of the symbolical horns, heads, and crowns would be with
the closing of the old dispensation, and at the commencement of the New. For the dragon appeared
in that form when Christ was to be born. The horns represent the same as they do on any symbolical
beast. Being ten in number the symbol denotes that the effect of his scheme was universally felt. It
also signifies that Satan had obtained full control of the nations which were symbolized by the ten
horns of the non-descript beast of Daniel 7; and thus he moved upon Herod to kill the children at the
birth of Christ with the hope of destroying the Saviour -- devouring the "Child."
Let us not overlook the fact that all the horns, heads, and crowns, were present when he stood
ready "to devour her Child." Consequently, whatever the meaning by these symbols, all must be in
existence at the same time. Had this not been so, the symbols of heads and horns would have so
indicated by coming up one after another like the beasts, and also like the horns of the ram and of the
goat of Daniel 8. The same is true with the non-descript beast of Daniel 7:7, from which three of the
ten horns were "plucked up by the roots." Where systems and governments do not all exist at the
same time, the symbols appear one after another in their correct order. Thus we see that Inspiration
is perfect in every respect, and faultless in revealing the truth intended. Therefore, it would be
inconsistent for one to conclude that the "horns" as well as the "heads" could represent a consecutive
order of systems as long as they all appear in a group, and in oneness with the beast that carries them.
It is also impossible that both horns and heads could represent civil governments, or kings. If the
horns stand for political systems, then the heads cannot. If the wounded head on the leopard-like
beast of Revelation 13:1-3 represents a religious organization, then all the heads must stand for
religious systems. However, there is an exception with the four-headed leopard of Daniel 7:6, for he
is without horns and his heads are proven to be civil by the four horns of the goat. It is an
unmistakable fact that the symbols are intended to reveal the civil and religious phases during the
period represented by the non-descript beast in both his stages -- imperial and papal Rome.
As crowns denote civil authority and as they appear on the heads instead of on the horns, it is
evident that the church in
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that period was using civil dictatorial power to propagate her dogmas. Thus the lessons embodied
in these symbols are far greater than we can comprehend in a moment. As the facts brought forth
regarding the nature of the symbols cannot be questioned, we have a positive foundation for their
application.
The dragon with his seven heads and ten horns, with the crowns on the heads, appeared at the birth
of Christ as previously explained, and occupies the period parallel with the non-descript beast. The
heads are represented by the Biblical number seven," meaning "completeness," and embrace every
religious system in the days of Christ. As the dragon represents the devil who controls the heads, the
symbol unmistakably denotes a complete apostasy. It is not intended to reveal that the pagan system
of worship was headed by the devil, for it has never been otherwise. It was the Jewish church that
had apostatized, and that is what made the Biblical number "seven heads." Just such an apostasy had
gripped the world in the days of Noah; and its wickedness made the continuation of the world
impossible. Therefore, necessity, for the good of mankind, brought about the flood. The terrible
apostasy of the Jews made unavoidable another disaster similar to the dreadful deluge. As God could
not overthrow the world by water the second time, and yet keep His never failing promise to his
faithful servant Noah, He sent His Son to die in the world's stead. Therefore, the world perished not
because of the supreme sacrifice of the Son of God; and the world exists today because Christ arose
from the dead.
The Dragon's Crowns
Next we note the crowns and their significance. It has been explained that the crowns denote civil
authority. The heads being crowned, it reveals that the churches of that time employed the civil arm
of the state. Had this not been true, the Jews could not have crucified the Lord of glory; neither
could they have stoned Stephen, or beheaded and killed the others. It was the civil arm of Rome,
headed by the dragon, through which the Jews committed these terrible crimes; resulting in their own
destruction.
The Accuser Of The Brethren
After the dragon was cast down from heaven according to the vision says John: "And I heard a loud
voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the
power of His Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our
God day and night." (Rev. 12:10.) "Satan's accusations against those who
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seek the Lord are not prompted by displeasure at their sin. He exults in their defective characters;
for he knows that only through their transgression of God's law can he obtain power over them." --
Prophets and Kings, pp. 585, 586. When the Spirit of God prompts to reprove, He will reveal sin and
rebuke the sinner. But Satan, encourages the sinner to unconsciously commit himself in
transgression, then he accuses him before the great Judge in Heaven, as "being clothed with the
garments of blackness and the defilement of sin," to secure his condemnation. God's people must
learn to detect the voice of the Spirit of Christ, as well as the spirit of Satan. When the two clash,
the One will strive for obedience to God's Word, but the other will excuse the sin and sympathize
with the sinner. In this way Satan gains ground, for the sinner loves his sin.
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The Church Of God In Symbol Of A Woman
Revelation 12
"And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under
her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: And she being with child cried, travailing in birth,
and pained to be delivered. And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red
dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew a
third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the
woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. And she
brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught
up unto God, and to His throne. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she had a place
prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and three score days." (Rev.
12:1-6.)
Note that the objects shown in the vision were in heaven, not on earth. Therefore, what ever these
symbols may imply, they must be of a heavenly origin. Again note that her only clothing is the sun,
and that her crown in composed solely of "twelve stars." Observe that she is not standing on the
"moon," for the Revelator says, She had "the moon under her feet." We must carefully study the
character of these symbols, for thus only can we learn their significance. Also mark that she was to
be delivered of a man child, and that the same was "caught up to God and to His throne."
It is an admitted fact that the child was Christ, Who ascended on High after His resurrection. (Mark
16:19.) The symbol being of heavenly origin, the "woman" cannot represent Mary, the mother of
Christ, but she denotes the church ("woman") that was to bring forth, or into which Christ was to be
born. Thus John in vision was looking back beyond the birth of Christ.
It has been taught by some that the "woman" is a symbol of the Christian church, and that the moon
under her feet is to denote the Mosaic dispensation or sacrificial ceremonial system that had passed
away, and being clothed with the sun, to mean the glory of the gospel in the new dispensation.
According to the following, these claims prove incorrect.
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If the "woman" represents the Christian church, how could the same church (woman) travail in birth
with Christ, by whom the church was founded thirty years later? If we say she represents the Jewish
church, how could she fly into the wilderness and remain there from 538 to 1798, in the Christian
dispensation? If the "moon" under her feet indicates the end of the Mosaic sacrificial system, why did
it not end before the birth of Christ, since the moon stood under her feet before He was born. If it
had ended at that time, could it have been a symbol of the death of Christ? If her garment of sunlight
is a symbol of the gospel in the Christian dispensation, how could the church (woman) be clothed
with it years before the gospel dispensation began, having been clothed with it before the child was
born? Which one of the two churches, Jewish or Christian, gave birth to Christ? If it were the Jewish
church, then how could the light with which she was clothed be applied to the Christian church? If
these questions cannot be answered, then we are obliged to go deeper into the subject.
The idea advanced that the "woman" is a symbol of the Christian church only, and the "moon" of
the Jewish ceremonial system, proves incorrect. The Christian church was founded about 31 A.D.,
or not earlier than 27, at which time Christ began to preach; being about thirty years of age.
Therefore the symbol points back at least thirty-one years before the beginning of the Christian
church, for the "woman" (church) "was travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered."
Thus it was the Jewish church that "brought forth" the Son of God and not the Christian.
Therefore, "she [the Jewish church] being with child, cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be
delivered"; that is, the promise was made to Israel that the Messiah was to be born through that
nation by that particular church ("woman"). The old dragon, knowing the channel through which the
"child" was to come, closely watched with the intention of destroying the promised One as soon as
He was born. It was then, that the dragon by the hand of Herod, "slew all the children that were in
Bethlehem and in all the coasts thereof," hoping to do away with the coming King. (See Matt. 2:16.)
The evidence proves that the symbol of the "woman" takes in both periods, B.C. and A.D.
Therefore, as the moon was under her feet before the birth of Christ, it must be a symbol of a period
of time which had preceded the Jewish church. As the "woman" was "clothed with the sun" before
she brought forth the "Child," it is evident that the symbol, "clothed with the sun," was fulfilled before
the birth of Christ. If the moon is
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PICTURE
[Chart of True Church]
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 73, 74
symbolical, then, the symbol of the "sun" must be the main object, for, the "moon" depends on the
sun for light, and the "woman" was clothed with it. Thus, "sun" and "moon," must be taken into
consideration. In Genesis 1:16, we are told that the sun and the moon are to rule the day and the
night. The "sun" therefore must denote a period into which God's church had been given great light,
and the "moon" must be a symbol of the preceding period. The great light cannot be the gospel of
Christ in the New Testament. Neither can the "moon" represent the ceremonial system under the
Jewish economy, for the "woman" was clothed with the "sun," and the "moon was under her feet"
while the ceremonial system was yet in existence, for the child was born after the "woman" had been
clothed with the "sun." Christ Himself, by eating the Passover just before His crucifixion, established
the fact that the ceremonial law was still in existence 34 years after His birth. (See Matt. 26:18-21.)
If the above statement is correct, then we must find two such periods that would perfectly fit the
symbols. The first is the one before the Bible came into existence, and the second is the one with the
Bible -- "clothed with Light" -- the written Word of God. Thus symbolically, the first period may be
called, night, ruled by the "moon," and the second, day, ruled by the "sun." Therefore, the "woman
clothed with the sun," and "travailing with child," is the period after Israel went out of Egypt, and at
that time the period without the Bible, "moon," was passing away.
We shall bring forth another proof from a different angle, making doubly sure of the idea that the
"woman" represents both periods -- before and after Christ. Revelation 12:14 states: "And to the
woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place,
where she is nourished for a time, and times, and a half a time, from the face of the serpent." Note
that she was given two wings of a great eagle. If the wings were not symbolical, what their object?
As the wings of the lion and the four-headed leopard of Daniel 7 represented periods, as previously
explained on pages 33-34, then the two great wings must denote two great periods of church history.
The eagle being king of birds, and as it is emphasized that they were of a "great eagle," it is evident
that the symbol must apprehend each period from its beginning. Thus one of the wings takes in the
entire church history from the fall of Adam to the crucifixion of Christ, and the other from His
crucifixion to the end of this present world (His second coming). Thus it proves that there is only
one true church in all ages.
Her crown of twelve stars originally represented the twelve
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patriarchs and later the twelve tribes after they went out of Egypt, at which time the wonderful light
shining from the written Word of God (the Bible), clothed the church (woman) while she was
travailing with the "child" (the promise of the Messiah). But the crown of twelve stars in the New
Testament period stand for the twelve apostles. Number twelve is a symbol of government. Jesus
said to them: "Ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." (Matt.
19:28.) This fact is proven by the type (the twelve tribes). It will be noticed that in the reckoning of
the tribes of Spiritual Israel (the 144,000) by the type (Israel after the flesh) as in Revelation 7:5-8,
the tribe of Dan is missing, and instead the tribe of Manasseh, the first born son of Joseph is
numbered. The type corresponds perfectly with the anti-type, for Judas Iscariot being one of the
"twelve apostles," was cast aside, of whom Dan is a figure. And in his stead Paul of Tarsus was
added, of whom Manasses is a figure. Therefore, we see perfect harmony in type and anti-type. The
lesson in this instance by these unmistakable symbols, teaches that God has had only one church, one
truth, and one way of salvation for all generations. The same is also expressed in the words of Paul:
"There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one
faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all." (Eph. 4:4-6.)
God's church has been symbolized also by earthly objects; we speak of the symbols by women;
namely, Hagar, and Sarah. The former is a symbol of the Jewish, and the latter of the Christian
Church. (See "The Shepherd's Rod," Vol. 1, p. 136.) These earthly symbols point out God's church
in different sections and conditions. But the "woman clothed with the sun" and her "eagle's wings"
being of heavenly origin, denote God's true church (truth) in one continuous line, and her Child, our
only Saviour and Redeemer in both periods -- before and after Christ.
The Crown Of Twelve Stars In The New Testament Period
John's vision in the twelfth chapter of Revelation, deals with two main subjects; namely, the
"woman clothed with the sun," and the "red dragon." The latter has been explained. (See pages
65-69.) The symbol of the "woman" in the New Testament time covers three divisions: 1st, the
apostolic period; 2nd, her absence from civilization (in the wilderness) for 1260 days (years of papal
persecution, Rev. 12:6, 14); 3rd, the last period of the church while in conflict with the dragon. (Rev.
12:15-17.) The first and second period shall be explained in connection
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with another study. An explanation of the third period is found in "The Shepherd's Rod," Vol. 1, pp.
151, 152.
Therefore, our intention is this chapter is to briefly visualize the lesson taught by her "crown of
twelve stars." We ask the question: Who appointed these present day self-styled apostolic
authorities? It is said that after the apostles passed away, another set of the same number have a right
to be apostles. Suppose the claim is true; there are hundreds of churches, and if each one of them had
twelve apostles, there would be a multiplicity of thousands of them at one time, and if that act had
been repeated in every age, there would be an innumerable multitude of apostles at the appearance
of Christ. If there have been thousands of apostles, it is evident by the following Scripture that they
shall never enter into the city of God as apostles, for Inspiration says: "And the wall of the city had
twelve foundations, and in them the name of the twelve apostles of the Lamb." (Rev. 21:14.)
What is the difference between an apostle and a minister of the gospel? If there is no difference
then there should have been more than twelve apostles in the early church, for there were more than
twelve engaged in the ministry. Christ had appointed twelve, but Judas was counted out leaving only
eleven. After Christ ascended on high, the eleven agreed to appoint another in Judas' place: "And the
lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles." (The Acts 1:26.) Therefore,
they made up the number. Now if Matthias took Judas' place, then there must be thirteen such men
according to Romans 1:1, "Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an Apostle, separated unto
the gospel of God."
Mark carefully that the "woman's" crown has only "twelve stars " and in the foundation of the city
there are only the names of the twelve apostles. Which one of the two, Matthias or Paul, is not
recognized by Him, who laid the precious foundation of the Holy City? If we say Paul, we make him
a liar. If we say Matthias, then his ordination by the eleven had no effect in appointing an apostle.
What then? In The Acts 1:26, is the first and last we hear of Matthias, but not so of Paul. If
Matthias is the apostle, then he surely is not as worthy as Paul. Which one of the ordinations would
be most honorable? Is it Paul's by Christ Himself as He met him on the way to Damascus, or
Matthias', by the hands of the apostles?
The question is clear. No man's hands are qualified to ordain an apostle, regardless of his high
standing in connection with the gospel. The holy hands of Christ and His personal presence only can
appoint one for such an office. This is Unimpeachable
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evidence, for the "woman" has a crown of only "twelve stars." Therefore, who has the power to
ordain another and thus multiply the "stars"?
What is an apostle? Answer. -- One that is "separated unto the gospel of God." But if this is the
only meaning of the title, then all who are engaged in the proclamation of the gospel, being separated
must be apostles. Therefore, the word, "apostle," must have a special significance and a deeper
meaning than simply separated unto the gospel of God. The apostle Paul was called to be an apostle
for the Gentiles. Thus he, with the eleven became the earthly founders of the church of the Gentiles,
and Christ the divine head. Speaking of the gifts in the church, apostles are the first, for without a
founder there would be no organization, thus the rest of the gifts follow. (See 1 Cor. 12:28.)
The crown is her glory, and the stars (twelve apostles) are her only earthly authority. Here is a
striking evidence that the present day apostles are falsely so-called. A prophet may claim authority
as a prophet but never as an apostle. However, there is a difference between the prophets of the Old
Testament and the ones of the New; the latter being under the authority of the former; in other words,
he may be an interpreter or revealer of the Bible: "For all the prophets and the law [ceremonial -- in
type] prophesied until John." (Matt. 11:13.) Interpretation is correct only when inspired by the same
Spirit, thus timely utterances are revealed. Not only do the annals of history prove this, but the Bible
is very emphatic on the subject, for it plainly says that we are, "Built upon the foundation of the
apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone." (Eph. 2:20.) Again we
read: "Howbeit when He the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not
speak of himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak; and He will shew you things to
come." (John 16:13.) Where is the need for such apostles? Are not the words of the apostles in the
Bible? If we should appoint a set of such men, would we not set aside the "woman" and her "twelve
star crown"? If we set aside the "crown" by voluntary election of apostles, what will we do with the
gospel committed to the church by Christ's ordained apostles? Hear the authority by the crown of
stars: "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which
we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again. If any man
preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received let him be accursed." (Gal. 1:8, 9.) "For
such are false apostles, deceitful workers,
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transforming themselves into apostles of Christ." (2 Cor. 11:13.) The world is filled with so-called
apostles and sects of every kind, is it not? It is time for God's people to fall on their knees before
their Creator, and study the Scriptures for themselves, that they may know what is truth. Why should
one accept the decision of another? By so doing we are robbed of an experience of our own. If so,
may we not ask the question, What is the future outlook of the world? No one is saved because he
may admit the evidence of the truth, or because he may belong to the right church, or creed. It is only
by an experience of his own, based upon evidences of truth, received into the heart, that can renew
the mind, and regenerate the soul, so that he can walk in newness of life. It is utterly impossible to
enter into the kingdom of Christ without a personal touch of divine glory. Jesus said: "Verily, verily,
I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3.) The
following Scriptures bear the same evidence. "For he is not a Jew which is one outwardly; neither
is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and
circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of
God." (Rom. 2:28, 29.)
"Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the Commandments of
God." (1 Cor. 7:19.) "And rend your heart and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God:
for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of evil." (Joel
2:13.) "For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good
words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." (Romans 16:18.)
Returning to our original thought: The eleven were allowed to perform the ordination of Matthias
for a lesson to this present day with its new-modeled religion, showing that God has committed to
no man apostolic authority -- save to the twelve. The commission to the ministry is: "Go ye
therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am
with you alway, even unto the end of the world." (Matt. 28:19, 20.) "So thou, O son of man, I have
set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and
warn them for Me. When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost
not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood
will I require at thine hand." (Ezek. 33:7, 8.)
In reality the twelve "stars" on the "woman's crown" originally
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represented the twelve patriarchs; later the twelve tribes of fleshly Israel, after that the twelve
apostles, and last the twelve tribes of Spiritual Israel (the 144,000). Thus again it proves number
four" to be an important number, and that by the "woman" these four periods are represented.
God who foresaw the selfishness of men! commanded the prophet to write the following: "Ye eat
the fat, and Ye clothe you with wool, Ye kill them that are fed: but Ye feed not the flock. The
diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound
up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have
ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them. And they were
scattered, because there was no shepherd; and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when
they were scattered. My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea,
My flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.
Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the Lord; As I live, saith the Lord God surely because My
flock became a prey, and My flock became meat to every beast of the field because there was no
shepherd, neither did My shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed
not My flock; Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the Lord; Thus saith the Lord God:
Behold, I am 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 more; for I will deliver my
flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them. For thus saith the Lord God; Behold,
I even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out." (Ezek. 34:3-11.)
As a comparison the Spirit of God drew a literal picture from the flock of sheep and shepherds;
God's people as the flock; and the ministry as the shepherds. God's true people will imitate the sheep,
and His watchmen will imitate the good shepherd who cares for his sheep. Anything less than this
is an abomination in God's sight. If we are to learn the lesson intended we must first acquire a clear
understanding of the type (shepherds and flocks), for, the anti-type (ministers and church members)
are asked to copy after the pattern.
The picture is drawn from the ancient method of herding the flock. The open pasture of the
mountains and hills required the shepherd's continual care over the sheep. The vast territory drew
the sheep and shepherds a considerable distance from home, and the continual moving over the
landscape made it impossible to obtain a permanent shelter of any kind for the sheep, or
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shepherds. Consequently, other help was needed. Each shepherd had a certain number of dogs,
depending on the size of the flock, for the safety of the sheep from man and beast. As one thing
caned for another, an ass was used to carry the necessary supplies for the sheep, dogs and shepherds.
These consisted of clothing, night coverings, food for the shepherds as well as for the dogs, medicine,
bandages, etc. The faithful animal carried the load on his back throughout each day of the year. At
the end of the day the shepherd counted his sheep. If one was missing, he went to search for it at
once, as it was not safe for one to wander apart from the flock.
The excellent condition of the sheep was the evidence of the shepherd's fidelity and worthiness of
his hire. He not only had to seek good pasture, but act as veterinarian as well. Often a sheep would
break its leg and it was the shepherd's duty to skillfully set, splinter and bandage the wound. In
traveling over the rough surface of the land, where there were rocks and brush, accidents were
frequent. Sometimes a thorn would prick the flesh, or other minor injury occur, that probably caused
no pain, and would not be noticed by the shepherd, yet a fly might have deposited her eggs in the
open sore, and larva would soon develop and work their way under the skin and to the bone; this was
a common occurrence. At such a time the shepherd's attention is turned to the ailment of the sheep
and he must then give it special care and bandage the wound.
When a lamb, or even a sheep was sick and too weak to follow the flock it was the shepherd's duty
to care for and carry them. If he should have a lamb in his arms, the mother sheep is constantly by
his side gazing at, and speaking to it. These noble creatures care, feed, and keep their lambs
spotlessly clean. Are you mothers doing as much for your children? Are you shepherds (ministers)
of the flock of God doing all the ancient shepherd did for his sheep? Or do you feed and care for
yourselves more than you do for the flock of God? Are you worthy of your hire?
The ancient shepherd had to give a complete account of the flock, even to the smallest details. Do
you think God will require less of you? Are not His sheep of much greater value? David risked his
life for a lamb, but God delivered him from the lion and the bear. David, for God's honor, and for the
safety of His people, endangered his own life, faced the Giant Goliath, but God delivered the
Philistine into David's hands, and made David king over His nation. Do you think He will do less for
you, if you, too, imitate the Good Shepherd?
Said Jesus: "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd
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giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep
are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth; and the wolf catcheth them, and
scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am
the good shepherd, and know my sheep and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so
know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep." (John 10:11-15.)
The prophet Isaiah looking forward to the present day conditions says: "Yea, they are greedy dogs
which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their
own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter." (Isa. 56:11.)
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PICTURE
[Chart of History Of the World in Prophetic
Symbolic Beasts]
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 83, 84
The Leopard-Like Beast
REV. 13:1-10
The non-descript beast of Daniel 7, representing Rome in his first stage, shows prophetically by his
ten horns that there were ten kings to arise out of Rome. In his second stage it is shown that the
papacy was to arise, subdue three kings, and wear out the saints of the most High for the space of
1260 years. But it tells not of the fall of the Roman monarchy or the papacy. It is silent concerning
the reformation that came before or after 1798 A.D. Therefore, the lack of information by the
symbols of this beast, must be found somewhere else in the prophetic Word of God. This must be
sought in the book of Revelation, for it is the complement to Daniel's prophecies.
The leopard-like beast of Revelation 13:1-10 is the only symbolical prophecy that tells of the fall
of the Roman monarchy, the crowning of the ten kings, the wound of the papacy, the reformation and
rise of Protestantism, and the captivity of the pope.
"And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads
and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy." (Rev.
13:1.) Note this beast has the same number of horns as the "non-descript" in his first stage (imperial
Rome). Daniel says, the ten horns on the beast representing Rome are "ten kings that shall arise."
(Dan. 7:24.) The horns symbolizing the Roman world in its imperial state, also pointed forward to
the time when the empire would be divided into ten parts, or kingdoms. In other words, while the
horns primarily represented the Roman world in its imperial form, they secondarily denote the present
world in its divided state since the fall of Rome -- corresponding with the ten toes on the great image
of Daniel 2.
The non-descript beast in his first stage has ten horns. As in his second stage the little horn came
up, and three of the ten were plucked up by the roots, it denotes that they can never be reinstated as
kings. The horns being reduced to the Biblical number seven, signified that the papacy was to have
complete sway over the entire world as far as the Christian church is concerned. Therefore, the ten
horns on the leopard-like beast of Revelation 13:1, cannot signify that the three uprooted ones have
assumed their authority the second time.
As the same number of horns appear on each succeeding beast; namely, the non-descript (Dan. 7:7);
the leopard-like
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 85
(Rev. 13:1); and the scarlet colored (Rev. 17:3); representing the entire New Testament era, it is
evident by the facts gathered that the number of horns are intended to denote universal. As they are
absent from the beast of Revelation 13:11-18, it verifies the fact that the two-horned beast denotes
a local system. Therefore, it is unquestionably clear that the fixed number of horns (ten) are designed
to universally symbolize the peoples and governments. (Follow the chart on page 84.)
Inasmuch as the lion, the bear, the four-headed leopard, and the non-descript beast (the symbols
of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Grecia and Rome) are linked to each other, the unbreakable chain of beasts
make it impossible for another universal beast (system) to intersect their consecutive order.
Consequently, the leopard-like beast of Revelation 13:1-9, must follow the non-descript beast
(Rome).
Rev. 13:2, 3: "And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of
a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion; and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and
great authority. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was
healed: and all the world wondered after the beast." The composition of the beast reveals the fact that
he is a descendant from the four beasts before him. The mouth of a lion the feet of a bear, the body
of a leopard, and the number of horns, all point back to his hereditary characteristics as descending
from Babylon, Medo-Persia, Grecia, and Rome. This indisputable fact proves that he is the fifth
universal beast.
The leopard-like beast arises out of the sea in the same manner as the four beasts before it. (Daniel
7:3.) Therefore, the beast of Revelation 13:1-9 is created from the result of war and commotion
among the nations, in the same manner as Babylon, Medo-Persia, Grecia, and Rome. Since the
evidence revealed by the symbol cannot be questioned, the leopard-like beast assumes the period after
the fall of imperial Rome, corresponding to the feet and toes -- iron and clay of the great image in
Daniel 2. In other words, the leopard-like beast arrives with the closing period represented by the
first stage of the non-descript beast, while the second stage of the latter (papal Rome) continues up
to 1798. Consequently, the unfolding process of the one, overlaps the downward course of the other.
To John the leopard-like beast was shown not in its unfolding process, but rather in its closing act for
he says, "And his deadly wound was healed." He saw in vision the beast after the deadly wound had
been healed, for he uses the past tense, "was." But in Daniel's vision the work of the non-descript
beast was all in the
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future. Said the Prophet: "And he shall speak great words against the most high, and shall wear out
the saints of the most high, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand
until a time and times and the dividing of time." (Dan. 7:25.) Daniel in vision viewed the history
represented by the beasts, forward; while John looked backward; or in other words, Daniel saw what
the beast was to do, while John was shown what the beast had done.
The Crowns And The Horns
Of the beast "having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns" John says, "And
I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death." The wounded head represents the papacy,
wounded by Martin Luther which was originally symbolized by the horn-head of the non-descript
beast showing only the papal power and the authority. But the "leopard-like" shows the papacy in
her wounded state, and the imprisonment of the pope. Thus, the two beasts (the non-descript and
the leopard-like) overlap each other, from the fall of imperial Rome to 1798. Therefore, while the
non-descript beast in its second stage represents the papacy, she is secondarily described by the
"leopard-like." The one reveals the tyrannical authority, and the other describes her downfall. For
the little horn was to have power and wear out the saints of the most High for 1260 years (Dan.
7:25.) But the leopard-like also "opened his mouth in blasphemy", and power was given unto him to
"continue forty and two months." (Rev. 13:6, 5.) The number of months is equivalent to "time and
times and the dividing of time" -- 1260 days (years), figuring 30 days to the month.
With the imprisonment of Pope Pius VI, and his death on Aug. 19, 1799, a certain transaction
occurred between the non-descript and the leopard-like beasts. The head and horns were removed
from one to the other, so to speak. In making the change the little horn "having the eyes of a man
and a mouth speaking great things," was transposed from horn-head to a common wounded head,
showing the papacy had lost her ecclesiastical authority, and was no longer represented by a
horn-head (combination of church and state).
As that event terminated the prophetic period of the 1260 years of Daniel 7:25 and Revelation 13:5,
it completely crowned the horns of the leopard-like beast, signifying that the state is now independent
of the church. The crowns on his horns denote the fall of the Roman monarchy, showing that the ten
kings which were symbolized by the ten horns of the non-descript beast, have received their kingdom.
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Horns And Heads All Present
"I John saw the beast having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns." Let us
not overlook the fact that all horns, crowns, and heads are present on the beast. Therefore, whatever
meaning is derived by the symbol, all must be in existence at the time his deadly wound was healed.
Had it not been so, the symbols of heads and horns would have come one after another as it was with
the little horn and the other three that were "plucked up" from the non-descript beast of Daniel 7:7.
A similar method is observed with the "he goat." After the notable horn (Alexander) was broken off,
four came up to take its place (the four divisions of Grecia), and after these came up the exceeding
great horn which primarily represented Rome. (Dan. 8:8, 9.)
Where systems and governments do not all exist at the same time, the symbols show their
consecutive order. Another factor to be noted that every symbol of the entire procession of the
beasts point out facts that were to transpire within the period represented by each beast, and not one
of them refers to anything in the past, save the hereditary ancestrial characteristics.
Therefore, heads or horns have no reference to anything before or after the period represented by
the beast. It is also unnatural for heads (members of the beast) to exist before or after the beast
himself. Therefore, it would be inconsistent to conclude that the horns as well as the heads could
denote a consecutive order of systems so long as they all appear at the time of the closing act of the
beast. The leopard-like beast in his wounded state must be intended to prophetically point out the
existing condition with the present civilization.
The Symbol Of The Heads
It is impossible that both horns and heads could stand for civil governments or kings. If the horns
represent the political side, then the heads cannot. John says of the leopard-like beast, "I saw one of
his heads as it were wounded to death." As the "head" that was "wounded" represents a religious
system, then all seven must represent religious organizations, for all heads are alike, save the wound.
Thus it is an unmistakable fact that the symbols are intended to reveal both the civil and religious side
of the present world.
The crowns represent civil authority as previously explained. Had they been on the heads like on
the dragon of Revelation 12:3, it would denote that the churches are using the civil arm of the
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state to propagate their dogma as in the days of imperial and papal Rome, represented by the dragon.
But since the crowns are on the horns, and the state is independent from the church it proves the
symbol by the crowns to be correct. As the facts brought forth regarding the nature of the symbols
cannot be questioned, it is evident that we have a positive foundation for their application.
The leopard-like beast is a descendant of the four ancient empires. Therefore, he represents the
world, but more particularly the entire western civilization, with their civil and religious systems.
Consequently the heads represent Christendom only. John says: "The beast having seven heads and
ten horns and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy." The fact that
there is the name of blasphemy on the heads is an additional proof that they can only represent
religious organizations, for blasphemy is equivalent to hypocrisy, and hypocrisy means an attempt to
mix the sacred with the common. But the Lord says: "I know the blasphemy of them which say they
are Jews [Christians], and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan." (Rev. 2:9.) "Of whom is
Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme."
(1 Tim. 1:20.) "Therefore, son of man, speak unto the house of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith
the Lord God; Yet in this your fathers have blasphemed me, in that they have committed a trespass
against me." (Ezek. 20:27.) "Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, saith the
Lord, which have burned incense upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills: therefore
will I measure their former work into their bosom." (Isa. 65:7.) Disobedience to the Word of God
is blasphemy.
Naturally the question arises, who could these blasphemous denominations be? They can certainly
be many; consider the multiplicity of sects. The prophetic word of God, speaking of this present time
says: "Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts."
(2 Pet. 3:3.) "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own
lusts they shall heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears
from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (2 Tim. 4:3, 4.)
What has brought the present day confusion? Because they have departed from sound Bible truth
is the only answer that can be given. Is it possible that all can be right when no two believe alike,
with but one bible, one gospel, one Lord, one hell to shun and one heaven to gain? Jesus said: "And
other sheep
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I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall
be one fold, and one shepherd." (John 10:16.)
Such Satanic confusion as the one at the present time was about to arise in the days of Paul. As
the Spirit of God moved upon him, he uttered the words with a sharp rebuke: "Now I beseech you,
brethren, by the name of (Our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye shall speak the same thing and that there be
no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same
judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house
of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of
Paul, and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas, and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for
you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?" (1 Cor. 1:10-13.) How great the contrast between
the position taken by the Spirit-filled servant of God, and the present day self-styled apostles.
Jesus said, "All these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor
me." (John 16:3.) Had all these so-called Christian leaders been led by the Spirit of God they would
imitate the example set forth by the prophets and the apostles; then there could have been no division
in Biblical truth. The Present-day condition is indeed a blasphemy and fulfills the words of the
Master: "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets and shall shew great signs and wonders;
insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." (Matt. 24:24.)
In view of this great confusion there is apparent difficulty to immediately determine who is right
and who is wrong. Jesus said: "Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as
touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven."
(Matt. 18:19.) There could be nothing more pleasing to God than for one of His children to ask in
sincerity the way of truth; therefore, such a one shall not be left in darkness: "Ask, and it shall be
given you; seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." (Matt. 7:7.)
If people care to find the truth, it can easily be done. But the fact of the matter is that they do not
care. People would rather be deceived than to ask God to show them His truth. Yes, they pray, but
their prayers are not heard, for: "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer
shall be abomination." (Prov. 28:9.) The so-called Christians of this day, say, "That Scripture is in
the Old Testament and for the
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Jews only." We turn to the New Testament for light upon the subject: "Whosoever therefore shall
break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the
kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the
kingdom of heaven." (Matt. 5:19.) The honest in heart, with surprise, hear the word from the impious
scoffer of the day: "That does not mean the law of God; it is the commandment of Jesus: Thou shalt
love thy neighbor as thyself." True, but which one of the ten commandments can you break and yet
fulfill the commandments of Jesus? And if you love your neighbor, will you dishonor your God? Are
not the first four kept to show honor to God; and the last six to test our love to men?
Said Jesus: "On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." (Matt. 22:40.) Is the
begotten Son of God working in opposition to His Father? "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which
God gave unto Him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass, and he sent
and signified it by his angel unto his servant John." (Rev. 1:1.) "Here is the patience of the Saints:
here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." (Rev. 14:12.) Has not
Jesus said that His saints keep the commandments of God? Again the carnal mind raises an objection,
"They keep the commandments of God, and not the law." But the Spirit declares: "If ye have respect
of persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep
the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit
adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a
transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty."
(Jas. 2:9-12.) "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of
life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." (Rev. 22:14.)
The keeping of His commandments is the ticket to heaven. "To the law and to the testimony: if
they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." (Isa. 8:20.) "Because
the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be."
(Rom. 8:7.) "He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth
is not in him." (1 John 2:4.) After loosing one devilish loophole, the carnal mind takes hold of
another, determined to serve the devil and deceive himself and with his nose in the air he utters the
words, "We are not to keep the law according to the letter but according to the Spirit,
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'For the letter killeth but the Spirit giveth life.'" His misconception of what truth is, leads him to
believe that to keep the Law according to the Spirit he must disregard the written Word of God, and
keep the Divine Law according to his own ways, and in harmony with his carnal mind, making void
Jehovah's own inscription (see Ex. 31:18), thus exalting the finite above the Infinite! What greater
blasphemy can one commit? We give here a brief explanation of the subject.
To keep the law according to the letter is to build a wall around it as the proud Pharisees did. We
quote 1 John 3:15, "Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer." Therefore, though we kill not and
yet hate our brother we have kept the law blameless according to the letter, but not according to the
Spirit. The keeping of the law according to the Spirit has a broader significance than the carnal mind
can conceive. If I must keep the whole law, I must keep the whole Word of God in every respect,
otherwise, I would dishonor Him, and would become a transgressor of the law as a disobedient son
dishonors his earthly father, and becomes guilty of the fifth commandment in the law.
"Are we saved by the law?" No, indeed! We are judged by the law. So, if we willfully disobey the
Word of God, we fall under the condemnation of the law. "For if we sin willfully after that we have
received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins." (Heb. 10:26.) But
if we love the righteousness of God as expressed in His law, and determine to obey His Holy Word
where ever found (Bible or Spirit of Prophecy) according to the revelation by His Spirit, then we
receive the power which enables us to fulfill the divine purpose, and thereby our sins are blotted out
by the blood of Christ, and thus we are made free from the law and its condemnation -- placed under
divine grace.
It is true that people like to be deceived, flattering themselves that they are on the way to heaven,
while Satan winks at their ignorance. The Word of God says: "And many shall follow their pernicious
ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.... But these, as natural brute beasts,
made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly
perish in their own corruption." (2 Peter 2:2, 12.) This proves how sectarianism sprung up.
As it has been proven, and generally accepted that the "seven churches" of Revelation, chapters two
and three, represented the history of the church in the Christian era, it is evident that the church was
split in seven sections. The Laodicean being the last, she is also in danger of falling according to the
testimony
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of the true Witness: "So then because thou are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee
out of my mouth." (Rev. 3:16.) God has sent message after message to give light upon His written
Word. They were intended to correct error, rebuke sin, and reprove the sinner; but the leaders of
each section threw out the messages, and the few who were willing to sacrifice all for the truth were
forced to part from the churches and march on with the light. Were the leaders willing to correct
their errors and purify the church, there would have been but one section. By the denial of the truth
each section cut itself off from the mighty arm of God. Thus, not one of these churches have had
additional light on the Scriptures other than that which was imparted to them by the founders of each
movement. The fact proves the prophetic Word of God correct, and the older the section the greater
the condemnation. Therefore, these churches are represented by the "heads"; the "blasphemy" over
them, denotes their fall. Should they refuse this last call also then the revelation of these facts would
be against them, and will bring their final ruin.
The message regarding the 144,000, and a call for reformation presented to the Seventh-day
Adventist church in 1930 was in like manner rejected. Therefore, as the leadership of the churches
have never accepted a message at any time, they are certainly fulfilling the following prophecy: "The
wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the Lord; and
what wisdom is in them?.... For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the Lord:
therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered." (Jer. 8:9; 10:21.)
The "seven heads" of the "leopard-like beast" represent this mystery of ungodliness and hypocrisy,
showing how each one fell into the trap as they came to it. Therefore, since Luther's time and on,
God permitted that His people should be cast out by Satan's flood (the unconverted.) Thus, He has
been calling His church from one movement to another.
Therefore, they who lower the standard, and refuse to reform at the sounding of the trumpet, are
the very ones who cause division in the church of God! "Now I beseech you brethren, mark them
which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and
fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." (Rom. 16:17, 18.)
Since the history of the church is such, and the last section
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(Laodiceans) is in a worse condition, and under greater condemnation than any previous one, and as
there is no time left for calling out a new movement, then a message of amazing light and stern rebuke
through the Word of God, with manifestations of divine judgments, is the only remedy that can bring
true conversion and reformation. Thus preparing a church to stand "without spot, wrinkle or any
such thing," of which only can be said: "And the dragon was wroth with the woman [the church as
a body] and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God,
and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." (Rev. 12:17.) It is the purity of the church that incurs the
wrath of the dragon.
These "seven churches" were also symbolized by "seven candlesticks," and the leadership of the
same churches, by "seven angels." So we read: "The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest
in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven
churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches." (Rev. 1:20.) "And
unto the Angel of the church of the Laodiceans write." (Rev. 3:14.) Note the message is addressed
to the Angel (leadership), and not to the candlestick (the church as a body.) Therefore, the
condemnation is not to the candlestick, but to the angel. "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and
increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and
miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." (Rev. 3:17.) My brethren, this is not against you, for it
is Christ speaking who died for you, but it will be, if you change not your course of action.
If Christ by assembling these seven churches in a group of seven candlesticks and giving the
blackest record to the last one, is not calling the Laodiceans Babylon, then neither is the interpretation
of the "heads" doing so. It is not because the Laodiceans are better that they are not called Babylon,
for their record is worse, but it is to show that on account of their increased light, He is to deal
differently with them. It is to prove that if the "angel" (leadership) of the church of the Laodiceans
should reject the message of the "True Witness," He cannot call the 144,000 out from the midst of
them into another movement by the call of Revelation 18: "Come out of her my people, that ye be
not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues," (Rev. 18:4), but rather by the
message of Revelation 7 and Ezekiel 9. Thus speedily releasing His people, and quickly "finish the
work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth."
(Rom. 9:28.)
Disobedience to the Word of God is blasphemy, and blasphemy
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is hypocrisy; that is to say, they are not what they profess to be. Hypocrisy hides the crying sins
under the appearance of virtue. This sin of hypocrisy is difficult to cure in that it is not easily
discovered by men. We cannot understand the hearts of others nor discern between the cloak of
hypocrisy and the life of holiness. A spiritual deception has its beginning from a being other than
human. Therefore, the scheme is so cunning that it cannot be discerned by finite observation. This
kind of deception can only be recognized under the close scrutiny of the holy Word of God and by
the aid of His Spirit.
"The effectual means to cure such a well devised plan of deception is a steadfast belief in that there
is an all-seeing eye of God; who sees sin wherever it is, and will bring it into judgment. A hypocrite
may hide his sin from the eyes of others and sometimes from his own conscience but can never
impose upon God." Paul, looking forward to such a time as this, says: "For the time will come when
they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers,
having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
(2 Tim. 4:3, 4.) "Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? Thou that
preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery,
dost thou commit adultery? Thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? Thou that
makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?" (Rom. 2:21-23.) To
the careless and indifferent, Job comments as follows: "It shall devour the strength of his skin: even
the first born of death shall devour his strength." (Job 18:13.)
The seven heads are to symbolically point out these "high places" ruled by unsanctified leaders who
have attempted to mix the sacred with the common, and refuse to hear the Word of the Lord. The
Biblical number "seven," denoting completeness, naturally would comprise all Christendom at the
time the prophetic truth is made known. Such apostasy is not a strange thing in the history of God's
people, for time and again the church has fallen under a satanic flood. In Luther's day conditions
were as bad as when the church crucified Christ. If this generation is more wicked than any before
it, what would immunize the church from just such an apostasy? It is accepted by most Bible students
that prophecies of this nature are understood only when the prophetic object in view is fully
developed. Therefore, this is the time of which the symbols speak. However, there is another angle
to this, by which we shall prove that the facts presented are true.
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One Head Wounded Unto Death
John says: "I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death." As the wounded head has
reference to the stroke delivered to the papacy by Luther, the exile of the pope in 1798 was a sign
of the completeness of the wound and that the prophetic period had ended. Thus fulfilling the words:
"He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity. (Rev. 13:10.) Had not the papacy received the
deadly wound by Luther, the pope could not have been put into prison by the French general for
before the pontifical authority received Luther's sword, the pope reigned supreme. But the blow
weakened his power, and the result was that Protestantism came upon the stage of action. The
continual infliction began to irritate the "head," until finally the pope landed behind prison bars. The
annoyance continued until 1870, when ultimately the temporal power of the pope was taken away.
That being the last vexation of the "head," it showed that it was left to heal its "deadly wound."
Quoting the words of Luther explaining how the papacy was wounded: "I put forward God's word;
I preached and wrote -- this was all I did. And yet while I was asleep,... the word that I had preached
overthrew popery, so that neither prince nor emperor has done it so much harm. And yet I did
nothing; the Word alone did it all." -- "The Great Controversy," page 190. "I began this work ln
God's name," said Luther, "it will be ended without me, and by His might." -- Id. p. 142. Let none
misunderstand the following statement for the same author has recorded them both. Therefore it
would be unjust to misconstrue the one statement, for by so doing we would throw out of harmony
the other. Speaking of the 1260 years we read: "This period, as stated in preceding chapters, began
with the supremacy of the papacy, A.D. 538, and terminated in 1798. At that time, the pope was
made captive by the French army, and the Papal power received its deadly wound, and the prediction
was fulfilled. 'He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity!'" -- Id., p. 439. Note that the aim
of the author in this statement is not to tell how the wound was received, but to show that the
prophetic period ended with the imprisonment of the pope, which fulfilled not the words, "And I saw
one of his heads as it were wounded unto death" (Rev. 13:3), but rather the Scripture quoted "He that
leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity." (Rev. 13:10.) Shall we ignore God and His Spirit, and
give to Berthier the credit, thus justifying stupidity?
His Deadly Wound Was Healed
"And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and
all the world wondered
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after the beast." (Rev. 13:3.) William Miller proclaimed the prophetic period of the 2300 days prior
to 1844. That wonderful prophecy was delivered to Christendom with great power by the Spirit of
God. Though the leaders of the nominal churches could not contradict the truth presented by Miller,
they turned a deaf ear to the doctrine taught by him.
But as the disappointment came in 1844 through the misunderstanding of what was to transpire at
the end of the prophetic period, the movement created by Miller came to its end. The second angel's
Message of Revelation 14:8, had announced that Babylon (the churches prior to 1844) had fallen.
That is to say that God would let no light shine upon His word through these fallen churches. Had
God not called forth another Protestant movement the deadly wound would have been healed at that
time.
By the divinely called movement, and aided by the writings of the "Spirit of Prophecy," God's
intention was to keep the "deadly wound" on the "head." But the prophetic Word of God says: "His
deadly wound was healed. Since God's Holy Word declares that the wound was healed, and as the
prophecy cannot be broken, it is positive that the wound is "healed."
But if Protestantism, by obedience to God's Word, is what inflicted the wound, then true
Protestantism only can keep the painful sore on the head. If the wound is healed, then it is evident
that they to whom God had committed the message for a perishing world have been defeated in the
same manner as every movement since the world began. It is a most wonderful thing to note how
the old enemy has succeeded in defiling the church in every age through its leadership. The highest
human intellect has been continually led into error and thus have served Satan to their own downfall.
Will God's people never profit by these historical and biblical facts? Are not these things written for
our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come? God, by His Holy Word, commands:
"Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?" (Isa. 2:22.)
As it has been accepted that the exile of the pope in 1798 was a signal that the infliction had been
accomplished, so then as he has gained back his temporal power it further proves that the deadly
wound is healed. These facts cannot be denied, for it is admitted that the incident of 1798 is true;
therefore the one in 1929 cannot be refuted. That being so, this is the time to which the prophetic
symbol speaks, "his deadly wound was healed." Read "The Shepherd's Rod," Vol. 1, for the entire
volume deals with that subject.
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All The World Wondered After The Beast
"His deadly wound was healed," John says, "And all the world wondered after the beast." Note that
the world wondered after the beast and not after the head. Therefore, it cannot mean that the world
would necessarily have to enroll in the membership of the system represented by the head. The
significance is that all the world has partaken of the spirit of the beast -- worldliness. The world in
general has never been otherwise. It could not be said that "all the world wondered after the beast"
if the people whom God has entrusted with the gospel are free from the spirit of the beast. But it
must be that they have betrayed their trust, and partaken of its spirit. Where is the distinction
between the church and the world!
The Name Of Blasphemy
"And upon his heads the name of blasphemy." That is, resistance of known truth, expression of
defiant impiety and irreverence towards God, or things held sacred -- mocking God's personality and
authority. The prophet Isaiah, looking forward to this time of wholesale deception, headed by
so-called spiritual guides, says: "And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We
will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away
our reproach." (Isa. 4:1.)
It is an admitted fact among Bible students that churches are symbolized by "women." Pure woman
-- pure church, as in Jeremiah 6:2, Revelation 12:1; vile woman -- corrupt church, as in Revelation
17:4,5. Isaiah says, there are "seven" women. The number comprises these same churches. They
say, "We will eat our own bread." That is, they want to have their own way; they care not for God's
way (Word). "We will wear our own apparel", that is, they want their own plans in preference to
God's plans or His righteousness. Thereby, they clothed themselves with self-righteousness. Their
aim is to be called by the one man's name; that is, by the name of Christ (Christians) to take away
their reproach. People have come to suppose they can do most anything under the guise of
Christianity and get away with it. God will let them continue their course until they, like Belshazzar,
have passed the boundary line of divine grace, and then He will call them to account.
"And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast,
saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?" (Rev. 13:4.) The question
may be asked, How can professed Christians
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worship the dragon? The answer is easy, and the worship of the dragon can be clearly seen. The
present system of worship by so-called Christian institutions is unquestionably pagan. Sunday,
Christmas, and Easter keeping, etc., originated in ancient Babylon, from the old pagan religion in
honor of the sun god. Christians, in modern times, assume to honor the most High God with pagan
customs calling them "Christian Doctrines." Protestantism has taken a grip on these pagan festivals
as a leech on a human body. As the sluggard sucks the blood unaware that his satisfaction brings him
to destruction, just so with protestants and their pagan commemoratives, even daring to call them by
the name of Christ. Blasphemy indeed! Every student of ancient history knows this to be true;
likewise every Bible student knows these so-called Christian festivals are unbiblical as well as
unchristian. If these institutions were Christian, or Biblical, they would certainly have been spoken
of in the Bible. But since they are not found in the Word of God, Christians had better leave them
alone lest they be found worshiping the dragon.
Jeremiah, looking forward to this time of apostasy, says: "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.
For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands
of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and
with hammers, that it move not." (Jer. 10:2-4.) Though the Word declares, "Learn not the ways of
the heathen," professed ministers of the gospel will cut a tree from the forest and deck it with silver
and gold, then dare call it by the name of Christ -- Christmas tree. What greater blasphemy can one
do? Are ministers and religious teachers ignorant of these things? Jesus said, "God is a Spirit: and
they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."
John heard the men defying God, saying ,"Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war
with him?" That is, who can abolish this pagan system of worship; is there one? They challenge
God's authority. It may not be said by words, but it is most decidedly expressed by action. Men's
discernment is blunted by sin, and when an attempt is made to associate the sacred with the common
or pagan, they see no evil. Though the Word of God declares: "But in all things approving ourselves
as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in
imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; By pureness, by knowledge, by
longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
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By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right handand on
the left, By honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet as true; As
unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed, As
sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich: as having nothing, and yet possessing
all things. O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.... Be ye not unequally
yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and
what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part
hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For
ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them and walk in them; and I will
be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye
separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you, And will be a Father
unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." (2 Cor. 6:4-11, 14-18.)
It is open disobedience to the plain "thus saith the Lord" that has brought about confusion and
disgrace in the Christian world at the present time. True the reformers saw not all these errors, and
were not responsible, for they had no light upon them. As God has given light upon His Word, by
degrees, making it possible to grasp the truth, He expects us to receive it, and thus lead us to the
victory.
But one may say, if God could save others with less light, why should He give us more light? Of
the many reasons we shall comment on only two. By increased light on the Word, God is able to save
a multitude instead of a few. The second reason is, as the last part of the church will be translated
instead of resurrected, we need sufficient light to prepare us to meet God and immortal beings.
Just such ignorance of God's Word in the days of Noah brought the world to its destruction by
water. A similar wicked condition reduced to ashes the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. If in the days
of Christ, just such hypocrisy, under the appearance of virtue, required the life of the Son of God to
Preserve the world from destruction, what would the outcome be at this present time? God cannot
destroy the world, for He has a multitude to save. He has no other Son for a gift to the church, for
Christ is the "only begotten" Son of God. If God's ideal is to bless the world through the medium of
His church on earth, and they to whom the gospel for the world is
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committed have left the sheep and are serving the devil, in the person of themselves, where is the
hope of the world? The only answer that can be given is, woe to the sinners in Zion. God will gather
His sheep. He will have a church; but what will be the reward of those who were instructed to feed
the lambs and are feeding themselves? Christ, who sees the end from the beginning, and with his
all-seeing eye focused on present day conditions, has said: "Who then is a faithful and wise servant,
whom his Lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that
servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, that he shall make
him ruler over all his goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My Lord delayeth his
coming; And shall begin to smite his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The Lord
of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware
of, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites [with the heads of the
beasts]; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matt. 24:45-51.)
Separating The Tares From The Wheat
Peter saw a time when God will judge the church: "For the time is come that judgment must begin
at the house of God; and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the Gospel
of God?" (1 Pet. 4:17.) What would be the end of him who enters not the ark of safety, but dares bar
the way of others? As the prophet saw the day of vengeance upon the sinner in Zion, and the Lord
returning from the slaughter, he asked: "Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments
from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, traveling in the greatness of his strength? I that
speak in righteousness, mighty to save.... For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of
my redeemed is come. And I looked, and there was none to help, and I wondered that there was
none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me. And
I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down
their strength to the earth." (Isa. 63:1, 4-6.)
Fearful is the day that is soon to fall upon the watchman on the walls of Zion, for the righteous only
shall be preserved. "Those who would rather die than perform a wrong act are the only ones who
will be found faithful." -- "Testimonies for the Church," Vol 5, p. 53. The separation of the pure from
the impure is well described by Ezekiel. Those who are worthy to
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escape the ruin will be marked by the man with the writer's inkhorn, after which the five men with the
slaughter weapons shall smite the class who are left without the mark. Said the Lord: "Slay utterly
old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom
is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the
house. And he said unto them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth. And
they went forth, and slew in the city." (Ezek. 9:6, 7.) At this time the tares are separated from the
wheat according to the words of Christ: "Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time
of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them into bundles to
burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn." (Matt. 13:30.)
The purification of God's church marks the harvest or the "Loud cry" of the Third Angel's Message,
for the Lord of the harvest declares, "Let both grow together until the harvest." The wheat gathered
at the commencement of the harvest and at the separation from the tares in the church, is called the
first-fruits of the harvest. As John looked upon the company he heard a melody of joy, inexpressible
by human lips: "And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts,
and the elders: an no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which
were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are
virgins. These are they which follow the lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from
among men, being the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb." (Rev. 14:3, 4.) "And no man could
learn that song." Experience only can tell the joy in one's heart at a time when rescued from
everlasting ruin, and granted everlasting life without tasting death -- merged into eternity's ceaseless
ages! -- a life that measures with the life of God.
Confidence In Men Is Satan's Sure Trap
We may search as far back as we desire and it is certain that we shall discover to our surprise and
sorrow, that the church leadership has been so greatly deceived that in each period they failed to
recognize the unrolling of the scroll; and as the blinded multitude took the side of the corrupted
leaders against the revealed truth, they split God's church in numerous sections. Thus by defeating
the foremost, Satan has been able to engage them to labor for him, and thereby to overthrow the
church as a body. To ascertain the accuracy of the foregoing statement it would
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not be necessary to comment on facts beyond the first advent of Christ. Therefore, a brief survey of
the Christian era shall be considered here.
Satan had drawn the "dirt brush" over the eyes of the highest human intellect at the close of the Old
Testament dispensation. Their spiritual eyes were so skillfully plastered that they could not see a bolt
of lightning as bright as the sun, in the darkest night. The fulfillment of prophecy, the miracles
surrounding the birth of Christ, His spotless character, His unselfish labor and wonders in every step,
touch, look and act, filled the very atmosphere with divine love. Men who were destitute of the sense
of sight from their birth, felt the healing power of the Infinite One. The blind saw the Lord of glory
and praised God, but the religious teachers of Israel were not affected by the power that moved even
inanimate objects. The earth quaked; and the sun veiled its face; the rocks were rent and the graves
were opened; the dead arose and beheld the Son of God. But the proud Pharisees, priests, and rabbis,
esteemed as never erring, could neither feel, see, nor hear. There is no wonder greater than the one
written by the actions of the blind leaders of that age. John, speaking of the experience, says: "In Him
was life and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness: and the darkness
comprehended it not." (John 1:4, 5.)
Every possible ray of light pointing to the coming of the "Lamb of God" had been given to the
once-chosen people; but it profited them not. Said Jesus: "If therefore the light that is in thee be
darkness, how great is that darkness!" Would that these experiences could arouse the leaders and
the people at this present time from self confidence and counterfeit security to an earnest search of
positive Bible truth.
The early Christian church in like manner was dragged into the dark ages. As soon as the Apostles
passed away Satan marshaled his agents, men of renown, into the church. The already-blinded
leaders laid their hands on men, not from the viewpoint of consecration, but from distinction, and thus
made them shepherds of the flock. In the darkest hour of the Christian church God, by the hand of
Luther, called the attention of the multitude to the terrible deception, but few were ready to listen to
the humble monk. One would imagine that the most intellectual would have been the first to see the
light in the plain "thus saith the Lord." Luther, with a great struggle, and at the risk of his life,
founded the Lutheran denomination. But as he passed away, that movement in like manner was
corrupted and hardened against new light on the Word of God.
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As John Knox came with additional truth, the leaders of the church refused to be interested, thus
necessity gave birth to the Presbyterian denomination. These experiences have been repeated with
Wesley, Campbell, Miller, and White. (See "The Shepherd's Rod," Vol. 1, pp. 32-114.) "We have
far more to fear from within than from without. The hindrances to strength and success are far
greater from the church itself than from the world." -- Review and Herald, March 22, 1887. If the
danger against the church has been from within, through confidence in self-deceived leadership in
every age, what would change things at the present time?
These facts concerning Satan's sure traps, echo and re-echo with the loudest wail to arouse the
sleeper at this particular time. Hear the trumpet's sound: "Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit
down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion!" (Isa.
52:2.) Prejudice, with dependence upon men, in confidence of having all the truth and that there is
need of none, has devoured more souls than any trap ever devised by the enemy of mankind. The
class who accept the decisions of others without investigating for themselves, and refuse to be
interested in hearing and reasoning the Scriptures, have been deceived concerning present truth in
every age. "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the
wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are
vain." (1 Cor. 3:19, 20.)
Men who are esteemed great by the world, God can seldom use. In general, the great educators
of the age are carnal minded, therefore the product from the schools of men is enmity against God.
"Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed
can be." (Rom. 8:7.) If God would use them they must first, with the great apostle, deny themselves.
Said Paul: "To preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made
of none effect. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the
understanding of the prudent." (1 Cor. 1:17, 19.) "And, I brethren, when I came to you, came not
with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined
not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. And I was with you in
weakness, and fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing
words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power." (1 Cor. 2:1-4.)
God took Moses to the desert and there under His supervision
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He trained him for forty years -- when Moses unlearned all he had learned in the schools of Egypt,
then only was God able to use him for an instrument of His mighty arm. When Moses felt capable
to deliver Israel from Egyptian bondage he failed; but when he saw himself helpless, then he was
strong. If God should give great light to a man who is high in his own esteem, and held likewise by
the world, man would glorify himself and rob God of the glory. "At this time Jesus answered and
said, I thank Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because Thou hast hid these things from the
wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to babes." (Matt. 11:25.) God reveals Himself through
instruments and ways least suspected by men. Thus He performs a miracle by making impossibilities
possible, revealing His power and arousing the sleeper with light and voice divine. Men of distinction
have seldom accepted any light upon the Word of God simply on the value of its truth; this class
generally accepts Biblical truth after it becomes popular and when preached by men esteemed higher
than themselves.
Said the prophet, "Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be
accounted of?" (Isa. 2:22.) "It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man." (Psa.
118:8.) The prophet Micah, looking forward to this time of carnal security, says, "Trust ye not in a
friend put ye not confidence in a guide. (Micah 7:5.) God's people must learn to look to Him only,
depending upon the plain "thus saith the Lord." He may use the human instrument to communicate
light, but it will shine on the never-erring Word of God. Such light will dispel sin and rebuke the
sinner, exalt Christ, glorify God, and debase men. "The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the
haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. For the day
of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted
up; and he shall be brought low." (Isa. 2:11, 12.)
Satan knows how to deceive so that it can not be easily detected. He studies the inclination of the
people, and the thing which appeals most he sets as a trap. Because the generation is trusting in
human intellect and are willing that others should think for them, the devil will present to this class
the most dazzling personality the world has ever looked upon. Said the apostle: "And no marvel; for
Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." (2 Cor. 11:14.)
God's instruments for communicating light upon His Word will be the opposite to those of Satan's.
"I thank Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth," said Jesus, "because Thou hast hid these things
from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them
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unto babes." (Matt. 11:25.) To the prophet Isaiah, it was revealed that God will use humble men to
debase the proud: "For behold, the Lord the Lord of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from
Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water. The mighty man,
and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet, and the prudent, and the ancient, the captain of fifty,
and the honorable man, and the counselor, and the cunning artificer, and the eloquent orator. And
I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them. And the people shall be
oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbor: The child shall behave himself
proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honorable." (Isa. 3:1-5.) Said Jesus, "Whosoever
therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And
whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me." (Matt. 18:4, 5.)
A Brief Summary Of The Leopard-like Beast
It has been previously proven that the leopard-like beast by his seven heads, and ten horns is a
representation of a universal system. The four beasts of Daniel 7; namely, the lion, bear, leopard, and
the non-descript were shown in the vision as four universal empires coming up one after another.
Thus, prophecy as well as history proves that Babylon, Medo-Persia, Grecia and Rome succeeded
each other. This unbreakable chain of four links makes it impossible to intersect any one of the four
beasts with a universal system. Therefore, the leopard-like must come in line after the fourth beast.
As the "ten horns" of the non-descript beast represented "ten kings" that were to arise from the
Roman monarchy, the "crowns on the horns" prove that the leopard-like beast represents the period
after the fall of the Roman monarchy, at which time the "ten kings" received their kingdom. As he
also "came out from the Sea," it is evident that he too was to be created from the result of wars.
Thus the fall of the Roman monarchy gave birth to a fifth beast. His mouth of a lion, feet of a bear,
body of a leopard, and ten horns, show that he is a descendant of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Grecia, and
Rome.
As he opened his mouth in blasphemy for forty-two months, or 1260 years, it is undeniable that he
represents the papal period from 538 A.D. to 1798 A.D. -- the time in which the papal head received
its deadly wound. But as his wound was to heal some time after 1798, it is evident that he also
represents this world's history after the imprisonment of Pope Pius VI up to the time his "deadly
wound was healed;" these periods gave birth to Catholiasm and Protestantism.
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It would have been unwise, and useless to devise this prophetic beast if the symbols would fail to
reveal Protestantism as they do Catholicism. Before the 1260 years ended in 1798, the four
Protestant denominations were already in existence; namely, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodist, and
Christian. But after 1798 came the First-day Adventists; and the seventh-day Adventists from 1844
to 1929 completed his seven heads. As Protestantism fell by the declaration of the Second Angel's
Message after 1844, and as the symbol of Revelation 13 in 1930 revealed that the Seventh-day
Adventists "wondered after the beast" (world), these two incidents healed the wound, and drew the
blasphemy over all seven heads. Thus, the complete fulfillment of the symbolical prophecy revealed
the truth of the beast. As all other sects are but off-shoots from these seven bodies the heads included
all Christendom up to 1930. As the prophetic word of God says, "All the world wondered after the
beast" (worldliness), and not after the head (papacy), it denotes that they have wondered after the
world and not after Catholicism. Out of this great apostasy the message of Revelation 7:1-8, will seal
and save 144,000 saints, from the S.D.A. church who shall never taste death. But the message
represented by the angel of Revelation 18, with whose glory the earth is to be lightened, will call out
from the world the "great multitude" of Revelation 7:9.
God, who is so particular for the good of His church in revealing His truth to His people, has
presented to us wonderful pictures of historical events; which is the evidence of love everlasting for
Israel His chosen -- the first-fruits of His harvest. Thus "the God of Jacob," thousands of years in
advance, had laid His plans to present to His people a work of prophetic art with divine touch.
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The Two-Horned Beast
REV. 13:11-18
As John beheld the vision with intense interest, his attention was directed to another striking object:
And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he
spake as a dragon." (Rev. 13:11.) Just about the time the second and last stage of the non-descript
beast was to terminate, another earthly power was to come upon the stage of action, according to
the vision. It is wonderful to note how accurate the symbols are even to their proper time and order.
The beast having lamb-like horns (promise of growth) is an unmistakable symbol of a nation "slowly
arising as from a small plan to a mighty empire." "Lamb-like," is descriptive of the government
arising in 1776 A.D. (See "The Great Controversy," pp. 439-441.)
This beast has been accepted as a symbol of the United States. Therefore, our intention is not to
bring forth facts pertaining to its application. Our aim is, as previously stated, to briefly connect one
beast with another by throwing light upon symbols which have not been understood.
It will be noticed that every beast representing the New Testament time has ten horns except this
one. We repeat that the ten horns stand as a symbol of universal systems. This fact proves that the
two-horned beast represents a local government. As civil powers or governments are symbolized by
horns, this particular beast having two, it is evident that the nation represented by this symbol, shall
have a double form of government. As John says, "The beast spake as a dragon," it clearly reveals
that it is to repudiate its constitution, and the God-given liberty of its subjects will be taken away.
According to Rev. 13:12, this power is to imitate the beast "before him" (the papal rule): "And he
exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell
therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed." If this great nation should
presume upon the conscience of its subjects by legislation, as to how they may, or may not worship,
it would be contrary to the provisions in its constitution -- speaking as a dragon. Quoting the United
States constitution, the first amendment concerning religious matters, states: "Congress shall make
no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." If this
country should repudiate this amendment, it will completely meet the symbolical specification.
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The following verse discloses the fact that the old dragon shall exercise his power to deceive as
many as possible: "And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on
the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those
miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast saying to them that dwell on the earth that
they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live." (Rev. 13:13,
14.) Thus he is to exercise persecutive powers as well as the working of miracles.
As the Word exposes this great deception, one would think that the world would open its eyes and
refuse to be charmed by such Satanic wonders. But Satan knows that the people are unmindful of
the Word of God, and that their emotions are easily moved by supernatural marvels and the eloquence
of men. Therefore, he will perfect the contrivance and many will fall into it regardless of warnings.
The human mind cannot comprehend that mysterious and irresistible power that is soon to spread its
dreadful shadow over the inhabitants of the earth. No mortal being can stand against that
supernatural, civil and religious system. Those who are students of the Word, trusting in God
without reservation, and thus filled with the Holy Spirit, will escape that dreadful trap.
"Those who would rather die than perform a wrong act are the only ones who will be found
faithful." -- "Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 53. Their only safety will be, "Thus saith the
Lord." They must look to God as their only deliverer, as did the three Hebrews in ancient Babylon
and as Daniel in the lion's den. Let the consequence be what it may, God's people can find shelter
only in taking the position of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, as when they answered the king:
"O, Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we
serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of thine hand, O
king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the
golden image which thou hast set up." (Dan. 3:16-18.)
God's people, with Daniel, will be able to say at the time of their deliverance: "My God hath sent
His angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before Him
innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt." (Dan. 6:22.) In such
time of trial it shall be clearly seen who will serve God and who will not. That time of trouble shall
divide the earth's inhabitants in two separate and distinct classes, as sheep and goats.
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"And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both
speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he
causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand,
or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of
the beast, or the number of his name." (Rev. 13:15-17.)
This drastic decree of the two-horned beast shall be adopted by the nations of the world, and the
image of the beast, which will demand obedience to an ecclesiastical form of worship, will be
internationally set up. The mark of the beast is Sunday observance. Under one pretext or another,
the careless and indifferent will worship the image of the beast, and receive the mark. Only those who
have fortified themselves with faith in God knowledge of His Word, and obedience to divine precepts
through sanctification of the heart by the power of the Holy Spirit, will be able to escape the crutches
of the devil. When God's people are restrained from buying and selling, their only source of
sustenance will be through divine providence. One way or another, for that short time, God will
provide and care for His people. But it may be in a similar circumstance as in the wilderness journey.
"The time is not far distant, when, like the early disciples, we shall be forced to seek a refuge in
desolate and solitary places. As the siege of Jerusalem by the Roman armies was the signal for flight
to the Judean Christians, so the assumption of power on the part of our nation, in the decree
enforcing the papal Sabbath, will be a warning to us. It will then be time to leave the large cities
preparatory to leaving the smaller ones for retired homes in secluded places among the mountains."
-- "Testimonies to the Church," Vol. 5, pp. 464, 465. The 18th verse of Revelation 13, will be
explained in another study.
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The Scarlet Colored Beast
REV. 17
"So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet
coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns." (Rev. 17:3.) This
particular beast cannot be a symbol of Rome as some have thought. The first reason is, that the
non-descript beast of Daniel 7, as previously explained, is a symbol of Rome, and was seen coming
up from the sea; but the scarlet colored beast, John says, was in the desert. Therefore, the forces that
brought the scarlet colored beast on the stage of action is the opposite of that which produced the
non-descript.
The second reason is, as the angel was about to show the vision to John, he said to him, "Come
hither; I will show thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters." (Rev. 17:1.)
Then John was carried into the wilderness and there he saw the woman riding on the beast. The
reason the vision is given is to show him the judgment of the woman. But she was not judged in the
days of Rome; her judgment is yet in the future, and will be executed under the "Loud Cry" angel of
Revelation 18. (See verses 8, 10.) The riding on the beast is her last act; therefore, the beast must
represent the period in which she is judged. There is a third reason why the beast cannot be a symbol
of Rome. The book of Daniel, and the book of Revelation were written especially for the generation
living at the time of the end, and not so much for the Roman world. (See Dan. 12:4.) They had no
understanding of the writings that pertained to the last days, and thus could not have profited by
them. Therefore, it would have been improper and unwise on the part of God to apply all the beasts
to Rome, and leave the period to which the books apply without symbolical representation.
We believe that there must be more complete symbolical information for this present generation
than for any previous one. Thus, it is very inconsistent and unreasonable of those who have applied
the "leopard-like beast" of Revelation 13, and the "scarlet colored" of Revelation 17, in addition to
the "non-descript beast" of Daniel 7, as symbols of Rome. Why so many symbols of Rome and none
of the period for which the books were written? Furthermore, there are no facts to support such
claims. The greatest rebuke to such assertions in that they derive the same lesson from one beast as
they do from the other. If there
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is no special lesson in each of them, why are they given? Applying the heads, as they do the horns
to symbols of governments, shows that they had no light from the great and all-wise God. If each
term means government, why did Inspiration use both horns and heads?
Note how unreasonable it is to apply the woman riding on the beast, or sitting on the heads to
Catholicism in the New Testament time, and the heads to seven consecutive forms of governments
in the Old Testament period. Said the angel: "The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the
woman sitteth." (Rev. 17:9.) If the papal church came into existence in 508 A.D., how could she "sit"
on any government centuries before? Again, if the heads succeeded each other, where is the proof?
Are they not all present on the beast and the woman sitting on them? As the scarlet colored beast by
his ten horns and seven heads proves to be universal, the successive chain of beasts (the lion, bear,
four-headed leopard, non-descript, and leopard-like) make it impossible for another universal beast
to intersect their unbreakable chain of five links. Such an act would be an attempt to overthrow
prophecy, and history. Therefore, the only period he can possibly represent would be the one after
the "deadly wound" of the leopard-like is healed -- becoming a sixth universal beast.
Since the "scarlet colored" is the last in the symbolical procession of beasts, he must possess all the
characteristics of his ancestors. The ten horns of the non-descript beast, the seven heads of the
leopard-like, and his own unharmed heads, show that he comes on the stage of action after the deadly
wound was healed. His scarlet color denotes curse, as it does on the dragon (devil), in Revelation
12:3, and the words, "go into perdition," (Rev. 17:11), reveal that he is to bring this world to an end
by a curse that will result in "entire ruin; utter destruction; future misery or eternal death." --
"Standard Dictionary."
Therefore, if this beast represents our world at the present time, would it not be unwise on the part
of God, if He should have neglected to foresee the present day multiplicity of sects, and the great
confusion among Christendom, if the symbols by this beast fail to reveal the true condition of the
churches? As the non-descript beast tells the fall of the church in the period he represents so must
the scarlet colored. In fact, this is the principal reason why these prophetic beasts are presented.
The scarlet colored beast is the last symbolical beast in the continuous chain of historical events.
This beast does not arise from the sea like the beasts before it, but was seen in the wilderness.
Therefore, the scarlet colored beast is created by an historical
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incident unlike the beasts before it. The symbol denotes that it is not strife and wars between the
nations that brings this beast upon the stage of action, but rather a principle that is the opposite of the
symbol -- troubled sea.
He has ten horns and seven heads, the same as the leopard-like beast of Revelation 13:1-3. The
only difference between the heads of the two beasts is the deadly wound on the leopard-like. As his
"wound was healed," it is evident that the "scarlet colored" is a continuation of the "leopard-like."
Says John, "And his deadly wound was healed."
Thus the scarlet colored beast has seven unharmed heads. The seven heads represent Christendom
as they do on the leopard-like beast, but it is in the symbol of the scarlet colored, that they are called
Babylon. As he is full of names and blasphemy, it verifies the fact that he represents an exceeding
sinful period. "Full of names," implies a period of great multiplicity of so-called Christian sects; "and
blasphemy," because of rejecting present truth, (refusing to be corrected) and yet dare to call
themselves by the name of Christ (Christians).
The "ten" horns denote the same as on the beasts before it, meaning a universal system. If the heads
of the leopard-like beast represent religious organizations, then the (scarlet colored) embraces the
entire present civilization, both civil and religious (horns and heads). Note that the dragon of
Revelation 12:3, has the crowns on his heads, not on his horns. It has been previously explained that
when the crowns appear on the heads, it denotes a religio-political system. But if they appear on the
horns it reveals that the state is independent of the church.
It will be noticed that the scarlet-colored beast is crownless, as the non-descript of Daniel 7:7, 8.
The ten horns in the first stage of the non-descript beast, representing imperial Rome, had no crowns
because they had received no kingdom as yet. But in his second stage (after the fall of imperial
Rome) in reality they should have been crowned, the "little horn" having the "eyes of a man and a
mouth speaking great things" (a combination of a horn-head -- union of church and state -- the
papacy) being supreme, the horns could have no crowns, showing the papacy was to rule over kings.
The scarlet colored beast is also controlled by the woman riding on his back (church and state). Thus
it denotes that she is the authority, or the crown, for she rules the beast. This is one of the reasons
why the crowns are absent on this beast. The last is an image of the first verifying the fact that the
scarlet colored beast represents the "image of the beast" period, fulfilling Revelation 13:12, 15: "And
he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the
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earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And
he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak,
and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed." The difference
between the two drastic systems is revealed by the two symbols (horn-head on the one, and the
woman riding on the other).
The non-descript beast has only one "horn-head" -- a symbol of a mono-sectarian system by alliance
of civil power with religious creed. But the scarlet colored beast has seven heads, which denote a
multi-sectarian combination under a supreme religio-political jurisdiction (the woman). He represents
our world at its end, with its sovereign authority and theoretical theology under the dominion of the
"woman."
The period represented by the scarlet colored beast commenced in 1929, at which time the deadly
wound was healed. But his career is not fully developed until the "woman" shall sit upon his back.
The commencement of that act will be marked when the following prediction is fully realized:
"When Protestantism shall stretch forth her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of Roman power,
when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with Spiritualism, when under the influence of this
three-fold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its constitution as a Protestant and
Republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and
delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan, and that
the end is near." -- "Testimonies for the Church," Vol. 5, p. 451.
Revelation 17:8, "The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and they that dwell on the earth shall
wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when
they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is." "The beast that thou sawest" (the scarlet
colored), said the angel, "was and is not." As previously explained, the beast first began to appear
on the stage of history in 1929. Therefore, the word, "was," represents the period from the above
stated date up to the time when he will be, "not."
The period represented by the word "not," is the thousand years of Satan's captivity -- millennium:
"And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a
thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that
he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be
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fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season." (Rev. 20:2, 3.)
This period commences with the second coming of Christ and the end of this present world. At that
time the Scripture of Revelation 20:6, will be fulfilled: "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the
first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of
Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years." As the righteous dead are raised and united with
the living, then the prophecy of Jeremiah shall be fully realized: "I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place
was as a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the Lord, and by
His fierce anger. For thus hath the Lord said, The whole land shall be desolate; yet will I not make
a full end." (Jer. 4:26, 27.)
When the cities are broken down and the land laid waste, then the hope of the redeemed shall be
accomplished: "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the
archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive
and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so
shall we ever be with the Lord." (1 Thess. 4:16, 17.) At that glorious time when the saints depart,
the earth will be left in darkness as described by Jeremiah: For this shall the earth mourn, and the
heavens above be black: because I have spoken it, I have purposed it, and will not repent, neither will
I turn back from it. The whole city shall flee for the noise of the horsemen and bowmen; they shall
go into thickets, and climb up upon the rocks: every city shall be forsaken, and not a man dwell
therein." (Jer. 4:28, 29.)
Then, as the saints enter in through the pearly gates John's vision will meet its fulfillment: "And I
saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them
that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the Word of God, and which had not worshipped
the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands, and
they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years." (Rev. 20:4.) The righteous shall spend a
thousand years judging the wicked dead. For further study of the millennium see "Patriarchs and
Prophets," p. 103; "The Great Controversy," pp. 321, 662.
"But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first
resurrection.... And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened:
and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things
which were written
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in the books, according to their works," (Rev. 20:5, 12.) The books contain the records of the
wicked; the book of life is opened and examined by the saints, and in it they behold only the names
of the righteous. The names of some who once appeared in it were blotted out, while the names of
others were never entered between its pages.
Coming back to our subject: "The beast that thou sawest was, and is not, and shall ascend out of
the bottomless pit." Thus far, we have explained the first part of the Scripture quoted (was and is
not). Now we note the words, "And shall ascend out of the bottomless pit." In the millennial period
the wicked shall be judged; and at its close, Christ and the saints shall return to earth. John bears
witness of this: "And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven,
prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." (Rev. 21:2.) As Christ with the saints and the city
descend, then, the following Scripture will be fulfilled: "And the sea gave up the dead which were in
it, and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man
according to their works." (Rev. 20:13.) Note the verb, "were," being in past tense, shows that they
were judged previous to their resurrection. By the resurrection of the wicked, Satan will be loosed
from his captivity for a "little season." (See Rev. 20:3.) In this manner shall the beast (world)
"ascend out of the bottomless pit."
But the angel also said, the beast "goeth into perdition"; that is, after he ascended. Satan is loosed
for only a short season. He and the wicked shall live for one hundred years after the resurrection.
("The Shepherd's Rod, Vol. 1, pages 164, 165.) The Bible says that at the end of the hundred years
"Death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not
found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." (Rev. 20:14, 15.) The second death
of the wicked is an everlasting death, "and they shall be as though they had not been." (Obadiah 16.)
Speaking of Satan's destruction, says the prophet: "All they that know thee among the people shall
be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more." (Ezek. 28:19.)
"For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do
wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that
it shall leave them neither root nor branch." (Mal. 4:1.) In this manner the beast shall go in to
perdition. (Webster's definition of the word perdition is: "total destruction; utter loss of the soul or
of happiness in a future state.")
It is summarized as follows: The beast that "was" is the
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period prior to the millennium; and, "is not," is during the time of the millennium; and "shall ascend
out of the bottomless pit," is the period after the millennium, at which time all the wicked will be
resurrected and go into perdition; that is, at the end of the one hundred years, the wicked, Satan and
his angels shall be consumed by fire.
"And they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not found written in the book
of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is."
(Rev. 17:8.) What a surprise it will be to the wicked when they witness the great multitude as the
sands of the sea for number, suddenly come to life. It will be something which has never entered their
mind. Note the phrase, "From the foundation of the world." This term includes all the wicked since
the world began and proves positively that this interpretation is correct.
Rev. 17:9, "And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on
which the woman sitteth." All the heads being present on the beast, and the woman sitting on them,
proves that all seven "mountains" must be in existence at the same time. They cannot be consecutive
for the woman sits on them all, which denotes one great union of the heads by the medium of the
woman. They are called "mountains," as God's denomination is called "mountain," in Isaiah 2:2, and
Micah 4:1. The "mountain" (singular) is God's denomination, but the "mountains" (plural by both
Isaiah and Micah) have reference to the same denominations represented by the heads on the beast.
Thus "the seven heads are seven mountains."
Rev. 17:10, "And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come;
and when he cometh, he must continue a short space." Note that it does not say "they are," but "there
are." Therefore the "heads" cannot be symbols of the kings. The kings reign in successive order, for,
five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come. Note the Biblical number "seven," meaning
completeness. As the beast also represents the wicked who shall arise from the dead on the other side
of the millennium, and if all who lived from Cain to the end of this present generation are to be raised,
then the seven kings in connection with the beast must apply to the entire world's history from
creation to the end. "Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I
the Lord, the first, and with the last; I am He." (Isa. 41:4.)
As the explanation of the symbolical prophecy is first understood at this present time, and as such
prophecies are only timely revealed, and the lesson derived concerns this present generation,
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then the prediction is present truth. Therefore, we must consider the use of the Biblical pastand
present tense. This grammatical rule is followed in the Scriptures, and it is one way to recognize
present truth. Let not the enemy trip you on this point by vain philosophy or theology. The
Scriptures are perfect in themselves. The King James version is as dependable as any "good"
translation. Take heed of explanations by translations which you yourself do not understand. Trust
no man.
"And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he
cometh, he must continue a short space." (Rev. 17:10.) The "king," that "is," must be the one in
existence at this present time, and the one that is "not yet come," must be in the future. Consequently
the five that are "fallen," must be in the past. This would be the only fair position for one to take
without doing injury to the holy Word of God. As it has reference to the entire world's history under
sin, we must consider the number of universal empires, or periods, since the world began. There is
one before the flood, as previously explained; the second is Babylon; the third, Medo-Persia; fourth,
Grecia; and the fifth is the Roman monarchy. These five are fallen. The one that "is", is the present
civilization since the fall of Rome under the symbol of the "leopard-like" and the "scarlet colored"
beasts, to the commencement of the millennium, which period is termed Rome in her broken state
represented by the feet and toes of the great image of Daniel 2. These are the six kings. "Five are
fallen" and the one "is." The other that is "not yet come," must be the period after the millennium,
corresponding with the beast that is to ascend from the bottomless pit.
It is wonderful to note how God has portrayed our world's history with such perfect symbols, using
numbers of completeness in each instance. Thus His divine plan, rule, and guide for His people, is
revealed from generation to generation. Speaking of the seventh king, the one after the millennium,
the text says, "When he cometh, he must continue a short space," corresponding with that of
Revelation 20:3, "And after that he [Satan] must be loosed a little season."
Revelation 17:11, "And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and
goeth into perdition." To unmask the apparent mystery, all that is necessary, is to count the prophetic
beasts representing periods and nations. Beginning with the first beast and as we close with the last,
he must be "the eighth" and "yet of the seven." The lion (Babylon) is the first, the bear (Medo-Persia)
is the second; the four-headed leopard (Grecia) is the third; the non-descript (Rome)
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is the fourth; the leopard-like (from the fall of Rome to 1929) is the fifth; the one with the lamb-like
horns (United States) is the sixth; the scarlet colored (from 1929 to the end of this present world) is
the seventh; the same "scarlet colored" that shall ascend from the bottomless pit and go into perdition
(from the resurrection of the wicked to their second death), is the eighth: "And the beast that was,
and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition." He is the eighth, "but
is" of the seven," because "He was and is not, and yet is." That is, the scarlet colored beast appears
on the stage of action the second time (first, prior to the millennium and second, after the millennium,
by the second resurrection). Therefore, he is the eighth, but is of the seven: "And goeth into
perdition" (the second death of the wicked). Simple as it is, yet most perfect, it tells the truth and
corrects error. Here we see another set of numbers including the entire chain of beasts. The red
dragon in Revelation 12:3, cannot be numbered with the numerous beasts for he is not a symbol of
a particular nation or government. He represents Satan and his schemes at certain times, for he is
"called the Devil, and Satan." (Rev. 12:9.)
Rev. 17:12, "And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom
as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast." The ten horns denote exactly the same
as on the non-descript beast. As the present civilization was embodied in that beast (Roman
monarchy) and symbolized by the horns, just so the wicked multitude on the other side of the
millennium is embodied in the scarlet beast and symbolized by the horns. Therefore they "have
received no kingdom as yet." But received power as kings one hour with the beast." This last phrase
(one hour with the beast) will be fully explained in connection with another study.
Rev. 17:13, "These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast." The
kings that descended from the Roman monarchy have been in continual strife and will be to the end.
Said the prophet: "And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves
with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay."
(Dan. 2:43.) "But with the innumerable company on the other side of the millennium it will not be
so: "These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast." (Rev. 17:13.)
Rev. 17:14: "These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is
Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful."
Satan shall gather the great multitude and deceive
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them once more. He will marshall the armies of the nations at the close of the one hundred years
against the holy city -- New Jerusalem, thus making war with the Lamb: "And when the thousand
years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations
which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog to gather them together to battle: the
number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and
compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of
heaven, and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and
brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night forever
and ever." (Rev. 20:7-10.)
"Tormented day and night forever and ever." Note that it says not tormenting, but "tormented";
that is, they are punished once for ever. "Day and night," means that they shall be punished and
destroyed in the same manner as the antediluvians -- by raining, "day and night," -- water in the
former, and by fire in the latter.
The color of the beast (scarlet) reveals that God's people will have been called out by the message
of the "loud cry," and thus be separate and distinct from the world. Thus, leaving the beast "scarlet"
(skimmed-separated), a sign of being under condemnation, left without excuse -- ready to perish.
"Full of names and blasphemy", denotes multiplicity of sects and hypocrisy. The balance of the
chapter will be explained in another study.
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The Woman Riding On The "Beast," "Heads" And "Waters"
REVELATION 17
"And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto
me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many
waters." (Rev. 17:1.) The angel that was talking to John is one of the seven which had the seven
vials of the seven last plagues. (See Rev. 15:7; 16:1.) It will be noticed that he had the vial of the
plague ready, but it had not been poured out at the time he said to John, "Come hither; I will shew
unto thee the judgment of the great whore." By the information given, it is certain that the event
predicted by the symbol, the woman sitting on the beast, is shortly before the plagues are poured out
and in the time when the "woman" is to be judged.
Who Is The Woman Riding On The Beast?
The reason John was shown the vision, is made clear by the words of the angel: "Come hither; I will
shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters." The angel's
interpretation of the "waters" is given in Rev. 17:15: "Peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and
tongues." The woman sitting on them denotes that the inhabitants (waters) had fallen into her trap
of deception (sitting on them).
"And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious
stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her
fornication." (Rev. 17:4.) The woman is a symbol of a counterfeit religious system. From her cup
she hands out false doctrines. Being golden, it has an appearance of splendor -- inviting. Her costly
garments of loud colors and precious ornaments vividly portray the magnificence of this most vile
woman and her kingly pomp, and vain glory. By the power of her attraction, so irresistible to the
human eye, she has conquered men of the strongest intellect -- "With whom the kings of the earth
have committed fornication." Millions with strong mental faculties, men who appear as giants among
the inhabitants of the earth, have fallen helpless victims in her trap. The
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kings of the earth are guilty of spiritual adultery with the "woman" (drunk with false doctrines),
thereby becoming entangled in her seductive snares.
Any so called Christian organization handing out false doctrines under an appearance of virtue,
evidently is governed by the power of the "woman." The origin of all such fallacious teachings can
be traced back into the golden cup. Said the angel: "The seven heads are seven mountains, on which
the woman sitteth." It has been previously explained that the heads are symbols of so-called
Christians denominations, and as she sits on them all, it denotes a union of churches under one head
-- "the woman." The Biblical number "seven" apprehends all such organizations.
If all the churches at this present time were led by the Holy Spirit, there would be no confusion
among the so-called Christian sects. As it would be impossible for all to be right while no two believe
alike, it is warrantable to say that those who are drinking the wine from the "cup of her fornication,"
are not few, for Inspiration says: "And the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the
wine of her fornication." (Rev. 17:2, last part.)
Note that the "woman" sits on the "waters," also on the "heads," and on the beast." (See Rev. 17:1,
3, 9.) As it would be impossible for one person to sit on all three objects at one time, the prophetic
symbols reveal a spiritual fraud in three different periods. Thus John declares: "I saw a woman sit
upon a scarlet colored beast." Not upon the "waters", nor upon the "heads." Before he saw her, the
angel said, The woman "sitteth upon many waters." It was the angel also who added, "The seven
heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth." (See Rev. 17:1, 9.) Thus, John saw her last
exploit only (sit upon the beast). Consequently, the symbol, sitting on the "waters" is her first act,
according to the vision.
Therefore, her first achievement ("sitting on the waters"), must have been in the past from the time
the prophetic symbol is revealed. Hence, the sitting on the heads becomes her second
accomplishment, and the sitting on the Beast is the last; at which time she is judged.
As the Protestant churches are represented by the heads, she could not have sat on them before the
reformation, for they were not as yet in existence. As the heads upon which the "woman sits" are
unharmed, it is evident that the prophetic symbol is to meet its fulfillment some time after the deadly
wound of the leopard-like beast of Revelation 13:3, is healed. The
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symbol, sitting on the heads, denotes union of churches, for she sits on them.
Therefore, when Catholicism, Protestantism, and Spiritualism clasp each other's hand by the
medium of a league, then it could be said, "the woman sitteth on the heads."
The symbol of the "woman sitting on the beast," will meet its fulfillment when that religious
federation shall make an alliance with the powers of the world. Such an act would give the woman
full control of the entire beast, horns and heads -- the world. At that time the following Scripture will
meet its perfect fulfillment: "And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond,
to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save
he that had the mark, or the name of the beast." (Rev. 13:16, 17.)
Thus the symbol of the "woman" sitting on the "waters," represents the period before the
reformation. This was true during the period of papal supremacy, for at that time the papacy ruled
the Roman world -- "peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues." Thus the "woman" sat on
the "waters" during the 1260 prophetic years of Daniel 7:25, but she is yet to sit on the "heads," and
on the "beast." Had she sat on the non-descript beast instead of on the "waters," it would have been
wrongly symbolized, for, the "woman," by the tool of Catholicism, did not reign over all the world
(beast), but over many "peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues" (many waters).
Therefore, the symbol, "sitting upon the scarlet colored beast," denotes an international
religio-political system.
How Long Has The Woman Been In Existence?
This question may be answered by the following Scriptures: "And I saw the woman drunk with the
blood of saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with
great admiration." (Rev. 17:6.) This could truly be said of the Roman church, for, she persecuted the
Christians and martyred them. Therefore, she is "drunk" with their blood. True, the Roman church
has had unlawful connection with the "woman"; was, and is drunk with the wine of her fornication.
The "woman" did not originate with the Roman church, but rather she produced that church.
Therefore, we must trace her existence beyond the beginning of the papacy. Revelation 18:24,
throws light upon the subject: "And in her was found the blood of the prophets, and of the saints, and
of all that were slain upon the earth." The holy Word of God declares that the "woman"
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is guilty of the blood of the martyrs in all ages. Therefore, the "woman" is drunk with the blood of
Abel, and thus the blood of "all" the martyrs is found in her; proving that Cain was her first client by
presenting a counterfeit sacrifice (false doctrine), and by slaying his brother.
There are many so-called Christians, who like Cain, say, "It makes no difference; one thing is as
good as another." But God accepts no substitute and no man's religion. That which human wisdom
has devised, is man's righteousness, and not the righteousness of Christ. Therefore, it is an
abomination in God's sight. The human fiber of obedience to divine requirements being weakened,
and the sinful inclinations strengthened from generation to generation, the nature of man cannot be
better at this Present time than when the disciples asked Jesus: "Knowest thou that the Pharisees were
offended, after they heard this saying?" So-called Christians, like the Pharisees, become offended
when told of their errors, and rebuked for their sins. "But He answered and said, Every plant, which
my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the
blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch." (Matt. 15:12-14.)
"And upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots
and Abominations of the Earth." (Rev. 17:5.) The woman riding on the beast is the mother. The
seven heads on the beast are the symbols of her daughters (harlots). Catholicism is her first daughter
in this symbol, and as Protestantism sprang from Catholicism, then, apostate Protestantism in the
multiplicity of sects, are her daughters also. Or it may be said, the woman" is the mother of
Catholicism, and Catholicism is the mother of Protestantism. Says the Revelator: "I saw a woman
sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy." (Rev. 17:3.) Thus the number of
"heads," and "full of names," include all the offshoots from Protestantism and Catholicism. Had there
been no mention made of being "full of names," more than seven, and "scarlet," which denotes that
God's people have been called out of it, therefore, "scarlet" -- skimmed -- under curse ready to perish,
the Biblical number "seven heads," would have included those who are carrying God's message as in
the period of the leopard-like beast of Revelation 13:1, at the time his deadly wound was healed.
Therefore, it would have made no allowance for the church which "keep the commandments of God,
and the Faith of Jesus," and thus it would have contradicted the following Scripture: "And the dragon
was wroth with the woman [God's church], and went to make war with the remnant of her
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seed [Israel the true -- the 144,000], which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony
of Jesus Christ." (Rev. 12:17.)
God has never had more than one movement in existence at a time and it could not be otherwise
now, for Christ cannot be divided. (See 1 Cor. 1:13.) God's church is well marked in every
generation by obedience to present truth. The fact itself proves the claim true as there is only one
church in the period of the beast which has the "Spirit of Prophecy" and all of the commandments as
written by the finger of God. Said Jesus: "Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least
commandments and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but
whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." (Matt.
5:19.) It is this divine principle that shall divide the world into two classes -- the commandments of
God and the traditions of men. "And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate
them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep
on his right hand, but the goats on the left." (Matt. 25:32, 33.)
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The Exceeding Great Horn Of Daniel 8:9
"Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two
horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last.
I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before
him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and
became great. And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the
whole earth, and touched not the ground. and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. And
he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him
in the fury of his power. And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler
against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand
before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that
could deliver the ram out of his hand. Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was
strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of
heaven. And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the
south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land." (Daniel 8:3-9.)
The angel giving the interpretation to Daniel says: "The ram which thou sawest having two horns
are the kings of Media and Persia. And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that
is between his eyes is the first king. Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four
kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power. And in the latter time of their
kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and
understanding dark sentences, shall stand up." (Daniel 8:20-23.)
"And in the latter time of their kingdom [the four Grecian divisions], a king of fierce countenance...
shall stand up." This Scripture is applicable to the Roman monarchy, for this king must stand at the
end of the reign of the kings of Grecia. The Ptolemy's was the last of the four Grecian divisions to
fall under the ascendancy of Rome. With the defeat of Anthony, and the death of Cleopatra about
27 B.C., the noted dynasty of the Ptolemy's came to its end, and Egypt became a province of the
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Roman state. He was to stand up "when the transgressors are come to the full." The Grecians have
never been anything but transgressors; therefore, the reference can be applied only to the Jewish
nation, at which time the once-favored people of God would have exceeded any previous record of
both moral and Spiritual corruption. The Jewish nation reached that condition at the time of the
ascendency of Rome, and the first advent of Christ. Therefore, this king of "fierce countenance" is
the Roman monarchy, after the "transgressors" (Jews) had come to their "full."
Rome's Power Not Her Own; Understanding Dark Sentences
"And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and
shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and holy people. And through his policy also
he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart and by peace shall
destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes, but he shall be broken without
hand." (Daniel 8:24, 25.)
"He shall understand dark sentences," and "his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power."
His prosperity is accomplished by peace; then, if by peace, the Scripture can have no reference to
ambitious conquests of territory. His power was to be directed against the holy people (the
Christians). "He shall also stand against the Prince of princes" (Christ).
In order that a human being may understand dark sentences, he must use supernatural power, and
that power cannot be his own. The question arises as to where he was to obtain his mighty power.
If his attack is to be against Christ and His people, it would not be hard to recognized the kind of
power that he would use. However, John gives us the source of this mysterious strength.
"And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under
her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: and she being with child cried, travailing in birth,
and pained to be delivered. And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red
dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the
third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the
woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. And she
brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught
up unto God, and to His throne." (Rev. 12:1-5.)
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PICTURE
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The woman is a symbol of God's church; the crown of twelve stars is her authority or government
(the twelve apostles), and the child is Christ. In the ninth verse we are told that the dragon is "the
Devil, and Satan." It was under the figure of Herod that the dragon stood before the woman ready
to devour her child as soon as it was born.
"And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream,
saying, Arise, and take the young child and His mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until
I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him." (Matt. 2:13.)
Therefore, the power that Rome used in her cruelty against the "holy people and the Prince of
princes" was the old dragon power, and thereby the Roman emperors "understand dark sentences"
through which he, the devil, was determined to destroy Christ and his followers. (Follow the chart
on page 128).
The Horn Reveals That Which The Beast Fails To Do
As Medo-Persia and Grecia are each represented by the two symbols -- Medo-Persia first by the
ram, and second by the bear; and Grecia first by the goat and second by the four-headed leopard
beast, so Rome was represented first by the exceeding great horn on the goat, and second by the
non-descript beast. The first stage of the fourth beast represents imperial Rome, but the second stage,
after his three horns had been plucked, describes papal Rome. (See pages 56-59.) The beast
representing imperial Rome does not give much information regarding the Roman form of
government, but that which is not revealed by the beast is made known by the goat's great horn.
Therefore, we must consider the great horn's power and conduct.
Cast Down The Host And The Stars
Says Daniel: "Therefore, the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was
broken; and for it came up four notable ones towards the four winds of heaven. And it waxed great,
even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the starts to the ground and
stamped upon them." (Dan. 8:8, 10.)
"The host of heaven" cannot refer to the Jewish nation at that time for the Jews had killed the
prophets, and had rejected very message God had sent by His humble servants, until there was no
remedy. Thus they had been without a prophet since the time of Malachi. Had they obeyed God's
voice through His
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messengers, He would not have left them to fall under the Roman yoke.
The Jews reasoned as most Christians do at the present time. They took the position that they were
wise and well favored of God, even though they had rejected every ray of light, and completely
despised the entreaties and mercies of Jehovah. Their misconception of God's truth, and prejudice
against light upon the word of God, robbed them of wisdom and knowledge of the Most High until
they were finally led into terrible sin and condemnation. When they rejected the message borne to
them by the apostles with the power of the Holy Spirit, they sinned against the Holy Ghost, and
thereby closed the only channel through which God could communicate with them.
Therefore, the Jews, under such condemnation, could not be termed the "host of heaven," and much
less "stars." "Yea he magnified himself even to the Prince of the host." (Dan. 8:11.) "The Prince" is
Christ, and "the host" are the Christians. This is the only proper application that can be made of the
expression.
"The stars" are none other than the apostles, as they were symbolized by the woman's crown of
Revelation 12:1. Therefore, the "stars" that were cast down refer to the apostles, and "the host," to
the Christians after the crucifixion of Christ, when Rome, together with the Jews, persecuted and
martyred ("cast to the ground"). "Yea he magnified himself even to the Prince of the host"; that is,
the Roman power magnified itself against Christ -- Prince of the Christians.
The Daily And The Sanctuary Cast Down
"And by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. And
an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth
to the ground; and it practiced and prospered." (Dan. 8:11, 12.)
The Spirit of Prophecy, commenting on the text, says: "Then I saw in relation to the 'daily', Daniel
8:12, that the word 'sacrifice' was supplied by man's wisdom, and does not belong to the text." --
"Early Writings," p. 74. This being true, we must disregard the word "sacrifice," but hold to the
"daily," although the word "sacrifice" is italicized, showing that it was supplied, a vision was given
regarding the text, making it evident that a vital truth is involved in the words "daily," and
"sanctuary." Whatever the "daily" may be, it was taken away by the "Great Horn."
In Daniel 11:31, reference is made to the same incident:
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"And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away
the daily,... and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate."
The verse just quoted makes clear the idea that both the "daily" and the "sanctuary" must be a part
of God's truth. This thought cannot be misconstrued without doing injury to the Scripture. Note the
language used: "And they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength and shall take away the "daily."
After polluting the "sanctuary" and taking away the "daily," then it says: "They shall place the
abomination that maketh desolate." That is to say: The "sanctuary" and the "daily" were replaced by
the abomination. The abomination must be some Pagan religious institution, and that Pagan doctrine
("abomination") was to make desolate. That is to say, it laid waste the "sanctuary," the "daily," and
the "truth"; or as it is expressed in Daniel 8:13, "Trodden under foot." "And it cast down the truth
to the ground; and it practiced, and prospered." (Dan. 8:12.)
Jesus, speaking of the same incident, says: "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of
desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him
understand.") (Matt. 24:15.)
Jesus calls the "daily" and the "sanctuary," "holy place." No Pagan sanctuary would the Master call
"holy place," neither can it be polluted, for it has always been unclean. No pagan daily can be holy.
Therefore, the "daily" and the "sanctuary" must hold truth vital to the Christian church, and the
prophet declared that it was to be "trodden under foot." The word "sacrifice" in relation to the
"daily" was shown to be supplied by man's wisdom, as previously stated. It was also pointed out that
the word "daily" is correct. Therefore, it cannot be supplemented by another word; it must remain
as it is.
As Daniel was carefully watching the scene in the vision, he says: "Then I heard one saint speaking,
and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning
the daily, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden
under foot? And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the
sanctuary be cleansed." (Dan. 8:13, 14.)
The prophetic period of the 2300 days (years), a well-known Bible truth, was first taught by
William Miller prior to 1844. Therefore, we shall not give its explanation here. It is sufficient to say
that the long prophetic period ended in 1844. The question was asked by one saint, How long shall
be the vision concerning
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the daily, the sanctuary, and the host? Then it is answered by another saint, "Unto two thousand
three hundred days." It is only necessary to ascertain what two vital truths were brought to light in
1844, and we shall have the truth of what is meant by the "daily" and the "sanctuary." They are
self-explanatory in both word and time -- the Sabbath and the Sanctuary truths, as they were jointly
taught in 1844 A.D.
The Sabbath doctrine is the only Bible truth in the Christian dispensation that has to do with a
definite day, hence, it is called "daily." The word "daily," in the Hebrew by Isaac Leeser is rendered
"continual." Thus it clearly bears the evidence that the Sabbath (daily doctrine) is a continual and
everlasting truth.
As the Sabbath (daily) was taken away, and the "abomination set up," then that which took the
place of the Holy Sabbath, and the Sanctuary truth, is called "the abomination." Consequently
Sunday observance and a counterfeit priesthood are the only things to which the term "abomination"
can be applied, for the seventh-day was supplanted by the first day of the week, Sunday -- "the
abomination that maketh desolate." That is, the Sabbath was lost sight of, or "cast to the ground,"
until 1844, together with the sanctuary truth. As the truth concerning the sanctuary service was "cast
to the ground," (the truth of the priesthood of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary), the Pagan
priesthood, or the Papal, as it is called now, was set up, thus taking away from the church the true
mediatorial work of Christ. The truth of the sanctuary, jointly with the Sabbath, was brought to light
in 1844, at which time the judgment (blotting out sin) began in the heavenly sanctuary, fulfilling the
following prophecy:
"I beheld till thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as
snow, and the hair of His head like the pure wool: His throne was like the fiery flame, and His wheels
as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him: thousand thousands
ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him; the judgment was set,
and the books were opened." (Daniel 7:9, 10.)
At the fulfillment of this prophecy, the first angel's message was proclaimed: "And I saw another
angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the
earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God
and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come." (Rev. 14:6, 7.) This is another well
know Bible truth. (Read "The Great Controversy," pp. 352-356.)
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The sanctuary and Sabbath truths were restored to their proper place in 1844. But the question as
to the time when these two holy doctrines were "cast to the ground," or "trodden under foot,"
remains to be answered. The angel, speaking to Daniel relative to the time, said: "And from the time
that the daily shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a
thousand two hundred and ninety days. Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three
hundred and five and thirty days." (Dan. 12:11, 12.)
It will be noticed that there is no blessing pronounced at the termination of the 1290 prophetic days
(years), but there is a special blessing promised to those who wait till the 1335 days (years) are
fulfilled. Therefore, at the end of the 1335 years the "daily" (Sabbath) was to be restored, and the
blessing is to those who shall live from that time on, if they understand and receive its truth.
To ascertain the prophetic time when the Seventh-day Sabbath ("daily"), and the "truth"
("sanctuary") were trodden underfoot, and Sunday observance with its Pagan priesthood set up in
their stead, it would be necessary to subtract 1335 years from 1844, which would point back to 508
A.D., (dealing with the Hebrew calendar). In that year the "Daily" (Sabbath) and the "Sanctuary"
truths were "cast to the ground," and the "Abomination" (Sunday) "set up."
In order to understand the truth of the 1290 years ("days"), add this figure to 508, which points
forward to 1798 A.D. at which time the 1260 prophetic days of Daniel 7:25 terminated with the
imprisonment of Pope Pius VI. Thus the prophetic treading of the "host" ended in 1798, but the
"sanctuary" and the "daily" truths were not restored and placed in the church until after the fulfillment
of the 1335 days (years) in 1844. This unquestionable evidence proves that the movement that arose
in 1844 is God's true church, and divinely predicted. Hence it clears up the widespread confusion in
Christendom, as to which denomination has the truth for the present time; it also weeds out all the
rest as false, for it is the only movement that has the truth of the sanctuary.
As the truth of the two inseparable doctrines were thrown down in 508 A.D., preliminary to the
setting up of the papacy, just so the imprisonment of the pope in 1798 was preparatory to the
restoration of the jointly taught Bible truths, the Sabbath and the Sanctuary. The accountability that
rests on the papacy is not the observance of the day, but rather, the desire to change the law of God,
as shown in Daniel 7:25: "Think to change times and laws." The papacy thought to erase the
Seventh-day Sabbath
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from the eternal law, and to inscribe the first day of the week in its place.
How Was The Church Paganized?
It was the Roman emperors who paganized the church, and as the pagans always observed
Sunday,the Sabbath was set aside as far as the church authorities, the priests and the emperors, were
concerned. The pagans cared nothing for the Sabbath. They were not taught its sacredness, and the
few Christians who tried to keep the holy day were lost in the multitude. Soon the Sabbath services
were a thing of the past. This was accomplished by 508 A.D. This satanic act paved the way and the
papacy was set up in 538. The pope was made the absolute ruler, king of kings, and a corrector of
heretics by his so-called divine authority. The scheme was for the perpetuity of the false doctrines,
and to keep the truth underfoot forever. It is a most mysterious thing, the way the old enemy of
mankind has succeeded in deceiving the strongest intellects. He enthralls them to their own
destruction. Thus it has been in every age.
As previously explained, Rome at first persecuted the Christians. But when the old dragon saw that
persecution could not overthrow their faith, he reversed his plan, and devised a more subtle satanic
scheme to destroy the church. He worked, as always, through the natural heart, using the human tool
to carry out a deception unseen by mortal eye.
"Gibbon's Rome," Vol. 2, pp. 273, 274, says: "By the edicts of toleration, he [Constantine],
removed the temporal disadvantage which had hitherto retarded the progress of Christianity; and its
active and numerous ministers received a free permission, a liberal encouragement, to recommend
the salutary truths of revelation by every argument which could affect the reason or piety of mankind.
The exact balance of the two religions [Christian and Pagan], continued but a moment.... The cities
which signalized a forward zeal by the voluntary destruction of their temples [the Pagan's] were
distinguished by municipal privileges, and rewarded with popular donatives.... The salvation of the
common people was purchased at an easy rate, if it be true that, in one year, twelve thousand men
were baptized at Rome, besides a proportionable number of women and children, and that a white
garment, with twenty pieces of gold, had been promised by the emperor to every convert.... This was
a law of Constantine, which gave freedom to all the slaves who should embrace Christianity."
In this manner, Rome paganized the church, and what persecution failed to do, donatives and
privileges accomplished. As
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the victorious Christians were pressing forward against the impregnable persecuting wall which was
supported by the devil he suddenly drew back, allowing it to collapse. Thus, as the persecution
ceased, it caused them to fall as it were, by their own force. So what the satanic power failed to do
by persecution, he accomplished by a sudden retreat. When the old dragon saw that he could not
overthrow that spiritual house by persecution, he reversed the scheme and employed his power to
undermine the apostolic foundation by donatives and various inducements to the pagans in favor of
the Christians. As the pagans rushed to join the church, the current of apostasy turned against the
Christians. Instead of the church Christianizing the world, the world paganized the church. In this
way the Christians fell under the power of the "dragon" and thereby were swallowed by his heads
(paganized). But as satan designed to fully insure his plan he turned the persecution toward the
pagans, fearing that the true Christian spirit would revive if the two sects, Christian and Pagan, were
in existence.
Gibbon says: "Under his [Athanasius'] reign, Christianity obtained an easy and lasting victory; and
as soon as the smile of royal patronage was withdrawn, the genius of Paganism, which had been
fondly raised and cherished by the arts of Julian, sunk irrevocably in the dust." -- "Gibbon's Rome,"
Vol. 2, p. 521.
"A special commission was granted to Cynegius, the Preatorian prefect of the east, and afterwards
to the Counts Jovius and Gaudentius, two officers of distinguished rank in the West; by which they
were directed to shut the temples, to seize or destroy the instruments of idolatry, to abolish the
privileges of the priests, and to confiscate the consecrated property for the benefit of the emperor,
of the church, or the army.... Many of those temples were the most splendid and beautiful monuments
of Grecian architecture; and the emperor himself was interested not to deface the splendor of his own
cities, or to diminish the value of his own possessions.... In Syria, the divine and excellent Marcellus,
as he is styled by Theodoret, a bishop animated with apostolic fervor, resolved to level with the
ground the stately temples.... But when a sentence of destruction against the idols of Alexandria was
pronounced, the Christians set up a shout of joy and exultation whilst the unfortunate Pagans, whose
fury had given way to consternation, retired with hasty silent steps.... Theophilus proceeded to
demolish the temple of Serapis,... and to content himself with reducing the edifice itself to a heap of
rubbish, a part of which was soon afterwards cleared away, to make room for a church, created in
honor of the Christian martyrs." -- "Gibbon's Rome," Vol. 3, pp. 140-146.
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Thus the Pagans joined the Christian church through force and bribery instead of conviction of sin,
and thereby Christianity gave way to idolatry. Says Gibbon: "Both religions had been alternately
disgraced by the seeming acquisition of worthless proselytes, of those votaries of the reigning purple,
who could pass, without a reason, without a blush, from the church to the temple, and from the altars
of Jupiter to the sacred table of the Christians." -- Id., Vol 2, p. 522.
The church in her purity, filled with the spirit of the meek and lowly Jesus, battled against
oppression and torture. They prayed for those who would take their lives, saying, "Lord, forgive
them, for they know not what they do." They, like Stephen, kneeled down under a rain of stones,
pleading, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." But the Christians who were once zealous for the
pure standard of the church, took the crown of civil authority, and compelled the Pagans to join their
ranks.
As the Pagans and the Christians became one, the dragon wielded his power and great authority
into the papacy. By this concentrated ecclesiastical monarchy he erased the Seventh-day Sabbath
from the law of God, and in its stead he inserted the pagan Sunday. At this point he directed his
power against disloyalty to the demands of the papacy. This pontifical authority continued to wear
out the saints of the Most High, as in Daniel 7:25. As Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Babylon,
and Daniel in Medo-Persia, prevented the establishment of an ecclesiastical government, and brought
to naught the king's decree, just so Luther abolished the pontifical monarchy, and brought to an end
the papal authority. As Luther's blow weakened his power and Protestantism continually irritated his
wound, the pope, by the hand of Berthier, was put behind prison bars.
How Idol Worship Crept Into The Church
Just a few more lines from the pen of Gibbons describing how idol and saint worship crept into the
Christian church: "The bodies of St. Andrew, St. Luke, and St. Timothy, had reposed near three
hundred years in the obscure graves, from whence they were transported, in solemn pomp to the
church of the apostles, which the magnificence of Constantine had founded on the banks of the
Thracian Bosphorus. About fifty years afterwards, the same banks were honored by the presence of
Samuel, the judge and prophet of the people of Israel. His ashes, deposited in a golden vase, and
covered with a silken veil, were delivered by the bishops into each other's hands.... In the long period
of twelve hundred years, which elapsed between the reign
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of Constantine and the reformation of Luther, the worship of saints and relics corrupted the pure and
perfect simplicity of the Christian model: and some symptoms of degeneracy may be observed even
in the first generations which adopted and cherished this pernicious innovation.... The Christians
frequented the tombs of the martyrs, in the hope of obtaining, from their powerful intercession, every
sort of spiritual, but more especially of temporal, blessings. They implored the preservation of their
health, or the cure of their infirmities; the fruitfulness of their barren wives, or the safety and
happiness of their children." -- Id; Vol. 3, pp. 156, 157, 162.
Both classes were unlawfully urged, the Christians to forget the spirit of the gospel, and the Pagans
to embody the spirit of the church. The sublime and simple theology of the primitive Christians was
gradually corrupted. The demon power was retarded. Although he could not defeat the operations
of the Christian engineers by persecution, he succeeded by flattery.
As the unjust persecution against the Christians had ceased, the church took the downward step.
Though a few respected the sacredness of the Sabbath, they were not disturbed until after the
ecclesiastical monarchy was set up in 538. The dragon had carefully determined to obtain the
perpetuity of the combined national religion, Christian in name but Pagan in practice. Satan designed
to set up the papacy, and to "wear out the saints of the Most High." The persecution, first against
the early Christian church, and second, against paganism in favor of Christianity, was reversed under
papal rule. The few Christians who reverenced the Seventh-day Sabbath were, in some respects
hunted like rabbits, and there was demanded of them strict obedience to the legal but unchristian
religion of the popes.
To come back to our subject, -- "The exceeding great horn." Rome in her divided state cast down
the truth and stamped upon it. But it was not accomplished in a sudden or arbitrary manner. Sunday
observance gradually crept into the Christian church. At first the morning hours were considered
somewhat sacred, because the Lord had risen early on that day. After it had become formal, more
sacredness was attached to it, and the hours were extended till noon. Finally the entire day was set
aside as a day of worship.
While Sunday was growing more and more sacred, the Seventh-day Sabbath was on the decline,
and becoming less and less holy. Here we see an example that should be marked carefully by all
Christians. To add anything to the religion of Christ, though it may seem good on the surface, results
in a deadly sting from beneath. Our God has devised a religion sufficient
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to save the church, if carefully followed. He needs no man's help, neither can He acceptman-made
devices.
"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall
add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any
man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out
of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." (Rev.
22:18,19.)
The Roman church displaced the simplicity of the truth with human wisdom and traditions of man.
Or, as Daniel puts it: "An host [Pagan flood] was given him against the daily by reason of
transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practiced, and prospered." (Dan. 8:12.)
The "host" against the "daily" were the unconverted Pagans brought into the church; therefore, "by
reason of transgression." How different from the method employed by John the Baptist! "But when
he saw many of the Pharisees and Saducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of
vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for
repentance." (Matt. 3:7, 8.)
It may be profitable to ask: is the church at the present time imitating John or the Romans? Are her
members Christians or Pagans? The Lord charged His servant to warn ancient Israel against a similar
disastrous practice. He said: "And thou shall say to the rebellious, even to the house of Israel, Thus
saith the Lord God; O ye house of Israel, let it suffice you of all your abominations, in that ye have
brought into My sanctuary strangers, uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in My
sanctuary, to pollute it, even My house." (Eze. 44:6, 7.)
Truly, are people working for God or for themselves? The angel, in giving instruction to Daniel,
calls the Sabbath and the sanctuary truth, "The Truth." (See Daniel 8:12.) Indeed, it is the truth. In
keeping the Sabbath we honor God by recognizing Christ's holy memorial of creation.
"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the
prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all
things, by whom also He made the worlds." (Heb. 1:1, 2.)
Because sin entered the human family, the Lord instituted the sanctuary truth, which typically
illustrates His sacrifice, death and resurrection -- the revelation of our redemption. Thus in keeping
the Sabbath and sanctuary truth, we openly confess that
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Christ is both Creator and Redeemer. "Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath day."
(Mark 2:28.)
The Bible is the revelation of creation and redemption in Christ -- Creator and Redeemer.
Therefore, the Sabbath and the Sanctuary constitute "The Truth." (See Hebrews 9:10, 4:4-10.) Thus
these two doctrines are coupled together, cannot be separated, and bear the whole truth.
How do we keep the Sanctuary truth? It is kept, not in type, but in anti-type. By faith we believe
that Christ, our High Priest, in the heavenly sanctuary is officiating in our behalf, as it was taught in
type by the earthly sanctuary, built by Moses. As Israel complied with the requirements of its service
in the type, so we must in the anti-type. Thus we "proclaim the truth [Sabbath and Sanctuary] more
fully."
SUMMARY
The Horn "Bears Rule Over All The Earth"
In order to fully comprehend what is being taught in this chapter, we again call attention to the
chart on page 128. Now let us follow the chart along with the reading. In the foregoing study it is
proven that the "exceeding great horn" of the "goat" does not represent imperial Rome only, but also
papal Rome, and the present world as well; for the "horn" first persecuted Christ and His followers
under the jurisdiction of the Roman monarchy. The truth expressed by the "Daily" and the
"Sanctuary" were trodden down "by reason of transgression" in the period of the broken state of
Rome up to 508 A.D.; for the imperial government came to an end in the year 476. Furthermore, the
papal power "treads" God's truth on the ground up to the termination of the prophetic 1260 years,
and ended with the imprisonment of the pope in 1798. But the "Sanctuary" and the "Daily" were held
to the ground by the "Great Horn" up to 1844. At that time he lost control of them, and the power
of the "THREE ANGELS' MESSAGES" raised the truth from the ground, or from "under-foot" and
placed it in the church. Therefore, the "Great Horn" is a symbol of the entire New Testament period
to the second coming of Christ -- corresponding with the legs of iron, and the feet and toes of the
great image of Daniel 2.
These are facts which cannot be denied. However, there is another proof that bears evidence of
the same. Said the prophet: "And after thee [king of Babylon] shall arise another kingdom inferior
to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth." (Daniel 2:39.)
The "brass" kingdom is accepted to represent Grecia, but the
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fact is that Grecia never did bear rule over all the earth. The most distant point of the compass
reached by Alexander the Great was a portion of India. Neither did imperial Rome bear rule over all
the earth. What then? Is Daniel wrong in the interpretation of the dream? If there is any error,
Daniel cannot be at fault. The responsibility would naturally fall on God who was the overseer of all
the writings, and the interpretations of the Scriptures. If Daniel had made a mistake it was God's duty
to have him correct it. But as God is perfect in all His work, He cannot allow error in His Holy
Word. Daniel is correct in his interpretation and the "brass" kingdom must bear rule over all the
earth, for all else may fail, but God's Word shall stand forever.
When the goat's notable horn between his eyes (Alexander) was broken off, four others came up
in its stead (the four divisions of Grecia). After this another little horn came up from one of the four,
and it "waxed exceedingly great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant
land." (Daniel 8:9.) Note that this horn waxed exceedingly great. That is to say, he was greater than
the one "between his eyes" (Alexander). The exceeding great horn went toward the south, and
toward the east, and toward the pleasant land (Jerusalem) as in Psalms 106:24 and Zechariah 7:14.
Geographically, Babylon, where Daniel had the vision, lies east of Jerusalem. Thus, in the vision the
"goat" stood in Babylon. To make the circle, the horn consequently went toward the four corners
of the compass, or, as Daniel puts it, "toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant
land." The symbol denotes that the exceeding great horn would extend its dominion over all the earth
-- the four corners of the compass. The fact is, the horn represents Rome in its three divisions --
Imperial, Papal, and the present unstable world.
The Bible is correct in making the statement concerning the kingdom of brass, "that it shall bear rule
over all the earth," for the brass represents the "goat." Thus the prophet stated: "An he goat came
from the west on the face of the whole earth." (Daniel 8:5.)
Had Daniel said of the non-descript beast, symbol of imperial and papal Rome, that it would bear
rule over all the earth, the claim would prove incorrect. The non-descript beast, in its first stage,
represents imperial Rome, and in his second stage, papal Rome up to 1798, at which time the beast
came to its end with the imprisonment of pope Pius VI, and gave place to the "leopard like beast" of
Revelation 13:1-3.
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Note the accuracy of inspiration. Has the prophet said, "the kingdom of iron shall bear rule over
all the earth," it would have been true as far as the iron bearing rule, but such affirmation would have
discredited this wonderful lesson taught by the symbolic goat. What is true of the iron and clay, is
true of the goat; and one corresponds with the other.
The horn extends beyond 1798, and to the second coming of Christ, corresponding with the iron
(legs, feet and toes) of the great image in Daniel 2. Of the "horn" we read, "it shall be broken without
hand." (Daniel 8:25.) The same terms of speech are used of the feet and toes of the great image in
Daniel 2:45. "In the days of these kings," Daniel says, "shall the God of Heaven set up a kingdom,
which shall never be destroyed." (Daniel 2:44.) Therefore, the present civilization is the product of
the goat, or the kingdom of brass. Had inspiration said the kingdom of iron shall bear rule over all
the earth, it would have marred the picture, for the gold, silver and brass (Old Testament time), stands
on the legs of iron (New Testament time). Thus the symbol proves that the Old Testament period
stands on the Christian dispensation (Christ); and the New Testament period feeds on the Old
Testament dispensation.
The trunk of the great image, depicting a living being containing all the living organs, corresponds
to the Bible, for the Old Testament is the great store house of the Word of God, and the New feeds
from the Old. In the Old dispensation, the Lord gathered the Word of God into the Bible to feed the
world in the New dispensation. The New Testament is the fulfillment of the Old. God's Word spells
perfection in every way.
The Sabbath "Trodden" Only Once
We again call your attention to the "woman" (church) of Revelation 12, where we are told she was
given "Two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness... that they should feed her
there a thousand two hundred and three score days." (Rev. 12:14, 6.) As the wings of the lion
(Babylon) and the four-headed leopard (Grecian four divisions, Dan. 7:4, 6) represent periods of
world history, (see pages 33-42), so the wings of the woman also must denote two great periods of
church history. The eagle being the king of birds, his wings must stand for chief, head or first.
Therefore, each wing must be a symbol of one of these two great periods from their very beginning.
Had not inspiration emphasized the fact that the wings were of a great eagle we could possibly
conclude that one of them may stand for the Old Testament period, and the other for the Christian
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era. But the word, great, does not allow such conclusions. Thus, one of the wings must apprehend
the church history from creation to the crucifixion of Christ, and the other from the resurrection to
the end of this present world. Here, too, it would be possible for us to conclude that one wing may
stand for the period before the Bible came, and the other for the Biblical period after the exodus. But
the words of the Revelator overrule that thought, for he says: "And to the woman were given two
wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished
for a time, and times, and a half a time, from the face of the serpent." (Rev. 12:14.) Therefore, she
was given the wings to fly into the wilderness in the New Testament time.
The symbol reveals that God has had only one church (truth) in all ages, and that the cross of Christ
is the only center of attraction. The lesson teaches that the church of God fled into the wilderness
only once in her entire history, and that was from 538 to 1798 A.D. During this time the Sabbath and
the Sanctuary truths were "cast down to the ground," or "underfoot." Therefore, the continuity of
these truths have never before the year 538 been interrupted by the church leadership. Although these
divine truths may not always have been respected by members or leaders in the church, they were
there for those who wanted them. Thus, God's eternal truth could have been kept by His people,
openly, in all ages save the period under papal rule.
Again note, that the truth was cast down, and the "woman" (church) had fled into the wilderness.
Inspiration says: "She hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there." (See Rev. 12:6,
14.) So, while the truth was "cast down" by the church leadership in that period, and the
"abomination set up," God had some in obscurity who kept His Sabbath and had knowledge of the
Sanctuary truth through the entire 1260 years of wilderness journey. Thus she was nourished (fed),
revealing that she was to return.
Double Worship In All Ages
By observing the chart, the history of Sabbath and Sunday observance, or true and false worship,
will be noticed. In the beginning the Lord created Adam and Eve, and placed the holy couple in the
garden of God, but our first parents transgressed the counsel of the Most High, and sin entered the
Eden home. In order to preserve His original plan for the human family, He was compelled to
remove our parents from their Edenic abode. To them were born sons and daughters; see Genesis
5:4. Their first two sons are brought to our attention by the Scriptures in
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a contrast that is most striking, and one that should be carefully considered by every professor of
religion.
The sacrifice and religious worship of the two first born in the human family, reveals that the
Saviour of the world had made known the divine plan of salvation to the family of Adam. Their
system of worship being devised by the Creator Himself, was perfect, and able to save the sinner from
his sin. Abel's careful religious observance, according to the instruction of the Diety whom he
worshipped, shows that only such worship, honor and praise, can be acceptable to God. Cain was
not mindful of the commandment, and thus by presenting that which God had not required went about
to establish a religion of his own. As he immediately afterwards slew his brother it should be an
object lesson to all: that a worship according to the inclination of men, however good and innocent
it may seem, cannot sanctify and save the worshiper. But instead it takes him deeper into sin, and
final ruin. Those who are inclined to persecute the ones who do not worship as they do, are bowing
down with Cain at the altar made of bricks. Such altars are the product of man by converting the
form of the original; and though more attractive than the altar of stone may seem, there is no
sanctifying power in them, and their worship is as deadly as poison. The evidence cannot be denied
that both forms of worship (true and false) were introduced at about the same time, and ran side by
side. Both seem innocent and were conducted about the same way with the distinction that the one
is in harmony with God's book and law, and the other is not.
The two tracks on the chart, by the side of Abel, represent God's eternal truth, Sabbath and
Sanctuary. The Sabbath originated in the garden of God. "And on the seventh day God ended His
work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made.
And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it: because that in it He had rested from all His work
which God created and made." (Genesis 2:2, 3.)
Because of sin, the sanctuary truth was added after the fall of Adam. Both truths are of vital
importance. The Sabbath we keep to avoid sinning, but the Sanctuary truth is to save us after we
have sinned. The one is to keep us from falling, and the other is the remedy if we fall! If, after
receiving the knowledge of the truth, we break the Sabbath, we have sinned and denied the Creator,
which is far worse than the sin of Adam. By noncompliance with the Sanctuary truth, we refuse the
plan (or remedy), and reject the Saviour of our Salvation. Read "The Desire of Ages," page 165.
The Sabbath is a part of the Ten Commandment
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Law. (Exodus 20:1-17.) The Sanctuary truth is the law of our salvation, after we have sinned. Adam
sinned by eating the forbidden fruit. Lucifer sinned by setting himself up as a god. Said he, "I will
ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of
the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like
the most High." (Isaiah 14:13, 14.)
By eating of the forbidden fruit, Adam broke the health (food) law, and by so doing he also,
indirectly, broke the Ten Commandment Law; for by transgressing God's Word he dishonored Him
as a son would dishonor his earthly father by disobedience, and thereby breaking the fifth
commandment. (Exodus 20:12.) Therefore, Adam is guilty of violating two laws, while Lucifer broke
only one, the Ten Commandment Law, for he ate nothing that God had forbidden.
Adam's transgression brought him to the grave (dust), for, after eating of the forbidden fruit it
reacted on his physical being, and thus the evil passed from father to son. But as Lucifer had not
transgressed the law of health, natural death had no power over him. Adam, by obedience to the
provision made for his redemption -- accepting the remedy -- shall be made alive by resurrection. To
Lucifer, for rejecting the same privilege and deceiving the human family, God said: "Thou shalt be
brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit." (Isaiah 14:15.) "Thou wast perfect in thy ways from
the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.... I will destroy thee, O covering
cherub, from the midst of stones of fire.... Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine
iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it
shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold
thee. All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and
never shalt thou be any more. (Ezek. 28:15, 16, 18, 19.)
There is a lesson here that is worth our consideration. Let the sinner place his finger on his sin.
By disobeying God's word in any form, you are breaking one or more of His eternal laws. This is
your final opportunity to either accept or reject salvation. Mercy is knocking at the door for the last
time. Will you brother, will you sister, give your heart to God?
The readers attention is again called to the chart. The double track passing by Abel and around the
cross, shows that the Sabbath and the Sanctuary truths are eternal and divine, and that the recognition
of their sacredness had never been thrown
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out from the church of God until after 508 A.D.; at which time the "goat" with his great horn "cast
down the truth to the ground." But in the year 1844, God's truth by the power of the "Three Angels'
Messages," was again brought to light. It is evident that the Sabbath and the Sanctuary, (the law and
the gospel) are inseparable. If you have been disobedient to God's word in any form, will you now,
at the last call, say, "Lord, here I am. Take my stony heart and give me a heart of flesh?" Will you
plead that He write His law in your heart? The angel is waiting to seal you with the seal of God. Will
you choose darkness rather than light? As the angel is lightening the earth with his glory, will you
let him lighten your heart? Yet a little while and God's truth shall triumph, why should you remain
behind? Will you stubbornly worship, like Cain, with a religion that cannot save? Will you dishonor
the Saviour who died for you, and honor the adversary and enemy of your soul? Why should you
perish in just a little while, in the dark millennium? (Follow the chart.) Will you be ready when Jesus
comes to take His saints to the mansions above? Take notice that the keeping of the truth is the train
to the city of God. "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His
commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." (Eccl. 12:13.)
The 1290 and 1335 "days" (years), relative to the "daily" and the "sanctuary" of Daniel 12:11, 12,
are now understood for the first time. This being the time in which they are revealed, it is evident that
we are dealing with present truth. Therefore, the Scripture must be speaking directly to us at this
very time. Thus, both the cursings and the blessings of this chapter apply to this generation, and we
are granted the privilege of choosing either the one or the other.
It is necessary that we comment first on the 10th verse of Daniel 12, for it brings out the fact that
at the time this Scripture is revealed, "Many shall be purified and made white, and tried; but the
wicked shall do wickedly and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand."
Therefore, it is necessary that we repent from all sin and separate ourselves from every false way, thus
having our vision clear, so that we can understand.
"And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy
people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that
same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the
book." (Daniel 12:1.) The name "Michael," means "who is like God." "Christ is the express image
of the Father," and the great Prince of His people.
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Thus the title signifies Christ. At this time, Christ (Michael) shall stand up for His people, and every
one shall be delivered who is found written in "The Book." Thus God's people need not fear in the
time of trouble.
"And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and
some to shame and everlasting contempt." (Daniel 12:2.) It will be noticed that the resurrection
foretold in this Scripture is mixed -- some are of the righteous, while others are of the wicked.
Therefore, this is a special resurrection, and independent of the one referred to in 1 Thessalonians
4:16, 17, for it plainly says: "The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice
of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which
are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air:
and so shall we ever be with the Lord."
John also makes it clear that the righteous only are called forth at the coming of the Lord, for he
says: "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no
power." (Rev. 20:6.) Consequently, the mixed resurrection must precede the one at the coming of
Christ in the clouds. Those who awake to "everlasting contempt" must be those who pierced Christ,
thus fulfilling the following Scripture: "Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him,
and they also which pierced him." (Rev. 1:7.)
"And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to
righteousness as the stars forever and ever." (Daniel 12:3.) They who are "wise" are the ones who
shall "understand," and they shall turn many to righteousness; thus they shall shine as stars "forever
and ever." These are not those who were resurrected in the special resurrection, for it would be after
the close of probation, and about the end of the seventh plague, just shortly before the coming of the
Lord. Thus the resurrected ones would have no chance to turn any to righteousness. Therefore,
those who shall shine as stars are the 144,000, and all who shall have a part in the closing work of
the gospel. Think of the glorious promise! Is there anything like it in all the world? What can you
compare with celestial bliss in the presence of God? Life everlasting, without pain or tears! See
Revelation 7:17, and Isaiah 11:6, 7; 65:25.
"But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall
run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." (Daniel 12:4.) What plainer evidence could we
ask to convince us that this is the time of the
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end? Has knowledge been increase? Are many running to and fro? While Daniel does not tell how
the running is accomplished Nahum does: "The chariots shall be with flaming torches in the day of
His preparation.... The chariots [automobiles] shall rage in the streets, they shall justle one against
another in the broad ways: they shall seem like torches, they shall run like lightnings." (Nahum 2:3,
4.) The prophecy being understood, it is evident that "the book" is unsealed, and that the time of the
end is upon us.
"Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the
river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river. And one said to the man clothed in linen,
which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? And I
heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand
and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by Him that liveth forever that it shall be for a time, and
times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all
these things shall be finished." (Daniel 12:5-7.)
The question was asked, "How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?" The answer is, that
it "shall be for a time [one year], times [two years] and an half time [half year]." Thirty days to a
month, twelve months to a year, equals 1260 prophetic days (years).
The prophetic period points back to papal supremacy, and the persecution of God's people from
538 to 1798 A.D. (See Dan. 7:25, and Rev. 12:6, 14; 13:5.) The end of the long prophetic period
in which the papacy scattered the power of the holy people, is in the past by a hundred and thirty
years. The angel declared, in this time "all these things shall be finished." Does not all this prove that
we are on the verge of eternity?
Will you, brother, will you sister, adorn yourself with the righteousness of Christ? Or will you wait
a little longer, until after the harvest is past? Someone shall utter the following words in great
disappointment: "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved." (Jeremiah 8:20.)
Shall you, or shall I?
"And I heard, but understood not: then I said, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
And He said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end."
(Daniel 12:8, 9.) Are they closed now? If not, then is not this the time to which the prophet refers?
"Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days."
(Daniel 12:12.)
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The Beast (666), False Prophet, Mother Of Harlots, Man Of Sin, Who Are They?
The mystical number "666" of the beast in Revelation 13:18 as applied to the papacy, proves to be
unscriptural as well as unreasonable. While the numerical letters of the title of the pope bears the
number 666, there are many other titles, as well as names of individuals, who bear the same number.
By simply computing the numerical value of letters in a title, or name, we find it fits many, hence we
must look for Biblical proof to make the application. Except we thus prove the idea it would be
improper and unfair to apply the symbol to any one individual.
The idea concerning the symbolical application of the false prophet of Revelation 19:20, the woman
on the scarlet colored beast of Revelation 17, the leopard-like beast of Revelation 13, the scarlet
colored beast of Revelation 17, and the non-descript beast of Daniel 7, as being symbols of the
papacy, is unbiblical and also illogical.
"And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he
spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth
and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he
doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by means of those miracles which he had power to do in
the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the
beast, which had the wound by the sword and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image
of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not
worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and
poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man
might buy or sell, save he that had the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number
of a man; and his number is six hundred three score and six." (Rev. 13:11-18.)
"And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by means of those miracles which he had power to do
in the sight of the
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PICTURE
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beast." (Rev. 13:14.) The beast spoken of here is the one with lamb-like horns. But some one else
is introduced by the pronoun "he," who "had power to do miracles in the sight of the beast" (the
lamb-like). The following Scripture will make clear who it is that performs the miracles: "And the
beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, [before the two
horned beast] with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that
worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone." (Rev.
19:20.) Therefore, the miracles are wrought by the false prophet in the sight of the two-horned beast.
There are many beasts spoken of in the Bible, but this two-horned beast is the only one that can be
termed "a man." It will be noticed that from the 11th verse on, of the 13th chapter of Revelation the
Scripture speaks of the two-horned beast and closes with the words: "For it is the number of a man;
and his number is six hundred three-score and six." Therefore, the mystical number "666," belongs
to the two-horned beast and none other. However, we may not conclude that no one before it could
have such a number.
The idea that the papacy is called the beast is altogether wrong. The papacy is represented by
symbols on two different beasts. First, on the "non-descript" of Daniel 7, by the "little horn having
eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things;" second, on the "leopard-like" of
Revelation 13, by the head that was "wounded to death." These beasts are universal, representing
the entire world in their time, both civil and religious. Therefore, it could not be said of either beast,
"it is... a man." The papacy being only a part of both beasts (horn-head on one, and simply a
wounded head on the other) cannot be called "the beast." The two-horned beast is the only one
representing a local religio-political government. Therefore, of him alone can it be said, it is "a man."
Thus whosoever shall stand at the head of that persecuting power as described in this chapter, and
represented by the beast, is the one who shall bear the mystical number 666. The Spirit of Prophecy
also states that the "King of the North" brought to view in Daniel 11:45, and the two-horned beast
of Revelation 13, is the same power and that it shall bear this mystical number 666. We quote: "This
power is the last that treads down the true church of God: and as the true church is still trodden
down, and cast out by all Christendom, it follows that the last oppressive power has not 'come to his
end'; and Michael has not stood up. This last power that treads down the saints is brought to view
in Rev. 13:11-18.
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His number is 666." -- "A Word to the Little Flock," pp. 8, 9. We have proved the truth of the
number one way, now we shall prove it in another.
The Destruction Of The Beast And The Prophet
The destruction of both the "false prophet" and the "beast" is clearly foretold: "And the beast was
taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him... These both were cast alive
into a lake of fire... And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which
sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh." (Rev. 19:20, 21.)
Their final end is accomplished by being cast alive into a lake of fire. But the rest of the world ("the
remnant") were all slain with the "sword which proceeded out of His mouth: and the fowls were filled
with their flesh."
The lake of fire into which the beasts and the false prophet are cast, cannot be at the coming of
Christ in the clouds, for the wicked are not destroyed by fire at that time, but "With the spirit of his
mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming." (2 Thess. 2:8.) The beast and the false
prophet are cast into a lake of fire after the sixth plague and before the end of the world. This
destruction of the "remnant," those that were left after the destruction of the beast and the prophet,
is not after the millennium, for the wicked at that time are not destroyed by the sword that "proceeded
out of His mouth," but by fire that came "down from God out of heaven and devoured them." (Rev.
20:9.) After the millennium and the destruction of the wicked no living creature will eat another. (See
Isaiah 11:6-9.) Hence, the beast and false prophet are cast into a lake of fire before the millennium;
and that lake of fire becomes a type of the destruction of the wicked on the other side of the
millennium -- the second death -- for the final destruction of the entire multitude is described in the
following words: "And death and hell were cast into a lake of fire. This is the second death. And
whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." (Rev. 20:14,15.)
Thus the world would be given an ensample before the millennium, of the destruction after the
thousand years had ended. The example of the beast and the false prophet is to show that all the
wicked will be thrown alive into a lake of fire, and that is the second death. Speaking of the
everlasting ruin of the devil, the Word says: "And the devil that deceived them was cast into a lake
of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are." (Rev. 20:10.) That is, the beast and
the false prophet do not come up
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in the second resurrection, exemplifying that there is no resurrection from the second death. Again,
we see there is a type for every event, and let none despise types, for where there is no type, there
is no truth. The number 666 is further proven by
The Destruction Of The "Man Of Sin"
Mark carefully, according to the following testimony, the destruction of the papacy is at another
time and by a different process. "Paul states plainly that the man of sin will continue until the second
advent. To the very close of time he will carry forward his work of deception." -- "The Great
Controversy," p. 579. Thus the papacy is to remain to the second coming of Christ, at which time
the wicked are to be destroyed by the brightness of His coming. Therefore, the papacy is one thing,
and the false prophet another, and the beast still another. The beast "666" and the false prophet, who
are to be cast alive into the lake of fire, are the ones who develop the image of the beast -- a likeness
of the worship in the period of the 1260 years.
The time of that wholesale deception is at hand. It will take more than great knowledge of theology
to escape the most powerful trap his Satanic majesty has ever devised. The wonderful miracles will
be convincing and the apparently genuine spirit of worship will bring deep conviction upon those who
are subject to be misled. As the great men of the world declare its worship true, multitudes will
accept their decisions without personal investigation. Add to all of these the following declaration
of civil authorities: "As many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed," and we
have an overwhelming power which human strength cannot resist for a moment. Only by a prophetic
knowledge of the truth, with confidence in a "thus saith the Lord," and in the power of His Spirit, can
one escape the wily snares of the devil.
The Mother Of Harlots Not The Beast
It has been explained that the papacy would remain to the last. If the woman on the scarlet colored
beast (Babylon the Great) comes to her end at a different time and in another way, she cannot be a
symbol of the papacy as some have thought. Revelation 17:16, speaking of the woman and the horns
of the scarlet colored beast, says: "And the ten horns which thou sawest on the beast, these shall hate
the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire."
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Note, she is not cast into a lake of fire like the beast and the false prophet, but they (the horns)
"shall make her desolate and naked and shall eat her flesh." Thus the woman's destruction is at a
different time, and in another way than that of the papacy, the false prophet, and the beast. Since
what has been said cannot be contradicted, it is evident the "beast" is one thing, the "false prophet"
another, and the papacy another, and the "woman" still another. It is of great importance that these
things be correctly understood, for by the knowledge of the truth only, can God lead His people on
to victory.
The Time Of The Woman's Destruction
To determine the time of Babylon's (woman's) destruction, it will be necessary to refer to Daniel
7:11,12, "I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even
till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame. As concerning the
rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and
time." Concerning the rest of the beasts -- the lion, bear, and the leopard, their dominion was taken
away, but they remained alive, while the non-descript beast came to his end. The beasts that remain
alive, represent the descendants of the three ancient empires. While their dominion is taken away,
the inhabitants (beasts) are here at the present time. The end of these beasts would mean the end of
the world.
The non-descript beast is not the last beast of this world's history, for he is followed by the
leopard-like beast of Revelation 13:1, and the scarlet colored beast of Revelation 17:3. The latter is
the last symbol of historical events, by which this present world and the one after the millennium shall
be brought to an end, as previously explained. Therefore, the destruction of the non-descript beast
is before the second coming of Christ. If the lives of the three beasts before it were "prolonged," their
time cannot be extended beyond the second coming of Christ. Says Daniel: "Their lives were
prolonged for a season and a time." Therefore, from the time the body of the non-descript beast is
destroyed, there will be "a season and a time," to the end of this present world.
If Daniel means year by "time," and a half year by "dividing of time," in the 25th verse of the same
chapter, then he must mean the same in the 12th verse. If the interpretation holds good in one verse
it must in the other. Therefore, "time" would be one year, and a "season" a fourth part of a year, thus
making a total of one year and three months. However, the period in the
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25th verse has a prophetic term of 1260 days (years), but the "time" in the twelfth verse cannot be
prophetic, for then it would mean 450 literal years. It is evident that from the time the beast is
destroyed, to the end, there will be fifteen literal months.
It shall be noticed that the destruction of the "beast" is prophetic of the destruction of the "woman."
We quote the scriptures referring to both: "I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body
destroyed, and given to the burning flame." (Daniel 7:11.) "And the ten horns which thou sawest
upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her
flesh, and burn her with fire." (Rev. 17:16.) The destruction is alike of both (beast and woman).
Furthermore, it is the period under the symbol of the woman riding on the beast that makes an image
of the leopard-like in his first stage (before wounded) or of the non-descript beast in his second stage;
for, the 1260 year period was represented by both beasts. The image is a false religion internationally
set up. Therefore, one is the likeness of the other. Thus the destruction of the original (non-descript
beast) is a prophecy of the destruction of the "woman," and the destruction of the one, is the
destruction of the other. It prophetically signifies that the "image" (woman riding on the beast -- the
union of that religio-political system), shall perish fifteen months ("season and a time") before the
"remnant" (rest of the world). Let it be remembered that Daniel's vision is a prophecy, and the vision
by John is a revelation. Therefore, the destruction of the non-descript beast is the prophecy, and the
destruction of the woman is the fulfillment of the prophecy.
The following scripture referring to the time the "woman" was destroyed, says: "And after these
things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and
honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath
judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood
of His servants at her hand. And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.
And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the
throne, saying, Amen, Alleluia. And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye
his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great." (Rev. 19.1-5.)
The woman was destroyed and her smoke ascended up "for ever and ever," while the "elders" and
the "beasts" were before the throne. This proves that the judgment in the Most Holy apartment had
not ceased, or at least the tribunal had not yet
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vacated the place of judgment, (explained in another chapter) for after the saints are numbered and
sealed, their sins blotted out in the aforesaid judgment, probation shall close, and the sanctuary where
the judgment is held shall be vacated of the elders, and the beasts, as well as the "Lamb," and of the
entire angelic host. After which "no man was able to enter the temple, till the seven last plagues...
were fulfilled." (See Rev. 15:5-8.) Thus it is clear that the woman was destroyed before the seven
last plagues were poured out.
Quoting Revelation 19:6, "And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice
of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God
omnipotent reigneth." While Christ is in the sanctuary and the judgment in progress, He does not
reign, but is a Priest and an Advocate, blotting out the sins of the righteous. But when He is through
with the investigative judgment, then He is crowned King of kings and Lord of lords. (See Rev.
19:16.)
After the "smoke of the woman rose up for ever and ever," the heavenly host shouted, "Alleluia:
for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." Therefore, all the saints were judged prior to the destruction
of the "woman," and after she is burned with fire, Christ is crowned King of kings and Lord of lords;
then the temple will be vacated and the seven last plagues poured out.
The following scriptures bear further evidence. Said the heavenly host: "Let us be glad and rejoice,
and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is
the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the
marriage supper of the Lamb." Continued the Angel, "Come hither, I will shew thee the Bride, the
Lamb's wife... and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from
God." (Rev. 19:7-9; 21:9, 10.) Therefore, the Lamb's wife is the Holy City and not the church, and
those called to the marriage supper (the saints) are the guests. (See "The Great Controversy," page
427.) They who were before the throne, said of the New Jerusalem: "His wife hath made herself
ready. And to her was granted [to the city] that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white...
for the fine linen is the rigteousness of saints." (Rev. 19:7, 8.) Therefore, the Lamb's wife will be
ready at the close of probation when the saints are numbered, for they are her "linen." As at the time
the woman (Babylon) was burned, the saints (linen) were ready. Her destruction shall be a signal that
probation has closed. Then some shall be conscious
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of their doom and shall say, "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are notsaved." (Jer.
8:20.) Others shall "wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to
and fro to seek the words of the Lord, and shall not find it." (Amos 8:12.) When God's people shall
have ceased from their God given work, their answer will be: "We have nothing for you, the harvest
is past, salvation has ceased, you are too late."
Who Is The False Prophet?
As previously explained the false prophet is not the papacy or the two-horned beast, neither is he
the devil, for we read: "And the devil that deceived them was cast into a lake of fire and brimstone,
where the beast and the false prophet are." (Rev. 20:10.) Therefore, the false prophet is the one who
shall precede the manifestation of Satan himself. Said the apostle, "And no marvel; for Satan himself
is transformed into an angel of light." (2 Cor. 11:14.)
As the doctrines held by the false prophet cannot be fully supported by the Scriptures, miracles are
performed to secure the confidence of the people. As the great men and religious leaders declare to
the public that the so-called true religion is the truth of Christ, and that the false prophet is His
servant, multitudes will fall into Satan's snare. His false prediction of the coming of the Lord, will
be fulfilled by Satan himself as he appears as an angel of light. His dazzling brightness, and the false
fulfillment of the prophet's prediction, in addition to the already overwhelming delusion, will ensnare
a multitude greater than the first. "While appearing to the children of men as a great physician who
can heal all their maladies, he will bring disease and disaster, until populous cities are reduced to ruin
and desolation." -- "The Great Controversy," p. 589.
The Woman Sitting On The Heads
Said the angel: "The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth." (Rev. 17:9.)
It has been previously explained that the heads represent the present day apostate Christendom, (See
pages 88-96). They are called "mountains" (denominations), seven in number, meaning all. As the
prostitute sits on all seven, the symbol with unmistakable evidence reveals that so-called Christendom
will submit itself to be governed by one head, of which the woman is a symbol. (See "The Great
Controversy," page 588.)
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Preliminary to that miracle working power, Protestantism, Catholicism and Spiritualism will have
grasped each other's hand by means of a church federation. The difference of opinion in doctrinal
points will be considered of no vital importance to salvation. They will see in that apparently innocent
union a great movement for the settlement of differences as well as for the conversion of the world.
At the appearance of the false prophet, and of Satan himself, their expectations would be realized,
and the ushering in of the long expected millennial time of peace shall be proclaimed to be at hand.
Thus on the surface it will bear evidence that the world's crises are about to end. But as God's people
have been warned of it all, they refuse to worship the image of the beast, which is a false international
religion, and will be charged as rebellious, disturbers of the peace, and trouble makers. This will bring
the great persecution of Revelation 12:17.
To them it will be said: "Art thou he that troubleth Israel?" As the saints answer them in the manner
of the prophet Elijah: "Nay but... in that ye have forsaken the commandment of the Lord, and thou
hast followed Baalam," it will incur the displeasure of the wicked and cause them to enrage against
the innocent.
The Woman Sitting On The Beast
While the Revelator saw in vision the beast who bears the number 666, and the false prophet
enforcing a false religion by law and miracles within the borders of the government represented by
the two-horned beast, he was shown another interesting sight: "And I saw," he says, "a woman sit
upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the
woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and
pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication." (Rev.
17:3, 4.) This symbol reveals that after the woman had sat on the "heads" (united the churches) she
also succeeded to sit on the beast. The beast is a symbol of the entire present world -- both civil (ten
horns) and religious (seven heads). As the woman sitting on the heads denotes union of churches,
just so, sitting on the beast represents internationally the church and the state governed by the same
head (woman). Therefore, an international system of religion and a combination of church and state.
In such a system the great men of earth will see a vision of settling the troubles of the world, welding
the people and the nations into a world-wide brotherhood, fulfilling by a medium of religion, 1 Thess.
5:3,
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"For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them,... and they
shall not escape." Though their intention is to reduce crime as well as wars, their hope will be in vain.
The Cup, Jewels, And The Loud Colors
The cup in the hand of the woman being of the most precious metal, and as she is decked with gold
and precious stones, it denotes a most overwhelming temptation -- fully realized in the miracle
working power by the false prophet and Satan himself. Her cup (books) contains false doctrines, and
being "golden," it shows that they are plated with Christianity. Thus the following prophetic words
shall meet their fulfillment: "And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image
of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast
should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive
a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had
the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name." (Rev. 13:15-17.)
"Such will be the experiences of God's people in their final struggle with the powers of evil... Satan
leads many to believe that God will overlook their unfaithfulness in the minor affairs of life; but the
Lord shows in His dealings with Jacob that He can in no wise sanction or tolerate evil. All who
endeavor to excuse or conceal their sins, and permit them to remain upon the books of heaven
unconfessed and unforgiven, will be overcome by Satan." -- "Patriarchs and Prophets," p. 202.
"Those who are without God's protection will find no safety in any place or position." -- "Testimonies
for the Church," Vol. 8, p. 50. Of that troublous time said Christ: "He that findeth his life" to gain
the favor of men "shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it." (Matt. 10:39.) That
time shall reveal him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not. Then, shall the world be divided
into two great classes -- "The sheep on the right and the goats on the left." (Matt. 25:33.) Apparently
it will seem that God's people must either perish or yield to the demands of the wicked, but mighty
angels who excel in strength will reverse the current of destruction.
"And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus
with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. And
the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in
thee; and no
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craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone
shall be heard no more at all in thee; And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and
the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants
were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived!" (Rev. 18:21-23.)
While multitudes are falling into the snares of the devil, and as he is endeavoring to wipe out the
church, the "Third Angel's Message" breaks through with mighty power and a "loud cry," saying,
"Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her
plagues." (Rev. 18:4.) And as the "Cry" of the angel (messenger) rings through the earth a great
multitude of all nations leave the false, but popular system of worship, and against all earthly favor
take their stand with the saints under the protection of divine power. This will incur the wrath of the
dragon.
SUMMARY
(Follow Chart On Page 150)
The tabulation of events in this chapter fully illustrate the great prophetic occurrences that are to
transpire in rapid succession as shown in the chart. The union of the churches represented by the
"woman" sitting on the "heads" must take place before the combined power of the "beast" and the
"false prophet" is fully realized. The symbols ("false prophet" and the "beast") reveal that there shall
be a national alliance of church and state. But the woman riding on the beast, denotes an international
system of church and state, enforced by civil law, and miraculous power. At the close of probation,
the union represented by the symbol of the "scarlet colored beast," shall be dissolved with the
destruction of the "woman" or head of that union as pictured at the turning point of the chart. The
world at that time, as represented by the horns of the beast, shall "hate" the harlot, dethrone her, and
"burn her with fire;" which can be nothing less than by revolution against the head of that
religio-political system. Then the prophecy of Revelation 16:19, will meet its fulfillment: "And the
great city [Babylon] was divided into three parts." That is, the union of Protestantism, Catholicism,
and Spiritualism was dissolved. Note the verb, "was," being in past tense, shows that the great city
Babylon was divided before the seven plagues were poured out; that is, at close of
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probation, when the woman was dethroned. "And the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon [in
her divided state] came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the
fierceness of His wrath." (Rev. 16:19, last part.) The fierceness of God's wrath is poured out upon
Babylon in her divided state in the time of the seventh plague.
The head of the non-descript beast of Daniel seven, in the burning fire with the "woman" as
depicted in the chart, represents the same event. The "beast" is a prophecy, and the "woman" is the
revelation of that prophecy. Then the four angels of Revelation seven, who were "holding the four
winds of the earth [the nations in check], that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea,
nor on any tree," shall let the wind "blow;" and as there would remain nothing to hold the nations and
peoples together and to restrain hostilities, the conflict within and without, will result in the final
battle of "Armageddon." (Rev. 16:14, 16.) From that point of the chart (close of probation) to the
second coming of Christ and the beginning of the millennium, there will be fifteen months -- "a season
and a time." (Dan. 7:11, 12.)
At about the time of the seventh plague the beast and the false prophet will be cast into the lake of
fire. A literal fulfillment, and the same will become a type of the final destruction of the wicked after
the millennium, which is the second death. The destruction of the woman riding on the scarlet
colored beast, and the false prophet with the two-horned beast being cast alive in the lake of fire,
denotes that this religio-political system will be internationally dissolved.
At the appearance of the Lord, the saints shall be gathered (Matt. 24:30), and the wicked destroyed.
(2 Thess. 2:8.) The nations are represented by the "beasts," the "man of sin" by the "little horn having
eyes of a man and a mouth speaking great things." (Daniel 7:25.)
The great image of Daniel two, corresponds with the beasts of Daniel seven. These beasts are also
represented by the leopard-like beast of Revelation thirteen -- the mouth of a lion, feet of a bear, body
of a leopard, and the ten horns. The scarlet colored beast of Revelation seventeen is a continuation
of the leopard-like after his deadly wound was healed. Thus he is pictured on the chart showing that
he has the characteristics of all the beasts before him. Therefore, the destruction of the beasts of
Daniel seven, is also the destruction of the beasts that were shown to John in vision; and the end of
all the beasts, mean the end of the world.
The great stone of Daniel two, that smote the image on the
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feet is a symbol of the coming of Christ; and the breaking of the image denotes the breaking of the
nations. As the scarlet colored beast brings this present world to an end, he also represents the world
on the other side of the millennium, after the second resurrection.
The fire coming down out of heaven upon the beast, denotes the second death of the wicked,
one-hundred years after the second resurrection. Then the prophecy of Enoch shall meet its complete
fulfillment: "Behold, the Lord cometh,... to execute judgment upon "all," and to convince all that are
ungodly... of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard
speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him." (Jude 14, 15.) While the 14th verse of
Jude applies to Christ's coming to the Most Holy apartment in the heavenly sanctuary, and the 15th
verse to His second advent, the completeness of the words find their fulfillment after the millennium,
for at that time only can He execute the final "judgment upon all the ungodly," from Cain to the end
of this present world.
The first part of the chart, dated 1929, to the curve, marked Ezekiel 9, is the period in which the
144,000 are sealed -- the separation of the tares from the wheat -- the purification of the church. As
the 144,000 are the "first fruits," the fulfillment of Ezekiel 9 and the sealing of the servants of God
(the 144,000), marks the commencement of the final harvest, or as it is also called, "The Loud Cry."
At that time the great multitude of Revelation 7:9, will be gathered in the church by the servants of
God (the 144,000). (See Isaiah 66:19, 20.)
The cases of all who are sealed from 1929 to the final close of probation will be investigated before
the throne in the heavenly sanctuary while living. The investigation commences after the fulfillment
of Ezekiel 9. Those who are sealed from 1929 to the fulfillment of Ezekiel 9 (close of probation for
the church), are living saints, 144,000 in number, who shall never die -- translated without tasting
death. The class which neglected their opportunity were left without the seal to perish under the ruin
of Ezekiel 9; Isaiah 63; and Isaiah 66:15-17. This example of the destruction of the sinners in the
church is a type of the destruction of the sinners in the world after the close of probation. The great
multitude of Revelation 7:9, living at the time of the close of probation for the world, shall also never
die, of whom the 144,000 were a type. But all the wicked being left without the seal, shall perish.
"Hitherto is the end of the matter; Fear God [not man] and keep His commandments: for this is the
whole duty of man." (Eccl. 12:13.)
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The One Hundred And Forty-Four Thousand
Revelation Seven And Fourteen
The ground of this most vital subject has been extensively covered in "The Shepherd's Rod," Vol.
1. Therefore, we intend to bring out only that phase which does not appear in the first volume. The
following questions will be answered in this chapter: At the time the Lord commands the angel to seal
them (the 144,000) are they found by that message in the world or in the church? At what time are
they sealed? Why are they "virgins"? Why is there "no guile" in their mouth? Are they men only or
of both sexes? Why are they called "servants of God"? Why are they Israel?
We quote from the writings of the "Spirit of Prophecy": "This was the time of Jacob's trouble.
Then all the saints cried out with anguish of spirit, and were delivered by the voice of God. The one
hundred and forty-four thousand triumphed. Their faces were lighted up with the glory of God." --
"Life Sketches," page 117. Note that the 144,000 in number, were present in "the time of Jacob's
trouble." Accordlng to the following quotation, that time of trouble commences immediately after
the close of probation: "When Christ shall cease His work as mediator in man's behalf, then this time
of trouble will begin." -- "Patriarchs and Prophets," page 201. That time of trouble is before any of
the sleeping saints are resurrected, therefore the 144,000 are not resurrected, but are living saints who
have never tasted death and are to be translated at the second coming of Christ.
The 144,000 Sealed While In The Church
To make this clear we must comment on the typical day of atonement. That notable day in the
ceremonial system was a day of cleansing, judgment, and covering. The command was given that in
the seventh month and on the tenth day of the month (day of atonement) every Israelite was to afflict
his soul, confess his sin, and bring a sacrifice. He who failed to respond to the divine call was cut off
(perished) from among God's people. Therefore, it was a day of judgment and purification of the
camp of Israel. While the sinner perished, the godly were preserved. This living example was set
forth for our benefit at this present time, upon whom the anti-typical day of atonement is come. This
picture in the earthly tabernacle is intended to point out the work in the heavenly.
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When the judgment opened in 1844, as previously explained, the investigation began with the dead,
and when that part of the work is finished, then commences the judgment of the living. While the
investigation for the congregation of the dead is in progress, there can be no separation among the
congregation of the living. But when our High Priest shall begin the atonement for the living, there
must be a message of present truth -- sounding of the trumpet -- urging every one to lay hold on the
Lamb of God (Christ) by which only, can he in figure, come to the sanctuary, confess his sin and
secure his life. Unless the close of the judgment for the dead and the commencement for the living
be made known to us, we would have no present truth while the judgment for the living is in session.
Neither would such judgment be legal or just. He who fails to respond to the heavenly summons, will
be left without the seal or covering of God, and therefore must be cut off from among His people,
as prefigured by the services in the typical day of atonement.
Says the apostle: "For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God." (1 Peter
4:17.) The fact that to the "Seventh-day Adventist" church alone has come just such a message as
the one mentioned, presented to them in "The Shepherd's Rod," Vol. 1, is an additional proof that this
particular church is the house of God. This time of judgment is also called the "time of harvest." "Let
both grow together until the harvest," said Christ, "and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers,
Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into
my barn." (Matt. 13:30.) The words of our Master are in perfect harmony with the typical day of
atonement, foretelling that it is a day of separating the tares from the wheat, or cutting off of the
unrepentant sinners from among God's people (purification of the church). Therefore, the harvest
commences with the closing work for the church. Said Christ: "Let both grow together until the
harvest." In Revelation 14:4, speaking of the 144,000 we read, "They are the first fruits unto God
and to the Lamb." Therefore, it is evident that in the purification or separation of the tares from the
wheat in the church of God, there shall be 144,000 who have confessed their sins; and are thus made
white and clean by the precious blood of Christ, for they are "the first fruits." This is also proven by
the "Spirit of Prophecy," for we read: "This sealing of the servants of God is the same that was shown
to Ezekiel in vision." -- "Testimonies to Ministers," page 445. We quote from "Testimonies for the
Church," Vol. 3, p. 266: "The true people of God, who have the spirit of the work of the Lord, and
the salvation of souls at heart, will ever view sin in its
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real, sinful character. They will always be on the side of faithful and plain dealing with sins which
easily beset the people of God. Especially in the closing work for the church, in the sealing time of
the 144,000."
Again on page 267: "Mark this point with care: Those who receive the pure mark of truth, wrought
in them by the power of the Holy Ghost, represented by a mark by the man in linen, are those 'that
sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done' in the church.... Read the ninth chapter of
Ezekiel. But the general slaughter of all those who do not thus see the wide contrast between sin and
righteousness, and do not feel as those do who stand in the counsel of God and receive the mark, is
described in the order to the five men with the slaughter weapons: 'Go ye after him through the city,
and smite; let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity; slay utterly old and young, both maids, and
little children, and women; but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my
sanctuary.' "
The definition of "general" is: "extensive but not universal." Therefore it does not mean the
destruction of the world at the appearance of the Lord; but it has reference to the wicked in the
church. This slaughter is literal, it is to separate and release God's people from sin and sinners,
otherwise the marking would be of no value. The same subject is again brought to view in
"Testimonies for the Church," Vol. 5, page 211: "Here we see that the church -- the Lord's sanctuary
-- was the first to feel the stroke of the wrath of God." The wrath of God cannot, and never has been
spiritual. We are again reminded that the 144,000 are the remnant: "Now indeed are the remnant
'men wondered at'... 'In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit
of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel. And it shall come to
pass, That he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every
one that is written among the living in Jerusalem.'" -- "Testimonies for the Church," Vol. 5, page 476.
Thus the 144,000 are those who are sealed in the judgment for the church, and with them the
judgment for the living commenced. Therefore, they are the first fruits.
When this number is sealed, probation will close for the church, and the judgment for those who
are in the world will commence. As the "tares" perish at the time when probation is closing for the
church, just so at the close of the judgment for the world the sinners shall come to their end; the one
is a figure of the other. It is said of the 144,000: "These are they which are not defiled with women
for they are virgins." (Rev. 14:4.) The "women" mentioned in this Scripture are symbols of impure
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churches. These "women" are brought to view in Revelation 17, under the figure of the woman
sitting on the scarlet colored beast. We quote Rev. 17:5: "And upon her forehead was a name
written, mystery, Babylon the great, the mother of harlots and abomination of the earth." This mother
and her daughters are the "women" with whom the 144,000 are not defiled, for the message of the
sealing found them in the church. Thus being in the church of God when sealed, they are "virgins"
-- "not defiled with women" (with fallen churches).
The Servants Of God In The Time Of The Harvest
In Revelation 7:3, the 144,000 are called "The servants of our God." If servants, then they must
have duties to perform. They are again brought to view by the prophet Isaiah in connection with the
purification of the church and the destruction of the wicked: "And I will set a sign among them, and
I will send those that escape (the 144,000) of them into the nations.... And they shall bring all your
brethren for an offering unto the Lord out of all nations,... in a clean vessel into the house of the
Lord" -- the church. (Isa. 66:19, 20.) "And the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for
them that are escaped of Israel." (Isa. 4:2.) Therefore, the 144,000 are called "servants." (For further
study of Isa. 66, see "The Shepherd's Rod," Vol. 1, pp. 165-172.)
It is also said of this wonderful company: "And in their mouth was found no guile." (Rev. 14:5.)
This Scripture makes it clear that the gospel they proclaim is altogether the true Word of God.
Therefore, the message they present to the world cannot be questioned as to its purity. The prophet
of Patmos after speaking of the sealing of the 144,000 says: "After this I beheld, and, lo, a great
multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood
before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hand." (Rev.
7:9.) Therefore, this great multitude is gathered from all nations, after the closing work for the
church, and in the time of the great harvest. The palms in their hands signify victory over the beast
and his image, death and the grave. One of the elders before the throne said of them: "These are they
which came out of great tribulation" (the time of Jacob's trouble). (Rev. 7:14.) The servant of the
Lord also bears witness in the following quotations: "'And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is
rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the
earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every
bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and said
to
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the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and
from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?'
Rev. 6:14-17.
" 'After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and
kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white
robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which
sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.... These are they which came out of great tribulation and
have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb'... Rev. 7:9, 17.
"In these Scriptures two parties are brought to view. One party permitted themselves to be
deceived, and took sides with those with whom the Lord has a controversy." -- "Testimonies for the
Church," Vol. 9, pp. 267, 268. As the Spirit of Prophecy points out these two companies (those who
cried for the rocks, and those with the palms) both living in the time of the great tribulation and the
wrath of God, it is evident that the great multitude with the palms in their hands are living saints won
to the gospel in the time of the harvest by the work of the 144,000.
Are The 144,000 Of Both Sexes?
The command to mark this company so that they fall not under the slaughter weapons by the figure
of the five men, reads as follows: "And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city,
through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry
for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof." (Ezekiel 9:4.) Because the Word says:
"Set a mark upon the foreheads of the men," therefore some have held the position that the entire
company is made up of men only. The second reason given for this erroneous idea is that they are
to be kings and priests and therefore they must be men. The idea carried by these passages cannot
be sustained by other portions of Scripture. Thus we are compelled to study deeper into the subject.
While Ezekiel calls them "men," John says they are "virgins." (Rev. 14:4.) Now, if we should take
the position that Ezekiel means men only, then we can as well say, John means women only. Can it
be possible that one writer should contradict the other? No indeed. We conclude by the following
Scriptures that the 144,000 are of both sexes: "The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the
light, that all men through him might believe." (John 1:7.) "All men," must include both men and
women, otherwise salvation would be for men only. "And I, if I
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be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." (John 12:32.) If the word all men in this text
does not include both sexes, then the women are lost. "And the time of this ignorance God winked
at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent." (The Acts 17:30.) Again, if "all men"
include not both male and female, then women are not commanded to repent. It is evident that the
noun, men, is a collective Biblical term of both men and women. The same is true by creation, for,
God made the woman of the man. Therefore, she is a wo-man. Again in Gal. 3:28, we read: "There
is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."
Since there is no difference between either sex in Christ, then we see that women as well as men
can be kings and priests. The same thought can be carried out by the experience of the Jewish nation:
"And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.... And the children
of Israel came up to her for judgment." (Judges 4:4, 5.) This woman held a man's position, being a
judge of God's people, which is equivalent to a king. Not only a king, but she was a prophetess as
well. Again we read in Luke 2:36,37, "And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of
Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from
her virginity; and she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the
temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day." Also the wife of Shallum being a
prophetess taught Israel and controlled the college. (See 2 Kings 22:14-16.) Phillip the evangelist
had four daughters who also did prophesy. (See The Acts 21:8, 9.)
From Paul's statement in 1 Timothy 2:12, "I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority
over the man, but to be in silence," you will note the meaning here is, that the woman is to be in
subjection to the man as God had ordained, and not that she is forbidden to hold the office of a
teacher. Again we quote, "Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto
them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law." (1 Cor. 14:34.)
Read the chapter and you will see that Paul wishes to establish order in the churches, for there was
great confusion by speaking in unknown tongues. Therefore, to silence the confusion, he says: "Let
your women keep silence in the churches." He is not forbidding them to speak if they have a duty
to perform. If this lesson was heeded in this age there would be a great change for the better in the
house of God.
In the beginning God created both the man and the woman equal, as king and queen. "And God
blessed them, and God said
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unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over
the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the
earth." (Gen. 1:28.) Note that the dominion was given to them both. However, after they sinned a
change was made: "Unto the woman He said,... thy desire shall be to thy husband, and He shall rule
over thee." (Gen. 3:16.) So, after the woman sinned she fell under the government of man. But that
which Eve lost by deception, shall be restored by redemption. Thus again the equality of both shall
be established as kings and queens. Therefore, "There is neither male nor female in Christ Jesus."
Christ himself confirms the idea in the following expression: "For when they shall rise from the dead,
they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels which are in heaven."
Thus the noun "men" used by Ezekiel, and the noun "virgins" by John is a collective Biblical term
comprehending both. Furthermore, the denomination numbers a little over 300,000 at present time.
Only about a third of them are men. If every man was sealed and numbered as one of the 144,000,
we still would be far short of reaching the total. Again we note at the time of the passover in Egypt
the blood on the door-post was a type of the marking or sealing. ("The Shepherd's Rod," Vol. 1, pp.
96-98.)
In that night wherever the blood appeared on the door-post, the first born whether male or female,
perished not, just so now, those who receive the seal, have applied the blood on the door-post
(forehead), and as the first born of both classes, those who died and those who did not, were a type
of the present priesthood (ministry), evidently, the type points forward to a ministry in the anti-type
made up of both sexes -- the first born who died represent the class that shall fall under the slaughter
weapons of the five men, and the first born who escaped from death, represent the class that shall
receive the mark of the man with the writer's inkhorn and pass from death to life. Thus the first born
who lived and passed through the red sea, are a type of the 144,000. The first fruits of the harvest,
are the servants of God in the time of the "loud cry" of the Third Angel's Message.
After the purification of the church and the sealing of the servants of God, then the message in the
18th chapter of Revelation shall culminate in a "loud cry:" "Come out of her, my people, that ye be
not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." (Rev. 18:4.) As the saints hear the
voice of the good Shepherd in the gospel message, they separate themselves from the world and join
the 144,000. While this sifting process in the fallen churches is in progress, the man with the
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writer's inkhorn seals those who come out. When all the saints shall come out of Babylon into the
church, then the work of the man with the writer's inkhorn shall cease and probation will close. (See
"Early Writings," p. 279.) Therefore, the activity of the five men with the slaughter weapons shall
continue and their work will cease when Christ comes to take His saints for it is they who have charge
of the city -- church. (See Ezek. 9:1; "The Great Controversy," p. 656.) Then the present world will
come to an end and the millennium of desolation commence; during which time the saints shall judge
the wicked.
The 144,000 are called Israel because their experience is a duplication of that of Ancient Israel
going out of Egypt to possess the promised land. Ancient Egypt is a symbol of the world. The
Egyptian bondage is a symbol of the bondage of sin. The exodus movement is a type of the church
separating from sin and sinners. The destruction of the first born in Egypt and the drowning in the
red sea, denotes the destruction of the wicked in the separation of the saints. The wilderness is a
symbol of the church being apart from the world. The destruction of the disobedient in the
wilderness, is an illustration of keeping the church clean after being purified. The possession of the
promised land is a type of Israel (the saints) possessing the world. The war against the heathen in the
promised land denotes the destruction of the wicked in the world. We are going over the same road
once again, and in so doing, we must avoid the mistakes that were made in the former experience.
At Probation's End, Graves Cease
Revelation 14 And 15
Rev. 14:1, "And I looked, and lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty
and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads." The "Lamb" denotes Christ,
signifying the position He occupies before the close of probation, while yet interceding for His
people; therefore, the specific number of saints stand with Him on earth while He is yet in the Most
Holy place. Mount Zion in old Jerusalem was an ancient spot of that city, and the place of the royal
residence of David and his successors. Therefore, from that viewpoint we must present the meaning
of the "Lamb" that stood on the mount Zion. We are told by the following Scriptures the Lord had
made a promise that the house of David (Mount Zion) was a light to him and to his sons forever.
"Howbeit the Lord
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would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as
he promised to give a light to him and to his sons forever." (2 Chron. 21:7.) The promise was not
to Mount Zion (house of David) in ancient Jerusalem, for the existence of the Jewish nation was
conditional.
"Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many;
but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ" -- "the son of David." (Gal. 3:16.) Therefore, mount
Zion, as in Revelation 14:1, is the eminent royal spot in the heavenly Jerusalem, as David himself says;
"For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David." (Psa. 122:5.) David
looked forward to the time when the judgment in heaven would be set up: "In that day there shall be
a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for
uncleanness." (Zech. 13:1.)
Therefore, John's vision of the 144,000 as they stood on Mount Zion with the Lamb, is an incident
after this special company of saints had been sealed, and some time before the close of probation.
The sealing of the 144,000 is at the closing of the judgment of the dead, and at the beginning of the
judgment of the living. Therefore, they have a great duty to perform upon the earth in connection
with the judgment. Their service was typified by ancient Israel when they were obliged to possess
the Promised Land. The prophet Zechariah has well described the time: "In that day shall the Lord
defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David,
and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the Lord before them. And it shall come to
pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem [the church].
And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace
and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, [because He died for their
sins] and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him,
as one that is in bitterness for his first born." (Zech. 12:8-11.) What a wonderful experience it will
be when we fully comprehend the love of God and the price paid for our redemption!
The prophet Micah calls the 144,000, the "remnant of Jacob." (See "The Shepherd's Rod," Vol. 1,
p. 102.) "And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in the
entrances thereof: thus shall he deliver us from the Assyrian, when he cometh into our land, and when
he treadeth within our borders. And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a
dew from the Lord, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waitheth for the
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sons of men. And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as
a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go
through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver. Thine hand shall be lifted
up upon thine adversaries, and all thine enemies shall be cut off.... And I will execute vengeance in
anger and fury upon the heathen, such as they have not heard." (Micah 5:6-9, 15.)
"The portion of Jacob is not like them; for he is the former of all things: and Israel is the rod of his
inheritance: the Lord of hosts is his name. Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war [144,000]:
for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and wlth thee will I destroy kingdoms; and with thee
will I break in pieces the horse and his rider; and with thee will I break in pieces the chariot and his
rider; with thee also will I break in pieces man and woman; and with thee will I break in pieces old
and young; and with thee will I break in pieces the young man and the maid; I will also break in pieces
with thee the shepherd and his flock; and with thee will I break in pieces the husbandman and his yoke
of oxen, and with thee will I break in pieces captains and rulers." (Jer. 51:19-23.) Therefore, at the
fulfillment of John's vision, the 144,000 "Stand on Mount Zion," not bodily, but in the sense of the
position they occupy. In the same way as the five virgins who went in with Him to the marriage. (See
"The Great Controversy," p. 427.) As ancient Israel was a terror to the heathen in the promised land,
just so the Israel of God at this time will be a terror to the sinner in the world, and as ancient Israel
had to fight with the sword to possess the land, just so Israel now must battle with the "sword of the
Spirit" to possess the world (promised land).
"And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder:
and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it were a new song before
the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the
hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth." (Rev. 14:2, 3.)
The song was sung in heaven by heavenly beings before the throne, and before the beasts, and the
elders. Therefore, it is evident that the judgment was in progress. (Further explanation to follow.)
Note that the 144,000 did not sing, but they only could learn the "song" as it was sung in heaven; that
is, they alone understood the heavenly truth in that particular time and their position in connection
with the message they must bear.
"And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write,
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Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest
from their labours; and their works do follow them." (Rev. 14:13.) "Which die from henceforth," that
is, from the commencement of the "loud cry." Thus the word declares that some of the saints will
be laid in the grave even during the time of the harvest (loud cry). We quote from "Counsels on
Health," p. 375 "Many will be laid away to sleep before the fiery ordeal of the time of trouble shall
come upon the world."
While some of the saints shall be laid to sleep in the time of the "loud cry," it is made clear by
Revelation 15:1, 2, that all who are alive after probation has closed and before the commencement
of the pouring out of the plagues will be translated without tasting death: "And I saw another sign
in heaven, great, and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up
the wrath of God. And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the
victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand
on the sea of glass having the harps of God." The "sea of glass" is a symbol of life eternal. (Explained
in another chapter.) In as much as all who had gotten the victory stand on the sea, it denotes that
they have passed from death to life, and their destination now is "God, new Jerusalem."
Rev. 15:5-8: "And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony
in heaven was opened: And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues,
clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles. And one of the
four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever
and ever. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from His power; and no
man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled." After
the investigation is completed and every case decided, the temple of the testimony will open similar
to when the typical opened at the close of the sacrificial system: and the vail which divided the two
apartments rent in twain from the top to the bottom." (See Matt. 27:51.)
The door that is opened after the close of probation is the entrance to the holy place which was
closed in 1844. After the close of probation the temple is to be filled with the power and glory of
God so that no man shall be able to enter in till after the seven plagues are fulfilled. Showing that all
God's people stood on the sea of glass (eternal life) and then probation closed. Thus after Jesus
leaves the most holy place, God's servants shall have no funeral sermons to preach and no gospels
for sinners.
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The Twenty-Fourth Chapter Of Matthew, And The Signs Of Christ's Coming
"And as He sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto Him privately, saying, Tell us,
when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come
in my name, saying, I am Christ, and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of
wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For
nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and
pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they
deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's
sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And
many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love
of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this
gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall
the end come." (Matt. 24:3-14.)
The direct question put to Christ and His answer as to the assurance of His second coming, and the
end of this present world, is too plain and self explanatory to leave room for doubt. He did not say
that the end of the present sinful world was not to come, but He plainly stated that it will come.
However He said before the end shall come, "This gospel of the kingdom [the signs of His second
coming as foretold in this chapter] shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations [not
that all nations shall be converted, but for a witness] and then shall the end come." Those who teach
contrary to this plain statement of the Master, are they of whom He says: "Many false prophets shall
arise and shall deceive many." Furthermore, the Lord says: "For as the lightning cometh out of the
east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." (Matt. 24:27.)
While some of these false prophets make a complete denial of His coming, others dare say, "He is
already come." Still others claim that no one shall see Him when He comes, but, He shall establish
His kingdom on earth, and this world will never come
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to an end, etc. We ask the question: Is Christ telling an untrue story, or are these false prophets
fulfilling His prediction by trying to deceive the saints concerning His coming, and overthrow their
faith in the Master's Word, and thus defraud them of a crown of life? If these are not the deceivers
of whom He speaks, then who are they?
If such workers of iniquity dare try to contradict His plain language as in this instance, may it not
be expected that they shall attempt to overthrow the entire truth of the Bible?
When Christ shall come "as lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west," these
false prophets shall be ashamed. The Revelator also declares: "Behold, He cometh with clouds; and
every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: [that is, they that pierced Him; [that is,
they that pierced him shall be resurrected prior to His coming. See Dan. 12:2] and all kindreds of the
earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen." (Rev. 1:7.) Yes, our Christ shall come and we
shall see Him as He is, "And it shall be said in that day, Lo this is our God: we have waited for Him,
and He will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His
salvation." (Isa. 25:9.)
Though these false prophets and sinners do not want to see Him come, they must: "And the kings
of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and
every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
And said to the mountains and the rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on
the throne, and from the wrath of the lamb: For the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be
able to stand?" (Rev. 6:15-17.) And so shall the end come to the sinners, but not to God's people:
"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and
with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall
be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be
with the Lord." (1 Thess. 4:16, 17.)
To the sinners that day shall be a fearful day, and to them shall He come "as a thief in the night,"
but not so to those who wait for Him. For, speaking of the great persecution that overtook His
people in the dark ages during the 1260 years of Daniel 7:25, He says: "Immediately after the
tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars
shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign
of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the
Son of man coming in the clouds of
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heaven with power and great glory. And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet,
and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."
(Matt. 24:29-31.)
The Master looking forward to this generation, says, "there shall be signs in the sun, and in the
moon, and in the stars." (Luke 21:25.) Thus, "immediately after the tribulation" (the great
persecution) the sun was to be darkened. On the 19th of May, 1780, this prophecy was fulfilled.
Quoting from "The Great Controversy": " 'Almost if not altogether alone, as the most mysterious and
as yet unexplained phenomenon of its kind,... stands the dark day of May 19, 1780 -- a most
unaccountable darkening of the whole visible heavens and atmosphere in New England'." An
eyewitness living in Massachusetts describes the event as follows:
'In the morning the sun rose clear, but was soon overcast. The clouds became lowery, and from
them, black and ominous, as they soon appeared, lightening flashed, thunder rolled, and a little rain
fell. Toward nine o'clock, the clouds became thinner, and assumed a brassy or coppery appearance,
and earth, rocks, trees, buildings, water, and persons were changed by this strange, unearthly light.
A few minutes later, a heavy black cloud spread over the entire sky except a narrow rim at the
horizon, and it was as dark as it usually is at nine o'clock on a summer evening....
'Fear, anxiety, and awe gradually filled the minds of the people. Women stood at the door, looking
out upon the dark landscape; men returned from their labor in the fields; the carpenter left his tools;
the blacksmith his forge, the tradesman his counter. Schools were dismissed, and tremblingly the
children fled homeward. Travelers put up at the nearest farmhouse. 'What is coming?' queried every
lip and heart. It seems as if a hurricane was about to dash across the land, or as if it was the day of
the consummation of all things....
'The extent of this darkness was extraordinary. It was observed as far east as Falmouth. To the
westward it reached to the farthest part of Connecticut, and to Albany. To the southward, it was
observed along the seacoast; and to the north as far as American settlements extend.'
"The intense darkness of the day was succeeded, an hour or two before evening, by a partially clear
sky, and the sun appeared, though it was still obscured by the black, heavy mist. 'After sundown, the
cloud came again overhead, and it grew dark very fast.' 'Nor was the darkness of the night less
uncommon and terrifying than that of the day; not withstanding there was almost a full moon, no
object was discernible but by the help of
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some artificial light, which, when seen from the neighboring houses and other places at a distance,
appeared through a kind of Egyptian darkness which seemed almost impervious to the rays.' Said an
eye witness of the scene: 'I could not help conceiving at the time, that if every luminous body in the
universe had been shrouded in impenetrable shades, or struck out of existence the darkness could not
have been more complete.' Though at nine o'clock that night the moon rose to the full, 'it had not the
least effect to dispel the death-like shadows.' After midnight the darkness disappeared, and the moon,
when first visible, had the appearance of blood.
"May 19, 1780, stands in history as 'The Dark Day.' Since the time of Moses, no period of darkness
of equal density, extent, and duration, has ever been recorded. The description of this event, as given
by eye-witnesses, is but an echo of the words of the Lord, recorded by the prophet Joel twenty-five
hundred years previous to their fulfillment: 'The sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into
blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come.'"
"In 1833, two years after Miller began to present in public the evidences of Christ's soon coming,
the last of the signs appeared which were promised by the Saviour as tokens of His second advent.
Said Jesus, 'The stars shall fall from heaven.' And John in the Revelation declared, as he beheld in
vision the scenes that should herald the day of God 'The stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as
a fig-tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.' This prophecy received a
striking and impressive fulfillment in the great metoric shower of November 13, 1833. That was the
most extensive and wonderful display of falling stars which has ever been recorded; 'The whole
firmament, over all the United States, being then, for hours, in fiery commotion! No celestial
phenomenon has ever occurred in this country, since its first settlement, which was viewed with such
intense admiration by one class in the community, or with so much dread and alarm by another.' 'It's
sublimity and awful beauty still linger in many minds.... Never did rain fall much thicker than the
meteors fell toward the earth; east, west north, and south, it was the same. In a word, the whole
heavens seemed in motion.... The display, as described in Professor Silliman's journal, was seen all
over North America.... From two o'clock until broad daylight, the sky being perfectly serene and
cloudless, an incessant play of dazzling brilliant luminosities was kept up in the whole heavens.'
'No language, indeed, can come up to the splendor of that magnificent display;... no one who did
not witness it can form
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an adequate conception of its glory. It seemed as if the whole starry heavens had congregated at one
point near the zenith, and were simultaneously shooting forth, with the velocity of lightning, to every
part of the horizon; and yet they were not exhausted -- thousands swiftly followed in the tracks of
thousands, as if created for the occasion.'
"In the New York Journal of Commerce of Nov. 14, 1833, appeared a long article regarding this
wonderful phenomenon, containing this statement: 'No philosopher or scholar has told or recorded
an event, I suppose, like that of yesterday morning. A prophet eighteen hundred years ago foretold
it exactly, if we will be at the trouble of understanding stars falling to mean falling stars... in the only
sense in which it is possible to be literally true.'
"Thus was displayed the last of those signs of His coming concerning which Jesus bade His
disciples, 'When ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.' After these
things, John beheld, as the great event next impending, the heavens departing as a scroll, while the
earth quaked, mountains and islands removed out of their places, and the wicked in terror sought to
flee from the presence of the Son of man." -- Great Controversy, pp. 306-308, 333, 334.
Christ had bidden His people watch for the signs of His advent, and rejoice as they should behold
the tokens of their coming King. "And when these things begin to come to pass," He said "then look
up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." (Luke 21:28.) He pointed His
followers to the budding trees of spring, and said: "Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his
branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye
shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors." (Matt. 24:32, 33.) While the
Saviour has clearly pointed out the nearness of His coming to the generation that shall witness all
these signs, He has not left us in darkness as to how long it will be from the time of the fulfillment of
these signs to that great and glorious event, for He added: "This generation [the one that has seen the
signs] shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled." (Matt. 24:34.) As the generation spoken of by
the Master is about to pass away, and the kingdom of everlasting life ushered in, the searcher of truth
should not neglect his opportunity by allowing things of lesser importance to occupy his mind, or
time.
Committed To S.D.A. Denomination
The gospel of the coming of Christ in this generation, and the signs of the times as in Matthew 24,
was committed to the
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Seventh-day Adventist denomination since 1844. No other body of people has had the burden of the
message that is taught in this chapter (the signs and the end of the world), and the urgency of its
speedy delivery in this generation. Therefore, whatever commendation, or condemnation is written
to the "servant" in Matthew 24, cannot be applied to another people. Furthermore, as the rest of
Christendom had fallen by 1844 because they rejected the messages that were sent to them and thus
God would not let light shine through them since that time, it is evident that the gospel of the 24th
chapter of Matthew could not have been preached by any other people. Therefore, the statement
concerning the servant in the following verse is applicable only to the foregoing denomination.
"Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over His household, to give
them [to the world] meat in due season" -- present truth? (Matt. 24:45.) Note, that there is a question
as to whom this faithful servant could be. If that people to whom primarily this gospel was
committed had been faithful, then the following promise would have been their's: "Blessed is that
servant, whom his Lord when He cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That He shall
make him ruler over all His goods." (Matt. 24:46, 47.) The significance of "all His goods" is the
finishing of the gospel, bringing everlasting righteousness, and ushering in the kingdom of Christ!
What a wonderful promise! But, observe the danger of losing this everlasting glory: "But and if that
evil servant shall say in his heart, My Lord delayeth His coming; and shall begin to smite his
fellow-servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken." (Matt. 24:48, 49.) The "servant" (singular)
that shall "begin to smite his fellow servants" (plural) signifies the leadership -- the "angel" of the
church of the Laodiceans -- those who have charge of the "household." But the "servants" (plural)
apply to the ministry under that leadership. By the unfaithfulness of "that servant," the gospel has
been delayed; the generation is about to pass, and the work is years behind. The result is, that the
delay has not been expressed by action only, but it is even said by words, "My Lord delayeth His
coming." And as one sin leads to another, the doctrine of "Health Reform," eating foods that have
been devitalized by modern inventions the "dainties" of Babylon, etc. -- indulging fleshly lusts, has
been largely disregarded, thus fulfilling the words, "eat and drink with the drunken."
The doctrine of health reform is said to be "the right hand and arm of the Third Angel's Message,"
and that the medical work is "the right hand of the message." The idea of health reform is a thing of
the past so far as the church as a body is concerned,
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and the leadership cares little. But that is not the worst, this unfaithful servant of God has even dared
stretch his hand over the gulf to form an unlawful alliance of the denominational medical institutions
with those of the world who are bitterly opposed to the idea of health reform -- right hand and arm
of the "Third Angel's Message." The very channel which was instituted to uphold and carry that part
of the work, is being bound by a confederacy and now in order to maintain this alliance it has been
compelled to sacrifice the very principle for which it was organized. Thereby God's agency for
treating the sick and preventing disease by healthful living and divine healing through obedience of
the truth, has been substituted by drugs.
Thus the devil has cut off the right hand and arm of the "Third Angel's Message," and by this
cunning device has robbed the church of God of its medical institutions! What a calamity! What a
loss! Would not God's faithful people at such a time as this come up to the help of the Lord against
the mighty? How a body of people with so much light can become so blind is beyond human
understanding; it is a mystery!
Had they (those who were charged with this great responsibility) been faithful to the trust
committed to them, the everlasting blessings found in the following verse would have been their's:
"That He shall make him ruler over all his goods." But to him who neglects his Master's commission:
"The Lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for Him, and in an hour that he
is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall
be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matt. 24:50, 51.) Had they taken heed to the last urgent
message sent them, calling for decided changes in these things, the following chapter (Matthew 25)
would have been prophetically different.
The Ten Virgins -- Matthew 25
"Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went
forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were
foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their
lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry
made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and
trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone
out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather
to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went
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to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the
door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us. But he
answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the
day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." (Matt. 25:1-13.)
Observe that the 25th chapter is a continuation of the 24th. Mark the word, "then," meaning the
time they fulfilled the prophetic words contained in Matt. 24:48-51. The virgins are a figure of the
church. Number "ten," has the symbolic meaning of universal (the church as a body). Note that they
are all "virgins." The 144,000 are designated by the same word. (See Rev. 14:4.) The word
"virgins," signify that the class represented by them (ten), are not those who are called out from
Babylon (fallen churches) at the time the "cry" is made. For, if they were to come out of Babylon by
the call "Come out of her, my people" (Rev. 18:4), they would have been defiled with "women"
(fallen churches), and therefore, could not be called "virgins." Thus, the message of the "Midnight
Cry" must find them in the house of God -- virgins.
The "Midnight Cry" was first proclaimed prior to 1844, and the coming of the "Bridegroom" was
Christ's coming to the Most Holy place in the heavenly sanctuary for the investigative judgment of
the saints. The investigation being in two sections; first, the judgment for the dead, and the second
for the living, the "cry" must be repeated, otherwise we would have no present truth for the time of
the judgment of the living. The "cry" for the living being of a greater importance to the world than
the one for the dead, and as the "virgins" are a figure of the living church, the parable must have a
direct application to the church at this present time, -- the coming of the bridegroom for the judgment
of the living. But indirectly it points back to the commencement of the "Midnight Cry" (the first
angel's message -- the judgment for the dead). The messages being of the same event, judgment, both
(for the living and for the dead) are called the "midnight cry." The same is proven by the parable
itself.
"While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made,
Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed
their lamps." Note that they "slumbered and slept" before the cry was made. In the summer of 1844,
midway between the time when it was first thought that the 2300 days would end (on March 21), and
the second date (October 22 of the same year), this period they applied as being the "tarrying time."
But mark that the "cry" had been going on for some
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years (the message by Miller), and the tarrying time was applied at its close after they had discovered
their miscalculation, which is contrary to a proper application of the parable; for according to the
parable they tarried before they cry was made. Therefore, the tarrying time must be the judgment for
the dead, before the bridegroom came to the investigation of the living, in which time the "ten virgins"
developed. So, that is the time in which they all slumbered and slept. This application is also in
perfect harmony with the message to the Laodiceans. (See Rev. 3:14-19; Isa. 52:1, 2.)
If the foregoing application is correct, then at the end of the tarrying period, or just prior to the
commencement of the judgment of the living, there must be a message -- "cry"; and if the "virgins"
are a figure of the church as a body in the time of the "cry," then, the message must be for the church
only. This is also proven in "The Great Controversy," page 425. In as much as there is just such a
"cry" presented in "The Shepherd's Rod," Vol. 1, it not only shows that the application of the parable
is correct, but it also proves that church to be the "House of God."
"They all slumbered and slept." This statement by the Master proves that the church as a body has
been asleep -- being in perfect harmony with the previous explanation of the 24th chapter of Matthew.
Five were foolish and five wise. Number "ten" being a symbol of the church as a body, the number
five and five, mean half and half. The denomination numbers at the present time a little over 300,000;
half of this number would be about 150,000. If we should subtract the dead material (backsliders,
but still on the church record), the number derived after such deduction would be about 144,000.
Thus again it proves that the 144,000 are the five wise virgins; and the foolish ones are they who shall
fall under the destroying weapons in the hand of the "five men.'
"But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps." The "oil" is a symbol of the Spirit of God
in the form of a message (truth); for, it is the substance that gives the light (the prophetic Word of
God). The lamp must be a symbol of the heart into which the Word (oil) is being retained. The
trimming of their lamps, is the "trimming" of their hearts; that is, their conscience being aroused they
began to show interest. But only five of them had an extra supply of oil in their vessels. As they
started out to meet the bridegroom, the lamps of the foolish ones went out; and as they found
themselves in darkness, it made their progress impossible. Now, the question arises: What made their
lamps go out, and why could they go backward, but not forward? As the message of the judgment
for the dead was the
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present truth since 1844, at the beginning of the judgment for the living (when the cry was made), it
became present truth no longer. Consequently their lamps went out. They could not move forward
because they were foolish; that is, they did not accept the light -- the judgment for the living. Was
the "oil" beyond their reach? The words in the parable prove that they all heard the "cry, "arose, and
trimmed their lamps." Five of them failed to get the supply of oil because they were "foolish," -- they
did not study for themselves. Allowed others to think for them; they chose the easy, popular side,
and accepted the decisions of the leaders, copies the mistakes of others and were thus left without
a supply of oil, -- robbed of the truth, cheated of glory, and left in darkness!
"And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out." At last the
foolish virgins saw themselves in darkness. Then they went to the wise and asked for oil as a gift;
"But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to
them that sell, and buy for yourselves." The oil is sold and there must be something given in
exchange to obtain the supply. The price they had to pay was to "sigh and cry for the abominations
done in the midst thereof," give up sinning and obey the truth. Their receipt for the value of exchange
would have been the seal of the living God in their foreheads.
"And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and they that were ready went in with him to
the marriage; and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open
unto us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not." As the foolish virgins
at last came to the door, it is evident that they obtained the oil (learned of the message) but there had
been a delay -- the door was shut, and they were left out. Now, why were they unconcerned at first,
and very zealous at last? The experience in this instance is about the same as that of the deluge.
While Noah preached the coming of the flood, the world paid little attention to this message; but
those who believed, went into the ark at a given time and the door was closed. But not long
afterwards, signs of Noah's prediction appeared; and as drops of rain begain to fall the wicked
multitude became alarmed and rushed for the ark, but the door was closed and they were left out.
The door that "was shut," is a symbol showing that probation for the church had closed just shortly
after the foolish virgins became alarmed. At last they were willing to pay the price and buy the oil;
but it was not a change of heart, only the fear of losing out. Their course of action had left them
without the seal -- "the man with the writer's inkhorn"
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had passed them by. What a terrible mistake! What a disappointment! Almost saved, but entirely lost.
"The coming of Christ as our high priest to the most holy place, for the cleansing of the sanctuary,
brought to view in Daniel 8:14; the coming of the Son of man to the Ancient of days, as presented
in Daniel 7:13; and the coming of the Lord to His temple, foretold by Malachi, are descriptions of the
same event; and this is also represented by the coming of the bridegroom to the marriage, described
by Christ, in the parable of the ten virgins, of Matthew 25." -- "The Great Controversy p. 426.
The description by Daniel applies to the commencement of the judgment for the dead; but the one
by Malachi 3:1-3, is applicable to the judgment for the living -- all of the same event-day of atonement
-- cleansing of the sanctuary.
"The coming of the bridegroom, here brought to view, takes place before the marriage. The
marriage represents the reception by Christ of His kingdom. The holy city, the New Jerusalem, which
is the capitol and representative of the kingdom, is called 'the bride, the lamb's wife.' Said the angel
to John, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.' 'He carried me away in the spirit,'
says the prophet, 'and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from
God.' Clearly, then, the bride represents the holy city, and the virgins that go out to meet the
bridegroom are a symbol of the church. In the Revelation the people of God are said to be the guests
at the marriage supper. If guests, they cannot be represented also as the bride. Christ, as stated by
the prophet Daniel, will receive from the Ancient of days in heaven; 'dominion, and glory and a
kingdom;' He will receive the New Jerusalem, the capitol of His kingdom, 'prepared as a bride
adorned for her husband.' Having received the kingdom, He will come in His glory, as King of kings
and Lord of lords, for the redemption of His people, who are to 'sit down with Abraham, and Isaac,
and Jacob,' at His table in His kingdom, to partake of the marriage supper of the Lamb." -- "The
Great Controversy, pp. 426, 427.
The virgins were called to meet Him, and thus by faith go in with Him to appear before the Father
-- the Great Judge. The seal is the permit; it places their names in the Lamb's book of Life and thus
it grants to them the right to appear before the Father in the judgment; not in person, but in figure;
thus having their sins blotted out. Matthew 24:36, 50, are descriptions of the same event. "Watch
therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." (Matt. 25:13.)
This has reference to the time of the judgment, and not of His coming to earth; for, the saints shall
know the day and the hour
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of Christ's coming in the clouds to receive the redeemed, as it shall be announced by the Father
shortly before His coming. (See "The Great Controversy," p. 640.)
Summary Of The Ten Virgins
The number, "ten", being a symbol of universal, it represents the church as a body prior to the
commencement of the judgment of the living -- in the sealing period of the 144,000, and before the
"Loud Cry" of the Third Angel's Message; being the period of the first fruits of the harvest. The five
wise virgins were they who trusted in God and His word only; having no confidence in man, and were
hungry for truth, searching for light, and gladly accepting it when it came. Thus they received the seal
of God's approval, their sins were blotted out, and their lives made sure -- they passed from
condemnation and death into glory and life eternal. They are God's servants, kings and priests --
144,000 in number.
The five foolish virgins are they who had confidence in men; they were willing that others should
think and study for them. Their love for this world and the things of it, exceeded their love for Christ
and the world to come. They had no true sense of the awful result of sin. Their zeal for self,
drowned their zeal for the house of God and His honor. They were satisfied with their lamps trimmed
and but little oil in them. They saw no necessity for more light -- prophets, truth or message. They
said in their hearts, we are rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing. They were
prejudiced against light upon the word of God, and accepted not the truth because the channel
through which it came was not of their choice.
The knowledge of present truth, which the five foolish virgins possessed since 1844 is the judgment
of the dead, and was the only oil in their lamps. When the judgment of the living commenced, and
the "cry was made," they were found without this extra oil in their vessels; they had neglected their
Lord's command: "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man
cometh." Thus when the wise ones started out to meet the bridegroom the lamps of the foolish went
out, for, the judgment of the dead had passed. Therefore, it was present truth no more, and thus they
were left in darkness. At the beginning of the judgments of God they saw their mistake and rushed
for the ark of safety, but it was beyond their reach for they knew nothing of the message, and by the
time they acquired it (filled their lamps with oil), there had been a delay, the angel had passed
"through the city, through Jerusalem," the
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church -- the sealing was finished, and probation for the church had closed -- the door was shut.
Thus they were left out. Then they came with these words: "Lord, Lord, open unto us, But He
answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not." "Appoint his portion with the hypocrites:
there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." What a disappointment that will be!
It will be noticed that the close of probation for the church and the one for the world are two
different events. The former is a miniature representation of the latter. The Scripture for the
preceding one is found in Matthew 25:11, 12; but of the final one we read: "He that is unjust, let him
be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be
righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly, and my reward
is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." (Rev. 22:11, 12.) At this time those
who were like the five foolish virgins, will say, "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are
not saved." (Jer. 8:20.) "And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east,
they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it." (Amos 8:12.)
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The Seven Seals And The Sanctuary
In order to make a proper application of the seven seals, we must have a better understanding of
the heavenly sanctuary service, its origin, and the object of its existence as taught by the earthly
sanctuary built by Moses. (Heb. 8:5.)
In the sanctuary construction and service, is revealed the plan of salvation. The first apartment,
called the holy place, in which the high priest officiated daily with sacrifices and divers manners of
gifts and washings, was a place for confession of sin. All of which was a shadow of heavenly things
clearly revealing the plan of salvation. The second apartment, within the vail, called the "most holy,"
or the "holiest of all," was open only in the seventh month, and tenth day of the month, in each year;
there redemption from the condemnation of the law was assured. (Lev. 23:27-30, 16:34.) It was
called the day of atonement, judgment, or cleansing of the Sanctuary. (Lev. 16:33, Dan. 7:10; 8:14.)
This was a day for the blotting out of sins accumulated during the year, and was a symbol of the great
day of atonement; not in figure, but in reality. (See Lev. 16:19. Also "The Great Controversy," page
485.) The seat overshadowed by the cherubims being called the mercy seat, proves that it is a throne
of mercy, and therefore a throne of judgment, where sinners can obtain mercy.
The entire system -- priest, sacrifice, and service -- was a type of Christ and His administration in
the heavenly sanctuary, which the Lord pitched and not man. (See Heb. 8:2, and "The Acts of the
Apostles," page 14.) The holy place was for the confession of sin, but the most holy for blotting out
sin.
While the services in the earthly sanctuary were in operation, there could have been no services in
the heavenly until after Christ ascended and became our High Priest. (See Hebrews 8.) Therefore,
when the services in the heavenly began, the services in the earthly ceased. The true worshippers in
the earthly, who by faith looked forward to the administration of the heavenly, were credited in the
books of heaven as worthy of life eternal. Their records were to be investigated when Christ our
High Priest entered within the vail into the holiest of all to blot out sin. (See Dan. 7:10.)
Says the Spirit of God: "It is impossible that the sins of men should be blotted out until after the
judgment at which time their
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cases are to be investigated." -- "The Great Controversy," page 485. While the services in the earthly
sanctuary were in force, the heavenly served as a depository for confessed sins. The same is true even
under Christ's administration while in the holy apartment, until He entered into the most holy.
The Plan Of Salvation Preceded The Fall
The heavenly sanctuary being for confession and the blotting out of sin, it could not have existed
before sin entered and brought about the necessity for such a structure. Although the sanctuary
service was originated after Adam sinned, the plan of salvation had always existed, and was revealed
in, and by, the sanctuary service. Thus the plan that preceded the fall is found in Christ, in whom
there was and is redeeming power for all.
Is The Sanctuary The Eternal Place Of God's Throne?
While the earthly sanctuary existed God met His people in the most holy place where His presence
was manifested between the cherubims on the mercy seat. Therefore, some have taken the position
that the eternal place of God's throne is in "the holiest of all" of the heavenly sanctuary, but such an
idea is contrary to both type and antitype. The first reason is, that the sanctuary did not always exist,
as previously explained; second, the most holy was closed while Christ ministered in the holy. Says
Paul: "We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the
heavens." (Heb. 8:1.) If God's throne was in the "most holy" place when Christ ascended on high,
then He must have immediately entered the "holiest of all," instead of the "holy place." Such a
position is contrary to both Scripture and service. God met His ancient people in the holiest of all,
where, in figure, their sins were blotted out. Thus, symbolically showing, that He cannot meet His
saints face to face until after He has met them in the "most holy" -- blotted out their sins, not in figure,
but in reality -- in the anti-typical day of atonement. We shall prove this again from another angle.
The Revelator, in a vision about 96 A.D., was permitted to look into both apartments. A voice
from heaven said to him: "Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter."
Then he saw a throne set, and one sat on the throne, and before the throne there was a sea of glass
like unto a crystal. (See Rev. 4:1-6.) The voice told him that the things which he saw were to be
"hereafter;" that is, in the future from the time of the vision. Hence, it is evident that there was no
throne there at that time -- about 62 years after Christ had ascended to the
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Father. Therefore, Christ sat on the right hand of God, but not on the throne in the sanctuary. What,
then? Has God more than one throne? "Throne" is a seat, and wherever God sits, there His throne
is. Note that "around and before the throne" in the sanctuary, is the "sea of glass."
Now we read of another throne: "And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal,
proceeding out of the throne of God and the Lamb." (Rev. 22:1.) Again, note that from one of the
thrones proceeds the "river of life," but from the other, the "sea of glass." Therefore, there are two
thrones. Christ sat at the right hand of God on the throne from which proceeds the "river of life," for
this is the one called, "the throne of God and the lamb." This is God's eternal place of abode; but the
one in the sanctuary was set for the time being, (See Dan. 7:9, 10), during Christ's ministration in the
holiest of all, which is a throne of judgment -- of blotting out sins and granting of rewards. The one
from which proceeds the river of life is a throne of life and of eternity.
Where Is The Throne Seen By John?
Revelation 4:1, 2, 4-6: "After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first
voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I
will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit; and behold, a
throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.... And round about the throne were four and
twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and
they had on their heads crowns of gold. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings,
and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits
of God. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the
throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind."
The description of the place is such that it bears evidence of being in the heavenly sanctuary. The
same is supported by the Spirit of Prophecy: "As in vision the apostle John was granted a view of the
Temple of God in heaven, he beheld there 'seven lamps of fire burning before the throne.' He saw an
angel 'having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with
the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.' Here the prophet was
permitted to behold the first apartment of the sanctuary in heaven; and he saw there the 'seven lamps
of fire' and the 'golden
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altar' represented by the golden candlestick and the altar of incense in the sanctuary on earth. Again,
'the temple of God was opened', and he looked within the inner vail, upon the holy of holies. Here
he beheld 'the ark of His testament,' represented by the sacred chest constructed by Moses to contain
the law of God." -- "Patriarchs and Prophets," page 356.
In the earthly sanctuary, the high priest alone was permitted to officiate in the second apartment,
within the vail, and it has been understood by some that the throne seen by John could not have been
in the most holy, because the twenty-four elders are before the throne. That thought is incorrect, for
it would be unreasonable to take the position that God would move His throne from the "holiest of
all," to the "holy place," rather than for the elders to enter in the most holy before the throne.
Furthermore, it is the throne of the Eternal One that makes the second apartment most holy.
Therefore, if we take the position Thus, if the elders and the beasts, or creatures were not permitted
in the second apartment before the throne, neither would they be permitted in the first apartment
before the throne. Taking any other stand than this would be saying that the apartment is holier than
the Creator and His throne.
According to Paul, the services within the vail of the earthly tabernacle cannot clear all that takes
place in the heavenly. Said he: "The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all
was not yet manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing." (Heb. 9:8.) Therefore, we must
find the truth of the services in the heavenly sanctuary from another angle. We quote Daniel 7:9, 10:
"I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white
as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels
as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered
unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books
were opened."
The prophet was shown the commencement of the judgment (atonement), or as it is also called, the
cleansing of the sanctuary, which takes place in the most holy apartment; for he says, "the judgment
was set, and the books were opened." Now note that, "Thousand thousands ministered unto him and
ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him." Thus we see that Paul is right that the service
of the heavenly was not fully manifested by the service in the earthly. Though the high priest
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alone was permitted to enter the most holy place in the earthly, an innumerable company entered into
the heavenly. Therefore where is the evidence that the elders cannot be in the holiest of all? It is
impossible to apply the fulfillment of the 2300 prophetic days -- years -- of Daniel's vision in chapter
8, verse 14, at any other time than the judgment in 1844.
This prophetic period commenced at the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build
Jerusalem. (Dan. 9:25.) The decree made by the king of Persia was carried out in 457 B.C. (See Ezra
7.) Therefore it terminated in 1844; at which time Christ passed from the "holy" into the "most holy"
place. For further study, see "The Great Controversy," page 486.
We shall endeavor to prove that the vision of Daniel is of the same event as that of John. Daniel
speaks of thrones (plural), then he makes a distinction of the throne of God (Ancient of days) by the
"fiery stream" coming from before Him. The book of Daniel is a prophecy, but the vision of John is
a revelation. Daniel says he saw "thrones," but John gives us the number of them -- twenty-five in
all. (Rev. 4:2, 4.) Daniel says, "a fiery stream came forth from before him;" John tells us what the
stream is: The "sea of glass mingled with fire." (Rev. 4:6; 15:2.) Daniel says: "Thousand thousands...
and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him." John tells us who they are: "And I beheld,
and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the
number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands." (Rev. 5:11.)
Daniel says, "the judgment was set and the books were opened." John adds that one of the books
was in the hand of Him that sat on the throne and was sealed with seven seals. (Rev. 5:1.) Thus John
gives us more explicit revelation of the same event.
The door he saw "open" is the vail between the "holy" and the "most holy," for there is no other
that had been kept closed. Therefore, the word "hereafter" in Revelation 4, verse 1, means from the
time of the vision -- pointing forward to 1844.
Though the priest of the earthly sanctuary entered the "most holy" place but once a year, according
to Paul, Christ entered the 'holy" place once forever. (See Heb. 9:12.) And of that time the apostle
says, He is "to appear in the presence of God for us," in the "holiest of all." (Heb. 9:24.) Therefore,
Christ could not enter the first apartment as a priest before His resurrection from the dead, at which
time He became our High Priest; neither could He enter into the most holy in that capacity before the
day of judgment, for Paul says, He "entered in once." Then the prophecy by Daniel and the revelation
by John, can be of no
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other event than the commencement of the judgment at the date stated (1844).
Only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life are brought into the presence of God
-- in the "most holy" place. Says the apostle: "Having therefore brethren, boldness to enter into the
holiest by the blood of Jesus." (Heb. 10:19.) As the same vision continues, we pass to the fifth and
sixth chapters of Revelation.
Quoting Rev. 5:1, 3, 5-7; 6:1, "And I saw in the right hand of Him that sat on the throne a book
written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.... And no man in heaven, nor in earth,
neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.... And one of the elders
saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to
open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne
and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven
horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came
and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.... And I saw when the Lamb
opened one of the seals."
The book sealed with seven seals, in the right hand of the Great Judge, must contain the names of
those whose sins are to be blotted out. Inasmuch as this is the only book that "no man in heaven nor
in earth... was able to open, neither to look thereon," save the Lamb which was before the throne (See
chapter 5:1-9), it is unquestionably clear that the book with the seven seals is the one called "The
Lamb's book of Life." And with it the judgment opened. The same is repeated in Revelation 20:12,
"And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another
book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were
written in the books, according to their works." (See "The Great Controversy," page 480.) Since this
cannot be refuted, it is evident that a foundation for the application of the seals is established.
We quote the scripture of the first four seals: "And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat
on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. And there
went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from
the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword. And
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when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo
a black horse, and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.... And when he had opened
the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. And I looked, and behold
a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was
given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death,
and with the beasts of the earth." (Rev. 6:2-5, 7, 8.)
Some have applied the seven seals of the sixth chapter of Revelation to the church in the New
Testament time, but the symbols are contrary to the application. In both Old and New Testament
time, God's church has been symbolized by a chaste woman. (See Jer. 6:2; Rev. 12:1.) Inspiration
makes no change in the rule for a symbol of an impure church, for in Revelation 17:1, 4, 5, an harlot
is used to point out a church, or churches, that are fallen or untrue. The change of this rule (from
"woman" to "man" or "horses") cannot be found anywhere within the Bible.
It is not only unscriptural to apply men and horses as symbols of the church, but it is altogether
unfitting as well. Neither can any proof be presented to show that the seals apply only to the New
Testament time. Therefore, the application of the symbols must be sought elsewhere. Thus we are
confronted with the necessity of deeper study on the subject. According to the counsel of the servant
of the Lord, we are admonished to study this, for it holds out an important truth for those who shall
have a part in the closing of the gospel work. Quoting "Testimonies For the Church," Vol. 9, page
267: "The fifth chapter of Revelation needs to be closely studied. It is of great importance to those
who shall act a part in the work of God for these last days."
Had the chapter been properly understood explained, and published before the above testimony was
written, there would have been no need for this urgency. Furthermore, if it had been explained in the
past, why is the lesson of such great importance, and who is bearing the responsibility of its
deliverance to the world? But the fifth chapter, separated from the fourth and sixth cannot be
comprehended, for these chapters contain one subject; namely, the seven seals. The fifth chapter is
mentioned because it is the heart and key of the subject.
It would be impossible to correctly understand the lesson of the seals in the sixth chapter, unless
we know something about the "elders," the "book," and the "beasts" of the fourth chapter, where the
vision begins. When we acquire some knowledge of their duties before the throne, and the purpose
of the assembly,
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as well as the occasion, then only can we make a proper application that can stand the test.
Unless the meaning of every symbol is fittingly explained so that it cannot be contradicted, and a
present truth lesson with special significance derived the interpretation cannot be dependable and
there can be no truth in it. God does not make vain repetitions, neither would He waste the time of
His servants to write them. Therefore, every little symbol has its meaning, and reveals a great truth.
The Judgment And The Seals -- Revelation Chapter 4
Rev. 4:1: "After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which
I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee
things which must be hereafter." The door that was opened cannot be any other than the one
separating the two apartments; namely, the holy from the most holy, in the heavenly sanctuary, as
shown by the earthly sanctuary built by Moses. That apartment was to be opened at the beginning
of the judgment, typified by the day of atonement as previously explained. Then we make no mistake
in concluding that the scene is the judgment in session, and as the voice said to John, "I will shew thee
things which must be hereafter," it is evident that he looked forward in vision to the opening of the
judgment in 1844.
If these conclusions are correct, and the vision describes the judgment in progress, then the same
must be proven by the things seen in vision. A judgment in session requires a judge, an advocate, a
jury, and representatives of those who are to be judged, for they cannot be there (in heaven) in
person. There must be books containing the names, and records of the deeds, of those who are to
be judged; also the time of the judgment, and the reward. We quote the scripture describing the
Great Judge: "And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one
sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was
a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald." (Rev. 4:2 and 3.)
The glory of God is represented by the likeness of precious stones. The rainbow reveals God's
never failing promise and great mercy. God said to Noah: "This is the token of the covenant which
I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I
do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between Me and the earth."
(Gen. 9:12, 13.)
The following verse depicts the jury: "And round about the
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throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed
in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold." (Revelation 4:4.) The crowns of gold
denote their kingly authority to act upon the case. The white robes show that they are men from
earth, redeemed by Rev. 4:6.) "And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty
elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours,
which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying Thou art worthy to take the book,
and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of
every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation." (Revelation 5:8, 9.) Note the beasts and elders
all sang, saying: "For thou hast redeemed us out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and
nation." Thus, the beasts, as well as the elders, are redeemed from the earth.
Again, note that the beasts and elders made a total of twenty-eight. It would be impossible for only
twenty-eight persons to be redeemed out of every kindred, tongue, and people, and nation: for if there
were only one redeemed out of every nation, the number would run into thousands, instead of
twenty-eight. Therefore, it is evident that the "four beasts" are symbols which represent four groups
of saints gathered from all ages, and out of every kindred, tongue, people, and nation. In a similar
way the world empires after the flood are symbolically represented by beasts. Thus by the beasts are
represented those that shall be judged.
"And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and
they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and
is to come." (Revelation 4:8.) "Full of eyes." Eyes are to give light to the body. Therefore, they
stand as a symbol, signifying that God's people have had sufficient light in every age. "Before and
behind" denotes prophetic light, revealing to them the past, present and future; this being made
possible by the Spirit of God and by holy angels. The number "four" shows that there are four classes
of saints to be considered in the judgment. Two of these classes are to be resurrected; namely, those
who died naturally, and those who were martyred. The other two are they who shall be translated
at the coming of Christ; namely, the 144,000 of Revelation 7:1-8, and the great multitude with palms
in their hands, as shown in Rev. 7:9. (See "The Shepherd's Rod," Vol. 1, pp. 41-51.) As the wings
of the lion, and also of the four-headed leopard beast (Babylon and Grecia) represent
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numbers of periods as previously explained (on page 33-42), then they must stand for the same on
these beasts. They are to point out the seal under which the judgment began -- the sixth seal --
therefore six wings. "Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come." That is, God before
the judgment, in the time of the judgment, and after the judgment.
Rev. 4:7: "And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast
had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle." The beasts by nature also represent
the four periods of the church. The first beast is like a lion. "Lion" is the king of beasts, and is
intended to point out the first period of the church before the ceremonial section, with which the
judgment began. (See chart in "The Shepherd's Rod," Vol. 1, p. 224.) The second beast being "like
a calf," it is evident that he represents the sacrificial, or typical section. Thus the beast with the "face
of a man" must represent the anti-typical period after the crucifixion. And the fourth beast was like
a "flying eagle." He represents the period in the time of the harvest. The last period is symbolized
by the flying eagle to denote the church that shall be translated. A "flying eagle" is king of birds, as
the lion is king of beasts, which is a sign of victory, thus making a perfect symbol. As the judgment
of the dead began with the beast like a lion, -- king of beasts, -- just so the judgment of the living
begins with the beast like an eagle, -- king of birds. The entire truth of these "four beasts" is not yet
revealed.
As the beasts and the elders praise and worship God, it is sufficient testimony that creation is
satisfied that He is just, and true, and the Creator of all. Those whose names are written within the
book of the "seven seals" are the ones whose sins are to be blotted out with the precious blood of
Christ. Thus praise, and honor, and glory, is due to our God forever and ever.
"I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy
sins." (Isa. 43:25.) "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. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us, he will subdue our iniquities;
and thou will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea." (Micah 7:9,19.) Shall we with the great
apostle say: "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor
powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall
be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord?" (Romans 8:38, 39.)
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Thus far our attention has been called to the Great Judge, the jury of twenty-four elders, the four
beasts representing those who shall be judged, and the book containing the names -- sealed with seven
seals. Now our attention is turned to the advocate.
"And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the
elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven
Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of
him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and the four and
twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of
odours, which are the prayers of saints." (Rev. 5:6-8.)
The "Lamb" is a symbol of Christ, our defender. Said John: "My little children, these things write
I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ
the righteous." (1 John 2:1.)
The seven horns on the Lamb signifies completeness of power and authority, verifying the words
spoken by Christ: "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (Matt. 28:18.) This
immeasurable power is for our good, and is freely offered to us. Said Jesus: "If ye have faith as a
grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place; and it shall
remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." (Matt. 17:20.) Dear friend, these words are either
true or untrue. There can be no middle ground. As Christ cannot lie, will you try His never failing
word, and let Him fulfill His promise?
The seven eyes of the Lamb denote completeness of vision, evidence that there is nothing hid from
our Advocate, and that all things are open and naked unto Him; equally so with God the Father. The
Psalmist describes God's power in vision in the following words: "Whither shall I go from thy Spirit?
or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: If I make my bed
in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of
the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, surely the
darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from
thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee." (Psa.
139:7-12.)
The Revelator says the horns and the eyes of the Lamb "are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into
all the earth." All of this power, both in might and in vision, is embodied and demonstrated by the
Spirit of God. Said Jesus, "It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter
will not come unto
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you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you." (John 16:7.) "But the Comforter, which is the Holy
Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to
your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14:26.)
The "seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God." (Rev. 4:5.)
The lamps of fire, seven in number, present before the throne, represent completeness of the truth of
God -- present truth revealed to every generation since the world began -- by which we are judged.
Those who are obedient to all the light and truth given them, have come up to the requirements --
they are sealed, and cleared from the condemnation of the law of God.
"The seven lamps... which are the seven Spirits of God." (Rev. 4:5.) This Scripture proves the fact
that light and truth are revealed by the Spirit of God only. "But the Comforter, which is the Holy
Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to
your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14:26.) The rejecting of light and
present truth is the sin against the Holy Ghost. "And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of
man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost [present truth] it shall
not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come." (Matt. 12:32.) Our attitude
towards present truth would "Either make a tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree
corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit." (Matt. 12:33.) Thus, present truth
has the power to change the individual and fit him for eternal life, which is the seal of the living God.
Said Jesus: "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot
enter into the kingdom of God." (John 3:5.)
Sea Of Glass
"And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne and
round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind." (Rev. 4:6.) According to
the punctuation in the verse just quoted, it means that the beasts are in the midst of the throne and
round about the throne. It would be impossible for them to be in the midst, and also round about the
throne -- mercy seat. If they were in the midst of the throne, they would be taking the place of God,
the Judge, and His Son, the Lamb. Thus, we conclude that the first clause of the verse is
mispunctuated. By omitting the colon the Scripture would read as follows: "And
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before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal and in the midst of the throne." Thus, it
is the sea of glass in the midst, and before the throne; and not the beasts. "The sea of glass" proceeds
from the throne, and is a symbol of life eternal in the same manner as the "Lamb" is a symbol of
Christ, our Advocate.
The sea is the most extensive body upon the earth; thus it is used to represent eternity. "Clear as
crystal" denotes perfection, freedom from sin and defects. In Revelation 15:2, we read: "And I saw
as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire." Fire would be the only perfect symbol that could be used
to represent life. Therefore, the sea of glass proceeds from God's throne, and represents life eternal,
which is the reward of those whose names are in the Lamb's book of life, within the seven seals.
"And there shall in nowise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh
abominations, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life." (Rev. 21:27.)
In the judgment it is granted to the saints "that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his
image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name," to stand on the sea of glass -- life
eternal. (Rev. 15:2.)
The arrangement and the scene, as described by John, proves that it is the judgment in session for
it is held in the "Holy of Holies" -- typified by the earthly sanctuary and its service, in which Aaron
the high priest, officiated in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month. It was called the day
of atonement -- judgment, the cleansing of the sanctuary or purification of the church -- the
separation of the tares from the wheat. There we behold the Great Judge (God the Father), the
Advocate (the Lamb -- Jesus Christ the righteous), a jury (the twenty-four elders -- clothed with the
righteousness of Christ -- white robes); a representation of those who are to be judged (the four
beasts) the light and truth which they have kept (the seven lamps), the reward which is to be granted
to those who are judged (sea of glass), and the book containing the names of all the righteous.
beginning with Adam and on to the close of probation -- the end of the gospel (seven seals). "And
I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed
with seven seals." (Rev. 5:1.) Because the book contains the names of all who are sealed with the
seal of God (His truth) it is called the book of seals, also the Lamb's book of life.
In the following scripture we behold the entire universe watching with intense interest the affairs
of the human family as the scroll unrolls, revealing to them the mystery of God: "And to make all men
see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in
God, who
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created all things by Jesus Christ." (Eph. 3:9.) Quoting Revelation 5:11-14, "And I beheld, and I
heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number
of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice,
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and
honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under
the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saving, Blessing, and honour,
and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that
liveth for ever and ever." The Scripture quoted proves that the entire universe is satisfied with the
love of God, and the righteousness of Christ. We repeat Rev. 5:13: "And every creature which is
in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them,
heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne,
and unto the Lamb for ever and ever."
The Opening Of The Book
"And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book and to
loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open
the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and
to read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold,
the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the
seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in
the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes which
are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the
right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four
and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full
of odours, which are the prayers of the saints." (Rev. 5:2-8.)
This scripture reveals that there is not another in the vast universe of God that is worthy, or that
can open the book, for "the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, has prevailed." Christ
acquired the above title by His birth, and by His victory on the cross for those who would believe in
Him as the Saviour of
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the world. He has prevailed by shedding His blood on Calvary; thus none other can open the book
for He alone has died for the human race. This "book" contains the names of the saints, and the
"seven seals" comprise, prophetically, the world's history, during which time the saints are sealed.
These seven periods of unfulfilled history sealed the book, and the only one that could open it -- see
into the future -- was the "Lamb." The book was "written within and on the backside" -- "written
within" is the prophetic word of God; "and on the backside," is the historical fulfillment of the
prophecies. "And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the
book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." (Rev. 13:8.) "Who hath wrought
and done it, Calling the generation from the beginning?" (Isa. 41:4.)
It is Christ who has prepared the way for this judicial procedure to plead for His people, and to blot
out their sins. "In the typical service, only those who had come before God with confession and
repentance, and whose sins, through the blood of the sin offering, were transferred to the sanctuary,
had a part in the service in the day of atonement. So in the great day of final atonement and
investigative judgment, the only cases considered are those of the professed people of God. The
judgment of the wicked is a distinct and separate work, and takes place at a later period. 'Judgment
must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not
the gospel?' As the books of record are opened in the judgment, the lives of all who have believed
on Jesus come in review before God. Beginning with those who first lived upon the earth, our
Advocate presents the cases of each successive generation, and closes with the living." -- "The Great
Controversy," pp. 480, 483.
Besides the book in the hand of the judge, there are other books, but this one which no other being
in heaven or in earth was worthy to open, save the "Lamb," is the one called "The Lamb's Book of
Life." And the Revelator says that those only shall enter the city of God whose names are written in
the Lamb's book of life. " 'A book of remembrance' is written before God, in which are recorded the
good deeds of 'them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name.' " -- Id., p. 481.
The Seals By Periods -- Revelation Six
As the evidence brought forth cannot be questioned that with the book of seals the judgment
opened, and as it began with the righteous who lived upon the earth first, and ends with the last, it
is positive that the seven seals spread over the entire world's
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history. Consequently, they include every saint since the world began. The number "seven" bears
the same evidence.
As there are seven seals in consecutive order, it is clear that our world's history is divided into seven
different periods. The judgment begins with the first and ends with the last. Evidently the first six
seals complete the cases of those who were dead preceding the judgment, and while it is in session;
but the seventh sealing period, being the last, must concern the living.
There is sufficient scriptural evidence that all the saved in all ages are sealed with the seal of God;
for this reason the seven periods are called "seven seals," and the names of those who are sealed are
written in the book; consequently, the book is sealed with seven seals. (See John 6:27; Eph. 4:30;
1:13; 2 Tim. 2:19; 2 Cor. 1:22; Rev. 9:4.)
The Meaning Of The Horses And Riders
Revelation 6:1-8, "And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the
noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a white horse:
and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering,
and to conquer. And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and
see. And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to
take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great
sword. And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I
beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard
a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of
barley for a penny, and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine. And when he had opened the fourth
seal I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. And I looked, and behold a pale horse:
and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto
them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with
the beasts of the earth."
The horses are symbols of the earth, revealing four great changes since the world began, and the
riders depict the human family under these four great variations; thus making a perfect symbol, for
we ride upon the earth as we would upon a horse. Had sin not entered within the human family there
would have been but one horse. But since sin entered and marred the plan of God for His children,
the earth was cursed, and thus a great
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PICTURE
[Seven Seals Chart]
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 203, 204
change came; and as sin multiplied curse after curse was added. Therefore, the white horse was
succeeded by red, and the red by black, and the black by pale.
The rider on the white horse was given a crown, but after sin entered he lost his crown of kingship
and glory. Therefore, the rider on the red horse, instead of having a crown, has a great sword; and
to the sword was added a pair of balances, and to the balances, death.
First Seal -- White Horse
Revelation 6:2, "And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow, and a
crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer." "White" being a symbol
of purity, denotes that the white horse represents the beginning of our world -- sinless, as the earth
was in her garb of beauty and perfection, with all the wonders on the land and in the sea.
" 'And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden;'... Everything that God had made was the
perfection of beauty, and nothing seemed wanting.... In this garden were trees of great variety, many
of them laden with fragrant and delicious fruit. There were lovely vines...presenting a most graceful
appearance, with their branches drooping under their load of tempting fruit, of the richest and most
varied hues." -- "Patriarchs and Prophets," pp. 46, 47.
The earth with its delicate flowers and carpet of living green, over which the blue heavens spread
as its dome, exhibited a natural view of beauty and elegance such as no language can describe. Only
the great Master Artist can bring forth such a wonder without flaw.
The First Rider
As the white horse represents the beginning of our earth in her sinless state, the rider can be none
other than Adam himself, with whom the judgment began. The crown is a symbol of kingly authority.
"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over
the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over
every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth." (Gen. 1:26.) The same is expressed in the words,
"And a crown was given Him." Therefore, the Lord set in motion a perfect world, with a king
created by the hand of God, and we are the sons of Royalty.
"Behold a white horse: and he that sat on him... went forth conquering and to conquer." The
symbolical words are the fulfillment
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of the words spoken by the Creator's lips: "And God blessed them (Adam and Eve), and God said
unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it." (Gen. 1:28.) It was
God's plan to multiply the human family, and to have them subdue the earth. Therefore, Adam went
conquering and to conquer. Though sin entered, and death claimed the human family, God's plan has
been carried out, and the earth is inhabited. Thus he "went forth conquering and to conquer."
"And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow." The bow is an implement
used to conquer with (replenish). Therefore, Adam was given a bow (Eve) corresponding with the
words: "And the Lord God said, It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him an help
meet for him. And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took
one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof: And the rib, which the Lord God had taken
from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of
my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man."
(Gen. 2:18, 21-23.) "And Adam called his wife's name Eve: because she was the mother of all living."
(Gen. 3:20.) Thus this sacred institution was originated by the Creator of the universe. " 'Marriage
is honorable'; it was one of the first gifts of God to man, and it is one of the two institutions that, after
the fall, Adam brought with him beyond the gates of Paradise." -- "Patriarchs and Prophets," p. 46.
Thus Adam conquered (inhabited the earth) with the bow (Eve).
Second Seal -- Red Horse
"And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. And there
went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from
the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword." "And
there went out another horse that was red." If the white horse represents the first period, then the
red horse must stand for the one that followed. "Red" is the same as scarlet, which is a symbol of sin
and condemnation.
After Adam sinned, the earth was cursed, and its perfect beauty marred. Thus the white horse
passed away, and a red one took its place. Said God, "Cursed is the ground for thy sake, in sorrow
shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life." But this symbol applies more directly after the flood, for
the entire surface of the earth was changed by the deluge. "A third dreadful curse
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rested upon it in consequence of sin. As the water began to subside, the hills and mountains were
surrounded by a vast, turbid sea.... The earth presented an appearance of confusion and desolation
impossible to describe. The mountains, once so beautiful in their perfect symmetry, had become
broken and irregular. Stone, ledges, and ragged rocks were now scattered upon the surface of the
earth. In many places, hills and mountains had disappeared, leaving no trace where they once stood;
and plains had given place to mountain ranges. These changes were more marked in some places than
in others. Where once had been earth's richest treasures of gold, silver, and precious stones, were
seen the heaviest marks of the curse. And upon the countries that were not inhabited, and those
where there had been the least crime, the curse rested more lightly." -- "Patriarchs and Prophets,"
page 108. Thus the red horse represents the period after the flood.
The Rider On The Red Horse
"And power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should
kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword." As soon as sin entered the human
family, it multiplied fast, like a fruitful tree. What a vast difference between the first rider and the
second. No longer has he a crown on his head, but instead, a great sword in his hand. Righteous
Abel was the first to fall under its edge. But as the symbol has a direct application after the flood,
it finds its perfect fulfillment in the tower of Babel.
As the earth's inhabitants began to multiply after the deluge, sin did likewise, and though they had
to believe Noah's prediction of the flood, they mistrusted his predictions after the flood. "And God
blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth....
And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters
of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth. And God said, This is a token
of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for
perpetual generations; I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between
me and the earth." (Gen. 9:1, 11, 13.)
Their disbelief in the word of God spoken by Noah, impelled them, in defiance of God, to engage
in building the tower of Babel as a defense against a second flood. (See Gen. 11:3, 4.) God's
displeasure over their ignorance of His power, and disbelief in His word, caused Him to destroy the
tower and confound their language. "So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon
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the face of all the earth.... Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord did there
confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the
face of all the earth." (Gen. 11:8, 9.) The confusion at the tower of Babel gave birth to the races and
languages. As they parted in separated tribes, the neighboring ones began to quarrel one with
another. As they grew to nations, their quarrels turned into wars.
Thus the period under the "red horse" gave birth to the existing unrest among the nations.
Therefore, power was given him "to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another:
and there was given unto him a great sword." Thus the evidence proves that the red horse represents
the period after the flood; and the rider, its inhabitants, corresponding with the "lion" (Babylon), and
later with the "bear" (Medo-Persia). At the commencement of the Persian government, the previous
quarrels broke out in bloody wars, thus the words by the ribs in the mouth of the bear, "Arise, devour
much flesh" (Dan. 7:5) met a perfect fulfillment. Therefore, peace was taken from the earth by the
great sword in the hand of the rider on the red horse.
The Third Seal -- Black Horse
Revelation 6:5, "And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see.
And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair balances in his hand." The white
horse is a symbol of purity, being submerged by the red which is a symbol of sin, and the red being
succeeded by the "black" denotes spiritual darkness, or mental blindness. Therefore, the color
(black), signifies misconception of God's personality.
As man plunged into sin, his moral and spiritual powers were weakened to the extent that his vision
of God's invisible presence was blotted out. The sinner's spiritual corruption and immoral inclinations
demanded a visible deity to redeem him from everlasting ruin. Thus the worship of the unseen and
omnipresent One was forsaken, and the adoration of idols substituted. This state of spiritual darkness
had overwhelmed the inhabitants of our world in the days of Abram, only about three hundred years
after the flood.
As there is no record of idol-worship before that time, the black horse must represent the period
from that date to the Christian era. Evidently Israel after the flesh comes under the period of the
black horse. In each instance, when the world reached the climax of Satanic deception, God, in His
mercy and
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love for sinners, was compelled to make certain moves to preserve human probation. At that time
He could not destroy the sinners from the face of the earth and yet keep His promise to Noah. To
assure the preservation of the covenant He called out Abram from idolatry to the worship of the true
God, starting out a separate nation by one family similar to that of Adam and Noah; and the result
was that the twelve Patriarchs of Israel came forth, of whom God made one great nation.
The Balances In The Rider's Hand
Rev. 6:5, last part, "And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances
in his hand." As the white horse rider's crown and bow refer to his privileges, and the great sword
in the hand of the red horse's rider shows his prerogative, just so the balances in the hand of the rider
of the black horse must have reference to the people and their characteristics, in that period.
Balances are used for commercial purposes. Therefore, the symbol denotes the first introduction
of a commercialistic idea. Prior to, or about Abram's time, commercial trading between nations was
unknown. But in the period represented by the black horse this idea was born. The
Phenician-Semitic race are credited with the ever-increasing discovery, with Sidon and Tyre as their
chief commercial centers. "Who hath taken this counsel against Tyre, the crowning city, whose
merchants are princes, whose traffickers are the honourable of the earth?" (Isa. 23:8.)
"We must mention another 'Little' people of this Semitic race whose influence upon the world has
been more potent than that of Egypt, or Babylonia -- the Phenicians. Their state also was one of the
smallest in antiquity.... Their two chief cities were Sidon, and, a short distance away, the queen of
Phenician cities, Tyre. But in time they were to spread their trade-colonies all over the
Mediterranean, and up into other lands, ever on the search for new Trade areas and commercial
centers. They were the bees of the ancient world carrying the pollen of culture wherever they went.
The necessities of trade and commerce drove them to perfect the alphabet and from them the western
world obtained it. In some respects they were unique in the ancient world, and this distinction was
interred with them. For they were not interested in conquests, save commercial; and they did not
mind paying tribute to military powers, as long as those powers did not interfere with their rights of
trade. They had a Greek-like capacity for assimilating to themselves whatever Egypt, Babylonia,
Assyria, Persia or any other phase of civilization
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offered; but their chief genius lay in invention, technical skill, business activity, and in industry. In
the working of iron, gold, ivory, glass, and purple dyes they stood in the ancient world without a
peer.
"We recall from the Old Testament the story of David's wish to build a temple worthy of the
worship of the God of Israel. It is intimated to him that the work had better be left to his son
Solomon. So we see Solomon making a treaty with Hiram, King of Tyre. Hiram was to furnish
cedar and cypress-wood, together with carpenters and stone-masons for the building, and to ship the
materials on rafts to Juda. Much of the external splendor of Solomon's brilliant and showy rule
should be credited to the technical skill of these master-craftsmen of Phenicia. Through their cities
flowed the highly profitable trade of Arabia and the East: and their manufacturers were kept busy
turning out their products of metals, glass, and purple. By sea and by land they traveled everywhere
-- missionaries of trade -- the master-bargainers of the Old World. At the time of Homer the
Phenicians were credited with being pirates -- robbers -- and merchants only by virtue of necessity.
Possibly nothing worse than legend, but we are told they brought their trinkets beads, and cheap
baubles, which they sold at high prices and kidnaped boys and girls to be sold in the eastern markets
as a sideline." -- "Essential Knowledge, -- The Phenicians," Vol. 1, pp. 69, 70.
Hurt Not The Oil And The Wine
Rev. 6:6, "And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say,... and see thou hurt not the oil
and the wine." According to Revelation 4:6, the four beasts are round about the throne. Therefore,
the throne is in the midst of the beasts. Says John: "And I heard a voice in the midst of the four
beasts." One of the things he heard was, "See thou hurt not the oil and the wine." Therefore,
whatever is meant by the symbol, it is not of men, but of God, for it was He who commanded, "Hurt
not the oil and the wine."
It is an accepted fact by nearly all Bible students that "oil" is used by the Scriptures as a symbol of
the Holy Spirit, as in Psalms 45:7; Isaiah 61:1-3; Zechariah 4:12. "Wine" is used as a symbol of the
blood of Christ, and as the "life is in the blood," the wine denotes life eternal, found only in "the Lamb
of God which taketh away the sins of the world." Said Jesus, "The words that I speak unto you they
are spirit and they are life" -- "oil" and "wine." The words in the Bible are the "Spirit" and the "Life."
Therefore, the command, "hurt not the oil and the
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wine," has reference to the Bible -- the Spirit and the Life. But why was the command given to this
particular rider? Why not to one of the others? The only answer that can be given is that the period
under the black horse and his rider gave birth to the Bible. The command was obeyed and the Bible
came. In time of idolatry and dense spiritual darkness, God, in His never failing love, blessed the
human family by the gift of His written Word for a Light to the world. The voice from the throne
"Hurt not the oil and the wine," is the voice in the Bible and the words of Jehovah. The remaining
part of verse six will be explained in another study.
The Fourth Seal
Rev. 6:7 and 8: "And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say,
Come and see. And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death and
Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with
sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth."
As the Old Testament time closes with the third seal, the New begins with the opening of the fourth
seal. Consequently, the pale horse and the non-descript beast of Daniel 7:7, 8, occupy the same
period. Evidently one beast must resemble the other or the symbol would not be perfect. Rome was
symbolized by a non-descript beast because its government was a mixture of civil and religious laws,
with Pagan and Christian doctrines. Therefore, it was beyond description as previously explained.
The pale horse has the same meaning, for his complexion is faint, wanting, not having a specific or
definite color. Pale -- non-descript.
The rider represents the ruling heads of government. His name is Death. "Death and Hell [hades
or grave as in the revised version] followed with him." This is a perfect description of the unjust,
persecuting Roman power, corresponding to the beast as Daniel saw it: "It devoured and brake in
pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it." In the opening of the fourth seal, Rome, under
the symbol of the non-descript beast in both his stages (imperial and papal) persecuted its subjects
for their religious belief, and millions lost their lives. Therefore, "Death and Hell [grave] followed
with him."
"And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth: to kill with sword, and with
hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth." Here is given the exact time in which
imperial and papal Rome would hold sway over the earth,
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to kill the followers of Christ by means of these various forms of cruelty. Again, note the perfection
of the Scriptures using the pronoun "them," meaning both imperial and papal Rome, also civil and
religious authority. Note the first part of the sentence. "And power was glven unto them over the
fourth part of the earth." This present world, from creation to its end or the beginning of the
millennium, shall number 6,000 years. The pale horse rider was to have power over a fourth part of
the earth. We divide 6,000 into four equal parts, and we have 1500 years. Therefore, the cruel and
unjust persecution by Rome was to lose its power at the end of the 1500 years or the fourth part.
That is exactly what happened. At that time Martin Luther arose against the papacy and inflicted the
deadly wound, by the instrument of truth -- "The just shall live by faith." And the result was that
Protestantism came on the stage of action in opposition to the papacy. Up to the beginning of the
fifteenth century the papacy reigned supreme as a king of kings, by the iron arm of the state in the
garb of so-called spiritual authority; but at that time her power was broken.
From the crucifixion of Christ to the "Augsburg Confession," a document compiled by Luther,
constituted a period of 1500 years. This document was signed by the protestant states and adopted
as their creed, and was a protest against the pope. So at the time appointed, their power Pagan and
Papal, was broken. (See "The Shepherd's Rod," Vol. 1, pp. 209-222.) Thus perfectly fulfilling the
symbolical prophecy that "power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth." Here is a
truth that overthrows the idea that the earth has been in existence for longer than 6,000 years. It also
proves the application of the seals to be absolutely correct.
Only four horses are introduced instead of seven, or, a horse to a seal. Four is another Biblical
number to denote that the representation by the horses is world wide (four points of the compass).
(See page 54). While the number of horses represent the universal effect of the curse of sin the
number of seals denote the completeness of the gospel and the sealing of the saints.
The Fifth Seal
Rev. 6:9-11: "And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that
were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud
voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them
that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and
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it was said unto them, that they should rest yet a little season, until their fellowservants also and their
brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled."
The closing of one seal and the opening of the other consumed a period of thirty years. Thus the
fourth seal closed in 1530 A.D., up to which period the pale horse rider was to have power.
Therefore, the reformation by Luther falls under the fifth seal; and after it was opened John was
shown, "the souls of them that were slain for the word of God," under the fourth seal. "And it was
said unto them [the slain], that they should rest yet a little season, until their fellowservants also and
their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled." The words show that although
despotism had lost its power, the persecution had not altogether ceased, for their fellow servants and
their brethren were yet to be killed under the fifth seal. Says John: "And when he had opened the fifth
seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God." Therefore, it was
the Christians who were slain.
The altar is a symbol as well, thus it also must be considered. Altar is used for worship; and as the
souls of them that were slain for the Word of God were under it, we know that it was an altar of true
worship -- the reformation by Luther.
The Sixth Seal
Rev. 6:12,13: "And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great
earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood, and the
stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of
a mighty wind."
The sixth seal opens with the Lisbon earthquake of November 1, 1755. Following the earthquake
the sun was darkened, May 19, 1780, and the moon appeared as blood the following night. The
"falling of the stars," has reference to the great meteoric shower of November 13, 1833. Jesus,
looking forward to the fulfillment of these signs, said: "Immediately after the tribulation of those days
shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven,
and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken." (Matt. 24:29.) Therefore, under the sixth seal came
the signs of the time of the end -- the great earthquake in 1755, the dark day in 1780 the falling stars
in 1833, and the beginning of the judgment in 1844.
On Rev. 6:14-17, comment is found in "Testimonies for the Church," Vol. 9, pp. 267, 268: " 'And
the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island
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were removed out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men,
and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bond man, and every free man, hid themselves
in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and
hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great
day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? (Rev. 6:12-17.) After this I beheld, and,
lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and
tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their
hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and
unto the Lamb.... These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes
and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.'... Revelation 7:9-17."
According to the following testimony, Revelation 6:12-17, has a double application, and it is clear
that these verses also refer to the time of the purification of God's church, for the servant of the Lord
says, "In these scriptures two parties are brought to view. One party permitted themselves to be
deceived, and took sides with those with whom the Lord has a controversy. They misinterpreted the
message sent them, and clothed themselves in robes of self-righteousness. Sin was not sinful in their
eyes. They taught falsehood as truth, and by them many souls were led astray." -- "Testimonies for
the Church," Vol. 9, page 268. It is inferred, from the testimony just quoted, that they have taught
falsehood. We ask the reader to consider what has been taught by the symbols found in the books
of Daniel and Revelation. For instance, consider the truth brought to view here, as compared with
what has been taught for some years.
The Seventh Seal, Revelation 8:1-5
Rev. 8:1, 3-5: "And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the
space of half an hour. And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and
there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the
golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the
prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. And the angel took the censer,
and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings,
and lightnings, and an earthquake."
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We have omitted the second verse, for it has reference to the seven trumpets. The silence in heaven
for about half an hour cannot be the second coming of Christ, as some have thought, for afterward
the angel with the golden censer and incense, offered the prayers for the saints from the golden altar.
The altar is in the holy place, just opposite the throne that is in the most holy. The two apartments
were separated by a vail. In the day of atonement, the vail or door of the earthly tabernacle was
opened and the high priest went in. But let it be remembered that the door (vail) was left open while
the high priest officiated. Thus the two apartments became one. For this reason the congregation
were not permitted in the holy place on that day, as they were at other times, for the vail being lifted,
the holy place also became most holy. So while the door to the most holy was open, the entrance to
the holy was closed. Therefore, the high priest alone used both apartments on the day of atonement.
(See Lev. 16:17.) Thus the golden altar before the throne, from which the angel offered the prayers
of the saints, was, and is, used in both periods -- before, and in the time of the judgment. As the
entire judicial tribunal (Judge, Advocate, Elders, etc.) were in the temple after the seventh seal had
been opened, it is evident that the judgment was in progress, and probation had not closed at the time
of the "silence." For after the judgment has ceased and probation closed, no man can enter the
temple. (See Rev. 15:8.)
Had the "silence" of "half an hour" pointed to the coming of Christ, at which time He takes his
saints with Him, there would be no necessity for the angel to offer their prayers. Furthermore, it
would be unnecessary to "cast" fire, which is the Spirit of God, from the golden altar to the earth.
Again, if the opening of the seventh seal means the coming of Christ, then only those under the six
seals would have been considered in the judgment, and there could be no seventh seal, which would
show lack of perfection and completeness of the judgment, and of the gospel. It would also be
contrary to the number of seals on the book. As the six seals have reference to six periods in which
the saints were sealed, the seventh must also apply to a sealing period; otherwise it cannot be called,
seventh "seal."
Now let us consider the truth as taught by the last seal. Note carefully the order of each act. The
seal is opened, and silence follows, for it reads: "and when he had opened the seventh seal there was
silence." The Revised Version, Weymouth, the Greek, and the Bulgarian Bibles read the same way.
The silence was followed by the angel coming to the altar with the censer, after he offered the prayers
of the saints. And then he
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filled the censer with fire, and cast the fire to the earth and again the voices, and thunderings, and
lightnings, and an earthquake. This is the exact order of each event.
What made the silence? As the judgment opened, John states: "And out of the throne proceeded
lightnings, and thunderings and voices;" and the four beasts "rest not day and night, saying, Holy,
Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty." (Rev. 4:5, 8.) The voices are continuous day and night while the
judgment is going on. But sometime after the seventh seal was opened these voices were silenced
for about half an hour. After the angel offered the prayers of the saints, and cast the fire upon the
earth, the voices resumed. "And there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an
earthquake." Evidently the judgment, for some reason, had stopped, and half an hour later it
resumed. It cannot be otherwise, for, if the judgment was going on, and the beasts and the elders
kept silent, it would indicate that there was something wrong -- something to which they could not
say "amen" and praise God. Therefore, the only proper conclusion is, that for some reason the
judgment retired for half an hour.
What made the interruption and brought about the change? Let us first determine the length of the
prophetic half hour's time. A day in prophetic time stands for a year. (Ezek. 4:6.) One hour is a
twenty-fourth part of a prophetic year, and figuring thirty days to a month, it would be about two
weeks. Half an hour would be half of two weeks; therefore, seven literal days. Seven days were used
for purification. (See Ex. 29:35, 37; Lev. 12:2; 13:4, 5; 1, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15, 21, etc.) From these
references we conclude that the "half an hour" or seven days stand for the purification of the church,
pointing forward to the fulfillment of Malachi 3:1-6. But we have a more definite proof, which will
clear all doubts.
In observance of the Passover, the Lord commanded Israel to celebrate that occasion seven days.
(See Lev. 23:5-8.) Surely no one would say that God commanded His people to commemorate that
event seven days with no object in view. Israel after the flesh going into Egypt, then out of Egypt
to Mount Sinai, the passover in Egypt on the night when the death angel smote the first born of man
and beast at the departure of Israel, are types of the church at the present time -- the church going
out of Egypt -- worldliness, the purification of the church, the separation of the tares form the wheat
-- the fulfillment of Ezekiel 9. (A complete explanation of the subject is given in "The Shepherd's
Rod," Vol. 1, pp. 64-113; see also chart on page 224.) The Spirit of Prophecy bears witness of this
by the following statement: "The Passover was to be both commemorative
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and typical, not only pointing back to the deliverance from Egypt, but forward to the greater
deliverance which Christ was to accomplish in freeing His people from the bondage of sin." --
"Patriarchs and Prophets," p. 277.
Thus the silence of half an hour points forward to this great event for the church of God. Its
fulfillment would bring us to the time of the harvest, or as it is called, the Loud Cry of the Third
Angel's Message of Revelation 18 -- the last message for the world. Thus, while the five men with
the slaughter weapons are taking away those represented by the tares within the church, there will
be silence in heaven for about half an hour (seven days), after which the judgment will commence
again for those who shall be sealed in the time of the great harvest, which is the end of the world.
Said Jesus: "Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the
reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the
wheat into my barn" -- the church. (Matt. 13:30.)
They who are to be sealed at that time were seen by John as a great multitude with palms in their
hands. (See Rev. 7:9.) Hence the scroll has made a turn, and the sealing for those who shall be
judged while living, has begun. As we stated before, the passover night in Egypt is a type of the
purification of the church, separating the tares from the wheat. The crossing of the Red Sea by the
Israelites pointed forward to the fulfillment of Isaiah 63. (See "The Shepherd's Rod," Vol. 1, pp.
96-103.)
Therefore, the prophet declares the words of the Lord: "For the day of vengeance is in mine heart
and the year of my redeemed is come." (Isa. 63:4.) We quote verses 1-3, also 17, 18: "Who is this
that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel,
travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. Wherefore
art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? I have trodden
the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger,
and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain
all my raiment.... O Lord, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from
thy fear? Return for thy servant's sake, the tribes of thine inheritance. The people of thy holiness
have possessed it but a little while: our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary."
The prophet saw Christ himself returning from the slaughter of the Edomites -- the class who were
deceiving God's people in the church, the tares, or adversaries who had trodden down His
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sanctuary. "Bozrah" means "sheepfold" -- the church. He saw His garments stained with the blood
of the tares, in delivering His people from their hands. The prophet asked: "Wherefore art thou red
in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth the winefat?" The purification of the church
makes it necessary for Christ to leave the place of judgment and descend to deliver His redeemed (the
144,000), and this is what causes the judgment to cease, and the voices to be silenced for about half
an hour -- seven days. The Spirit of Prophecy bears witness of the same. "The Lord Jesus shall rise
up from His mediatorial work in the heavenly sanctuary, and shall clothe himself with the garments
of vengeance, and surprise them at their unholy feast; and they will find themselves unprepared for
the marriage supper of the Lamb." -- "Testimonies for the Church," vol. 5, p. 690. Peter, looking
forward to the purification of God's church, and the commencement of the judgment for the living,
says: "For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us,
what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God?" (1 Peter 4:17.)
Had the church as a body, or at least the leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination
accepted the message of reform as presented to them in "The Shepherd's Rod," Vol. 1, there would
be no necessity for that class to fall by the figure of the five men with the slaughter weapons. It is
the reception or rejection of the message that will fix the destiny of the two classes as described in
the following testimony: "I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen, and was shown that it would
be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the true witness to the Laodiceans.
This will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver, and will lead him to exalt the standard and
pour forth the straight truth. Some will not bear this straight testimony. They will rise up against it,
and this is what will cause a shaking among God's people." -- "Early Writings," p. 270.
In the earthly sanctuary, the high priest entered the most holy apartment once a year, and on that
particular day every Israelite was to confess his sin. He who neglected to comply with the divine
requirements was cut off from his people. (See Lev. 23:29, 30.) Thus the day of anti-typical
atonement, judgment, or cleansing of the sanctuary, as set forth in Daniel 8:14, is a day of purification
for the camp of Israel, the church -- putting away sin and sinners. The earthly sanctuary was a figure
of the heavenly. (See Heb. 9:23, 24.) It was instituted with its ceremonial system to point forward
to the work of Christ, our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary during the anti-typical
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period -- New Testament time. As the sanctuary with all its services, was a figure of type of the true,
heavenly, under the administration of Christ, so the typical day of atonement must point out the truth
in the anti-typical period -- our time.
While the judgment for the living is in progress, every sin must be confessed and put away. He who
would neglect this great privilege, will find himself involved in everlasting ruin -- cut off from among
His people. Ignoring this most vital subject would not profit us in the least.
Reformation In View
The great reformation in view, vividly represented by the angel at the golden altar with the prayers
of the saints, and the casting of the fire from the altar to the earth, is foretold, also, in the following
testimony: "In visions of the night representations passed before me of a great reformatory movement
among God's people. Many were praising God. The sick were healed, and other miracles were
wrought. A spirit of intercession was seen; even as was manifested before the great day of Pentecost.
Hundreds and thousands were seen visiting families, and opening before them the word of God.
Hearts were convicted by the power of the Holy Spirit, and a spirit of genuine conversion was
manifest. On every side doors were thrown open to the proclamation of the truth. The world seemed
to be lightened with the heavenly influence. Great blessings were received by the true and humble
people of God." -- "Testimonies for the Church," Vol. 9, p. 126.
My brethren, the Lord is speaking to us. Shall we not heed His voice? Shall we not trim our lamps
and act like men who look for their Lord to come? "The time is one that calls for light bearing, and
for action." Awake, I beseech you, from the sleep of death. Let not the last day find you destitute
of heavenly treasure.
Are all the living judged and sealed under the seventh seal? Or have some been considered before
its opening? To answer this question we quote Revelation 8:3, "And another angel came and stood
at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer
it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne." Note, the prayer
is offered for all saints. No one, knowing God's truth, would dare pray for the dead, for it is
abomination in God's sight; much Iess would an angel commit such sin.
The Psalmist declares that prayers for the dead are the invention of the heathen, "They joined
themselves also unto Baalpeor,
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and ate the sacrifices of the dead. Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions: and the
plague brakes in upon them." (Psa. 106:28, 29.) "The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go
down into silence. (Psa. 115:17.) If the dead praise not God, how can an angel offer a prayer for
them before God?
The phrase, "all saints," has reference to all the living who are to be judged. Evidently this is done
under the seventh seal. If "all," then it is definite that all the living saints are counted under the
seventh seal. Thus, with the opening of the last seal, commences the judgment for all the living saints.
Let nothing confuse you on this point. If we say the prayers of all saints had some connection with
the dead, then they should have been offered at the commencement of the judgment -- the opening
of the first seal, for after the judgment the prayers cannot profit them.
Note the words at the opening of the judgment for the dead in 1844: "And when he had taken the
book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them
harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints." (Rev. 5:8.) Mark that no
angel offered a prayer, but the prayers of the saints were presented by the beasts and elders through
praise by harps, and golden vials full of odours, that is, there was no prayer offered for the dead, but
their prayers which they had prayed, being recorded while they were yet alive, were presented before
the throne. The 144,000 are sealed before the silence "of half an hour," or at the opening of the seal,
but they are judged in the period of the seventh seal, for the prayer was for "all" saints -- the living.
Is there any way whereby we can determine the time of the opening of the seal, and the
commencement of the judgment for the living? If God so faithfully revealed to the living the
commencement of the judgment for the dead, it cannot be possible that He would keep secret the time
of the judgment for the living. If He did, we would have no present truth in the time of the last seal;
neither could there be justice in such secrecy, nor could such judgment be legal. Therefore, a
revelation of the judgment for the living, is of as great importance as the revelation of the gospel
itself. For the judgment (blotting out the sins) is the crowning act in the gospel of Christ. Thus we
conclude that when the seal is opened, and the judgment for the living begins, we must know it. The
day of atonement in its type proves the same, for the Israelites were well informed of the event, their
duty, and the consequence.
The date of that most glorious event for the righteous, but exceeding solemn for the wicked, will
be made known at the fulfillment
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of the following verse: "And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar and cast it
into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings and an earthquake." (Rev. 8:5.)
The casting of the fire from the altar into the earth is the outpouring of the Spirit of God. We have
stated before that the book of Revelation is a revealing of prophecies, and not a prophecy of itself.
Therefore, we find the prediction of this glorious event in Joel 2:28, 29. The "voices, and
thunderings, and lightnings," denote the opening of the judgment for the living, as they also denote
the opening of the judgment for the dead. (See Rev. 4:5.) The earthquake will be the sign of the
event.
Summary Of Commencement And Termination Of Seals
The first seal covers the entire period from Adam to the flood; the second, from the flood to
Abraham; the third, from Abraham to Christ; the fourth, from Christ to 1500 A.D.; the fifth, from
1500 A.D. to 1755 A.D.; the sixth, from 1755 A.D. to the fulfillment of Ezekiel 9; the seventh, to the
close of probation.
However, the seals, in one sense of the word, do not close. They continue and overlap each other.
For instance, the inhabitants of the earth are still multiplying (Adam -- "conquering and to conquer");
the wars among the nations are ever on the increase, and peace has departed from the earth. Thus,
the "sword" is still in the rider's hand. Commercialism is ever growing (the "balances"), and
persecution has not ceased but is to revive, and to bring about a trouble such as never was, as
described by Daniel the prophet. (Dan. 12:1.) The signs of the times under the close of the sixth seal
are speaking louder and louder. But shortly after the close of the seventh seal, everything upon earth
shall cease for a thousand years.
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Wheat And Barley Each For A Penny
In our study of the "Seven Seals" we reserved for future explanation the following scripture: "And
I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three
measures of barley for a penny." (Rev. 6:6.) Again we turn the reader's attention to the fact that the
voice came from the throne. (See chapter 5, verse 11.) Therefore, the price of the cereals is fixed by
the Great Judge.
There must be something of great importance in these symbols, for the Great Jehovah Himself is
speaking. What could it be? Weymouth's translation reads as follows: "A whole days wage for a loaf
of bread, a whole days wage for three barley cakes." Weymouth translates the penny as a day's wage.
We believe the words of Jesus justify this: "For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an
householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when he
had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard." (Matt. 20:1, 2.) The
penny is the fixed days wage by the householder of the vineyard.
Note that the barley is but one third the price of the wheat; in other words, one goes into the field
and gathers only one measure of wheat and receives a full day's pay, but the other who works all day
gathers three measures of barley, and receives no more than a day's wage -- "a penny." The symbols
have a very close connection with the parable given by Christ. Therefore, let the reader concentrate
on the subject, for here is a truth worth our earnest attention.
"And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the market place, And said
unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their
way. And again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh
hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day
idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He said unto them Go ye also into the
vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive." (Matt. 20:3-7.)
The "householder" in the parable has reference to God the Father, for the parable is to reveal the
kingdom of heaven.
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PICTURE
[Chart of Symbolical Hours in Day]
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Therefore, the vineyard is the world and those sent to labor in it are the church. The parable cannot
refer to one literal day of twelve hours, into which God has made five calls for laborers in the
vineyard (world); for there is no record where God raised five church organizations in one day, and
had them operating all at the same time. Therefore, the calls in the parable must extend over a period
of world history in connection with the church, and that period Jesus allegorically compares to a
twelve-hour day into which He hired laborers on five different occasions. If we can locate the time
to which each one of these calls refer, then we shall fully comprehend the lesson and the time in which
we are living. We shall endeavor to prove that the parable has reference to the "wheat and barley,"
each for a "penny."
Note that the householder bargained only with those he hired first. Also, note that they went to
work in the morning. He hired the laborers at five intervals. Four of them were three hours apart;
but the fifth and last call was only two hours later than the fourth which was at the eleventh hour --
just one hour before sunset.
The Ancient Time Clock
Fearing that some may not understand the ancient time clock, we feel a brief explanation may be
necessary. To make it more comprehensive we call the reader's attention to the chart, page 22. In
the days of Christ, and even now in some countries, time is regulated by sunset at twelve o'clock.
Near the equator, where the days and nights are continually equal, the sun sets at twelve and rises at
twelve. Therefore, six o'clock would be noon hour in the light part, according to the chart, and at
six o'clock in the dark part, would be midnight. This is the kind of time Jesus used in the parable.
Therefore, the first call to the ones with whom the householder agreed for a penny a day, would
have been at twelve o'clock A.M. -- sunrise. The second call, at the "third hour," is just three hours
after sunrise. The third call at the "sixth hour," would be at noonday. The fourth interval, at "ninth
hour," would be three hours after the noon hour, or three o'clock by modern time. The fifth call, two
hours later, at the "eleventh hour," would be five o'clock according to present time, and just an hour
before sunset.
With the previous explanation of Revelation 6:6, ("A measure of wheat for a penny and three
measures of barley for a
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penny"), we shall endeavor to prove that the symbols point back to the parable of the householder,
and Jesus allegorically looked forward to John's vision. If the explanation perfectly fits the parable
and the vision, in harmony with God's book and law, and a present truth lesson is derived therefrom,
then only must we accept it as truth.
The Morning Call
Matt. 20:1, 2, "For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went
out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the
labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard." Jesus could have no reference to any
other people than Israel after the flesh, for they are the ones with whom God bargained and sent into
His vineyard -- world. Their labor consisted of representing the Creator or householder, and giving
us the Bible. The Psalmist has made the following record of the agreement: "He hath remembered
his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations. Which covenant
He made with Abraham, and His oath unto Isaac, And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and
to Israel for an everlasting covenant." (Psalms 105:8-10.)
The covenant was made with Abraham, which was only a promise to him and his seed, but Abraham
obtained not the promise. "His oath unto Isaac;" that is to say, God solemnly declared that He will
carry out His agreement. But Isaac, even as his father, "obtained not the promise." He "confirmed"
the same to "Jacob"; that is, He administered, settled, or established it. The covenant made with
Abraham was realized by Jacob as a law. But "to Israel, for an everlasting covenant." Hence, Israel
received the promise. Therefore, it was Israel that went to labor in the vineyard after they departed
from Egypt. "According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my
spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not." (Haggai 2:5.) Isaiah speaks of the vineyard which in itself
was a symbol of the world. (Isa. 5.) Therefore, the householder's early hour call for laborers in His
vineyard, applies to the call of Israel out of Egypt. Why is it called "early in the morning?" At that
time Moses was writing the Bible, which is the light of the world. Therefore, very "early," for the
Scriptures had just begun to be written. Thus the period since the Bible came is called the day,
according to the parable. Which signifies that the written word of God is the light of the world.
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Second Call In The Third Hour
"And when he had agreed with the laborers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard."
(Matt. 20:2.) The wage agreed upon between the parties, is the promise of God to Israel. "And he
went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the market place, And said unto them:
Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way."
(Matt. 20:3, 4.) Having established the first call it would not be difficult to determine the second.
Note that these were not of the same company, but "others," who were idle. If not Israel, then it can
only be the Apostles and the Gentiles in the beginning of the Christian era, as recorded in Acts 13:46:
"Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first
have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting
life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles."
Note that there was no bargaining with the second company. They went, having confidence in the
"Goodman" that they would receive whatever was right. The call of the Gentiles was not based upon
any special agreement. They responded, trusting in God's generous promise to Israel, as it was
recorded in the Scriptures. Therefore, the call of the Apostles, and the Gentiles, is represented by the
"third hour call."
The Sixth And Ninth Hour Calls
"Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise." (Matt. 20:5.) Each of the
calls being at intervals, extending over the entire day, it is evident that they must come one after
another at different periods. On each occasion there must be a call -- message. If so, it cannot be
merely a call of reformation -- obedience to a former message. Therefore, the reformation by Luther
could not be considered here, for it was only a revival to the message delivered before his time. Said
Luther "The just shall live by faith." Knox, Wesley, and Campbell could not enter in the parable, for
they too had only a call for reformation (obedience) to the message (doctrines) delivered to the
Gentiles -- the early Christian church. The doctrine of the Holy Spirit by Knox, Grace by Wesley,
and Baptism through immersion by Campbell were taught by the apostles. We shall present further
proof from another angle to show the above stated reformers are not included in the parable.
As Israel and the Gentiles in the first and second calls comprised God's church in the vineyard then
the third, fourth, and fifth calls must represent the church in the vineyard as well. We
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turn the reader's attention to the "woman" with the crown of twelve stars of Revelation 12:1, 6, 14.
She being a symbol of the church, was given the wings of an eagle to fly into the wilderness for 1260
days -- years. Therefore, while she was in the wilderness there could have been no church in the
vineyard. The long prophetic period has been fixed and accepted to be the period from 538 A.D. to
1798 A.D. Therefore, during the long wilderness journey of the "woman," there can be no call for
laborers in the "vineyard." Thus, the three last calls in the parable must have met their fulfillment after
1798, at which time the "woman" was to return from the "wilderness." Consequently the following
question is asked: If the church ("woman") was in the wilderness between the years 538 and 1798,
in which period the above stated reformers did their wonderful work to bring about reformation by
obedience to the Scriptures, were they not called out and sent by God? Answer. -- Surely they were.
There can be no doubt about it. Their work, character, and sacrifice answers the question. Think
of Luther, the father of Protestantism, who risked his life like those of God's great servants in the
past. God, by the hand of Luther, tore asunder the doors of darkness, brought an end to the terrible
persecution and bloodshed of the saints of the most High, and caused the light in His written word
to shine into the hearts of men. Had it not been for the earnest and zealous efforts of these godly
reformers, the woman (church) would have been in the wilderness until this day, and there would
have been no Protestantism. Thus, their unselfish service broke the power of despotism and by the
imprisonment of the Pope terminated the long prophetic period. Therefore, God, through the service
of these men was to bring the "woman" (church) from the wilderness and prepare the way for the
third call, at the sixth hour.
The calls at the sixth, ninth, and eleventh hours, must be similar to that of the preceding ones --
made by a special message, preached for the first time -- which would have made it necessary on each
occasion for another company -- "laborers." The nature of these messages also must have been world
wide, for they were sent into His "vineyard" -- world. The third call therefore, represented by the
sixth hour, must have come sometime after 1798 A.D., at which time the "woman" was due to return.
Just such a message was presented to the world after A.D. 1798 and prior to A.D. 1844 in the
preaching by William Miller of the 2300 days of Daniel 8:14. Therefore, the message by Miller was
represented by the company hired at the "sixth hour."
"Again he went about the sixth and ninth hour, and did
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likewise." (Matt. 20:5.) Note that these words closely associate "the sixth and ninth hour" calls, while
the other calls are separated. The significance is that these two messages represented by the "sixth
and ninth hour," are to be closely joined to each other. Therefore, the ninth hour call must come after
Miller's work came to an end. It was the Sanctuary truth, and the investigative judgment preached
since 1844, bound in the first, second and third angel's messages of Revelation 14:6-11. Therefore,
the Three Angel's Messages constituted that call in 1844.
The Eleventh Hour Call
The eleventh hour call is the last on record, and only an hour before sunset -- millennium. The time
for its deliverance to the world is shorter than any universal message ever given. Though the time
is the shortest its area over the earth's surface is more extensive than any. Its speedy delivery is of
the highest importance, for by it shall the world be judged.
God's servants shall have no time or desire for the cares of this world, for there is a city prepared
for them whose builder and maker is God. As we have just enough time to get ready for translation,
we must not let the enemy steal our precious moments. Because the work is so broad, its expansion
so vast, and its importance so great, God has inspired modern science to invent, and build speedy
equipment to quickly finish His work. "But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book,
even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. Many shall
be purified, and made white, and tried, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall
understand; but the wise shall understand." (Dan. 12:4, 10.)
The evidence in Christ's parable plainly reveals another call for laborers to the vineyard between the
one in 1844, and the millennium, namely, at the eleventh hour. This being true, why is it, that the
movement called out at the ninth hour (in 1844) has not forewarned the church that there is more
truth to follow and another message, "call," to come? Has God neglected to give the warning and
left His people in darkness? We answer the question by quoting the following testimonies: "In view
of that great day, the Word of God in the most solemn and impressive language calls upon His people
to arouse from their spiritual lethargy, and to seek His face with repentance and humiliation: 'Blow
ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in My holy mountain'!" -- "The Great Controversy," p.
311.
"Then I saw another mighty angel commissioned to descend to the earth, to unite his voice with the
third angel, and give
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power and force to his message.... This message seemed to be an addition to the third message,
joining it as the midnight cry joined the second angel's message in 1844." -- "Early Writings," p. 277.
Again we read, "Be assured that there are messages to come from human lips, under the inspiration
of the Holy Spirit. 'Cry aloud, spare not... show my people their transgression, and the house of
Jacob their sins'." -- "Testimonies to Ministers," p. 296. "Another message of warning and
instruction was to be given the church." -- "The Great Controversy," p. 425.
"Prophecy must be fulfilled. The Lord says: 'Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the
coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.' Somebody is to come in the spirit and power of
Elijah, and when he appears, men may say: 'You are too earnest, you do not interpret the Scriptures
in the proper way. Let me tell you how to teach your message'." -- "Testimonies to Ministers," p.
475. "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of
the Lord." (Mal. 4:5.) Has not God, through the "Spirit of Prophecy," as well as by the Scriptures,
plainly forewarned His people that they must expect messages at any time? "As never before, we
should pray not only that laborers may be sent forth into the great harvest-field, but that we may have
a clear conception of truth, so that when the messengers of truth shall come, we may accept the
message and respect the messenger." -- "Testimonies for the Church," Vol. 6, p. 420.
If the warning has been given, why have men from the pulpit so persistently closed their eyes to the
Word of the Most High, and opened their mouths in speaking fables to their congregation, by
declaring that they have all the truth and need neither message nor prophet? Has not this lying and
hypocrisy paved the way for a wholesale deception in the church by strengthening their confidence
in that they have need of nothing and are on the way to heaven? Think of the prejudice and false
security the message will have to break through. Think of the loss of life if the people should accept
the decision of the leaders. Has not just such a terrible trap of deception ensnared the people of God
in every movement called forth? Confidence in the leaders, and the acceptance of their decisions
without investigation has deceived the people in every age. What will change the course now? How
terrible the thought and how great the responsibility! May God help His people to search for light
and truth for themselves, and may their zeal demand an explanation and an account of these things.
What is the message? The eleventh hour message is none
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other than Revelation 18 -- the loud cry of the Third Angel. Quoting "Testimonies to Ministers," p.
59: "This same message [The Third Angel's] is to be proclaimed the second time. 'And after these
things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened
with his glory.' This message is the last that will ever be given to the world; and it will accomplish
its work." -- "The Great Controversy," p. 390.
"Thus the message of the third angel will be proclaimed. As the time comes for it to be given with
greatest power, the Lord will work through humble instruments, leading the minds of those who
consecrate themselves to His service. The laborers will be qualified rather by the unction of His Spirit
than by the training of literary institutions. Men of faith and prayer will be constrained to go forth
with holy zeal, declaring the words which God gives them. The sins of Babylon will be laid open.
The fearful results of enforcing the observances of the church by civil authority, the inroads of
Spiritualism, the stealthy but rapid progress of the papal power, -- all will be unmasked. By these
solemn warnings the people will be stirred. Thousands upon thousands will listen who have never
heard words like these. In amazement they hear the testimony that Babylon is the church, fallen
because of her errors and sins, because of her rejection of the truths sent to her from heaven. As the
people go to their former teachers with the eager inquiry, Are these things so? the ministers present
fables, prophesy smooth things, to soothe their fears, and quiet the awakened conscience. But since
many refuse to be satisfied with the mere authority of men, and demand a plain 'Thus saith the Lord,'
the popular ministry, like the Pharisees of old, filled with anger as their authority is questioned, will
denounce the message as of Satan, and stir up the sin loving multitudes to revile and persecute those
who proclaim it." -- Id., pp. 606, 607.
The eleventh hour call, in reality, is similar to that of the ninth. The ninth hour call is repeated with
additional mention of the corruption in the churches; also light and force is added to it.
Why Stand Ye Idle?
The laborers were hired from the "market place." The market must refer to the church from which
God calls His laborers for service. Note those hired in each instance were idle. The significance is
that every message that has ever come to our world, came not by those in high position in the church.
It was delivered by humble men, of whose services the church leadership
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thought they had little need. In every case the messages have been rejected by the foremost in the
church. Mark the question asked by the householder, "Why stand ye all the day idle?" The
significance is that they should have been at work. They say unto him "Because no man hath hired
us." When the church leadership is corrupted, the work is controlled by a certain class, and a ban of
restriction placed on all others. Thus, the very ones whom God wishes to use are thrust aside and
remain idle.
The workers hired by such leadership are selected from the viewpoint of a technical education as
a test of qualification, instead of Biblical knowledge, consecration, and absolute obedience to the
whole truth. Such practices are contrary to Biblical instruction. We quote: "A bishop then must be
blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to
teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not
covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For
if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)" (1
Timothy 3:2-5.) The apostles in selecting men for sacred office, said: "Wherefore brethren, look ye
out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may
appoint over this business." (The Acts 6:3.)
Moses spent forty years in the school of Christ. While keeping sheep he exchanged his Egyptian
training for the knowledge and wisdom of the Great I Am. Thus he was fitted to lead His people out
of Egypt. Paul was shown that his worldly wisdom derived in the school of men was harmful, and
useless in the work of Christ, so the apostle declared: "And I, brethren, when I came to you, came
not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I
determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. And my speech
and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the spirit
and of power." (1 Cor. 2:1, 2, 4.) Paul meant that he had determined to preach Bible and Bible only,
which reveals Christ and Him crucified. Preached by the power of the Spirit of God, and not by
wisdom of men. Thus, the learned apostle stooped to the level of the ignorant fishermen in human
knowledge, at the same time climbing up with the eleven in divine wisdom, which in comparison
earthly honor and human greatness sink into insignificance. Therefore, the sacred cannot be mingled
with the common.
Said the householder, "Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever
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is right, that shall ye receive." God asks men and women to arise and go to work in the vineyard,
trusting in the value of His Word. "Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor
scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy
of his meat. And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there
abide till ye go thence." (Matt. 10:9-11.) "And He said unto them, When I sent you without purse,
and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye anything? And they said, Nothing." (Luke 22:35.)
Mark the following point with care: From the ninth hour in 1844, to the twelfth, or close of
probation, there are only three full hours. The number of hours symbolically denote that there is only
enough probationary time from 1844 to the end, for one movement -- three hours. The Scripture of
Revelation 10:6 applies here: "That there should be time no longer." Every movement that God has
called into existence since the world began, went just so far, and when He sent a message, or new
light upon His Word, the leaders rejected it, and necessity gave birth to a new movement.
If the leaders in God's church at the present time should accept the eleventh hour call, it would be
out of the ordinary. But should they reject it, God cannot start a new movement, for there is "time
no longer." New movements generally start with a handful of people and require years to develop,
and after a time corruption sets in. Consequently, He could never finish His work on earth with such
a program. The words of the Master figuratively declare that the leadership in the movement called
in 1844 will reject the eleventh hour message, for He says those who were about to be hired, were
"standing idle"; that is, it was not those at work whom he hired.
If there is no time for a new movement, then there is but one solution to the perplexing problem,
and that is to separate the "wheat" from the "tares" by smiting the class who are controlling the work
and keeping God's people in bondage of sin. Therefore, the enemies of God are taken out of the way
by the five men of Ezekiel 9. This subject is made clear in "The Shepherd Rod," Vol. 1.
The Last First And The First Last
Coming back to our text: "A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a
penny." (Rev. 6:6.) Why is the wheat mentioned first, and the barley last? Why not
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the reverse? Why three times as much barley for a penny to one of wheat? Or why not the reverse?
The Scriptures are perfect and no flaw can be found in them. Therefore, there must be a reason for
this order of arrangement, as well as for the quantity of each cereal. Barley ripens much earlier than
wheat. Therefore, those hired first must be represented by the barley, otherwise the symbol could
not be perfect. The barley, then, represents the Jewish nation, as they were hired first. Naturally the
wheat must represent the ones called at the eleventh hour. It is marvelous how perfect the Scriptures
are.
Why only two kinds of cereals brought to view? Why not five? The two cereals are sufficient to
illustrate the thought and to clear the lesson. But the chief reason for only two is to draw attention
to the first and last calls, because reference is made of but two Israels; namely, Israel after the flesh
(the descendants of Abraham), and Israel after the spirit (the 144,000). But the object of the lesson
is for the latter, who are hired at the eleventh hour, for the truth of the parable has never been
understood by any other company.
Mark that the ones hired first worked all the day, but those hired last labored only one hour. For
that reason the voice said, "three measures of barley" as against "one measure of wheat" for a penny
-- day's wage. The interval between each call was three hours. The "measures" denote the allegorical
hours consumed in labor. The intervals of three hours between each call is a symbol of a full length
of time allowed to each movement, or message, without specific meaning as to the number of years.
Those called last, labored only one hour, but they too received equally as much. The generosity of
the Goodman signifies that all God's servants are equally rewarded, not in proportion to their deeds,
but according to the benevolence of the householder.
Now the question why the voice from the throne said, "One measure of wheat for a penny," first,
and "three measures of barley for a penny," last, will be answered. Humanly speaking it should have
been the reverse, for by the wheat is represented the last message (eleventh hour) and by the barley
the first (early in the morning -- Israel going out of Egypt). Had the voice reversed the enumeration
of the cereals, it would have been wrong, for said Jesus: "So when even was come, the Lord of the
vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last
unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man
a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should receive more; and they likewise
received
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every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the
house, Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which
have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one of them and said Friend, I do thee
no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is and go thy way: I will give
unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine
eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few
chosen." (Matt. 20:8-16.) Thus a measure of wheat for a penny, first, and three measures of barley
for a penny, last. They that murmured represent that part of the Jewish nation who were unworthy,
and the phrase, "Friend, I do thee no wrong.... Take that thine is, and go thy way," denotes the
rejection of the nation.
Give Them Their Hire
Note that those who were hired last were paid first, and the first, last. As all were equally regarded,
the ones hired first murmured, though they were paid in full. Their disdainful act denotes that the
Jewish nation was unworthy of their hire, and the Goodman said to them, "Take that thine is, and go
thy way." As ancient Israel is represented by the first call, as previously explained, to them the words
apply, and as they were the ones who murmured, it proves the parable correct .
Why were the first paid last, and the last first? Answer. -- The pay God's servants receive is eternal
life, and is characterized by the penny. Therefore, those who are granted the assurance of a never
ending life first, are those who were hired last, and according to the parable, it was the company
called at the eleventh hour. They are those who are marked or sealed by the man with the writer's
inkhorn of Ezekiel 9, or as John calls him, the angel with the seal of God; and he sealed, or marked,
144,000. (See Rev. 7.) This glorious company is the first who are granted the assurance of never
tasting death. (See "The Shepherd's Rod," Vol. 1, pp. 22-24.) Thus they are paid first but those who
were called early in the morning (Israel after the flesh) are to be resurrected (the righteous) when
Christ comes in the clouds, at which time they shall be given immortality. "So that the last shall be
first, and the first, last." For this reason, those who were sealed and saved by the Third Angel's
Message since 1844, are resurrected in the special resurrection before Christ comes. (See Dan. 12:2;
"Early Writings," p. 285.)
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Why Early In The Morning?
The evidence brought forth shows that the calls (messages) before Israel went out of Egypt were
not included in the parable, and that the call of Israel was "early in the morning." Jesus has divided
the history of the church in this instance into two equal parts of twelve hours each. In the parable He
refers only to the part called day, -- the period of the Bible. "Jesus answered, Are there not twelve
hours in a day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this
world." (John 11:9.) Therefore, the period before the Bible came is called night. Not that God's
people were left in darkness concerning His word, but that it was orally passed from father to son,
while the written word is a direct revelation -- light. Thus He has portrayed the history of His church
on a 24 hour clock dial. We may better comprehend the study by a brief summary as we follow the
chart on page 224.
There are only five calls in the parable; First, those who were called early -- Israel out of Egypt
Second, those who went to labor in the vineyard at the third hour -- the early Christian church Third,
the sixth hour call -- William Miller and his co-workers; Fourth, the ninth hour call -- the Third angel
in his first cry after 1844; Fifth, the 11th hour call -- the Loud Cry of the Third Angel's Message. As
number "seven" is used in every one of God's finished acts to denote completeness, there must have
been two such calls before Israel's time, otherwise it would show incompleteness in the proclamation
of the gospel. "And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the
Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints." (Jude 14.) As Enoch had a world wide message of
the coming of the Lord, his message is the first call. Noah's call is the second from creation.
Therefore, "seven" in all, meaning perfect, finished, the end of the gospel.
Seven Universal Movements
Thus far we have referred to the calls only, but now we turn our attention to the movements. The
start of the First movement is from the time Adam sinned to Enoch's message, Second, from Enoch
to Noah; Third, from Noah to Moses; Fourth, from Moses to the apostles, Fifth, from the apostles
to Miller; Sixth, from Miller to E.G. White; Seventh, from E.G. White to the end. From the last call
to the end, being only one hour, it proves that there is no time for a new movement. And a new
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movement would throw the number seven out of its significance. Therefore, the old movement must
be purified and march on.
The time allowed for each movement is marked on God's clock dial as three hours. The first three
hours on the dial indicate from creation to the fall of Adam; consequently it leaves only twenty-one
allegorical hours for human probation. Seven times three equal twenty-one, therefore, we have
another reason why the angel said, "There should be time no longer."
Reason Why Three Hours To A Movement
The following fact further proves that the church history in this instance is represented by a
twenty-four hour clock dial. If the call came to Israel early in the morning, at the twelfth hour, and
the day closed at the following twelfth hour, called day, because the written word of God was in
existence for light to the church, then the period that preceded the Bible is symbolically called night.
Some may question the evidence for allowing three hours to each incident -- from creation to the
fall of Adam, and again to Enoch and Noah. If God worked on the three hour schedule with the
crucifixion of Jesus (see chart on page 22), and the same rule was followed in the period called "day,"
then He certainly would not follow another rule in the period called "night." The reason He has
followed that particular rule is to present to His church the exact time of her history by periods.
Let us examine the evidence from another angle. The first man that sinned is called the first Adam.
Now look at the clock dial; from the third hour in the dark part (fall of Adam) opposite to the third
hour in the light part, and we see the second Adam (Christ crucified). Again, look at the sixth hour
in the dark part of the clock dial (Enoch prophesying of the coming of Christ) opposite to the sixth
hour of the light part, and there we see Miller also prophesying of the same event (coming of Christ).
This is one of the reasons why God allowed Miller to proclaim the coming of Christ in 1844. Now
look at the ninth hour, Noah predicting the end of the world in his generation, and opposite to the
ninth hour in the light part, we see E.G. White prophesying of the end of the world in this generation.
(And that is where this generation began.) And at the twelfth hour (Israel after the flesh going out
of Egypt) and opposite the twelfth hour (sunset), we see Israel after the Spirit (finished product)
going out of the world (Egypt.) Therefore, there is no question but what the fall of Adam, the
prophecy of Enoch, and Noah, came at the hours as shown on the chart.
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Here we see another type. God's truth to the world before the Bible came, coincides with His truth
in the time of the Bible, showing that God has but one truth, one Christ, and one gospel in all ages.
Therefore, the idea taught by self-styled ministers of the gospel that God had one method of saving
people before the Bible came into existence, another in the Old Testament time with the descendants
of Abraham, and still another for the New and the Gentiles, etc., is a deception of the Devil and there
is no truth in it. Not only the things written prove the truth and exposes the error but even common
reasoning tells us there can be no justice in such an ever-changing method of salvation -- "For I am
the Lord, I change not."
The twelfth hour on the dial, to the left, represents sunrise and on the right, sunset; the sixth hour
in the light part, noon, and six in the dark part, midnight. The message at the sixth hour by Miller is
called the Midnight cry (see "Early Writings," p. 277.) because it corresponds with that of Enoch.
Said Jesus: "And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh: go ye out to
meet him." (Matt. 25:6.) The sixth hour in the light part stands also as noon when the sun is in its
full strength. The Bible began to rise at the twelfth hour and when the message by Miller was
preached, represented by the sixth hour call, both Old and New Testaments had been compiled and
published; thus it also denotes mid-day.
The message proclaimed by Enoch was a prophecy looking forward to 1844 when Jesus came into
the most holy place with His saints for the investigative judgment. Therefore, the preaching by Miller
was a fulfillment of the prophecy by Enoch. Thus it is called the Midnight Cry. As the subject of the
judgment was not to be understood until after its session had commenced, it was impossible for Miller
to make the proper application for the then-expected event. Note the grammatical expression Christ
used: "There was a cry made." He uses Past tense, proving the fact that the true meaning of Miller's
message was to be understood after the call was made. There "was," said He, instead of there shall
be a "cry."
The evidence in this study proves the divinity of Christ, and His power in vision even to the smallest
of details, in past, present and future. If such a truth as this, so plain and simple, so strong and certain
in revealing the wonders of the Scriptures would not change the heart of the reader then we conclude
that nothing greater would be of any value. If the dead should arise from the grave, or even if an
angel should descend from heaven, that class would attribute the power to the Devil. The Psalmist
describes the Majesty of God's Word in the following language:
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"I will worship toward Thy holy temple, and praise Thy name for Thy loving kindness and for Thy
truth: for Thou hast magnified Thy word above all Thy name." (Psa. 138:2.) Said Jesus: "If they hear
not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." (Luke
16:31.)
The one hour of Revelation 17:12, in which time the horns of the scarlet-colored beast received
power as Kings, is the period from the eleventh hour call to the end of this world's history -- from the
eleventh to the twelfth allegorical hour.
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Why Miller's Mistake; What Is The Flood To Us?
Said Enoch: "Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints." (Jude 14.) This prophecy
by Enoch is not the second coming of Christ in the clouds, for when He shall appear in glory He
comes not "with His saints," but rather for His saints. Neither could it be of His coming with his
saints on the other side of the millennium, for in such a case it could not have been a message to the
antediluvian world. It would have been improper and without object, or lesson to that people, if
Enoch should have preached to the world Christ's third coming before preaching His second coming
for His saints. What then?
Enoch prophesied of the coming of the Lord to His temple in the most holy place in the heavenly
sanctuary with His saints in figure (not bodily) for the investigative judgment to blot out their sins,
of which event Malachi the prophet refers: "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' soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall
purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an
offering in righteousness." (Mal. 3:1-3.) "Behold, I will send My messenger, and he shall prepare the
way before Me: even the messenger of the covenant." The messenger is not the Lord Himself, but
note that he is the one who shall prepare the way for the Lord. He is called the "messenger of the
covenant" (agreement or promise). Since the Scripture is for the last days, this messenger of promise
can be no other than the one whom the Lord has promised: "Behold, I will send you Elilah the
prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord." (Mal. 4:5.)
The Lord came to His temple in the most holy place in 1844 for the judgment of the dead, which
was a fulfillment of Daniel 7:9, 10. Malachi refers to the judgment for the living, which is of the same
events (judgment). For the prophet says: "But who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall
stand
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when he appeareth? for... he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: And shall purify the sons of
Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in
righteousness." (Mal. 3:2, 3.) As the dead cannot be purified, or offer gifts, it is evident that it is the
purification of the church, for "He shall purify the sons of Levi" -- the priests -- the 144,000.
Furthermore the Lord says: "I will send my messenger," and as no messenger can be sent to the dead,
it must be a message to the living.
Coming back to the prophecy by Enoch: "Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His
saints." The word "thousands" being in plural, does not reveal the number of saints that come with
Him. But if the word "ten thousands," have no numerical definition of any kind, then the word "ten,"
would be vain repetition and foreign to the Scriptures. Therefore, we must look for a symbolical
definition of the word. The number "ten," has the same meaning as the "ten virgins" of Matthew 25,
denoting universal (the church as a body). Thus it symbolically apprehends the saints collectively --
all the saved from Adam to the end. Therefore, the prophecy by Enoch commenced its fulfillment
in 1844, at which time "the Lord came with the names and records of those who are sleeping in the
grave, and when the investigation of the dead is finished, then He comes with the names of the living
saints. First with the 144,000, and afterward with the "great multitude of all nations, and kindreds,
and people, and tongues." (Rev. 7:9.) Therefore, the complete fulfillment of the prophetic words,
"Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints," shall be realized at the close of probation.
Of this coming of the Lord (for the dead) William Miller was the messenger, and the message of
Elijah the prophet -- the messenger of the covenant -- is the forerunner for His coming with the living
saints, both of the same event -- the judgment.
In "The Great Controversy," p. 426, referring to Christ's second advent, part of Jude 14 is quoted
with Jude 15, to complete the sentence with the word "cometh;" that part of the verse "with ten
thousands of His saints," apply to His coming to the temple before the "Ancient of days." The word
"cometh" from Jude 14, with Jude 15, is applied to His second advent, the same as Zechariah 13:6.
Verse (6) is applied to Christ's second coming and verse (7) to His crucifixion. Also note that the
comment is on Jude 15, about the judgments upon the wicked and not to the saints.
True, Enoch prophesied of the anti-typical day of atonement (our time), but if his message was
without significance to the
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world before the flood, then his preaching would have been merely ostentatious. Therefore, what is
true of his message now, was also true to the antediluvians; and if this statement is correct, there must
be a perfect comparison of the world then, with the one now. The preaching of Enoch was followed
by the preaching of Noah. While the ancient world did not have a perfect understanding of the
coming of the Saviour, they too, like the present generation, were looking and waiting for Him who
was to redeem them from sin and death, and to reinstate them in the garden of Eden. With their lips
they professed a great longing for Him Whom they expected to see in His glory, but their attitude
toward the glad news in the message by Enoch: "Behold the Lord cometh," brought to the surface
that which was in their hearts. As it was generally expected that the Lord would come at that
particular time, and as Enoch had not been given the light as to the manner of His coming, he
proclaimed his message in Perfect harmony with the popular view of that generation. Now the
question is, what made them reject the message so long as its proclamation was in harmony with their
expectations and they could not refute its truth? This question can be answered by the experience
of John the Baptist.
"John did not fully understand the nature of the Messiah's kingdom. He looked for Israel to be
delivered from her national foes; but the coming of the King in righteousness, and the establishment
of Israel as a holy nation, was the great object of his hope." -- "The Desire of Ages," p. 103.
It would have been unreasonable and an injustice to the chosen people of God if He should have
left them in darkness concerning the time of the most important event of all church history -- the
coming of Christ. That part of the long prophetic period of the 2300 days (years) of Daniel 8:14,
which pertained to the Jewish nation; namely, the seventy weeks, or 490 years, they perfectly
understood, for: "It was well known that the seventy weeks of Daniel's prophecy, covering the
Messiah's advent, were nearly ended; and all were eager to share in that era of national glory which
was then expected." -- "The Desire of Ages," p. 133.
Light had been shining to the Jewish nation, and they were well informed of Him (to whom they
had expended millions of dollars in sacrifices, and hundreds of years in ceremonial services), the time
He should come, and the nature of His kingdom. As the rulers of the nation had fallen under sin they
despised the corrections by the prophets. Thus the character of the then expected kingdom was
misinterpreted, but the time they rightly understood and nationally accepted. As John had not been
given light on what was to transpire after the Anointed One should
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come, he proclaimed the message in perfect harmony with the popular idea of the prophetic time, and
of the coming kingdom. Now, since there was no controversy between the teachings of John the
Baptist and the rulers of Israel, what made them reject his message?
"In the natural order of things, the son of Zecharias should have been educated for the priesthood.
But the training of the rabbinical schools would have unfitted him for his work. God did not send him
to the teachers of theology to learn how to interpret the Scriptures. He called him to the desert, that
he might learn of nature, and nature's God.
"It was a lonely region where he found his home, in the midst of barren hills, wild ravines, and
rocky caves. But it was his choice to forego the enjoyments and luxuries of life for the stern
discipline of the wilderness." -- "The Desire of Ages," p. 101.
As the Scribes and Pharisees said of Christ and the apostles: We will not have these ignorant men
reign over us, they poured the same accusations against John, and this was the undermining of their
eternal welfare. Their second stumbling block came as "John's singular appearance carried the minds
of his hearers back to the ancient seers. In his manner and dress he resembled the prophet Elijah.
With the spirit and power of Elijah he denounced the national corruption, and rebuked the prevailing
sins.... As a symbol of cleansing from sin, he baptized them in the waters of Jordan. Thus by a
significant object-lesson he declared that those who claimed to be the chosen people of God were
defiled by sin, and that without purification of heart and life they could have no part in the Messiah's
kingdom.... John declared to the teachers of Israel that their pride, selfishness, and cruelty showed
them to be a generation of vipers, a deadly curse to the people, rather than the children of just and
obedient Abraham." -- "The Desire of Ages," pp. 104-106.
Thus the forerunner of Christ did, for he saw his people deceived, self-satisfied, and asleep in their
sins. He longed to rouse them to a holier life. God does not send messengers to flatter the sinner.
He delivers no message of peace to lull the unsanctified into fatal security. Because John warned his
people of the danger and the doom of his nation, they hated him the more.
Now, what made the antediluvian world reject the message by Enoch? Enoch's message to the Old
world was in like manner in perfect harmony with the popular acceptance of the "coming of the
Lord", but as his work carried the same rebuke as that of John the Baptist, he also incurred the
displeasure of his people. By turning from the message of salvation that was to
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blot out their sins (Enoch's prophecy of the judgment), they placed themselves under greater
condemnation. By rejecting the only means for their salvation, they cut themselves loose from the
Power that upholds all things, and thereby invited the terrible flood.
God, not willing that any should perish, commanded Noah to declare the danger before-hand, and
provide means and facilities for those who wished to escape the ruin. But as they turned down the
message by Enoch they did likewise with the message by Noah. As these messages were inspired by
the Holy Spirit, they sinned against Him; therefore, it shall never be forgiven them.
Thus the message by William Miller was a fulfillment of Enoch's prophecy -- also a duplicate. If
this is correct, there must be a perfect comparison of one with the other. As Enoch did not fully
understand the manner of the "coming of the Lord," and John the Baptist the character of the
Kingdom that was to be set up, just so Miller misinterpreted the "cleansing of the sanctuary," and
proclaimed the coming of the Lord to earth instead of to the Most Holy place. If some should charge
Miller with being a false prophet, they may likewise accuse Enoch and John. Such blind and hasty
conclusions is an attempt to overthrow the whole Bible.
Now the question arises, Why did God allow His servants to remain in darkness as to what was to
transpire at the end of their message? There are several reasons. Enoch's and Miller's messages were
similar to the forerunner of the first advent of Christ. John's message was to prepare the way of the
Lord's coming, and not to explain the nature of His kingdom. So it was with Miller and Enoch. The
second reason. -- Had John been given light that Christ's kingdom was not of this world, it would
have brought about extreme internal friction with his nation. Therefore, such a debatable question
would have overthrown his work and rendered useless the message for His people. But as there was
no argument as to what he taught his hearers it left the sin-blinded leaders of Israel without an excuse.
Had they accepted his message, and repented of their sins, it would have opened their spiritual
eyesight, and the arrival of the Anointed One would have enlightened the rest of the way.
In Miller's time Christendom was no less ignorant of the sanctuary question than the Jewish nation
was of Christ's kingdom. Therefore, had Miller been given light concerning the place to which Christ
was to come at the end of the 2300 days; namely, to the Most Holy place for the judgment of the
saints, his message would have brought forth many arguments and idle
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discussions. Thus the time and proclamation of the prophetic period would have been neglected, and
his efforts frustrated. But in the manner he proclaimed his message he gave them no occasion for
dispute, and as the enemies of God could not contradict his interpretation of the Scriptures, and
refused to be interested in what he taught, it left them without excuse.
Thus the second angel's message of Revelation 14:8, was proclaimed immediately after the
disappointment, Saying, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen." That is, the world in 1844 fell in the same
manner as the one before the flood. The present world is called Babylon, because the kingdom of
Babylon is the immediate one after the flood. Thus Babylon became the mother of the nations.
Our world stands at this present time in the same place as the one before the flood. The Old World
was condemned by rejecting the message in its type, and the New in the anti-type. Note how
remarkable the concidences: After the proclamation of the glad news (the coming of the Lord by
Enoch) was flatly ignored by the Old world and the preparation neglected, Noah declared the end of
the world in his generation. The message by Miller was followed by identically the same declaration
as that of Noah, as it was announced after 1844, "The end of the world in this generation."
As it was understood that Christ was to come to earth on the expected date, and the teaching
remained uncontradicted that the return of the long expected Son of God was at hand, it should have
been profoundly interesting to those who claimed the name of Christ as their only Saviour and
Redeemer. If the praises which they proclaimed with their lips were also in their hearts, they would
have gladly accepted the good news and made all possible preparation for the most glorious event
in all history. But as they refused to be interested, they ridiculed, and flatly rejected it all -- showing
their true character and thus marking themselves as goats. Since the most exalted and promising
news of celestial glory was rejected, and the messenger unappreciated in both cases (Old and Modern
worlds), it is positive that whatever truth is presented, regardless of its magnitude of glory, these
scoffers of today will not believe, and will thus bring condemnation upon themselves.
As God declared the danger to the Old world by the preaching of Noah in one generation, just so
has He forewarned the world of its end in this generation. As provision was made before the flood
for those who wished to escape the ruin, just so He has provided means and facilities for all who wish
to evade the doom that confronts our world. Not to enter into an ark
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built by the hands of man, No, no, that was only a figure; but into "many mansions" prepared by the
Lord himself; not into an ark floating over mad waters; but into mansions resting on foundations of
precious stones. The dreaded flood is a type of the dark millennium. As God's faithful people were
saved then, so shall they be saved now; but the sinner now, shall perish as the sinner then.
The Flood A Type Of The Destruction Of The Wicked
If the flood is a type of the millennium, and the generation that perished then a type of the
generation now living, then the number of days employed in the destruction of the Old world must
be considered with the destruction of this present world.
"And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen
righteous before me in this generation. For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth
forty days and forty nights, and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the
face of the earth. And Noah did according unto all that the Lord commanded him. And Noah went
in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the
flood. And it came to pass after seven days, that the waters of the flood were upon the earth. In the
six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same
day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.
And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights. And the flood was forty days upon the
earth, And the waters increased, and bear up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth. And the
waters prevailed upon the earth an hundred and fifty days." (Gen. 7:1, 4, 5, 7, 10-12, 17, 24.)
"And the waters returned from off the earth continually: and after the end of the hundred and fifty
days the waters were abated. And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month: in the tenth
month, on the first day of the month, were the tops of the mountains seen. And it came to pass at
the end of the forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made: And he sent
forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth. Also
he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground; but
the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the ark for the waters
were on the face of the whole earth: then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto
him
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into the ark. And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark; And
the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah
knew that the waters were abated from off the earth. And he stayed yet other seven days; and sent
forth the dove, which returned not again unto him any more. And it came to pass in the six hundredth
and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from off the
earth: and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and behold, the face of the ground was
dry. And God spake unto Noah, saying, Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and
thy sons' wives with thee." (Gen. 8:3, 5-13, 15, 16.)
After faithful Noah had sounded the warning to his generation and had completed the building of
the ark, God commanded His servant to enter into it seven days before the rain had begun. As he,
and all that were to go into the ark entered the wonderful boat that rested upon dry land with no
seeming evidence that it would ever have a chance to float, the Lord closed the door.
Six days passed without any apparent sign of a flood, but in the end of the seventh day, the pouring
rain from above and the gushing fountains from beneath dashed against each other, and Noah's
prediction commenced its dreadful fulfillment in the devastation of the land. As the waters from
above and the fountains from beneath covered the surface of the earth fifteen cubits upward, and
destroyed every living thing by the end of the forty days and forty nights, they suddenly ceased from
terror to calmness, from fury to peace, as though satisfied with the accomplishment of victory over
rebellion against truth and righteousness. For one hundred and ten days they neither increased nor
decreased, but held their level by a miracle. When the total of one hundred and fifty seven days were
fulfilled from the day Noah entered the ark, they began to abate; that is, the fountains of the deep
opened their mouths to swallow them down in the bowels of the earth.
Now we go back to clear the apparent Scriptural complication in recording the duration of the flood
and the confinement in the ark. "In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the
seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and
the windows of heaven were opened." (Gen. 7:11.) The second month and the seventeenth day of
the month was the date of the solar year according to the antediluvian calendar when the raging flood
began its violent rush against every living thing upon the earth. The same indignation of nature
vehemently continued forty days, and when it had reached its climax and wiped out the inhabitants
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it suddenly quieted down. Adding forty days to the foregoing date would show that the rain ceased
on the twenty-seventh day of the third month. "And the ark rested [quieted] in the seventh month,
on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat." (Genesis 8:4.)
Therefore, from the day the rain started to the day the ark rested, (not on the ground but from
drifting) was exactly five months. The same is recorded in Gen. 8:3, "And the waters returned from
off the earth continually: and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated."
This fact proves that the antediluvian monthly calendar consisted of thirty days to a month (5 x 30
= 150).
"And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month: in the tenth month, on the first day
of the month, were the tops of the mountains seen." (Gen. 8:5.) That is, from the day the waters were
abated to the day the mountains appeared, there were seventy-four days. (13) to complete the
seventh month, (30) in the eighth, (30) in the ninth, and (1) day from the tenth month = 74 in all.
"And it came to pass in the six hundredth and first year, in the first month, the first day of the
month, the waters were dried up from off the earth." (Gen. 8:13.) That is, from the day the mountain
tops had appeared to the day the waters returned to their proper place, there were ninety days -- (29)
to complete the tenth month, (30) in the eleventh, (30) in the twelfth, and (1) day from the first month
of the commencement of the new year, making a total of ninety days.
The following record will give us the number of days to dry the earth's surface and solidify from
the effects of the waters: "And in the second month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month,
was the earth dried." (Gen. 8:14.) Therefore, the earth had dried in the space of fifty-six days from
the day the waters were taken away -- (29) days to complete the first month, and (27) from the
second month, making a total of (56) days.
The following is a summary and a grand total of days: (40) while raining, 110 to the time they began
to subside, 164 days for the waters to recede in the bowels of the earth, and (56) for the earth to dry,
making a total of 370 days; and seven before the flood had started, reaching a grand total of 377 days
-- twelve months and seventeen days in all (30 days to the month).
Certainly no one would suppose that this arrangement of the flood with fixed number of days to
each act was thoughtlessly devised by a just and all wise God. Why should Noah and his family with
all the living creatures that went into the ark be
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 248
PICTURE
[Chart of Flood & Antitype]
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 249, 250
shut in seven days before the rain began? It would have been unwise and cruel on the part of God,
also costly to Noah, and burdensome to all the inmates of the ark in prolonging their captivity if it had
no object lesson for future generations. Why consume forty days to flood the earth while He could
have done it in much less time? Why lengthen the captivity of His creatures in the ark, by restraining
the liberty of the waters in their downward course, and compel them to keep their elevation fifteen
cubits upward for 110 days? Or why not more or less? Why should He cause the waters to rise
upward in forty days, and consume 164 (over four times as long) in going down? Is it not contrary
to nature?
The earth had been under water for over ten months, and as the rushing torrents from underneath
had violently inverted the form of the earth on their upward course, it had become one slimy mass
of mud. But after the waters had descended into the lower lands, and in the bowels of the earth, He
caused the earth to dry in but fifty-six days. Everything God did in connection with the flood was
contrary to nature and to human judgment or reason. Unquestionably, it was thus devised for an
object lesson for those upon whom the end of the world is come.
The following will not only prove that what has been said is correct, but it will also show that the
closing of the door of the ark seven days before the destruction by the flood had begun, is a type
representing the time from the close of probation to the commencement of the plagues. It will further
prove that the rain of forty days and forty nights is a type of the destruction of the wicked in the
plagues. The 110 days (after the rain had stopped and before the waters were abated) is a time-type
of the wicked, both during the millennium and for one hundred years after. Also that the clearing of
the earth from the waters is a type of the destruction of the wicked by fire (the second death) after
the millennium, and the fifty-six days in which the earth was dried is a type of the cooling of the earth
after its purification from sin and sinners.
As the above stated types are symbols of six different periodic events dealing with days, months and
years, depending on the incident, their true meaning cannot be deciphered by comparison, neither
would such method prove anything in this case, nor yet show Omnipotence in devising the type.
Therefore, their true meaning is to be found by multiplication with Biblical numbers of special
meaning to fit the incident and broaden the view. Also the lesson derived by such methods must
prove correct and in perfect harmony from every angle one may figure; thus one thing proves another.
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 251
Therefore, we shall first consider the seven days (from the time Noah entered the ark to the
commencement of the flood) of which we stated to be the type of the time between the close of
probation and the commencement of the plagues. The method to be used in disclosing the length of
time in the said period is also to indicate that human probation, and the completeness of the gospel
proclamation has closed. The only fitting Biblical number that can be used to describe such incidents
as well as to reveal the number of days from one event to the other, would be number seven.
Therefore, we must multiply the type with the Biblical number of completeness. Thus, 7 x 7 = 49
days from the close of probation to the commencement of the plagues. Therefore, the falling of the
plagues should be a signal to the wicked that they are lost! O, how great the disappointment to them,
who, like the antediluvians hope to be saved, but find themselves lost.
A computation of like manner was employed to define the year of jubilee. Said the Lord: "And thou
shalt number seven sabbaths of years unto thee, seven times seven years and the space of the seven
sabbaths of years shall be unto thee forty and nine years." (Lev. 25:8.) The fiftieth year while the land
rested being also a type of the millennium (showing that the land shall keep a Sabbath-rest), a like
computation is used. Therefore, at the beginning of the thousand years is the commencement of the
jubilee in its anti-type. And as the land was returned to the lawful owners in the typical year of
jubilee, just so it will be in the anti-typical -- returned to the saints. "Thy people also shall be all
righteous, they shall inherit the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that
I may be glorified." (Isa. 60:21.)
The next number and event to deal with is the typical forty days and forty nights while it rained, in
comparison with the anti-typical (the destruction of the wicked in the time of the plagues and to the
second coming of Christ). The ruin of the wicked being world-wide we must multiply the type with
a number signifying universal, so as to prove that the destruction shall include the four points of the
compass. It has been previously proven that ten is the only fitting number; therefore, 40 x 10 = 400,
thus bringing the total of 449 days, or one and one fourth years (15 months) from the close of
probation to the coming of Christ to take His saints. This fact will be proven from another angle in
connection with another study.
Since the two sections of the flood (7 x 7 = 49 and 10 x 40 = 400 days) bring us to the end of the
world, then the third section (the 110 days while the waters kept their elevation fifteen
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cubits upward or from the time the rain ceased to when the waters abated) must be applied to the
millennium. It also being universal, we are again obliged to multiply number ten with the type, 110
x 10 = 1100. The millennium being 1000 years long, and 100 years on the other side of it (after the
resurrection of the wicked to their final destruction, see "The Shepherd's Rod," Vol. 1, p. 164),
making a total of 1100 years. This proves that the 1100 days derived by our multiplication are
prophetic (a day for a year). Thus the remaining typical days of the deluge while the waters were on
the decrease and the earth was clearing herself from the flood, must apply to the final destruction of
the wicked and of the purification of the earth by fire.
Therefore, the typical number of days are literally applicable as the flood was, and as follows: From
the day the waters were abated to when the tops of the mountains appeared, there were seventy four
days, and ninety more until they all cleared away, making a total of 164; in which time the wicked and
their works are burned to ashes. (Mal. 4:1.)
The remaining fifty six days (while the earth was drying) apply to the time the earth is cooling off,
and as Noah went out from the ark, just so the saints shall walk out from the Holy City and possess
the earth for ever and ever. "And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under
the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an
everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him. Hitherto is the end of the matter."
(Dan. 7:27, 28.)
It is certain that nothing could fit so perfectly by accident. But think of such marvelous foresight
in devising a wonder of this kind which could reveal by a living picture the future for thousands of
years! Are not such evidences as these a token of love divine toward fallen beings! Gratitude swells
from our hearts, words fail us, we can only exclaim with the Psalmist: "Thy word is a lamp unto my
feet, and a light unto my path. I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous
judgments." (Psa. 119:105, 106.)
It is not only wonderful to invent a lamp throwing out a light of such amazing candlepower but it
is also astonishing how our God can conceal His marvels from the eyes of wise and prudent men.
Then in His own time He sets them upon high hills by which He is able to light the pathway of the
searcher for truth, and by its glaring power blindfold the sight of the wicked. "Therefore the people
that doth not understand shall fall." (Hosea 4:14.) "Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for
the upright in heart." (Psa. 97:11.)
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Our God could have spoken to us direct by prophets as in times past, but it would have been
impossible to transmit as much light to one generation. Neither could we comprehend its meaning
as we can by these examples or symbols. Also knowing the great deception, unbelief and doubts of
high minded men that were to arise, He has placed these marvels in the Bible to expose error and
reveal truth, thus overthrowing the enemy of mankind; also leaving the hypocrites and the unbelievers
without an excuse.
As every living thing perished in the time of the flood that was outside of the ark, just so in the dark
millennium every living thing shall return to dust, except the devil and his angels. Though men are
teaching a millennium of peace, their doctrine shall come to naught, and they shall lie down in sorrow
except they repent.
Flood Coincides With The Passover And Crucifixion
Our God commanded Noah with his family, beasts, fowls and creeping things to enter in the ark
on preparation day -- Friday. "In the selfsame day entered Noah...as God had commanded him: and
the Lord shut him in" as the Sabbath drew on, being the tenth day of the second month. (Gen. 7:13,
16.) Seven days later, or at the beginning of the following Sabbath, being the seventeenth day of the
month, "all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened"
and it rained upon the earth forty days and forty nights. The rain ceased on the twenty seventh day
of the third month, and the fourth day of the week -- Wednesday at sunset. There is a remarkable
coincidence between the flood and the passover week; also in connection with the crucifixion,
resurrection, and ascension of Christ. Therefore, this divine providence is worthy of our earnest
consideration. The Israelites were commanded to take the passover lamb apart from the flock on the
tenth day of the first month, and were to kill it on the fourteenth day of the same month at even. (Ex.
12:3, 6.)
As Christ was crucified, buried, and resurrected within the passover week, the weekly cycle and
the monthly calendar coincide as follows: The tenth day in which the lamb was to be taken from the
flock, fell on the seventh-day Sabbath that year; which coincided with the day of the week and the
month of Noah's first day of confinement in the ark. In the end of the fourteenth day of the month
after Christ had observed the feast of the passover lamb, He was taken before the priests; died on
Friday the sixteenth day of the month, was buried at the commencement
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of the seventeenth (Sabbath), which coincides with the commencement of the flood,and was
resurrected on the eighteenth -- Sunday. As He ascended on high forty days afterwards, it fell on
Thursday the twenty seventh day of the second month; being the same day of the week, as that which
followed the forty days of rain. Our previous explanation showed that the day following the forty
days of rain, depicted in type, the end of the world, being followed with the departure of the saints
from the earth.
We may not presume that God had brought about these coincidences without an object in view.
As the ceasing of the rain is a time type of the end of this world, so the ascension of Christ with those
who were resurrected with Him, is a type of the ascension of the saints at the coming of the Lord.
It also reveals that His coming would be on Wednesday, and the train of glory shall depart for the
Heaven of heavens on Thursday. Again we are told that it would take the saints seven days to ascend
to the throne of God, and that we shall rest a Sabbath on one of the planets while on the way. From
this it is evident that Christ shall come in the middle of the week. So again we find that one thing
proves another. Such close calculations of the schedule of events that are soon to transpire, make
it evident that the end of all things is at hand, otherwise the information would not as yet have been
submitted.
This light being transmitted by marvels of typical events, is a clear manifestation that there is a type
for every incident of vital interest to the church of God, which are the only positive proofs and clear
explanations of divine providences. As there is no type for that which is false, teachers of theories
without a typical representation for their claims of so-called Bible truths, and those who believe in
them, are as the blind leading the blind. The types are worked out to expose the error and reveal the
truth. The honest ones will shun the devil by embracing the facts, and by walking in the light.
The passover lamb being separated from the flock on the tenth day, coincides with the separation
of the righteous from the wicked in the antediluvian world. The day of Christ's burial coincides with
the day of the commencement of the flood, also with the commencement of the plagues; and His
ascension with the day after the rain ceased, also with the end of the world and the translation of the
saints. These coincidences are perfect with the day of the week and of the month, but the one is a
month earlier in the season than the other; the passover being in the first month, and the flood in the
second. It has been explained that the passover is a type of the close of probation for the
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church, (see page 216-218) and the closing of the ark a type of the closing of probation for the world.
Therefore, there are thirty typical days between one close of probation and the other. If we were
given light on how to decipher these typical (30) days it seems it would reveal the exact number of
years from the fulfillment of Ezekiel nine (Passover), to the final close of probation. This fact perhaps
will not be made known until after the work of the gospel has closed. For a brief summary of the
flood in type and anti-type, we draw the reader's attention to the chart on page
The Significance Of The First And The Second Month
The closing work for the church is signified by the "first" month, and the harvest for the world by
the "second" month. As one truth reveals another, our attention is turned to Joel 2:23, 28, 29: "Be
glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for He hath given you the former
rain moderately, and He will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain
in the first month. And it shall come to pass afterwards, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh;
and your sons and your daughters shall prophecy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men
shall see visions: and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my
spirit." Note that the "rain" comes first and the pouring out of His spirit afterwards. Therefore, the
rain is one thing, and the pouring out of the spirit is another.
By the "rain" is represented great light on the Word of God that is to ripen the harvest and lighten
the world with its glory -- the angel of Revelation 18:1. The pouring out of the Spirit is the power
that is to descend upon God's servants to carry on the work represented by the former and latter rain.
"And upon all flesh" is the Spirit that is to convince the honest in heart of the truth and bring them
into the church, of which Pentecost was a type. "And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats
shall overflow with wine and oil" -- represents a great harvest of souls that shall be garnered in by the
result of the "rain" and the "Spirit." (Joel 2:24.)
The "rain" falls in the "first month," that is, the month by which the closing work for the church is
represented -- the sealing time of the 144,000. Therefore, in that period of time (before Ezekiel Nine)
a great light is to be revealed. It is remarkable to note the perfect grammatical order of the words
at the time of their application, clearly dividing the Word of truth as though it were written just at the
time the prophetic words are revealed.
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"For He hath given you the former rain moderately" is the light of truth that is characterized by the
former rain which must have fallen previous to the time of the latter rain. Therefore, the former rain
is none other than the writings of the "Spirit of Prophecy." Further proof of this will be given in
another chapter.
But note that the falling of the former rain is repeated with the latter rain: "And He will cause to
come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month." Therefore the
former rain (Spirit of Prophecy) falls the second time -- revealed more fully in the time of the "latter
rain" -- the first time independent of the latter rain, and the second time associated with the latter in
the "first month" (preceding Ezekiel Nine). The meaning is, the truth recorded in the writings of the
"Spirit of Prophecy" was not fully understood until the time of the latter rain. Thus the former rain
comes again with the latter rain, and this is what brings about the "Loud Cry."
Cain And Abel
Another remarkable fact as it appears on the chart is the crime committed by Cain in slaying his
brother Abel. These being the first two brothers and the first quarrel over religion, also the first
murder in the human family, it certainly must hold out a lesson of great importance.
According to the law of the Bible the priesthood was to be made up from the first born of every
family. Thus, by the rights of the law, Cain was the priest. The Lord himself stated this fact as He
spoke to Cain saying: "And unto thee shall be his desire [margin, subject], and thou shall rule over
him." (Gen. 4:7.) Therefore, these two men represent two classes of people. Since this fact cannot
be denied, Cain must represent a class of leadership (priests), and Abel the true church membership.
It was Cain who rebelled against God by presenting a false sacrifice, and because Abel obeyed and
worshiped in the manner prescribed by the Creator, he incurred the displeasure of his elder brother.
If the statement that Cain and Abel represent two classes of people is correct, then the same must
be proven by historical facts. We stated that Cain who typified the leadership persecuted him who
typifies the true membership. Thus every section of God's church has apostatized through
unconsecrated leadership, and every message that called for reformation was like-wise, by them,
thrown out of the church. In their blindness they were determined to keep the people ignorant of the
truth
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and thus they persecuted the messengers and those who embraced the message and obeyed the truth.
Therefore, necessity called forth one movement after another. How fearful the thought for those who
bear this great responsibility! And how dangerous to the class who permit others to think and act for
them! The class that accepts the decisions of others, whether for or against the truth, are deceived
and robbed of eternal life, for they can have no experience of their own, no true conversion, no
change of heart. My brethren: these words are not against you, for it is God speaking through His
word of truth to save you from the bottomless pit. Will you not let Him work for you and for His
people? Will you not be His sheep?
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The First And Second Temple -- Type And Anti-Type
The apostle Paul speaking comparatively of Solomon's temple with the church, points to Christ as
"the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together" he says is "for an habitation
of God through the Spirit." (Eph. 2:20-22.) David, looking prophetically forward to the construction
of the first temple by his son, and also of its application to the church of Christ says: "The Stone
which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the Lord's doing; it is
marvellous in our eyes." (Psa. 118:22, 23.)
Speaking of the ancient temple the Scripture says: "And the house, when it was in building was built
of stones made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any
tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building." (1 Kings 6:7.) A peculiar stone which was
prepared to fit the main corner of the temple, was disallowed; and though the builders refused the
"head-stone" of the house, the Psalmist says: "This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes."
By the refusal of the "stone," the Lord typified, and thus prophesied, the rejection of Christ by the
Jewish nation. (See The Acts 4:10, 11.) For Jesus says: "The stone which the builders rejected, the
same is become the head [stone] of the corner." (Matt. 21:42.) Therefore if it is become the head of
the corner, then it is evident that the first temple was a representation of a Spiritual house, and a type
of the Christian church, Christ himself was represented by the chief corner stone "which the builders
refused," as being both the head and the founder of the Christian church.
The Second Temple
In erecting the second temple, Haggai and Zechariah prophesied and strengthened the hands of the
people by the Word of God. The writings of both prophets bear evidence in every line, that the
perfect fulfillment of their prophecy is to be realized in the last days of this world s history. As they
have interwoven
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these predictions with the construction of the second temple, it is obvious that the literal model of the
stately edifice has a spiritual meaning for the church in the closing work of the gospel. Zechariah,
looking forward to the time of the spiritual temple (the last section of the church) and its
construction, says: "Behold the man whose name is the branch and he shall grow up out of his place,
and he shall build the temple of the Lord: Even he shall build the temple of the Lord, and he shall bear
the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the
counsel of peace shall be between them both. And they that are far off shall come and build in the
temple of the Lord, and ye shall know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto you." (Zech. 6:12,
13, 15.)
"He shall bear the glory." To Christ belongs the glory of redemption for the fallen race. "Unto Him
that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood.... to Him be glory and dominion for
ever and ever." (Rev. 1:5, 6.) He "shall sit and rule upon His throne, and He shall be a Priest upon
His throne." (Zech. 6:13.) "Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead and
the Prince of the kings of the earth." (Rev. 1:5.) "He shall be a Priest upon His throne." It is obvious
that the time predicted is some time after the crucifixion and before probation has closed; for He is
"a priest." Christ, "the branch," "shall grow up out of His place"; that is, He was to spring up from
the Jewish nation, "and He shall build the temple of the Lord." Therefore, the temple that "He shall
build" could not have been the literal temple in ancient Jerusalem, for it was a temple that He is to
build after His birth. "And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the Lord." As
this was untrue with the literal temple, the words must apply to the anti-typical one. At that time the
prophet says: "And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and shall be My people."
(Zech. 2:11.) "In that day;" that is, in the time of the "Loud Cry," a great multitude shall be
converted to the church. In Zechariah 13:8, it is stated that one-third of the inhabitants will "come,"
and they are the ones who shall "build in the temple of the Lord," of which the literal one was a type.
Zechariah then saw the powers that had "scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem" (the type, also the
anti-type), symbolized by "four horns." Immediately afterward he saw the same horns as four
carpenters (read Zech. 1:18-21), representing the agencies used by the Lord in restoring His people
and the house of His worship, both in type and anti-type; that is, the Gentiles who scattered the
church shall also come and build the same.
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The Literal And Spiritual Distinction Between The Two Temples
The religious services in both temples were executed in the same manner, but in structural
magnificence, both internal and external, Solomon's temple comparatively speaking, was by far the
greatest. But the Lord by the mouth of Haggai the prophet, asked those who were then engaged in
the construction of the house of God: "Who is left among you that saw this house [Solomon's temple]
in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? Is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?
The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this
place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts." (Haggai 2:3, 9.)
The literal grandeur of the second temple in comparison with the first was "as nothing," but the
Word says: "The glory of this latter house shall be greater than the former." Literally this was untrue.
Therefore, the glory of these two temples in comparison with each other, is not in their literal, visible
form, but rather in their typical spiritual standing. Consequently, both temples cannot typify the same
period of the Christian era, for one distinctly differs from the other. Since this is true, then the type
shows that the Christian church in this instance is divided in two sections. So then, in type the second
temple denotes that the latter section of the church is to be by far the greater, which in comparison
the former stands as nothing.
These two sections of church history were also pointed out in the vision on Patmos. To John was
shown the true Spiritual Church of God in all ages, in a symbol of a woman. To her were given two
wings of a great eagle that she should fly into the wilderness for 1260 days (years). The wilderness
represents the dark ages, in which time she was out of civilization (from 538 A.D. to 1798 A.D.)
Therefore, this prophetic period of 1260 years, split the true church in two sections; namely, from the
crucifixion to 538 A.D. and from 1798 A.D. to the end of time. Thus the first section, or as it is
called, the apostolic church, was typified by the first temple; and the last section by the second
temple. This is not saying that God had no true people between the years of 538 A.D. and 1798 A.D.
for the Word says, "She is nourished for a time, and times, and a half a time." (Rev. 12:14.) The
lesson taught here is that, the first section of the church in the first few centuries was endowed with
the true Sabbath -- "daily" -- and sanctuary truth; but prior to 538 A.D. the truth was "trodden under
foot." (Dan. 8:12, 13.) The second section after the fulfillment of the 1260 year period denotes that
she was again to be endowed with the truth that was "cast to the
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ground," and the reformation between these two sections (from 538 A.D. to 1798 A.D.) of the
church, or "woman," was to prepare the way for her return, or for the restoration of the truth. For
both temples, by which these two sections were typified, represent a worship with the Sabbath and
the sanctuary truths.
First Temple Literally Greater, But The Second Spiritually
There was something glorious with both temples; and the greatness of the one was as "nothing" in
comparison with the other. The first visibly exceeded the second, and the second spiritually exceeded
the first; but the glorious gift to both was unsurpassable. As the one represents the early Christian
church, and the other the last section of the same church, it is evident that both sections were
endowed with great glory; but the glory of the early church was literal, and of the latter spiritual,
according to types .
The early Christian church was literally greater, because Christ, the "Head stone of the corner,"
appeared at that time in His visible human form. Thus the literal magnificence of Solomon's temple
was a perfect symbol! But the type reveals that the glory of the early church was as nothing in
comparison with the latter section of the same church. Therefore, the visible presence of Christ (in
His human form) in the early church, was as nothing in comparison with His invisible presence in the
closing work of the gospel church!
We think of the wonderful miracles -- the casting out of devils, the healing of the sick, and the
raising of the dead! We marvel as we think of His resurrection, ascension, and of the glorious
demonstration on the day of Pentecost! But all these wonders will be as nothing in comparison with
the divine manifestations of greater splendor in the harvest time!
Let us not suppose that when Christ appears in the clouds the infirmities of the saints are to be
removed. This work must be done previous to that time, after which immortality shall be granted.
"He that believeth in me, the works that I do," said Jesus, "shall he do also; and greater works than
these shall he do." (John 14:12.) The perfect fulfillment of these words are yet future and must be
fulfilled before His second advent. "For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal
must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal
shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is
swallowed up in victory." (1 Cor. 15:53, 54.)
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Therefore, in the time of the "Loud Cry," miracles are wrought -- the sick will be healed, the eyes
of the blind shall be opened, the deaf shall hear, the tongue of the dumb loosed, and the lame shall
leap for joy! What a glorious sight! Those who have never seen light, to behold the glory of the
Lord! They who have never heard a sound, now listening to the glorious melodies of the angels'
harps, and the singing of the saints! What a thrill! What bliss! "And God shall wipe away all tears
from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be
any more pain: for the former things are passed away." (Rev. 21:4.)
"Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment,
in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised
incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal
must put on immortality.... Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is
swallowed up in Victory." (I Cor. 15:51-54.)
As the living saints witness the dead of all ages rising from their dusty beds, it will bring joy
indescribable. Then to behold friends and loved ones as they meet each other, clothed in glorious
incorruptible bodies, marching through space via sinless planets, and finally into the Heaven of
heavens! What a glorious train of immortal beings -- saints and angels, and the King of kings, the
Lord of lords, "the everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace," in the midst of them! Swiftly flying
from the sin-cursed earth to the Center of centers in but "seven" days, while it would take "light"
millions of years to make a trip of such incomprehensible distance! Can you perceive of an object
moving with such tremendous velocity! God forbid that we should rob ourselves of glory like this.
An hour's time lived in heaven, without sin, pain or tears, fear or death, is worth more than a thousand
years in tents of wickedness.
My brethren, to obey the Word of God, and be true to principle for your own good, is not asking
too much of you. Will you let self and sin rob you of a crown of life? Your human wisdom and
worldly knowledge will prove to be as black as darkness itself, if you should allow the wily foe to rob
you of the celestial bliss that should be yours throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity.
Though the early Christian church suffered terrible persecution, she prospered wonderfully. The
three thousand converted on the day of Pentecost "of such as should be saved," was marvelous to
behold. But the speedy growth of the first section of the church, in comparison with the second and
last is to be as
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nothing, according to the type. Therefore, the same is proven by the prophetic Word of God through
the prophet Zechariah, and as the prediction was interwoven with the construction of the second
temple, or with the type of the second section of the church, of which we speak at this particular time,
the application of the following Scriptures must be correct:
"Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith
the Lord. And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people: and I will
dwell in the midst of thee." (Zech. 2:10, 11.) "Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to
seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem [the church without reference to location], and to pray before the
Lord." (Zech. 8:22.) "Therefore thy gates shall be open continually: they shall not be shut day nor
night; that men may bring unto thee the forces [margin, wealth] of the Gentiles, and that their kings
may be brought." (Isa. 60:11.) "And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two
parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third 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 name, and I will hear them: I will say, it is My people: and they shall say, the Lord is my
God." (Zech. 13:8, 9.)
What is three thousand converts in one day in comparison to one third of the people saved of this
present generation! Gathered in during the last hours of probationary time! Truly then, it can be said,
the glory of the first temple, or first section of the church, was as nothing in comparison with the
second. The last section of the church in the time of the "loud cry" is indeed the harvest time and the
end of the world.
The early Christian church was a converted righteous church; nevertheless the tares and the wheat
were to grow together "until the harvest." (Matt. 13:30.) These word, "until the harvest," cannot be
mistaken; therefore, at the commencement of the harvest the separation takes place. Thus the church
in the time of the "loud cry" is to be a pure and holy church, without spot, or wrinkle, or any such
thing: a church without guile. If the foregoing statement is correct then the same must be found in
the prophetic Word of God.
My brethren I beg of you hear the voice of the Good Shepherd: "Awake, awake; put on thy
strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth [from now
on] there shall no more come unto thee the uncircumcised and the unclean. Shake thyself from the
dust; arise, and sit on thy throne, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands
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of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion." (Isa. 52:1, 2; A.R.V.) As these words are so plain, how
can we doubt, or misconstrue their meaning? -- It must be that the church of God is asleep in the
dust! Thy God is calling thee, O Zion. God's church, "the only object on earth upon which He
bestows His supreme regard" is in captivity; she is bound by her "neck" to "men of good words and
fair speeches." Hear the Words of thy God, O Zion, arise and sit on thy throne for thou shall judge
nations. Why make flesh thy arm? Is not thy God able to save thee? Is not the "Word of thy God
quick, and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul
and spirit, and a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart?" "For Zion's sake will I not hold
my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as
brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth." My brethren,"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." (Isa. 62:1, 10.)
"The remnant of Israel [the 144,000] shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful
tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid."
(Zeph. 3:13.) "In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses [those that carry the gospel]
holiness unto the Lord; and the pots [in whose possession is the truth] in the Lord's house shall be
like the bowls before the altar [pure and undefiled]. Yea, every pot in Jerusalem [the church] and in
Judah [the leading part of the church] shall be holiness unto the Lord of hosts, and all they that
sacrifice [offering] shall come and take of them, and seeth therein [they who administer in sacred
things], and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite [unconverted] in the house of the Lord
of hosts." (Zech. 14:20, 21.) This is the church that is represented in Revelation 12:17, "Which keep
the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." The "woman" represents the
church as a body. "The remnant of her seed" are the 144,000 against whom the dragon makes war.
The war is waged against them, because they are the earthly leaders and founders of the movement.
"Of her seed" signifies that they are part of "the woman," or in other words, the 144,000, and the
great multitude, is but one movement -- one family.
To the saints of this holy church the benediction is pronounced: "Blessed are they that do His
commandments, that they may have a right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into
the city." (Rev. 22:14.)
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Jacob, the father in type of Israel the true, dreamed on the way to Padan-Aram, "And behold a ladder
set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and
descending on it. And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the
house of God, and this is the gate of heaven." (Gen. 28:12, 17.) Jacob's dream was prophetic of a
time when there will be a complete connection and constant communication with heaven and earth
-- the "loud cry" of the third angel's message -- the harvest time. To that glorious church these words
apply: "This is the house of God and the gate of heaven." Only by the gospel proclamation through
that Spiritual house can God save His people. There is to be One fold, One Shepherd, One Lord, One
Truth to embrace, One salvation to accept, One road to travel, One gate to pass through, One train
to take, and One time to depart, One Heaven to enter, One people, and One holy family. There can
be no other way!
"It is impossible to give any idea of the experience of the people of God who shall be alive upon
the earth when celestial glory and a repetition of persecutions of the past are blended. They will walk
in the light proceeding from the throne of God. By means of angels there will be constant
communication between heaven and earth." -- "Testimonies for the church," Vol. 9, p. 16.
The Time For Building The Anti-Typical Temple (Church)
We partially explained that the two literal temples, successively built in ancient Jerusalem, were
types of two sections of the Christian church. The wide literal and spiritual contrast of these two
typical structures was explained comparatively with type and anti-type. Though we could have
greatly enlarged on the subject, we have eliminated excessive reading by briefly stating the facts,
endeavoring to paint a more comprehensive pen-picture of this most vital lesson to Christendom.
The question before us is, when will the anti-type meet its perfect fulfillment? In the preceding
paragraphs it was explained that the first section of the Christian church ended in 538 A.D.; and the
second must commence after 1798 A.D., at which time the "woman" was supposed to return from
the wilderness.
A close study of the type is the only possible way to clear the truth, not only of the foregoing
question, but also of the following ones: If the "woman" was to return from the wilderness to the
vineyard (civilization) after the end of the prophetic period of 1260 years, what transpired in 1798
to prove that "she" came
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back in that year? As the imprisonment and death of the pope answers one side of the question and
clears the end of the prophetic period, where is the sign to show that the "woman" returned from the
wilderness? If the accepted interpretation of the "woman" is a symbol of the church, and if she was
in the "wilderness" from 538 A.D. to 1798 A.D., what about the four great denominations that were
raised up prior to that time; namely, Lutherans, Presbyterians Methodist, and Christian? Were they
not the "woman" (church)? Bible students have failed to clear this mystery because of their lack of
light on the Word of God. A great searchlight by the power of the Spirit shining through the types,
is the only medium that can remove the obstruction and clear the way to an understanding of these
and many other mysteries that are considered incomprehensive and that baffle the human mind.
Therefore, the temple type of the church (woman) is the only channel by which these questions can
be answered.
The "temples" and the "woman" represent the church as a body; or in other words, the symbol of
the woman is a revelation of the types (temples), and the temples are symbolical prophecies of the
"woman" -- church. It will be noticed that the separate members of that church are represented by
the composite substance of the temples: "As lively stones are built up a spiritual house, an holy
priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2:5.) "So we
being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another." (Rom. 12:5.) "In whom
all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord." (Eph. 2:21.)
Therefore, these two temples represent both -- the church, and Christ. Christ our High Priest, is
prefigured by the "chief-corner-stone," and His priestly administration by the ceremonial or sanctuary
service of these two literal temples.
The earthly sanctuary service for the salvation of the human race, in types and symbols, reveals
Christ's administration in the heavenly. Which was made up of two laws; namely, the "ten
commandment" and the "ceremonial" laws. The tables of the ten commandments were put in the ark,
and the ceremonial or the law of Moses was placed on the side of the ark. (See Deut. 10:2; 31:26.)
Why two laws? The moral law points out the sin, "for by the law is the knowledge of sin." (Rom.
3:20.) "For where no law is, there is no transgression." (Rom. 4:15.) But the ceremonial law "was
added because of transgressions till the seed should come to whom the promise was made." (Gal.
3:19.) Which was the remedy to heal the sinner and set him free from the condemnation of the moral
law. When Christ
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(the seed) came, He took this law of ordinance (the law of Moses) "out of the way, nailing it to the
cross." (Col. 2:14.) The earthly administration of the law of ordinance could not give life of itself,
because it was only a shadow of the true. Therefore, at the crucifixion of Christ it ceased and the
heavenly one, which was foreshadowed by the earthly, began. The literal sanctuary service of both
temples were identical.
Therefore, these two temples are types of two sections of the Christian church with the anti-typical
sanctuary service made up of these two laws -- moral and ceremonial. The first section of the
Christian church, from the crucifixion to about 538 A.D., was endowed with just such a sanctuary;
that is, they had a perfect knowledge of the work in the heavenly to that time and their faith
corresponded with its service. But in 538 A.D. the faith of this divine administration was thrown out
from the church, or as Daniel puts it, "trodden under foot" (Dan. 8:13), and substituted by a pagan
priesthood, with pagan ceremonial, and moral laws, or papal service, and Sunday worship. Therefore,
as the first temple typified the first section of the early Christian church with faith in a true sanctuary
service, just so, the second temple has prefigured the last section of the same church with faith in a
sanctuary service that would be identical with the first.
The foregoing explanation answers one of our questions. The Protestant churches which were
raised up before the "woman" returned from the wilderness were in total darkness concerning the
sanctuary service. Therefore, they are not represented by the "woman," or by the "temple," for, as
we stated before, the typical temples represent both sections of the church with two divine laws;
namely, moral and ceremonial. Thus the "woman" represents a church that keep the "commandments
of God -- moral law, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ" -- ceremonial law or the plan of
salvation revealed in the light of "The Spirit of Prophecy." (Rev. 12:17.) The reformers, before the
"woman" returned from the wilderness, were divinely called out as a preparatory step to bring her
back to the "vineyard"; that is, to establish a true anti-typical temple service -- true church worship.
As Solomon's temple was robbed of the sacred vessels and destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar king of
Babylon, ancient Babylon became a type; and had it not been so, there would have been no modern
Babylon -- the anti-type. (Rev. 18:2.) As there is no controversy as to who these two Babylons are,
it is not difficult to unmask the mystery; and the proof of one will also clear the other. If the claim
in this study is correct that Solomon's temple
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PICTURE
[Chart of Temple Types]
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 269, 270
was a type of the first section of the Christian church, then there must be a perfect comparison with
type and anti-type.
As type destroyed type, so anti-type must have destroyed anti-type; that is, ancient Babylon (the
type of the papacy) robbed and destroyed Solomon's temple (the type of the early Christian church)
and led Israel into captivity. This symbolical prophecy met its perfect fulfillment in 538 A.D. when
the papacy went forth and destroyed the church (Christian), robbed them of the truth, and led the
followers of Christ into captivity (subject to papal rule). As the true sanctuary worship was abolished
by ancient Babylon at the captivity of Israel, with the destruction of the temple, just so the papacy
did away with the truth and strategically supplanted here on earth, the meaning of the mediatorial
work of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary, of which the ceremonial system of the first temple was a
type in the period before the judgment began. Thus the second temple represents the time while the
judgment was in session. And as the sacred vessels were carried from the sanctuary and set up in a
pagan temple in a heathen land, just so the papacy trod down the "truth" and set up a pagan
priesthood in a so-called Christian church during the dark ages, while the "woman' was in the
wilderness, which was typified by the heathen land -- Babylon.
Our second co-incident is the fall of the Babylonian monarchy by the conquest of the Medo-Persian
kings. Let it be remembered that in the night of Belshazzar's drunken feast, Cyrus and Darius took
the kingdom and slew the king. The fulfillment of the type in the anti-type, which co-incides with the
imprisonment of the Pope in 1798 A.D., and followed by his death. Therefore the death of
Belshazzar who defied the God of heaven and earth, is a type of the pope who blasphemed for a
"time, times and a half a time," fulfilling Daniel 7:25 and Revelation 13:10. At which time the
prophetic 1260 years of the "woman's" wilderness journey ended.
Again we refer back to the type. With the death of Belshazzar the captivity of God's people ended
and they were made free; this co-incides with the termination of the 1260 years of the persecution
against God's people by the papacy -- church and state. The fall of the Babylonian monarchy was not
the thing that built the temple in Jerusalem, but it was a preparatory step to it. As the death of
Belshazzar was a preparatory step toward the establishment of a true temple worship, just so the
death of the pope was a preparatory step toward the establishment of a true church-worship. If so,
then the type clearly shows that nothing could have happened to the church in 1798 A.D. to signify
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that the "woman" had returned from the wilderness. This brings us to a third co-incidence.
Cyrus was a heathen worshiper at the time he conquered Babylon; but his attention was turned to
the fulfillment of the Scriptures, and was shown that his name was written in the sacred volume years
before he was born, and that he had fulfilled the words of the prophet Isaiah: "Thus saith the Lord
to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will
loose the lions of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut; I
will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass,
and cut in sunder the bars of iron: And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches
of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of
Israel.... I have surnames thee, though thou hast not known me." (Isa. 45:1-4.) "That saith of Cyrus,
He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, thou shall be built;
and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid." (Isa. 44:28.)
Thus his heathen heart was changed, and with gratitude he inscribed the words: "Thus saith Cyrus,
the king of Persia, the Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and He hath
charged me to build Him an house at Jerusalem which is in Judah." (Ezra 1:2.) After his conversion
he recognized that the pagan worship in Babylon was false. Therefore, he proclaimed throughout the
realm of Babylon: "The Lord God of Israel, He is the God, which is in Jerusalem.... Also Cyrus the
king brought forth the vessels of the house of the Lord, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out
of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods; Even those did Cyrus, king of Persia, bring
forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar, the prince of
Judah." (Ezra 1:3, 7, 8.) Thus the pagan worship of Babylon was declared false some time after the
death of Belshazzar and the fall of his empire. Therefore, Cyrus made a decree to build the house of
God in Jerusalem. So much for the type, now our attention is turned to its fulfillment in the anti-type.
According to the type, we must look for a proclamation some time after 1798 A.D. that would
brand the so-called Christian churches as being Babylon and their worship false. This is just what
happened. Immediately after 1844 A.D. the second angel's message of Revelation 14:8 was
proclaimed, saying: "Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of
the wine of the wrath of her fornication." Therefore, it
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is evident that light shining through the types is the only medium that can explain these prophetic
mysteries in the Word of God. With the proclamation of the fall of Babylon, it was announced that
the so-called Christian festivals, such as Sunday keeping, Christmas, and Easter, also baptism by
sprinkling, and other false doctrines were unbiblical and of pagan origin. But as ancient Babylon
failed to renounce the pagan system of worship, and adopt the worship of the only true God, just so,
present day Christendom has refused to reform or turn from these practices. The true mediatorial
work of the heavenly sanctuary, jointly with the Seventh-day Sabbath as it was then taught, is also
unheeded!
Three Decrees Issued Before Temple Was Built
Though Cyrus freely offered his resources to finance the construction of the house of God and its
sacred service, and authoritatively commanded that it must be built, the Samaritans, or factitious
Jews, frustrated the progress of the foundation and retarded its completeness. Therefore, though the
message (decree) in 1844 was proclaimed to build the house of God and restore true worship
according to the law and the prophets, the type reveals that the progress has been frustrated, and its
completeness retarded by factitious Jews -- untrue Seventh-day Adventists. This fact is plainly stated
in the "Testimonies for the Church," Vol. 5, p. 217:
"I am filled with sadness when I think of our condition as a people. The Lord has not closed
Heaven to us, but our own course of continual backsliding has separated us from God. Pride
covetousness, and love of the world have lived in the heart without fear of banishment or
condemnation.... The church has turned back from following Christ her leader, and it steadily
retreating toward Egypt. Yet few are alarmed or astonished at their want of spiritual power."
False Accusations And Excuses
These unconverted Seventh-day Adventists when told of these facts, not to criticize or to find fault
with them, but to arouse them from the terrible stupor of deception and false security, begin to make
excuses in the following manner: "We are God's people." "This is God's church." "There is no other
movement to follow. "It is wicked to accuse the church militant." "You are setting time." "You
must not tear down but build up." "Shun them which make divisions." "There shall be no more
prophets." "We have all the truth and there is no need of more."
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My brethren, as you have trimmed your lamps, will you not also avail yourselves of the "extra oil"
(truth), and act like men who are looking for their Lord to come? No one denies the fact of your
being God's people, but remember that the Jews also were once His people. No one wishes to affirm
that it is not God's church, but is this the only time He has ever had a church? We do not claim that
there is another movement to follow. But is not the Word of the "True Witness" saying, "I will spue
thee out of my mouth?" If calling the church militant to a reformation by anointing their eyes with
eyesalve that they may see, that the shame of their nakedness do not appear, is wicked as you say,
then against whom are you speaking? And what other means can He use to call to repentance this
Laodicean, "rich, and Increased with goods, and have need of nothing" condition? "And knowest not
that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked?"
Is the one who calls for obedience to the truth according to the Word of God tearing down or the
ones who have broken every true principle of the message we bear? Who has caused divisions? Is
it he who calls for obedience to the Word, or the one who refuses to hear a call from Heaven? Do
you recall that the Christian church was split in seven reformatory sections because the messages
were rejected? Who is the one that should be "shunned?" Is it he who accepts truth regardless of
where it comes, or the one who allows prejudice to bar his mind from receiving the truth? Your claim
of having all the truth, and that there is need of none, is denying every word written to the church.
It is rejecting in advance every message of truth or light God may choose to send. It is shutting God
out, and cutting the church loose from His stretched out arm. It is a preparatory step toward sinning
against the Holy Ghost. Your assertion that there shall be no more prophets, is casting off before
hand the latter rain and the "loud cry!" It is denying the Word in its prophetic form, for we read:
"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and
your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions."
(Joel 2:28.)
My brethren is there anything so fearful as this ungodly practice committed by men who are
supposed to be watchmen on the walls of Zion? If you count yourselves unworthy of the everlasting
kingdom, will you not take your hands off the church of God? Will you not grant religious freedom
to the sheep and let them make their own decision? Why not do as you would have others do unto
you? It is hard for you to kick against the
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pricks. Will you not say, Lord what wilt thou have me to do? Do you know that the blood of the
lost sheep shall be required at your hands?
Your accusations against setting time is like a man talking when out of his mind. What definite time
has been set? Do you mean Ezekiel, chapter four? If so will you not study the subject a little closer
than you have and see what it says? Do you not see that the prophetic period had already ended
when the statement was made? Or do you mean to say that God knows not the length of time from
one event to another, and that He must not put it in the Bible? Do you not see that the coincidences
recorded in "The Shepherd's Rod," Vol. 1, pp. 112, 113, proves the interpretation of Ezekiel four to
be correct, or truth would not have come?
You will also note on page 222, that the 430 prophetic years originally applied to Abraham and his
seed, overlap the 430 of Ezekiel 4. The 430 years of Ezekiel should terminate in 1929, or 1930 but
the perfect fulfillment of the prophetic period of Abraham in its anti-type is yet in the future (going
out of Egypt). The chart on page 112, 113, shows its termination in 1930, for as we stated before,
it is outlined by the coincidences which perfectly fit the prophecy of Ezekiel. As it is impossible to
make a time chart without any date to go by, we have used these coincidences, and it is stated that
the date is indefinite. (See chart on page 133.) Ezekiel's prophecy is intended to point forward to the
announcement of the predicted reformation, and the one through Abraham, to its completion (Ezekiel
nine).
"Then shall the seers be ashamed, and the diviners confounded: yea they shall all cover their lips;
for there is no answer of God. But truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the Lord, and of
judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin. Hear this, I pray
you, ye heads of the house of Jacob, and princes of the house of Israel, that abhor judgment, and
pervert all equity. They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity. The heads thereof
judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money.
Yet will they lean upon the Lord, and say, Is not the Lord among us? None evil can come upon us.
Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the
mountain of the house as the high places of the forest." (Micah 3:7-12.)
Objections Against The Channel God May Use
History proves that many have risen against the channel God has used to reveal His Holy Word.
So it is now. Some say:
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"If God will speak to His people, He may do so through one of our leading men." That may be so,
but where is the evidence that He cannot call a more humble instrument from the flock of his sheep?
Historical facts prove that He seldom reveals himself through great men. Why should He change His
method now? Others throw reflections against God's servants because of their external appearance,
nativity, or rudiments of speech, etc. My brethren, will you limit the Father and Creator of the human
race by your restrictions to a nation, man or country, by your narrow minded and self-conceited
wisdom? The heart that conceives such unreasonable theologies through self-esteem, is like the
proud pharisee in comparison with the penitent publican. These wise and self-dignified ideologists
are the most ignorant ones, for by so doing, they allow the father of self-exaltation to rob them of life,
and eternity. While such men are blinded to their own destruction, they are very wise and useful
agents for the enemy of souls. For by their usurpation they carry a never ending influence like a
"pebble thrown in the lake; a wave is formed, and another and still another, and as they increase, the
circle widens, until it reaches the very shore."
What influence would your "words of life" have upon others if you think your dignity so great, and
that of theirs so insignificant? Your actions are speaking louder than your words, saying to the poor
of the flock: Look on us, and see yourselves as nothing. If a wrong act is committed against one
sheep for pouring forth the straight truth, the others would be treated likewise. To such shepherds
the following words are spoken:
"Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock.
The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye
bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither
have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them." (Ezek. 34:3,
4.)
The Second Decree To Build "The Temple"
By suppression the adversaries of God brought the work of the first decree to a stop. But in due
time Cyrus' decree was renewed by Darius the king, and "Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua
the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were
the prophets of God helping them." (Ezra 5:2.)
But though this second decree carried additional power against the temple foes, they made the Jews
cease by force of
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arms. The type by the second decree unmistakably reveals that there should have been another
message after 1844, which with additional mention should have declared -- go forward by faith,
endeavor to establish a clean church and a true worship by obedience to the Word of God
(righteousness by faith). The type also discloses that this second message would have been defeated
and the work frustrated. Now note how perfectly the type coincides, reveals the truth, and exposes
the schemes of the devil. In 1888 just such a message (decree) went forth, but the leaders at that time
rejected it as the following testimonies prove: "The Lord in His great mercy sent a most precious
message to His people. This message was to bring more prominently before the world the uplifted
Saviour, the sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. It presented justification through faith in the
Surety; it invited the people to receive the righteousness of Christ, which is made manifest in
obedience to all the commandments of God. Many have lost sight of Jesus." -- "Testimonies to
Ministers," p. 91.
The message was delivered with the power of the Spirit says the messenger: "I shall never again,
I think, be called to stand under the direction of the Holy Spirit as I stood at Minneapolis. The
presence of Jesus was with me. All assembled in that meeting had an opportunity to place themselves
on the side of truth by receiving the Holy Spirit, which was sent by God in such a rich current of love
and mercy. But in the rooms occupied by some of our people were heard ridicule, criticism, jeering,
laughter. The manifestations of the Holy Spirit were attributed to fanaticism.... The scenes which
took place at that meeting made the God of heaven ashamed to call those who took part in them His
brethren. All this the heavenly Watcher noticed, and it was written in the book of God's
remembrance." -- "Special Testimony to Review and Herald Office," pp. 16, 17, written in 1896.
"They began this satanic work at Minneapolis. Afterward, when they saw and felt the
demonstration of the Holy Spirit, testifying that the message was of God, they hated it the more,
because it was a testimony against them.... Yet these men have been holding positions of trust, and
have been molding the work after their own similitude, as far as they possibly could." -- "Testimonies
to Ministers," p. 80.
"But if... they nourish the same spirit that marked their course of action both before and after the
Minneapolis meeting, they will fill up to the full the deeds of those whom Christ condemned when
He was upon earth. The perils of the last days are upon us. Read Matt. 25:14." -- "Testimonies to
Ministers," p. 79. We also present a written testimony from an eye witness: "The
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1888 message backed up by Sr. White as the message of the hour... few of the leaders recognized it
as such. Almost as a unit they rebelled, even claiming those men had unduly influenced Sr. White in
their favor by some unseen power, thus they rejected the Spirit of Prophecy.... These two men (Elders
Jones and Wagoner) with Sr. White... were rejected the use of the big tabernacle.... Thus you see
not only (90%) but nearly (95%) of our leaders rebelled."
The Third Decree To Build "The Temple"
As the first and second decrees by the kings of Medo-Persia had failed to complete the construction
of the temple and restore the sacred typical service, a third decree was set forth, then the king added:
"Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his
house, and being set up, let him be hanged thereon; and let his house be made a dunghill for this. And
the God that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their
hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree;
let it be done with speed.... And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the
prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished
it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus,
and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia. And this house was finished on the third day of the month
Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king." (Ezra 6:11-15.)
It will be noticed that the third decree threatened the lives of disloyal men and nations: "Whosoever
shall alter this word," said the king, "let his house be made a dunghill for this." So much for the type.
Now we come to the anti-type. The type reveals that the messages of 1844 and 1888 are to be
followed by a third one. But according to the type, the third message is to be a severe one. A
message that will demand obedience and enforce executive judgment upon those who would oppose
its decree. And according to the type, it is the third message that will accomplish its mission.
In 1929 just such a message came to the Seventh-day Adventist church, and it was put in writing
and published in 1930, entitled "The Shepherd's Rod," Volume 1. And as the message went to all the
sisterhood of churches (as far as possible) throughout the world, the man clothed with linen, which
had the writer's inkhorn by his side, was told: "Go through the midst of
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the city, through the midst of Jerusalem [the church], and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men
that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof [in the church]. And
to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye
spare, neither have ye pity: Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women:
but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary [Conference]. Then
they began at the ancient men [Elders] which were before the house." (Ezek. 9:4-6.)
On this Scripture was the message based, prophetically declaring, that 144,000 will be marked, and
the balance now in the church must suffer the consequences except they repent and march on with
the truth of God. But though not one of the entire denomination has been able to contradict the truth
of the 144,000 as a whole, or even in part, nor have they dared refute the charge regarding the
fostered abominations in the midst of them, they have risen against the message and prefer to hold
to their abominations just as the enemies of God opposed the construction of the temple to the very
last. As the decree by the king of Medo-Persia declared to the foes of the house of God saying:
"Whosoever shall alter this word let his house be made a dunghill for this." Just so the Word of God
has declared now, "slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women." If such
a message as this would not convince the professed people of God to do better, then what can do it?
Nevertheless, as God's purpose was carried out in the type, just so it will be in the anti-type. It is
remarkable to note how perfectly the anti-type coincides with the type.
There was no change made in the decrees of Cyrus and as it was but a renewal from time to time
so it has been with the anti-type. Thus there can be no change with the Third Angel's Message, but
great light and power shall be added to it. "Fearful is his work! Awful is his mission. He is the angel
that is to select the wheat from the tares, and seal, or bind, the wheat for the heavenly garner." --
"Early Writings," p. 118.
The Time For the Establishment Of The True Church
In Haggai 2:23, speaking of the construction of the "type" (second temple) but looking
prophetically forward to the fulfillment of the anti-type (the church in her purity), the Word of God
by the prophet came to Zerubbabel who laid the foundation of the type (temple), and of whom the
Word says is a signet
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or sign for the anti-type. We read of what God is to do at that time:
"For thus saith the Lord of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the
earth, and the sea, and the dry land; And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall
come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold
is mine, saith the Lord of hosts. The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former,
saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts." (Haggai 2:6-9.)
"And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the Kingdoms of
the heathen; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their
riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother." (Hag. 2:22.)
It is evident by this Scripture that this glorious church is to be established at the close of this world's
history when the earthly kingdoms shall come to their end. While interpreting Zechariah's vision, the
angel spoke of Zerubbabel, saying: "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house;
his hands also shall finish it." (Zech. 4:9). That is, the founders of the anti-type which were typified
by Zerubbabel, laid the foundation in 1844. Zerubbabel being "a signet" to the anti-type (by laying
the foundation and finishing the house), denotes that the finishing of the spiritual house (the
completeness of the church of God -- numbering of the saints) is to be accomplished in one
generation (in the life of a man, commencing in 1844.)
The Power Of God's People To Build His House
"Thus saith the Lord of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then
thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk
among these that stand by. Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before
thee: for they are men wondered at: for behold, I will bring forth my servant the branch." (Zech. 3:7,
8.) "And they shall be as mighty men, which tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in
the battle: and they shall fight, because the Lord is with them, and the riders on horses shall be
confounded." (Zech. 10:5.)
"Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain. let all the inhabitants of
the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand; A day of darkness and of
gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great
people and a strong;
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there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of my
generations. A fire devoureth before them: and behind them a flame burneth; the land is as the garden
of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them. The
appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run. Like the noise
of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth
the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array. Before their face the people shall be much pained:
all faces shall gather blackness. They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of
war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and thev shall not break their ranks: Neither shall
one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they
shall not be wounded. They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall
climb upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief. The earth shall quake before
them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their
shining." (Joel 2:1-10.) "The earth," "sun," "moon," and the "stars" have no connection with Matt.
24:29. The prophetic signs of the stated planets shall find their complete fulfillment before the
commencement of the millennium.
The Result Of Obedience To God's Word
"Thus saith the Lord of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and the
inhabitants of many cities: And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go
speedily to pray before the Lord, and to seek the Lord of hosts: I will go also. Yea, many people and
strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord. Thus
saith the Lord of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all
languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with
you: for we have heard that God is with you." (Zech. 8:20-23.)
The meaning of the "ten men" is the same as the "ten virgins" of Matthew 25:1. The ten virgins
signify the church as a body; and the "men" symbolically denote those who are to be converted to the
church, and that they shall come from all languages, and nations. "Even shall take hold of the skirt
of him that is a Jew;" that is, the one who is a Jew represents Christ in the person of His saints (the
144,000), "His skirt"
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represents truth or the church as a whole, by which the 144,000 are symbolically clothed.
"And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off and
die; but the third 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 name, and I will hear
them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God." (Zech. 13:8, 9.)
"Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may
bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought." (Isa. 60:11.)
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Zechariah 4
The anti-typical symbols of the second temple (the type), were shown to Zechariah in vision and
recorded in the fourth chapter of his prophecy as follows:
"And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his
sleep. And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all
of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven
lamps, which are upon the top thereof: And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl,
and the other upon the left side thereof. So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me,
saying, What are these, my lord? Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me,
Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. Then he answered and spake unto me,
saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my
spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts.... And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive
branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? And he
answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. Then said he,
These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth." (Zech. 4:1-6, 12-14.)
Thus the word of God is represented by these symbols. Therefore, the interpretation of them is to
reveal the manner of communicating the Word of God to Zerubbabel. Not to the Zerubbabel that was
engaged in building the typical temple, for he was orally instructed by the prophets Zechariah and
Haggai. Therefore, as the significance of these prophetic symbols were not understood by them, they
must be applicable to those who are to be engaged in building the antitypical, or spiritual temple
(church), as it was previously explained.
Each one of these symbols must be separately deciphered by uncontradictory evidence, and their
significance must constitute the method by which God is to communicate His Word to His servants.
It has been previously stated that all the books of the Bible meet, and end in the book of Revelation.
Therefore, the revelation of Zechariah's prophecy must be found there also.
We quote: "The seven stars are the angels of the seven
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churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches." (Rev. 1:20.) It will
be noticed that the messages to the seven churches are not addressed to the candlesticks (the church
as a body), but to the angels, saying, "And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write."
(Rev. 3:14.) This angel is not a heavenly angel, for he is at fault -- under condemnation and about
to be spued out, except he repent. It is this angel who has charge of the candlestick (church).
Therefore, the seven angels denote the leadership of the seven churches, and the candlesticks are the
symbols of the seven churches. Thus, the churches in this instance are symbolized by candlesticks.
Therefore, the candlestick in Zechariah's vision denotes the church as a body.
The revelation of the olive trees is found in the eleventh chapter and the fourth verse: "These are
the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth." The olive trees
and the two candlesticks are the two witnesses. (See Rev. 11:3.) Zechariah also states that "These
are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth." (Zech. 4:14.) Therefore, these
two olive trees, and two candlesticks are inseparable, for they both "stand by the Lord of the whole
earth." The two candlesticks in this instance represent God's church in two sections, and each one
has an olive tree. The angel interpreted them to Zechariah as the Word of God to Zerubbabel.
Therefore, the two candlesticks represent the Old and New Testament churches (Jewish and
Christian). And the two olive trees are symbols of the Old and New Testament Bible (the Word of
God to Zerubbabel). These two witnesses "shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and three score
days (from 538 A.D. to 1798 A.D.) clothed in sackcloth." (Rev. 11:3.) "The two Witnesses represent
the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament." -- "The Great Controversy," p. 267.
Thus we have a candlestick for each of the two sections of God's church while the Scriptures were
being written. One candlestick and one olive tree to the Jewish, and one candlestick and one olive
tree for the apostle's, and seven for the remaining history of the church to the time of the separation
of the tares from the wheat, or to the commencement of the harvest. Thus the candlestick (church)
in Zechariah's vision is the tenth, denoting a universal church; depicting the living church that shall
unite with all the saints since the world began -- which will join with the church of the entire universe
of God! This candlestick in Zechariah's vision is a glorious one, which in comparison, all others stand
as "nothing" -- in perfect harmony with the second temple, which in comparison the first stood as
"nothing."
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The Two Golden Pipes
True then, the candlestick represents the church, and the two olive trees the Old and New
Testament Scriptures. Now, "What be these two golden pipes," which "empty the golden oil out of
themselves?" We quote from "Testimonies for the Church," Vol. 7, p. 249: "The inner lamp must be
supplied with the oil that flows from the messengers of heaven through the golden tubes into the
golden bowl. The Lord's communication never comes to man in vain." Therefore, the two golden
pipes that empty the golden oil into the golden bowl are God's messengers of inspiration through
whom present truth is revealed, and the only true interpreters of the Scriptures. The oil represents
the revealed Word of God from the Bible as it is explained through His appointed servants, and the
bowl describes the publications into which these revelations are compiled. This is the "Testimony of
Jesus" -- "the Spirit of Prophecy." (Rev. 12:17; 19:10.) The revelation which John received is called
"The Testimony of Jesus." (See Rev. 1:9.) Therefore, the testimony of Jesus is also the Spirit of
Prophecy, because his testimony is revealed only by the Holy Spirit through a human channel. Thus
the Scripture interpreted by Inspiration, is the only testimony that can be, "the testimony of Jesus"
-- truth without error.
The Seven Lamps
If the candlestick represents the church as a body, then the seven lamps thereon must denote the
sisterhood of churches scattered throughout the denomination. The Biblical number of completeness
takes in the entire movement as a whole. This fact is also proven by the following quotation: "When
the anointed ones empty themselves through the golden pipes, the oil flows out of themselves into
the golden bowl, to flow into the lamps, the churches." -- "Testimonies to Ministers," p. 337.
The Seven Golden Tubes
If the "golden bowl" is that which contains the inspired interpretation of the Scriptures or the
writings of the Spirit of Prophecy, and the lamps or churches are supplied with oil from the bowl
through the seven golden tubes, then the ministry is represented by the tubes, whose duty is to feed
the entire church with the inspired Word of God only. This fact also is proven by the "Spirit of
Prophecy," as we read: "The golden oil represents the Holy Spirit. With this oil God's ministers are
to be constantly supplied, that they, in turn, may impart it to the church." -- Id.,
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p. 188. Note, the seven tubes (Ministry) draw the oil from the golden bowl, not direct from the olive
trees (Scriptures).
This divinely illustrated lesson is too plain to be misunderstood, or its meaning misconstrued. The
only safe way by which God's servants and His church can be free from error, full of faith without
guile in their mouth (all speak the same thing), is the never erring guide -- "The Spirit of Prophecy."
The acceptance of so-called truth, without inspiration, is the devil's trap of deception, and they who
advocate such fallacious teachings are the hardest and most impossible ones to rescue from Satan's
bottomless pit; for he makes them believe that confession of their errors would disqualify them for
teachers, and dishonor their high standing.
He who denies inspired interpretation of the Scriptures is denying the office of the Holy Spirit, and
is sinning against Him -- committing the unpardonable sin!
This golden candlestick is the most remarkable symbol in the Bible pertaining to the church of God.
Its arrangement with complete number of lamps, bowl, tubes, and pipes, all of gold, with its two olive
trees emptying themselves of the golden oil in the golden bowl, reveals that the last section of God's
church, is to be the most glorious church in all ages. This "continued communication" by the Holy
Spirit to the church, represented by the olive branches emptying the "Golden Oil out of themselves"
into one Golden Bowl, and its complete set of Supply Tubes from the bowl to all its lamps, is to bring
every part of the entire body in perfect harmony; a church without guile.
This prophetic symbol unmistakably points forward to a heavenly agency absorbing human
weakness and imperfection into everlasting glory. "A glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle,
or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." (Eph. 5:27.) A church that keeps
"the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." "Clad in the armor of Christ's
righteousness, the church is to enter upon her final conflict. 'Fair as the moon clear as the sun, and
terrible as an army with banners,' she is to go forth into all the world, conquering and to conquer."
-- "Prophets and Kings," p. 725. (Song of Sol. 6:10.) To this "candlestick" is the promise: "Behold,
I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and
beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff. (Isa. 41:15.)
The "one stone" -- the church -- shall have complete vision of heavenly glory: "For behold the stone
that I have laid before
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Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the Lord
of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day. In that day, saith the Lord of hosts,
shall ye call every man his neighbor under the vine and under the fig tree." (Zech. 3:9, 10.) To the
servants of God (the church) is granted to possess the earth, and restore the land to the saints to
whom it originally belonged. Thus, "They shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree;
and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it." (Micah 4:4.)
"And they shall be as mighty men, which tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the
battle: and they shall fight, because the Lord is with them, and the riders on horses shall be
confounded." (Zech. 10:5.) "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit saith the Lord of hosts."
(Zech. 4:6.)
"And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden
themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together
against it.... In that day shall the Lord defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among
them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the Lord
before them." (Zech. 12:3, 8.) "And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord two parts
therein shall be cut off and die; but the third 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 name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my
God." (Zech. 13:8, 9.)
"Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God." (Psa. 87:3.) "Cry out and shout, thou
inhabitants of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee." (Isa. 12:6.) "Sing and
rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord.
(Zech. 2:10.)
What Is Inspired And What Is Not?
Cunning men under the power of the great deceiver, with good words and fair speeches have
sought to overthrow the faith of the saints in the word of God by almost innumerable interpretations
of the Scriptures, and multiplicity of sects; making it nearly impossible for one to find his way out
through the confusion, and thus keeping him in ignorance of the truth. God, knowing beforehand of
these cunning devices, has prophetically illustrated the truth by this candlestick in its assemblage of
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parts, symbolically showing that the truth of the Bible is revealed by Inspiration only. Written words
can be misconstrued, but symbols can not. Thus making it possible for both learned, and unlearned,
to immediately distinguish the difference between truth and error.
The question may arise with some, How can I determine what is inspired, and what is not? The
prophetic word of God is capable of answering the question and clearing the confusion, dividing the
one from the other as wheat is separated from the chaff. First, "to the law and the testimony: if they
speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" (uninspired). (Isa. 8:20.)
Second, the churches who were in existence prior to 1844, fell with the proclamation of the second
angel's message (Rev. 14:8), showing that God would no longer reveal Himself through that channel.
Therefore, every theory, and offshoot or sect that has sprung from the denominations in existence at
that time, is false with no light in them. This is also proven by the fact that nearly all the authors or
founders of these theories and movements make no claim of inspiration.
The prophecy of Ezekiel, chapter four (explained in "The Shepherd's Rod," Vol, 1, pp. 115-133),
proves that Luther, Knox, Wesley, Campbell, Miller, and E.G. White were divinely called. It is also
proven by the parable of Matthew 20 that Luther, Knox, Wesley, and Campbell were not given light
on prophetic truth, but were inspired to call for reformation on certain truths which were revealed
before their time, and had been "trodden underfoot." It is further proven by the same parable that
through Miller and White, prophetic truths were revealed which had never before been taught. (See
pages 227, 228). It is also shown by Ezekiel's prophecy that light and truth on the Scriptures would
continue for 390 years, that is, from 1500 A.D. to l890 A.D.; and then it was to cease for forty years.
(See "The Shepherd's Rod," Vol. 1, pp. 114-133.)
Thus, while the 1844 movement proclaimed that light had ceased to be revealed through all other
sects, it is shown by Ezekiel's prophecy that light was to continue with the latter, up to the year 1890.
This fact also is self-evident, for the Seventh-day Adventist denomination has had no additional light
on the Scriptures in the stated forty years. Therefore, any theory, or so-called truth, that might have
been advanced by some within this (S.D.A.) denomination that had not been revealed prior to 1890,
is also false; though some things were written in the Spirit of Prophecy, they were not to be
understood until 1929. The truths revealed prior to 1844, and up to
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1929, are found in the writings of the "Spirit of Prophecy," and that which is not written there, is of
no value. Not until our minds have been cleared from all these false theories can we comprehend the
truth. In other words the Laodiceans must confess that the charge against them is true -- "wretched,
and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked;" and by acceptance of the truth they would anoint
their eyes "with eyesalve;" for it is the "true witness speaking, and his Word must be correct." 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 difficulty in knowing the difference between truth and
error is eliminated.
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The River Of Ezekiel's Vision
It was previously explained that Zechariah's prophecy is applicable to the church in the time of the
"Loud Cry." Thus it becomes present truth. We quote from Zechariah 12:8. "In that day shall the
Lord defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as
David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the Lord before them" -- before the
great multitude of Revelation 7:9.
The church in her purity is called by these Scriptures, "The house of David." Therefore, this term
becomes one of the names of the church in the time of the "Loud Cry." Thus the church under this
name shall be as God before the people. The meaning here is the same as in Exodus 7:1, "And the
Lord said unto Moses See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy
prophet" (servant). That is, "Thou shalt represent My person, and act like God by requiring
obedience to thy commands, and by punishing disobedience with such punishment as none but God
can inflict; to which end thou shalt have My omnipotent assistance." This is the commission to the
church in the time of the harvest. The apostle Peter was vested with such divine power when he said:
"Thou has not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and gave
up the ghost.... And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was
done, came in. Then Peter said unto her.... behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband
are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up
the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her
husband." (The Acts 5:4, 5, 7, 9, 10.)
"In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of
Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanliness." (Zech. 13:1.) Note that this fountain is able to wash away
two things; first sin, and second uncleanness. What is the difference between the one and the other?
"Sin is the transgression of the law." (1 John 3:4.) And the result of sin is the decay of the body.
"Speak unto the children of Israel and say unto them, When any man hath a running issue out of his
flesh, because of his issue he is unclean." (Lev. 15:2.) The Biblical term for sickness is,
"Uncleanness." Also, taking
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 290
into the body in the form of food of that which is forbidden by the Word of God, is transgression of
the law, and corruption of the body (uncleanness).
"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the
unclean thing; and I will receive you." (2 Cor. 6:17.) "For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor
unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ
and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath
of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were
sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.... And have no
fellowship with the unfruitful workers of darkness, but rather reprove them." (Eph. 5:5-8, 11.) God
is able to heal the soul and the body; but He will not heal the latter before He has healed the former
-- "sin" first, then "uncleanness." "I will also save you from all your uncleanness: and I will call for
corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you." (Ezek. 36:29.) The power that is able to
wash away the filthiness of any man, is "opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of
Jerusalem" and is represented by the "fountain" of Zechariah's prophecy.
Says Ezekiel: "In the five and twentieth year of our captivity," and "in the fourteenth year after that
the city was smitten, in the selfsame day the hand of the Lord was upon me, and brought me thither."
(Ezek. 40:1.) As recorded in the forty-seventh chapter, Ezekiel was shown in vision certain
particulars of the temple building some years before the Israelites were made free from Babylonian
captivity. It has been previously explained that the Temple erected after their captivity was a type
of this particular church in the time of the "loud cry" -- "house of David." Therefore, the river
coming out from the temple according to Ezekiel's vision is applicable at this time, and is but the
expansion of this "fountain" that is to be in the "house of Davld" the church. "From this fountain
flows the mighty river seen in Ezekiel's vision." -- Counsels on Health," p. 210. Thus far we have
explained the application of this "fountain," the place and the time; also that the mighty river seen in
Ezekiel's vision flows from it. Now we shall study the meaning of this mighty river.
Ezekiel 47
Ezek. 47:1: "Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued
out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood
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toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south
side of the altar." As the waters came from the south side of the altar, and then went toward the east,
it shows clearly that they proceeded from the north, which symbolically denotes that whatever the
meaning of the "waters" may be, they come from the throne of God, for It is "in the sides of the
north." (Isa. 14:14; Psa. 48:2; 75:6.)
While Ezekiel's attention was turned to the interior where he first saw the waters, he says: "Then
brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way unto the utter gate
by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side. And when the
man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought
me through the waters, the waters were to the ankles. Again he measured a thousand, and brought
me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought
me through; the waters were to the loins. Afterward he measured a thousand, and it was a river that
I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed
over. And he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen this? Then he brought me, and caused me to
return to the brink of the river. Now when I had returned, behold at the bank of the river were very
many trees on the one side and on the other. Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward
the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: Which being brought forth into
the sea, the waters shall be healed. And it shall come to pass, that everything that liveth, which
moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of
fish, because these waters shall come thither; for they shall be healed; and everything shall live whither
the river cometh. And it shall come to pass, that the fishers shall stand upon it from En-gedi even
unto En-eglaim, they shall be a place to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds,
as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many. But the miry places thereof and the marishes thereof
shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt. And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side
and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof
be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued
out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine."
(Ezekiel 47:2-12.)
It will be noticed that as Ezekiel first saw the waters by the side of the altar, they were of little
significance in comparison
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 292
PICTURE
[Chart of Ezekiel's River]
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 293, 294
with that which he saw outside the gate. As the tiny rivulet immediately swells into a mighty river,
it represents something of very rapid growth. These waters denote the same as the waters in
Revelation 17:15, "Peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues." For the angel said to Ezekiel:
"Which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed." (Ezek. 47:8.) Therefore, these
waters represent a very great multitude "which no man could number" that shall be healed from sin
and disease, saved in the time of the "loud cry" through the ministry of the "house of David" (the
church). As Ezekiel could not swim this river, the symbol is in perfect harmony with Revelation 7:9,
"A great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and
tongues... clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands."
Note that the reason the waters are healed, is because they are "brought forth into the sea." If the
mighty river represents the saints from the earth, then the sea must be a symbol of the sinless worlds
(inhabitants) in the universe of God. As the river is brought into the sea, it denotes that the saints
shall come in contact with the eternal nations who know not sin, and being "brought forth," we must
be "healed" before we meet each other! The facts of this symbol prove that this is the last section of
God's church -- the church that shall be translated without tasting death! Get ready, get ready, get
ready, we are now standing on the winds of eternity -- life that shall never cease.
The waters that make up this mighty river represents a multitude of saints endowed with healing
power from the throne of God; for the Word says, "And everything shall live whither the river
cometh." (Ezek. 47:9, last part.) This healing is not indefinite, but permanent; for we read: "And it
shall come to pass, that everything that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the river shall come, shall
live" (eternally).
After the angel had measured three times a thousand cubits, says Ezekiel: "And he said unto me,
Son of man, hast thou seen this? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the
river. Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one
side and on the other. And by the river upon the bank thereof," said the angel, "on this side and on
that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be
consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out
of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine." (Ezek.
47:6, 7, 12.)
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The value of the leaves and the fruit of these trees is identically the same as the tree of life according
to Revelation 22:2, "And on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bear twelve
manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of
the nations." The significance is that the church of God (house of David) is endowed with power
from the throne to offer life eternal with no taste of death to those who accept the truth, and are
willing to become a part of this mighty river. As this is the only section of God's church that has been
granted the authoritative gospel of permanent healing and life everlasting the Word declares: "He that
is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the
angel of the Lord before them." (Zech. 12:8.)
"And there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither.... And
it shall come to pass that the fishers shall stand upon it from En-gedi even unto En-eglaim.... Their
fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many." (Ezek. 47:9, 10.)
The fish represent those who are to be converted to the church -- "river." "And everything shall live
whither the river cometh." (Ezek. 47:9.) The ministry is symbolized as the fishers. "And Jesus said
unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men." (Mark 1:17.) The
apostles at one time left the gospel net and ceased to be fishers of men, as they went fishing for gain,
"and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the
shore.... then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered Him, No. And He
said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore and
now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes." (John 21:3-6.) Success never fails
when the command of the Master is obeyed. If the ministry had been constantly inquiring of Jesus
where and how to cast the net, there would have been a multitude of "fish" -- converts -- and never
a lack of "meat" -- means.
"For the forefront of the house stood towards the east." (Ezek. 47:1.) The position of the house
proves that it represents a true worship, for thus God's chosen people were instructed to build their
temples. Israel worshipped God with their backs toward the east to remind them that they should
have no respect for sun worship and idolatry.
"Then said he unto me, These waters issue out towards the east country, and go down into the
desert, and go into the sea." (Ezek. 47:8.) It is remarkable to note how perfect these symbols
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 296
are in each instance. This direction of the compass denotes that the message of the "loud cry" is to
start eastward when it is first revealed. The church membership being largely east of California and
across the Atlantic, naturally the message must start toward the east. This symbolical prophecy
reveals that the message of the "loud cry" is to originate in California. Thus fulfilling the prophetic
words of the "Spirit of Prophecy" in a letter to Elder E. E. Andross: "I feel confident Elder Andross,
that the brethren in Southern California will find a blessing in reviewing the teachings of the Scripture
concerning the 144,000 and bringing to bear upon these teachings whatever light there may be in the
published writings of the Spirit of Prophecy, and as prayerful consideration is given the matter in all
its bearings, I believe that God will make the truth sufficiently clear to make possible the avoidance
of needless and unprofitable questions not vital to the salvation of precious souls."
East being the Biblical direction of idolatry, it also signifies that the message is headed toward the
conversion of sinners and destruction of idolatry. "And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the
Lord of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be
remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirits to pass out of the land." (Zech.
13:2.)
The angel measured four times a thousand cubits eastward (a thousand -- "ten" times one hundred).
Why four times a thousand? Why not more or less? It has been previously explained that number
"ten" is a symbol of universal, and the number four completeness of the earth or the four points of
the compass. Thus it symbolically denotes that the message is world wide; and while it starts toward
the east, it spreads from pole to pole, and encircles the earth completely (10 x 100 = 1,000 -- four
times.) In perfect harmony with the words of Christ: "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be
preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." (Matt. 24:14.)
"But the miry places thereof and the marishes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to
salt." (Ezek. 47:11.) The "marishes" and the "miry places" represent denominations and sects
separate of the "mighty river," and that they shall not be saved, or healed. "Turned to salt," means
eternally lost, as was Lot's wife. "And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of
the Son of man.... Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot.... Remember Lot's wife." (Luke 17:26,
28, 32.)
"And it shall come to pass, that the fishers shall stand upon
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it from En-gedi even unto En-eglaim; they [the two cities] shall be a place to spread forth nets."
(Ezek. 47:10.) These two cities reveal that the fish are caught in two places, En-gedi (S.D.A. church)
where the 144,000 are gathered -- the first fruits. En-eglaim (Babylon or the world) where the great
multitude of Revelation 7:9 are gathered. The diagram on the chart, page 294, represents the S.D.A.
church (En-gedi) as it becomes the "House of David," and the place of the river (En-eglaim) denotes
the world. The stream from the fountain where it first starts to the east gate, represents the 144,000,
and the river stands for the great multitude. "There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad
the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she
shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early." (Psa. 46:4, 5.)
Justification By Faith; What Is It?
All the blessings written in the preceding chapters are apprehended in the following
Though this most important subject is the simplest of all Biblical truths, it has been widely confused,
and largely misunderstood. The example of one man's experience in the things of God and his
justification by faith, should clear the widespread confusion, and remove the veil which has been
drawn over the eyes of the faithful. "To that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father
of us all. (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations), before Him Whom he believed,
even God, Who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were."
(Rom. 4:16, 17.)
When the method pursued by Abraham is followed, then, and then only, can any one of us be
justified, there is no other way. "And if ye be Christ's then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according
to the promise." (Gal. 3:29.) "If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham."
(John 8:39.) Let us take notice of Abraham's faith, experience and justification. "Harken to me, ye
that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and
to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged. Look unto Abraham your father." (Isa. 51:1,2.)
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 298
In the following it will be noticed that Abraham responded without hesitation to all God
commanded him to do: "Now the Lord said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy
kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee.... So Abram departed, as the
Lord had spoken unto him.... And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said Unto thy seed will I give
this land: and there builded he an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him." (Gen. 12:1, 4, 7.)
"And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and
look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: for all
the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. And I will make thy seed
as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be
numbered. Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it
unto thee. Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in
Hebron, and built there an altar unto the Lord." (Gen. 13:14-18.)
"And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant, thou, and thy seed after thee in their
generations. This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee;
Every man child among you shall be circumcised.... And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that
were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money every male among the men of
Abraham's house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto
him." (Gen. 17:9, 10, 23.)
"And God said unto Abraham Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because
of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy
seed be called. And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water,
and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away." (Gen. 21:12,
14.) "And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him,
Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. And He said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac,
whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon
one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and
saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for
the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.... And Abraham
built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac
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his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took
the knife to slay his son. And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said,
Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither
do thou anything unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy
son, thine only son from me.... And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the
second time, And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing,
and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing will I bless thee, and in multiplying I
will multiply thy seed as the stars of heaven and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed
shall possess the gate of his enemies, And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;
because thou hast obeyed my voice." (Gen. 22:1-3, 9-12, 15-18.)
"Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the
friend of God." (James 2:23.) By simply doing the things that God asked of him he obtained this
record: "Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my
statutes, and my laws." "In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed." (Gen. 26:5, 4.)
Having childlike faith in the Word, and doing all God has said, is the only sanctification and
righteousness that is Christ's. Such are the children of Abraham, and to them is the promise. They
openly declare that the blood of Christ has the power to save them from the bondage of sin, and from
the condemnation of the law. They shall inherit the land for ever and ever. These are the Israel of
God. There are no others, and this only is righteousness and sanctification by faith.
End of Book.
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Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 2
THE SHEPHERD'S ROD
Volume 2
By V. T. HOUTEFF
"Every scribe which is instructed
unto the kingdom of heaven is like
unto a man that is an householder
which bringeth forth out of his
treasure things new and old."
Matt. 13.52
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 3
THE SHEPHERD'S ROD, Vol. 2
Copyright, 1932
By V.T. HOUTEFF
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 4
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS IN THE HEART OF THE
EARTH 22
THE IMAGE OF DANIEL 2 29
THE FOUR BEASTS OF DANIEL 7 31
THE LION OF DANIEL 7 35
THE BEAR OF DANIEL 7 37
THE LEOPARD OF DANIEL 7 39
LION'S WINGS PLUCKED, MAN'S HEART GIVEN TO IT 44
THE GOAT AND RAM OF DANIEL 7 51
NON-DESCRIPT BEAST IN HIS FIRST STAGE.
DANIEL 7:7 57
NON-DESCRIPT BEAST IN HIS SECOND STAGE.
DANIEL 7:8 59
THE WOMAN AND THE DRAGON OF REVELATION 12 64
THE WOMAN WITH THE EAGLE'S WINGS OF
REVELATION 12 74
THE BEASTS OF DANIEL AND REVELATION 84
WORLD'S HISTORY IN SYMBOLS OF RAM AND GOAT 128
THE DESTRUCTION OF THE BEASTS,
THE HARVEST AND THE PLAGUES 150
THE SEVEN SEALS AND THE JUDGMENT 204
THE HISTORY OF THE GOSPEL, ELEVENTH HOUR CALL,
MATTHEW 20. HISTORY OF THE GOSPEL 224
THE FLOOD--TYPE AND ANTI-TYPE 250
THE TWO TEMPLES IN TYPE AND ANTI-TYPE 270
THE MIGHTY RIVER OF EZEKIEL 294
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 5
TOPICAL INDEX
Introduction 9
IN WHAT MANNER WERE THE SCRIPTURES GIVEN? 12
Sin Against The Holy Ghost What Is It? 13
INTRODUCING CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR
Three Days And Three Nights In the Heart Of The Earth 17
The Passover Preparation 20
Time Table From Passover To The Resurrection 23
THE PROPHECY OF DANIEL AND THE REVELATION OF JOHN
CONTAINS THE WORLD'S HISTORY 27
Symbol Of Wings And Ribs 33
"Arise Devour Much Flesh" 42
Plucked The Lions Wings 42
Man's Heart Given To It 45
THE BEAR AND THE LEOPARD 50
The Ram And The He Goat 53
Kingdom Of Brass Rules The World 53
THE NON-DESCRIPT BEAST. DAN. 7 56
Attempts To Establish Ecclesiastical Governments 56
THE RED DRAGON. Rev.3 65
War In Heaven 66
Time Cast Out 66
The Dragon's Horns And Heads 68
The Dragon's Crown 69
The Accuser Of The Brethre 69
THE CHURCH OF GOD IN SYMBOL OF A WOMAN.
Rev. 12 71
THE CROWN OF TWELVE STARS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
PERIOD 76
THE LEOPARD-LIKE BEAST. Rev.13:1-10 85
The Crowns And The Horns 87
Horns And Heads All Present 88
The Symbol Of The Heads 88
One Head Wounded Unto Death 96
His Deadly Wound Was Healed..................................................... 97
All The World Wondered After The Beast 98
The Name Of Blasphemy 98
Separating The Tares From The Wheat 101
Confidence In Man Is Satan's Sure Trap 103
A Brief Summary Of The Leopard-Like Beast 106
THE TWO-HORNED BEAST. Rev.13:11-18 108
THE SCARLET COLORED BEAST. Rev.17 111
THE WOMAN RIDING ON THE "BEASTS,"
"HEADS" AND "WATERS." Rev.17 121
Who Is The Woman Riding On The Beast? 121
How Long Has The Woman Been In Existence? 123
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 6
TOPICAL INDEX
THE EXCEEDING GREAT HORN OF DAN. 8:9 126
Rome's Power Not Her Own; Understanding Dark Sentences 127
The Horn Reveals That Which The Beast Fails To Do 129
Cast Down The Host And The Stars 129
The Daily And The Sanctuary Cast Down 130
How Was The Church Paganized? 134
How Idol Worship Crept Into The Church 136
SUMMARY--The Horn "Bears Rule Over All The Earth" 139
The Sabbath "Trodden" Only Once 141
Double Worship In All Ages 142
THE BEAST (666), FALSE PROPHET, MOTHER OF HARLOTS,
MAN OF SIN, WHO ARE THEY? 148
The Destruction Of The Beast And The Prophet 152
The Destruction Of The "Man Of Sin" 153
The Mother Of Harlots Not The Beast 153
The Time Of the Woman's Destruction 154
Who Is The False Prophet? 157
The Woman Sitting On The Heads 157
The Woman Sitting On The Beast 158
The Cup, Jewels, And The Loud Colors 159
SUMMARY 160
THE ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-FOUR THOUSAND.
Rev. 7 & 14 163
The 144,000 Sealed While In The Church 163
Servants Of God In The Time Of The Harvest 166
Are The 144,000 Of Both Sexes? 167
AT PROBATION'S END, GRAVES CEASE--
Rev. 14 & 15 170
THE TWENTY-FOURTH CHAPTER OF MATTHEW, AND
THE SIGNS OF CHRIST'S COMING 174
Committed To S.D.A. Denomination 178
The Ten Virgins--Matthew 25 180
Summary Of The Ten Virgins 185
THE SEVEN SEALS AND THE SANCTUARY 187
The Plan Of Salvation Preceded The Fall 188
Is The Sanctuary The Eternal Place Of God's Throne? 188
Where Is The Throne Seen By John? 189
The Judgment And The Seals--Revelation Chapter 4 194
Sea Of Glass 198
The Opening Of The Book 200
The Seals By Periods--Revelation Six 201
The Meaning Of The Horses And Riders 202
First Seal--White Horse 205
The First Rider 205
Second Seal--Red Horse 206
The Rider On The Red Horse 207
The Third Seal--Black Horse 208
The Balances In The Rider's Hand 209
Hurt Not The Oil And The Wine 210
The Fourth Seal 211
The Fifth Seal 212
The Sixth Seal 213
The Seventh Seal, Revelation 8:1-5 214
Reformation In View 219
Summary Of Commencement And Termination Of Seals 221
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 7
WHEAT AND BARLEY EACH FOR A PENNY 222
The Ancient Time Clock 225
The Morning Call 226
Second Call In The Third Hour 227
The Sixth Hour Call 227
The Ninth And Eleventh Hour Calls 229
Why Stand Ye Idle? 231
The Last First And The First Last 233
Give Them Their Hire 235
Why Early In The Morning? 236
Seven Universal Movements 236
Reason Why Three Hours To A Movement 237
WHY MILLER'S MISTAKE; WHAT IS THE FLOOD
TO US? 240
The Flood A Type Of The Destruction Of The Wicked 246
Flood Coincides With The Passover And Crucifixion 254
The Significance Of The First And The Second Month 256
Cain And Abel 257
THE FIRST AND SECOND TEMPLE--TYPE AND
ANTI-TYPE 259
The Second Temple 259
The Literal And Spiritual Distinction Between The Two Temples 261
First Temple Literally Greater, But The Second Spiritually 262
The Time For Building The Anti-Typical Temple (Church) 266
Three Decrees Issued Before Temple Was Built 273
False Accusations And Excuses 273
Objections Against The Channel God May Use 275
The Second Decree To Build "The Temple" 276
The Third Decree To Build "The Temple" 278
The Time For The Establishment Of The True Church 279
The Power Of God's People To Build His House 280
The Result Of Obedience To God's Word 281
ZECHARIAH 4 283
The Two Golden Pipes 285
The Seven Lamps 285
The Seven Golden Tubes 285
What Is Inspired and What Is Not? 287
THE RIVER OF EZEKIEL'S VISION 290
Ezekiel 47 291
JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH; WHAT IS IT? 299
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 8
Introduction
This book is not published to explain, or comment on truths which have been previously revealed,
and accepted as such, but is to disclose realities which God has Preserved through many generations,
not only from becoming extinct, but also preventing their meaning from being discovered by men of
wisdom. Thus, He who controls the Scriptures is able to reveal present truth to His people at a time
when needed. Therefore, though such truths are originally prophetic, they become new, and stand
as a direct letter from God to men at the time revealed. "Thus saith God the Lord,... Behold, the
former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of
them." (Isa. 42:5, 9.) Hence, it will prove the contents of this publication new, interesting,
instructive, inspiring, and converting. The message it bears being taught by symbols and types
illustrated on charts, becomes simple, and all who are searching for truth with intention to fit
themselves for the heavenly garner, can easily comprehend it.
The book of "Revelation" is said to be a closed book full of symbolical mysteries, incomprehensive
to human beings. This is true of all prophetic truths. The one who admits this fact of the book of
"Revelation," automatically confesses that he does not understand the Bible; for all the books of Holy
Writ meet and end in the "Revelation." Therefore, to understand that book is to understand the Bible.
"The One who reveals the mysteries to John will give to the diligent searcher for truth a foretaste of
Heavenly things. Those whose hearts are open to the reception of truth will be enabled to understand
its teachings, and will be granted the blessing promised to those who 'hear the words of this prophecy,
and keep those things which are written therein'." -- "The Acts of the Apostles," pp. 584, 585. Thus,
when the Revelation is understood, it will unlock the great Store House and bring to light all the
prophetic mysteries that are stored in it.
The message in this volume was prophetically timed by the parable of the "Householder" who sent
laborers into His "vineyard." (Matt. 20:1-16.) Proving to be the "11th hour" "call," -- the last, and
at the right time. The fact that this wonderful revelation of the Scriptures cannot be contradicted,
proves the message correct, and its inspiration true. This prophetic call is based on the prophecies
of Daniel, and its explanation made clear
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 9
by the book of Revelation. Thus, it is symbolically explained. These prophetic symbols of beasts,
wings, horns, heads, crowns, etc., prove to be most perfect symbols in revealing the truth represented
by them and when correctly applied it is certain that their meaning cannot be misconstrued.
As the present day confusion and misunderstanding of the Scriptures among Christendom is proven
by the multiplicity of sects, it is evident that the churches are in the Laodicean state: "Wretched, and
miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." And by denying the charge of this plain statement proves
the words of the "True Witness" correct, "and knowest not." While they think they are right, the
"True Witness" declares: "Thou art all wrong." What greater deception than this? (Read Rev.
3:14-18.) Since the Bible plainly says that it is the "truth" that shall make us "free," we can not too
closely examine ourselves and the things we believe, for if no two of this multi-sectarian Christianity
believe alike, it is evident that most, if not all, are blind. And as the Bible is correct in the words: "If
the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch," then it would be useless to dispute the truth --
the world is headed for the "ditch." Would not this indisputable statement arouse the professed
people of God from their slumber and sleep? Past experiences prove that many will say, "It is not I."
Knowing that this deception would arise in the last days, God has devised this pictorial representation
of the truth, by which He is able to enlighten His church and call out His people.
While the enemy has succeeded in confusing the written Word, God lightens the earth with His
glory by these symbolic revelations; and by which He discloses the entire truth and uncovers the traps
of the devil! Thus through types and symbols He makes wise the simple and confounds the prudent
by showing that where there is no type there is no truth.
This volume contains a complete symbolic revelation of the entire world's history, both civil and
religious. The reason these wonders were portrayed by symbols is the same as that which caused
Christ to teach by parables. "And the disciples came, and said unto Him [Christ], Why speakest thou
unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the
mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given." (Matt. 13:10, 11.) "But the wicked
shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand." (Dan.
12:10.) "The chief purpose of teaching by parables is that the truth may be revealed to God's children
and at the same time concealed from His enemies.... For this same reason the prophecies that
described the great
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 10
antichristian powers and their work down to the end of time had to be clothed in symbolic and
parabolic language to insure their preservation." -- "Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly," p. 33.
Second Quarter, 1932. "Christ was the foundation of the Jewish economy. The whole system of
types and symbols was a compacted prophecy of the gospel, a presentation in which were bound up
the promises of redemption." -- "The Acts of the Apostles," p. 14.
Each of these subjects could be greatly enlarged, but had we done so, this volume would have
become too voluminous, also less comprehensive. Thus we have omitted many details.
(All bold face ours.) THE AUTHOR.
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 11
In What Manner Were The Scriptures Given?
The Way God Speaks To Us
"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the
prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son." (Heb. 1:1.) God called Abraham by
His voice. He also conversed with him through angels, dreams. (Gen. 12:1; 15:12, 13;17:1-6;
18:1-22.) Jacob had the same experience. (See Gen. 28:12; 32:1, 2.) The great I AM spoke to His
servant Moses from the burning bush. (Ex. 3:1-10.) Israel heard the voice of God from the cloud
on mount Sinai. (Ex. 20:18, 19.) The ten commandments were "written with the finger of God." (Ex.
31:18.) Pharaoh king of Egypt and Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon were given dreams, but the
Spirit of God, through Joseph and Daniel revealed the secrets. (Gen. 41:28-36; Dan. 2:19.) David
and Solomon wrote the Psalms and Proverbs, not by visions, dreams or angels, but by the silent voice
of the Spirit of God imprinted in the minds of His servants. God spoke to Esther and Ruth by
experiences through divine providence. John received the "Revelation" by visions. God speaks to
us also by types and anti-types -- through the ceremonial law, by the patriarchs, and by the
experiences of ancient Israel. (See Shepherd's Rod, Vol. 1, pp. 223-235.)
God used the dead and the living, the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, the fish of the sea, the
land and water, sun, moon, and stars, to reveal His divine plan and to sustain His servants, etc. (See
Gen. 16:7, 9; 1 Sam. 6:7-15; Num. 22:30; 1 Kings 17:4-6; Jonah 2:10; Matt. 17:27; Num. 16:32;
Matt. 24:29.) God has a thousand ways whereby He can render help in a moment. Truly, what more
could divine love do for fallen human beings?
How Are The Scriptures Revealed, And Properly Interpreted?
Analysis of ancient and modern history, both sacred and secular, prove that sealed, or prophetic
truth has never been revealed through the educational system of the world, or by the wisdom of man,
but only by the power of God. If anything is true, it is this one thing. Said Jesus: "When He, the
Spirit of Truth, is Come, He will guide you into all truth." (John 16:13.) Christ plainly declares, that
we are led into truth, not by wisdom of man but by the Spirit of God. Not into some truth, but in all
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 12
truth. When God reveals truth, He is able to lead His servants in all truth, and does not allow such
instruments to mix His truth with error. Though they may not understand all, yet the message they
bear is the truth and nothing but the truth. Therefore, such truths are originally revealed by
inspiration only. When the time divinely appointed is fulfilled, then God calls servants of His own
choice, and by the Spirit of Truth reveals a portion of His Word to them. Usually in the form of a
message which they must first bear to the church.
By the same power God moved upon His numerous servants, the prophets, each writing a portion
of the Bible, and when compiled it made a complete book, dealing with one main subject -- salvation
in Christ. Though some of these writers lived hundreds of years apart, yet each portion of Scripture
perfectly harmonizes, -- one throwing light upon another. Thus it proves that God was the overseer
of the Scriptures and skillfully led His servants in all truth.
Sin Against The Holy Ghost, What Is It?
As the Bible is free from error, even so its interpretation under the same Spirit of Inspiration must
also be correct. Therefore, the interpretation of the Bible is true, only when it is revealed through a
channel of inspiration. In no other way can God lead His people in all truth. Anything less than this
cannot disclose Biblical truth, regardless of its simplicity. Said the Angel to Daniel. "But I will shew
thee that which is noted in the Scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these
things, but Michael your prince." (Dan. 10:21.) One of the gifts for the church in the Christian
dispensation, is "prophets." "And he gave some, apostles; and some prophets." (Eph. 4:11.)
Paul, again declares of the Scriptures in his time and afterwards: "Which in other ages was not made
known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto His holy Apostles and Prophets by the Spirit."
(Eph. 3:5.) When the truth of the Scriptures is presented by God's servants, "the letter" can be
understood by all who study it; but the same spirit is required to seal, change the heart, and direct the
steps in newness of life. This transforming power is granted only as the receiver of the truth humbly
repents from sin, renounces the world and accepts Christ. When such a message is presented, those
who oppose the messenger and resist the truth, reject the Spirit, and sin against Him. The Spirit in
a message is the only medium to awaken the conscience. When rebelled against, the sinner cuts
himself off from the channel through which God communicates. "Wherefore
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 13
I say unto you, all manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the Blasphemy against
the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of
man, it shall be forgiven him; but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven
him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come." (Matt. 12:31, 32.)
The antediluvian world sinned against the Holy Ghost, because they believed not in the message
of truth sent to save them from the dreadful flood. Therefore, they perished under sin that shall never
be forgiven them. The same is true when one revolts against the divine message in any generation.
Men are not condemned because they have sinned, but they are condemned when they turn a deaf ear
to the divine call that is to save them from their sin.
As all prophetic truths are timely revealed, it is evident that there can be nothing disclosed by the
wisdom of man, no matter how simple it may be. When God reveals a portion of His holy Word
through one of His chosen instruments, analysis of history prove that they are never erring as far as
the message they deliver is concerned. It is also true that those who erred in their supposed message
of truth, have had no truth. So the great apostle says: "But God hath revealed them unto us by His
Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the
things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man,
but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of
God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak,
not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing
spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for
they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1
Cor. 2:10-14.) Therefore, when a message is proclaimed, it is either all truth or there is no truth in
it, save the quotations of the prophets.
"Yet the fact that God has revealed His will to men through His Word, has not rendered needless
the continued presence and guiding of the HOLY SPIRIT. On the contrary, the Spirit was promised
by our Saviour, to open the Word to His servants, to illuminate and apply its teachings. And since
it was the Spirit of God that inspired the Bible, it is impossible that the teaching of the Spirit should
ever be contrary to that of the Word." -- "The Great Controversy," p. VII.
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 14
Those who are inclined to question the ability of God to lead one into all truth, are not only
unconsciously denying the faithfulness of His Word, but they also minimize His power by their act,
and thus have "Limited the Holy One of Israel." (Psa. 78:41.)
"The Spirit was not given -- nor can it ever be bestowed -- to supersede the Bible; for the
Scriptures explicitly state that the Word of God is the standard by which all teaching and experience
must be tested. Says the apostle John, 'Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are
of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.' (1 John 4:1.) and Isaiah declares,
'To the law and to the testimony, if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no
light in them.' (Isa. 8:20)" -- "The Great Controversy," p. VII.
"The term 'prophet' as used in the Bible... is employed to designate men and women engaged in a
wide range of service in connection with the work of God. Some of these never uttered a prophecy
as that term is generally understood... Some were used only for a special occasion, others for a Iong
series of years. Some wrote out the message God revealed to them, and others gave them orally.
To some, as in the case of Daniel and others, were committed prophecies reaching into the distant
future, portions of which are still unfulfilled.
"Some were God's messengers raised up in periods of great crisis, to warn the church and the world
of threatened judgments, and to call men back to allegiance to God. Such were Samuel, Elijah, John
the Baptist, and others. John disclaimed the prophetic title, claiming rather that he was a voice or a
messenger of God, sent to prepare the way of the Lord in calling Israel to repentance. But as God's
messenger he was declared by Christ to be a prophet, and 'even more than a prophet.' Luke 7:26.
'Surely the Lord will do nothing, but He revealeth His secrets unto His servants the prophets.' Amos
3:7." -- "The Present Truth," Vol. 5, No. 72.
"In the highest sense the prophet was one who spoke by direct inspiration, communicating to the
people the messages he had received from God. But the name was given also to those who, though
not so directly inspired, were divinely called to instruct the people in the works and ways of God."
-- "Education," p. 46.
These heavenly messengers usually were men and women of a humble character; some could neither
read nor write. Though not having the advantages that great men do, these instruments in the hand
of Omnipotence, caused human knowledge and worldly greatness to sink into insignificance. Thus
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 15
God sought by these methods to reveal His transforming power in the human machine both in intellect
and in character. To rebel against God's chosen instruments is to renounce His power in preference
to the human, placing the finite above the infinite, who can transmit more knowledge in a moment,
than the human could in a lifetime.
Though truths are revealed through inspired channels, the instrument of iniquity has often mixed
them with error. Such iniquitous workers oft times resort to the use of portions of divine revelation,
unlawfully using them as an entering wedge to pass on error and thus deceive the simple. Let none
flatter themselves that they can escape the clutches of the devil by the studious effort of another.
Everyone must study for himself to understand his own position, and with candid mind be ready to
listen to all with a teachable spirit of a child. "Verily I say unto you, Whoever shall not receive the
kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein." (Mark 10:15.) Prejudice, has beguiled
and ruined more souls than any trap ever devised by the great deceiver. The one who refuses to listen
to reasons offered by another, is the most ignorant. Such a man is usually prejudiced because the
argument presented contradicts his view of the subject, or it may be that he considers himself more
intellectual or of superior social standing. Others will not hear the truth because it hurts their sinful
conscience and for fear that they must part from some selfish lust. This class is under the power of
the devil, and on the way to everlasting ruin -- sinning against the Holy Ghost. Those who are sincere
in their errors are the very ones who are found in the bottom of the devil's kidnaping bag. This class
is the hardest to convince that they are on the way to hell.
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 16
Introducing Christ Our Savior
Three Days And Three Nights In The Heart Of The Earth
The question as to how long Christ remained in the tomb, and the day on which He was buried and
resurrected, has been as widely discussed as any other Biblical subject. A number of theories have
been advanced and doubtless much valuable time has been wasted, however, confusion upon the
subject has not lessened, but rather increased.
Some one has asked, "What has that to do with our salvation?" It may not have much to do with
the salvation of some, but it seems that with others it has a great deal to do. A certain sister said: "I
believe all the S----- denomination teaches, but I cannot agree with the position Sister W---- holds
on the subject of Christ's burial and resurrection. I know that Christ was three days and three nights
in the tomb, but Sister W---- states He was buried on Friday evening and resurrected on Sunday
morning. Therefore, I cannot believe in all her writings, and for this reason I have not, and will not,
become a member of your church."
The misunderstanding of this question has kept this sister from connecting with the church. Now,
if that particular denomination has the truth for the world at this present time, and this sister's
misunderstanding has kept her from accepting it, then we must concede that this widely discussed
subject has something to do with the salvation of some people, to say the least.
Said Jesus: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened
unto you: For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh
it shall be opened." (Matt. 7:7, 8.)
There could be nothing more pleasing to God than for one of His children to ask in faith the way
of truth. If there is any power in the words of Jesus, then surely he who desires to know the truth
and is willing to obey it, though it may demand that he sell all and give to the poor, renounce the
world and all its inducements, it would be impossible for that soul to remain in darkness. Let the
searcher after truth make just such a vow to God and thus try out His power and never failing
promises
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 17
through the words of His Son. But though it be possible to deceive men, we can never impose upon
God, for He knows what is in the heart.
One of the chief reasons why confusion arises among Bible students is because they do not entirely
depend on the Biblical expression of the words. They think themselves wiser than the prophets who
were inspired with the Spirit of God, and thus wish to correct the words and meaning of the Holy
Bible! Hence finite mortals have attempted to rectify and correct the Infinite One, whose wisdom,
power, and vision is unsearchable! Though they know their interpretation of a text is not altogether
in harmony with the whole tenor of the book and law, they see no injury, and fear not God. And
when the fact is revealed they refuse to exchange error for truth because it contradicts their false
theology. We invite the earnest attention of the reader upon this subject and that he take notice of
the wonderful harmony of the Scriptures and the great wisdom used in them.
The sister was asked: "Where is your evidence that Christ was three days and three nights in the
tomb?" "My answer is," she said, "in Matthew 12:40, 'For as Jonas was three days and three nights
in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth'."
Again she was asked, "On what day do you think Christ died?" She said, "John 19:31 has the
answer: 'The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon
the cross on the Sabbath day, (for that Sabbath was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might
be broken, and that they might be taken away.' " Here she explained that it could not have been the
preparation for the seventh-day Sabbath, for that Sabbath was an "High" day, so it was the
preparation for the passover -- Wednesday. Then she began to count, "Thursday (1) Friday (2),
Saturday (3); Wednesday night (1), Thursday night (2), Friday night (3). Thus there are three days
and three nights."
According to this sister's reasoning she thinks her explanation is unquestionably correct. But not
that Christ died at the ninth hour, just three hours before the end of the day (Matt. 27:46-50) and was
buried at sunset -- 12 o'clock. (Luke 23:52-56.)
If He was buried on Wednesday, He would have been three full days and four full nights in the
tomb, for the Bible plainly declares: "In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn [daybreak]
toward the first day of the week, [Sunday A.M.] came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see
the sepulchre." (Matt. 28:1.) Again we quote from Mark 16:9, "Now when
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 18
Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene."
Let us examine the theory from another angle. Said Jesus: "Ye know that after two days is the feast
of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified." (Matt. 26:2.) "Then [after the two
days] assembled together the chief priests... and consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and
kill him." (Matt. 26:3, 4.) The time Christ said the words: "Ye know after two days is the feast of
the passover," could not have been later than the beginning of Tuesday, if the feast of the passover
was on Thursday. Then all that took place in connection with His judgment, crucifixion, death, and
burial, had to be accomplished from late Tuesday morning to sunset Wednesday, which would have
been impossible according to the Biblical time table as we shall endeavor to set forth.
Note the following Scriptures: "Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples
came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?" This
was the preparation day for the feast of the Passover. "And He said, Go into the city to such a man,
and say to him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my
disciples. And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them, and they made ready the passover.
Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. And as they did eat, he said, Verily I
say unto you, that one of you shall betray me." (Matt. 26:17-22.) The passover feast can only be
observed after sunset at the beginning of the first day of unleavened bread: "In the fourteenth day of
the first month at even is the Lord's passover." (Lev. 23:5.) This is the last day of preparation for the
passover. Therefore, Jesus was not yet in the hands of the priests on the preparation for the passover
feast, and much less crucified. Furthermore, Matthew is altogether clear on the subject and leaves
no room for argument: "And as they did eat, [the passover] he said, Verily I say unto you, that one
of you shall betray me." (Matt. 26:21.) How could Jesus eat the passover with the twelve had he
been crucified and buried? We are ready to accept truth, but when the theory is contradicted by the
Scriptures, then we must not submit to erroneous conclusions, for, he who believes a lie is an
abomination unto God.
Permit us to clear the controversy by facts that can stand the test. Let the reader bear in mind that
the passover is a seven-day affair, or what is called the "passover week." We quote Lev. 23:4-8:
"These are the feasts of the Lord, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their season.
In the
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 19
fourteenth day of the first month at even is the Lord's Passover. And on the fifteenth day of the same
month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the Lord: Seven Days ye must eat unleavened bread. In
the first day ye shall have an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. But ye shall offer
an offering made by fire unto the Lord seven days: in the seventh day is an holy convocation: ye shall
do no servile work therein."
Now mark, the seventh-day Sabbath is controlled by the weekly cycle, and the passover by the
monthly calendar. Therefore, in each passover week there is a seventh-day Sabbath and it may fall
on any one of the seven paschal days. Again, mark that the fourteenth day is called the "Passover"
day, but the fifteenth is the Passover "Feast." (See Num. 28:17; Joshua 5:11.) The seventh-day
Sabbath is called, "The Sabbath." The sheaf offering was the first fruits of the harvest and it was to
be offered before the Lord on the morrow after the Sabbath, that is, on the first day of the week,
commonly called Sunday. (See Lev. 23:11.) The sheaf offering was a type of the resurrection -- the
first fruits. Said the apostle: "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of
them that slept" -- those whom He raised. (1 Cor. 15:20; also Matt. 27:52, 53.)
Thus Christ "led captivity captive" on the very day to which the type pointed.
The Passover Preparation
The passover is a feast of seven days; therefore, the preparation for the week required longer than
a day. Quoting Ex. 12:3, 6, "In the tenth day of this month [the first] they shall take to them every
man a lamb... And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month." The people were
commanded to commence the preparation on the tenth day of month. On the fourteenth day, before
sunset, all leaven was to be put out from their houses. Then the fifteenth day drew on, being the first
day of unleavened bread, and the passover week commenced by killing the passover lamb. "Seven
days shall ye eat unleavened bread even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses."
(Ex. 12:15.) Therefore, the fourteenth day was the last day of preparation, and the fifteenth, or the
first day of the feast, was a holy convocation, and they were to do no servile work therein. Matthew
26:17, has reference to the same day upon which Jesus ate the passover with the twelve. (See Matt.
26:20, 21.)
The only possible days for the passover week would be as
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 20
[Passover Chart]
PICTURE
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 21, 22
follows: The fourteenth day of the first month that year was on Wednesday, and the day ended at
sunset (even). The first day of the passover feast (15th day of the month) came on Thursday; the
second, on Friday; the third, on Saturday (Sabbath); the fourth, on Sunday; the fifth, on Monday, the
sixth, on Tuesday; the seventh and the last of the feast on Wednesday the 21st day of the month.
(Follow chart on page 22).
Time Table From Passover To The Resurrection
The lamb could not be killed before the fourteenth day at even and be called "The Passover Lamb"
according to the instruction given in the following Scriptures: "And the whole assembly of the
congregation of Israel shall kill It (the lamb) in the evening." (Ex. 12:6.) Suppose everything was
ready and the lamb was killed as soon as the sun went down. It would take about fifteen minutes for
it to die; then the pelt must be removed. In addition to this every part of it had to be dressed, washed,
and placed back in the sacrifice and the opening sewed together, for there was not any part of it to
be thrown away, save the waste. Therefore, the preparation for roasting the sacrifice would require
not less than an hour. Thus we read: "Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with
fire; his head with legs, and with the purtenance thereof." (Ex. 12:9.)
The ancient method of roasting required more time than our modern way. A rod was drawn
through the sacrifice, then it was placed over coals of fire, and kept continually turning about by
means of the rod. This method of roasting would require about four hours. To eat the passover
ordain the Lord's supper, and the ordinance of humility, then sing a hymn, would have added another
hour and a half. Afterwards they went to the mount of Olives. (See Mark 14:26.) The mount is
about one half mile east of the third wall of the city. Therefore, it was some distance from the place
where the passover was celebrated. Thus it would have taken them close to half an hour to get there
on foot; after which Jesus took the three to the garden of Gethsemane.
There could not have been less than an hour and a half spent on the mount and in the garden while
Jesus prayed; after which the apostles were told to take their rest in sleep, for Jesus went out to pray
three times, and on returning, twice He found them sleeping, "and He cometh unto the disciples, and
findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me One Hour?" (Matt.
26:40.) We may suppose they
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 23
spent at least an hour in sleeping, otherwise the words of the Master on His third return: "Take your
rest" (Matt. 26:45), would have been spoken in vain. After these experiences Judas arrived with the
multitude and there was a little time spent in taking Jesus; and by the time they led Him to the priests
it must have consumed not less than two hours. According to this computation of time, the total of
hours spent from sunset Wednesday evening (beginning of the passover by killing the lamb) to the
time Jesus was led to the high priest could not have taken less than twelve hours.
The analysis of the foregoing time table, proves that when Jesus was led to Caiaphas, the high
priest, it was about the twelfth hour, or shortly before daylight on Thursday morning; and after His
trial before the high priest, "Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was
early." (John 18:28.) "And it was the Preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he
[Pilate] saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!" (John 19:14.) As John states that it was early when
they led Him from Caiaphas to the hall of judgment, and as he also states that it was about the sixth
hour (either midnight, or midday according to ancient time), then it must have been shortly after
midnight (about the sixth hour) when Pilate said to the Jews, "Behold your King," for John would
not call midday, early. Therefore, after He had been judged by the Sanhedrin they called Pilate, and
then went to the hall of judgment. This was done on the morning of the day following, after they had
taken Jesus from the garden -- early Friday morning.
Says John, "And it was the preparation of the passover." We have previously explained that the
preparation for the passover lamb was not one day, but rather a four day affair.
Furthermore, Matthew plainly says: "They made ready the Passover. Now when even was come, He
[Christ] sat down with the twelve. And... they did eat." (Matt. 26:19-21.) Therefore, the passover
preparation mentioned by John, cannot be the preparation for the passover lamb, but rather the
preparation for the passover Sabbath (the seventh-day), called the passover preparation, because it
was in the passover week, as it occurred only once a year. So then, that Friday is called "the
preparation of the passover." Thus, the seventh-day Sabbath in the passover week was called a "High
Day," because it was a Sabbath within a Sabbath -- the highest day in the year.
According to time tabulation, the Jewish rulers tried Jesus from twelve o'clock Thursday morning,
to about six o'clock Friday morning (ancient time). Nine hours later -- at the third hour (Friday),
Jesus was crucified. (See Mark 15:25.) After
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 24
He had been on the cross for three hours the sun was darkened (at six o'clock -- noon. See Mark
15:33.) Three hours later Jesus died and the sun again gave light. (See Matt. 27:45-50.) In the three
remaining hours to sunset, very hasty preparation was made and the Saviour was placed in Joseph's
new tomb just before the seventh-day Sabbath drew on. We quote Luke 23:53-56: "And he took it
down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man
before was laid. And that day was the preparation, and the Sabbath drew on. And the women also,
which came with Him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how His body was
laid. And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the Sabbath day according
to the commandment." Thus Jesus remained in the tomb from twelve o'clock Friday evening to about
twelve o'clock Sunday morning. This is also proven by Mark 16:9, "Now when Jesus had risen early
the first day of the week." Therefore, a total of about thirty-six hours in the tomb; and a grand total
of eighty-four hours from the commencement of the passover to the resurrection.
Now mark, that from the time the Jews laid hands on Christ (Thursday the 12th hour) to His
resurrection (Sunday the 12th hour), there were exactly seventy-two hours or three days and three
night. Thus fulfilling the words of Jesus: "For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's
belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." (Matt. 12:40.)
The idea that in the "heart of the earth" means in the grave, is man's supposition without Bible
foundation. If the Saviour had in mind His experience in the grave, He would have said so. If His
grave was in the center of the earth -- about 4,000 miles beneath its surface (the heart of the earth)
then one may suppose He meant the heart of the earth. Jesus used the expression to indicate that He
was to be three days and three nights in the hands of sinners, and in the grave. Why are sinners called
"The heart of the earth"? Because man was made of it according to Gen. 3:19, "For dust thou art,
and unto dust shalt thou return."
At this point we draw the reader's attention to the chart on page 22. Take notice of the infinite
wisdom used to devise the picture of the great sacrifice (the Cross) for human beings, which is an
evidence of boundless love Divine. Note first, that the hand on the clock dial made its round three
times. Mark that each event was three hours apart (3 x 9 and 6 x 12), making the cross.
Now observe that the position of the cross as it is on the dial, does not show the proper proportion.
But if the reader will
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 25
turn the diagram upside down as it were, which would show the way the ancient clock measured time
-- being regulated by sunset at twelve o'clock, then the cross appears in its perfect form; thus we have
another view of divine perfection.
The line across the dial between the hours of four and five, ten and eleven -- marked north and
south pole, gives the exact position of the globe as it travels on its yearly orbit. Now look to the
upper right at the sun as it was then in its proper relation to the earth, as it darkened from the sixth
to the ninth hour and we see the sun stood in accurate position over the hours that remained in
darkness! Is not this picture perfect -- beyond question? If so, could an intelligent being imagine that
this all happened by accident? Does not this show unmistakable evidence that God had pre-ordained
it all, and that by His mighty power it has come to pass to teach His children His plan, and the
salvation that is offered to them? Said Paul, "The works were finished from the foundation of the
world." (Heb. 4:3.) John also declares that the lamb was slain from the foundation of the world. (See
Rev. 13:8.) Sinner, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world!"
Though the passover lamb typified the crucifixion of Christ, it was not intended that He should be
offered on the very day the lamb was killed. This fact is self-evident, for the lamb was killed in the
evening and Christ was crucified in the morning -- three hours after sunrise, -- and died three hours
before the evening.
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 26
The Prophecy Of Daniel And The Revelation Of John Contain The World's History
"Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things
which are written therein: for the time is at hand." (Rev. 1:3.)
"Let none think, because they cannot expound the meaning of every symbol in the Revelation, that
it is useless for them to search this book in an effort to know the meaning of the truth it contains. The
one who revealed these mysteries to John will give to the diligent searcher for truth a foretaste of
heavenly things. Those whose hearts are open to the reception of truth will be enabled to understand
its teachings, and will be granted the blessing promised to those who 'hear the words of this prophecy,
and keep those things which are written therein'. " -- "The Acts of the Apostles," p. 584.
"In the Revelation all the books of the Bible meet and end. Here is the complement of the book of
Daniel. One is a prophecy; the other a revelation. The book that was sealed is not the Revelation,
but that portion of the prophecy of Daniel relating to the last days. The angel commanded, 'But thou,
O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end'." -- Id. p. 585.
"The number seven indicates completeness.... while the symbols used reveal the condition of the
church at different periods in the history of the world." -- Id. p. 585.
"Finite men should beware of seeking to control their fellow men, taking the place assigned to the
Holy Spirit. Let not men feel that it is their prerogative to give to the world what they suppose to
be truth, and refuse that anything should be given contrary to their ideas. This is not their work.
Many things will appear distinctly as truth, which will not be acceptable to those who think their own
interpretation of the Scriptures always right. Most decided changes will have to be made in regard
to ideas which some have accepted as without a flaw." -- "Testimonies to Ministers," p. 76.
A large portion of Christendom agree that we are living in the last days of this world's history.
When Jesus was asked by his disciples for the signs of His return to earth again, and of the end of the
world, one of the many signs He gave was; "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of
desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 27
readeth, let him understand:)." (Matthew 24:15.) It is evident from the words of the Master that the
book of Daniel contains information regarding the signs of the times and of the end of the world. The
prophecies of Daniel were of little worth to the disciples and the early Christian church, for Daniel
says the book was sealed to the time of the end. (Dan. 12:4.) And since the book is now open it is
evident that we are living in the time of the end. (Rev. 22:6-10.) But the book was to be open to one
class of people and shut to another, for He added, "Many shall be purified and made white, and tried;
but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall
understand." (Dan. 12:10.) Therefore, it is important that we should be free from all wickedness and
obedient to the divine requirements, if we would understand and receive the blessings contained in
the book.
The intention of this publication is not to explain the symbols which have heretofore been fully
explained in various publications and proved to be correct in general outline up to the present, but
our intention is to clear certain features which have been hidden by the Spirit of God for a time. The
outstanding symbols which are so familiar to Bible students, will be briefly visualized, sufficient only
to connect the thought with the symbols that are to be explained. We shall endeavor to prove that
the symbols of the book of Daniel and Revelation contain the entire world's history, both civil and
religious, from creation to redemption.
In the second chapter of Daniel, beginning with the first universal kingdom (Babylon) after the
flood, we have the world's history from thence to the second coming of Christ, or to the end of the
present world, represented in one great metalic image. "Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great
image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof
was terrible. This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, and his thighs of
brass, his legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. Thou sawest till a stone was cut out
without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to
pieces.... And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never
be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and
consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. Forasmuch as thou sawest that stone was cut
out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver,
and the gold: the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 28
PICTURE
THE SYMBOL OF THE WORLD
DANIEL 2
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 29
hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure." (Dan. 2:31-34, 44, 45.)
The gold, silver, brass, and iron have been interpreted to represent Babylon, Medo-Persia, Grecia
and Rome. The mixture of iron and clay -- the feet and the toes -- the present kingdoms succeeding
the fall of Rome. Wonderful prophecy it is, so simple and so true. But this great image only reveals
the framework, as it were, of our world's history.
In the seventh chapter of Daniel we have the same chronological arrangement in symbols of various
beasts. The reason for the duplication is to reveal in detail the historical events which were to
transpire within the framework of the great image. "Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by
night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea. And four beasts came up
from the sea, diverse one from another. The first was like a lion, and it had eagle's wings: I beheld
till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made to stand upon the
feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it. And behold another beast, a second like to a bear,
and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and
they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh. After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard,
which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was
given to it. After this I saw in the night visions, and beheld a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and
strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: and it devoured and break in pieces, and stamped the
residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten
horns. I considered the horns, and, behold there came up among them another little horn, before
whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and behold, in this horn were eyes
like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things." (Dan. 7:2-8.)
The lion, the bear, the leopard, and the non-descript beast depict the same kingdoms as the gold,
the silver, brass and iron. The unnatural and peculiar symbols connected with the beasts, namely, the
wings, ribs, horns, and heads, are capable of disclosing the mysteries of historical occurrences which
were to transpire within the great prophetic periods. The most wonderful thing about these prophetic
symbols is that they are perfectly capable of revealing the truth, and once understood aright, they
cannot be contradicted. Any interpretation of symbolical prophecies that do not perfectly fit the
explanation given is never to be depended upon. The interpretation of such symbols must not
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 30
PICTURE
THE WORLDS HISTORY IN SYMBOLS OF
BEASTS
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 31, 32
only be in harmony with the whole tenor of God's book and law, but it must point out some important
lesson for God's people; and when such an explanation, as referred to, is derived from the scriptures,
then only we have the truth.
While the head of gold on the great image represented the kingdom of Babylon at the height of her
glory, the lion covers a greater period according to Genesis 10:8-10: "And Cush begat Nimrod: he
began to be a mighty one in the earth. He was a mighty hunter before the Lord: Wherefore it is said,
Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the Lord. And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel,
and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar." The beginning of Nimrod's kingdom was
"Babel," or as it is in the Greek, "Babylon." His dominion extended over the four cities of the plain;
namely, Babylon, Erech, Accad, and Calneh. If the reader will turn to Genesis 10:1-8 and carefully
count the persons born from the family of Noah after going out from the ark of the deluge to the birth
of Nimrod, it will be noticed that Nimrod is the 26th person born after the flood. The location of the
city was in the land of Shinar, as in Genesis 11:2: "And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the
east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there."
The name Babel (Babylon in Greek) originated at the time the tower of Babel was in building, after
which God confounded the multitude by diversity of speech. According to Daniel, the capitol of
Babylon stood on the same plain: "And the Lord gave Jehoiakim, king of Judah into his hand [The
king of Babylon],... which he carried into the land of Shinar." (Dan. 1:2.) Therefore Babylon was
founded immediately after the flood, perhaps somewhere between 2400 and 2300 B.C., and had
reached her height as a universal empire between 400 or 500 B.C. Babylon, in her development, had
consumed a period of about 1800 years or more. Certainly no one would think that Babylon made
very rapid speed in conquering the ancient world.
Symbol Of Wings And Ribs
We may now inquire the meaning of the wings on the lion and on the leopard; also the ribs in the
mouth of the bear. The wings on the lion certainly cannot represent speed, as some have taught. If
wings were to represent rapidity they should have been on the bear, for Cyrus and Darius conquered
old Babylon over night. Furthermore, if wings represent speed on one beast, they must likewise
represent the same on the other. Could they represent speed on the four-headed leopard beast?
Certainly not. A careful observation of the symbols
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 33
show that the leopard beast had nothing to do with Alexander's conquest of Medo-Persia. The
leopard represents the kingdom after the conquest was accomplished. The four heads are the four
Grecian divisions after the death of Alexander; namely, "Cassander, Lysimachus, Ptolemy, and
Seleucus."
The conflict and conquest between Medo-Persia and Grecia is brought to our attention in Daniel
8:5-7: "And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole
earth and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. And he came
to the ram which had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran into him in the
fury of his power. And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against
him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before
him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could
deliver the ram out of his hand."
In Dan. 8:20, 21, Daniel was told by the angel that the he goat "is Grecia," the ram, "Medo-Persia,"
and the notable horn between his eyes, is "the first king." Therefore, Alexander's swift conquest is
represented by the "he goat" which touched not the ground. If wings were to represent speed they
should have been on the "he goat" and not on the leopard. Since the truth of what has been said
cannot be denied, and as the thought that has been entertained by some is contradictory to the
symbols, we must look elsewhere for the application of the "wings." We think it is far safer and wiser
as well as more reasonable for one to admit his mistake -- as we mortals are apt to make many of
them -- rather than to become involved in contradictory interpretations of the Word of God.
First, we must understand that Inspiration is recording by means of these symbols the entire world's
history. Let us not forget that there was a world before the flood. If one of us should undertake this
wonderful architectural feat to devise a blue-print, or chart, of this world's history, we certainly would
take into consideration a complete account of all its parts. God being infinite in wisdom, as well as
in power, would certainly not overlook or thoughtlessly neglect in His great chart of historical events
to consider His world before the flood.
A record of a divine survey of this world's history from creation to redemption would be of great
importance at this present time. In an age of infidelity, atheism, and hypocrisy, men who profess to
be wise in secular, as well as religious matters, have lost sight of the source of true wisdom and
knowledge. "Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 34
[Picture of Beast of Dan. 7:2,4]
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 35, 36
[Picture of Beast of Dan. 7:5]
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 37, 38
[Picture of Beast of Dan. 7:6]
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 39, 40
were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing
themselves to be wise, they became fools." (Rom. 1:21, 22.) Even those who profess to be teachers
of righteousness, have forfeited their faith in the Biblical reckoning of creation. God having
knowledge of the present deceptive denial of His holy Word, has devised a prophetic blue-print in
symbols of beasts, wings, ribs, horns, heads, crowns, etc., by which He points out in this prophetic
panorama, the facts, with a force that should humiliate men and show them their utter ignorance and
lack of wisdom.
According to Biblical reckoning the flood came more than 1600 years after creation. God
originated the human race through Adam and Eve. Therefore, one people, one race, one language
and nation from creation to the flood. The rulership given to Adam we call the first universal Adamic
empire. Babylon was the second; Medo-Persia is the third; Grecia the fourth; Rome the fifth; the
broken state of Rome (symbolized by the feet and toes of the great image of Daniel 2, which is the
present unstable civilization) is the sixth; and from the close of the millennium after the resurrection
of the wicked to their second death, is the seventh and last. Thus the Biblical number seven, as
always, signifies, completeness. Therefore, seven such universal empires, revealing a complete
history of the world, denote the end of sin and its dominion.
If we mortals were to devise such a chart by symbols of beasts, it is certain we would have
sufficient intelligence to number every beast in his regular order. We may not suppose that God is
less thoughtful in His marvelous perfection. Therefore, He has numbered every beast. We must first
consider those which represented the Old Testament time, by the great metallic image; namely, the
Gold -- Babylon; the silver -- Medo-Persia; the brass -- Grecia. Gold is the chief of metals which
would stand as number one; silver is second to gold, therefore number two; brass is third to gold,
meaning number three. The lion, the bear, and the leopard are numbered in like manner. The lion
is king or chief of beasts, therefore number one, corresponding with the gold. The bear is second to
a lion, therefore number two, corresponding with silver. The leopard is third to a lion, hence number
three, corresponding with the brass. These are the first set of numbers, but there is yet another set
of which we must speak.
These would bring us back to our subject of what is the meaning of the wings on the lion as well
as on the leopard, and the ribs in the mouth of the bear. God certainly would not have mapped out
the world's history, from the flood to the end, and
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 41
failed to take into account all its parts. There must be something in this chart of historical events to
indicate that He had a universal empire before the flood, as previously explained. That empire being
the first, naturally stands as number one; Babylon number two; Medo-Persia, number three; and
Grecia, number four. If this claim is correct, we must find this set of numbers on the lion, bear and
leopard.
The wings on the lion denote empire number two. The lion by nature is first -- first from the flood
but (unnaturally) by two wings, second from creation. The ribs in the mouth of the bear signify
empire number three. The bear by nature is second from the flood, but (unnaturally), by three ribs
he is third from creation; ribs are used, for wings go in pairs. The four wings on the leopard denote
that Grecia is the fourth universal empire. The leopard by nature is third from the flood, but
(unnaturally), by the wings, fourth from creation. History flies, therefore wings make a perfect
symbol.
"Arise, Devour Much Flesh"
"Arise, devour much flesh," said the ribs to the bear. (Dan. 7:5.) The Medo-Persia opened the
way for imperial wars, therefore: "Arise, devour much flesh." Thus empire after empire plunged into
bloody wars. The ribs in the mouth of the bear cannot mean nations, as some have taught, for nations
are symbolized by horns, and not by ribs. Neither can they denote certain provinces that Medo-Persia
could not have conquered, for he has them in his mouth, and it would be inconsistent to suppose that
the Persians would have oppressed certain states more than others. Had that been the case, the bear
would have stamped upon them as did the non-descript beast. (Dan. 7:7.) The symbol is contrary
to such suppositions, and there is neither proof nor lesson that could be derived by any such theory.
Plucked The Lion's Wings
Coming back to the lion, symbol of Babylon, Daniel says: "The first was like a lion, and had eagle's
wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made to
stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it." (Dan. 7:4.) "His wings were
plucked." The symbol denotes the same as the plucking of the three horns from the non-descript
beast. (Dan. 7:8.) If the plucking up of the horns denotes their kingdom was taken from them, then
plucking the wings signifies that Babylon, as empire number two was to pass away, fulfilling Daniel's
interpretation of the
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 42
[Picture of Beast of Dan. 7:4]
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 43, 44
handwriting on the wall: "This is the interpretation of the thing: Mene; God hath numbered thy
kingdom, and finished it." (Dan. 5:26.) Therefore, Babylon fell into the hands of the Medo-Persian
kings. Thus his wings "were plucked," and the Medo-Persian empire, number three, succeeded the
lion, number two.
Man's Heart Given To It
After the wings of the lion were plucked, says Daniel: "He was made to stand upon his feet as a
man, and a man's heart was given to it." Whatever is meant by the position of the beast and the
exchange of heart, its application is after Babylon had fallen under Medo-Persian rule, for he stood
as a man after the wings "were plucked." If we are to acquire the understanding of the symbol, we
must first consider the function of the heart, for the symbol itself must be perfect, otherwise the truth
cannot be determined.
The function of a heart is to preserve the life energy in the body. Let the heart stop and all is lost.
This most vital organ is a governor of the body. As an empire is composed of numerous individuals,
and their necessities, just so is the living body composed of a multitude of life cells, and all their
essentials. As the duty of a king is to preserve the life energy in his kingdom, also punish or uproot
the evil and to supervise the good, just so does the heart. By contraction and expansion it controls
and imparts the flowing, living energy in the form of pure blood. The evidence gathered thus far
Proves that the heart is a fitting symbol of a king. But we must specify the difference between the
human and the beastly heart. Daniel 4:16, speaking of the penalty that was to fall upon the king
before he was driven from his throne to the field with the beasts, says: "Let his heart be changed from
a man's and let a beast's heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him." After the king's
heart was changed, he lost his reason, and by nature became equal to an ox. "The same hour was the
thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as an oxen and
his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails
like birds' claws." (Dan. 4:33.)
The human intellect does not consist in the external image of mankind, but it rather exists in the
human heart. This thought is very emphatically entertained by the scriptures: "For out of the
abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." Therefore, the symbol (man's heart) may denote
intelligence. However, the symbol cannot infer human vision, but rather a proper
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 45
understanding of God, for the Bible says: "The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God." (Psa.
53:1.) Obtaining a clear vision of the infinite power of the Eternal One is what God calls true
education. The sum of the symbol is, Babylon was forced to acknowledge the existence of the Most
High by removing one king (beast's heart) and setting up another (man's heart).
Having made clear what the symbol seems to indicate, we must take a brief survey of the ancient
monarchy to see if this interpretation can be fully supported by the symbolical heart. As the
everlasting example set forth by the flood for future generations had failed to teach the Chaldean
rulers God's power and existence, the Creator of mankind in His mercy, patience and long suffering,
not willing that any should perish, made a supreme effort to save that nation. "The Lord is not slack
concerning His Promise, as some men count slackness; but is long suffering to us-ward, not willing
that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9.)
When the dream of the great image was given to Nebuchadnezzar his memory of the object was
blotted out, but the impression left in his mind was greatly increased. After the urgent demand from
the wise men had failed to reveal the king's dream, Daniel, by divine revelation, unmasked the
mysterious phenomena by interpreting the dream. This wonderful miracle should have converted the
king and all the wise men of Babylon to the Hebrew worship, for by the power of Daniel's God they
had escaped the death penalty; but there was no change for the better. Though the king honored God
with his lips, his heart drew away from Him. The king destroyed not the idols in the land, but in his
blindness proceeded to set up superior ones; for shortly after the interpretation of the dream he
demanded of all his subjects the worship of the "golden image" which he had set up in the plain of
Dura. (Read the third chapter of Daniel.)
The refusal of the three Hebrews to bow down to the idol, and the miracle by which they were
saved from the fiery furnace, had deeply affected the minds of the rulers, but it too, failed to change
the king's heart. Again he honored the God of gods with his lips but not by his deeds. The king's
ungodly deeds made it necessary for a supernatural penalty. Hence a tremendous effort to bring him
to a realization of his dependence upon the Creator was necessary. The dream given him (in Daniel
four), of the great tree -- a symbol of himself -- and its interpretation by Daniel, had convinced the
hard-hearted monarch of its truth, and the judgment that was to fall upon him, except he repent.
Daniel said: "Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by
righteousness,
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 46
and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it be a lengthening of thy tranquility.... At the
end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.... The same hour was the
thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar; and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his
body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like
birds' claws." (Dan. 4:27, 29, 33.)
At the end of the painful experience, the king said: "Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and
honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and His ways judgment: and those that walk
in pride He is able to abase." (Dan. 4:37.) Though he acknowledged the power of the Eternal One,
worshiped Him, and uttered words of praise with a most sublime expression, the king failed to
surrender his heathen heart and renounce the pagan system of worship. He failed to embrace the
great importance of imparting the knowledge of Jehovah to his posterity for the tranquility and
endurance of his kingdom.
These wonderful experiences were for an object lesson to future kings. Shortly after the fulfillment
of the dream, the kings' grandson had ascended the throne. In his heathen custom he ventured to defy
the God of gods, and the King of kings, who is able to make oxen out of kings and kings out of oxen,
and rulers out of slaves. "For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor the
south. But God is the judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another." (Psa. 75:6, 7.)
The sacred vessels had never before been defiled by any king as in Belshazzar's drunken feast. God
will forbear until man steps over the boundary line. This Belshazzar did by bringing the sacred vessels
before his lords, concubines, and heathen gods. At the appearance of the hand writing on the wall
his guilty conscience troubled him; his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against the other.
Belshazzar, like his father, ignored Daniel and summoned the wise men of Babylon to interpret the
writing; though he should have known their inability to reveal the secret. At last Daniel was called
and at his appearance he said: "This is the interpretation of the thing: Mene; God hath numbered thy
kingdom, and finished it. Tekel; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. Peres; Thy
kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians." (Dan. 5:26-28.) The priceless experiences
of his father that were at his access could have been everlasting blessings, but by ignoring the power
of God the king reversed the benefits from a blessing to a curse, and brought a final end to his
kingdom. Every resource to make the lion (Babylon) stand up like a man under the rule of the
Chaldean kings had been exhausted, and every effort failed.
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 47
Therefore, the time had come for the Lord to apply the last remedy to the lion kingdom.
Cyrus, of whom God had spoken by His prophet many years in advance, was granted to enter the
capital city of the Chaldean king. (See Isa. 45:1.) Babylon as empire number two passed away, and
the symbol of the "plucked" wings met its fulfillment. "In that night was Belshazzar the king of the
Chaldean's slain." The lion's heart is a symbol of the heathen king -- Belshazzar who was slain -- and
thus the beastly heart was removed. Man proposes, but oftentimes another power over which he has
no control, disposes.
Daniel was made first president over the 120 princes because an "excellent spirit was found in him."
Both Cyrus and Darius were converted to the worship of the true God. Therefore, the everlasting
Arm which intervenes in the affairs of mankind, set up a king of His own choice.
In this manner the symbols met their fulfillment and the lion "was lifted up from the earth, and made
to stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it."
The heart is a fitting emblem of a ruler of a nation. The contrast between a godly and an ungodly
king is as vastly different as between the human and the beastly heart. The heart is the life-giving
energy to the human body, just as a king is the head of a nation.
After freedom had been granted to the Jews, Cyrus, in his proclamation said: "Thus saith Cyrus king
of Persia, The Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and He hath charged
me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all His people?
His God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the
Lord God of Israel, (He is the God,) which is in Jerusalem." (Ezra 1:2, 3.) This godly influence of
the kings of Medo-Persia did not wear out until years later. The decree made by Cyrus was written
in a roll and placed at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of the Medes. Years later the
roll being found by Darius, the edict was immediately carried out. Cyrus had decreed that all should
make a free will offering, and the king himself contributed without limit. He said: "Moreover I make
a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the
king's goods, even of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expenses to be given to these men, that
they be not hindered." (Ezra 6:8.) He further decreed that all the needs to maintain the sacrificial
services "be given them day by day without fail." Then he added "That they may offer sacrifices
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 48
of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons." (Ezra
6:10.) Nebuchadnezzar professed conversion after his wonderful experience with the God of heaven,
and declared: "And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and He doeth according to
His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay His hand,
or say unto Him, What doest thou? At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory
of my kingdom, mine honor and brightness returned unto me, and my counsellors and my lords
sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.
Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth,
and His way judgment: and those that walk in pride He is able to abase." (Dan. 4:35-37.)
Though the sublime words spoken by the Chaldean king seems to reveal a change of heart, his
works showed failure in what his lips proclaimed. What a contrast between the Babylonian monarch,
and the Medo-Persian kings! Nebuchadnezzar declined to set God's people free, he refused to restore
the sacred vessel to the King of heaven; he made no decree for the rebuilding of the house of God;
he gave no gift of any kind to the King of kings; he imparted not the knowledge of Jehovah to his
people; he left his children and his household to worship the heathen gods of wood and stone; he
made no effort to give God the glory, save with his lips.
Though we have these living examples before us, yet how often we admit by our lips that which is
right and true, and make no move to reach for the stretched out Arm of divine love. Multitudes are
aping the standard set by the ancient monarch. "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth,
and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me." (Matt. 15:8.)
Though Nebuchadnezzar failed in these sacred things, God, in His great mercy saved the King.
God bore long with the Babylonian king, but "the once proud monarch had become a humble child
of God; the tyrannical, overbearing ruler, a wise and compassionate king. He who had defied and
blasphemed the God of heaven, now acknowledged the power of the Most High, and earnestly sought
to promote the fear of Jehovah and the happiness of his subjects. Under the rebuke of Him who is
King of kings and Lord of lords, Nebuchadnezzar had learned at last the lesson which all rulers need
to learn." -- "Prophets and Kings," p. 521.
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 49
The Bear And The Leopard
The example made of the Babylonian monarchs should have an object lesson to all successive kings.
The godly influence of Cyrus might also have been retained, but the kings of Medo-Persia, like the
Chaldeans, were looking forward to worldly glory without fear of Him who can set up Kingdoms,
and depose kings.
The priceless lesson taught by the punishment of the Chaldean kings, should have been a blessing
to them, but in their vain imagination they departed from the source of true wisdom and from power
that is never failing. Thus that which was intended as a blessing became a condemnation. Therefore,
the kings of Medo-Persia grew worse than the kings of Grecia whose idols were their gods, and
perverse appetite their only rule of life. Thus again the time had come for the ribs in the mouth of the
bear to speak, "Arise and devour much flesh." Therefore, the arm of Omnipotence was withdrawn
from the Persian king, and Alexander, with the swiftness of an eagle marched upon his prey. So,
Medo-Persia opened the gateway for the bloodiest wars in our world's history. In this manner the
words, "Arise, devour much flesh," met their fulfillment.
Says Daniel: "And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the
whole earth, and touched not the ground; and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. And he
came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran into him in
the fury of his power. And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against
him, and he smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand
before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that
could deliver the ram out of his hand.... The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings
of Media and Persia. And the rough goat is the king of Grecia; and the great horn that is between
his eyes is the first king." (Dan. 8:5-7, 20, 21.) Therefore, Alexander, whose love for conquest knew
no bounds, was the first to successfully lead the west against the east.
But no sooner had Alexander conquered the empire, than he engaged in a drunken debauch and
passed away while yet in his youth. Thus the horn of the "he goat" was broken off from between his
eyes, "And for it came up four notable ones towards
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 50
[Picture of Ram & Goat]
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 51, 52
the four winds of heaven." Alexander not having a successor to inherit the throne, the kingdom was
divided between his four generals; namely, Cassander, Lysimachus, Ptolemy, and Seleucus. Thus
time and providence brought about the four-headed leopard beast.
The Ram And The He Goat
The entire conflict between the nations is symbolized by the ram and the goat, with various horns
coming up and breaking off. Why a ram and a goat? Why not some other species of animals? Jesus
gives the answer: "And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from
another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand,
but the goats on the left." (Matt. 25:32, 33.)
By these domestic beasts inspiration conveys the thought that the inhabitants of earth are but sheep
and goats -- true and false religion. It also signifies that wars are a strife between good and evil. But
why Medo-Persia by a ram, and Grecia by a goat? Why not the reverse? The kings of the
Medo-Persian empire became believers in the true God as previously explained; thus having principle
is contrary to those of Grecia. For that reason Medo-Persia was represented by a ram and Grecia by
a goat. Wonderful it is to note how perfect and thoughtful was the great wisdom and care of the
Infinite One, as exercised to devise these symbols. Only omnipotence can invent such perfect
prophetic art, foretelling historical events.
Kingdom Of Brass Rules The World
It has been previously explained that the lion, the bear, and the leopard beasts are divinely
numbered. The leopard being the fourth empire from creation, and as the numbers in that fashion
stop with him, naturally the question would arise: Why not continue the numerical order with the
beasts that followed the leopard? There are several reasons for the change with that particular beast.
As Rome was slowly rising from within the Grecian empire she finally absorbed the last Grecian
division and the Ptolemy dynasty became a province of the Roman state about 27 B.C. Thus the Old
Testament closed with Grecia and with Rome the New began. Therefore, between Grecia and Rome
lies the dividing line. It also noted that the beasts representing the Old Testament are hornless, but
the ones in the New are with horns. All of which signifying the close of the typical and the
commencement of the anti-typical period.
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The numerals of the Bible are like rich veins of metal beneath the surface of the earth. Thousands
walk over these unknown treasures until some unseen power brings them to the surface. We know
that the Trinity is best expressed by the use of the terms, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Likewise we
express God's attributes in three terms, namely, omnipresence, omniscience, and omnipotence. This
feature could be greatly enlarged upon.
If three is the symbol of the Triune Jehovah, four must designate that which proceeds from Him,
as revealed in creation. The cherubims consist of four living creatures, each having the face of a lion,
a calf, a man, and an eagle, respectively. There are four regions of the earth: East, North, South and
West, which is expressive of the completeness of direction; likewise: winter, spring, summer and
autumn covers a complete circle of the seasons. We have already observed that there were four
universal empires in the history of the world from creation to the crucifixion. We may also note the
fact in connection with this subject that there is a combination of the three-fold with the four-fold as
clearly seen in the work of creation in which the first four days were employed in forming the sphere,
and the remaining three in the creation of the living creatures and culminating in a Sabbath rest. The
fourth day saw the material substance of creation finished, and on the fifth and sixth days, was the
peopling of the earth. In the book of Revelation under the head of the seven seals, we observe that
the first four seals were clearly separated from the last three by the symbols of four horses. Thus it
appears that the four-fold measure in each case precedes the three-fold, just as in creation order: each
division culminating in the seven of perfection. For this reason there are four sections in the great
image of Daniel Two, four beast's in Daniel's vision, four wings and four heads on the leopard with
whom the numbers in that fashion ceased. Thus it is evident that the Old Testament closed with a
symbolic number -- four (the leopard-beast). Showing that all the necessary provision for the
salvation of the human family was completed under the dispensation of this prominent number, "four,"
as it terminated about the time of the crucifixion. Thus this number is used in connection with
incidences to signify earthwide.
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 54
Blow ye the trumpet in Zion,
and sound an alarm in
my holy mountain; let all
the inhabitants of the land
tremble; for the day of the
Lord cometh, for it is nigh
at hand. (Joel 2:1.)
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 55
The Non-Descript Beast
Daniel 7:7
Following the four-headed leopard comes the non-descript beast of Daniel 7:7, representing the
fourth universal empire from the flood, but the fifth one from creation. Rome is represented by a
more terrible symbol than the kingdoms before it. There must be a special reason why the Roman
monarchy is represented by a non-descript beast. The symbol reveals that the Roman system of
government was an arrangement that could not be described. The nearest approach to a correct name
is the term -- non-descript.
We shall now consider its government administration. -- The crucifixion of Christ and the
martyrdom of the Christians give evidence that the Roman executive authority was vested in
paganism, which was at war with Christianity. As these Christians were put to death for refusal to
worship the gods of the people, it is obvious that the Jews used the civil arm of Rome to try and
enforce their own religious customs; Jesus being an example, for He was crucified as a result of
religious controversy. Rome in the first century persecuted the Christians, but after adopting
Christianity, she ill-treated the pagans; compelling them to join the so-called Christian church. From
the evidence gathered, it is plain to see that the Roman monarchy was a tool for either Pagan Jew,
or Christian; alternating in favor of one, and then of the other. Inasmuch as the character of the
Imperial Roman jurisdiction could not be defined as Pagan, Jew, or Christian, "non-descript" is the
only fitting symbol. It is said of Constantine at his death that his subjects knew not what kind of
burial to give him, since he was a professed Christian, but at heart a Pagan. Perhaps many nations
as well as some professed Christians at this present time are non-descript like the Romans, for the
apostle has described their condition thusly: "For the time will come when they will not endure sound
doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers having itching ears; and they
shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (2 Tim. 4:3, 4.)
Attempts To Establish Ecclesiastical Governments
The question may arise: What hindered Satan from establishing an ecclesiastical monarchy before
the closing period of
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 56
[Picture of Beast of Dan. 7:7]
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 57, 58
[Picture of Beast of Dan. 7:25]
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 59, 60
the Old Testament? The only answer that can be given, is, the Jewish nation permitted him to
becloud their eyes. They were told not to make a confederacy with the world, but, unmindful of the
command they made a league with the Romans, and that is what helped Satan to accomplish his
scheme.
The following will show that this great enemy of mankind tried this same procedure in the days of
Babylon: "Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold whose height was threescore cubits, and
the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. Then an
herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages... ye fall down and
worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: And whoso falleth not down and
worshippeth shall the same hour be cast in the midst of a burning fiery furnace.... The nations, and
the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image." (Dan. 3:1, 4-7.) But there were three
Hebrews found who rebelled against the king's command and refused to bow down to the idol.
"Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar we are not
careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from
the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known
unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set
up... And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach and
Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace... Therefore because the king's
commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that
took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Then Nebuchadnezzar...
answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt;
and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of
the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the
most high God, come forth, and come hither." (Dan. 3:16-18, 20, 22-26.)
Then these men came forth unhurt. It is wonderful what God accomplished with but three slaves
against a world's empire. These three men, with faith in God, broke the Satanic contrivance,
abolished the establishment of an ecclesiastical government and brought the king's decree to naught.
Satan worked out a similar plot in the Medo-Persian government with plans that were carried out
by intrigue, taking the
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 61
king unawares. Though Daniel was cast into the lion's den, he too, came out unharmed, but his
enemies perished as did those who threw the three Hebrews into the fiery furnace. Thus Satan's
power was broken in both of these ancient empires. Had there been such men as these Hebrews in
the days of the establishment of the Roman monarchy, or at the closing of the Old Testament history
and during the commencement of the New, conditions would have been entirely different. The world
is in urgent need at this time of men like the three Hebrews, who would rather yield this present life
than to offend their God -- men like Daniel, who looked with strong faith to the Lord and was
without fault in his religious and secular duties. By such men as these the world has been blessed
with everlasting benefits and rewards that no human lips can describe.
"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth
peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God
reigneth! Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing for they shall
see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion." (Isa. 52:7, 8.)
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 62
PICTURE
[Chart of Rev. 12]
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 63, 64
The Red Dragon
Rev. 12:3
"And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under
her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelves stars: and she being with child cried, travailing in
birth, and pained to be delivered. And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great
red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew
the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth; and the dragon stood before the
woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.... And the
great dragon was cast out that old serpent called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole
world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." (Rev. 12:1-4, 9.) The
dragon was seen in heaven and being "cast out," it is obvious that the symbol is of heavenly origin.
Of him it is said: "That old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan." Note that the dragon is a symbol
of Satan, even as the Lamb having "seven horns and seven eyes" is a symbol of Christ. (Rev. 5:6.)
Since the numerous beasts form an unbreakable chain of the world empires, the dragon cannot
intersect between the links as the symbol of a separate earthly system; thus he represents just what
the Scripture says: "The Devil, and Satan." The figure is given to reveal Satan's scheme at a certain
time in our world's history.
The "woman clothed with the sun" is understood to be God's church. The child to which she gave
birth was Christ. The twelve stars that comprise the woman's crown were originally symbols of the
twelve patriarchs. This will be made plain in another study. Therefore, we shall endeavor to make
clear the time of the dragon and his work. It will be noticed that the dragon stood ready to devour
the child (Christ) as soon as He was born. It is evident, that the old serpent armed himself with seven
heads and ten horns prior to the birth of Christ.
"And his tail drew a third part of the stars of Heaven." The Scripture is self explanatory as to who
the symbolical stars are, for Inspiration says: "He was cast out into the earth, and his Angels were cast
out with him."
Therefore, the "third part of the stars" represent the angels who were deceived by Satan's
controversy. Quoting "Testimonies for the Church," Vol. 3, p. 115: "Satan, in his rebellion,
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 65
took a third part of the angels. They turned from the Father and from His Son, and united with the
instigator of rebellion." The question may arise: Why draw them with his tail and not some other
way? The symbol is perfectly capable of indicating the manner in which Satan drew them to the earth.
Had it been done with claws, it would denote that Satan defeated Michael (Christ), and by force
dragged out a third of the angels. But since he drew them with his tail, the significance is that a third
part of the angels joined him in rebellion against Michael. For when the dragon was cast out naturally
he was coming head first, and as he drew them with his tail, it reveals that they voluntarily followed
him. Thus Christ could do nothing for them.
War In Heaven
"And there was war in heaven: Michael and His angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon
fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was there place found any more in heaven." (Rev.
12:7, 8.) The conflict was in heaven. The name "Michael' means who is like God; hence it is one of
the many titles of Christ. Daniel calls Him "Michael the Great Prince which standeth for the children
of thy people." (Dan. 12:1.) Christ has numerous titles, each bearing a definition of a certain phase,
or character of His work. The angel said to Joseph, "and thou shalt call His name Jesus, for he shall
save His people from their sins." He is also called "Emmanuel," meaning, "God with us." etc.
Time Cast Out
Satan could not have been cast out of heaven immediately after he sinned, or when he deceived
Adam and Eve, for in Job 1:6, 7, we read: "Now there was a day when the sons of God came to
present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. And the Lord said unto Satan,
whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth
and walking up and down in it." "The sons of God" are the representatives of unfallen worlds equal
to Adam before he sinned, created by the hand of God, and representatives in the same capacity as
Adam could have been had he not fallen from his throne by sin. Quoting from The Spirit of
Prophecy: "The commanders of the angel hosts, the sons of God the representatives of the unfallen
worlds, are assembled. The heavenly council before which Lucifer had accused God and His Son,
the representatives of those sinless realms over which
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 66
Satan had thought to establish his dominion." -- "The Desire of Ages," p. 834.
Satan still had access to heaven in Job's time. Therefore, he must have been cast out at a later date.
Says John: "And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman
which brought forth the man child." (Rev. 12:13.) The next necessary step is to find when the dragon
first persecuted the "woman" (Christian Church); we shall then have the truth of the time Satan was
cast out. That time of persecution is recorded in The Acts 8:1, "And Saul was consenting unto his
[Stephen's] death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at
Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except
the apostles." Thus the great persecution against the church was about 34 A.D. It is true that Satan
persecuted Christ before that time, but Christ is not the "woman." He is the "Child" whom Satan
wished to "devour." Therefore, Satan was cast out immediately after Christ ascended on High. The
Spirit of Prophecy speaking of the occasion says:
"All are there to welcome the Redeemer. They are eager to celebrate His triumph and to glorify
their King.... He presents to God the wave-sheaf, those raised with Him as representatives of that
great multitude who shall come forth from the grave at His second coming.... The voice of God is
heard proclaiming that justice is satisfied. Satan is vanquished. Christ's toiling, struggling ones on
earth are 'accepted in the Beloved.' Before the heavenly angels and the representatives of unfallen
worlds, they are declared justified.
"Satan saw that his disguise was torn away. His administration was laid open before the unfallen
angels and before the heavenly universe. He had revealed himself as a murderer. By shedding the
blood of the Son of God, he had uprooted himself from the sympathies of the heavenly beings.
Henceforth his work was restricted. Whatever attitude he might assume, he could no longer await
the angels as they came from the heavenly courts, and before them accuse Christ's brethren of being
clothed with the garments of blackness and the defilement of sin. The last link of sympathy between
Satan and the heavenly world was broken." -- "The Desire of Ages," pp. 833, 834, 761.
The time he drew a third part of the stars (angels) from heaven, and the time of the war in heaven,
were two distinct occasions. He drew the angels when they followed him from heaven to earth and
sought to devour Christ. "And when the dragon saw that he was cast out into the earth;" that is, after
Christ was crucified, Satan at his return to heaven was forbidden
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 67
an entrance. Thus he "saw" -- understood that he was cast out. Then he persecuted the church.
The Dragon's Horns And Heads
The only possible time for the application of the symbolical horns, heads, and crowns would be with
the closing of the old dispensation, and at the commencement of the New. For the dragon appeared
in that form when Christ was to be born. The horns represent the same as they do on any symbolical
beast. Being ten in number the symbol denotes that the effect of his scheme was universally felt. It
also signifies that Satan had obtained full control of the nations which were symbolized by the ten
horns of the non-descript beast of Daniel 7; and thus he moved upon Herod to kill the children at the
birth of Christ with the hope of destroying the Saviour -- devouring the "Child."
Let us not overlook the fact that all the horns, heads, and crowns, were present when he stood
ready "to devour her Child." Consequently, whatever the meaning by these symbols, all must be in
existence at the same time. Had this not been so, the symbols of heads and horns would have so
indicated by coming up one after another like the beasts, and also like the horns of the ram and of the
goat of Daniel 8. The same is true with the non-descript beast of Daniel 7:7, from which three of the
ten horns were "plucked up by the roots." Where systems and governments do not all exist at the
same time, the symbols appear one after another in their correct order. Thus we see that Inspiration
is perfect in every respect, and faultless in revealing the truth intended. Therefore, it would be
inconsistent for one to conclude that the "horns" as well as the "heads" could represent a consecutive
order of systems as long as they all appear in a group, and in oneness with the beast that carries them.
It is also impossible that both horns and heads could represent civil governments, or kings. If the
horns stand for political systems, then the heads cannot. If the wounded head on the leopard-like
beast of Revelation 13:1-3 represents a religious organization, then all the heads must stand for
religious systems. However, there is an exception with the four-headed leopard of Daniel 7:6, for he
is without horns and his heads are proven to be civil by the four horns of the goat. It is an
unmistakable fact that the symbols are intended to reveal the civil and religious phases during the
period represented by the non-descript beast in both his stages -- imperial and papal Rome.
As crowns denote civil authority and as they appear on the heads instead of on the horns, it is
evident that the church in
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that period was using civil dictatorial power to propagate her dogmas. Thus the lessons embodied
in these symbols are far greater than we can comprehend in a moment. As the facts brought forth
regarding the nature of the symbols cannot be questioned, we have a positive foundation for their
application.
The dragon with his seven heads and ten horns, with the crowns on the heads, appeared at the birth
of Christ as previously explained, and occupies the period parallel with the non-descript beast. The
heads are represented by the Biblical number seven," meaning "completeness," and embrace every
religious system in the days of Christ. As the dragon represents the devil who controls the heads, the
symbol unmistakably denotes a complete apostasy. It is not intended to reveal that the pagan system
of worship was headed by the devil, for it has never been otherwise. It was the Jewish church that
had apostatized, and that is what made the Biblical number "seven heads." Just such an apostasy had
gripped the world in the days of Noah; and its wickedness made the continuation of the world
impossible. Therefore, necessity, for the good of mankind, brought about the flood. The terrible
apostasy of the Jews made unavoidable another disaster similar to the dreadful deluge. As God could
not overthrow the world by water the second time, and yet keep His never failing promise to his
faithful servant Noah, He sent His Son to die in the world's stead. Therefore, the world perished not
because of the supreme sacrifice of the Son of God; and the world exists today because Christ arose
from the dead.
The Dragon's Crowns
Next we note the crowns and their significance. It has been explained that the crowns denote civil
authority. The heads being crowned, it reveals that the churches of that time employed the civil arm
of the state. Had this not been true, the Jews could not have crucified the Lord of glory; neither
could they have stoned Stephen, or beheaded and killed the others. It was the civil arm of Rome,
headed by the dragon, through which the Jews committed these terrible crimes; resulting in their own
destruction.
The Accuser Of The Brethren
After the dragon was cast down from heaven according to the vision says John: "And I heard a loud
voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the
power of His Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our
God day and night." (Rev. 12:10.) "Satan's accusations against those who
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 69
seek the Lord are not prompted by displeasure at their sin. He exults in their defective characters;
for he knows that only through their transgression of God's law can he obtain power over them." --
Prophets and Kings, pp. 585, 586. When the Spirit of God prompts to reprove, He will reveal sin and
rebuke the sinner. But Satan, encourages the sinner to unconsciously commit himself in
transgression, then he accuses him before the great Judge in Heaven, as "being clothed with the
garments of blackness and the defilement of sin," to secure his condemnation. God's people must
learn to detect the voice of the Spirit of Christ, as well as the spirit of Satan. When the two clash,
the One will strive for obedience to God's Word, but the other will excuse the sin and sympathize
with the sinner. In this way Satan gains ground, for the sinner loves his sin.
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 70
The Church Of God In Symbol Of A Woman
Revelation 12
"And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under
her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: And she being with child cried, travailing in birth,
and pained to be delivered. And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red
dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew a
third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the
woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. And she
brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught
up unto God, and to His throne. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she had a place
prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and three score days." (Rev.
12:1-6.)
Note that the objects shown in the vision were in heaven, not on earth. Therefore, what ever these
symbols may imply, they must be of a heavenly origin. Again note that her only clothing is the sun,
and that her crown in composed solely of "twelve stars." Observe that she is not standing on the
"moon," for the Revelator says, She had "the moon under her feet." We must carefully study the
character of these symbols, for thus only can we learn their significance. Also mark that she was to
be delivered of a man child, and that the same was "caught up to God and to His throne."
It is an admitted fact that the child was Christ, Who ascended on High after His resurrection. (Mark
16:19.) The symbol being of heavenly origin, the "woman" cannot represent Mary, the mother of
Christ, but she denotes the church ("woman") that was to bring forth, or into which Christ was to be
born. Thus John in vision was looking back beyond the birth of Christ.
It has been taught by some that the "woman" is a symbol of the Christian church, and that the moon
under her feet is to denote the Mosaic dispensation or sacrificial ceremonial system that had passed
away, and being clothed with the sun, to mean the glory of the gospel in the new dispensation.
According to the following, these claims prove incorrect.
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 71
If the "woman" represents the Christian church, how could the same church (woman) travail in birth
with Christ, by whom the church was founded thirty years later? If we say she represents the Jewish
church, how could she fly into the wilderness and remain there from 538 to 1798, in the Christian
dispensation? If the "moon" under her feet indicates the end of the Mosaic sacrificial system, why did
it not end before the birth of Christ, since the moon stood under her feet before He was born. If it
had ended at that time, could it have been a symbol of the death of Christ? If her garment of sunlight
is a symbol of the gospel in the Christian dispensation, how could the church (woman) be clothed
with it years before the gospel dispensation began, having been clothed with it before the child was
born? Which one of the two churches, Jewish or Christian, gave birth to Christ? If it were the Jewish
church, then how could the light with which she was clothed be applied to the Christian church? If
these questions cannot be answered, then we are obliged to go deeper into the subject.
The idea advanced that the "woman" is a symbol of the Christian church only, and the "moon" of
the Jewish ceremonial system, proves incorrect. The Christian church was founded about 31 A.D.,
or not earlier than 27, at which time Christ began to preach; being about thirty years of age.
Therefore the symbol points back at least thirty-one years before the beginning of the Christian
church, for the "woman" (church) "was travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered."
Thus it was the Jewish church that "brought forth" the Son of God and not the Christian.
Therefore, "she [the Jewish church] being with child, cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be
delivered"; that is, the promise was made to Israel that the Messiah was to be born through that
nation by that particular church ("woman"). The old dragon, knowing the channel through which the
"child" was to come, closely watched with the intention of destroying the promised One as soon as
He was born. It was then, that the dragon by the hand of Herod, "slew all the children that were in
Bethlehem and in all the coasts thereof," hoping to do away with the coming King. (See Matt. 2:16.)
The evidence proves that the symbol of the "woman" takes in both periods, B.C. and A.D.
Therefore, as the moon was under her feet before the birth of Christ, it must be a symbol of a period
of time which had preceded the Jewish church. As the "woman" was "clothed with the sun" before
she brought forth the "Child," it is evident that the symbol, "clothed with the sun," was fulfilled before
the birth of Christ. If the moon is
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 72
PICTURE
[Chart of True Church]
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 73, 74
symbolical, then, the symbol of the "sun" must be the main object, for, the "moon" depends on the
sun for light, and the "woman" was clothed with it. Thus, "sun" and "moon," must be taken into
consideration. In Genesis 1:16, we are told that the sun and the moon are to rule the day and the
night. The "sun" therefore must denote a period into which God's church had been given great light,
and the "moon" must be a symbol of the preceding period. The great light cannot be the gospel of
Christ in the New Testament. Neither can the "moon" represent the ceremonial system under the
Jewish economy, for the "woman" was clothed with the "sun," and the "moon was under her feet"
while the ceremonial system was yet in existence, for the child was born after the "woman" had been
clothed with the "sun." Christ Himself, by eating the Passover just before His crucifixion, established
the fact that the ceremonial law was still in existence 34 years after His birth. (See Matt. 26:18-21.)
If the above statement is correct, then we must find two such periods that would perfectly fit the
symbols. The first is the one before the Bible came into existence, and the second is the one with the
Bible -- "clothed with Light" -- the written Word of God. Thus symbolically, the first period may be
called, night, ruled by the "moon," and the second, day, ruled by the "sun." Therefore, the "woman
clothed with the sun," and "travailing with child," is the period after Israel went out of Egypt, and at
that time the period without the Bible, "moon," was passing away.
We shall bring forth another proof from a different angle, making doubly sure of the idea that the
"woman" represents both periods -- before and after Christ. Revelation 12:14 states: "And to the
woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place,
where she is nourished for a time, and times, and a half a time, from the face of the serpent." Note
that she was given two wings of a great eagle. If the wings were not symbolical, what their object?
As the wings of the lion and the four-headed leopard of Daniel 7 represented periods, as previously
explained on pages 33-34, then the two great wings must denote two great periods of church history.
The eagle being king of birds, and as it is emphasized that they were of a "great eagle," it is evident
that the symbol must apprehend each period from its beginning. Thus one of the wings takes in the
entire church history from the fall of Adam to the crucifixion of Christ, and the other from His
crucifixion to the end of this present world (His second coming). Thus it proves that there is only
one true church in all ages.
Her crown of twelve stars originally represented the twelve
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 75
patriarchs and later the twelve tribes after they went out of Egypt, at which time the wonderful light
shining from the written Word of God (the Bible), clothed the church (woman) while she was
travailing with the "child" (the promise of the Messiah). But the crown of twelve stars in the New
Testament period stand for the twelve apostles. Number twelve is a symbol of government. Jesus
said to them: "Ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." (Matt.
19:28.) This fact is proven by the type (the twelve tribes). It will be noticed that in the reckoning of
the tribes of Spiritual Israel (the 144,000) by the type (Israel after the flesh) as in Revelation 7:5-8,
the tribe of Dan is missing, and instead the tribe of Manasseh, the first born son of Joseph is
numbered. The type corresponds perfectly with the anti-type, for Judas Iscariot being one of the
"twelve apostles," was cast aside, of whom Dan is a figure. And in his stead Paul of Tarsus was
added, of whom Manasses is a figure. Therefore, we see perfect harmony in type and anti-type. The
lesson in this instance by these unmistakable symbols, teaches that God has had only one church, one
truth, and one way of salvation for all generations. The same is also expressed in the words of Paul:
"There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one
faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all." (Eph. 4:4-6.)
God's church has been symbolized also by earthly objects; we speak of the symbols by women;
namely, Hagar, and Sarah. The former is a symbol of the Jewish, and the latter of the Christian
Church. (See "The Shepherd's Rod," Vol. 1, p. 136.) These earthly symbols point out God's church
in different sections and conditions. But the "woman clothed with the sun" and her "eagle's wings"
being of heavenly origin, denote God's true church (truth) in one continuous line, and her Child, our
only Saviour and Redeemer in both periods -- before and after Christ.
The Crown Of Twelve Stars In The New Testament Period
John's vision in the twelfth chapter of Revelation, deals with two main subjects; namely, the
"woman clothed with the sun," and the "red dragon." The latter has been explained. (See pages
65-69.) The symbol of the "woman" in the New Testament time covers three divisions: 1st, the
apostolic period; 2nd, her absence from civilization (in the wilderness) for 1260 days (years of papal
persecution, Rev. 12:6, 14); 3rd, the last period of the church while in conflict with the dragon. (Rev.
12:15-17.) The first and second period shall be explained in connection
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 76
with another study. An explanation of the third period is found in "The Shepherd's Rod," Vol. 1, pp.
151, 152.
Therefore, our intention is this chapter is to briefly visualize the lesson taught by her "crown of
twelve stars." We ask the question: Who appointed these present day self-styled apostolic
authorities? It is said that after the apostles passed away, another set of the same number have a right
to be apostles. Suppose the claim is true; there are hundreds of churches, and if each one of them had
twelve apostles, there would be a multiplicity of thousands of them at one time, and if that act had
been repeated in every age, there would be an innumerable multitude of apostles at the appearance
of Christ. If there have been thousands of apostles, it is evident by the following Scripture that they
shall never enter into the city of God as apostles, for Inspiration says: "And the wall of the city had
twelve foundations, and in them the name of the twelve apostles of the Lamb." (Rev. 21:14.)
What is the difference between an apostle and a minister of the gospel? If there is no difference
then there should have been more than twelve apostles in the early church, for there were more than
twelve engaged in the ministry. Christ had appointed twelve, but Judas was counted out leaving only
eleven. After Christ ascended on high, the eleven agreed to appoint another in Judas' place: "And the
lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles." (The Acts 1:26.) Therefore,
they made up the number. Now if Matthias took Judas' place, then there must be thirteen such men
according to Romans 1:1, "Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an Apostle, separated unto
the gospel of God."
Mark carefully that the "woman's" crown has only "twelve stars " and in the foundation of the city
there are only the names of the twelve apostles. Which one of the two, Matthias or Paul, is not
recognized by Him, who laid the precious foundation of the Holy City? If we say Paul, we make him
a liar. If we say Matthias, then his ordination by the eleven had no effect in appointing an apostle.
What then? In The Acts 1:26, is the first and last we hear of Matthias, but not so of Paul. If
Matthias is the apostle, then he surely is not as worthy as Paul. Which one of the ordinations would
be most honorable? Is it Paul's by Christ Himself as He met him on the way to Damascus, or
Matthias', by the hands of the apostles?
The question is clear. No man's hands are qualified to ordain an apostle, regardless of his high
standing in connection with the gospel. The holy hands of Christ and His personal presence only can
appoint one for such an office. This is Unimpeachable
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 77
evidence, for the "woman" has a crown of only "twelve stars." Therefore, who has the power to
ordain another and thus multiply the "stars"?
What is an apostle? Answer. -- One that is "separated unto the gospel of God." But if this is the
only meaning of the title, then all who are engaged in the proclamation of the gospel, being separated
must be apostles. Therefore, the word, "apostle," must have a special significance and a deeper
meaning than simply separated unto the gospel of God. The apostle Paul was called to be an apostle
for the Gentiles. Thus he, with the eleven became the earthly founders of the church of the Gentiles,
and Christ the divine head. Speaking of the gifts in the church, apostles are the first, for without a
founder there would be no organization, thus the rest of the gifts follow. (See 1 Cor. 12:28.)
The crown is her glory, and the stars (twelve apostles) are her only earthly authority. Here is a
striking evidence that the present day apostles are falsely so-called. A prophet may claim authority
as a prophet but never as an apostle. However, there is a difference between the prophets of the Old
Testament and the ones of the New; the latter being under the authority of the former; in other words,
he may be an interpreter or revealer of the Bible: "For all the prophets and the law [ceremonial -- in
type] prophesied until John." (Matt. 11:13.) Interpretation is correct only when inspired by the same
Spirit, thus timely utterances are revealed. Not only do the annals of history prove this, but the Bible
is very emphatic on the subject, for it plainly says that we are, "Built upon the foundation of the
apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone." (Eph. 2:20.) Again we
read: "Howbeit when He the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not
speak of himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak; and He will shew you things to
come." (John 16:13.) Where is the need for such apostles? Are not the words of the apostles in the
Bible? If we should appoint a set of such men, would we not set aside the "woman" and her "twelve
star crown"? If we set aside the "crown" by voluntary election of apostles, what will we do with the
gospel committed to the church by Christ's ordained apostles? Hear the authority by the crown of
stars: "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which
we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again. If any man
preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received let him be accursed." (Gal. 1:8, 9.) "For
such are false apostles, deceitful workers,
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transforming themselves into apostles of Christ." (2 Cor. 11:13.) The world is filled with so-called
apostles and sects of every kind, is it not? It is time for God's people to fall on their knees before
their Creator, and study the Scriptures for themselves, that they may know what is truth. Why should
one accept the decision of another? By so doing we are robbed of an experience of our own. If so,
may we not ask the question, What is the future outlook of the world? No one is saved because he
may admit the evidence of the truth, or because he may belong to the right church, or creed. It is only
by an experience of his own, based upon evidences of truth, received into the heart, that can renew
the mind, and regenerate the soul, so that he can walk in newness of life. It is utterly impossible to
enter into the kingdom of Christ without a personal touch of divine glory. Jesus said: "Verily, verily,
I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3.) The
following Scriptures bear the same evidence. "For he is not a Jew which is one outwardly; neither
is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and
circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of
God." (Rom. 2:28, 29.)
"Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the Commandments of
God." (1 Cor. 7:19.) "And rend your heart and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God:
for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of evil." (Joel
2:13.) "For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good
words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." (Romans 16:18.)
Returning to our original thought: The eleven were allowed to perform the ordination of Matthias
for a lesson to this present day with its new-modeled religion, showing that God has committed to
no man apostolic authority -- save to the twelve. The commission to the ministry is: "Go ye
therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am
with you alway, even unto the end of the world." (Matt. 28:19, 20.) "So thou, O son of man, I have
set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and
warn them for Me. When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost
not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood
will I require at thine hand." (Ezek. 33:7, 8.)
In reality the twelve "stars" on the "woman's crown" originally
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 79
represented the twelve patriarchs; later the twelve tribes of fleshly Israel, after that the twelve
apostles, and last the twelve tribes of Spiritual Israel (the 144,000). Thus again it proves number
four" to be an important number, and that by the "woman" these four periods are represented.
God who foresaw the selfishness of men! commanded the prophet to write the following: "Ye eat
the fat, and Ye clothe you with wool, Ye kill them that are fed: but Ye feed not the flock. The
diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound
up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have
ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them. And they were
scattered, because there was no shepherd; and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when
they were scattered. My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea,
My flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.
Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the Lord; As I live, saith the Lord God surely because My
flock became a prey, and My flock became meat to every beast of the field because there was no
shepherd, neither did My shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed
not My flock; Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the Lord; Thus saith the Lord God:
Behold, I am 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 more; for I will deliver my
flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them. For thus saith the Lord God; Behold,
I even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out." (Ezek. 34:3-11.)
As a comparison the Spirit of God drew a literal picture from the flock of sheep and shepherds;
God's people as the flock; and the ministry as the shepherds. God's true people will imitate the sheep,
and His watchmen will imitate the good shepherd who cares for his sheep. Anything less than this
is an abomination in God's sight. If we are to learn the lesson intended we must first acquire a clear
understanding of the type (shepherds and flocks), for, the anti-type (ministers and church members)
are asked to copy after the pattern.
The picture is drawn from the ancient method of herding the flock. The open pasture of the
mountains and hills required the shepherd's continual care over the sheep. The vast territory drew
the sheep and shepherds a considerable distance from home, and the continual moving over the
landscape made it impossible to obtain a permanent shelter of any kind for the sheep, or
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 80
shepherds. Consequently, other help was needed. Each shepherd had a certain number of dogs,
depending on the size of the flock, for the safety of the sheep from man and beast. As one thing
caned for another, an ass was used to carry the necessary supplies for the sheep, dogs and shepherds.
These consisted of clothing, night coverings, food for the shepherds as well as for the dogs, medicine,
bandages, etc. The faithful animal carried the load on his back throughout each day of the year. At
the end of the day the shepherd counted his sheep. If one was missing, he went to search for it at
once, as it was not safe for one to wander apart from the flock.
The excellent condition of the sheep was the evidence of the shepherd's fidelity and worthiness of
his hire. He not only had to seek good pasture, but act as veterinarian as well. Often a sheep would
break its leg and it was the shepherd's duty to skillfully set, splinter and bandage the wound. In
traveling over the rough surface of the land, where there were rocks and brush, accidents were
frequent. Sometimes a thorn would prick the flesh, or other minor injury occur, that probably caused
no pain, and would not be noticed by the shepherd, yet a fly might have deposited her eggs in the
open sore, and larva would soon develop and work their way under the skin and to the bone; this was
a common occurrence. At such a time the shepherd's attention is turned to the ailment of the sheep
and he must then give it special care and bandage the wound.
When a lamb, or even a sheep was sick and too weak to follow the flock it was the shepherd's duty
to care for and carry them. If he should have a lamb in his arms, the mother sheep is constantly by
his side gazing at, and speaking to it. These noble creatures care, feed, and keep their lambs
spotlessly clean. Are you mothers doing as much for your children? Are you shepherds (ministers)
of the flock of God doing all the ancient shepherd did for his sheep? Or do you feed and care for
yourselves more than you do for the flock of God? Are you worthy of your hire?
The ancient shepherd had to give a complete account of the flock, even to the smallest details. Do
you think God will require less of you? Are not His sheep of much greater value? David risked his
life for a lamb, but God delivered him from the lion and the bear. David, for God's honor, and for the
safety of His people, endangered his own life, faced the Giant Goliath, but God delivered the
Philistine into David's hands, and made David king over His nation. Do you think He will do less for
you, if you, too, imitate the Good Shepherd?
Said Jesus: "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 81
giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep
are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth; and the wolf catcheth them, and
scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am
the good shepherd, and know my sheep and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so
know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep." (John 10:11-15.)
The prophet Isaiah looking forward to the present day conditions says: "Yea, they are greedy dogs
which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their
own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter." (Isa. 56:11.)
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 82
PICTURE
[Chart of History Of the World in Prophetic
Symbolic Beasts]
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 83, 84
The Leopard-Like Beast
REV. 13:1-10
The non-descript beast of Daniel 7, representing Rome in his first stage, shows prophetically by his
ten horns that there were ten kings to arise out of Rome. In his second stage it is shown that the
papacy was to arise, subdue three kings, and wear out the saints of the most High for the space of
1260 years. But it tells not of the fall of the Roman monarchy or the papacy. It is silent concerning
the reformation that came before or after 1798 A.D. Therefore, the lack of information by the
symbols of this beast, must be found somewhere else in the prophetic Word of God. This must be
sought in the book of Revelation, for it is the complement to Daniel's prophecies.
The leopard-like beast of Revelation 13:1-10 is the only symbolical prophecy that tells of the fall
of the Roman monarchy, the crowning of the ten kings, the wound of the papacy, the reformation and
rise of Protestantism, and the captivity of the pope.
"And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads
and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy." (Rev.
13:1.) Note this beast has the same number of horns as the "non-descript" in his first stage (imperial
Rome). Daniel says, the ten horns on the beast representing Rome are "ten kings that shall arise."
(Dan. 7:24.) The horns symbolizing the Roman world in its imperial state, also pointed forward to
the time when the empire would be divided into ten parts, or kingdoms. In other words, while the
horns primarily represented the Roman world in its imperial form, they secondarily denote the present
world in its divided state since the fall of Rome -- corresponding with the ten toes on the great image
of Daniel 2.
The non-descript beast in his first stage has ten horns. As in his second stage the little horn came
up, and three of the ten were plucked up by the roots, it denotes that they can never be reinstated as
kings. The horns being reduced to the Biblical number seven, signified that the papacy was to have
complete sway over the entire world as far as the Christian church is concerned. Therefore, the ten
horns on the leopard-like beast of Revelation 13:1, cannot signify that the three uprooted ones have
assumed their authority the second time.
As the same number of horns appear on each succeeding beast; namely, the non-descript (Dan. 7:7);
the leopard-like
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 85
(Rev. 13:1); and the scarlet colored (Rev. 17:3); representing the entire New Testament era, it is
evident by the facts gathered that the number of horns are intended to denote universal. As they are
absent from the beast of Revelation 13:11-18, it verifies the fact that the two-horned beast denotes
a local system. Therefore, it is unquestionably clear that the fixed number of horns (ten) are designed
to universally symbolize the peoples and governments. (Follow the chart on page 84.)
Inasmuch as the lion, the bear, the four-headed leopard, and the non-descript beast (the symbols
of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Grecia and Rome) are linked to each other, the unbreakable chain of beasts
make it impossible for another universal beast (system) to intersect their consecutive order.
Consequently, the leopard-like beast of Revelation 13:1-9, must follow the non-descript beast
(Rome).
Rev. 13:2, 3: "And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of
a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion; and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and
great authority. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was
healed: and all the world wondered after the beast." The composition of the beast reveals the fact that
he is a descendant from the four beasts before him. The mouth of a lion the feet of a bear, the body
of a leopard, and the number of horns, all point back to his hereditary characteristics as descending
from Babylon, Medo-Persia, Grecia, and Rome. This indisputable fact proves that he is the fifth
universal beast.
The leopard-like beast arises out of the sea in the same manner as the four beasts before it. (Daniel
7:3.) Therefore, the beast of Revelation 13:1-9 is created from the result of war and commotion
among the nations, in the same manner as Babylon, Medo-Persia, Grecia, and Rome. Since the
evidence revealed by the symbol cannot be questioned, the leopard-like beast assumes the period after
the fall of imperial Rome, corresponding to the feet and toes -- iron and clay of the great image in
Daniel 2. In other words, the leopard-like beast arrives with the closing period represented by the
first stage of the non-descript beast, while the second stage of the latter (papal Rome) continues up
to 1798. Consequently, the unfolding process of the one, overlaps the downward course of the other.
To John the leopard-like beast was shown not in its unfolding process, but rather in its closing act for
he says, "And his deadly wound was healed." He saw in vision the beast after the deadly wound had
been healed, for he uses the past tense, "was." But in Daniel's vision the work of the non-descript
beast was all in the
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future. Said the Prophet: "And he shall speak great words against the most high, and shall wear out
the saints of the most high, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand
until a time and times and the dividing of time." (Dan. 7:25.) Daniel in vision viewed the history
represented by the beasts, forward; while John looked backward; or in other words, Daniel saw what
the beast was to do, while John was shown what the beast had done.
The Crowns And The Horns
Of the beast "having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns" John says, "And
I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death." The wounded head represents the papacy,
wounded by Martin Luther which was originally symbolized by the horn-head of the non-descript
beast showing only the papal power and the authority. But the "leopard-like" shows the papacy in
her wounded state, and the imprisonment of the pope. Thus, the two beasts (the non-descript and
the leopard-like) overlap each other, from the fall of imperial Rome to 1798. Therefore, while the
non-descript beast in its second stage represents the papacy, she is secondarily described by the
"leopard-like." The one reveals the tyrannical authority, and the other describes her downfall. For
the little horn was to have power and wear out the saints of the most High for 1260 years (Dan.
7:25.) But the leopard-like also "opened his mouth in blasphemy", and power was given unto him to
"continue forty and two months." (Rev. 13:6, 5.) The number of months is equivalent to "time and
times and the dividing of time" -- 1260 days (years), figuring 30 days to the month.
With the imprisonment of Pope Pius VI, and his death on Aug. 19, 1799, a certain transaction
occurred between the non-descript and the leopard-like beasts. The head and horns were removed
from one to the other, so to speak. In making the change the little horn "having the eyes of a man
and a mouth speaking great things," was transposed from horn-head to a common wounded head,
showing the papacy had lost her ecclesiastical authority, and was no longer represented by a
horn-head (combination of church and state).
As that event terminated the prophetic period of the 1260 years of Daniel 7:25 and Revelation 13:5,
it completely crowned the horns of the leopard-like beast, signifying that the state is now independent
of the church. The crowns on his horns denote the fall of the Roman monarchy, showing that the ten
kings which were symbolized by the ten horns of the non-descript beast, have received their kingdom.
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Horns And Heads All Present
"I John saw the beast having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns." Let us
not overlook the fact that all horns, crowns, and heads are present on the beast. Therefore, whatever
meaning is derived by the symbol, all must be in existence at the time his deadly wound was healed.
Had it not been so, the symbols of heads and horns would have come one after another as it was with
the little horn and the other three that were "plucked up" from the non-descript beast of Daniel 7:7.
A similar method is observed with the "he goat." After the notable horn (Alexander) was broken off,
four came up to take its place (the four divisions of Grecia), and after these came up the exceeding
great horn which primarily represented Rome. (Dan. 8:8, 9.)
Where systems and governments do not all exist at the same time, the symbols show their
consecutive order. Another factor to be noted that every symbol of the entire procession of the
beasts point out facts that were to transpire within the period represented by each beast, and not one
of them refers to anything in the past, save the hereditary ancestrial characteristics.
Therefore, heads or horns have no reference to anything before or after the period represented by
the beast. It is also unnatural for heads (members of the beast) to exist before or after the beast
himself. Therefore, it would be inconsistent to conclude that the horns as well as the heads could
denote a consecutive order of systems so long as they all appear at the time of the closing act of the
beast. The leopard-like beast in his wounded state must be intended to prophetically point out the
existing condition with the present civilization.
The Symbol Of The Heads
It is impossible that both horns and heads could stand for civil governments or kings. If the horns
represent the political side, then the heads cannot. John says of the leopard-like beast, "I saw one of
his heads as it were wounded to death." As the "head" that was "wounded" represents a religious
system, then all seven must represent religious organizations, for all heads are alike, save the wound.
Thus it is an unmistakable fact that the symbols are intended to reveal both the civil and religious side
of the present world.
The crowns represent civil authority as previously explained. Had they been on the heads like on
the dragon of Revelation 12:3, it would denote that the churches are using the civil arm of the
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state to propagate their dogma as in the days of imperial and papal Rome, represented by the dragon.
But since the crowns are on the horns, and the state is independent from the church it proves the
symbol by the crowns to be correct. As the facts brought forth regarding the nature of the symbols
cannot be questioned, it is evident that we have a positive foundation for their application.
The leopard-like beast is a descendant of the four ancient empires. Therefore, he represents the
world, but more particularly the entire western civilization, with their civil and religious systems.
Consequently the heads represent Christendom only. John says: "The beast having seven heads and
ten horns and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy." The fact that
there is the name of blasphemy on the heads is an additional proof that they can only represent
religious organizations, for blasphemy is equivalent to hypocrisy, and hypocrisy means an attempt to
mix the sacred with the common. But the Lord says: "I know the blasphemy of them which say they
are Jews [Christians], and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan." (Rev. 2:9.) "Of whom is
Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme."
(1 Tim. 1:20.) "Therefore, son of man, speak unto the house of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith
the Lord God; Yet in this your fathers have blasphemed me, in that they have committed a trespass
against me." (Ezek. 20:27.) "Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, saith the
Lord, which have burned incense upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills: therefore
will I measure their former work into their bosom." (Isa. 65:7.) Disobedience to the Word of God
is blasphemy.
Naturally the question arises, who could these blasphemous denominations be? They can certainly
be many; consider the multiplicity of sects. The prophetic word of God, speaking of this present time
says: "Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts."
(2 Pet. 3:3.) "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own
lusts they shall heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears
from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (2 Tim. 4:3, 4.)
What has brought the present day confusion? Because they have departed from sound Bible truth
is the only answer that can be given. Is it possible that all can be right when no two believe alike,
with but one bible, one gospel, one Lord, one hell to shun and one heaven to gain? Jesus said: "And
other sheep
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I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall
be one fold, and one shepherd." (John 10:16.)
Such Satanic confusion as the one at the present time was about to arise in the days of Paul. As
the Spirit of God moved upon him, he uttered the words with a sharp rebuke: "Now I beseech you,
brethren, by the name of (Our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye shall speak the same thing and that there be
no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same
judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house
of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of
Paul, and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas, and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for
you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?" (1 Cor. 1:10-13.) How great the contrast between
the position taken by the Spirit-filled servant of God, and the present day self-styled apostles.
Jesus said, "All these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor
me." (John 16:3.) Had all these so-called Christian leaders been led by the Spirit of God they would
imitate the example set forth by the prophets and the apostles; then there could have been no division
in Biblical truth. The Present-day condition is indeed a blasphemy and fulfills the words of the
Master: "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets and shall shew great signs and wonders;
insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." (Matt. 24:24.)
In view of this great confusion there is apparent difficulty to immediately determine who is right
and who is wrong. Jesus said: "Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as
touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven."
(Matt. 18:19.) There could be nothing more pleasing to God than for one of His children to ask in
sincerity the way of truth; therefore, such a one shall not be left in darkness: "Ask, and it shall be
given you; seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." (Matt. 7:7.)
If people care to find the truth, it can easily be done. But the fact of the matter is that they do not
care. People would rather be deceived than to ask God to show them His truth. Yes, they pray, but
their prayers are not heard, for: "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer
shall be abomination." (Prov. 28:9.) The so-called Christians of this day, say, "That Scripture is in
the Old Testament and for the
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Jews only." We turn to the New Testament for light upon the subject: "Whosoever therefore shall
break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the
kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the
kingdom of heaven." (Matt. 5:19.) The honest in heart, with surprise, hear the word from the impious
scoffer of the day: "That does not mean the law of God; it is the commandment of Jesus: Thou shalt
love thy neighbor as thyself." True, but which one of the ten commandments can you break and yet
fulfill the commandments of Jesus? And if you love your neighbor, will you dishonor your God? Are
not the first four kept to show honor to God; and the last six to test our love to men?
Said Jesus: "On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." (Matt. 22:40.) Is the
begotten Son of God working in opposition to His Father? "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which
God gave unto Him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass, and he sent
and signified it by his angel unto his servant John." (Rev. 1:1.) "Here is the patience of the Saints:
here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." (Rev. 14:12.) Has not
Jesus said that His saints keep the commandments of God? Again the carnal mind raises an objection,
"They keep the commandments of God, and not the law." But the Spirit declares: "If ye have respect
of persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep
the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit
adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a
transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty."
(Jas. 2:9-12.) "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of
life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." (Rev. 22:14.)
The keeping of His commandments is the ticket to heaven. "To the law and to the testimony: if
they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." (Isa. 8:20.) "Because
the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be."
(Rom. 8:7.) "He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth
is not in him." (1 John 2:4.) After loosing one devilish loophole, the carnal mind takes hold of
another, determined to serve the devil and deceive himself and with his nose in the air he utters the
words, "We are not to keep the law according to the letter but according to the Spirit,
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'For the letter killeth but the Spirit giveth life.'" His misconception of what truth is, leads him to
believe that to keep the Law according to the Spirit he must disregard the written Word of God, and
keep the Divine Law according to his own ways, and in harmony with his carnal mind, making void
Jehovah's own inscription (see Ex. 31:18), thus exalting the finite above the Infinite! What greater
blasphemy can one commit? We give here a brief explanation of the subject.
To keep the law according to the letter is to build a wall around it as the proud Pharisees did. We
quote 1 John 3:15, "Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer." Therefore, though we kill not and
yet hate our brother we have kept the law blameless according to the letter, but not according to the
Spirit. The keeping of the law according to the Spirit has a broader significance than the carnal mind
can conceive. If I must keep the whole law, I must keep the whole Word of God in every respect,
otherwise, I would dishonor Him, and would become a transgressor of the law as a disobedient son
dishonors his earthly father, and becomes guilty of the fifth commandment in the law.
"Are we saved by the law?" No, indeed! We are judged by the law. So, if we willfully disobey the
Word of God, we fall under the condemnation of the law. "For if we sin willfully after that we have
received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins." (Heb. 10:26.) But
if we love the righteousness of God as expressed in His law, and determine to obey His Holy Word
where ever found (Bible or Spirit of Prophecy) according to the revelation by His Spirit, then we
receive the power which enables us to fulfill the divine purpose, and thereby our sins are blotted out
by the blood of Christ, and thus we are made free from the law and its condemnation -- placed under
divine grace.
It is true that people like to be deceived, flattering themselves that they are on the way to heaven,
while Satan winks at their ignorance. The Word of God says: "And many shall follow their pernicious
ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.... But these, as natural brute beasts,
made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly
perish in their own corruption." (2 Peter 2:2, 12.) This proves how sectarianism sprung up.
As it has been proven, and generally accepted that the "seven churches" of Revelation, chapters two
and three, represented the history of the church in the Christian era, it is evident that the church was
split in seven sections. The Laodicean being the last, she is also in danger of falling according to the
testimony
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of the true Witness: "So then because thou are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee
out of my mouth." (Rev. 3:16.) God has sent message after message to give light upon His written
Word. They were intended to correct error, rebuke sin, and reprove the sinner; but the leaders of
each section threw out the messages, and the few who were willing to sacrifice all for the truth were
forced to part from the churches and march on with the light. Were the leaders willing to correct
their errors and purify the church, there would have been but one section. By the denial of the truth
each section cut itself off from the mighty arm of God. Thus, not one of these churches have had
additional light on the Scriptures other than that which was imparted to them by the founders of each
movement. The fact proves the prophetic Word of God correct, and the older the section the greater
the condemnation. Therefore, these churches are represented by the "heads"; the "blasphemy" over
them, denotes their fall. Should they refuse this last call also then the revelation of these facts would
be against them, and will bring their final ruin.
The message regarding the 144,000, and a call for reformation presented to the Seventh-day
Adventist church in 1930 was in like manner rejected. Therefore, as the leadership of the churches
have never accepted a message at any time, they are certainly fulfilling the following prophecy: "The
wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the Lord; and
what wisdom is in them?.... For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the Lord:
therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered." (Jer. 8:9; 10:21.)
The "seven heads" of the "leopard-like beast" represent this mystery of ungodliness and hypocrisy,
showing how each one fell into the trap as they came to it. Therefore, since Luther's time and on,
God permitted that His people should be cast out by Satan's flood (the unconverted.) Thus, He has
been calling His church from one movement to another.
Therefore, they who lower the standard, and refuse to reform at the sounding of the trumpet, are
the very ones who cause division in the church of God! "Now I beseech you brethren, mark them
which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and
fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." (Rom. 16:17, 18.)
Since the history of the church is such, and the last section
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(Laodiceans) is in a worse condition, and under greater condemnation than any previous one, and as
there is no time left for calling out a new movement, then a message of amazing light and stern rebuke
through the Word of God, with manifestations of divine judgments, is the only remedy that can bring
true conversion and reformation. Thus preparing a church to stand "without spot, wrinkle or any
such thing," of which only can be said: "And the dragon was wroth with the woman [the church as
a body] and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God,
and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." (Rev. 12:17.) It is the purity of the church that incurs the
wrath of the dragon.
These "seven churches" were also symbolized by "seven candlesticks," and the leadership of the
same churches, by "seven angels." So we read: "The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest
in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven
churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches." (Rev. 1:20.) "And
unto the Angel of the church of the Laodiceans write." (Rev. 3:14.) Note the message is addressed
to the Angel (leadership), and not to the candlestick (the church as a body.) Therefore, the
condemnation is not to the candlestick, but to the angel. "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and
increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and
miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." (Rev. 3:17.) My brethren, this is not against you, for it
is Christ speaking who died for you, but it will be, if you change not your course of action.
If Christ by assembling these seven churches in a group of seven candlesticks and giving the
blackest record to the last one, is not calling the Laodiceans Babylon, then neither is the interpretation
of the "heads" doing so. It is not because the Laodiceans are better that they are not called Babylon,
for their record is worse, but it is to show that on account of their increased light, He is to deal
differently with them. It is to prove that if the "angel" (leadership) of the church of the Laodiceans
should reject the message of the "True Witness," He cannot call the 144,000 out from the midst of
them into another movement by the call of Revelation 18: "Come out of her my people, that ye be
not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues," (Rev. 18:4), but rather by the
message of Revelation 7 and Ezekiel 9. Thus speedily releasing His people, and quickly "finish the
work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth."
(Rom. 9:28.)
Disobedience to the Word of God is blasphemy, and blasphemy
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is hypocrisy; that is to say, they are not what they profess to be. Hypocrisy hides the crying sins
under the appearance of virtue. This sin of hypocrisy is difficult to cure in that it is not easily
discovered by men. We cannot understand the hearts of others nor discern between the cloak of
hypocrisy and the life of holiness. A spiritual deception has its beginning from a being other than
human. Therefore, the scheme is so cunning that it cannot be discerned by finite observation. This
kind of deception can only be recognized under the close scrutiny of the holy Word of God and by
the aid of His Spirit.
"The effectual means to cure such a well devised plan of deception is a steadfast belief in that there
is an all-seeing eye of God; who sees sin wherever it is, and will bring it into judgment. A hypocrite
may hide his sin from the eyes of others and sometimes from his own conscience but can never
impose upon God." Paul, looking forward to such a time as this, says: "For the time will come when
they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers,
having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
(2 Tim. 4:3, 4.) "Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? Thou that
preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery,
dost thou commit adultery? Thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? Thou that
makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?" (Rom. 2:21-23.) To
the careless and indifferent, Job comments as follows: "It shall devour the strength of his skin: even
the first born of death shall devour his strength." (Job 18:13.)
The seven heads are to symbolically point out these "high places" ruled by unsanctified leaders who
have attempted to mix the sacred with the common, and refuse to hear the Word of the Lord. The
Biblical number "seven," denoting completeness, naturally would comprise all Christendom at the
time the prophetic truth is made known. Such apostasy is not a strange thing in the history of God's
people, for time and again the church has fallen under a satanic flood. In Luther's day conditions
were as bad as when the church crucified Christ. If this generation is more wicked than any before
it, what would immunize the church from just such an apostasy? It is accepted by most Bible students
that prophecies of this nature are understood only when the prophetic object in view is fully
developed. Therefore, this is the time of which the symbols speak. However, there is another angle
to this, by which we shall prove that the facts presented are true.
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One Head Wounded Unto Death
John says: "I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death." As the wounded head has
reference to the stroke delivered to the papacy by Luther, the exile of the pope in 1798 was a sign
of the completeness of the wound and that the prophetic period had ended. Thus fulfilling the words:
"He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity. (Rev. 13:10.) Had not the papacy received the
deadly wound by Luther, the pope could not have been put into prison by the French general for
before the pontifical authority received Luther's sword, the pope reigned supreme. But the blow
weakened his power, and the result was that Protestantism came upon the stage of action. The
continual infliction began to irritate the "head," until finally the pope landed behind prison bars. The
annoyance continued until 1870, when ultimately the temporal power of the pope was taken away.
That being the last vexation of the "head," it showed that it was left to heal its "deadly wound."
Quoting the words of Luther explaining how the papacy was wounded: "I put forward God's word;
I preached and wrote -- this was all I did. And yet while I was asleep,... the word that I had preached
overthrew popery, so that neither prince nor emperor has done it so much harm. And yet I did
nothing; the Word alone did it all." -- "The Great Controversy," page 190. "I began this work ln
God's name," said Luther, "it will be ended without me, and by His might." -- Id. p. 142. Let none
misunderstand the following statement for the same author has recorded them both. Therefore it
would be unjust to misconstrue the one statement, for by so doing we would throw out of harmony
the other. Speaking of the 1260 years we read: "This period, as stated in preceding chapters, began
with the supremacy of the papacy, A.D. 538, and terminated in 1798. At that time, the pope was
made captive by the French army, and the Papal power received its deadly wound, and the prediction
was fulfilled. 'He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity!'" -- Id., p. 439. Note that the aim
of the author in this statement is not to tell how the wound was received, but to show that the
prophetic period ended with the imprisonment of the pope, which fulfilled not the words, "And I saw
one of his heads as it were wounded unto death" (Rev. 13:3), but rather the Scripture quoted "He that
leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity." (Rev. 13:10.) Shall we ignore God and His Spirit, and
give to Berthier the credit, thus justifying stupidity?
His Deadly Wound Was Healed
"And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and
all the world wondered
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after the beast." (Rev. 13:3.) William Miller proclaimed the prophetic period of the 2300 days prior
to 1844. That wonderful prophecy was delivered to Christendom with great power by the Spirit of
God. Though the leaders of the nominal churches could not contradict the truth presented by Miller,
they turned a deaf ear to the doctrine taught by him.
But as the disappointment came in 1844 through the misunderstanding of what was to transpire at
the end of the prophetic period, the movement created by Miller came to its end. The second angel's
Message of Revelation 14:8, had announced that Babylon (the churches prior to 1844) had fallen.
That is to say that God would let no light shine upon His word through these fallen churches. Had
God not called forth another Protestant movement the deadly wound would have been healed at that
time.
By the divinely called movement, and aided by the writings of the "Spirit of Prophecy," God's
intention was to keep the "deadly wound" on the "head." But the prophetic Word of God says: "His
deadly wound was healed. Since God's Holy Word declares that the wound was healed, and as the
prophecy cannot be broken, it is positive that the wound is "healed."
But if Protestantism, by obedience to God's Word, is what inflicted the wound, then true
Protestantism only can keep the painful sore on the head. If the wound is healed, then it is evident
that they to whom God had committed the message for a perishing world have been defeated in the
same manner as every movement since the world began. It is a most wonderful thing to note how
the old enemy has succeeded in defiling the church in every age through its leadership. The highest
human intellect has been continually led into error and thus have served Satan to their own downfall.
Will God's people never profit by these historical and biblical facts? Are not these things written for
our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come? God, by His Holy Word, commands:
"Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?" (Isa. 2:22.)
As it has been accepted that the exile of the pope in 1798 was a signal that the infliction had been
accomplished, so then as he has gained back his temporal power it further proves that the deadly
wound is healed. These facts cannot be denied, for it is admitted that the incident of 1798 is true;
therefore the one in 1929 cannot be refuted. That being so, this is the time to which the prophetic
symbol speaks, "his deadly wound was healed." Read "The Shepherd's Rod," Vol. 1, for the entire
volume deals with that subject.
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All The World Wondered After The Beast
"His deadly wound was healed," John says, "And all the world wondered after the beast." Note that
the world wondered after the beast and not after the head. Therefore, it cannot mean that the world
would necessarily have to enroll in the membership of the system represented by the head. The
significance is that all the world has partaken of the spirit of the beast -- worldliness. The world in
general has never been otherwise. It could not be said that "all the world wondered after the beast"
if the people whom God has entrusted with the gospel are free from the spirit of the beast. But it
must be that they have betrayed their trust, and partaken of its spirit. Where is the distinction
between the church and the world!
The Name Of Blasphemy
"And upon his heads the name of blasphemy." That is, resistance of known truth, expression of
defiant impiety and irreverence towards God, or things held sacred -- mocking God's personality and
authority. The prophet Isaiah, looking forward to this time of wholesale deception, headed by
so-called spiritual guides, says: "And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We
will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away
our reproach." (Isa. 4:1.)
It is an admitted fact among Bible students that churches are symbolized by "women." Pure woman
-- pure church, as in Jeremiah 6:2, Revelation 12:1; vile woman -- corrupt church, as in Revelation
17:4,5. Isaiah says, there are "seven" women. The number comprises these same churches. They
say, "We will eat our own bread." That is, they want to have their own way; they care not for God's
way (Word). "We will wear our own apparel", that is, they want their own plans in preference to
God's plans or His righteousness. Thereby, they clothed themselves with self-righteousness. Their
aim is to be called by the one man's name; that is, by the name of Christ (Christians) to take away
their reproach. People have come to suppose they can do most anything under the guise of
Christianity and get away with it. God will let them continue their course until they, like Belshazzar,
have passed the boundary line of divine grace, and then He will call them to account.
"And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast,
saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?" (Rev. 13:4.) The question
may be asked, How can professed Christians
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worship the dragon? The answer is easy, and the worship of the dragon can be clearly seen. The
present system of worship by so-called Christian institutions is unquestionably pagan. Sunday,
Christmas, and Easter keeping, etc., originated in ancient Babylon, from the old pagan religion in
honor of the sun god. Christians, in modern times, assume to honor the most High God with pagan
customs calling them "Christian Doctrines." Protestantism has taken a grip on these pagan festivals
as a leech on a human body. As the sluggard sucks the blood unaware that his satisfaction brings him
to destruction, just so with protestants and their pagan commemoratives, even daring to call them by
the name of Christ. Blasphemy indeed! Every student of ancient history knows this to be true;
likewise every Bible student knows these so-called Christian festivals are unbiblical as well as
unchristian. If these institutions were Christian, or Biblical, they would certainly have been spoken
of in the Bible. But since they are not found in the Word of God, Christians had better leave them
alone lest they be found worshiping the dragon.
Jeremiah, looking forward to this time of apostasy, says: "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.
For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands
of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and
with hammers, that it move not." (Jer. 10:2-4.) Though the Word declares, "Learn not the ways of
the heathen," professed ministers of the gospel will cut a tree from the forest and deck it with silver
and gold, then dare call it by the name of Christ -- Christmas tree. What greater blasphemy can one
do? Are ministers and religious teachers ignorant of these things? Jesus said, "God is a Spirit: and
they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."
John heard the men defying God, saying ,"Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war
with him?" That is, who can abolish this pagan system of worship; is there one? They challenge
God's authority. It may not be said by words, but it is most decidedly expressed by action. Men's
discernment is blunted by sin, and when an attempt is made to associate the sacred with the common
or pagan, they see no evil. Though the Word of God declares: "But in all things approving ourselves
as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in
imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; By pureness, by knowledge, by
longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
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By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right handand on
the left, By honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet as true; As
unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed, As
sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich: as having nothing, and yet possessing
all things. O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.... Be ye not unequally
yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and
what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part
hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For
ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them and walk in them; and I will
be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye
separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you, And will be a Father
unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." (2 Cor. 6:4-11, 14-18.)
It is open disobedience to the plain "thus saith the Lord" that has brought about confusion and
disgrace in the Christian world at the present time. True the reformers saw not all these errors, and
were not responsible, for they had no light upon them. As God has given light upon His Word, by
degrees, making it possible to grasp the truth, He expects us to receive it, and thus lead us to the
victory.
But one may say, if God could save others with less light, why should He give us more light? Of
the many reasons we shall comment on only two. By increased light on the Word, God is able to save
a multitude instead of a few. The second reason is, as the last part of the church will be translated
instead of resurrected, we need sufficient light to prepare us to meet God and immortal beings.
Just such ignorance of God's Word in the days of Noah brought the world to its destruction by
water. A similar wicked condition reduced to ashes the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. If in the days
of Christ, just such hypocrisy, under the appearance of virtue, required the life of the Son of God to
Preserve the world from destruction, what would the outcome be at this present time? God cannot
destroy the world, for He has a multitude to save. He has no other Son for a gift to the church, for
Christ is the "only begotten" Son of God. If God's ideal is to bless the world through the medium of
His church on earth, and they to whom the gospel for the world is
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committed have left the sheep and are serving the devil, in the person of themselves, where is the
hope of the world? The only answer that can be given is, woe to the sinners in Zion. God will gather
His sheep. He will have a church; but what will be the reward of those who were instructed to feed
the lambs and are feeding themselves? Christ, who sees the end from the beginning, and with his
all-seeing eye focused on present day conditions, has said: "Who then is a faithful and wise servant,
whom his Lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that
servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, that he shall make
him ruler over all his goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My Lord delayeth his
coming; And shall begin to smite his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The Lord
of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware
of, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites [with the heads of the
beasts]; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matt. 24:45-51.)
Separating The Tares From The Wheat
Peter saw a time when God will judge the church: "For the time is come that judgment must begin
at the house of God; and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the Gospel
of God?" (1 Pet. 4:17.) What would be the end of him who enters not the ark of safety, but dares bar
the way of others? As the prophet saw the day of vengeance upon the sinner in Zion, and the Lord
returning from the slaughter, he asked: "Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments
from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, traveling in the greatness of his strength? I that
speak in righteousness, mighty to save.... For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of
my redeemed is come. And I looked, and there was none to help, and I wondered that there was
none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me. And
I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down
their strength to the earth." (Isa. 63:1, 4-6.)
Fearful is the day that is soon to fall upon the watchman on the walls of Zion, for the righteous only
shall be preserved. "Those who would rather die than perform a wrong act are the only ones who
will be found faithful." -- "Testimonies for the Church," Vol 5, p. 53. The separation of the pure from
the impure is well described by Ezekiel. Those who are worthy to
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escape the ruin will be marked by the man with the writer's inkhorn, after which the five men with the
slaughter weapons shall smite the class who are left without the mark. Said the Lord: "Slay utterly
old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom
is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the
house. And he said unto them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth. And
they went forth, and slew in the city." (Ezek. 9:6, 7.) At this time the tares are separated from the
wheat according to the words of Christ: "Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time
of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them into bundles to
burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn." (Matt. 13:30.)
The purification of God's church marks the harvest or the "Loud cry" of the Third Angel's Message,
for the Lord of the harvest declares, "Let both grow together until the harvest." The wheat gathered
at the commencement of the harvest and at the separation from the tares in the church, is called the
first-fruits of the harvest. As John looked upon the company he heard a melody of joy, inexpressible
by human lips: "And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts,
and the elders: an no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which
were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are
virgins. These are they which follow the lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from
among men, being the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb." (Rev. 14:3, 4.) "And no man could
learn that song." Experience only can tell the joy in one's heart at a time when rescued from
everlasting ruin, and granted everlasting life without tasting death -- merged into eternity's ceaseless
ages! -- a life that measures with the life of God.
Confidence In Men Is Satan's Sure Trap
We may search as far back as we desire and it is certain that we shall discover to our surprise and
sorrow, that the church leadership has been so greatly deceived that in each period they failed to
recognize the unrolling of the scroll; and as the blinded multitude took the side of the corrupted
leaders against the revealed truth, they split God's church in numerous sections. Thus by defeating
the foremost, Satan has been able to engage them to labor for him, and thereby to overthrow the
church as a body. To ascertain the accuracy of the foregoing statement it would
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not be necessary to comment on facts beyond the first advent of Christ. Therefore, a brief survey of
the Christian era shall be considered here.
Satan had drawn the "dirt brush" over the eyes of the highest human intellect at the close of the Old
Testament dispensation. Their spiritual eyes were so skillfully plastered that they could not see a bolt
of lightning as bright as the sun, in the darkest night. The fulfillment of prophecy, the miracles
surrounding the birth of Christ, His spotless character, His unselfish labor and wonders in every step,
touch, look and act, filled the very atmosphere with divine love. Men who were destitute of the sense
of sight from their birth, felt the healing power of the Infinite One. The blind saw the Lord of glory
and praised God, but the religious teachers of Israel were not affected by the power that moved even
inanimate objects. The earth quaked; and the sun veiled its face; the rocks were rent and the graves
were opened; the dead arose and beheld the Son of God. But the proud Pharisees, priests, and rabbis,
esteemed as never erring, could neither feel, see, nor hear. There is no wonder greater than the one
written by the actions of the blind leaders of that age. John, speaking of the experience, says: "In Him
was life and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness: and the darkness
comprehended it not." (John 1:4, 5.)
Every possible ray of light pointing to the coming of the "Lamb of God" had been given to the
once-chosen people; but it profited them not. Said Jesus: "If therefore the light that is in thee be
darkness, how great is that darkness!" Would that these experiences could arouse the leaders and
the people at this present time from self confidence and counterfeit security to an earnest search of
positive Bible truth.
The early Christian church in like manner was dragged into the dark ages. As soon as the Apostles
passed away Satan marshaled his agents, men of renown, into the church. The already-blinded
leaders laid their hands on men, not from the viewpoint of consecration, but from distinction, and thus
made them shepherds of the flock. In the darkest hour of the Christian church God, by the hand of
Luther, called the attention of the multitude to the terrible deception, but few were ready to listen to
the humble monk. One would imagine that the most intellectual would have been the first to see the
light in the plain "thus saith the Lord." Luther, with a great struggle, and at the risk of his life,
founded the Lutheran denomination. But as he passed away, that movement in like manner was
corrupted and hardened against new light on the Word of God.
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As John Knox came with additional truth, the leaders of the church refused to be interested, thus
necessity gave birth to the Presbyterian denomination. These experiences have been repeated with
Wesley, Campbell, Miller, and White. (See "The Shepherd's Rod," Vol. 1, pp. 32-114.) "We have
far more to fear from within than from without. The hindrances to strength and success are far
greater from the church itself than from the world." -- Review and Herald, March 22, 1887. If the
danger against the church has been from within, through confidence in self-deceived leadership in
every age, what would change things at the present time?
These facts concerning Satan's sure traps, echo and re-echo with the loudest wail to arouse the
sleeper at this particular time. Hear the trumpet's sound: "Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit
down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion!" (Isa.
52:2.) Prejudice, with dependence upon men, in confidence of having all the truth and that there is
need of none, has devoured more souls than any trap ever devised by the enemy of mankind. The
class who accept the decisions of others without investigating for themselves, and refuse to be
interested in hearing and reasoning the Scriptures, have been deceived concerning present truth in
every age. "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the
wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are
vain." (1 Cor. 3:19, 20.)
Men who are esteemed great by the world, God can seldom use. In general, the great educators
of the age are carnal minded, therefore the product from the schools of men is enmity against God.
"Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed
can be." (Rom. 8:7.) If God would use them they must first, with the great apostle, deny themselves.
Said Paul: "To preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made
of none effect. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the
understanding of the prudent." (1 Cor. 1:17, 19.) "And, I brethren, when I came to you, came not
with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined
not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. And I was with you in
weakness, and fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing
words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power." (1 Cor. 2:1-4.)
God took Moses to the desert and there under His supervision
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He trained him for forty years -- when Moses unlearned all he had learned in the schools of Egypt,
then only was God able to use him for an instrument of His mighty arm. When Moses felt capable
to deliver Israel from Egyptian bondage he failed; but when he saw himself helpless, then he was
strong. If God should give great light to a man who is high in his own esteem, and held likewise by
the world, man would glorify himself and rob God of the glory. "At this time Jesus answered and
said, I thank Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because Thou hast hid these things from the
wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to babes." (Matt. 11:25.) God reveals Himself through
instruments and ways least suspected by men. Thus He performs a miracle by making impossibilities
possible, revealing His power and arousing the sleeper with light and voice divine. Men of distinction
have seldom accepted any light upon the Word of God simply on the value of its truth; this class
generally accepts Biblical truth after it becomes popular and when preached by men esteemed higher
than themselves.
Said the prophet, "Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be
accounted of?" (Isa. 2:22.) "It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man." (Psa.
118:8.) The prophet Micah, looking forward to this time of carnal security, says, "Trust ye not in a
friend put ye not confidence in a guide. (Micah 7:5.) God's people must learn to look to Him only,
depending upon the plain "thus saith the Lord." He may use the human instrument to communicate
light, but it will shine on the never-erring Word of God. Such light will dispel sin and rebuke the
sinner, exalt Christ, glorify God, and debase men. "The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the
haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. For the day
of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted
up; and he shall be brought low." (Isa. 2:11, 12.)
Satan knows how to deceive so that it can not be easily detected. He studies the inclination of the
people, and the thing which appeals most he sets as a trap. Because the generation is trusting in
human intellect and are willing that others should think for them, the devil will present to this class
the most dazzling personality the world has ever looked upon. Said the apostle: "And no marvel; for
Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." (2 Cor. 11:14.)
God's instruments for communicating light upon His Word will be the opposite to those of Satan's.
"I thank Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth," said Jesus, "because Thou hast hid these things
from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them
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unto babes." (Matt. 11:25.) To the prophet Isaiah, it was revealed that God will use humble men to
debase the proud: "For behold, the Lord the Lord of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from
Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water. The mighty man,
and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet, and the prudent, and the ancient, the captain of fifty,
and the honorable man, and the counselor, and the cunning artificer, and the eloquent orator. And
I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them. And the people shall be
oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbor: The child shall behave himself
proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honorable." (Isa. 3:1-5.) Said Jesus, "Whosoever
therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And
whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me." (Matt. 18:4, 5.)
A Brief Summary Of The Leopard-like Beast
It has been previously proven that the leopard-like beast by his seven heads, and ten horns is a
representation of a universal system. The four beasts of Daniel 7; namely, the lion, bear, leopard, and
the non-descript were shown in the vision as four universal empires coming up one after another.
Thus, prophecy as well as history proves that Babylon, Medo-Persia, Grecia and Rome succeeded
each other. This unbreakable chain of four links makes it impossible to intersect any one of the four
beasts with a universal system. Therefore, the leopard-like must come in line after the fourth beast.
As the "ten horns" of the non-descript beast represented "ten kings" that were to arise from the
Roman monarchy, the "crowns on the horns" prove that the leopard-like beast represents the period
after the fall of the Roman monarchy, at which time the "ten kings" received their kingdom. As he
also "came out from the Sea," it is evident that he too was to be created from the result of wars.
Thus the fall of the Roman monarchy gave birth to a fifth beast. His mouth of a lion, feet of a bear,
body of a leopard, and ten horns, show that he is a descendant of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Grecia, and
Rome.
As he opened his mouth in blasphemy for forty-two months, or 1260 years, it is undeniable that he
represents the papal period from 538 A.D. to 1798 A.D. -- the time in which the papal head received
its deadly wound. But as his wound was to heal some time after 1798, it is evident that he also
represents this world's history after the imprisonment of Pope Pius VI up to the time his "deadly
wound was healed;" these periods gave birth to Catholiasm and Protestantism.
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It would have been unwise, and useless to devise this prophetic beast if the symbols would fail to
reveal Protestantism as they do Catholicism. Before the 1260 years ended in 1798, the four
Protestant denominations were already in existence; namely, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodist, and
Christian. But after 1798 came the First-day Adventists; and the seventh-day Adventists from 1844
to 1929 completed his seven heads. As Protestantism fell by the declaration of the Second Angel's
Message after 1844, and as the symbol of Revelation 13 in 1930 revealed that the Seventh-day
Adventists "wondered after the beast" (world), these two incidents healed the wound, and drew the
blasphemy over all seven heads. Thus, the complete fulfillment of the symbolical prophecy revealed
the truth of the beast. As all other sects are but off-shoots from these seven bodies the heads included
all Christendom up to 1930. As the prophetic word of God says, "All the world wondered after the
beast" (worldliness), and not after the head (papacy), it denotes that they have wondered after the
world and not after Catholicism. Out of this great apostasy the message of Revelation 7:1-8, will seal
and save 144,000 saints, from the S.D.A. church who shall never taste death. But the message
represented by the angel of Revelation 18, with whose glory the earth is to be lightened, will call out
from the world the "great multitude" of Revelation 7:9.
God, who is so particular for the good of His church in revealing His truth to His people, has
presented to us wonderful pictures of historical events; which is the evidence of love everlasting for
Israel His chosen -- the first-fruits of His harvest. Thus "the God of Jacob," thousands of years in
advance, had laid His plans to present to His people a work of prophetic art with divine touch.
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The Two-Horned Beast
REV. 13:11-18
As John beheld the vision with intense interest, his attention was directed to another striking object:
And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he
spake as a dragon." (Rev. 13:11.) Just about the time the second and last stage of the non-descript
beast was to terminate, another earthly power was to come upon the stage of action, according to
the vision. It is wonderful to note how accurate the symbols are even to their proper time and order.
The beast having lamb-like horns (promise of growth) is an unmistakable symbol of a nation "slowly
arising as from a small plan to a mighty empire." "Lamb-like," is descriptive of the government
arising in 1776 A.D. (See "The Great Controversy," pp. 439-441.)
This beast has been accepted as a symbol of the United States. Therefore, our intention is not to
bring forth facts pertaining to its application. Our aim is, as previously stated, to briefly connect one
beast with another by throwing light upon symbols which have not been understood.
It will be noticed that every beast representing the New Testament time has ten horns except this
one. We repeat that the ten horns stand as a symbol of universal systems. This fact proves that the
two-horned beast represents a local government. As civil powers or governments are symbolized by
horns, this particular beast having two, it is evident that the nation represented by this symbol, shall
have a double form of government. As John says, "The beast spake as a dragon," it clearly reveals
that it is to repudiate its constitution, and the God-given liberty of its subjects will be taken away.
According to Rev. 13:12, this power is to imitate the beast "before him" (the papal rule): "And he
exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell
therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed." If this great nation should
presume upon the conscience of its subjects by legislation, as to how they may, or may not worship,
it would be contrary to the provisions in its constitution -- speaking as a dragon. Quoting the United
States constitution, the first amendment concerning religious matters, states: "Congress shall make
no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." If this
country should repudiate this amendment, it will completely meet the symbolical specification.
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The following verse discloses the fact that the old dragon shall exercise his power to deceive as
many as possible: "And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on
the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those
miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast saying to them that dwell on the earth that
they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live." (Rev. 13:13,
14.) Thus he is to exercise persecutive powers as well as the working of miracles.
As the Word exposes this great deception, one would think that the world would open its eyes and
refuse to be charmed by such Satanic wonders. But Satan knows that the people are unmindful of
the Word of God, and that their emotions are easily moved by supernatural marvels and the eloquence
of men. Therefore, he will perfect the contrivance and many will fall into it regardless of warnings.
The human mind cannot comprehend that mysterious and irresistible power that is soon to spread its
dreadful shadow over the inhabitants of the earth. No mortal being can stand against that
supernatural, civil and religious system. Those who are students of the Word, trusting in God
without reservation, and thus filled with the Holy Spirit, will escape that dreadful trap.
"Those who would rather die than perform a wrong act are the only ones who will be found
faithful." -- "Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 53. Their only safety will be, "Thus saith the
Lord." They must look to God as their only deliverer, as did the three Hebrews in ancient Babylon
and as Daniel in the lion's den. Let the consequence be what it may, God's people can find shelter
only in taking the position of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, as when they answered the king:
"O, Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we
serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of thine hand, O
king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the
golden image which thou hast set up." (Dan. 3:16-18.)
God's people, with Daniel, will be able to say at the time of their deliverance: "My God hath sent
His angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before Him
innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt." (Dan. 6:22.) In such
time of trial it shall be clearly seen who will serve God and who will not. That time of trouble shall
divide the earth's inhabitants in two separate and distinct classes, as sheep and goats.
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"And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both
speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he
causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand,
or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of
the beast, or the number of his name." (Rev. 13:15-17.)
This drastic decree of the two-horned beast shall be adopted by the nations of the world, and the
image of the beast, which will demand obedience to an ecclesiastical form of worship, will be
internationally set up. The mark of the beast is Sunday observance. Under one pretext or another,
the careless and indifferent will worship the image of the beast, and receive the mark. Only those who
have fortified themselves with faith in God knowledge of His Word, and obedience to divine precepts
through sanctification of the heart by the power of the Holy Spirit, will be able to escape the crutches
of the devil. When God's people are restrained from buying and selling, their only source of
sustenance will be through divine providence. One way or another, for that short time, God will
provide and care for His people. But it may be in a similar circumstance as in the wilderness journey.
"The time is not far distant, when, like the early disciples, we shall be forced to seek a refuge in
desolate and solitary places. As the siege of Jerusalem by the Roman armies was the signal for flight
to the Judean Christians, so the assumption of power on the part of our nation, in the decree
enforcing the papal Sabbath, will be a warning to us. It will then be time to leave the large cities
preparatory to leaving the smaller ones for retired homes in secluded places among the mountains."
-- "Testimonies to the Church," Vol. 5, pp. 464, 465. The 18th verse of Revelation 13, will be
explained in another study.
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The Scarlet Colored Beast
REV. 17
"So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet
coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns." (Rev. 17:3.) This
particular beast cannot be a symbol of Rome as some have thought. The first reason is, that the
non-descript beast of Daniel 7, as previously explained, is a symbol of Rome, and was seen coming
up from the sea; but the scarlet colored beast, John says, was in the desert. Therefore, the forces that
brought the scarlet colored beast on the stage of action is the opposite of that which produced the
non-descript.
The second reason is, as the angel was about to show the vision to John, he said to him, "Come
hither; I will show thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters." (Rev. 17:1.)
Then John was carried into the wilderness and there he saw the woman riding on the beast. The
reason the vision is given is to show him the judgment of the woman. But she was not judged in the
days of Rome; her judgment is yet in the future, and will be executed under the "Loud Cry" angel of
Revelation 18. (See verses 8, 10.) The riding on the beast is her last act; therefore, the beast must
represent the period in which she is judged. There is a third reason why the beast cannot be a symbol
of Rome. The book of Daniel, and the book of Revelation were written especially for the generation
living at the time of the end, and not so much for the Roman world. (See Dan. 12:4.) They had no
understanding of the writings that pertained to the last days, and thus could not have profited by
them. Therefore, it would have been improper and unwise on the part of God to apply all the beasts
to Rome, and leave the period to which the books apply without symbolical representation.
We believe that there must be more complete symbolical information for this present generation
than for any previous one. Thus, it is very inconsistent and unreasonable of those who have applied
the "leopard-like beast" of Revelation 13, and the "scarlet colored" of Revelation 17, in addition to
the "non-descript beast" of Daniel 7, as symbols of Rome. Why so many symbols of Rome and none
of the period for which the books were written? Furthermore, there are no facts to support such
claims. The greatest rebuke to such assertions in that they derive the same lesson from one beast as
they do from the other. If there
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is no special lesson in each of them, why are they given? Applying the heads, as they do the horns
to symbols of governments, shows that they had no light from the great and all-wise God. If each
term means government, why did Inspiration use both horns and heads?
Note how unreasonable it is to apply the woman riding on the beast, or sitting on the heads to
Catholicism in the New Testament time, and the heads to seven consecutive forms of governments
in the Old Testament period. Said the angel: "The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the
woman sitteth." (Rev. 17:9.) If the papal church came into existence in 508 A.D., how could she "sit"
on any government centuries before? Again, if the heads succeeded each other, where is the proof?
Are they not all present on the beast and the woman sitting on them? As the scarlet colored beast by
his ten horns and seven heads proves to be universal, the successive chain of beasts (the lion, bear,
four-headed leopard, non-descript, and leopard-like) make it impossible for another universal beast
to intersect their unbreakable chain of five links. Such an act would be an attempt to overthrow
prophecy, and history. Therefore, the only period he can possibly represent would be the one after
the "deadly wound" of the leopard-like is healed -- becoming a sixth universal beast.
Since the "scarlet colored" is the last in the symbolical procession of beasts, he must possess all the
characteristics of his ancestors. The ten horns of the non-descript beast, the seven heads of the
leopard-like, and his own unharmed heads, show that he comes on the stage of action after the deadly
wound was healed. His scarlet color denotes curse, as it does on the dragon (devil), in Revelation
12:3, and the words, "go into perdition," (Rev. 17:11), reveal that he is to bring this world to an end
by a curse that will result in "entire ruin; utter destruction; future misery or eternal death." --
"Standard Dictionary."
Therefore, if this beast represents our world at the present time, would it not be unwise on the part
of God, if He should have neglected to foresee the present day multiplicity of sects, and the great
confusion among Christendom, if the symbols by this beast fail to reveal the true condition of the
churches? As the non-descript beast tells the fall of the church in the period he represents so must
the scarlet colored. In fact, this is the principal reason why these prophetic beasts are presented.
The scarlet colored beast is the last symbolical beast in the continuous chain of historical events.
This beast does not arise from the sea like the beasts before it, but was seen in the wilderness.
Therefore, the scarlet colored beast is created by an historical
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incident unlike the beasts before it. The symbol denotes that it is not strife and wars between the
nations that brings this beast upon the stage of action, but rather a principle that is the opposite of the
symbol -- troubled sea.
He has ten horns and seven heads, the same as the leopard-like beast of Revelation 13:1-3. The
only difference between the heads of the two beasts is the deadly wound on the leopard-like. As his
"wound was healed," it is evident that the "scarlet colored" is a continuation of the "leopard-like."
Says John, "And his deadly wound was healed."
Thus the scarlet colored beast has seven unharmed heads. The seven heads represent Christendom
as they do on the leopard-like beast, but it is in the symbol of the scarlet colored, that they are called
Babylon. As he is full of names and blasphemy, it verifies the fact that he represents an exceeding
sinful period. "Full of names," implies a period of great multiplicity of so-called Christian sects; "and
blasphemy," because of rejecting present truth, (refusing to be corrected) and yet dare to call
themselves by the name of Christ (Christians).
The "ten" horns denote the same as on the beasts before it, meaning a universal system. If the heads
of the leopard-like beast represent religious organizations, then the (scarlet colored) embraces the
entire present civilization, both civil and religious (horns and heads). Note that the dragon of
Revelation 12:3, has the crowns on his heads, not on his horns. It has been previously explained that
when the crowns appear on the heads, it denotes a religio-political system. But if they appear on the
horns it reveals that the state is independent of the church.
It will be noticed that the scarlet-colored beast is crownless, as the non-descript of Daniel 7:7, 8.
The ten horns in the first stage of the non-descript beast, representing imperial Rome, had no crowns
because they had received no kingdom as yet. But in his second stage (after the fall of imperial
Rome) in reality they should have been crowned, the "little horn" having the "eyes of a man and a
mouth speaking great things" (a combination of a horn-head -- union of church and state -- the
papacy) being supreme, the horns could have no crowns, showing the papacy was to rule over kings.
The scarlet colored beast is also controlled by the woman riding on his back (church and state). Thus
it denotes that she is the authority, or the crown, for she rules the beast. This is one of the reasons
why the crowns are absent on this beast. The last is an image of the first verifying the fact that the
scarlet colored beast represents the "image of the beast" period, fulfilling Revelation 13:12, 15: "And
he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the
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earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And
he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak,
and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed." The difference
between the two drastic systems is revealed by the two symbols (horn-head on the one, and the
woman riding on the other).
The non-descript beast has only one "horn-head" -- a symbol of a mono-sectarian system by alliance
of civil power with religious creed. But the scarlet colored beast has seven heads, which denote a
multi-sectarian combination under a supreme religio-political jurisdiction (the woman). He represents
our world at its end, with its sovereign authority and theoretical theology under the dominion of the
"woman."
The period represented by the scarlet colored beast commenced in 1929, at which time the deadly
wound was healed. But his career is not fully developed until the "woman" shall sit upon his back.
The commencement of that act will be marked when the following prediction is fully realized:
"When Protestantism shall stretch forth her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of Roman power,
when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with Spiritualism, when under the influence of this
three-fold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its constitution as a Protestant and
Republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and
delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan, and that
the end is near." -- "Testimonies for the Church," Vol. 5, p. 451.
Revelation 17:8, "The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and they that dwell on the earth shall
wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when
they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is." "The beast that thou sawest" (the scarlet
colored), said the angel, "was and is not." As previously explained, the beast first began to appear
on the stage of history in 1929. Therefore, the word, "was," represents the period from the above
stated date up to the time when he will be, "not."
The period represented by the word "not," is the thousand years of Satan's captivity -- millennium:
"And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a
thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that
he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be
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fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season." (Rev. 20:2, 3.)
This period commences with the second coming of Christ and the end of this present world. At that
time the Scripture of Revelation 20:6, will be fulfilled: "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the
first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of
Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years." As the righteous dead are raised and united with
the living, then the prophecy of Jeremiah shall be fully realized: "I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place
was as a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the Lord, and by
His fierce anger. For thus hath the Lord said, The whole land shall be desolate; yet will I not make
a full end." (Jer. 4:26, 27.)
When the cities are broken down and the land laid waste, then the hope of the redeemed shall be
accomplished: "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the
archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive
and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so
shall we ever be with the Lord." (1 Thess. 4:16, 17.) At that glorious time when the saints depart,
the earth will be left in darkness as described by Jeremiah: For this shall the earth mourn, and the
heavens above be black: because I have spoken it, I have purposed it, and will not repent, neither will
I turn back from it. The whole city shall flee for the noise of the horsemen and bowmen; they shall
go into thickets, and climb up upon the rocks: every city shall be forsaken, and not a man dwell
therein." (Jer. 4:28, 29.)
Then, as the saints enter in through the pearly gates John's vision will meet its fulfillment: "And I
saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them
that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the Word of God, and which had not worshipped
the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands, and
they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years." (Rev. 20:4.) The righteous shall spend a
thousand years judging the wicked dead. For further study of the millennium see "Patriarchs and
Prophets," p. 103; "The Great Controversy," pp. 321, 662.
"But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first
resurrection.... And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened:
and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things
which were written
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in the books, according to their works," (Rev. 20:5, 12.) The books contain the records of the
wicked; the book of life is opened and examined by the saints, and in it they behold only the names
of the righteous. The names of some who once appeared in it were blotted out, while the names of
others were never entered between its pages.
Coming back to our subject: "The beast that thou sawest was, and is not, and shall ascend out of
the bottomless pit." Thus far, we have explained the first part of the Scripture quoted (was and is
not). Now we note the words, "And shall ascend out of the bottomless pit." In the millennial period
the wicked shall be judged; and at its close, Christ and the saints shall return to earth. John bears
witness of this: "And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven,
prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." (Rev. 21:2.) As Christ with the saints and the city
descend, then, the following Scripture will be fulfilled: "And the sea gave up the dead which were in
it, and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man
according to their works." (Rev. 20:13.) Note the verb, "were," being in past tense, shows that they
were judged previous to their resurrection. By the resurrection of the wicked, Satan will be loosed
from his captivity for a "little season." (See Rev. 20:3.) In this manner shall the beast (world)
"ascend out of the bottomless pit."
But the angel also said, the beast "goeth into perdition"; that is, after he ascended. Satan is loosed
for only a short season. He and the wicked shall live for one hundred years after the resurrection.
("The Shepherd's Rod, Vol. 1, pages 164, 165.) The Bible says that at the end of the hundred years
"Death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not
found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." (Rev. 20:14, 15.) The second death
of the wicked is an everlasting death, "and they shall be as though they had not been." (Obadiah 16.)
Speaking of Satan's destruction, says the prophet: "All they that know thee among the people shall
be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more." (Ezek. 28:19.)
"For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do
wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that
it shall leave them neither root nor branch." (Mal. 4:1.) In this manner the beast shall go in to
perdition. (Webster's definition of the word perdition is: "total destruction; utter loss of the soul or
of happiness in a future state.")
It is summarized as follows: The beast that "was" is the
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period prior to the millennium; and, "is not," is during the time of the millennium; and "shall ascend
out of the bottomless pit," is the period after the millennium, at which time all the wicked will be
resurrected and go into perdition; that is, at the end of the one hundred years, the wicked, Satan and
his angels shall be consumed by fire.
"And they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not found written in the book
of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is."
(Rev. 17:8.) What a surprise it will be to the wicked when they witness the great multitude as the
sands of the sea for number, suddenly come to life. It will be something which has never entered their
mind. Note the phrase, "From the foundation of the world." This term includes all the wicked since
the world began and proves positively that this interpretation is correct.
Rev. 17:9, "And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on
which the woman sitteth." All the heads being present on the beast, and the woman sitting on them,
proves that all seven "mountains" must be in existence at the same time. They cannot be consecutive
for the woman sits on them all, which denotes one great union of the heads by the medium of the
woman. They are called "mountains," as God's denomination is called "mountain," in Isaiah 2:2, and
Micah 4:1. The "mountain" (singular) is God's denomination, but the "mountains" (plural by both
Isaiah and Micah) have reference to the same denominations represented by the heads on the beast.
Thus "the seven heads are seven mountains."
Rev. 17:10, "And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come;
and when he cometh, he must continue a short space." Note that it does not say "they are," but "there
are." Therefore the "heads" cannot be symbols of the kings. The kings reign in successive order, for,
five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come. Note the Biblical number "seven," meaning
completeness. As the beast also represents the wicked who shall arise from the dead on the other side
of the millennium, and if all who lived from Cain to the end of this present generation are to be raised,
then the seven kings in connection with the beast must apply to the entire world's history from
creation to the end. "Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I
the Lord, the first, and with the last; I am He." (Isa. 41:4.)
As the explanation of the symbolical prophecy is first understood at this present time, and as such
prophecies are only timely revealed, and the lesson derived concerns this present generation,
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then the prediction is present truth. Therefore, we must consider the use of the Biblical pastand
present tense. This grammatical rule is followed in the Scriptures, and it is one way to recognize
present truth. Let not the enemy trip you on this point by vain philosophy or theology. The
Scriptures are perfect in themselves. The King James version is as dependable as any "good"
translation. Take heed of explanations by translations which you yourself do not understand. Trust
no man.
"And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he
cometh, he must continue a short space." (Rev. 17:10.) The "king," that "is," must be the one in
existence at this present time, and the one that is "not yet come," must be in the future. Consequently
the five that are "fallen," must be in the past. This would be the only fair position for one to take
without doing injury to the holy Word of God. As it has reference to the entire world's history under
sin, we must consider the number of universal empires, or periods, since the world began. There is
one before the flood, as previously explained; the second is Babylon; the third, Medo-Persia; fourth,
Grecia; and the fifth is the Roman monarchy. These five are fallen. The one that "is", is the present
civilization since the fall of Rome under the symbol of the "leopard-like" and the "scarlet colored"
beasts, to the commencement of the millennium, which period is termed Rome in her broken state
represented by the feet and toes of the great image of Daniel 2. These are the six kings. "Five are
fallen" and the one "is." The other that is "not yet come," must be the period after the millennium,
corresponding with the beast that is to ascend from the bottomless pit.
It is wonderful to note how God has portrayed our world's history with such perfect symbols, using
numbers of completeness in each instance. Thus His divine plan, rule, and guide for His people, is
revealed from generation to generation. Speaking of the seventh king, the one after the millennium,
the text says, "When he cometh, he must continue a short space," corresponding with that of
Revelation 20:3, "And after that he [Satan] must be loosed a little season."
Revelation 17:11, "And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and
goeth into perdition." To unmask the apparent mystery, all that is necessary, is to count the prophetic
beasts representing periods and nations. Beginning with the first beast and as we close with the last,
he must be "the eighth" and "yet of the seven." The lion (Babylon) is the first, the bear (Medo-Persia)
is the second; the four-headed leopard (Grecia) is the third; the non-descript (Rome)
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is the fourth; the leopard-like (from the fall of Rome to 1929) is the fifth; the one with the lamb-like
horns (United States) is the sixth; the scarlet colored (from 1929 to the end of this present world) is
the seventh; the same "scarlet colored" that shall ascend from the bottomless pit and go into perdition
(from the resurrection of the wicked to their second death), is the eighth: "And the beast that was,
and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition." He is the eighth, "but
is" of the seven," because "He was and is not, and yet is." That is, the scarlet colored beast appears
on the stage of action the second time (first, prior to the millennium and second, after the millennium,
by the second resurrection). Therefore, he is the eighth, but is of the seven: "And goeth into
perdition" (the second death of the wicked). Simple as it is, yet most perfect, it tells the truth and
corrects error. Here we see another set of numbers including the entire chain of beasts. The red
dragon in Revelation 12:3, cannot be numbered with the numerous beasts for he is not a symbol of
a particular nation or government. He represents Satan and his schemes at certain times, for he is
"called the Devil, and Satan." (Rev. 12:9.)
Rev. 17:12, "And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom
as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast." The ten horns denote exactly the same
as on the non-descript beast. As the present civilization was embodied in that beast (Roman
monarchy) and symbolized by the horns, just so the wicked multitude on the other side of the
millennium is embodied in the scarlet beast and symbolized by the horns. Therefore they "have
received no kingdom as yet." But received power as kings one hour with the beast." This last phrase
(one hour with the beast) will be fully explained in connection with another study.
Rev. 17:13, "These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast." The
kings that descended from the Roman monarchy have been in continual strife and will be to the end.
Said the prophet: "And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves
with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay."
(Dan. 2:43.) "But with the innumerable company on the other side of the millennium it will not be
so: "These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast." (Rev. 17:13.)
Rev. 17:14: "These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is
Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful."
Satan shall gather the great multitude and deceive
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them once more. He will marshall the armies of the nations at the close of the one hundred years
against the holy city -- New Jerusalem, thus making war with the Lamb: "And when the thousand
years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations
which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog to gather them together to battle: the
number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and
compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of
heaven, and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and
brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night forever
and ever." (Rev. 20:7-10.)
"Tormented day and night forever and ever." Note that it says not tormenting, but "tormented";
that is, they are punished once for ever. "Day and night," means that they shall be punished and
destroyed in the same manner as the antediluvians -- by raining, "day and night," -- water in the
former, and by fire in the latter.
The color of the beast (scarlet) reveals that God's people will have been called out by the message
of the "loud cry," and thus be separate and distinct from the world. Thus, leaving the beast "scarlet"
(skimmed-separated), a sign of being under condemnation, left without excuse -- ready to perish.
"Full of names and blasphemy", denotes multiplicity of sects and hypocrisy. The balance of the
chapter will be explained in another study.
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The Woman Riding On The "Beast," "Heads" And "Waters"
REVELATION 17
"And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto
me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many
waters." (Rev. 17:1.) The angel that was talking to John is one of the seven which had the seven
vials of the seven last plagues. (See Rev. 15:7; 16:1.) It will be noticed that he had the vial of the
plague ready, but it had not been poured out at the time he said to John, "Come hither; I will shew
unto thee the judgment of the great whore." By the information given, it is certain that the event
predicted by the symbol, the woman sitting on the beast, is shortly before the plagues are poured out
and in the time when the "woman" is to be judged.
Who Is The Woman Riding On The Beast?
The reason John was shown the vision, is made clear by the words of the angel: "Come hither; I will
shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters." The angel's
interpretation of the "waters" is given in Rev. 17:15: "Peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and
tongues." The woman sitting on them denotes that the inhabitants (waters) had fallen into her trap
of deception (sitting on them).
"And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious
stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her
fornication." (Rev. 17:4.) The woman is a symbol of a counterfeit religious system. From her cup
she hands out false doctrines. Being golden, it has an appearance of splendor -- inviting. Her costly
garments of loud colors and precious ornaments vividly portray the magnificence of this most vile
woman and her kingly pomp, and vain glory. By the power of her attraction, so irresistible to the
human eye, she has conquered men of the strongest intellect -- "With whom the kings of the earth
have committed fornication." Millions with strong mental faculties, men who appear as giants among
the inhabitants of the earth, have fallen helpless victims in her trap. The
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kings of the earth are guilty of spiritual adultery with the "woman" (drunk with false doctrines),
thereby becoming entangled in her seductive snares.
Any so called Christian organization handing out false doctrines under an appearance of virtue,
evidently is governed by the power of the "woman." The origin of all such fallacious teachings can
be traced back into the golden cup. Said the angel: "The seven heads are seven mountains, on which
the woman sitteth." It has been previously explained that the heads are symbols of so-called
Christians denominations, and as she sits on them all, it denotes a union of churches under one head
-- "the woman." The Biblical number "seven" apprehends all such organizations.
If all the churches at this present time were led by the Holy Spirit, there would be no confusion
among the so-called Christian sects. As it would be impossible for all to be right while no two believe
alike, it is warrantable to say that those who are drinking the wine from the "cup of her fornication,"
are not few, for Inspiration says: "And the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the
wine of her fornication." (Rev. 17:2, last part.)
Note that the "woman" sits on the "waters," also on the "heads," and on the beast." (See Rev. 17:1,
3, 9.) As it would be impossible for one person to sit on all three objects at one time, the prophetic
symbols reveal a spiritual fraud in three different periods. Thus John declares: "I saw a woman sit
upon a scarlet colored beast." Not upon the "waters", nor upon the "heads." Before he saw her, the
angel said, The woman "sitteth upon many waters." It was the angel also who added, "The seven
heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth." (See Rev. 17:1, 9.) Thus, John saw her last
exploit only (sit upon the beast). Consequently, the symbol, sitting on the "waters" is her first act,
according to the vision.
Therefore, her first achievement ("sitting on the waters"), must have been in the past from the time
the prophetic symbol is revealed. Hence, the sitting on the heads becomes her second
accomplishment, and the sitting on the Beast is the last; at which time she is judged.
As the Protestant churches are represented by the heads, she could not have sat on them before the
reformation, for they were not as yet in existence. As the heads upon which the "woman sits" are
unharmed, it is evident that the prophetic symbol is to meet its fulfillment some time after the deadly
wound of the leopard-like beast of Revelation 13:3, is healed. The
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symbol, sitting on the heads, denotes union of churches, for she sits on them.
Therefore, when Catholicism, Protestantism, and Spiritualism clasp each other's hand by the
medium of a league, then it could be said, "the woman sitteth on the heads."
The symbol of the "woman sitting on the beast," will meet its fulfillment when that religious
federation shall make an alliance with the powers of the world. Such an act would give the woman
full control of the entire beast, horns and heads -- the world. At that time the following Scripture will
meet its perfect fulfillment: "And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond,
to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save
he that had the mark, or the name of the beast." (Rev. 13:16, 17.)
Thus the symbol of the "woman" sitting on the "waters," represents the period before the
reformation. This was true during the period of papal supremacy, for at that time the papacy ruled
the Roman world -- "peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues." Thus the "woman" sat on
the "waters" during the 1260 prophetic years of Daniel 7:25, but she is yet to sit on the "heads," and
on the "beast." Had she sat on the non-descript beast instead of on the "waters," it would have been
wrongly symbolized, for, the "woman," by the tool of Catholicism, did not reign over all the world
(beast), but over many "peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues" (many waters).
Therefore, the symbol, "sitting upon the scarlet colored beast," denotes an international
religio-political system.
How Long Has The Woman Been In Existence?
This question may be answered by the following Scriptures: "And I saw the woman drunk with the
blood of saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with
great admiration." (Rev. 17:6.) This could truly be said of the Roman church, for, she persecuted the
Christians and martyred them. Therefore, she is "drunk" with their blood. True, the Roman church
has had unlawful connection with the "woman"; was, and is drunk with the wine of her fornication.
The "woman" did not originate with the Roman church, but rather she produced that church.
Therefore, we must trace her existence beyond the beginning of the papacy. Revelation 18:24,
throws light upon the subject: "And in her was found the blood of the prophets, and of the saints, and
of all that were slain upon the earth." The holy Word of God declares that the "woman"
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is guilty of the blood of the martyrs in all ages. Therefore, the "woman" is drunk with the blood of
Abel, and thus the blood of "all" the martyrs is found in her; proving that Cain was her first client by
presenting a counterfeit sacrifice (false doctrine), and by slaying his brother.
There are many so-called Christians, who like Cain, say, "It makes no difference; one thing is as
good as another." But God accepts no substitute and no man's religion. That which human wisdom
has devised, is man's righteousness, and not the righteousness of Christ. Therefore, it is an
abomination in God's sight. The human fiber of obedience to divine requirements being weakened,
and the sinful inclinations strengthened from generation to generation, the nature of man cannot be
better at this Present time than when the disciples asked Jesus: "Knowest thou that the Pharisees were
offended, after they heard this saying?" So-called Christians, like the Pharisees, become offended
when told of their errors, and rebuked for their sins. "But He answered and said, Every plant, which
my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the
blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch." (Matt. 15:12-14.)
"And upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots
and Abominations of the Earth." (Rev. 17:5.) The woman riding on the beast is the mother. The
seven heads on the beast are the symbols of her daughters (harlots). Catholicism is her first daughter
in this symbol, and as Protestantism sprang from Catholicism, then, apostate Protestantism in the
multiplicity of sects, are her daughters also. Or it may be said, the woman" is the mother of
Catholicism, and Catholicism is the mother of Protestantism. Says the Revelator: "I saw a woman
sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy." (Rev. 17:3.) Thus the number of
"heads," and "full of names," include all the offshoots from Protestantism and Catholicism. Had there
been no mention made of being "full of names," more than seven, and "scarlet," which denotes that
God's people have been called out of it, therefore, "scarlet" -- skimmed -- under curse ready to perish,
the Biblical number "seven heads," would have included those who are carrying God's message as in
the period of the leopard-like beast of Revelation 13:1, at the time his deadly wound was healed.
Therefore, it would have made no allowance for the church which "keep the commandments of God,
and the Faith of Jesus," and thus it would have contradicted the following Scripture: "And the dragon
was wroth with the woman [God's church], and went to make war with the remnant of her
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seed [Israel the true -- the 144,000], which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony
of Jesus Christ." (Rev. 12:17.)
God has never had more than one movement in existence at a time and it could not be otherwise
now, for Christ cannot be divided. (See 1 Cor. 1:13.) God's church is well marked in every
generation by obedience to present truth. The fact itself proves the claim true as there is only one
church in the period of the beast which has the "Spirit of Prophecy" and all of the commandments as
written by the finger of God. Said Jesus: "Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least
commandments and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but
whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." (Matt.
5:19.) It is this divine principle that shall divide the world into two classes -- the commandments of
God and the traditions of men. "And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate
them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep
on his right hand, but the goats on the left." (Matt. 25:32, 33.)
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The Exceeding Great Horn Of Daniel 8:9
"Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two
horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last.
I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before
him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and
became great. And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the
whole earth, and touched not the ground. and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. And
he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him
in the fury of his power. And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler
against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand
before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that
could deliver the ram out of his hand. Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was
strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of
heaven. And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the
south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land." (Daniel 8:3-9.)
The angel giving the interpretation to Daniel says: "The ram which thou sawest having two horns
are the kings of Media and Persia. And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that
is between his eyes is the first king. Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four
kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power. And in the latter time of their
kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and
understanding dark sentences, shall stand up." (Daniel 8:20-23.)
"And in the latter time of their kingdom [the four Grecian divisions], a king of fierce countenance...
shall stand up." This Scripture is applicable to the Roman monarchy, for this king must stand at the
end of the reign of the kings of Grecia. The Ptolemy's was the last of the four Grecian divisions to
fall under the ascendancy of Rome. With the defeat of Anthony, and the death of Cleopatra about
27 B.C., the noted dynasty of the Ptolemy's came to its end, and Egypt became a province of the
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Roman state. He was to stand up "when the transgressors are come to the full." The Grecians have
never been anything but transgressors; therefore, the reference can be applied only to the Jewish
nation, at which time the once-favored people of God would have exceeded any previous record of
both moral and Spiritual corruption. The Jewish nation reached that condition at the time of the
ascendency of Rome, and the first advent of Christ. Therefore, this king of "fierce countenance" is
the Roman monarchy, after the "transgressors" (Jews) had come to their "full."
Rome's Power Not Her Own; Understanding Dark Sentences
"And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and
shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and holy people. And through his policy also
he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart and by peace shall
destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes, but he shall be broken without
hand." (Daniel 8:24, 25.)
"He shall understand dark sentences," and "his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power."
His prosperity is accomplished by peace; then, if by peace, the Scripture can have no reference to
ambitious conquests of territory. His power was to be directed against the holy people (the
Christians). "He shall also stand against the Prince of princes" (Christ).
In order that a human being may understand dark sentences, he must use supernatural power, and
that power cannot be his own. The question arises as to where he was to obtain his mighty power.
If his attack is to be against Christ and His people, it would not be hard to recognized the kind of
power that he would use. However, John gives us the source of this mysterious strength.
"And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under
her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: and she being with child cried, travailing in birth,
and pained to be delivered. And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red
dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the
third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the
woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. And she
brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught
up unto God, and to His throne." (Rev. 12:1-5.)
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PICTURE
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The woman is a symbol of God's church; the crown of twelve stars is her authority or government
(the twelve apostles), and the child is Christ. In the ninth verse we are told that the dragon is "the
Devil, and Satan." It was under the figure of Herod that the dragon stood before the woman ready
to devour her child as soon as it was born.
"And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream,
saying, Arise, and take the young child and His mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until
I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him." (Matt. 2:13.)
Therefore, the power that Rome used in her cruelty against the "holy people and the Prince of
princes" was the old dragon power, and thereby the Roman emperors "understand dark sentences"
through which he, the devil, was determined to destroy Christ and his followers. (Follow the chart
on page 128).
The Horn Reveals That Which The Beast Fails To Do
As Medo-Persia and Grecia are each represented by the two symbols -- Medo-Persia first by the
ram, and second by the bear; and Grecia first by the goat and second by the four-headed leopard
beast, so Rome was represented first by the exceeding great horn on the goat, and second by the
non-descript beast. The first stage of the fourth beast represents imperial Rome, but the second stage,
after his three horns had been plucked, describes papal Rome. (See pages 56-59.) The beast
representing imperial Rome does not give much information regarding the Roman form of
government, but that which is not revealed by the beast is made known by the goat's great horn.
Therefore, we must consider the great horn's power and conduct.
Cast Down The Host And The Stars
Says Daniel: "Therefore, the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was
broken; and for it came up four notable ones towards the four winds of heaven. And it waxed great,
even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the starts to the ground and
stamped upon them." (Dan. 8:8, 10.)
"The host of heaven" cannot refer to the Jewish nation at that time for the Jews had killed the
prophets, and had rejected very message God had sent by His humble servants, until there was no
remedy. Thus they had been without a prophet since the time of Malachi. Had they obeyed God's
voice through His
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messengers, He would not have left them to fall under the Roman yoke.
The Jews reasoned as most Christians do at the present time. They took the position that they were
wise and well favored of God, even though they had rejected every ray of light, and completely
despised the entreaties and mercies of Jehovah. Their misconception of God's truth, and prejudice
against light upon the word of God, robbed them of wisdom and knowledge of the Most High until
they were finally led into terrible sin and condemnation. When they rejected the message borne to
them by the apostles with the power of the Holy Spirit, they sinned against the Holy Ghost, and
thereby closed the only channel through which God could communicate with them.
Therefore, the Jews, under such condemnation, could not be termed the "host of heaven," and much
less "stars." "Yea he magnified himself even to the Prince of the host." (Dan. 8:11.) "The Prince" is
Christ, and "the host" are the Christians. This is the only proper application that can be made of the
expression.
"The stars" are none other than the apostles, as they were symbolized by the woman's crown of
Revelation 12:1. Therefore, the "stars" that were cast down refer to the apostles, and "the host," to
the Christians after the crucifixion of Christ, when Rome, together with the Jews, persecuted and
martyred ("cast to the ground"). "Yea he magnified himself even to the Prince of the host"; that is,
the Roman power magnified itself against Christ -- Prince of the Christians.
The Daily And The Sanctuary Cast Down
"And by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. And
an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth
to the ground; and it practiced and prospered." (Dan. 8:11, 12.)
The Spirit of Prophecy, commenting on the text, says: "Then I saw in relation to the 'daily', Daniel
8:12, that the word 'sacrifice' was supplied by man's wisdom, and does not belong to the text." --
"Early Writings," p. 74. This being true, we must disregard the word "sacrifice," but hold to the
"daily," although the word "sacrifice" is italicized, showing that it was supplied, a vision was given
regarding the text, making it evident that a vital truth is involved in the words "daily," and
"sanctuary." Whatever the "daily" may be, it was taken away by the "Great Horn."
In Daniel 11:31, reference is made to the same incident:
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"And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away
the daily,... and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate."
The verse just quoted makes clear the idea that both the "daily" and the "sanctuary" must be a part
of God's truth. This thought cannot be misconstrued without doing injury to the Scripture. Note the
language used: "And they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength and shall take away the "daily."
After polluting the "sanctuary" and taking away the "daily," then it says: "They shall place the
abomination that maketh desolate." That is to say: The "sanctuary" and the "daily" were replaced by
the abomination. The abomination must be some Pagan religious institution, and that Pagan doctrine
("abomination") was to make desolate. That is to say, it laid waste the "sanctuary," the "daily," and
the "truth"; or as it is expressed in Daniel 8:13, "Trodden under foot." "And it cast down the truth
to the ground; and it practiced, and prospered." (Dan. 8:12.)
Jesus, speaking of the same incident, says: "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of
desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him
understand.") (Matt. 24:15.)
Jesus calls the "daily" and the "sanctuary," "holy place." No Pagan sanctuary would the Master call
"holy place," neither can it be polluted, for it has always been unclean. No pagan daily can be holy.
Therefore, the "daily" and the "sanctuary" must hold truth vital to the Christian church, and the
prophet declared that it was to be "trodden under foot." The word "sacrifice" in relation to the
"daily" was shown to be supplied by man's wisdom, as previously stated. It was also pointed out that
the word "daily" is correct. Therefore, it cannot be supplemented by another word; it must remain
as it is.
As Daniel was carefully watching the scene in the vision, he says: "Then I heard one saint speaking,
and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning
the daily, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden
under foot? And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the
sanctuary be cleansed." (Dan. 8:13, 14.)
The prophetic period of the 2300 days (years), a well-known Bible truth, was first taught by
William Miller prior to 1844. Therefore, we shall not give its explanation here. It is sufficient to say
that the long prophetic period ended in 1844. The question was asked by one saint, How long shall
be the vision concerning
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the daily, the sanctuary, and the host? Then it is answered by another saint, "Unto two thousand
three hundred days." It is only necessary to ascertain what two vital truths were brought to light in
1844, and we shall have the truth of what is meant by the "daily" and the "sanctuary." They are
self-explanatory in both word and time -- the Sabbath and the Sanctuary truths, as they were jointly
taught in 1844 A.D.
The Sabbath doctrine is the only Bible truth in the Christian dispensation that has to do with a
definite day, hence, it is called "daily." The word "daily," in the Hebrew by Isaac Leeser is rendered
"continual." Thus it clearly bears the evidence that the Sabbath (daily doctrine) is a continual and
everlasting truth.
As the Sabbath (daily) was taken away, and the "abomination set up," then that which took the
place of the Holy Sabbath, and the Sanctuary truth, is called "the abomination." Consequently
Sunday observance and a counterfeit priesthood are the only things to which the term "abomination"
can be applied, for the seventh-day was supplanted by the first day of the week, Sunday -- "the
abomination that maketh desolate." That is, the Sabbath was lost sight of, or "cast to the ground,"
until 1844, together with the sanctuary truth. As the truth concerning the sanctuary service was "cast
to the ground," (the truth of the priesthood of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary), the Pagan
priesthood, or the Papal, as it is called now, was set up, thus taking away from the church the true
mediatorial work of Christ. The truth of the sanctuary, jointly with the Sabbath, was brought to light
in 1844, at which time the judgment (blotting out sin) began in the heavenly sanctuary, fulfilling the
following prophecy:
"I beheld till thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as
snow, and the hair of His head like the pure wool: His throne was like the fiery flame, and His wheels
as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him: thousand thousands
ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him; the judgment was set,
and the books were opened." (Daniel 7:9, 10.)
At the fulfillment of this prophecy, the first angel's message was proclaimed: "And I saw another
angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the
earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God
and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come." (Rev. 14:6, 7.) This is another well
know Bible truth. (Read "The Great Controversy," pp. 352-356.)
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The sanctuary and Sabbath truths were restored to their proper place in 1844. But the question as
to the time when these two holy doctrines were "cast to the ground," or "trodden under foot,"
remains to be answered. The angel, speaking to Daniel relative to the time, said: "And from the time
that the daily shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a
thousand two hundred and ninety days. Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three
hundred and five and thirty days." (Dan. 12:11, 12.)
It will be noticed that there is no blessing pronounced at the termination of the 1290 prophetic days
(years), but there is a special blessing promised to those who wait till the 1335 days (years) are
fulfilled. Therefore, at the end of the 1335 years the "daily" (Sabbath) was to be restored, and the
blessing is to those who shall live from that time on, if they understand and receive its truth.
To ascertain the prophetic time when the Seventh-day Sabbath ("daily"), and the "truth"
("sanctuary") were trodden underfoot, and Sunday observance with its Pagan priesthood set up in
their stead, it would be necessary to subtract 1335 years from 1844, which would point back to 508
A.D., (dealing with the Hebrew calendar). In that year the "Daily" (Sabbath) and the "Sanctuary"
truths were "cast to the ground," and the "Abomination" (Sunday) "set up."
In order to understand the truth of the 1290 years ("days"), add this figure to 508, which points
forward to 1798 A.D. at which time the 1260 prophetic days of Daniel 7:25 terminated with the
imprisonment of Pope Pius VI. Thus the prophetic treading of the "host" ended in 1798, but the
"sanctuary" and the "daily" truths were not restored and placed in the church until after the fulfillment
of the 1335 days (years) in 1844. This unquestionable evidence proves that the movement that arose
in 1844 is God's true church, and divinely predicted. Hence it clears up the widespread confusion in
Christendom, as to which denomination has the truth for the present time; it also weeds out all the
rest as false, for it is the only movement that has the truth of the sanctuary.
As the truth of the two inseparable doctrines were thrown down in 508 A.D., preliminary to the
setting up of the papacy, just so the imprisonment of the pope in 1798 was preparatory to the
restoration of the jointly taught Bible truths, the Sabbath and the Sanctuary. The accountability that
rests on the papacy is not the observance of the day, but rather, the desire to change the law of God,
as shown in Daniel 7:25: "Think to change times and laws." The papacy thought to erase the
Seventh-day Sabbath
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from the eternal law, and to inscribe the first day of the week in its place.
How Was The Church Paganized?
It was the Roman emperors who paganized the church, and as the pagans always observed
Sunday,the Sabbath was set aside as far as the church authorities, the priests and the emperors, were
concerned. The pagans cared nothing for the Sabbath. They were not taught its sacredness, and the
few Christians who tried to keep the holy day were lost in the multitude. Soon the Sabbath services
were a thing of the past. This was accomplished by 508 A.D. This satanic act paved the way and the
papacy was set up in 538. The pope was made the absolute ruler, king of kings, and a corrector of
heretics by his so-called divine authority. The scheme was for the perpetuity of the false doctrines,
and to keep the truth underfoot forever. It is a most mysterious thing, the way the old enemy of
mankind has succeeded in deceiving the strongest intellects. He enthralls them to their own
destruction. Thus it has been in every age.
As previously explained, Rome at first persecuted the Christians. But when the old dragon saw that
persecution could not overthrow their faith, he reversed his plan, and devised a more subtle satanic
scheme to destroy the church. He worked, as always, through the natural heart, using the human tool
to carry out a deception unseen by mortal eye.
"Gibbon's Rome," Vol. 2, pp. 273, 274, says: "By the edicts of toleration, he [Constantine],
removed the temporal disadvantage which had hitherto retarded the progress of Christianity; and its
active and numerous ministers received a free permission, a liberal encouragement, to recommend
the salutary truths of revelation by every argument which could affect the reason or piety of mankind.
The exact balance of the two religions [Christian and Pagan], continued but a moment.... The cities
which signalized a forward zeal by the voluntary destruction of their temples [the Pagan's] were
distinguished by municipal privileges, and rewarded with popular donatives.... The salvation of the
common people was purchased at an easy rate, if it be true that, in one year, twelve thousand men
were baptized at Rome, besides a proportionable number of women and children, and that a white
garment, with twenty pieces of gold, had been promised by the emperor to every convert.... This was
a law of Constantine, which gave freedom to all the slaves who should embrace Christianity."
In this manner, Rome paganized the church, and what persecution failed to do, donatives and
privileges accomplished. As
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the victorious Christians were pressing forward against the impregnable persecuting wall which was
supported by the devil he suddenly drew back, allowing it to collapse. Thus, as the persecution
ceased, it caused them to fall as it were, by their own force. So what the satanic power failed to do
by persecution, he accomplished by a sudden retreat. When the old dragon saw that he could not
overthrow that spiritual house by persecution, he reversed the scheme and employed his power to
undermine the apostolic foundation by donatives and various inducements to the pagans in favor of
the Christians. As the pagans rushed to join the church, the current of apostasy turned against the
Christians. Instead of the church Christianizing the world, the world paganized the church. In this
way the Christians fell under the power of the "dragon" and thereby were swallowed by his heads
(paganized). But as satan designed to fully insure his plan he turned the persecution toward the
pagans, fearing that the true Christian spirit would revive if the two sects, Christian and Pagan, were
in existence.
Gibbon says: "Under his [Athanasius'] reign, Christianity obtained an easy and lasting victory; and
as soon as the smile of royal patronage was withdrawn, the genius of Paganism, which had been
fondly raised and cherished by the arts of Julian, sunk irrevocably in the dust." -- "Gibbon's Rome,"
Vol. 2, p. 521.
"A special commission was granted to Cynegius, the Preatorian prefect of the east, and afterwards
to the Counts Jovius and Gaudentius, two officers of distinguished rank in the West; by which they
were directed to shut the temples, to seize or destroy the instruments of idolatry, to abolish the
privileges of the priests, and to confiscate the consecrated property for the benefit of the emperor,
of the church, or the army.... Many of those temples were the most splendid and beautiful monuments
of Grecian architecture; and the emperor himself was interested not to deface the splendor of his own
cities, or to diminish the value of his own possessions.... In Syria, the divine and excellent Marcellus,
as he is styled by Theodoret, a bishop animated with apostolic fervor, resolved to level with the
ground the stately temples.... But when a sentence of destruction against the idols of Alexandria was
pronounced, the Christians set up a shout of joy and exultation whilst the unfortunate Pagans, whose
fury had given way to consternation, retired with hasty silent steps.... Theophilus proceeded to
demolish the temple of Serapis,... and to content himself with reducing the edifice itself to a heap of
rubbish, a part of which was soon afterwards cleared away, to make room for a church, created in
honor of the Christian martyrs." -- "Gibbon's Rome," Vol. 3, pp. 140-146.
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Thus the Pagans joined the Christian church through force and bribery instead of conviction of sin,
and thereby Christianity gave way to idolatry. Says Gibbon: "Both religions had been alternately
disgraced by the seeming acquisition of worthless proselytes, of those votaries of the reigning purple,
who could pass, without a reason, without a blush, from the church to the temple, and from the altars
of Jupiter to the sacred table of the Christians." -- Id., Vol 2, p. 522.
The church in her purity, filled with the spirit of the meek and lowly Jesus, battled against
oppression and torture. They prayed for those who would take their lives, saying, "Lord, forgive
them, for they know not what they do." They, like Stephen, kneeled down under a rain of stones,
pleading, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." But the Christians who were once zealous for the
pure standard of the church, took the crown of civil authority, and compelled the Pagans to join their
ranks.
As the Pagans and the Christians became one, the dragon wielded his power and great authority
into the papacy. By this concentrated ecclesiastical monarchy he erased the Seventh-day Sabbath
from the law of God, and in its stead he inserted the pagan Sunday. At this point he directed his
power against disloyalty to the demands of the papacy. This pontifical authority continued to wear
out the saints of the Most High, as in Daniel 7:25. As Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Babylon,
and Daniel in Medo-Persia, prevented the establishment of an ecclesiastical government, and brought
to naught the king's decree, just so Luther abolished the pontifical monarchy, and brought to an end
the papal authority. As Luther's blow weakened his power and Protestantism continually irritated his
wound, the pope, by the hand of Berthier, was put behind prison bars.
How Idol Worship Crept Into The Church
Just a few more lines from the pen of Gibbons describing how idol and saint worship crept into the
Christian church: "The bodies of St. Andrew, St. Luke, and St. Timothy, had reposed near three
hundred years in the obscure graves, from whence they were transported, in solemn pomp to the
church of the apostles, which the magnificence of Constantine had founded on the banks of the
Thracian Bosphorus. About fifty years afterwards, the same banks were honored by the presence of
Samuel, the judge and prophet of the people of Israel. His ashes, deposited in a golden vase, and
covered with a silken veil, were delivered by the bishops into each other's hands.... In the long period
of twelve hundred years, which elapsed between the reign
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of Constantine and the reformation of Luther, the worship of saints and relics corrupted the pure and
perfect simplicity of the Christian model: and some symptoms of degeneracy may be observed even
in the first generations which adopted and cherished this pernicious innovation.... The Christians
frequented the tombs of the martyrs, in the hope of obtaining, from their powerful intercession, every
sort of spiritual, but more especially of temporal, blessings. They implored the preservation of their
health, or the cure of their infirmities; the fruitfulness of their barren wives, or the safety and
happiness of their children." -- Id; Vol. 3, pp. 156, 157, 162.
Both classes were unlawfully urged, the Christians to forget the spirit of the gospel, and the Pagans
to embody the spirit of the church. The sublime and simple theology of the primitive Christians was
gradually corrupted. The demon power was retarded. Although he could not defeat the operations
of the Christian engineers by persecution, he succeeded by flattery.
As the unjust persecution against the Christians had ceased, the church took the downward step.
Though a few respected the sacredness of the Sabbath, they were not disturbed until after the
ecclesiastical monarchy was set up in 538. The dragon had carefully determined to obtain the
perpetuity of the combined national religion, Christian in name but Pagan in practice. Satan designed
to set up the papacy, and to "wear out the saints of the Most High." The persecution, first against
the early Christian church, and second, against paganism in favor of Christianity, was reversed under
papal rule. The few Christians who reverenced the Seventh-day Sabbath were, in some respects
hunted like rabbits, and there was demanded of them strict obedience to the legal but unchristian
religion of the popes.
To come back to our subject, -- "The exceeding great horn." Rome in her divided state cast down
the truth and stamped upon it. But it was not accomplished in a sudden or arbitrary manner. Sunday
observance gradually crept into the Christian church. At first the morning hours were considered
somewhat sacred, because the Lord had risen early on that day. After it had become formal, more
sacredness was attached to it, and the hours were extended till noon. Finally the entire day was set
aside as a day of worship.
While Sunday was growing more and more sacred, the Seventh-day Sabbath was on the decline,
and becoming less and less holy. Here we see an example that should be marked carefully by all
Christians. To add anything to the religion of Christ, though it may seem good on the surface, results
in a deadly sting from beneath. Our God has devised a religion sufficient
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to save the church, if carefully followed. He needs no man's help, neither can He acceptman-made
devices.
"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall
add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any
man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out
of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." (Rev.
22:18,19.)
The Roman church displaced the simplicity of the truth with human wisdom and traditions of man.
Or, as Daniel puts it: "An host [Pagan flood] was given him against the daily by reason of
transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practiced, and prospered." (Dan. 8:12.)
The "host" against the "daily" were the unconverted Pagans brought into the church; therefore, "by
reason of transgression." How different from the method employed by John the Baptist! "But when
he saw many of the Pharisees and Saducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of
vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for
repentance." (Matt. 3:7, 8.)
It may be profitable to ask: is the church at the present time imitating John or the Romans? Are her
members Christians or Pagans? The Lord charged His servant to warn ancient Israel against a similar
disastrous practice. He said: "And thou shall say to the rebellious, even to the house of Israel, Thus
saith the Lord God; O ye house of Israel, let it suffice you of all your abominations, in that ye have
brought into My sanctuary strangers, uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in My
sanctuary, to pollute it, even My house." (Eze. 44:6, 7.)
Truly, are people working for God or for themselves? The angel, in giving instruction to Daniel,
calls the Sabbath and the sanctuary truth, "The Truth." (See Daniel 8:12.) Indeed, it is the truth. In
keeping the Sabbath we honor God by recognizing Christ's holy memorial of creation.
"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the
prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all
things, by whom also He made the worlds." (Heb. 1:1, 2.)
Because sin entered the human family, the Lord instituted the sanctuary truth, which typically
illustrates His sacrifice, death and resurrection -- the revelation of our redemption. Thus in keeping
the Sabbath and sanctuary truth, we openly confess that
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Christ is both Creator and Redeemer. "Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath day."
(Mark 2:28.)
The Bible is the revelation of creation and redemption in Christ -- Creator and Redeemer.
Therefore, the Sabbath and the Sanctuary constitute "The Truth." (See Hebrews 9:10, 4:4-10.) Thus
these two doctrines are coupled together, cannot be separated, and bear the whole truth.
How do we keep the Sanctuary truth? It is kept, not in type, but in anti-type. By faith we believe
that Christ, our High Priest, in the heavenly sanctuary is officiating in our behalf, as it was taught in
type by the earthly sanctuary, built by Moses. As Israel complied with the requirements of its service
in the type, so we must in the anti-type. Thus we "proclaim the truth [Sabbath and Sanctuary] more
fully."
SUMMARY
The Horn "Bears Rule Over All The Earth"
In order to fully comprehend what is being taught in this chapter, we again call attention to the
chart on page 128. Now let us follow the chart along with the reading. In the foregoing study it is
proven that the "exceeding great horn" of the "goat" does not represent imperial Rome only, but also
papal Rome, and the present world as well; for the "horn" first persecuted Christ and His followers
under the jurisdiction of the Roman monarchy. The truth expressed by the "Daily" and the
"Sanctuary" were trodden down "by reason of transgression" in the period of the broken state of
Rome up to 508 A.D.; for the imperial government came to an end in the year 476. Furthermore, the
papal power "treads" God's truth on the ground up to the termination of the prophetic 1260 years,
and ended with the imprisonment of the pope in 1798. But the "Sanctuary" and the "Daily" were held
to the ground by the "Great Horn" up to 1844. At that time he lost control of them, and the power
of the "THREE ANGELS' MESSAGES" raised the truth from the ground, or from "under-foot" and
placed it in the church. Therefore, the "Great Horn" is a symbol of the entire New Testament period
to the second coming of Christ -- corresponding with the legs of iron, and the feet and toes of the
great image of Daniel 2.
These are facts which cannot be denied. However, there is another proof that bears evidence of
the same. Said the prophet: "And after thee [king of Babylon] shall arise another kingdom inferior
to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth." (Daniel 2:39.)
The "brass" kingdom is accepted to represent Grecia, but the
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fact is that Grecia never did bear rule over all the earth. The most distant point of the compass
reached by Alexander the Great was a portion of India. Neither did imperial Rome bear rule over all
the earth. What then? Is Daniel wrong in the interpretation of the dream? If there is any error,
Daniel cannot be at fault. The responsibility would naturally fall on God who was the overseer of all
the writings, and the interpretations of the Scriptures. If Daniel had made a mistake it was God's duty
to have him correct it. But as God is perfect in all His work, He cannot allow error in His Holy
Word. Daniel is correct in his interpretation and the "brass" kingdom must bear rule over all the
earth, for all else may fail, but God's Word shall stand forever.
When the goat's notable horn between his eyes (Alexander) was broken off, four others came up
in its stead (the four divisions of Grecia). After this another little horn came up from one of the four,
and it "waxed exceedingly great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant
land." (Daniel 8:9.) Note that this horn waxed exceedingly great. That is to say, he was greater than
the one "between his eyes" (Alexander). The exceeding great horn went toward the south, and
toward the east, and toward the pleasant land (Jerusalem) as in Psalms 106:24 and Zechariah 7:14.
Geographically, Babylon, where Daniel had the vision, lies east of Jerusalem. Thus, in the vision the
"goat" stood in Babylon. To make the circle, the horn consequently went toward the four corners
of the compass, or, as Daniel puts it, "toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant
land." The symbol denotes that the exceeding great horn would extend its dominion over all the earth
-- the four corners of the compass. The fact is, the horn represents Rome in its three divisions --
Imperial, Papal, and the present unstable world.
The Bible is correct in making the statement concerning the kingdom of brass, "that it shall bear rule
over all the earth," for the brass represents the "goat." Thus the prophet stated: "An he goat came
from the west on the face of the whole earth." (Daniel 8:5.)
Had Daniel said of the non-descript beast, symbol of imperial and papal Rome, that it would bear
rule over all the earth, the claim would prove incorrect. The non-descript beast, in its first stage,
represents imperial Rome, and in his second stage, papal Rome up to 1798, at which time the beast
came to its end with the imprisonment of pope Pius VI, and gave place to the "leopard like beast" of
Revelation 13:1-3.
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Note the accuracy of inspiration. Has the prophet said, "the kingdom of iron shall bear rule over
all the earth," it would have been true as far as the iron bearing rule, but such affirmation would have
discredited this wonderful lesson taught by the symbolic goat. What is true of the iron and clay, is
true of the goat; and one corresponds with the other.
The horn extends beyond 1798, and to the second coming of Christ, corresponding with the iron
(legs, feet and toes) of the great image in Daniel 2. Of the "horn" we read, "it shall be broken without
hand." (Daniel 8:25.) The same terms of speech are used of the feet and toes of the great image in
Daniel 2:45. "In the days of these kings," Daniel says, "shall the God of Heaven set up a kingdom,
which shall never be destroyed." (Daniel 2:44.) Therefore, the present civilization is the product of
the goat, or the kingdom of brass. Had inspiration said the kingdom of iron shall bear rule over all
the earth, it would have marred the picture, for the gold, silver and brass (Old Testament time), stands
on the legs of iron (New Testament time). Thus the symbol proves that the Old Testament period
stands on the Christian dispensation (Christ); and the New Testament period feeds on the Old
Testament dispensation.
The trunk of the great image, depicting a living being containing all the living organs, corresponds
to the Bible, for the Old Testament is the great store house of the Word of God, and the New feeds
from the Old. In the Old dispensation, the Lord gathered the Word of God into the Bible to feed the
world in the New dispensation. The New Testament is the fulfillment of the Old. God's Word spells
perfection in every way.
The Sabbath "Trodden" Only Once
We again call your attention to the "woman" (church) of Revelation 12, where we are told she was
given "Two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness... that they should feed her
there a thousand two hundred and three score days." (Rev. 12:14, 6.) As the wings of the lion
(Babylon) and the four-headed leopard (Grecian four divisions, Dan. 7:4, 6) represent periods of
world history, (see pages 33-42), so the wings of the woman also must denote two great periods of
church history. The eagle being the king of birds, his wings must stand for chief, head or first.
Therefore, each wing must be a symbol of one of these two great periods from their very beginning.
Had not inspiration emphasized the fact that the wings were of a great eagle we could possibly
conclude that one of them may stand for the Old Testament period, and the other for the Christian
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era. But the word, great, does not allow such conclusions. Thus, one of the wings must apprehend
the church history from creation to the crucifixion of Christ, and the other from the resurrection to
the end of this present world. Here, too, it would be possible for us to conclude that one wing may
stand for the period before the Bible came, and the other for the Biblical period after the exodus. But
the words of the Revelator overrule that thought, for he says: "And to the woman were given two
wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished
for a time, and times, and a half a time, from the face of the serpent." (Rev. 12:14.) Therefore, she
was given the wings to fly into the wilderness in the New Testament time.
The symbol reveals that God has had only one church (truth) in all ages, and that the cross of Christ
is the only center of attraction. The lesson teaches that the church of God fled into the wilderness
only once in her entire history, and that was from 538 to 1798 A.D. During this time the Sabbath and
the Sanctuary truths were "cast down to the ground," or "underfoot." Therefore, the continuity of
these truths have never before the year 538 been interrupted by the church leadership. Although these
divine truths may not always have been respected by members or leaders in the church, they were
there for those who wanted them. Thus, God's eternal truth could have been kept by His people,
openly, in all ages save the period under papal rule.
Again note, that the truth was cast down, and the "woman" (church) had fled into the wilderness.
Inspiration says: "She hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there." (See Rev. 12:6,
14.) So, while the truth was "cast down" by the church leadership in that period, and the
"abomination set up," God had some in obscurity who kept His Sabbath and had knowledge of the
Sanctuary truth through the entire 1260 years of wilderness journey. Thus she was nourished (fed),
revealing that she was to return.
Double Worship In All Ages
By observing the chart, the history of Sabbath and Sunday observance, or true and false worship,
will be noticed. In the beginning the Lord created Adam and Eve, and placed the holy couple in the
garden of God, but our first parents transgressed the counsel of the Most High, and sin entered the
Eden home. In order to preserve His original plan for the human family, He was compelled to
remove our parents from their Edenic abode. To them were born sons and daughters; see Genesis
5:4. Their first two sons are brought to our attention by the Scriptures in
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a contrast that is most striking, and one that should be carefully considered by every professor of
religion.
The sacrifice and religious worship of the two first born in the human family, reveals that the
Saviour of the world had made known the divine plan of salvation to the family of Adam. Their
system of worship being devised by the Creator Himself, was perfect, and able to save the sinner from
his sin. Abel's careful religious observance, according to the instruction of the Diety whom he
worshipped, shows that only such worship, honor and praise, can be acceptable to God. Cain was
not mindful of the commandment, and thus by presenting that which God had not required went about
to establish a religion of his own. As he immediately afterwards slew his brother it should be an
object lesson to all: that a worship according to the inclination of men, however good and innocent
it may seem, cannot sanctify and save the worshiper. But instead it takes him deeper into sin, and
final ruin. Those who are inclined to persecute the ones who do not worship as they do, are bowing
down with Cain at the altar made of bricks. Such altars are the product of man by converting the
form of the original; and though more attractive than the altar of stone may seem, there is no
sanctifying power in them, and their worship is as deadly as poison. The evidence cannot be denied
that both forms of worship (true and false) were introduced at about the same time, and ran side by
side. Both seem innocent and were conducted about the same way with the distinction that the one
is in harmony with God's book and law, and the other is not.
The two tracks on the chart, by the side of Abel, represent God's eternal truth, Sabbath and
Sanctuary. The Sabbath originated in the garden of God. "And on the seventh day God ended His
work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made.
And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it: because that in it He had rested from all His work
which God created and made." (Genesis 2:2, 3.)
Because of sin, the sanctuary truth was added after the fall of Adam. Both truths are of vital
importance. The Sabbath we keep to avoid sinning, but the Sanctuary truth is to save us after we
have sinned. The one is to keep us from falling, and the other is the remedy if we fall! If, after
receiving the knowledge of the truth, we break the Sabbath, we have sinned and denied the Creator,
which is far worse than the sin of Adam. By noncompliance with the Sanctuary truth, we refuse the
plan (or remedy), and reject the Saviour of our Salvation. Read "The Desire of Ages," page 165.
The Sabbath is a part of the Ten Commandment
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Law. (Exodus 20:1-17.) The Sanctuary truth is the law of our salvation, after we have sinned. Adam
sinned by eating the forbidden fruit. Lucifer sinned by setting himself up as a god. Said he, "I will
ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of
the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like
the most High." (Isaiah 14:13, 14.)
By eating of the forbidden fruit, Adam broke the health (food) law, and by so doing he also,
indirectly, broke the Ten Commandment Law; for by transgressing God's Word he dishonored Him
as a son would dishonor his earthly father by disobedience, and thereby breaking the fifth
commandment. (Exodus 20:12.) Therefore, Adam is guilty of violating two laws, while Lucifer broke
only one, the Ten Commandment Law, for he ate nothing that God had forbidden.
Adam's transgression brought him to the grave (dust), for, after eating of the forbidden fruit it
reacted on his physical being, and thus the evil passed from father to son. But as Lucifer had not
transgressed the law of health, natural death had no power over him. Adam, by obedience to the
provision made for his redemption -- accepting the remedy -- shall be made alive by resurrection. To
Lucifer, for rejecting the same privilege and deceiving the human family, God said: "Thou shalt be
brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit." (Isaiah 14:15.) "Thou wast perfect in thy ways from
the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.... I will destroy thee, O covering
cherub, from the midst of stones of fire.... Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine
iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it
shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold
thee. All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and
never shalt thou be any more. (Ezek. 28:15, 16, 18, 19.)
There is a lesson here that is worth our consideration. Let the sinner place his finger on his sin.
By disobeying God's word in any form, you are breaking one or more of His eternal laws. This is
your final opportunity to either accept or reject salvation. Mercy is knocking at the door for the last
time. Will you brother, will you sister, give your heart to God?
The readers attention is again called to the chart. The double track passing by Abel and around the
cross, shows that the Sabbath and the Sanctuary truths are eternal and divine, and that the recognition
of their sacredness had never been thrown
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out from the church of God until after 508 A.D.; at which time the "goat" with his great horn "cast
down the truth to the ground." But in the year 1844, God's truth by the power of the "Three Angels'
Messages," was again brought to light. It is evident that the Sabbath and the Sanctuary, (the law and
the gospel) are inseparable. If you have been disobedient to God's word in any form, will you now,
at the last call, say, "Lord, here I am. Take my stony heart and give me a heart of flesh?" Will you
plead that He write His law in your heart? The angel is waiting to seal you with the seal of God. Will
you choose darkness rather than light? As the angel is lightening the earth with his glory, will you
let him lighten your heart? Yet a little while and God's truth shall triumph, why should you remain
behind? Will you stubbornly worship, like Cain, with a religion that cannot save? Will you dishonor
the Saviour who died for you, and honor the adversary and enemy of your soul? Why should you
perish in just a little while, in the dark millennium? (Follow the chart.) Will you be ready when Jesus
comes to take His saints to the mansions above? Take notice that the keeping of the truth is the train
to the city of God. "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His
commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." (Eccl. 12:13.)
The 1290 and 1335 "days" (years), relative to the "daily" and the "sanctuary" of Daniel 12:11, 12,
are now understood for the first time. This being the time in which they are revealed, it is evident that
we are dealing with present truth. Therefore, the Scripture must be speaking directly to us at this
very time. Thus, both the cursings and the blessings of this chapter apply to this generation, and we
are granted the privilege of choosing either the one or the other.
It is necessary that we comment first on the 10th verse of Daniel 12, for it brings out the fact that
at the time this Scripture is revealed, "Many shall be purified and made white, and tried; but the
wicked shall do wickedly and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand."
Therefore, it is necessary that we repent from all sin and separate ourselves from every false way, thus
having our vision clear, so that we can understand.
"And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy
people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that
same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the
book." (Daniel 12:1.) The name "Michael," means "who is like God." "Christ is the express image
of the Father," and the great Prince of His people.
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Thus the title signifies Christ. At this time, Christ (Michael) shall stand up for His people, and every
one shall be delivered who is found written in "The Book." Thus God's people need not fear in the
time of trouble.
"And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and
some to shame and everlasting contempt." (Daniel 12:2.) It will be noticed that the resurrection
foretold in this Scripture is mixed -- some are of the righteous, while others are of the wicked.
Therefore, this is a special resurrection, and independent of the one referred to in 1 Thessalonians
4:16, 17, for it plainly says: "The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice
of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which
are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air:
and so shall we ever be with the Lord."
John also makes it clear that the righteous only are called forth at the coming of the Lord, for he
says: "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no
power." (Rev. 20:6.) Consequently, the mixed resurrection must precede the one at the coming of
Christ in the clouds. Those who awake to "everlasting contempt" must be those who pierced Christ,
thus fulfilling the following Scripture: "Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him,
and they also which pierced him." (Rev. 1:7.)
"And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to
righteousness as the stars forever and ever." (Daniel 12:3.) They who are "wise" are the ones who
shall "understand," and they shall turn many to righteousness; thus they shall shine as stars "forever
and ever." These are not those who were resurrected in the special resurrection, for it would be after
the close of probation, and about the end of the seventh plague, just shortly before the coming of the
Lord. Thus the resurrected ones would have no chance to turn any to righteousness. Therefore,
those who shall shine as stars are the 144,000, and all who shall have a part in the closing work of
the gospel. Think of the glorious promise! Is there anything like it in all the world? What can you
compare with celestial bliss in the presence of God? Life everlasting, without pain or tears! See
Revelation 7:17, and Isaiah 11:6, 7; 65:25.
"But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall
run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." (Daniel 12:4.) What plainer evidence could we
ask to convince us that this is the time of the
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end? Has knowledge been increase? Are many running to and fro? While Daniel does not tell how
the running is accomplished Nahum does: "The chariots shall be with flaming torches in the day of
His preparation.... The chariots [automobiles] shall rage in the streets, they shall justle one against
another in the broad ways: they shall seem like torches, they shall run like lightnings." (Nahum 2:3,
4.) The prophecy being understood, it is evident that "the book" is unsealed, and that the time of the
end is upon us.
"Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the
river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river. And one said to the man clothed in linen,
which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? And I
heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand
and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by Him that liveth forever that it shall be for a time, and
times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all
these things shall be finished." (Daniel 12:5-7.)
The question was asked, "How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?" The answer is, that
it "shall be for a time [one year], times [two years] and an half time [half year]." Thirty days to a
month, twelve months to a year, equals 1260 prophetic days (years).
The prophetic period points back to papal supremacy, and the persecution of God's people from
538 to 1798 A.D. (See Dan. 7:25, and Rev. 12:6, 14; 13:5.) The end of the long prophetic period
in which the papacy scattered the power of the holy people, is in the past by a hundred and thirty
years. The angel declared, in this time "all these things shall be finished." Does not all this prove that
we are on the verge of eternity?
Will you, brother, will you sister, adorn yourself with the righteousness of Christ? Or will you wait
a little longer, until after the harvest is past? Someone shall utter the following words in great
disappointment: "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved." (Jeremiah 8:20.)
Shall you, or shall I?
"And I heard, but understood not: then I said, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
And He said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end."
(Daniel 12:8, 9.) Are they closed now? If not, then is not this the time to which the prophet refers?
"Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days."
(Daniel 12:12.)
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The Beast (666), False Prophet, Mother Of Harlots, Man Of Sin, Who Are They?
The mystical number "666" of the beast in Revelation 13:18 as applied to the papacy, proves to be
unscriptural as well as unreasonable. While the numerical letters of the title of the pope bears the
number 666, there are many other titles, as well as names of individuals, who bear the same number.
By simply computing the numerical value of letters in a title, or name, we find it fits many, hence we
must look for Biblical proof to make the application. Except we thus prove the idea it would be
improper and unfair to apply the symbol to any one individual.
The idea concerning the symbolical application of the false prophet of Revelation 19:20, the woman
on the scarlet colored beast of Revelation 17, the leopard-like beast of Revelation 13, the scarlet
colored beast of Revelation 17, and the non-descript beast of Daniel 7, as being symbols of the
papacy, is unbiblical and also illogical.
"And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he
spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth
and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he
doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by means of those miracles which he had power to do in
the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the
beast, which had the wound by the sword and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image
of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not
worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and
poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man
might buy or sell, save he that had the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number
of a man; and his number is six hundred three score and six." (Rev. 13:11-18.)
"And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by means of those miracles which he had power to do
in the sight of the
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PICTURE
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beast." (Rev. 13:14.) The beast spoken of here is the one with lamb-like horns. But some one else
is introduced by the pronoun "he," who "had power to do miracles in the sight of the beast" (the
lamb-like). The following Scripture will make clear who it is that performs the miracles: "And the
beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, [before the two
horned beast] with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that
worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone." (Rev.
19:20.) Therefore, the miracles are wrought by the false prophet in the sight of the two-horned beast.
There are many beasts spoken of in the Bible, but this two-horned beast is the only one that can be
termed "a man." It will be noticed that from the 11th verse on, of the 13th chapter of Revelation the
Scripture speaks of the two-horned beast and closes with the words: "For it is the number of a man;
and his number is six hundred three-score and six." Therefore, the mystical number "666," belongs
to the two-horned beast and none other. However, we may not conclude that no one before it could
have such a number.
The idea that the papacy is called the beast is altogether wrong. The papacy is represented by
symbols on two different beasts. First, on the "non-descript" of Daniel 7, by the "little horn having
eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things;" second, on the "leopard-like" of
Revelation 13, by the head that was "wounded to death." These beasts are universal, representing
the entire world in their time, both civil and religious. Therefore, it could not be said of either beast,
"it is... a man." The papacy being only a part of both beasts (horn-head on one, and simply a
wounded head on the other) cannot be called "the beast." The two-horned beast is the only one
representing a local religio-political government. Therefore, of him alone can it be said, it is "a man."
Thus whosoever shall stand at the head of that persecuting power as described in this chapter, and
represented by the beast, is the one who shall bear the mystical number 666. The Spirit of Prophecy
also states that the "King of the North" brought to view in Daniel 11:45, and the two-horned beast
of Revelation 13, is the same power and that it shall bear this mystical number 666. We quote: "This
power is the last that treads down the true church of God: and as the true church is still trodden
down, and cast out by all Christendom, it follows that the last oppressive power has not 'come to his
end'; and Michael has not stood up. This last power that treads down the saints is brought to view
in Rev. 13:11-18.
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His number is 666." -- "A Word to the Little Flock," pp. 8, 9. We have proved the truth of the
number one way, now we shall prove it in another.
The Destruction Of The Beast And The Prophet
The destruction of both the "false prophet" and the "beast" is clearly foretold: "And the beast was
taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him... These both were cast alive
into a lake of fire... And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which
sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh." (Rev. 19:20, 21.)
Their final end is accomplished by being cast alive into a lake of fire. But the rest of the world ("the
remnant") were all slain with the "sword which proceeded out of His mouth: and the fowls were filled
with their flesh."
The lake of fire into which the beasts and the false prophet are cast, cannot be at the coming of
Christ in the clouds, for the wicked are not destroyed by fire at that time, but "With the spirit of his
mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming." (2 Thess. 2:8.) The beast and the false
prophet are cast into a lake of fire after the sixth plague and before the end of the world. This
destruction of the "remnant," those that were left after the destruction of the beast and the prophet,
is not after the millennium, for the wicked at that time are not destroyed by the sword that "proceeded
out of His mouth," but by fire that came "down from God out of heaven and devoured them." (Rev.
20:9.) After the millennium and the destruction of the wicked no living creature will eat another. (See
Isaiah 11:6-9.) Hence, the beast and false prophet are cast into a lake of fire before the millennium;
and that lake of fire becomes a type of the destruction of the wicked on the other side of the
millennium -- the second death -- for the final destruction of the entire multitude is described in the
following words: "And death and hell were cast into a lake of fire. This is the second death. And
whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." (Rev. 20:14,15.)
Thus the world would be given an ensample before the millennium, of the destruction after the
thousand years had ended. The example of the beast and the false prophet is to show that all the
wicked will be thrown alive into a lake of fire, and that is the second death. Speaking of the
everlasting ruin of the devil, the Word says: "And the devil that deceived them was cast into a lake
of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are." (Rev. 20:10.) That is, the beast and
the false prophet do not come up
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in the second resurrection, exemplifying that there is no resurrection from the second death. Again,
we see there is a type for every event, and let none despise types, for where there is no type, there
is no truth. The number 666 is further proven by
The Destruction Of The "Man Of Sin"
Mark carefully, according to the following testimony, the destruction of the papacy is at another
time and by a different process. "Paul states plainly that the man of sin will continue until the second
advent. To the very close of time he will carry forward his work of deception." -- "The Great
Controversy," p. 579. Thus the papacy is to remain to the second coming of Christ, at which time
the wicked are to be destroyed by the brightness of His coming. Therefore, the papacy is one thing,
and the false prophet another, and the beast still another. The beast "666" and the false prophet, who
are to be cast alive into the lake of fire, are the ones who develop the image of the beast -- a likeness
of the worship in the period of the 1260 years.
The time of that wholesale deception is at hand. It will take more than great knowledge of theology
to escape the most powerful trap his Satanic majesty has ever devised. The wonderful miracles will
be convincing and the apparently genuine spirit of worship will bring deep conviction upon those who
are subject to be misled. As the great men of the world declare its worship true, multitudes will
accept their decisions without personal investigation. Add to all of these the following declaration
of civil authorities: "As many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed," and we
have an overwhelming power which human strength cannot resist for a moment. Only by a prophetic
knowledge of the truth, with confidence in a "thus saith the Lord," and in the power of His Spirit, can
one escape the wily snares of the devil.
The Mother Of Harlots Not The Beast
It has been explained that the papacy would remain to the last. If the woman on the scarlet colored
beast (Babylon the Great) comes to her end at a different time and in another way, she cannot be a
symbol of the papacy as some have thought. Revelation 17:16, speaking of the woman and the horns
of the scarlet colored beast, says: "And the ten horns which thou sawest on the beast, these shall hate
the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire."
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Note, she is not cast into a lake of fire like the beast and the false prophet, but they (the horns)
"shall make her desolate and naked and shall eat her flesh." Thus the woman's destruction is at a
different time, and in another way than that of the papacy, the false prophet, and the beast. Since
what has been said cannot be contradicted, it is evident the "beast" is one thing, the "false prophet"
another, and the papacy another, and the "woman" still another. It is of great importance that these
things be correctly understood, for by the knowledge of the truth only, can God lead His people on
to victory.
The Time Of The Woman's Destruction
To determine the time of Babylon's (woman's) destruction, it will be necessary to refer to Daniel
7:11,12, "I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even
till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame. As concerning the
rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and
time." Concerning the rest of the beasts -- the lion, bear, and the leopard, their dominion was taken
away, but they remained alive, while the non-descript beast came to his end. The beasts that remain
alive, represent the descendants of the three ancient empires. While their dominion is taken away,
the inhabitants (beasts) are here at the present time. The end of these beasts would mean the end of
the world.
The non-descript beast is not the last beast of this world's history, for he is followed by the
leopard-like beast of Revelation 13:1, and the scarlet colored beast of Revelation 17:3. The latter is
the last symbol of historical events, by which this present world and the one after the millennium shall
be brought to an end, as previously explained. Therefore, the destruction of the non-descript beast
is before the second coming of Christ. If the lives of the three beasts before it were "prolonged," their
time cannot be extended beyond the second coming of Christ. Says Daniel: "Their lives were
prolonged for a season and a time." Therefore, from the time the body of the non-descript beast is
destroyed, there will be "a season and a time," to the end of this present world.
If Daniel means year by "time," and a half year by "dividing of time," in the 25th verse of the same
chapter, then he must mean the same in the 12th verse. If the interpretation holds good in one verse
it must in the other. Therefore, "time" would be one year, and a "season" a fourth part of a year, thus
making a total of one year and three months. However, the period in the
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25th verse has a prophetic term of 1260 days (years), but the "time" in the twelfth verse cannot be
prophetic, for then it would mean 450 literal years. It is evident that from the time the beast is
destroyed, to the end, there will be fifteen literal months.
It shall be noticed that the destruction of the "beast" is prophetic of the destruction of the "woman."
We quote the scriptures referring to both: "I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body
destroyed, and given to the burning flame." (Daniel 7:11.) "And the ten horns which thou sawest
upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her
flesh, and burn her with fire." (Rev. 17:16.) The destruction is alike of both (beast and woman).
Furthermore, it is the period under the symbol of the woman riding on the beast that makes an image
of the leopard-like in his first stage (before wounded) or of the non-descript beast in his second stage;
for, the 1260 year period was represented by both beasts. The image is a false religion internationally
set up. Therefore, one is the likeness of the other. Thus the destruction of the original (non-descript
beast) is a prophecy of the destruction of the "woman," and the destruction of the one, is the
destruction of the other. It prophetically signifies that the "image" (woman riding on the beast -- the
union of that religio-political system), shall perish fifteen months ("season and a time") before the
"remnant" (rest of the world). Let it be remembered that Daniel's vision is a prophecy, and the vision
by John is a revelation. Therefore, the destruction of the non-descript beast is the prophecy, and the
destruction of the woman is the fulfillment of the prophecy.
The following scripture referring to the time the "woman" was destroyed, says: "And after these
things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and
honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath
judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood
of His servants at her hand. And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.
And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the
throne, saying, Amen, Alleluia. And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye
his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great." (Rev. 19.1-5.)
The woman was destroyed and her smoke ascended up "for ever and ever," while the "elders" and
the "beasts" were before the throne. This proves that the judgment in the Most Holy apartment had
not ceased, or at least the tribunal had not yet
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vacated the place of judgment, (explained in another chapter) for after the saints are numbered and
sealed, their sins blotted out in the aforesaid judgment, probation shall close, and the sanctuary where
the judgment is held shall be vacated of the elders, and the beasts, as well as the "Lamb," and of the
entire angelic host. After which "no man was able to enter the temple, till the seven last plagues...
were fulfilled." (See Rev. 15:5-8.) Thus it is clear that the woman was destroyed before the seven
last plagues were poured out.
Quoting Revelation 19:6, "And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice
of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God
omnipotent reigneth." While Christ is in the sanctuary and the judgment in progress, He does not
reign, but is a Priest and an Advocate, blotting out the sins of the righteous. But when He is through
with the investigative judgment, then He is crowned King of kings and Lord of lords. (See Rev.
19:16.)
After the "smoke of the woman rose up for ever and ever," the heavenly host shouted, "Alleluia:
for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." Therefore, all the saints were judged prior to the destruction
of the "woman," and after she is burned with fire, Christ is crowned King of kings and Lord of lords;
then the temple will be vacated and the seven last plagues poured out.
The following scriptures bear further evidence. Said the heavenly host: "Let us be glad and rejoice,
and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is
the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the
marriage supper of the Lamb." Continued the Angel, "Come hither, I will shew thee the Bride, the
Lamb's wife... and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from
God." (Rev. 19:7-9; 21:9, 10.) Therefore, the Lamb's wife is the Holy City and not the church, and
those called to the marriage supper (the saints) are the guests. (See "The Great Controversy," page
427.) They who were before the throne, said of the New Jerusalem: "His wife hath made herself
ready. And to her was granted [to the city] that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white...
for the fine linen is the rigteousness of saints." (Rev. 19:7, 8.) Therefore, the Lamb's wife will be
ready at the close of probation when the saints are numbered, for they are her "linen." As at the time
the woman (Babylon) was burned, the saints (linen) were ready. Her destruction shall be a signal that
probation has closed. Then some shall be conscious
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of their doom and shall say, "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are notsaved." (Jer.
8:20.) Others shall "wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to
and fro to seek the words of the Lord, and shall not find it." (Amos 8:12.) When God's people shall
have ceased from their God given work, their answer will be: "We have nothing for you, the harvest
is past, salvation has ceased, you are too late."
Who Is The False Prophet?
As previously explained the false prophet is not the papacy or the two-horned beast, neither is he
the devil, for we read: "And the devil that deceived them was cast into a lake of fire and brimstone,
where the beast and the false prophet are." (Rev. 20:10.) Therefore, the false prophet is the one who
shall precede the manifestation of Satan himself. Said the apostle, "And no marvel; for Satan himself
is transformed into an angel of light." (2 Cor. 11:14.)
As the doctrines held by the false prophet cannot be fully supported by the Scriptures, miracles are
performed to secure the confidence of the people. As the great men and religious leaders declare to
the public that the so-called true religion is the truth of Christ, and that the false prophet is His
servant, multitudes will fall into Satan's snare. His false prediction of the coming of the Lord, will
be fulfilled by Satan himself as he appears as an angel of light. His dazzling brightness, and the false
fulfillment of the prophet's prediction, in addition to the already overwhelming delusion, will ensnare
a multitude greater than the first. "While appearing to the children of men as a great physician who
can heal all their maladies, he will bring disease and disaster, until populous cities are reduced to ruin
and desolation." -- "The Great Controversy," p. 589.
The Woman Sitting On The Heads
Said the angel: "The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth." (Rev. 17:9.)
It has been previously explained that the heads represent the present day apostate Christendom, (See
pages 88-96). They are called "mountains" (denominations), seven in number, meaning all. As the
prostitute sits on all seven, the symbol with unmistakable evidence reveals that so-called Christendom
will submit itself to be governed by one head, of which the woman is a symbol. (See "The Great
Controversy," page 588.)
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Preliminary to that miracle working power, Protestantism, Catholicism and Spiritualism will have
grasped each other's hand by means of a church federation. The difference of opinion in doctrinal
points will be considered of no vital importance to salvation. They will see in that apparently innocent
union a great movement for the settlement of differences as well as for the conversion of the world.
At the appearance of the false prophet, and of Satan himself, their expectations would be realized,
and the ushering in of the long expected millennial time of peace shall be proclaimed to be at hand.
Thus on the surface it will bear evidence that the world's crises are about to end. But as God's people
have been warned of it all, they refuse to worship the image of the beast, which is a false international
religion, and will be charged as rebellious, disturbers of the peace, and trouble makers. This will bring
the great persecution of Revelation 12:17.
To them it will be said: "Art thou he that troubleth Israel?" As the saints answer them in the manner
of the prophet Elijah: "Nay but... in that ye have forsaken the commandment of the Lord, and thou
hast followed Baalam," it will incur the displeasure of the wicked and cause them to enrage against
the innocent.
The Woman Sitting On The Beast
While the Revelator saw in vision the beast who bears the number 666, and the false prophet
enforcing a false religion by law and miracles within the borders of the government represented by
the two-horned beast, he was shown another interesting sight: "And I saw," he says, "a woman sit
upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the
woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and
pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication." (Rev.
17:3, 4.) This symbol reveals that after the woman had sat on the "heads" (united the churches) she
also succeeded to sit on the beast. The beast is a symbol of the entire present world -- both civil (ten
horns) and religious (seven heads). As the woman sitting on the heads denotes union of churches,
just so, sitting on the beast represents internationally the church and the state governed by the same
head (woman). Therefore, an international system of religion and a combination of church and state.
In such a system the great men of earth will see a vision of settling the troubles of the world, welding
the people and the nations into a world-wide brotherhood, fulfilling by a medium of religion, 1 Thess.
5:3,
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"For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them,... and they
shall not escape." Though their intention is to reduce crime as well as wars, their hope will be in vain.
The Cup, Jewels, And The Loud Colors
The cup in the hand of the woman being of the most precious metal, and as she is decked with gold
and precious stones, it denotes a most overwhelming temptation -- fully realized in the miracle
working power by the false prophet and Satan himself. Her cup (books) contains false doctrines, and
being "golden," it shows that they are plated with Christianity. Thus the following prophetic words
shall meet their fulfillment: "And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image
of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast
should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive
a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had
the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name." (Rev. 13:15-17.)
"Such will be the experiences of God's people in their final struggle with the powers of evil... Satan
leads many to believe that God will overlook their unfaithfulness in the minor affairs of life; but the
Lord shows in His dealings with Jacob that He can in no wise sanction or tolerate evil. All who
endeavor to excuse or conceal their sins, and permit them to remain upon the books of heaven
unconfessed and unforgiven, will be overcome by Satan." -- "Patriarchs and Prophets," p. 202.
"Those who are without God's protection will find no safety in any place or position." -- "Testimonies
for the Church," Vol. 8, p. 50. Of that troublous time said Christ: "He that findeth his life" to gain
the favor of men "shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it." (Matt. 10:39.) That
time shall reveal him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not. Then, shall the world be divided
into two great classes -- "The sheep on the right and the goats on the left." (Matt. 25:33.) Apparently
it will seem that God's people must either perish or yield to the demands of the wicked, but mighty
angels who excel in strength will reverse the current of destruction.
"And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus
with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. And
the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in
thee; and no
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craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone
shall be heard no more at all in thee; And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and
the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants
were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived!" (Rev. 18:21-23.)
While multitudes are falling into the snares of the devil, and as he is endeavoring to wipe out the
church, the "Third Angel's Message" breaks through with mighty power and a "loud cry," saying,
"Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her
plagues." (Rev. 18:4.) And as the "Cry" of the angel (messenger) rings through the earth a great
multitude of all nations leave the false, but popular system of worship, and against all earthly favor
take their stand with the saints under the protection of divine power. This will incur the wrath of the
dragon.
SUMMARY
(Follow Chart On Page 150)
The tabulation of events in this chapter fully illustrate the great prophetic occurrences that are to
transpire in rapid succession as shown in the chart. The union of the churches represented by the
"woman" sitting on the "heads" must take place before the combined power of the "beast" and the
"false prophet" is fully realized. The symbols ("false prophet" and the "beast") reveal that there shall
be a national alliance of church and state. But the woman riding on the beast, denotes an international
system of church and state, enforced by civil law, and miraculous power. At the close of probation,
the union represented by the symbol of the "scarlet colored beast," shall be dissolved with the
destruction of the "woman" or head of that union as pictured at the turning point of the chart. The
world at that time, as represented by the horns of the beast, shall "hate" the harlot, dethrone her, and
"burn her with fire;" which can be nothing less than by revolution against the head of that
religio-political system. Then the prophecy of Revelation 16:19, will meet its fulfillment: "And the
great city [Babylon] was divided into three parts." That is, the union of Protestantism, Catholicism,
and Spiritualism was dissolved. Note the verb, "was," being in past tense, shows that the great city
Babylon was divided before the seven plagues were poured out; that is, at close of
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probation, when the woman was dethroned. "And the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon [in
her divided state] came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the
fierceness of His wrath." (Rev. 16:19, last part.) The fierceness of God's wrath is poured out upon
Babylon in her divided state in the time of the seventh plague.
The head of the non-descript beast of Daniel seven, in the burning fire with the "woman" as
depicted in the chart, represents the same event. The "beast" is a prophecy, and the "woman" is the
revelation of that prophecy. Then the four angels of Revelation seven, who were "holding the four
winds of the earth [the nations in check], that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea,
nor on any tree," shall let the wind "blow;" and as there would remain nothing to hold the nations and
peoples together and to restrain hostilities, the conflict within and without, will result in the final
battle of "Armageddon." (Rev. 16:14, 16.) From that point of the chart (close of probation) to the
second coming of Christ and the beginning of the millennium, there will be fifteen months -- "a season
and a time." (Dan. 7:11, 12.)
At about the time of the seventh plague the beast and the false prophet will be cast into the lake of
fire. A literal fulfillment, and the same will become a type of the final destruction of the wicked after
the millennium, which is the second death. The destruction of the woman riding on the scarlet
colored beast, and the false prophet with the two-horned beast being cast alive in the lake of fire,
denotes that this religio-political system will be internationally dissolved.
At the appearance of the Lord, the saints shall be gathered (Matt. 24:30), and the wicked destroyed.
(2 Thess. 2:8.) The nations are represented by the "beasts," the "man of sin" by the "little horn having
eyes of a man and a mouth speaking great things." (Daniel 7:25.)
The great image of Daniel two, corresponds with the beasts of Daniel seven. These beasts are also
represented by the leopard-like beast of Revelation thirteen -- the mouth of a lion, feet of a bear, body
of a leopard, and the ten horns. The scarlet colored beast of Revelation seventeen is a continuation
of the leopard-like after his deadly wound was healed. Thus he is pictured on the chart showing that
he has the characteristics of all the beasts before him. Therefore, the destruction of the beasts of
Daniel seven, is also the destruction of the beasts that were shown to John in vision; and the end of
all the beasts, mean the end of the world.
The great stone of Daniel two, that smote the image on the
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feet is a symbol of the coming of Christ; and the breaking of the image denotes the breaking of the
nations. As the scarlet colored beast brings this present world to an end, he also represents the world
on the other side of the millennium, after the second resurrection.
The fire coming down out of heaven upon the beast, denotes the second death of the wicked,
one-hundred years after the second resurrection. Then the prophecy of Enoch shall meet its complete
fulfillment: "Behold, the Lord cometh,... to execute judgment upon "all," and to convince all that are
ungodly... of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard
speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him." (Jude 14, 15.) While the 14th verse of
Jude applies to Christ's coming to the Most Holy apartment in the heavenly sanctuary, and the 15th
verse to His second advent, the completeness of the words find their fulfillment after the millennium,
for at that time only can He execute the final "judgment upon all the ungodly," from Cain to the end
of this present world.
The first part of the chart, dated 1929, to the curve, marked Ezekiel 9, is the period in which the
144,000 are sealed -- the separation of the tares from the wheat -- the purification of the church. As
the 144,000 are the "first fruits," the fulfillment of Ezekiel 9 and the sealing of the servants of God
(the 144,000), marks the commencement of the final harvest, or as it is also called, "The Loud Cry."
At that time the great multitude of Revelation 7:9, will be gathered in the church by the servants of
God (the 144,000). (See Isaiah 66:19, 20.)
The cases of all who are sealed from 1929 to the final close of probation will be investigated before
the throne in the heavenly sanctuary while living. The investigation commences after the fulfillment
of Ezekiel 9. Those who are sealed from 1929 to the fulfillment of Ezekiel 9 (close of probation for
the church), are living saints, 144,000 in number, who shall never die -- translated without tasting
death. The class which neglected their opportunity were left without the seal to perish under the ruin
of Ezekiel 9; Isaiah 63; and Isaiah 66:15-17. This example of the destruction of the sinners in the
church is a type of the destruction of the sinners in the world after the close of probation. The great
multitude of Revelation 7:9, living at the time of the close of probation for the world, shall also never
die, of whom the 144,000 were a type. But all the wicked being left without the seal, shall perish.
"Hitherto is the end of the matter; Fear God [not man] and keep His commandments: for this is the
whole duty of man." (Eccl. 12:13.)
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The One Hundred And Forty-Four Thousand
Revelation Seven And Fourteen
The ground of this most vital subject has been extensively covered in "The Shepherd's Rod," Vol.
1. Therefore, we intend to bring out only that phase which does not appear in the first volume. The
following questions will be answered in this chapter: At the time the Lord commands the angel to seal
them (the 144,000) are they found by that message in the world or in the church? At what time are
they sealed? Why are they "virgins"? Why is there "no guile" in their mouth? Are they men only or
of both sexes? Why are they called "servants of God"? Why are they Israel?
We quote from the writings of the "Spirit of Prophecy": "This was the time of Jacob's trouble.
Then all the saints cried out with anguish of spirit, and were delivered by the voice of God. The one
hundred and forty-four thousand triumphed. Their faces were lighted up with the glory of God." --
"Life Sketches," page 117. Note that the 144,000 in number, were present in "the time of Jacob's
trouble." Accordlng to the following quotation, that time of trouble commences immediately after
the close of probation: "When Christ shall cease His work as mediator in man's behalf, then this time
of trouble will begin." -- "Patriarchs and Prophets," page 201. That time of trouble is before any of
the sleeping saints are resurrected, therefore the 144,000 are not resurrected, but are living saints who
have never tasted death and are to be translated at the second coming of Christ.
The 144,000 Sealed While In The Church
To make this clear we must comment on the typical day of atonement. That notable day in the
ceremonial system was a day of cleansing, judgment, and covering. The command was given that in
the seventh month and on the tenth day of the month (day of atonement) every Israelite was to afflict
his soul, confess his sin, and bring a sacrifice. He who failed to respond to the divine call was cut off
(perished) from among God's people. Therefore, it was a day of judgment and purification of the
camp of Israel. While the sinner perished, the godly were preserved. This living example was set
forth for our benefit at this present time, upon whom the anti-typical day of atonement is come. This
picture in the earthly tabernacle is intended to point out the work in the heavenly.
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When the judgment opened in 1844, as previously explained, the investigation began with the dead,
and when that part of the work is finished, then commences the judgment of the living. While the
investigation for the congregation of the dead is in progress, there can be no separation among the
congregation of the living. But when our High Priest shall begin the atonement for the living, there
must be a message of present truth -- sounding of the trumpet -- urging every one to lay hold on the
Lamb of God (Christ) by which only, can he in figure, come to the sanctuary, confess his sin and
secure his life. Unless the close of the judgment for the dead and the commencement for the living
be made known to us, we would have no present truth while the judgment for the living is in session.
Neither would such judgment be legal or just. He who fails to respond to the heavenly summons, will
be left without the seal or covering of God, and therefore must be cut off from among His people,
as prefigured by the services in the typical day of atonement.
Says the apostle: "For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God." (1 Peter
4:17.) The fact that to the "Seventh-day Adventist" church alone has come just such a message as
the one mentioned, presented to them in "The Shepherd's Rod," Vol. 1, is an additional proof that this
particular church is the house of God. This time of judgment is also called the "time of harvest." "Let
both grow together until the harvest," said Christ, "and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers,
Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into
my barn." (Matt. 13:30.) The words of our Master are in perfect harmony with the typical day of
atonement, foretelling that it is a day of separating the tares from the wheat, or cutting off of the
unrepentant sinners from among God's people (purification of the church). Therefore, the harvest
commences with the closing work for the church. Said Christ: "Let both grow together until the
harvest." In Revelation 14:4, speaking of the 144,000 we read, "They are the first fruits unto God
and to the Lamb." Therefore, it is evident that in the purification or separation of the tares from the
wheat in the church of God, there shall be 144,000 who have confessed their sins; and are thus made
white and clean by the precious blood of Christ, for they are "the first fruits." This is also proven by
the "Spirit of Prophecy," for we read: "This sealing of the servants of God is the same that was shown
to Ezekiel in vision." -- "Testimonies to Ministers," page 445. We quote from "Testimonies for the
Church," Vol. 3, p. 266: "The true people of God, who have the spirit of the work of the Lord, and
the salvation of souls at heart, will ever view sin in its
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real, sinful character. They will always be on the side of faithful and plain dealing with sins which
easily beset the people of God. Especially in the closing work for the church, in the sealing time of
the 144,000."
Again on page 267: "Mark this point with care: Those who receive the pure mark of truth, wrought
in them by the power of the Holy Ghost, represented by a mark by the man in linen, are those 'that
sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done' in the church.... Read the ninth chapter of
Ezekiel. But the general slaughter of all those who do not thus see the wide contrast between sin and
righteousness, and do not feel as those do who stand in the counsel of God and receive the mark, is
described in the order to the five men with the slaughter weapons: 'Go ye after him through the city,
and smite; let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity; slay utterly old and young, both maids, and
little children, and women; but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my
sanctuary.' "
The definition of "general" is: "extensive but not universal." Therefore it does not mean the
destruction of the world at the appearance of the Lord; but it has reference to the wicked in the
church. This slaughter is literal, it is to separate and release God's people from sin and sinners,
otherwise the marking would be of no value. The same subject is again brought to view in
"Testimonies for the Church," Vol. 5, page 211: "Here we see that the church -- the Lord's sanctuary
-- was the first to feel the stroke of the wrath of God." The wrath of God cannot, and never has been
spiritual. We are again reminded that the 144,000 are the remnant: "Now indeed are the remnant
'men wondered at'... 'In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit
of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel. And it shall come to
pass, That he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every
one that is written among the living in Jerusalem.'" -- "Testimonies for the Church," Vol. 5, page 476.
Thus the 144,000 are those who are sealed in the judgment for the church, and with them the
judgment for the living commenced. Therefore, they are the first fruits.
When this number is sealed, probation will close for the church, and the judgment for those who
are in the world will commence. As the "tares" perish at the time when probation is closing for the
church, just so at the close of the judgment for the world the sinners shall come to their end; the one
is a figure of the other. It is said of the 144,000: "These are they which are not defiled with women
for they are virgins." (Rev. 14:4.) The "women" mentioned in this Scripture are symbols of impure
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churches. These "women" are brought to view in Revelation 17, under the figure of the woman
sitting on the scarlet colored beast. We quote Rev. 17:5: "And upon her forehead was a name
written, mystery, Babylon the great, the mother of harlots and abomination of the earth." This mother
and her daughters are the "women" with whom the 144,000 are not defiled, for the message of the
sealing found them in the church. Thus being in the church of God when sealed, they are "virgins"
-- "not defiled with women" (with fallen churches).
The Servants Of God In The Time Of The Harvest
In Revelation 7:3, the 144,000 are called "The servants of our God." If servants, then they must
have duties to perform. They are again brought to view by the prophet Isaiah in connection with the
purification of the church and the destruction of the wicked: "And I will set a sign among them, and
I will send those that escape (the 144,000) of them into the nations.... And they shall bring all your
brethren for an offering unto the Lord out of all nations,... in a clean vessel into the house of the
Lord" -- the church. (Isa. 66:19, 20.) "And the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for
them that are escaped of Israel." (Isa. 4:2.) Therefore, the 144,000 are called "servants." (For further
study of Isa. 66, see "The Shepherd's Rod," Vol. 1, pp. 165-172.)
It is also said of this wonderful company: "And in their mouth was found no guile." (Rev. 14:5.)
This Scripture makes it clear that the gospel they proclaim is altogether the true Word of God.
Therefore, the message they present to the world cannot be questioned as to its purity. The prophet
of Patmos after speaking of the sealing of the 144,000 says: "After this I beheld, and, lo, a great
multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood
before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hand." (Rev.
7:9.) Therefore, this great multitude is gathered from all nations, after the closing work for the
church, and in the time of the great harvest. The palms in their hands signify victory over the beast
and his image, death and the grave. One of the elders before the throne said of them: "These are they
which came out of great tribulation" (the time of Jacob's trouble). (Rev. 7:14.) The servant of the
Lord also bears witness in the following quotations: "'And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is
rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the
earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every
bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and said
to
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the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and
from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?'
Rev. 6:14-17.
" 'After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and
kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white
robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which
sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.... These are they which came out of great tribulation and
have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb'... Rev. 7:9, 17.
"In these Scriptures two parties are brought to view. One party permitted themselves to be
deceived, and took sides with those with whom the Lord has a controversy." -- "Testimonies for the
Church," Vol. 9, pp. 267, 268. As the Spirit of Prophecy points out these two companies (those who
cried for the rocks, and those with the palms) both living in the time of the great tribulation and the
wrath of God, it is evident that the great multitude with the palms in their hands are living saints won
to the gospel in the time of the harvest by the work of the 144,000.
Are The 144,000 Of Both Sexes?
The command to mark this company so that they fall not under the slaughter weapons by the figure
of the five men, reads as follows: "And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city,
through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry
for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof." (Ezekiel 9:4.) Because the Word says:
"Set a mark upon the foreheads of the men," therefore some have held the position that the entire
company is made up of men only. The second reason given for this erroneous idea is that they are
to be kings and priests and therefore they must be men. The idea carried by these passages cannot
be sustained by other portions of Scripture. Thus we are compelled to study deeper into the subject.
While Ezekiel calls them "men," John says they are "virgins." (Rev. 14:4.) Now, if we should take
the position that Ezekiel means men only, then we can as well say, John means women only. Can it
be possible that one writer should contradict the other? No indeed. We conclude by the following
Scriptures that the 144,000 are of both sexes: "The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the
light, that all men through him might believe." (John 1:7.) "All men," must include both men and
women, otherwise salvation would be for men only. "And I, if I
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be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." (John 12:32.) If the word all men in this text
does not include both sexes, then the women are lost. "And the time of this ignorance God winked
at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent." (The Acts 17:30.) Again, if "all men"
include not both male and female, then women are not commanded to repent. It is evident that the
noun, men, is a collective Biblical term of both men and women. The same is true by creation, for,
God made the woman of the man. Therefore, she is a wo-man. Again in Gal. 3:28, we read: "There
is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."
Since there is no difference between either sex in Christ, then we see that women as well as men
can be kings and priests. The same thought can be carried out by the experience of the Jewish nation:
"And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.... And the children
of Israel came up to her for judgment." (Judges 4:4, 5.) This woman held a man's position, being a
judge of God's people, which is equivalent to a king. Not only a king, but she was a prophetess as
well. Again we read in Luke 2:36,37, "And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of
Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from
her virginity; and she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the
temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day." Also the wife of Shallum being a
prophetess taught Israel and controlled the college. (See 2 Kings 22:14-16.) Phillip the evangelist
had four daughters who also did prophesy. (See The Acts 21:8, 9.)
From Paul's statement in 1 Timothy 2:12, "I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority
over the man, but to be in silence," you will note the meaning here is, that the woman is to be in
subjection to the man as God had ordained, and not that she is forbidden to hold the office of a
teacher. Again we quote, "Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto
them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law." (1 Cor. 14:34.)
Read the chapter and you will see that Paul wishes to establish order in the churches, for there was
great confusion by speaking in unknown tongues. Therefore, to silence the confusion, he says: "Let
your women keep silence in the churches." He is not forbidding them to speak if they have a duty
to perform. If this lesson was heeded in this age there would be a great change for the better in the
house of God.
In the beginning God created both the man and the woman equal, as king and queen. "And God
blessed them, and God said
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unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over
the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the
earth." (Gen. 1:28.) Note that the dominion was given to them both. However, after they sinned a
change was made: "Unto the woman He said,... thy desire shall be to thy husband, and He shall rule
over thee." (Gen. 3:16.) So, after the woman sinned she fell under the government of man. But that
which Eve lost by deception, shall be restored by redemption. Thus again the equality of both shall
be established as kings and queens. Therefore, "There is neither male nor female in Christ Jesus."
Christ himself confirms the idea in the following expression: "For when they shall rise from the dead,
they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels which are in heaven."
Thus the noun "men" used by Ezekiel, and the noun "virgins" by John is a collective Biblical term
comprehending both. Furthermore, the denomination numbers a little over 300,000 at present time.
Only about a third of them are men. If every man was sealed and numbered as one of the 144,000,
we still would be far short of reaching the total. Again we note at the time of the passover in Egypt
the blood on the door-post was a type of the marking or sealing. ("The Shepherd's Rod," Vol. 1, pp.
96-98.)
In that night wherever the blood appeared on the door-post, the first born whether male or female,
perished not, just so now, those who receive the seal, have applied the blood on the door-post
(forehead), and as the first born of both classes, those who died and those who did not, were a type
of the present priesthood (ministry), evidently, the type points forward to a ministry in the anti-type
made up of both sexes -- the first born who died represent the class that shall fall under the slaughter
weapons of the five men, and the first born who escaped from death, represent the class that shall
receive the mark of the man with the writer's inkhorn and pass from death to life. Thus the first born
who lived and passed through the red sea, are a type of the 144,000. The first fruits of the harvest,
are the servants of God in the time of the "loud cry" of the Third Angel's Message.
After the purification of the church and the sealing of the servants of God, then the message in the
18th chapter of Revelation shall culminate in a "loud cry:" "Come out of her, my people, that ye be
not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." (Rev. 18:4.) As the saints hear the
voice of the good Shepherd in the gospel message, they separate themselves from the world and join
the 144,000. While this sifting process in the fallen churches is in progress, the man with the
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writer's inkhorn seals those who come out. When all the saints shall come out of Babylon into the
church, then the work of the man with the writer's inkhorn shall cease and probation will close. (See
"Early Writings," p. 279.) Therefore, the activity of the five men with the slaughter weapons shall
continue and their work will cease when Christ comes to take His saints for it is they who have charge
of the city -- church. (See Ezek. 9:1; "The Great Controversy," p. 656.) Then the present world will
come to an end and the millennium of desolation commence; during which time the saints shall judge
the wicked.
The 144,000 are called Israel because their experience is a duplication of that of Ancient Israel
going out of Egypt to possess the promised land. Ancient Egypt is a symbol of the world. The
Egyptian bondage is a symbol of the bondage of sin. The exodus movement is a type of the church
separating from sin and sinners. The destruction of the first born in Egypt and the drowning in the
red sea, denotes the destruction of the wicked in the separation of the saints. The wilderness is a
symbol of the church being apart from the world. The destruction of the disobedient in the
wilderness, is an illustration of keeping the church clean after being purified. The possession of the
promised land is a type of Israel (the saints) possessing the world. The war against the heathen in the
promised land denotes the destruction of the wicked in the world. We are going over the same road
once again, and in so doing, we must avoid the mistakes that were made in the former experience.
At Probation's End, Graves Cease
Revelation 14 And 15
Rev. 14:1, "And I looked, and lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty
and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads." The "Lamb" denotes Christ,
signifying the position He occupies before the close of probation, while yet interceding for His
people; therefore, the specific number of saints stand with Him on earth while He is yet in the Most
Holy place. Mount Zion in old Jerusalem was an ancient spot of that city, and the place of the royal
residence of David and his successors. Therefore, from that viewpoint we must present the meaning
of the "Lamb" that stood on the mount Zion. We are told by the following Scriptures the Lord had
made a promise that the house of David (Mount Zion) was a light to him and to his sons forever.
"Howbeit the Lord
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would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as
he promised to give a light to him and to his sons forever." (2 Chron. 21:7.) The promise was not
to Mount Zion (house of David) in ancient Jerusalem, for the existence of the Jewish nation was
conditional.
"Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many;
but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ" -- "the son of David." (Gal. 3:16.) Therefore, mount
Zion, as in Revelation 14:1, is the eminent royal spot in the heavenly Jerusalem, as David himself says;
"For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David." (Psa. 122:5.) David
looked forward to the time when the judgment in heaven would be set up: "In that day there shall be
a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for
uncleanness." (Zech. 13:1.)
Therefore, John's vision of the 144,000 as they stood on Mount Zion with the Lamb, is an incident
after this special company of saints had been sealed, and some time before the close of probation.
The sealing of the 144,000 is at the closing of the judgment of the dead, and at the beginning of the
judgment of the living. Therefore, they have a great duty to perform upon the earth in connection
with the judgment. Their service was typified by ancient Israel when they were obliged to possess
the Promised Land. The prophet Zechariah has well described the time: "In that day shall the Lord
defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David,
and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the Lord before them. And it shall come to
pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem [the church].
And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace
and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, [because He died for their
sins] and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him,
as one that is in bitterness for his first born." (Zech. 12:8-11.) What a wonderful experience it will
be when we fully comprehend the love of God and the price paid for our redemption!
The prophet Micah calls the 144,000, the "remnant of Jacob." (See "The Shepherd's Rod," Vol. 1,
p. 102.) "And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in the
entrances thereof: thus shall he deliver us from the Assyrian, when he cometh into our land, and when
he treadeth within our borders. And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a
dew from the Lord, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waitheth for the
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sons of men. And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as
a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go
through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver. Thine hand shall be lifted
up upon thine adversaries, and all thine enemies shall be cut off.... And I will execute vengeance in
anger and fury upon the heathen, such as they have not heard." (Micah 5:6-9, 15.)
"The portion of Jacob is not like them; for he is the former of all things: and Israel is the rod of his
inheritance: the Lord of hosts is his name. Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war [144,000]:
for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and wlth thee will I destroy kingdoms; and with thee
will I break in pieces the horse and his rider; and with thee will I break in pieces the chariot and his
rider; with thee also will I break in pieces man and woman; and with thee will I break in pieces old
and young; and with thee will I break in pieces the young man and the maid; I will also break in pieces
with thee the shepherd and his flock; and with thee will I break in pieces the husbandman and his yoke
of oxen, and with thee will I break in pieces captains and rulers." (Jer. 51:19-23.) Therefore, at the
fulfillment of John's vision, the 144,000 "Stand on Mount Zion," not bodily, but in the sense of the
position they occupy. In the same way as the five virgins who went in with Him to the marriage. (See
"The Great Controversy," p. 427.) As ancient Israel was a terror to the heathen in the promised land,
just so the Israel of God at this time will be a terror to the sinner in the world, and as ancient Israel
had to fight with the sword to possess the land, just so Israel now must battle with the "sword of the
Spirit" to possess the world (promised land).
"And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder:
and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it were a new song before
the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the
hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth." (Rev. 14:2, 3.)
The song was sung in heaven by heavenly beings before the throne, and before the beasts, and the
elders. Therefore, it is evident that the judgment was in progress. (Further explanation to follow.)
Note that the 144,000 did not sing, but they only could learn the "song" as it was sung in heaven; that
is, they alone understood the heavenly truth in that particular time and their position in connection
with the message they must bear.
"And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write,
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Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest
from their labours; and their works do follow them." (Rev. 14:13.) "Which die from henceforth," that
is, from the commencement of the "loud cry." Thus the word declares that some of the saints will
be laid in the grave even during the time of the harvest (loud cry). We quote from "Counsels on
Health," p. 375 "Many will be laid away to sleep before the fiery ordeal of the time of trouble shall
come upon the world."
While some of the saints shall be laid to sleep in the time of the "loud cry," it is made clear by
Revelation 15:1, 2, that all who are alive after probation has closed and before the commencement
of the pouring out of the plagues will be translated without tasting death: "And I saw another sign
in heaven, great, and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up
the wrath of God. And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the
victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand
on the sea of glass having the harps of God." The "sea of glass" is a symbol of life eternal. (Explained
in another chapter.) In as much as all who had gotten the victory stand on the sea, it denotes that
they have passed from death to life, and their destination now is "God, new Jerusalem."
Rev. 15:5-8: "And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony
in heaven was opened: And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues,
clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles. And one of the
four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever
and ever. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from His power; and no
man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled." After
the investigation is completed and every case decided, the temple of the testimony will open similar
to when the typical opened at the close of the sacrificial system: and the vail which divided the two
apartments rent in twain from the top to the bottom." (See Matt. 27:51.)
The door that is opened after the close of probation is the entrance to the holy place which was
closed in 1844. After the close of probation the temple is to be filled with the power and glory of
God so that no man shall be able to enter in till after the seven plagues are fulfilled. Showing that all
God's people stood on the sea of glass (eternal life) and then probation closed. Thus after Jesus
leaves the most holy place, God's servants shall have no funeral sermons to preach and no gospels
for sinners.
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The Twenty-Fourth Chapter Of Matthew, And The Signs Of Christ's Coming
"And as He sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto Him privately, saying, Tell us,
when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come
in my name, saying, I am Christ, and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of
wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For
nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and
pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they
deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's
sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And
many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love
of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this
gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall
the end come." (Matt. 24:3-14.)
The direct question put to Christ and His answer as to the assurance of His second coming, and the
end of this present world, is too plain and self explanatory to leave room for doubt. He did not say
that the end of the present sinful world was not to come, but He plainly stated that it will come.
However He said before the end shall come, "This gospel of the kingdom [the signs of His second
coming as foretold in this chapter] shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations [not
that all nations shall be converted, but for a witness] and then shall the end come." Those who teach
contrary to this plain statement of the Master, are they of whom He says: "Many false prophets shall
arise and shall deceive many." Furthermore, the Lord says: "For as the lightning cometh out of the
east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." (Matt. 24:27.)
While some of these false prophets make a complete denial of His coming, others dare say, "He is
already come." Still others claim that no one shall see Him when He comes, but, He shall establish
His kingdom on earth, and this world will never come
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to an end, etc. We ask the question: Is Christ telling an untrue story, or are these false prophets
fulfilling His prediction by trying to deceive the saints concerning His coming, and overthrow their
faith in the Master's Word, and thus defraud them of a crown of life? If these are not the deceivers
of whom He speaks, then who are they?
If such workers of iniquity dare try to contradict His plain language as in this instance, may it not
be expected that they shall attempt to overthrow the entire truth of the Bible?
When Christ shall come "as lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west," these
false prophets shall be ashamed. The Revelator also declares: "Behold, He cometh with clouds; and
every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: [that is, they that pierced Him; [that is,
they that pierced him shall be resurrected prior to His coming. See Dan. 12:2] and all kindreds of the
earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen." (Rev. 1:7.) Yes, our Christ shall come and we
shall see Him as He is, "And it shall be said in that day, Lo this is our God: we have waited for Him,
and He will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His
salvation." (Isa. 25:9.)
Though these false prophets and sinners do not want to see Him come, they must: "And the kings
of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and
every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
And said to the mountains and the rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on
the throne, and from the wrath of the lamb: For the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be
able to stand?" (Rev. 6:15-17.) And so shall the end come to the sinners, but not to God's people:
"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and
with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall
be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be
with the Lord." (1 Thess. 4:16, 17.)
To the sinners that day shall be a fearful day, and to them shall He come "as a thief in the night,"
but not so to those who wait for Him. For, speaking of the great persecution that overtook His
people in the dark ages during the 1260 years of Daniel 7:25, He says: "Immediately after the
tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars
shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign
of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the
Son of man coming in the clouds of
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heaven with power and great glory. And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet,
and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."
(Matt. 24:29-31.)
The Master looking forward to this generation, says, "there shall be signs in the sun, and in the
moon, and in the stars." (Luke 21:25.) Thus, "immediately after the tribulation" (the great
persecution) the sun was to be darkened. On the 19th of May, 1780, this prophecy was fulfilled.
Quoting from "The Great Controversy": " 'Almost if not altogether alone, as the most mysterious and
as yet unexplained phenomenon of its kind,... stands the dark day of May 19, 1780 -- a most
unaccountable darkening of the whole visible heavens and atmosphere in New England'." An
eyewitness living in Massachusetts describes the event as follows:
'In the morning the sun rose clear, but was soon overcast. The clouds became lowery, and from
them, black and ominous, as they soon appeared, lightening flashed, thunder rolled, and a little rain
fell. Toward nine o'clock, the clouds became thinner, and assumed a brassy or coppery appearance,
and earth, rocks, trees, buildings, water, and persons were changed by this strange, unearthly light.
A few minutes later, a heavy black cloud spread over the entire sky except a narrow rim at the
horizon, and it was as dark as it usually is at nine o'clock on a summer evening....
'Fear, anxiety, and awe gradually filled the minds of the people. Women stood at the door, looking
out upon the dark landscape; men returned from their labor in the fields; the carpenter left his tools;
the blacksmith his forge, the tradesman his counter. Schools were dismissed, and tremblingly the
children fled homeward. Travelers put up at the nearest farmhouse. 'What is coming?' queried every
lip and heart. It seems as if a hurricane was about to dash across the land, or as if it was the day of
the consummation of all things....
'The extent of this darkness was extraordinary. It was observed as far east as Falmouth. To the
westward it reached to the farthest part of Connecticut, and to Albany. To the southward, it was
observed along the seacoast; and to the north as far as American settlements extend.'
"The intense darkness of the day was succeeded, an hour or two before evening, by a partially clear
sky, and the sun appeared, though it was still obscured by the black, heavy mist. 'After sundown, the
cloud came again overhead, and it grew dark very fast.' 'Nor was the darkness of the night less
uncommon and terrifying than that of the day; not withstanding there was almost a full moon, no
object was discernible but by the help of
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some artificial light, which, when seen from the neighboring houses and other places at a distance,
appeared through a kind of Egyptian darkness which seemed almost impervious to the rays.' Said an
eye witness of the scene: 'I could not help conceiving at the time, that if every luminous body in the
universe had been shrouded in impenetrable shades, or struck out of existence the darkness could not
have been more complete.' Though at nine o'clock that night the moon rose to the full, 'it had not the
least effect to dispel the death-like shadows.' After midnight the darkness disappeared, and the moon,
when first visible, had the appearance of blood.
"May 19, 1780, stands in history as 'The Dark Day.' Since the time of Moses, no period of darkness
of equal density, extent, and duration, has ever been recorded. The description of this event, as given
by eye-witnesses, is but an echo of the words of the Lord, recorded by the prophet Joel twenty-five
hundred years previous to their fulfillment: 'The sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into
blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come.'"
"In 1833, two years after Miller began to present in public the evidences of Christ's soon coming,
the last of the signs appeared which were promised by the Saviour as tokens of His second advent.
Said Jesus, 'The stars shall fall from heaven.' And John in the Revelation declared, as he beheld in
vision the scenes that should herald the day of God 'The stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as
a fig-tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.' This prophecy received a
striking and impressive fulfillment in the great metoric shower of November 13, 1833. That was the
most extensive and wonderful display of falling stars which has ever been recorded; 'The whole
firmament, over all the United States, being then, for hours, in fiery commotion! No celestial
phenomenon has ever occurred in this country, since its first settlement, which was viewed with such
intense admiration by one class in the community, or with so much dread and alarm by another.' 'It's
sublimity and awful beauty still linger in many minds.... Never did rain fall much thicker than the
meteors fell toward the earth; east, west north, and south, it was the same. In a word, the whole
heavens seemed in motion.... The display, as described in Professor Silliman's journal, was seen all
over North America.... From two o'clock until broad daylight, the sky being perfectly serene and
cloudless, an incessant play of dazzling brilliant luminosities was kept up in the whole heavens.'
'No language, indeed, can come up to the splendor of that magnificent display;... no one who did
not witness it can form
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an adequate conception of its glory. It seemed as if the whole starry heavens had congregated at one
point near the zenith, and were simultaneously shooting forth, with the velocity of lightning, to every
part of the horizon; and yet they were not exhausted -- thousands swiftly followed in the tracks of
thousands, as if created for the occasion.'
"In the New York Journal of Commerce of Nov. 14, 1833, appeared a long article regarding this
wonderful phenomenon, containing this statement: 'No philosopher or scholar has told or recorded
an event, I suppose, like that of yesterday morning. A prophet eighteen hundred years ago foretold
it exactly, if we will be at the trouble of understanding stars falling to mean falling stars... in the only
sense in which it is possible to be literally true.'
"Thus was displayed the last of those signs of His coming concerning which Jesus bade His
disciples, 'When ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.' After these
things, John beheld, as the great event next impending, the heavens departing as a scroll, while the
earth quaked, mountains and islands removed out of their places, and the wicked in terror sought to
flee from the presence of the Son of man." -- Great Controversy, pp. 306-308, 333, 334.
Christ had bidden His people watch for the signs of His advent, and rejoice as they should behold
the tokens of their coming King. "And when these things begin to come to pass," He said "then look
up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." (Luke 21:28.) He pointed His
followers to the budding trees of spring, and said: "Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his
branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye
shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors." (Matt. 24:32, 33.) While the
Saviour has clearly pointed out the nearness of His coming to the generation that shall witness all
these signs, He has not left us in darkness as to how long it will be from the time of the fulfillment of
these signs to that great and glorious event, for He added: "This generation [the one that has seen the
signs] shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled." (Matt. 24:34.) As the generation spoken of by
the Master is about to pass away, and the kingdom of everlasting life ushered in, the searcher of truth
should not neglect his opportunity by allowing things of lesser importance to occupy his mind, or
time.
Committed To S.D.A. Denomination
The gospel of the coming of Christ in this generation, and the signs of the times as in Matthew 24,
was committed to the
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Seventh-day Adventist denomination since 1844. No other body of people has had the burden of the
message that is taught in this chapter (the signs and the end of the world), and the urgency of its
speedy delivery in this generation. Therefore, whatever commendation, or condemnation is written
to the "servant" in Matthew 24, cannot be applied to another people. Furthermore, as the rest of
Christendom had fallen by 1844 because they rejected the messages that were sent to them and thus
God would not let light shine through them since that time, it is evident that the gospel of the 24th
chapter of Matthew could not have been preached by any other people. Therefore, the statement
concerning the servant in the following verse is applicable only to the foregoing denomination.
"Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over His household, to give
them [to the world] meat in due season" -- present truth? (Matt. 24:45.) Note, that there is a question
as to whom this faithful servant could be. If that people to whom primarily this gospel was
committed had been faithful, then the following promise would have been their's: "Blessed is that
servant, whom his Lord when He cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That He shall
make him ruler over all His goods." (Matt. 24:46, 47.) The significance of "all His goods" is the
finishing of the gospel, bringing everlasting righteousness, and ushering in the kingdom of Christ!
What a wonderful promise! But, observe the danger of losing this everlasting glory: "But and if that
evil servant shall say in his heart, My Lord delayeth His coming; and shall begin to smite his
fellow-servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken." (Matt. 24:48, 49.) The "servant" (singular)
that shall "begin to smite his fellow servants" (plural) signifies the leadership -- the "angel" of the
church of the Laodiceans -- those who have charge of the "household." But the "servants" (plural)
apply to the ministry under that leadership. By the unfaithfulness of "that servant," the gospel has
been delayed; the generation is about to pass, and the work is years behind. The result is, that the
delay has not been expressed by action only, but it is even said by words, "My Lord delayeth His
coming." And as one sin leads to another, the doctrine of "Health Reform," eating foods that have
been devitalized by modern inventions the "dainties" of Babylon, etc. -- indulging fleshly lusts, has
been largely disregarded, thus fulfilling the words, "eat and drink with the drunken."
The doctrine of health reform is said to be "the right hand and arm of the Third Angel's Message,"
and that the medical work is "the right hand of the message." The idea of health reform is a thing of
the past so far as the church as a body is concerned,
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and the leadership cares little. But that is not the worst, this unfaithful servant of God has even dared
stretch his hand over the gulf to form an unlawful alliance of the denominational medical institutions
with those of the world who are bitterly opposed to the idea of health reform -- right hand and arm
of the "Third Angel's Message." The very channel which was instituted to uphold and carry that part
of the work, is being bound by a confederacy and now in order to maintain this alliance it has been
compelled to sacrifice the very principle for which it was organized. Thereby God's agency for
treating the sick and preventing disease by healthful living and divine healing through obedience of
the truth, has been substituted by drugs.
Thus the devil has cut off the right hand and arm of the "Third Angel's Message," and by this
cunning device has robbed the church of God of its medical institutions! What a calamity! What a
loss! Would not God's faithful people at such a time as this come up to the help of the Lord against
the mighty? How a body of people with so much light can become so blind is beyond human
understanding; it is a mystery!
Had they (those who were charged with this great responsibility) been faithful to the trust
committed to them, the everlasting blessings found in the following verse would have been their's:
"That He shall make him ruler over all his goods." But to him who neglects his Master's commission:
"The Lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for Him, and in an hour that he
is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall
be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matt. 24:50, 51.) Had they taken heed to the last urgent
message sent them, calling for decided changes in these things, the following chapter (Matthew 25)
would have been prophetically different.
The Ten Virgins -- Matthew 25
"Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went
forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were
foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their
lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry
made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and
trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone
out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather
to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went
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to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the
door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us. But he
answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the
day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." (Matt. 25:1-13.)
Observe that the 25th chapter is a continuation of the 24th. Mark the word, "then," meaning the
time they fulfilled the prophetic words contained in Matt. 24:48-51. The virgins are a figure of the
church. Number "ten," has the symbolic meaning of universal (the church as a body). Note that they
are all "virgins." The 144,000 are designated by the same word. (See Rev. 14:4.) The word
"virgins," signify that the class represented by them (ten), are not those who are called out from
Babylon (fallen churches) at the time the "cry" is made. For, if they were to come out of Babylon by
the call "Come out of her, my people" (Rev. 18:4), they would have been defiled with "women"
(fallen churches), and therefore, could not be called "virgins." Thus, the message of the "Midnight
Cry" must find them in the house of God -- virgins.
The "Midnight Cry" was first proclaimed prior to 1844, and the coming of the "Bridegroom" was
Christ's coming to the Most Holy place in the heavenly sanctuary for the investigative judgment of
the saints. The investigation being in two sections; first, the judgment for the dead, and the second
for the living, the "cry" must be repeated, otherwise we would have no present truth for the time of
the judgment of the living. The "cry" for the living being of a greater importance to the world than
the one for the dead, and as the "virgins" are a figure of the living church, the parable must have a
direct application to the church at this present time, -- the coming of the bridegroom for the judgment
of the living. But indirectly it points back to the commencement of the "Midnight Cry" (the first
angel's message -- the judgment for the dead). The messages being of the same event, judgment, both
(for the living and for the dead) are called the "midnight cry." The same is proven by the parable
itself.
"While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made,
Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed
their lamps." Note that they "slumbered and slept" before the cry was made. In the summer of 1844,
midway between the time when it was first thought that the 2300 days would end (on March 21), and
the second date (October 22 of the same year), this period they applied as being the "tarrying time."
But mark that the "cry" had been going on for some
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years (the message by Miller), and the tarrying time was applied at its close after they had discovered
their miscalculation, which is contrary to a proper application of the parable; for according to the
parable they tarried before they cry was made. Therefore, the tarrying time must be the judgment for
the dead, before the bridegroom came to the investigation of the living, in which time the "ten virgins"
developed. So, that is the time in which they all slumbered and slept. This application is also in
perfect harmony with the message to the Laodiceans. (See Rev. 3:14-19; Isa. 52:1, 2.)
If the foregoing application is correct, then at the end of the tarrying period, or just prior to the
commencement of the judgment of the living, there must be a message -- "cry"; and if the "virgins"
are a figure of the church as a body in the time of the "cry," then, the message must be for the church
only. This is also proven in "The Great Controversy," page 425. In as much as there is just such a
"cry" presented in "The Shepherd's Rod," Vol. 1, it not only shows that the application of the parable
is correct, but it also proves that church to be the "House of God."
"They all slumbered and slept." This statement by the Master proves that the church as a body has
been asleep -- being in perfect harmony with the previous explanation of the 24th chapter of Matthew.
Five were foolish and five wise. Number "ten" being a symbol of the church as a body, the number
five and five, mean half and half. The denomination numbers at the present time a little over 300,000;
half of this number would be about 150,000. If we should subtract the dead material (backsliders,
but still on the church record), the number derived after such deduction would be about 144,000.
Thus again it proves that the 144,000 are the five wise virgins; and the foolish ones are they who shall
fall under the destroying weapons in the hand of the "five men.'
"But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps." The "oil" is a symbol of the Spirit of God
in the form of a message (truth); for, it is the substance that gives the light (the prophetic Word of
God). The lamp must be a symbol of the heart into which the Word (oil) is being retained. The
trimming of their lamps, is the "trimming" of their hearts; that is, their conscience being aroused they
began to show interest. But only five of them had an extra supply of oil in their vessels. As they
started out to meet the bridegroom, the lamps of the foolish ones went out; and as they found
themselves in darkness, it made their progress impossible. Now, the question arises: What made their
lamps go out, and why could they go backward, but not forward? As the message of the judgment
for the dead was the
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present truth since 1844, at the beginning of the judgment for the living (when the cry was made), it
became present truth no longer. Consequently their lamps went out. They could not move forward
because they were foolish; that is, they did not accept the light -- the judgment for the living. Was
the "oil" beyond their reach? The words in the parable prove that they all heard the "cry, "arose, and
trimmed their lamps." Five of them failed to get the supply of oil because they were "foolish," -- they
did not study for themselves. Allowed others to think for them; they chose the easy, popular side,
and accepted the decisions of the leaders, copies the mistakes of others and were thus left without
a supply of oil, -- robbed of the truth, cheated of glory, and left in darkness!
"And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out." At last the
foolish virgins saw themselves in darkness. Then they went to the wise and asked for oil as a gift;
"But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to
them that sell, and buy for yourselves." The oil is sold and there must be something given in
exchange to obtain the supply. The price they had to pay was to "sigh and cry for the abominations
done in the midst thereof," give up sinning and obey the truth. Their receipt for the value of exchange
would have been the seal of the living God in their foreheads.
"And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and they that were ready went in with him to
the marriage; and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open
unto us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not." As the foolish virgins
at last came to the door, it is evident that they obtained the oil (learned of the message) but there had
been a delay -- the door was shut, and they were left out. Now, why were they unconcerned at first,
and very zealous at last? The experience in this instance is about the same as that of the deluge.
While Noah preached the coming of the flood, the world paid little attention to this message; but
those who believed, went into the ark at a given time and the door was closed. But not long
afterwards, signs of Noah's prediction appeared; and as drops of rain begain to fall the wicked
multitude became alarmed and rushed for the ark, but the door was closed and they were left out.
The door that "was shut," is a symbol showing that probation for the church had closed just shortly
after the foolish virgins became alarmed. At last they were willing to pay the price and buy the oil;
but it was not a change of heart, only the fear of losing out. Their course of action had left them
without the seal -- "the man with the writer's inkhorn"
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had passed them by. What a terrible mistake! What a disappointment! Almost saved, but entirely lost.
"The coming of Christ as our high priest to the most holy place, for the cleansing of the sanctuary,
brought to view in Daniel 8:14; the coming of the Son of man to the Ancient of days, as presented
in Daniel 7:13; and the coming of the Lord to His temple, foretold by Malachi, are descriptions of the
same event; and this is also represented by the coming of the bridegroom to the marriage, described
by Christ, in the parable of the ten virgins, of Matthew 25." -- "The Great Controversy p. 426.
The description by Daniel applies to the commencement of the judgment for the dead; but the one
by Malachi 3:1-3, is applicable to the judgment for the living -- all of the same event-day of atonement
-- cleansing of the sanctuary.
"The coming of the bridegroom, here brought to view, takes place before the marriage. The
marriage represents the reception by Christ of His kingdom. The holy city, the New Jerusalem, which
is the capitol and representative of the kingdom, is called 'the bride, the lamb's wife.' Said the angel
to John, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.' 'He carried me away in the spirit,'
says the prophet, 'and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from
God.' Clearly, then, the bride represents the holy city, and the virgins that go out to meet the
bridegroom are a symbol of the church. In the Revelation the people of God are said to be the guests
at the marriage supper. If guests, they cannot be represented also as the bride. Christ, as stated by
the prophet Daniel, will receive from the Ancient of days in heaven; 'dominion, and glory and a
kingdom;' He will receive the New Jerusalem, the capitol of His kingdom, 'prepared as a bride
adorned for her husband.' Having received the kingdom, He will come in His glory, as King of kings
and Lord of lords, for the redemption of His people, who are to 'sit down with Abraham, and Isaac,
and Jacob,' at His table in His kingdom, to partake of the marriage supper of the Lamb." -- "The
Great Controversy, pp. 426, 427.
The virgins were called to meet Him, and thus by faith go in with Him to appear before the Father
-- the Great Judge. The seal is the permit; it places their names in the Lamb's book of Life and thus
it grants to them the right to appear before the Father in the judgment; not in person, but in figure;
thus having their sins blotted out. Matthew 24:36, 50, are descriptions of the same event. "Watch
therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." (Matt. 25:13.)
This has reference to the time of the judgment, and not of His coming to earth; for, the saints shall
know the day and the hour
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of Christ's coming in the clouds to receive the redeemed, as it shall be announced by the Father
shortly before His coming. (See "The Great Controversy," p. 640.)
Summary Of The Ten Virgins
The number, "ten", being a symbol of universal, it represents the church as a body prior to the
commencement of the judgment of the living -- in the sealing period of the 144,000, and before the
"Loud Cry" of the Third Angel's Message; being the period of the first fruits of the harvest. The five
wise virgins were they who trusted in God and His word only; having no confidence in man, and were
hungry for truth, searching for light, and gladly accepting it when it came. Thus they received the seal
of God's approval, their sins were blotted out, and their lives made sure -- they passed from
condemnation and death into glory and life eternal. They are God's servants, kings and priests --
144,000 in number.
The five foolish virgins are they who had confidence in men; they were willing that others should
think and study for them. Their love for this world and the things of it, exceeded their love for Christ
and the world to come. They had no true sense of the awful result of sin. Their zeal for self,
drowned their zeal for the house of God and His honor. They were satisfied with their lamps trimmed
and but little oil in them. They saw no necessity for more light -- prophets, truth or message. They
said in their hearts, we are rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing. They were
prejudiced against light upon the word of God, and accepted not the truth because the channel
through which it came was not of their choice.
The knowledge of present truth, which the five foolish virgins possessed since 1844 is the judgment
of the dead, and was the only oil in their lamps. When the judgment of the living commenced, and
the "cry was made," they were found without this extra oil in their vessels; they had neglected their
Lord's command: "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man
cometh." Thus when the wise ones started out to meet the bridegroom the lamps of the foolish went
out, for, the judgment of the dead had passed. Therefore, it was present truth no more, and thus they
were left in darkness. At the beginning of the judgments of God they saw their mistake and rushed
for the ark of safety, but it was beyond their reach for they knew nothing of the message, and by the
time they acquired it (filled their lamps with oil), there had been a delay, the angel had passed
"through the city, through Jerusalem," the
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church -- the sealing was finished, and probation for the church had closed -- the door was shut.
Thus they were left out. Then they came with these words: "Lord, Lord, open unto us, But He
answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not." "Appoint his portion with the hypocrites:
there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." What a disappointment that will be!
It will be noticed that the close of probation for the church and the one for the world are two
different events. The former is a miniature representation of the latter. The Scripture for the
preceding one is found in Matthew 25:11, 12; but of the final one we read: "He that is unjust, let him
be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be
righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly, and my reward
is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." (Rev. 22:11, 12.) At this time those
who were like the five foolish virgins, will say, "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are
not saved." (Jer. 8:20.) "And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east,
they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it." (Amos 8:12.)
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The Seven Seals And The Sanctuary
In order to make a proper application of the seven seals, we must have a better understanding of
the heavenly sanctuary service, its origin, and the object of its existence as taught by the earthly
sanctuary built by Moses. (Heb. 8:5.)
In the sanctuary construction and service, is revealed the plan of salvation. The first apartment,
called the holy place, in which the high priest officiated daily with sacrifices and divers manners of
gifts and washings, was a place for confession of sin. All of which was a shadow of heavenly things
clearly revealing the plan of salvation. The second apartment, within the vail, called the "most holy,"
or the "holiest of all," was open only in the seventh month, and tenth day of the month, in each year;
there redemption from the condemnation of the law was assured. (Lev. 23:27-30, 16:34.) It was
called the day of atonement, judgment, or cleansing of the Sanctuary. (Lev. 16:33, Dan. 7:10; 8:14.)
This was a day for the blotting out of sins accumulated during the year, and was a symbol of the great
day of atonement; not in figure, but in reality. (See Lev. 16:19. Also "The Great Controversy," page
485.) The seat overshadowed by the cherubims being called the mercy seat, proves that it is a throne
of mercy, and therefore a throne of judgment, where sinners can obtain mercy.
The entire system -- priest, sacrifice, and service -- was a type of Christ and His administration in
the heavenly sanctuary, which the Lord pitched and not man. (See Heb. 8:2, and "The Acts of the
Apostles," page 14.) The holy place was for the confession of sin, but the most holy for blotting out
sin.
While the services in the earthly sanctuary were in operation, there could have been no services in
the heavenly until after Christ ascended and became our High Priest. (See Hebrews 8.) Therefore,
when the services in the heavenly began, the services in the earthly ceased. The true worshippers in
the earthly, who by faith looked forward to the administration of the heavenly, were credited in the
books of heaven as worthy of life eternal. Their records were to be investigated when Christ our
High Priest entered within the vail into the holiest of all to blot out sin. (See Dan. 7:10.)
Says the Spirit of God: "It is impossible that the sins of men should be blotted out until after the
judgment at which time their
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cases are to be investigated." -- "The Great Controversy," page 485. While the services in the earthly
sanctuary were in force, the heavenly served as a depository for confessed sins. The same is true even
under Christ's administration while in the holy apartment, until He entered into the most holy.
The Plan Of Salvation Preceded The Fall
The heavenly sanctuary being for confession and the blotting out of sin, it could not have existed
before sin entered and brought about the necessity for such a structure. Although the sanctuary
service was originated after Adam sinned, the plan of salvation had always existed, and was revealed
in, and by, the sanctuary service. Thus the plan that preceded the fall is found in Christ, in whom
there was and is redeeming power for all.
Is The Sanctuary The Eternal Place Of God's Throne?
While the earthly sanctuary existed God met His people in the most holy place where His presence
was manifested between the cherubims on the mercy seat. Therefore, some have taken the position
that the eternal place of God's throne is in "the holiest of all" of the heavenly sanctuary, but such an
idea is contrary to both type and antitype. The first reason is, that the sanctuary did not always exist,
as previously explained; second, the most holy was closed while Christ ministered in the holy. Says
Paul: "We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the
heavens." (Heb. 8:1.) If God's throne was in the "most holy" place when Christ ascended on high,
then He must have immediately entered the "holiest of all," instead of the "holy place." Such a
position is contrary to both Scripture and service. God met His ancient people in the holiest of all,
where, in figure, their sins were blotted out. Thus, symbolically showing, that He cannot meet His
saints face to face until after He has met them in the "most holy" -- blotted out their sins, not in figure,
but in reality -- in the anti-typical day of atonement. We shall prove this again from another angle.
The Revelator, in a vision about 96 A.D., was permitted to look into both apartments. A voice
from heaven said to him: "Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter."
Then he saw a throne set, and one sat on the throne, and before the throne there was a sea of glass
like unto a crystal. (See Rev. 4:1-6.) The voice told him that the things which he saw were to be
"hereafter;" that is, in the future from the time of the vision. Hence, it is evident that there was no
throne there at that time -- about 62 years after Christ had ascended to the
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Father. Therefore, Christ sat on the right hand of God, but not on the throne in the sanctuary. What,
then? Has God more than one throne? "Throne" is a seat, and wherever God sits, there His throne
is. Note that "around and before the throne" in the sanctuary, is the "sea of glass."
Now we read of another throne: "And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal,
proceeding out of the throne of God and the Lamb." (Rev. 22:1.) Again, note that from one of the
thrones proceeds the "river of life," but from the other, the "sea of glass." Therefore, there are two
thrones. Christ sat at the right hand of God on the throne from which proceeds the "river of life," for
this is the one called, "the throne of God and the lamb." This is God's eternal place of abode; but the
one in the sanctuary was set for the time being, (See Dan. 7:9, 10), during Christ's ministration in the
holiest of all, which is a throne of judgment -- of blotting out sins and granting of rewards. The one
from which proceeds the river of life is a throne of life and of eternity.
Where Is The Throne Seen By John?
Revelation 4:1, 2, 4-6: "After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first
voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I
will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit; and behold, a
throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.... And round about the throne were four and
twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and
they had on their heads crowns of gold. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings,
and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits
of God. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the
throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind."
The description of the place is such that it bears evidence of being in the heavenly sanctuary. The
same is supported by the Spirit of Prophecy: "As in vision the apostle John was granted a view of the
Temple of God in heaven, he beheld there 'seven lamps of fire burning before the throne.' He saw an
angel 'having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with
the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.' Here the prophet was
permitted to behold the first apartment of the sanctuary in heaven; and he saw there the 'seven lamps
of fire' and the 'golden
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altar' represented by the golden candlestick and the altar of incense in the sanctuary on earth. Again,
'the temple of God was opened', and he looked within the inner vail, upon the holy of holies. Here
he beheld 'the ark of His testament,' represented by the sacred chest constructed by Moses to contain
the law of God." -- "Patriarchs and Prophets," page 356.
In the earthly sanctuary, the high priest alone was permitted to officiate in the second apartment,
within the vail, and it has been understood by some that the throne seen by John could not have been
in the most holy, because the twenty-four elders are before the throne. That thought is incorrect, for
it would be unreasonable to take the position that God would move His throne from the "holiest of
all," to the "holy place," rather than for the elders to enter in the most holy before the throne.
Furthermore, it is the throne of the Eternal One that makes the second apartment most holy.
Therefore, if we take the position Thus, if the elders and the beasts, or creatures were not permitted
in the second apartment before the throne, neither would they be permitted in the first apartment
before the throne. Taking any other stand than this would be saying that the apartment is holier than
the Creator and His throne.
According to Paul, the services within the vail of the earthly tabernacle cannot clear all that takes
place in the heavenly. Said he: "The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all
was not yet manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing." (Heb. 9:8.) Therefore, we must
find the truth of the services in the heavenly sanctuary from another angle. We quote Daniel 7:9, 10:
"I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white
as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels
as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered
unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books
were opened."
The prophet was shown the commencement of the judgment (atonement), or as it is also called, the
cleansing of the sanctuary, which takes place in the most holy apartment; for he says, "the judgment
was set, and the books were opened." Now note that, "Thousand thousands ministered unto him and
ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him." Thus we see that Paul is right that the service
of the heavenly was not fully manifested by the service in the earthly. Though the high priest
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alone was permitted to enter the most holy place in the earthly, an innumerable company entered into
the heavenly. Therefore where is the evidence that the elders cannot be in the holiest of all? It is
impossible to apply the fulfillment of the 2300 prophetic days -- years -- of Daniel's vision in chapter
8, verse 14, at any other time than the judgment in 1844.
This prophetic period commenced at the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build
Jerusalem. (Dan. 9:25.) The decree made by the king of Persia was carried out in 457 B.C. (See Ezra
7.) Therefore it terminated in 1844; at which time Christ passed from the "holy" into the "most holy"
place. For further study, see "The Great Controversy," page 486.
We shall endeavor to prove that the vision of Daniel is of the same event as that of John. Daniel
speaks of thrones (plural), then he makes a distinction of the throne of God (Ancient of days) by the
"fiery stream" coming from before Him. The book of Daniel is a prophecy, but the vision of John is
a revelation. Daniel says he saw "thrones," but John gives us the number of them -- twenty-five in
all. (Rev. 4:2, 4.) Daniel says, "a fiery stream came forth from before him;" John tells us what the
stream is: The "sea of glass mingled with fire." (Rev. 4:6; 15:2.) Daniel says: "Thousand thousands...
and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him." John tells us who they are: "And I beheld,
and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the
number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands." (Rev. 5:11.)
Daniel says, "the judgment was set and the books were opened." John adds that one of the books
was in the hand of Him that sat on the throne and was sealed with seven seals. (Rev. 5:1.) Thus John
gives us more explicit revelation of the same event.
The door he saw "open" is the vail between the "holy" and the "most holy," for there is no other
that had been kept closed. Therefore, the word "hereafter" in Revelation 4, verse 1, means from the
time of the vision -- pointing forward to 1844.
Though the priest of the earthly sanctuary entered the "most holy" place but once a year, according
to Paul, Christ entered the 'holy" place once forever. (See Heb. 9:12.) And of that time the apostle
says, He is "to appear in the presence of God for us," in the "holiest of all." (Heb. 9:24.) Therefore,
Christ could not enter the first apartment as a priest before His resurrection from the dead, at which
time He became our High Priest; neither could He enter into the most holy in that capacity before the
day of judgment, for Paul says, He "entered in once." Then the prophecy by Daniel and the revelation
by John, can be of no
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other event than the commencement of the judgment at the date stated (1844).
Only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life are brought into the presence of God
-- in the "most holy" place. Says the apostle: "Having therefore brethren, boldness to enter into the
holiest by the blood of Jesus." (Heb. 10:19.) As the same vision continues, we pass to the fifth and
sixth chapters of Revelation.
Quoting Rev. 5:1, 3, 5-7; 6:1, "And I saw in the right hand of Him that sat on the throne a book
written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.... And no man in heaven, nor in earth,
neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.... And one of the elders
saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to
open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne
and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven
horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came
and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.... And I saw when the Lamb
opened one of the seals."
The book sealed with seven seals, in the right hand of the Great Judge, must contain the names of
those whose sins are to be blotted out. Inasmuch as this is the only book that "no man in heaven nor
in earth... was able to open, neither to look thereon," save the Lamb which was before the throne (See
chapter 5:1-9), it is unquestionably clear that the book with the seven seals is the one called "The
Lamb's book of Life." And with it the judgment opened. The same is repeated in Revelation 20:12,
"And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another
book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were
written in the books, according to their works." (See "The Great Controversy," page 480.) Since this
cannot be refuted, it is evident that a foundation for the application of the seals is established.
We quote the scripture of the first four seals: "And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat
on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. And there
went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from
the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword. And
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when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo
a black horse, and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.... And when he had opened
the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. And I looked, and behold
a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was
given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death,
and with the beasts of the earth." (Rev. 6:2-5, 7, 8.)
Some have applied the seven seals of the sixth chapter of Revelation to the church in the New
Testament time, but the symbols are contrary to the application. In both Old and New Testament
time, God's church has been symbolized by a chaste woman. (See Jer. 6:2; Rev. 12:1.) Inspiration
makes no change in the rule for a symbol of an impure church, for in Revelation 17:1, 4, 5, an harlot
is used to point out a church, or churches, that are fallen or untrue. The change of this rule (from
"woman" to "man" or "horses") cannot be found anywhere within the Bible.
It is not only unscriptural to apply men and horses as symbols of the church, but it is altogether
unfitting as well. Neither can any proof be presented to show that the seals apply only to the New
Testament time. Therefore, the application of the symbols must be sought elsewhere. Thus we are
confronted with the necessity of deeper study on the subject. According to the counsel of the servant
of the Lord, we are admonished to study this, for it holds out an important truth for those who shall
have a part in the closing of the gospel work. Quoting "Testimonies For the Church," Vol. 9, page
267: "The fifth chapter of Revelation needs to be closely studied. It is of great importance to those
who shall act a part in the work of God for these last days."
Had the chapter been properly understood explained, and published before the above testimony was
written, there would have been no need for this urgency. Furthermore, if it had been explained in the
past, why is the lesson of such great importance, and who is bearing the responsibility of its
deliverance to the world? But the fifth chapter, separated from the fourth and sixth cannot be
comprehended, for these chapters contain one subject; namely, the seven seals. The fifth chapter is
mentioned because it is the heart and key of the subject.
It would be impossible to correctly understand the lesson of the seals in the sixth chapter, unless
we know something about the "elders," the "book," and the "beasts" of the fourth chapter, where the
vision begins. When we acquire some knowledge of their duties before the throne, and the purpose
of the assembly,
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as well as the occasion, then only can we make a proper application that can stand the test.
Unless the meaning of every symbol is fittingly explained so that it cannot be contradicted, and a
present truth lesson with special significance derived the interpretation cannot be dependable and
there can be no truth in it. God does not make vain repetitions, neither would He waste the time of
His servants to write them. Therefore, every little symbol has its meaning, and reveals a great truth.
The Judgment And The Seals -- Revelation Chapter 4
Rev. 4:1: "After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which
I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee
things which must be hereafter." The door that was opened cannot be any other than the one
separating the two apartments; namely, the holy from the most holy, in the heavenly sanctuary, as
shown by the earthly sanctuary built by Moses. That apartment was to be opened at the beginning
of the judgment, typified by the day of atonement as previously explained. Then we make no mistake
in concluding that the scene is the judgment in session, and as the voice said to John, "I will shew thee
things which must be hereafter," it is evident that he looked forward in vision to the opening of the
judgment in 1844.
If these conclusions are correct, and the vision describes the judgment in progress, then the same
must be proven by the things seen in vision. A judgment in session requires a judge, an advocate, a
jury, and representatives of those who are to be judged, for they cannot be there (in heaven) in
person. There must be books containing the names, and records of the deeds, of those who are to
be judged; also the time of the judgment, and the reward. We quote the scripture describing the
Great Judge: "And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one
sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was
a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald." (Rev. 4:2 and 3.)
The glory of God is represented by the likeness of precious stones. The rainbow reveals God's
never failing promise and great mercy. God said to Noah: "This is the token of the covenant which
I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I
do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between Me and the earth."
(Gen. 9:12, 13.)
The following verse depicts the jury: "And round about the
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throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed
in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold." (Revelation 4:4.) The crowns of gold
denote their kingly authority to act upon the case. The white robes show that they are men from
earth, redeemed by Rev. 4:6.) "And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty
elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours,
which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying Thou art worthy to take the book,
and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of
every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation." (Revelation 5:8, 9.) Note the beasts and elders
all sang, saying: "For thou hast redeemed us out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and
nation." Thus, the beasts, as well as the elders, are redeemed from the earth.
Again, note that the beasts and elders made a total of twenty-eight. It would be impossible for only
twenty-eight persons to be redeemed out of every kindred, tongue, and people, and nation: for if there
were only one redeemed out of every nation, the number would run into thousands, instead of
twenty-eight. Therefore, it is evident that the "four beasts" are symbols which represent four groups
of saints gathered from all ages, and out of every kindred, tongue, people, and nation. In a similar
way the world empires after the flood are symbolically represented by beasts. Thus by the beasts are
represented those that shall be judged.
"And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and
they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and
is to come." (Revelation 4:8.) "Full of eyes." Eyes are to give light to the body. Therefore, they
stand as a symbol, signifying that God's people have had sufficient light in every age. "Before and
behind" denotes prophetic light, revealing to them the past, present and future; this being made
possible by the Spirit of God and by holy angels. The number "four" shows that there are four classes
of saints to be considered in the judgment. Two of these classes are to be resurrected; namely, those
who died naturally, and those who were martyred. The other two are they who shall be translated
at the coming of Christ; namely, the 144,000 of Revelation 7:1-8, and the great multitude with palms
in their hands, as shown in Rev. 7:9. (See "The Shepherd's Rod," Vol. 1, pp. 41-51.) As the wings
of the lion, and also of the four-headed leopard beast (Babylon and Grecia) represent
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numbers of periods as previously explained (on page 33-42), then they must stand for the same on
these beasts. They are to point out the seal under which the judgment began -- the sixth seal --
therefore six wings. "Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come." That is, God before
the judgment, in the time of the judgment, and after the judgment.
Rev. 4:7: "And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast
had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle." The beasts by nature also represent
the four periods of the church. The first beast is like a lion. "Lion" is the king of beasts, and is
intended to point out the first period of the church before the ceremonial section, with which the
judgment began. (See chart in "The Shepherd's Rod," Vol. 1, p. 224.) The second beast being "like
a calf," it is evident that he represents the sacrificial, or typical section. Thus the beast with the "face
of a man" must represent the anti-typical period after the crucifixion. And the fourth beast was like
a "flying eagle." He represents the period in the time of the harvest. The last period is symbolized
by the flying eagle to denote the church that shall be translated. A "flying eagle" is king of birds, as
the lion is king of beasts, which is a sign of victory, thus making a perfect symbol. As the judgment
of the dead began with the beast like a lion, -- king of beasts, -- just so the judgment of the living
begins with the beast like an eagle, -- king of birds. The entire truth of these "four beasts" is not yet
revealed.
As the beasts and the elders praise and worship God, it is sufficient testimony that creation is
satisfied that He is just, and true, and the Creator of all. Those whose names are written within the
book of the "seven seals" are the ones whose sins are to be blotted out with the precious blood of
Christ. Thus praise, and honor, and glory, is due to our God forever and ever.
"I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy
sins." (Isa. 43:25.) "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. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us, he will subdue our iniquities;
and thou will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea." (Micah 7:9,19.) Shall we with the great
apostle say: "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor
powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall
be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord?" (Romans 8:38, 39.)
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Thus far our attention has been called to the Great Judge, the jury of twenty-four elders, the four
beasts representing those who shall be judged, and the book containing the names -- sealed with seven
seals. Now our attention is turned to the advocate.
"And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the
elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven
Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of
him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and the four and
twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of
odours, which are the prayers of saints." (Rev. 5:6-8.)
The "Lamb" is a symbol of Christ, our defender. Said John: "My little children, these things write
I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ
the righteous." (1 John 2:1.)
The seven horns on the Lamb signifies completeness of power and authority, verifying the words
spoken by Christ: "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (Matt. 28:18.) This
immeasurable power is for our good, and is freely offered to us. Said Jesus: "If ye have faith as a
grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place; and it shall
remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." (Matt. 17:20.) Dear friend, these words are either
true or untrue. There can be no middle ground. As Christ cannot lie, will you try His never failing
word, and let Him fulfill His promise?
The seven eyes of the Lamb denote completeness of vision, evidence that there is nothing hid from
our Advocate, and that all things are open and naked unto Him; equally so with God the Father. The
Psalmist describes God's power in vision in the following words: "Whither shall I go from thy Spirit?
or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: If I make my bed
in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of
the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, surely the
darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from
thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee." (Psa.
139:7-12.)
The Revelator says the horns and the eyes of the Lamb "are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into
all the earth." All of this power, both in might and in vision, is embodied and demonstrated by the
Spirit of God. Said Jesus, "It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter
will not come unto
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you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you." (John 16:7.) "But the Comforter, which is the Holy
Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to
your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14:26.)
The "seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God." (Rev. 4:5.)
The lamps of fire, seven in number, present before the throne, represent completeness of the truth of
God -- present truth revealed to every generation since the world began -- by which we are judged.
Those who are obedient to all the light and truth given them, have come up to the requirements --
they are sealed, and cleared from the condemnation of the law of God.
"The seven lamps... which are the seven Spirits of God." (Rev. 4:5.) This Scripture proves the fact
that light and truth are revealed by the Spirit of God only. "But the Comforter, which is the Holy
Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to
your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14:26.) The rejecting of light and
present truth is the sin against the Holy Ghost. "And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of
man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost [present truth] it shall
not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come." (Matt. 12:32.) Our attitude
towards present truth would "Either make a tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree
corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit." (Matt. 12:33.) Thus, present truth
has the power to change the individual and fit him for eternal life, which is the seal of the living God.
Said Jesus: "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot
enter into the kingdom of God." (John 3:5.)
Sea Of Glass
"And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne and
round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind." (Rev. 4:6.) According to
the punctuation in the verse just quoted, it means that the beasts are in the midst of the throne and
round about the throne. It would be impossible for them to be in the midst, and also round about the
throne -- mercy seat. If they were in the midst of the throne, they would be taking the place of God,
the Judge, and His Son, the Lamb. Thus, we conclude that the first clause of the verse is
mispunctuated. By omitting the colon the Scripture would read as follows: "And
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before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal and in the midst of the throne." Thus, it
is the sea of glass in the midst, and before the throne; and not the beasts. "The sea of glass" proceeds
from the throne, and is a symbol of life eternal in the same manner as the "Lamb" is a symbol of
Christ, our Advocate.
The sea is the most extensive body upon the earth; thus it is used to represent eternity. "Clear as
crystal" denotes perfection, freedom from sin and defects. In Revelation 15:2, we read: "And I saw
as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire." Fire would be the only perfect symbol that could be used
to represent life. Therefore, the sea of glass proceeds from God's throne, and represents life eternal,
which is the reward of those whose names are in the Lamb's book of life, within the seven seals.
"And there shall in nowise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh
abominations, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life." (Rev. 21:27.)
In the judgment it is granted to the saints "that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his
image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name," to stand on the sea of glass -- life
eternal. (Rev. 15:2.)
The arrangement and the scene, as described by John, proves that it is the judgment in session for
it is held in the "Holy of Holies" -- typified by the earthly sanctuary and its service, in which Aaron
the high priest, officiated in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month. It was called the day
of atonement -- judgment, the cleansing of the sanctuary or purification of the church -- the
separation of the tares from the wheat. There we behold the Great Judge (God the Father), the
Advocate (the Lamb -- Jesus Christ the righteous), a jury (the twenty-four elders -- clothed with the
righteousness of Christ -- white robes); a representation of those who are to be judged (the four
beasts) the light and truth which they have kept (the seven lamps), the reward which is to be granted
to those who are judged (sea of glass), and the book containing the names of all the righteous.
beginning with Adam and on to the close of probation -- the end of the gospel (seven seals). "And
I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed
with seven seals." (Rev. 5:1.) Because the book contains the names of all who are sealed with the
seal of God (His truth) it is called the book of seals, also the Lamb's book of life.
In the following scripture we behold the entire universe watching with intense interest the affairs
of the human family as the scroll unrolls, revealing to them the mystery of God: "And to make all men
see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in
God, who
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created all things by Jesus Christ." (Eph. 3:9.) Quoting Revelation 5:11-14, "And I beheld, and I
heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number
of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice,
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and
honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under
the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saving, Blessing, and honour,
and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that
liveth for ever and ever." The Scripture quoted proves that the entire universe is satisfied with the
love of God, and the righteousness of Christ. We repeat Rev. 5:13: "And every creature which is
in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them,
heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne,
and unto the Lamb for ever and ever."
The Opening Of The Book
"And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book and to
loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open
the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and
to read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold,
the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the
seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in
the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes which
are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the
right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four
and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full
of odours, which are the prayers of the saints." (Rev. 5:2-8.)
This scripture reveals that there is not another in the vast universe of God that is worthy, or that
can open the book, for "the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, has prevailed." Christ
acquired the above title by His birth, and by His victory on the cross for those who would believe in
Him as the Saviour of
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the world. He has prevailed by shedding His blood on Calvary; thus none other can open the book
for He alone has died for the human race. This "book" contains the names of the saints, and the
"seven seals" comprise, prophetically, the world's history, during which time the saints are sealed.
These seven periods of unfulfilled history sealed the book, and the only one that could open it -- see
into the future -- was the "Lamb." The book was "written within and on the backside" -- "written
within" is the prophetic word of God; "and on the backside," is the historical fulfillment of the
prophecies. "And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the
book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." (Rev. 13:8.) "Who hath wrought
and done it, Calling the generation from the beginning?" (Isa. 41:4.)
It is Christ who has prepared the way for this judicial procedure to plead for His people, and to blot
out their sins. "In the typical service, only those who had come before God with confession and
repentance, and whose sins, through the blood of the sin offering, were transferred to the sanctuary,
had a part in the service in the day of atonement. So in the great day of final atonement and
investigative judgment, the only cases considered are those of the professed people of God. The
judgment of the wicked is a distinct and separate work, and takes place at a later period. 'Judgment
must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not
the gospel?' As the books of record are opened in the judgment, the lives of all who have believed
on Jesus come in review before God. Beginning with those who first lived upon the earth, our
Advocate presents the cases of each successive generation, and closes with the living." -- "The Great
Controversy," pp. 480, 483.
Besides the book in the hand of the judge, there are other books, but this one which no other being
in heaven or in earth was worthy to open, save the "Lamb," is the one called "The Lamb's Book of
Life." And the Revelator says that those only shall enter the city of God whose names are written in
the Lamb's book of life. " 'A book of remembrance' is written before God, in which are recorded the
good deeds of 'them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name.' " -- Id., p. 481.
The Seals By Periods -- Revelation Six
As the evidence brought forth cannot be questioned that with the book of seals the judgment
opened, and as it began with the righteous who lived upon the earth first, and ends with the last, it
is positive that the seven seals spread over the entire world's
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history. Consequently, they include every saint since the world began. The number "seven" bears
the same evidence.
As there are seven seals in consecutive order, it is clear that our world's history is divided into seven
different periods. The judgment begins with the first and ends with the last. Evidently the first six
seals complete the cases of those who were dead preceding the judgment, and while it is in session;
but the seventh sealing period, being the last, must concern the living.
There is sufficient scriptural evidence that all the saved in all ages are sealed with the seal of God;
for this reason the seven periods are called "seven seals," and the names of those who are sealed are
written in the book; consequently, the book is sealed with seven seals. (See John 6:27; Eph. 4:30;
1:13; 2 Tim. 2:19; 2 Cor. 1:22; Rev. 9:4.)
The Meaning Of The Horses And Riders
Revelation 6:1-8, "And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the
noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a white horse:
and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering,
and to conquer. And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and
see. And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to
take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great
sword. And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I
beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard
a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of
barley for a penny, and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine. And when he had opened the fourth
seal I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. And I looked, and behold a pale horse:
and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto
them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with
the beasts of the earth."
The horses are symbols of the earth, revealing four great changes since the world began, and the
riders depict the human family under these four great variations; thus making a perfect symbol, for
we ride upon the earth as we would upon a horse. Had sin not entered within the human family there
would have been but one horse. But since sin entered and marred the plan of God for His children,
the earth was cursed, and thus a great
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PICTURE
[Seven Seals Chart]
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change came; and as sin multiplied curse after curse was added. Therefore, the white horse was
succeeded by red, and the red by black, and the black by pale.
The rider on the white horse was given a crown, but after sin entered he lost his crown of kingship
and glory. Therefore, the rider on the red horse, instead of having a crown, has a great sword; and
to the sword was added a pair of balances, and to the balances, death.
First Seal -- White Horse
Revelation 6:2, "And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow, and a
crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer." "White" being a symbol
of purity, denotes that the white horse represents the beginning of our world -- sinless, as the earth
was in her garb of beauty and perfection, with all the wonders on the land and in the sea.
" 'And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden;'... Everything that God had made was the
perfection of beauty, and nothing seemed wanting.... In this garden were trees of great variety, many
of them laden with fragrant and delicious fruit. There were lovely vines...presenting a most graceful
appearance, with their branches drooping under their load of tempting fruit, of the richest and most
varied hues." -- "Patriarchs and Prophets," pp. 46, 47.
The earth with its delicate flowers and carpet of living green, over which the blue heavens spread
as its dome, exhibited a natural view of beauty and elegance such as no language can describe. Only
the great Master Artist can bring forth such a wonder without flaw.
The First Rider
As the white horse represents the beginning of our earth in her sinless state, the rider can be none
other than Adam himself, with whom the judgment began. The crown is a symbol of kingly authority.
"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over
the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over
every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth." (Gen. 1:26.) The same is expressed in the words,
"And a crown was given Him." Therefore, the Lord set in motion a perfect world, with a king
created by the hand of God, and we are the sons of Royalty.
"Behold a white horse: and he that sat on him... went forth conquering and to conquer." The
symbolical words are the fulfillment
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of the words spoken by the Creator's lips: "And God blessed them (Adam and Eve), and God said
unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it." (Gen. 1:28.) It was
God's plan to multiply the human family, and to have them subdue the earth. Therefore, Adam went
conquering and to conquer. Though sin entered, and death claimed the human family, God's plan has
been carried out, and the earth is inhabited. Thus he "went forth conquering and to conquer."
"And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow." The bow is an implement
used to conquer with (replenish). Therefore, Adam was given a bow (Eve) corresponding with the
words: "And the Lord God said, It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him an help
meet for him. And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took
one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof: And the rib, which the Lord God had taken
from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of
my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man."
(Gen. 2:18, 21-23.) "And Adam called his wife's name Eve: because she was the mother of all living."
(Gen. 3:20.) Thus this sacred institution was originated by the Creator of the universe. " 'Marriage
is honorable'; it was one of the first gifts of God to man, and it is one of the two institutions that, after
the fall, Adam brought with him beyond the gates of Paradise." -- "Patriarchs and Prophets," p. 46.
Thus Adam conquered (inhabited the earth) with the bow (Eve).
Second Seal -- Red Horse
"And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. And there
went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from
the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword." "And
there went out another horse that was red." If the white horse represents the first period, then the
red horse must stand for the one that followed. "Red" is the same as scarlet, which is a symbol of sin
and condemnation.
After Adam sinned, the earth was cursed, and its perfect beauty marred. Thus the white horse
passed away, and a red one took its place. Said God, "Cursed is the ground for thy sake, in sorrow
shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life." But this symbol applies more directly after the flood, for
the entire surface of the earth was changed by the deluge. "A third dreadful curse
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rested upon it in consequence of sin. As the water began to subside, the hills and mountains were
surrounded by a vast, turbid sea.... The earth presented an appearance of confusion and desolation
impossible to describe. The mountains, once so beautiful in their perfect symmetry, had become
broken and irregular. Stone, ledges, and ragged rocks were now scattered upon the surface of the
earth. In many places, hills and mountains had disappeared, leaving no trace where they once stood;
and plains had given place to mountain ranges. These changes were more marked in some places than
in others. Where once had been earth's richest treasures of gold, silver, and precious stones, were
seen the heaviest marks of the curse. And upon the countries that were not inhabited, and those
where there had been the least crime, the curse rested more lightly." -- "Patriarchs and Prophets,"
page 108. Thus the red horse represents the period after the flood.
The Rider On The Red Horse
"And power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should
kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword." As soon as sin entered the human
family, it multiplied fast, like a fruitful tree. What a vast difference between the first rider and the
second. No longer has he a crown on his head, but instead, a great sword in his hand. Righteous
Abel was the first to fall under its edge. But as the symbol has a direct application after the flood,
it finds its perfect fulfillment in the tower of Babel.
As the earth's inhabitants began to multiply after the deluge, sin did likewise, and though they had
to believe Noah's prediction of the flood, they mistrusted his predictions after the flood. "And God
blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth....
And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters
of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth. And God said, This is a token
of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for
perpetual generations; I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between
me and the earth." (Gen. 9:1, 11, 13.)
Their disbelief in the word of God spoken by Noah, impelled them, in defiance of God, to engage
in building the tower of Babel as a defense against a second flood. (See Gen. 11:3, 4.) God's
displeasure over their ignorance of His power, and disbelief in His word, caused Him to destroy the
tower and confound their language. "So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon
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the face of all the earth.... Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord did there
confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the
face of all the earth." (Gen. 11:8, 9.) The confusion at the tower of Babel gave birth to the races and
languages. As they parted in separated tribes, the neighboring ones began to quarrel one with
another. As they grew to nations, their quarrels turned into wars.
Thus the period under the "red horse" gave birth to the existing unrest among the nations.
Therefore, power was given him "to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another:
and there was given unto him a great sword." Thus the evidence proves that the red horse represents
the period after the flood; and the rider, its inhabitants, corresponding with the "lion" (Babylon), and
later with the "bear" (Medo-Persia). At the commencement of the Persian government, the previous
quarrels broke out in bloody wars, thus the words by the ribs in the mouth of the bear, "Arise, devour
much flesh" (Dan. 7:5) met a perfect fulfillment. Therefore, peace was taken from the earth by the
great sword in the hand of the rider on the red horse.
The Third Seal -- Black Horse
Revelation 6:5, "And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see.
And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair balances in his hand." The white
horse is a symbol of purity, being submerged by the red which is a symbol of sin, and the red being
succeeded by the "black" denotes spiritual darkness, or mental blindness. Therefore, the color
(black), signifies misconception of God's personality.
As man plunged into sin, his moral and spiritual powers were weakened to the extent that his vision
of God's invisible presence was blotted out. The sinner's spiritual corruption and immoral inclinations
demanded a visible deity to redeem him from everlasting ruin. Thus the worship of the unseen and
omnipresent One was forsaken, and the adoration of idols substituted. This state of spiritual darkness
had overwhelmed the inhabitants of our world in the days of Abram, only about three hundred years
after the flood.
As there is no record of idol-worship before that time, the black horse must represent the period
from that date to the Christian era. Evidently Israel after the flesh comes under the period of the
black horse. In each instance, when the world reached the climax of Satanic deception, God, in His
mercy and
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love for sinners, was compelled to make certain moves to preserve human probation. At that time
He could not destroy the sinners from the face of the earth and yet keep His promise to Noah. To
assure the preservation of the covenant He called out Abram from idolatry to the worship of the true
God, starting out a separate nation by one family similar to that of Adam and Noah; and the result
was that the twelve Patriarchs of Israel came forth, of whom God made one great nation.
The Balances In The Rider's Hand
Rev. 6:5, last part, "And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances
in his hand." As the white horse rider's crown and bow refer to his privileges, and the great sword
in the hand of the red horse's rider shows his prerogative, just so the balances in the hand of the rider
of the black horse must have reference to the people and their characteristics, in that period.
Balances are used for commercial purposes. Therefore, the symbol denotes the first introduction
of a commercialistic idea. Prior to, or about Abram's time, commercial trading between nations was
unknown. But in the period represented by the black horse this idea was born. The
Phenician-Semitic race are credited with the ever-increasing discovery, with Sidon and Tyre as their
chief commercial centers. "Who hath taken this counsel against Tyre, the crowning city, whose
merchants are princes, whose traffickers are the honourable of the earth?" (Isa. 23:8.)
"We must mention another 'Little' people of this Semitic race whose influence upon the world has
been more potent than that of Egypt, or Babylonia -- the Phenicians. Their state also was one of the
smallest in antiquity.... Their two chief cities were Sidon, and, a short distance away, the queen of
Phenician cities, Tyre. But in time they were to spread their trade-colonies all over the
Mediterranean, and up into other lands, ever on the search for new Trade areas and commercial
centers. They were the bees of the ancient world carrying the pollen of culture wherever they went.
The necessities of trade and commerce drove them to perfect the alphabet and from them the western
world obtained it. In some respects they were unique in the ancient world, and this distinction was
interred with them. For they were not interested in conquests, save commercial; and they did not
mind paying tribute to military powers, as long as those powers did not interfere with their rights of
trade. They had a Greek-like capacity for assimilating to themselves whatever Egypt, Babylonia,
Assyria, Persia or any other phase of civilization
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offered; but their chief genius lay in invention, technical skill, business activity, and in industry. In
the working of iron, gold, ivory, glass, and purple dyes they stood in the ancient world without a
peer.
"We recall from the Old Testament the story of David's wish to build a temple worthy of the
worship of the God of Israel. It is intimated to him that the work had better be left to his son
Solomon. So we see Solomon making a treaty with Hiram, King of Tyre. Hiram was to furnish
cedar and cypress-wood, together with carpenters and stone-masons for the building, and to ship the
materials on rafts to Juda. Much of the external splendor of Solomon's brilliant and showy rule
should be credited to the technical skill of these master-craftsmen of Phenicia. Through their cities
flowed the highly profitable trade of Arabia and the East: and their manufacturers were kept busy
turning out their products of metals, glass, and purple. By sea and by land they traveled everywhere
-- missionaries of trade -- the master-bargainers of the Old World. At the time of Homer the
Phenicians were credited with being pirates -- robbers -- and merchants only by virtue of necessity.
Possibly nothing worse than legend, but we are told they brought their trinkets beads, and cheap
baubles, which they sold at high prices and kidnaped boys and girls to be sold in the eastern markets
as a sideline." -- "Essential Knowledge, -- The Phenicians," Vol. 1, pp. 69, 70.
Hurt Not The Oil And The Wine
Rev. 6:6, "And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say,... and see thou hurt not the oil
and the wine." According to Revelation 4:6, the four beasts are round about the throne. Therefore,
the throne is in the midst of the beasts. Says John: "And I heard a voice in the midst of the four
beasts." One of the things he heard was, "See thou hurt not the oil and the wine." Therefore,
whatever is meant by the symbol, it is not of men, but of God, for it was He who commanded, "Hurt
not the oil and the wine."
It is an accepted fact by nearly all Bible students that "oil" is used by the Scriptures as a symbol of
the Holy Spirit, as in Psalms 45:7; Isaiah 61:1-3; Zechariah 4:12. "Wine" is used as a symbol of the
blood of Christ, and as the "life is in the blood," the wine denotes life eternal, found only in "the Lamb
of God which taketh away the sins of the world." Said Jesus, "The words that I speak unto you they
are spirit and they are life" -- "oil" and "wine." The words in the Bible are the "Spirit" and the "Life."
Therefore, the command, "hurt not the oil and the
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wine," has reference to the Bible -- the Spirit and the Life. But why was the command given to this
particular rider? Why not to one of the others? The only answer that can be given is that the period
under the black horse and his rider gave birth to the Bible. The command was obeyed and the Bible
came. In time of idolatry and dense spiritual darkness, God, in His never failing love, blessed the
human family by the gift of His written Word for a Light to the world. The voice from the throne
"Hurt not the oil and the wine," is the voice in the Bible and the words of Jehovah. The remaining
part of verse six will be explained in another study.
The Fourth Seal
Rev. 6:7 and 8: "And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say,
Come and see. And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death and
Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with
sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth."
As the Old Testament time closes with the third seal, the New begins with the opening of the fourth
seal. Consequently, the pale horse and the non-descript beast of Daniel 7:7, 8, occupy the same
period. Evidently one beast must resemble the other or the symbol would not be perfect. Rome was
symbolized by a non-descript beast because its government was a mixture of civil and religious laws,
with Pagan and Christian doctrines. Therefore, it was beyond description as previously explained.
The pale horse has the same meaning, for his complexion is faint, wanting, not having a specific or
definite color. Pale -- non-descript.
The rider represents the ruling heads of government. His name is Death. "Death and Hell [hades
or grave as in the revised version] followed with him." This is a perfect description of the unjust,
persecuting Roman power, corresponding to the beast as Daniel saw it: "It devoured and brake in
pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it." In the opening of the fourth seal, Rome, under
the symbol of the non-descript beast in both his stages (imperial and papal) persecuted its subjects
for their religious belief, and millions lost their lives. Therefore, "Death and Hell [grave] followed
with him."
"And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth: to kill with sword, and with
hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth." Here is given the exact time in which
imperial and papal Rome would hold sway over the earth,
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to kill the followers of Christ by means of these various forms of cruelty. Again, note the perfection
of the Scriptures using the pronoun "them," meaning both imperial and papal Rome, also civil and
religious authority. Note the first part of the sentence. "And power was glven unto them over the
fourth part of the earth." This present world, from creation to its end or the beginning of the
millennium, shall number 6,000 years. The pale horse rider was to have power over a fourth part of
the earth. We divide 6,000 into four equal parts, and we have 1500 years. Therefore, the cruel and
unjust persecution by Rome was to lose its power at the end of the 1500 years or the fourth part.
That is exactly what happened. At that time Martin Luther arose against the papacy and inflicted the
deadly wound, by the instrument of truth -- "The just shall live by faith." And the result was that
Protestantism came on the stage of action in opposition to the papacy. Up to the beginning of the
fifteenth century the papacy reigned supreme as a king of kings, by the iron arm of the state in the
garb of so-called spiritual authority; but at that time her power was broken.
From the crucifixion of Christ to the "Augsburg Confession," a document compiled by Luther,
constituted a period of 1500 years. This document was signed by the protestant states and adopted
as their creed, and was a protest against the pope. So at the time appointed, their power Pagan and
Papal, was broken. (See "The Shepherd's Rod," Vol. 1, pp. 209-222.) Thus perfectly fulfilling the
symbolical prophecy that "power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth." Here is a
truth that overthrows the idea that the earth has been in existence for longer than 6,000 years. It also
proves the application of the seals to be absolutely correct.
Only four horses are introduced instead of seven, or, a horse to a seal. Four is another Biblical
number to denote that the representation by the horses is world wide (four points of the compass).
(See page 54). While the number of horses represent the universal effect of the curse of sin the
number of seals denote the completeness of the gospel and the sealing of the saints.
The Fifth Seal
Rev. 6:9-11: "And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that
were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud
voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them
that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and
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it was said unto them, that they should rest yet a little season, until their fellowservants also and their
brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled."
The closing of one seal and the opening of the other consumed a period of thirty years. Thus the
fourth seal closed in 1530 A.D., up to which period the pale horse rider was to have power.
Therefore, the reformation by Luther falls under the fifth seal; and after it was opened John was
shown, "the souls of them that were slain for the word of God," under the fourth seal. "And it was
said unto them [the slain], that they should rest yet a little season, until their fellowservants also and
their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled." The words show that although
despotism had lost its power, the persecution had not altogether ceased, for their fellow servants and
their brethren were yet to be killed under the fifth seal. Says John: "And when he had opened the fifth
seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God." Therefore, it was
the Christians who were slain.
The altar is a symbol as well, thus it also must be considered. Altar is used for worship; and as the
souls of them that were slain for the Word of God were under it, we know that it was an altar of true
worship -- the reformation by Luther.
The Sixth Seal
Rev. 6:12,13: "And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great
earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood, and the
stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of
a mighty wind."
The sixth seal opens with the Lisbon earthquake of November 1, 1755. Following the earthquake
the sun was darkened, May 19, 1780, and the moon appeared as blood the following night. The
"falling of the stars," has reference to the great meteoric shower of November 13, 1833. Jesus,
looking forward to the fulfillment of these signs, said: "Immediately after the tribulation of those days
shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven,
and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken." (Matt. 24:29.) Therefore, under the sixth seal came
the signs of the time of the end -- the great earthquake in 1755, the dark day in 1780 the falling stars
in 1833, and the beginning of the judgment in 1844.
On Rev. 6:14-17, comment is found in "Testimonies for the Church," Vol. 9, pp. 267, 268: " 'And
the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island
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were removed out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men,
and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bond man, and every free man, hid themselves
in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and
hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great
day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? (Rev. 6:12-17.) After this I beheld, and,
lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and
tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their
hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and
unto the Lamb.... These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes
and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.'... Revelation 7:9-17."
According to the following testimony, Revelation 6:12-17, has a double application, and it is clear
that these verses also refer to the time of the purification of God's church, for the servant of the Lord
says, "In these scriptures two parties are brought to view. One party permitted themselves to be
deceived, and took sides with those with whom the Lord has a controversy. They misinterpreted the
message sent them, and clothed themselves in robes of self-righteousness. Sin was not sinful in their
eyes. They taught falsehood as truth, and by them many souls were led astray." -- "Testimonies for
the Church," Vol. 9, page 268. It is inferred, from the testimony just quoted, that they have taught
falsehood. We ask the reader to consider what has been taught by the symbols found in the books
of Daniel and Revelation. For instance, consider the truth brought to view here, as compared with
what has been taught for some years.
The Seventh Seal, Revelation 8:1-5
Rev. 8:1, 3-5: "And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the
space of half an hour. And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and
there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the
golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the
prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. And the angel took the censer,
and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings,
and lightnings, and an earthquake."
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We have omitted the second verse, for it has reference to the seven trumpets. The silence in heaven
for about half an hour cannot be the second coming of Christ, as some have thought, for afterward
the angel with the golden censer and incense, offered the prayers for the saints from the golden altar.
The altar is in the holy place, just opposite the throne that is in the most holy. The two apartments
were separated by a vail. In the day of atonement, the vail or door of the earthly tabernacle was
opened and the high priest went in. But let it be remembered that the door (vail) was left open while
the high priest officiated. Thus the two apartments became one. For this reason the congregation
were not permitted in the holy place on that day, as they were at other times, for the vail being lifted,
the holy place also became most holy. So while the door to the most holy was open, the entrance to
the holy was closed. Therefore, the high priest alone used both apartments on the day of atonement.
(See Lev. 16:17.) Thus the golden altar before the throne, from which the angel offered the prayers
of the saints, was, and is, used in both periods -- before, and in the time of the judgment. As the
entire judicial tribunal (Judge, Advocate, Elders, etc.) were in the temple after the seventh seal had
been opened, it is evident that the judgment was in progress, and probation had not closed at the time
of the "silence." For after the judgment has ceased and probation closed, no man can enter the
temple. (See Rev. 15:8.)
Had the "silence" of "half an hour" pointed to the coming of Christ, at which time He takes his
saints with Him, there would be no necessity for the angel to offer their prayers. Furthermore, it
would be unnecessary to "cast" fire, which is the Spirit of God, from the golden altar to the earth.
Again, if the opening of the seventh seal means the coming of Christ, then only those under the six
seals would have been considered in the judgment, and there could be no seventh seal, which would
show lack of perfection and completeness of the judgment, and of the gospel. It would also be
contrary to the number of seals on the book. As the six seals have reference to six periods in which
the saints were sealed, the seventh must also apply to a sealing period; otherwise it cannot be called,
seventh "seal."
Now let us consider the truth as taught by the last seal. Note carefully the order of each act. The
seal is opened, and silence follows, for it reads: "and when he had opened the seventh seal there was
silence." The Revised Version, Weymouth, the Greek, and the Bulgarian Bibles read the same way.
The silence was followed by the angel coming to the altar with the censer, after he offered the prayers
of the saints. And then he
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filled the censer with fire, and cast the fire to the earth and again the voices, and thunderings, and
lightnings, and an earthquake. This is the exact order of each event.
What made the silence? As the judgment opened, John states: "And out of the throne proceeded
lightnings, and thunderings and voices;" and the four beasts "rest not day and night, saying, Holy,
Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty." (Rev. 4:5, 8.) The voices are continuous day and night while the
judgment is going on. But sometime after the seventh seal was opened these voices were silenced
for about half an hour. After the angel offered the prayers of the saints, and cast the fire upon the
earth, the voices resumed. "And there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an
earthquake." Evidently the judgment, for some reason, had stopped, and half an hour later it
resumed. It cannot be otherwise, for, if the judgment was going on, and the beasts and the elders
kept silent, it would indicate that there was something wrong -- something to which they could not
say "amen" and praise God. Therefore, the only proper conclusion is, that for some reason the
judgment retired for half an hour.
What made the interruption and brought about the change? Let us first determine the length of the
prophetic half hour's time. A day in prophetic time stands for a year. (Ezek. 4:6.) One hour is a
twenty-fourth part of a prophetic year, and figuring thirty days to a month, it would be about two
weeks. Half an hour would be half of two weeks; therefore, seven literal days. Seven days were used
for purification. (See Ex. 29:35, 37; Lev. 12:2; 13:4, 5; 1, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15, 21, etc.) From these
references we conclude that the "half an hour" or seven days stand for the purification of the church,
pointing forward to the fulfillment of Malachi 3:1-6. But we have a more definite proof, which will
clear all doubts.
In observance of the Passover, the Lord commanded Israel to celebrate that occasion seven days.
(See Lev. 23:5-8.) Surely no one would say that God commanded His people to commemorate that
event seven days with no object in view. Israel after the flesh going into Egypt, then out of Egypt
to Mount Sinai, the passover in Egypt on the night when the death angel smote the first born of man
and beast at the departure of Israel, are types of the church at the present time -- the church going
out of Egypt -- worldliness, the purification of the church, the separation of the tares form the wheat
-- the fulfillment of Ezekiel 9. (A complete explanation of the subject is given in "The Shepherd's
Rod," Vol. 1, pp. 64-113; see also chart on page 224.) The Spirit of Prophecy bears witness of this
by the following statement: "The Passover was to be both commemorative
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and typical, not only pointing back to the deliverance from Egypt, but forward to the greater
deliverance which Christ was to accomplish in freeing His people from the bondage of sin." --
"Patriarchs and Prophets," p. 277.
Thus the silence of half an hour points forward to this great event for the church of God. Its
fulfillment would bring us to the time of the harvest, or as it is called, the Loud Cry of the Third
Angel's Message of Revelation 18 -- the last message for the world. Thus, while the five men with
the slaughter weapons are taking away those represented by the tares within the church, there will
be silence in heaven for about half an hour (seven days), after which the judgment will commence
again for those who shall be sealed in the time of the great harvest, which is the end of the world.
Said Jesus: "Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the
reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the
wheat into my barn" -- the church. (Matt. 13:30.)
They who are to be sealed at that time were seen by John as a great multitude with palms in their
hands. (See Rev. 7:9.) Hence the scroll has made a turn, and the sealing for those who shall be
judged while living, has begun. As we stated before, the passover night in Egypt is a type of the
purification of the church, separating the tares from the wheat. The crossing of the Red Sea by the
Israelites pointed forward to the fulfillment of Isaiah 63. (See "The Shepherd's Rod," Vol. 1, pp.
96-103.)
Therefore, the prophet declares the words of the Lord: "For the day of vengeance is in mine heart
and the year of my redeemed is come." (Isa. 63:4.) We quote verses 1-3, also 17, 18: "Who is this
that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel,
travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. Wherefore
art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? I have trodden
the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger,
and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain
all my raiment.... O Lord, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from
thy fear? Return for thy servant's sake, the tribes of thine inheritance. The people of thy holiness
have possessed it but a little while: our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary."
The prophet saw Christ himself returning from the slaughter of the Edomites -- the class who were
deceiving God's people in the church, the tares, or adversaries who had trodden down His
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sanctuary. "Bozrah" means "sheepfold" -- the church. He saw His garments stained with the blood
of the tares, in delivering His people from their hands. The prophet asked: "Wherefore art thou red
in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth the winefat?" The purification of the church
makes it necessary for Christ to leave the place of judgment and descend to deliver His redeemed (the
144,000), and this is what causes the judgment to cease, and the voices to be silenced for about half
an hour -- seven days. The Spirit of Prophecy bears witness of the same. "The Lord Jesus shall rise
up from His mediatorial work in the heavenly sanctuary, and shall clothe himself with the garments
of vengeance, and surprise them at their unholy feast; and they will find themselves unprepared for
the marriage supper of the Lamb." -- "Testimonies for the Church," vol. 5, p. 690. Peter, looking
forward to the purification of God's church, and the commencement of the judgment for the living,
says: "For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us,
what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God?" (1 Peter 4:17.)
Had the church as a body, or at least the leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination
accepted the message of reform as presented to them in "The Shepherd's Rod," Vol. 1, there would
be no necessity for that class to fall by the figure of the five men with the slaughter weapons. It is
the reception or rejection of the message that will fix the destiny of the two classes as described in
the following testimony: "I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen, and was shown that it would
be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the true witness to the Laodiceans.
This will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver, and will lead him to exalt the standard and
pour forth the straight truth. Some will not bear this straight testimony. They will rise up against it,
and this is what will cause a shaking among God's people." -- "Early Writings," p. 270.
In the earthly sanctuary, the high priest entered the most holy apartment once a year, and on that
particular day every Israelite was to confess his sin. He who neglected to comply with the divine
requirements was cut off from his people. (See Lev. 23:29, 30.) Thus the day of anti-typical
atonement, judgment, or cleansing of the sanctuary, as set forth in Daniel 8:14, is a day of purification
for the camp of Israel, the church -- putting away sin and sinners. The earthly sanctuary was a figure
of the heavenly. (See Heb. 9:23, 24.) It was instituted with its ceremonial system to point forward
to the work of Christ, our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary during the anti-typical
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period -- New Testament time. As the sanctuary with all its services, was a figure of type of the true,
heavenly, under the administration of Christ, so the typical day of atonement must point out the truth
in the anti-typical period -- our time.
While the judgment for the living is in progress, every sin must be confessed and put away. He who
would neglect this great privilege, will find himself involved in everlasting ruin -- cut off from among
His people. Ignoring this most vital subject would not profit us in the least.
Reformation In View
The great reformation in view, vividly represented by the angel at the golden altar with the prayers
of the saints, and the casting of the fire from the altar to the earth, is foretold, also, in the following
testimony: "In visions of the night representations passed before me of a great reformatory movement
among God's people. Many were praising God. The sick were healed, and other miracles were
wrought. A spirit of intercession was seen; even as was manifested before the great day of Pentecost.
Hundreds and thousands were seen visiting families, and opening before them the word of God.
Hearts were convicted by the power of the Holy Spirit, and a spirit of genuine conversion was
manifest. On every side doors were thrown open to the proclamation of the truth. The world seemed
to be lightened with the heavenly influence. Great blessings were received by the true and humble
people of God." -- "Testimonies for the Church," Vol. 9, p. 126.
My brethren, the Lord is speaking to us. Shall we not heed His voice? Shall we not trim our lamps
and act like men who look for their Lord to come? "The time is one that calls for light bearing, and
for action." Awake, I beseech you, from the sleep of death. Let not the last day find you destitute
of heavenly treasure.
Are all the living judged and sealed under the seventh seal? Or have some been considered before
its opening? To answer this question we quote Revelation 8:3, "And another angel came and stood
at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer
it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne." Note, the prayer
is offered for all saints. No one, knowing God's truth, would dare pray for the dead, for it is
abomination in God's sight; much Iess would an angel commit such sin.
The Psalmist declares that prayers for the dead are the invention of the heathen, "They joined
themselves also unto Baalpeor,
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and ate the sacrifices of the dead. Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions: and the
plague brakes in upon them." (Psa. 106:28, 29.) "The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go
down into silence. (Psa. 115:17.) If the dead praise not God, how can an angel offer a prayer for
them before God?
The phrase, "all saints," has reference to all the living who are to be judged. Evidently this is done
under the seventh seal. If "all," then it is definite that all the living saints are counted under the
seventh seal. Thus, with the opening of the last seal, commences the judgment for all the living saints.
Let nothing confuse you on this point. If we say the prayers of all saints had some connection with
the dead, then they should have been offered at the commencement of the judgment -- the opening
of the first seal, for after the judgment the prayers cannot profit them.
Note the words at the opening of the judgment for the dead in 1844: "And when he had taken the
book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them
harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints." (Rev. 5:8.) Mark that no
angel offered a prayer, but the prayers of the saints were presented by the beasts and elders through
praise by harps, and golden vials full of odours, that is, there was no prayer offered for the dead, but
their prayers which they had prayed, being recorded while they were yet alive, were presented before
the throne. The 144,000 are sealed before the silence "of half an hour," or at the opening of the seal,
but they are judged in the period of the seventh seal, for the prayer was for "all" saints -- the living.
Is there any way whereby we can determine the time of the opening of the seal, and the
commencement of the judgment for the living? If God so faithfully revealed to the living the
commencement of the judgment for the dead, it cannot be possible that He would keep secret the time
of the judgment for the living. If He did, we would have no present truth in the time of the last seal;
neither could there be justice in such secrecy, nor could such judgment be legal. Therefore, a
revelation of the judgment for the living, is of as great importance as the revelation of the gospel
itself. For the judgment (blotting out the sins) is the crowning act in the gospel of Christ. Thus we
conclude that when the seal is opened, and the judgment for the living begins, we must know it. The
day of atonement in its type proves the same, for the Israelites were well informed of the event, their
duty, and the consequence.
The date of that most glorious event for the righteous, but exceeding solemn for the wicked, will
be made known at the fulfillment
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of the following verse: "And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar and cast it
into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings and an earthquake." (Rev. 8:5.)
The casting of the fire from the altar into the earth is the outpouring of the Spirit of God. We have
stated before that the book of Revelation is a revealing of prophecies, and not a prophecy of itself.
Therefore, we find the prediction of this glorious event in Joel 2:28, 29. The "voices, and
thunderings, and lightnings," denote the opening of the judgment for the living, as they also denote
the opening of the judgment for the dead. (See Rev. 4:5.) The earthquake will be the sign of the
event.
Summary Of Commencement And Termination Of Seals
The first seal covers the entire period from Adam to the flood; the second, from the flood to
Abraham; the third, from Abraham to Christ; the fourth, from Christ to 1500 A.D.; the fifth, from
1500 A.D. to 1755 A.D.; the sixth, from 1755 A.D. to the fulfillment of Ezekiel 9; the seventh, to the
close of probation.
However, the seals, in one sense of the word, do not close. They continue and overlap each other.
For instance, the inhabitants of the earth are still multiplying (Adam -- "conquering and to conquer");
the wars among the nations are ever on the increase, and peace has departed from the earth. Thus,
the "sword" is still in the rider's hand. Commercialism is ever growing (the "balances"), and
persecution has not ceased but is to revive, and to bring about a trouble such as never was, as
described by Daniel the prophet. (Dan. 12:1.) The signs of the times under the close of the sixth seal
are speaking louder and louder. But shortly after the close of the seventh seal, everything upon earth
shall cease for a thousand years.
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Wheat And Barley Each For A Penny
In our study of the "Seven Seals" we reserved for future explanation the following scripture: "And
I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three
measures of barley for a penny." (Rev. 6:6.) Again we turn the reader's attention to the fact that the
voice came from the throne. (See chapter 5, verse 11.) Therefore, the price of the cereals is fixed by
the Great Judge.
There must be something of great importance in these symbols, for the Great Jehovah Himself is
speaking. What could it be? Weymouth's translation reads as follows: "A whole days wage for a loaf
of bread, a whole days wage for three barley cakes." Weymouth translates the penny as a day's wage.
We believe the words of Jesus justify this: "For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an
householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when he
had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard." (Matt. 20:1, 2.) The
penny is the fixed days wage by the householder of the vineyard.
Note that the barley is but one third the price of the wheat; in other words, one goes into the field
and gathers only one measure of wheat and receives a full day's pay, but the other who works all day
gathers three measures of barley, and receives no more than a day's wage -- "a penny." The symbols
have a very close connection with the parable given by Christ. Therefore, let the reader concentrate
on the subject, for here is a truth worth our earnest attention.
"And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the market place, And said
unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their
way. And again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh
hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day
idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He said unto them Go ye also into the
vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive." (Matt. 20:3-7.)
The "householder" in the parable has reference to God the Father, for the parable is to reveal the
kingdom of heaven.
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PICTURE
[Chart of Symbolical Hours in Day]
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 223, 224
Therefore, the vineyard is the world and those sent to labor in it are the church. The parable cannot
refer to one literal day of twelve hours, into which God has made five calls for laborers in the
vineyard (world); for there is no record where God raised five church organizations in one day, and
had them operating all at the same time. Therefore, the calls in the parable must extend over a period
of world history in connection with the church, and that period Jesus allegorically compares to a
twelve-hour day into which He hired laborers on five different occasions. If we can locate the time
to which each one of these calls refer, then we shall fully comprehend the lesson and the time in which
we are living. We shall endeavor to prove that the parable has reference to the "wheat and barley,"
each for a "penny."
Note that the householder bargained only with those he hired first. Also, note that they went to
work in the morning. He hired the laborers at five intervals. Four of them were three hours apart;
but the fifth and last call was only two hours later than the fourth which was at the eleventh hour --
just one hour before sunset.
The Ancient Time Clock
Fearing that some may not understand the ancient time clock, we feel a brief explanation may be
necessary. To make it more comprehensive we call the reader's attention to the chart, page 22. In
the days of Christ, and even now in some countries, time is regulated by sunset at twelve o'clock.
Near the equator, where the days and nights are continually equal, the sun sets at twelve and rises at
twelve. Therefore, six o'clock would be noon hour in the light part, according to the chart, and at
six o'clock in the dark part, would be midnight. This is the kind of time Jesus used in the parable.
Therefore, the first call to the ones with whom the householder agreed for a penny a day, would
have been at twelve o'clock A.M. -- sunrise. The second call, at the "third hour," is just three hours
after sunrise. The third call at the "sixth hour," would be at noonday. The fourth interval, at "ninth
hour," would be three hours after the noon hour, or three o'clock by modern time. The fifth call, two
hours later, at the "eleventh hour," would be five o'clock according to present time, and just an hour
before sunset.
With the previous explanation of Revelation 6:6, ("A measure of wheat for a penny and three
measures of barley for a
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penny"), we shall endeavor to prove that the symbols point back to the parable of the householder,
and Jesus allegorically looked forward to John's vision. If the explanation perfectly fits the parable
and the vision, in harmony with God's book and law, and a present truth lesson is derived therefrom,
then only must we accept it as truth.
The Morning Call
Matt. 20:1, 2, "For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went
out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the
labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard." Jesus could have no reference to any
other people than Israel after the flesh, for they are the ones with whom God bargained and sent into
His vineyard -- world. Their labor consisted of representing the Creator or householder, and giving
us the Bible. The Psalmist has made the following record of the agreement: "He hath remembered
his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations. Which covenant
He made with Abraham, and His oath unto Isaac, And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and
to Israel for an everlasting covenant." (Psalms 105:8-10.)
The covenant was made with Abraham, which was only a promise to him and his seed, but Abraham
obtained not the promise. "His oath unto Isaac;" that is to say, God solemnly declared that He will
carry out His agreement. But Isaac, even as his father, "obtained not the promise." He "confirmed"
the same to "Jacob"; that is, He administered, settled, or established it. The covenant made with
Abraham was realized by Jacob as a law. But "to Israel, for an everlasting covenant." Hence, Israel
received the promise. Therefore, it was Israel that went to labor in the vineyard after they departed
from Egypt. "According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my
spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not." (Haggai 2:5.) Isaiah speaks of the vineyard which in itself
was a symbol of the world. (Isa. 5.) Therefore, the householder's early hour call for laborers in His
vineyard, applies to the call of Israel out of Egypt. Why is it called "early in the morning?" At that
time Moses was writing the Bible, which is the light of the world. Therefore, very "early," for the
Scriptures had just begun to be written. Thus the period since the Bible came is called the day,
according to the parable. Which signifies that the written word of God is the light of the world.
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Second Call In The Third Hour
"And when he had agreed with the laborers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard."
(Matt. 20:2.) The wage agreed upon between the parties, is the promise of God to Israel. "And he
went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the market place, And said unto them:
Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way."
(Matt. 20:3, 4.) Having established the first call it would not be difficult to determine the second.
Note that these were not of the same company, but "others," who were idle. If not Israel, then it can
only be the Apostles and the Gentiles in the beginning of the Christian era, as recorded in Acts 13:46:
"Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first
have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting
life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles."
Note that there was no bargaining with the second company. They went, having confidence in the
"Goodman" that they would receive whatever was right. The call of the Gentiles was not based upon
any special agreement. They responded, trusting in God's generous promise to Israel, as it was
recorded in the Scriptures. Therefore, the call of the Apostles, and the Gentiles, is represented by the
"third hour call."
The Sixth And Ninth Hour Calls
"Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise." (Matt. 20:5.) Each of the
calls being at intervals, extending over the entire day, it is evident that they must come one after
another at different periods. On each occasion there must be a call -- message. If so, it cannot be
merely a call of reformation -- obedience to a former message. Therefore, the reformation by Luther
could not be considered here, for it was only a revival to the message delivered before his time. Said
Luther "The just shall live by faith." Knox, Wesley, and Campbell could not enter in the parable, for
they too had only a call for reformation (obedience) to the message (doctrines) delivered to the
Gentiles -- the early Christian church. The doctrine of the Holy Spirit by Knox, Grace by Wesley,
and Baptism through immersion by Campbell were taught by the apostles. We shall present further
proof from another angle to show the above stated reformers are not included in the parable.
As Israel and the Gentiles in the first and second calls comprised God's church in the vineyard then
the third, fourth, and fifth calls must represent the church in the vineyard as well. We
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turn the reader's attention to the "woman" with the crown of twelve stars of Revelation 12:1, 6, 14.
She being a symbol of the church, was given the wings of an eagle to fly into the wilderness for 1260
days -- years. Therefore, while she was in the wilderness there could have been no church in the
vineyard. The long prophetic period has been fixed and accepted to be the period from 538 A.D. to
1798 A.D. Therefore, during the long wilderness journey of the "woman," there can be no call for
laborers in the "vineyard." Thus, the three last calls in the parable must have met their fulfillment after
1798, at which time the "woman" was to return from the "wilderness." Consequently the following
question is asked: If the church ("woman") was in the wilderness between the years 538 and 1798,
in which period the above stated reformers did their wonderful work to bring about reformation by
obedience to the Scriptures, were they not called out and sent by God? Answer. -- Surely they were.
There can be no doubt about it. Their work, character, and sacrifice answers the question. Think
of Luther, the father of Protestantism, who risked his life like those of God's great servants in the
past. God, by the hand of Luther, tore asunder the doors of darkness, brought an end to the terrible
persecution and bloodshed of the saints of the most High, and caused the light in His written word
to shine into the hearts of men. Had it not been for the earnest and zealous efforts of these godly
reformers, the woman (church) would have been in the wilderness until this day, and there would
have been no Protestantism. Thus, their unselfish service broke the power of despotism and by the
imprisonment of the Pope terminated the long prophetic period. Therefore, God, through the service
of these men was to bring the "woman" (church) from the wilderness and prepare the way for the
third call, at the sixth hour.
The calls at the sixth, ninth, and eleventh hours, must be similar to that of the preceding ones --
made by a special message, preached for the first time -- which would have made it necessary on each
occasion for another company -- "laborers." The nature of these messages also must have been world
wide, for they were sent into His "vineyard" -- world. The third call therefore, represented by the
sixth hour, must have come sometime after 1798 A.D., at which time the "woman" was due to return.
Just such a message was presented to the world after A.D. 1798 and prior to A.D. 1844 in the
preaching by William Miller of the 2300 days of Daniel 8:14. Therefore, the message by Miller was
represented by the company hired at the "sixth hour."
"Again he went about the sixth and ninth hour, and did
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likewise." (Matt. 20:5.) Note that these words closely associate "the sixth and ninth hour" calls, while
the other calls are separated. The significance is that these two messages represented by the "sixth
and ninth hour," are to be closely joined to each other. Therefore, the ninth hour call must come after
Miller's work came to an end. It was the Sanctuary truth, and the investigative judgment preached
since 1844, bound in the first, second and third angel's messages of Revelation 14:6-11. Therefore,
the Three Angel's Messages constituted that call in 1844.
The Eleventh Hour Call
The eleventh hour call is the last on record, and only an hour before sunset -- millennium. The time
for its deliverance to the world is shorter than any universal message ever given. Though the time
is the shortest its area over the earth's surface is more extensive than any. Its speedy delivery is of
the highest importance, for by it shall the world be judged.
God's servants shall have no time or desire for the cares of this world, for there is a city prepared
for them whose builder and maker is God. As we have just enough time to get ready for translation,
we must not let the enemy steal our precious moments. Because the work is so broad, its expansion
so vast, and its importance so great, God has inspired modern science to invent, and build speedy
equipment to quickly finish His work. "But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book,
even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. Many shall
be purified, and made white, and tried, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall
understand; but the wise shall understand." (Dan. 12:4, 10.)
The evidence in Christ's parable plainly reveals another call for laborers to the vineyard between the
one in 1844, and the millennium, namely, at the eleventh hour. This being true, why is it, that the
movement called out at the ninth hour (in 1844) has not forewarned the church that there is more
truth to follow and another message, "call," to come? Has God neglected to give the warning and
left His people in darkness? We answer the question by quoting the following testimonies: "In view
of that great day, the Word of God in the most solemn and impressive language calls upon His people
to arouse from their spiritual lethargy, and to seek His face with repentance and humiliation: 'Blow
ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in My holy mountain'!" -- "The Great Controversy," p.
311.
"Then I saw another mighty angel commissioned to descend to the earth, to unite his voice with the
third angel, and give
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power and force to his message.... This message seemed to be an addition to the third message,
joining it as the midnight cry joined the second angel's message in 1844." -- "Early Writings," p. 277.
Again we read, "Be assured that there are messages to come from human lips, under the inspiration
of the Holy Spirit. 'Cry aloud, spare not... show my people their transgression, and the house of
Jacob their sins'." -- "Testimonies to Ministers," p. 296. "Another message of warning and
instruction was to be given the church." -- "The Great Controversy," p. 425.
"Prophecy must be fulfilled. The Lord says: 'Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the
coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.' Somebody is to come in the spirit and power of
Elijah, and when he appears, men may say: 'You are too earnest, you do not interpret the Scriptures
in the proper way. Let me tell you how to teach your message'." -- "Testimonies to Ministers," p.
475. "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of
the Lord." (Mal. 4:5.) Has not God, through the "Spirit of Prophecy," as well as by the Scriptures,
plainly forewarned His people that they must expect messages at any time? "As never before, we
should pray not only that laborers may be sent forth into the great harvest-field, but that we may have
a clear conception of truth, so that when the messengers of truth shall come, we may accept the
message and respect the messenger." -- "Testimonies for the Church," Vol. 6, p. 420.
If the warning has been given, why have men from the pulpit so persistently closed their eyes to the
Word of the Most High, and opened their mouths in speaking fables to their congregation, by
declaring that they have all the truth and need neither message nor prophet? Has not this lying and
hypocrisy paved the way for a wholesale deception in the church by strengthening their confidence
in that they have need of nothing and are on the way to heaven? Think of the prejudice and false
security the message will have to break through. Think of the loss of life if the people should accept
the decision of the leaders. Has not just such a terrible trap of deception ensnared the people of God
in every movement called forth? Confidence in the leaders, and the acceptance of their decisions
without investigation has deceived the people in every age. What will change the course now? How
terrible the thought and how great the responsibility! May God help His people to search for light
and truth for themselves, and may their zeal demand an explanation and an account of these things.
What is the message? The eleventh hour message is none
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other than Revelation 18 -- the loud cry of the Third Angel. Quoting "Testimonies to Ministers," p.
59: "This same message [The Third Angel's] is to be proclaimed the second time. 'And after these
things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened
with his glory.' This message is the last that will ever be given to the world; and it will accomplish
its work." -- "The Great Controversy," p. 390.
"Thus the message of the third angel will be proclaimed. As the time comes for it to be given with
greatest power, the Lord will work through humble instruments, leading the minds of those who
consecrate themselves to His service. The laborers will be qualified rather by the unction of His Spirit
than by the training of literary institutions. Men of faith and prayer will be constrained to go forth
with holy zeal, declaring the words which God gives them. The sins of Babylon will be laid open.
The fearful results of enforcing the observances of the church by civil authority, the inroads of
Spiritualism, the stealthy but rapid progress of the papal power, -- all will be unmasked. By these
solemn warnings the people will be stirred. Thousands upon thousands will listen who have never
heard words like these. In amazement they hear the testimony that Babylon is the church, fallen
because of her errors and sins, because of her rejection of the truths sent to her from heaven. As the
people go to their former teachers with the eager inquiry, Are these things so? the ministers present
fables, prophesy smooth things, to soothe their fears, and quiet the awakened conscience. But since
many refuse to be satisfied with the mere authority of men, and demand a plain 'Thus saith the Lord,'
the popular ministry, like the Pharisees of old, filled with anger as their authority is questioned, will
denounce the message as of Satan, and stir up the sin loving multitudes to revile and persecute those
who proclaim it." -- Id., pp. 606, 607.
The eleventh hour call, in reality, is similar to that of the ninth. The ninth hour call is repeated with
additional mention of the corruption in the churches; also light and force is added to it.
Why Stand Ye Idle?
The laborers were hired from the "market place." The market must refer to the church from which
God calls His laborers for service. Note those hired in each instance were idle. The significance is
that every message that has ever come to our world, came not by those in high position in the church.
It was delivered by humble men, of whose services the church leadership
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thought they had little need. In every case the messages have been rejected by the foremost in the
church. Mark the question asked by the householder, "Why stand ye all the day idle?" The
significance is that they should have been at work. They say unto him "Because no man hath hired
us." When the church leadership is corrupted, the work is controlled by a certain class, and a ban of
restriction placed on all others. Thus, the very ones whom God wishes to use are thrust aside and
remain idle.
The workers hired by such leadership are selected from the viewpoint of a technical education as
a test of qualification, instead of Biblical knowledge, consecration, and absolute obedience to the
whole truth. Such practices are contrary to Biblical instruction. We quote: "A bishop then must be
blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to
teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not
covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For
if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)" (1
Timothy 3:2-5.) The apostles in selecting men for sacred office, said: "Wherefore brethren, look ye
out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may
appoint over this business." (The Acts 6:3.)
Moses spent forty years in the school of Christ. While keeping sheep he exchanged his Egyptian
training for the knowledge and wisdom of the Great I Am. Thus he was fitted to lead His people out
of Egypt. Paul was shown that his worldly wisdom derived in the school of men was harmful, and
useless in the work of Christ, so the apostle declared: "And I, brethren, when I came to you, came
not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I
determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. And my speech
and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the spirit
and of power." (1 Cor. 2:1, 2, 4.) Paul meant that he had determined to preach Bible and Bible only,
which reveals Christ and Him crucified. Preached by the power of the Spirit of God, and not by
wisdom of men. Thus, the learned apostle stooped to the level of the ignorant fishermen in human
knowledge, at the same time climbing up with the eleven in divine wisdom, which in comparison
earthly honor and human greatness sink into insignificance. Therefore, the sacred cannot be mingled
with the common.
Said the householder, "Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever
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is right, that shall ye receive." God asks men and women to arise and go to work in the vineyard,
trusting in the value of His Word. "Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor
scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy
of his meat. And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there
abide till ye go thence." (Matt. 10:9-11.) "And He said unto them, When I sent you without purse,
and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye anything? And they said, Nothing." (Luke 22:35.)
Mark the following point with care: From the ninth hour in 1844, to the twelfth, or close of
probation, there are only three full hours. The number of hours symbolically denote that there is only
enough probationary time from 1844 to the end, for one movement -- three hours. The Scripture of
Revelation 10:6 applies here: "That there should be time no longer." Every movement that God has
called into existence since the world began, went just so far, and when He sent a message, or new
light upon His Word, the leaders rejected it, and necessity gave birth to a new movement.
If the leaders in God's church at the present time should accept the eleventh hour call, it would be
out of the ordinary. But should they reject it, God cannot start a new movement, for there is "time
no longer." New movements generally start with a handful of people and require years to develop,
and after a time corruption sets in. Consequently, He could never finish His work on earth with such
a program. The words of the Master figuratively declare that the leadership in the movement called
in 1844 will reject the eleventh hour message, for He says those who were about to be hired, were
"standing idle"; that is, it was not those at work whom he hired.
If there is no time for a new movement, then there is but one solution to the perplexing problem,
and that is to separate the "wheat" from the "tares" by smiting the class who are controlling the work
and keeping God's people in bondage of sin. Therefore, the enemies of God are taken out of the way
by the five men of Ezekiel 9. This subject is made clear in "The Shepherd Rod," Vol. 1.
The Last First And The First Last
Coming back to our text: "A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a
penny." (Rev. 6:6.) Why is the wheat mentioned first, and the barley last? Why not
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the reverse? Why three times as much barley for a penny to one of wheat? Or why not the reverse?
The Scriptures are perfect and no flaw can be found in them. Therefore, there must be a reason for
this order of arrangement, as well as for the quantity of each cereal. Barley ripens much earlier than
wheat. Therefore, those hired first must be represented by the barley, otherwise the symbol could
not be perfect. The barley, then, represents the Jewish nation, as they were hired first. Naturally the
wheat must represent the ones called at the eleventh hour. It is marvelous how perfect the Scriptures
are.
Why only two kinds of cereals brought to view? Why not five? The two cereals are sufficient to
illustrate the thought and to clear the lesson. But the chief reason for only two is to draw attention
to the first and last calls, because reference is made of but two Israels; namely, Israel after the flesh
(the descendants of Abraham), and Israel after the spirit (the 144,000). But the object of the lesson
is for the latter, who are hired at the eleventh hour, for the truth of the parable has never been
understood by any other company.
Mark that the ones hired first worked all the day, but those hired last labored only one hour. For
that reason the voice said, "three measures of barley" as against "one measure of wheat" for a penny
-- day's wage. The interval between each call was three hours. The "measures" denote the allegorical
hours consumed in labor. The intervals of three hours between each call is a symbol of a full length
of time allowed to each movement, or message, without specific meaning as to the number of years.
Those called last, labored only one hour, but they too received equally as much. The generosity of
the Goodman signifies that all God's servants are equally rewarded, not in proportion to their deeds,
but according to the benevolence of the householder.
Now the question why the voice from the throne said, "One measure of wheat for a penny," first,
and "three measures of barley for a penny," last, will be answered. Humanly speaking it should have
been the reverse, for by the wheat is represented the last message (eleventh hour) and by the barley
the first (early in the morning -- Israel going out of Egypt). Had the voice reversed the enumeration
of the cereals, it would have been wrong, for said Jesus: "So when even was come, the Lord of the
vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last
unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man
a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should receive more; and they likewise
received
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every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the
house, Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which
have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one of them and said Friend, I do thee
no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is and go thy way: I will give
unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine
eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few
chosen." (Matt. 20:8-16.) Thus a measure of wheat for a penny, first, and three measures of barley
for a penny, last. They that murmured represent that part of the Jewish nation who were unworthy,
and the phrase, "Friend, I do thee no wrong.... Take that thine is, and go thy way," denotes the
rejection of the nation.
Give Them Their Hire
Note that those who were hired last were paid first, and the first, last. As all were equally regarded,
the ones hired first murmured, though they were paid in full. Their disdainful act denotes that the
Jewish nation was unworthy of their hire, and the Goodman said to them, "Take that thine is, and go
thy way." As ancient Israel is represented by the first call, as previously explained, to them the words
apply, and as they were the ones who murmured, it proves the parable correct .
Why were the first paid last, and the last first? Answer. -- The pay God's servants receive is eternal
life, and is characterized by the penny. Therefore, those who are granted the assurance of a never
ending life first, are those who were hired last, and according to the parable, it was the company
called at the eleventh hour. They are those who are marked or sealed by the man with the writer's
inkhorn of Ezekiel 9, or as John calls him, the angel with the seal of God; and he sealed, or marked,
144,000. (See Rev. 7.) This glorious company is the first who are granted the assurance of never
tasting death. (See "The Shepherd's Rod," Vol. 1, pp. 22-24.) Thus they are paid first but those who
were called early in the morning (Israel after the flesh) are to be resurrected (the righteous) when
Christ comes in the clouds, at which time they shall be given immortality. "So that the last shall be
first, and the first, last." For this reason, those who were sealed and saved by the Third Angel's
Message since 1844, are resurrected in the special resurrection before Christ comes. (See Dan. 12:2;
"Early Writings," p. 285.)
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Why Early In The Morning?
The evidence brought forth shows that the calls (messages) before Israel went out of Egypt were
not included in the parable, and that the call of Israel was "early in the morning." Jesus has divided
the history of the church in this instance into two equal parts of twelve hours each. In the parable He
refers only to the part called day, -- the period of the Bible. "Jesus answered, Are there not twelve
hours in a day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this
world." (John 11:9.) Therefore, the period before the Bible came is called night. Not that God's
people were left in darkness concerning His word, but that it was orally passed from father to son,
while the written word is a direct revelation -- light. Thus He has portrayed the history of His church
on a 24 hour clock dial. We may better comprehend the study by a brief summary as we follow the
chart on page 224.
There are only five calls in the parable; First, those who were called early -- Israel out of Egypt
Second, those who went to labor in the vineyard at the third hour -- the early Christian church Third,
the sixth hour call -- William Miller and his co-workers; Fourth, the ninth hour call -- the Third angel
in his first cry after 1844; Fifth, the 11th hour call -- the Loud Cry of the Third Angel's Message. As
number "seven" is used in every one of God's finished acts to denote completeness, there must have
been two such calls before Israel's time, otherwise it would show incompleteness in the proclamation
of the gospel. "And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the
Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints." (Jude 14.) As Enoch had a world wide message of
the coming of the Lord, his message is the first call. Noah's call is the second from creation.
Therefore, "seven" in all, meaning perfect, finished, the end of the gospel.
Seven Universal Movements
Thus far we have referred to the calls only, but now we turn our attention to the movements. The
start of the First movement is from the time Adam sinned to Enoch's message, Second, from Enoch
to Noah; Third, from Noah to Moses; Fourth, from Moses to the apostles, Fifth, from the apostles
to Miller; Sixth, from Miller to E.G. White; Seventh, from E.G. White to the end. From the last call
to the end, being only one hour, it proves that there is no time for a new movement. And a new
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movement would throw the number seven out of its significance. Therefore, the old movement must
be purified and march on.
The time allowed for each movement is marked on God's clock dial as three hours. The first three
hours on the dial indicate from creation to the fall of Adam; consequently it leaves only twenty-one
allegorical hours for human probation. Seven times three equal twenty-one, therefore, we have
another reason why the angel said, "There should be time no longer."
Reason Why Three Hours To A Movement
The following fact further proves that the church history in this instance is represented by a
twenty-four hour clock dial. If the call came to Israel early in the morning, at the twelfth hour, and
the day closed at the following twelfth hour, called day, because the written word of God was in
existence for light to the church, then the period that preceded the Bible is symbolically called night.
Some may question the evidence for allowing three hours to each incident -- from creation to the
fall of Adam, and again to Enoch and Noah. If God worked on the three hour schedule with the
crucifixion of Jesus (see chart on page 22), and the same rule was followed in the period called "day,"
then He certainly would not follow another rule in the period called "night." The reason He has
followed that particular rule is to present to His church the exact time of her history by periods.
Let us examine the evidence from another angle. The first man that sinned is called the first Adam.
Now look at the clock dial; from the third hour in the dark part (fall of Adam) opposite to the third
hour in the light part, and we see the second Adam (Christ crucified). Again, look at the sixth hour
in the dark part of the clock dial (Enoch prophesying of the coming of Christ) opposite to the sixth
hour of the light part, and there we see Miller also prophesying of the same event (coming of Christ).
This is one of the reasons why God allowed Miller to proclaim the coming of Christ in 1844. Now
look at the ninth hour, Noah predicting the end of the world in his generation, and opposite to the
ninth hour in the light part, we see E.G. White prophesying of the end of the world in this generation.
(And that is where this generation began.) And at the twelfth hour (Israel after the flesh going out
of Egypt) and opposite the twelfth hour (sunset), we see Israel after the Spirit (finished product)
going out of the world (Egypt.) Therefore, there is no question but what the fall of Adam, the
prophecy of Enoch, and Noah, came at the hours as shown on the chart.
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Here we see another type. God's truth to the world before the Bible came, coincides with His truth
in the time of the Bible, showing that God has but one truth, one Christ, and one gospel in all ages.
Therefore, the idea taught by self-styled ministers of the gospel that God had one method of saving
people before the Bible came into existence, another in the Old Testament time with the descendants
of Abraham, and still another for the New and the Gentiles, etc., is a deception of the Devil and there
is no truth in it. Not only the things written prove the truth and exposes the error but even common
reasoning tells us there can be no justice in such an ever-changing method of salvation -- "For I am
the Lord, I change not."
The twelfth hour on the dial, to the left, represents sunrise and on the right, sunset; the sixth hour
in the light part, noon, and six in the dark part, midnight. The message at the sixth hour by Miller is
called the Midnight cry (see "Early Writings," p. 277.) because it corresponds with that of Enoch.
Said Jesus: "And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh: go ye out to
meet him." (Matt. 25:6.) The sixth hour in the light part stands also as noon when the sun is in its
full strength. The Bible began to rise at the twelfth hour and when the message by Miller was
preached, represented by the sixth hour call, both Old and New Testaments had been compiled and
published; thus it also denotes mid-day.
The message proclaimed by Enoch was a prophecy looking forward to 1844 when Jesus came into
the most holy place with His saints for the investigative judgment. Therefore, the preaching by Miller
was a fulfillment of the prophecy by Enoch. Thus it is called the Midnight Cry. As the subject of the
judgment was not to be understood until after its session had commenced, it was impossible for Miller
to make the proper application for the then-expected event. Note the grammatical expression Christ
used: "There was a cry made." He uses Past tense, proving the fact that the true meaning of Miller's
message was to be understood after the call was made. There "was," said He, instead of there shall
be a "cry."
The evidence in this study proves the divinity of Christ, and His power in vision even to the smallest
of details, in past, present and future. If such a truth as this, so plain and simple, so strong and certain
in revealing the wonders of the Scriptures would not change the heart of the reader then we conclude
that nothing greater would be of any value. If the dead should arise from the grave, or even if an
angel should descend from heaven, that class would attribute the power to the Devil. The Psalmist
describes the Majesty of God's Word in the following language:
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"I will worship toward Thy holy temple, and praise Thy name for Thy loving kindness and for Thy
truth: for Thou hast magnified Thy word above all Thy name." (Psa. 138:2.) Said Jesus: "If they hear
not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." (Luke
16:31.)
The one hour of Revelation 17:12, in which time the horns of the scarlet-colored beast received
power as Kings, is the period from the eleventh hour call to the end of this world's history -- from the
eleventh to the twelfth allegorical hour.
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Why Miller's Mistake; What Is The Flood To Us?
Said Enoch: "Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints." (Jude 14.) This prophecy
by Enoch is not the second coming of Christ in the clouds, for when He shall appear in glory He
comes not "with His saints," but rather for His saints. Neither could it be of His coming with his
saints on the other side of the millennium, for in such a case it could not have been a message to the
antediluvian world. It would have been improper and without object, or lesson to that people, if
Enoch should have preached to the world Christ's third coming before preaching His second coming
for His saints. What then?
Enoch prophesied of the coming of the Lord to His temple in the most holy place in the heavenly
sanctuary with His saints in figure (not bodily) for the investigative judgment to blot out their sins,
of which event Malachi the prophet refers: "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' soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall
purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an
offering in righteousness." (Mal. 3:1-3.) "Behold, I will send My messenger, and he shall prepare the
way before Me: even the messenger of the covenant." The messenger is not the Lord Himself, but
note that he is the one who shall prepare the way for the Lord. He is called the "messenger of the
covenant" (agreement or promise). Since the Scripture is for the last days, this messenger of promise
can be no other than the one whom the Lord has promised: "Behold, I will send you Elilah the
prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord." (Mal. 4:5.)
The Lord came to His temple in the most holy place in 1844 for the judgment of the dead, which
was a fulfillment of Daniel 7:9, 10. Malachi refers to the judgment for the living, which is of the same
events (judgment). For the prophet says: "But who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall
stand
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when he appeareth? for... he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: And shall purify the sons of
Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in
righteousness." (Mal. 3:2, 3.) As the dead cannot be purified, or offer gifts, it is evident that it is the
purification of the church, for "He shall purify the sons of Levi" -- the priests -- the 144,000.
Furthermore the Lord says: "I will send my messenger," and as no messenger can be sent to the dead,
it must be a message to the living.
Coming back to the prophecy by Enoch: "Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His
saints." The word "thousands" being in plural, does not reveal the number of saints that come with
Him. But if the word "ten thousands," have no numerical definition of any kind, then the word "ten,"
would be vain repetition and foreign to the Scriptures. Therefore, we must look for a symbolical
definition of the word. The number "ten," has the same meaning as the "ten virgins" of Matthew 25,
denoting universal (the church as a body). Thus it symbolically apprehends the saints collectively --
all the saved from Adam to the end. Therefore, the prophecy by Enoch commenced its fulfillment
in 1844, at which time "the Lord came with the names and records of those who are sleeping in the
grave, and when the investigation of the dead is finished, then He comes with the names of the living
saints. First with the 144,000, and afterward with the "great multitude of all nations, and kindreds,
and people, and tongues." (Rev. 7:9.) Therefore, the complete fulfillment of the prophetic words,
"Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints," shall be realized at the close of probation.
Of this coming of the Lord (for the dead) William Miller was the messenger, and the message of
Elijah the prophet -- the messenger of the covenant -- is the forerunner for His coming with the living
saints, both of the same event -- the judgment.
In "The Great Controversy," p. 426, referring to Christ's second advent, part of Jude 14 is quoted
with Jude 15, to complete the sentence with the word "cometh;" that part of the verse "with ten
thousands of His saints," apply to His coming to the temple before the "Ancient of days." The word
"cometh" from Jude 14, with Jude 15, is applied to His second advent, the same as Zechariah 13:6.
Verse (6) is applied to Christ's second coming and verse (7) to His crucifixion. Also note that the
comment is on Jude 15, about the judgments upon the wicked and not to the saints.
True, Enoch prophesied of the anti-typical day of atonement (our time), but if his message was
without significance to the
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world before the flood, then his preaching would have been merely ostentatious. Therefore, what is
true of his message now, was also true to the antediluvians; and if this statement is correct, there must
be a perfect comparison of the world then, with the one now. The preaching of Enoch was followed
by the preaching of Noah. While the ancient world did not have a perfect understanding of the
coming of the Saviour, they too, like the present generation, were looking and waiting for Him who
was to redeem them from sin and death, and to reinstate them in the garden of Eden. With their lips
they professed a great longing for Him Whom they expected to see in His glory, but their attitude
toward the glad news in the message by Enoch: "Behold the Lord cometh," brought to the surface
that which was in their hearts. As it was generally expected that the Lord would come at that
particular time, and as Enoch had not been given the light as to the manner of His coming, he
proclaimed his message in Perfect harmony with the popular view of that generation. Now the
question is, what made them reject the message so long as its proclamation was in harmony with their
expectations and they could not refute its truth? This question can be answered by the experience
of John the Baptist.
"John did not fully understand the nature of the Messiah's kingdom. He looked for Israel to be
delivered from her national foes; but the coming of the King in righteousness, and the establishment
of Israel as a holy nation, was the great object of his hope." -- "The Desire of Ages," p. 103.
It would have been unreasonable and an injustice to the chosen people of God if He should have
left them in darkness concerning the time of the most important event of all church history -- the
coming of Christ. That part of the long prophetic period of the 2300 days (years) of Daniel 8:14,
which pertained to the Jewish nation; namely, the seventy weeks, or 490 years, they perfectly
understood, for: "It was well known that the seventy weeks of Daniel's prophecy, covering the
Messiah's advent, were nearly ended; and all were eager to share in that era of national glory which
was then expected." -- "The Desire of Ages," p. 133.
Light had been shining to the Jewish nation, and they were well informed of Him (to whom they
had expended millions of dollars in sacrifices, and hundreds of years in ceremonial services), the time
He should come, and the nature of His kingdom. As the rulers of the nation had fallen under sin they
despised the corrections by the prophets. Thus the character of the then expected kingdom was
misinterpreted, but the time they rightly understood and nationally accepted. As John had not been
given light on what was to transpire after the Anointed One should
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come, he proclaimed the message in perfect harmony with the popular idea of the prophetic time, and
of the coming kingdom. Now, since there was no controversy between the teachings of John the
Baptist and the rulers of Israel, what made them reject his message?
"In the natural order of things, the son of Zecharias should have been educated for the priesthood.
But the training of the rabbinical schools would have unfitted him for his work. God did not send him
to the teachers of theology to learn how to interpret the Scriptures. He called him to the desert, that
he might learn of nature, and nature's God.
"It was a lonely region where he found his home, in the midst of barren hills, wild ravines, and
rocky caves. But it was his choice to forego the enjoyments and luxuries of life for the stern
discipline of the wilderness." -- "The Desire of Ages," p. 101.
As the Scribes and Pharisees said of Christ and the apostles: We will not have these ignorant men
reign over us, they poured the same accusations against John, and this was the undermining of their
eternal welfare. Their second stumbling block came as "John's singular appearance carried the minds
of his hearers back to the ancient seers. In his manner and dress he resembled the prophet Elijah.
With the spirit and power of Elijah he denounced the national corruption, and rebuked the prevailing
sins.... As a symbol of cleansing from sin, he baptized them in the waters of Jordan. Thus by a
significant object-lesson he declared that those who claimed to be the chosen people of God were
defiled by sin, and that without purification of heart and life they could have no part in the Messiah's
kingdom.... John declared to the teachers of Israel that their pride, selfishness, and cruelty showed
them to be a generation of vipers, a deadly curse to the people, rather than the children of just and
obedient Abraham." -- "The Desire of Ages," pp. 104-106.
Thus the forerunner of Christ did, for he saw his people deceived, self-satisfied, and asleep in their
sins. He longed to rouse them to a holier life. God does not send messengers to flatter the sinner.
He delivers no message of peace to lull the unsanctified into fatal security. Because John warned his
people of the danger and the doom of his nation, they hated him the more.
Now, what made the antediluvian world reject the message by Enoch? Enoch's message to the Old
world was in like manner in perfect harmony with the popular acceptance of the "coming of the
Lord", but as his work carried the same rebuke as that of John the Baptist, he also incurred the
displeasure of his people. By turning from the message of salvation that was to
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blot out their sins (Enoch's prophecy of the judgment), they placed themselves under greater
condemnation. By rejecting the only means for their salvation, they cut themselves loose from the
Power that upholds all things, and thereby invited the terrible flood.
God, not willing that any should perish, commanded Noah to declare the danger before-hand, and
provide means and facilities for those who wished to escape the ruin. But as they turned down the
message by Enoch they did likewise with the message by Noah. As these messages were inspired by
the Holy Spirit, they sinned against Him; therefore, it shall never be forgiven them.
Thus the message by William Miller was a fulfillment of Enoch's prophecy -- also a duplicate. If
this is correct, there must be a perfect comparison of one with the other. As Enoch did not fully
understand the manner of the "coming of the Lord," and John the Baptist the character of the
Kingdom that was to be set up, just so Miller misinterpreted the "cleansing of the sanctuary," and
proclaimed the coming of the Lord to earth instead of to the Most Holy place. If some should charge
Miller with being a false prophet, they may likewise accuse Enoch and John. Such blind and hasty
conclusions is an attempt to overthrow the whole Bible.
Now the question arises, Why did God allow His servants to remain in darkness as to what was to
transpire at the end of their message? There are several reasons. Enoch's and Miller's messages were
similar to the forerunner of the first advent of Christ. John's message was to prepare the way of the
Lord's coming, and not to explain the nature of His kingdom. So it was with Miller and Enoch. The
second reason. -- Had John been given light that Christ's kingdom was not of this world, it would
have brought about extreme internal friction with his nation. Therefore, such a debatable question
would have overthrown his work and rendered useless the message for His people. But as there was
no argument as to what he taught his hearers it left the sin-blinded leaders of Israel without an excuse.
Had they accepted his message, and repented of their sins, it would have opened their spiritual
eyesight, and the arrival of the Anointed One would have enlightened the rest of the way.
In Miller's time Christendom was no less ignorant of the sanctuary question than the Jewish nation
was of Christ's kingdom. Therefore, had Miller been given light concerning the place to which Christ
was to come at the end of the 2300 days; namely, to the Most Holy place for the judgment of the
saints, his message would have brought forth many arguments and idle
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discussions. Thus the time and proclamation of the prophetic period would have been neglected, and
his efforts frustrated. But in the manner he proclaimed his message he gave them no occasion for
dispute, and as the enemies of God could not contradict his interpretation of the Scriptures, and
refused to be interested in what he taught, it left them without excuse.
Thus the second angel's message of Revelation 14:8, was proclaimed immediately after the
disappointment, Saying, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen." That is, the world in 1844 fell in the same
manner as the one before the flood. The present world is called Babylon, because the kingdom of
Babylon is the immediate one after the flood. Thus Babylon became the mother of the nations.
Our world stands at this present time in the same place as the one before the flood. The Old World
was condemned by rejecting the message in its type, and the New in the anti-type. Note how
remarkable the concidences: After the proclamation of the glad news (the coming of the Lord by
Enoch) was flatly ignored by the Old world and the preparation neglected, Noah declared the end of
the world in his generation. The message by Miller was followed by identically the same declaration
as that of Noah, as it was announced after 1844, "The end of the world in this generation."
As it was understood that Christ was to come to earth on the expected date, and the teaching
remained uncontradicted that the return of the long expected Son of God was at hand, it should have
been profoundly interesting to those who claimed the name of Christ as their only Saviour and
Redeemer. If the praises which they proclaimed with their lips were also in their hearts, they would
have gladly accepted the good news and made all possible preparation for the most glorious event
in all history. But as they refused to be interested, they ridiculed, and flatly rejected it all -- showing
their true character and thus marking themselves as goats. Since the most exalted and promising
news of celestial glory was rejected, and the messenger unappreciated in both cases (Old and Modern
worlds), it is positive that whatever truth is presented, regardless of its magnitude of glory, these
scoffers of today will not believe, and will thus bring condemnation upon themselves.
As God declared the danger to the Old world by the preaching of Noah in one generation, just so
has He forewarned the world of its end in this generation. As provision was made before the flood
for those who wished to escape the ruin, just so He has provided means and facilities for all who wish
to evade the doom that confronts our world. Not to enter into an ark
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built by the hands of man, No, no, that was only a figure; but into "many mansions" prepared by the
Lord himself; not into an ark floating over mad waters; but into mansions resting on foundations of
precious stones. The dreaded flood is a type of the dark millennium. As God's faithful people were
saved then, so shall they be saved now; but the sinner now, shall perish as the sinner then.
The Flood A Type Of The Destruction Of The Wicked
If the flood is a type of the millennium, and the generation that perished then a type of the
generation now living, then the number of days employed in the destruction of the Old world must
be considered with the destruction of this present world.
"And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen
righteous before me in this generation. For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth
forty days and forty nights, and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the
face of the earth. And Noah did according unto all that the Lord commanded him. And Noah went
in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the
flood. And it came to pass after seven days, that the waters of the flood were upon the earth. In the
six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same
day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.
And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights. And the flood was forty days upon the
earth, And the waters increased, and bear up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth. And the
waters prevailed upon the earth an hundred and fifty days." (Gen. 7:1, 4, 5, 7, 10-12, 17, 24.)
"And the waters returned from off the earth continually: and after the end of the hundred and fifty
days the waters were abated. And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month: in the tenth
month, on the first day of the month, were the tops of the mountains seen. And it came to pass at
the end of the forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made: And he sent
forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth. Also
he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground; but
the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the ark for the waters
were on the face of the whole earth: then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto
him
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 246
into the ark. And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark; And
the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah
knew that the waters were abated from off the earth. And he stayed yet other seven days; and sent
forth the dove, which returned not again unto him any more. And it came to pass in the six hundredth
and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from off the
earth: and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and behold, the face of the ground was
dry. And God spake unto Noah, saying, Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and
thy sons' wives with thee." (Gen. 8:3, 5-13, 15, 16.)
After faithful Noah had sounded the warning to his generation and had completed the building of
the ark, God commanded His servant to enter into it seven days before the rain had begun. As he,
and all that were to go into the ark entered the wonderful boat that rested upon dry land with no
seeming evidence that it would ever have a chance to float, the Lord closed the door.
Six days passed without any apparent sign of a flood, but in the end of the seventh day, the pouring
rain from above and the gushing fountains from beneath dashed against each other, and Noah's
prediction commenced its dreadful fulfillment in the devastation of the land. As the waters from
above and the fountains from beneath covered the surface of the earth fifteen cubits upward, and
destroyed every living thing by the end of the forty days and forty nights, they suddenly ceased from
terror to calmness, from fury to peace, as though satisfied with the accomplishment of victory over
rebellion against truth and righteousness. For one hundred and ten days they neither increased nor
decreased, but held their level by a miracle. When the total of one hundred and fifty seven days were
fulfilled from the day Noah entered the ark, they began to abate; that is, the fountains of the deep
opened their mouths to swallow them down in the bowels of the earth.
Now we go back to clear the apparent Scriptural complication in recording the duration of the flood
and the confinement in the ark. "In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the
seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and
the windows of heaven were opened." (Gen. 7:11.) The second month and the seventeenth day of
the month was the date of the solar year according to the antediluvian calendar when the raging flood
began its violent rush against every living thing upon the earth. The same indignation of nature
vehemently continued forty days, and when it had reached its climax and wiped out the inhabitants
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it suddenly quieted down. Adding forty days to the foregoing date would show that the rain ceased
on the twenty-seventh day of the third month. "And the ark rested [quieted] in the seventh month,
on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat." (Genesis 8:4.)
Therefore, from the day the rain started to the day the ark rested, (not on the ground but from
drifting) was exactly five months. The same is recorded in Gen. 8:3, "And the waters returned from
off the earth continually: and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated."
This fact proves that the antediluvian monthly calendar consisted of thirty days to a month (5 x 30
= 150).
"And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month: in the tenth month, on the first day
of the month, were the tops of the mountains seen." (Gen. 8:5.) That is, from the day the waters were
abated to the day the mountains appeared, there were seventy-four days. (13) to complete the
seventh month, (30) in the eighth, (30) in the ninth, and (1) day from the tenth month = 74 in all.
"And it came to pass in the six hundredth and first year, in the first month, the first day of the
month, the waters were dried up from off the earth." (Gen. 8:13.) That is, from the day the mountain
tops had appeared to the day the waters returned to their proper place, there were ninety days -- (29)
to complete the tenth month, (30) in the eleventh, (30) in the twelfth, and (1) day from the first month
of the commencement of the new year, making a total of ninety days.
The following record will give us the number of days to dry the earth's surface and solidify from
the effects of the waters: "And in the second month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month,
was the earth dried." (Gen. 8:14.) Therefore, the earth had dried in the space of fifty-six days from
the day the waters were taken away -- (29) days to complete the first month, and (27) from the
second month, making a total of (56) days.
The following is a summary and a grand total of days: (40) while raining, 110 to the time they began
to subside, 164 days for the waters to recede in the bowels of the earth, and (56) for the earth to dry,
making a total of 370 days; and seven before the flood had started, reaching a grand total of 377 days
-- twelve months and seventeen days in all (30 days to the month).
Certainly no one would suppose that this arrangement of the flood with fixed number of days to
each act was thoughtlessly devised by a just and all wise God. Why should Noah and his family with
all the living creatures that went into the ark be
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 248
PICTURE
[Chart of Flood & Antitype]
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 249, 250
shut in seven days before the rain began? It would have been unwise and cruel on the part of God,
also costly to Noah, and burdensome to all the inmates of the ark in prolonging their captivity if it had
no object lesson for future generations. Why consume forty days to flood the earth while He could
have done it in much less time? Why lengthen the captivity of His creatures in the ark, by restraining
the liberty of the waters in their downward course, and compel them to keep their elevation fifteen
cubits upward for 110 days? Or why not more or less? Why should He cause the waters to rise
upward in forty days, and consume 164 (over four times as long) in going down? Is it not contrary
to nature?
The earth had been under water for over ten months, and as the rushing torrents from underneath
had violently inverted the form of the earth on their upward course, it had become one slimy mass
of mud. But after the waters had descended into the lower lands, and in the bowels of the earth, He
caused the earth to dry in but fifty-six days. Everything God did in connection with the flood was
contrary to nature and to human judgment or reason. Unquestionably, it was thus devised for an
object lesson for those upon whom the end of the world is come.
The following will not only prove that what has been said is correct, but it will also show that the
closing of the door of the ark seven days before the destruction by the flood had begun, is a type
representing the time from the close of probation to the commencement of the plagues. It will further
prove that the rain of forty days and forty nights is a type of the destruction of the wicked in the
plagues. The 110 days (after the rain had stopped and before the waters were abated) is a time-type
of the wicked, both during the millennium and for one hundred years after. Also that the clearing of
the earth from the waters is a type of the destruction of the wicked by fire (the second death) after
the millennium, and the fifty-six days in which the earth was dried is a type of the cooling of the earth
after its purification from sin and sinners.
As the above stated types are symbols of six different periodic events dealing with days, months and
years, depending on the incident, their true meaning cannot be deciphered by comparison, neither
would such method prove anything in this case, nor yet show Omnipotence in devising the type.
Therefore, their true meaning is to be found by multiplication with Biblical numbers of special
meaning to fit the incident and broaden the view. Also the lesson derived by such methods must
prove correct and in perfect harmony from every angle one may figure; thus one thing proves another.
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 251
Therefore, we shall first consider the seven days (from the time Noah entered the ark to the
commencement of the flood) of which we stated to be the type of the time between the close of
probation and the commencement of the plagues. The method to be used in disclosing the length of
time in the said period is also to indicate that human probation, and the completeness of the gospel
proclamation has closed. The only fitting Biblical number that can be used to describe such incidents
as well as to reveal the number of days from one event to the other, would be number seven.
Therefore, we must multiply the type with the Biblical number of completeness. Thus, 7 x 7 = 49
days from the close of probation to the commencement of the plagues. Therefore, the falling of the
plagues should be a signal to the wicked that they are lost! O, how great the disappointment to them,
who, like the antediluvians hope to be saved, but find themselves lost.
A computation of like manner was employed to define the year of jubilee. Said the Lord: "And thou
shalt number seven sabbaths of years unto thee, seven times seven years and the space of the seven
sabbaths of years shall be unto thee forty and nine years." (Lev. 25:8.) The fiftieth year while the land
rested being also a type of the millennium (showing that the land shall keep a Sabbath-rest), a like
computation is used. Therefore, at the beginning of the thousand years is the commencement of the
jubilee in its anti-type. And as the land was returned to the lawful owners in the typical year of
jubilee, just so it will be in the anti-typical -- returned to the saints. "Thy people also shall be all
righteous, they shall inherit the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that
I may be glorified." (Isa. 60:21.)
The next number and event to deal with is the typical forty days and forty nights while it rained, in
comparison with the anti-typical (the destruction of the wicked in the time of the plagues and to the
second coming of Christ). The ruin of the wicked being world-wide we must multiply the type with
a number signifying universal, so as to prove that the destruction shall include the four points of the
compass. It has been previously proven that ten is the only fitting number; therefore, 40 x 10 = 400,
thus bringing the total of 449 days, or one and one fourth years (15 months) from the close of
probation to the coming of Christ to take His saints. This fact will be proven from another angle in
connection with another study.
Since the two sections of the flood (7 x 7 = 49 and 10 x 40 = 400 days) bring us to the end of the
world, then the third section (the 110 days while the waters kept their elevation fifteen
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cubits upward or from the time the rain ceased to when the waters abated) must be applied to the
millennium. It also being universal, we are again obliged to multiply number ten with the type, 110
x 10 = 1100. The millennium being 1000 years long, and 100 years on the other side of it (after the
resurrection of the wicked to their final destruction, see "The Shepherd's Rod," Vol. 1, p. 164),
making a total of 1100 years. This proves that the 1100 days derived by our multiplication are
prophetic (a day for a year). Thus the remaining typical days of the deluge while the waters were on
the decrease and the earth was clearing herself from the flood, must apply to the final destruction of
the wicked and of the purification of the earth by fire.
Therefore, the typical number of days are literally applicable as the flood was, and as follows: From
the day the waters were abated to when the tops of the mountains appeared, there were seventy four
days, and ninety more until they all cleared away, making a total of 164; in which time the wicked and
their works are burned to ashes. (Mal. 4:1.)
The remaining fifty six days (while the earth was drying) apply to the time the earth is cooling off,
and as Noah went out from the ark, just so the saints shall walk out from the Holy City and possess
the earth for ever and ever. "And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under
the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an
everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him. Hitherto is the end of the matter."
(Dan. 7:27, 28.)
It is certain that nothing could fit so perfectly by accident. But think of such marvelous foresight
in devising a wonder of this kind which could reveal by a living picture the future for thousands of
years! Are not such evidences as these a token of love divine toward fallen beings! Gratitude swells
from our hearts, words fail us, we can only exclaim with the Psalmist: "Thy word is a lamp unto my
feet, and a light unto my path. I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous
judgments." (Psa. 119:105, 106.)
It is not only wonderful to invent a lamp throwing out a light of such amazing candlepower but it
is also astonishing how our God can conceal His marvels from the eyes of wise and prudent men.
Then in His own time He sets them upon high hills by which He is able to light the pathway of the
searcher for truth, and by its glaring power blindfold the sight of the wicked. "Therefore the people
that doth not understand shall fall." (Hosea 4:14.) "Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for
the upright in heart." (Psa. 97:11.)
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Our God could have spoken to us direct by prophets as in times past, but it would have been
impossible to transmit as much light to one generation. Neither could we comprehend its meaning
as we can by these examples or symbols. Also knowing the great deception, unbelief and doubts of
high minded men that were to arise, He has placed these marvels in the Bible to expose error and
reveal truth, thus overthrowing the enemy of mankind; also leaving the hypocrites and the unbelievers
without an excuse.
As every living thing perished in the time of the flood that was outside of the ark, just so in the dark
millennium every living thing shall return to dust, except the devil and his angels. Though men are
teaching a millennium of peace, their doctrine shall come to naught, and they shall lie down in sorrow
except they repent.
Flood Coincides With The Passover And Crucifixion
Our God commanded Noah with his family, beasts, fowls and creeping things to enter in the ark
on preparation day -- Friday. "In the selfsame day entered Noah...as God had commanded him: and
the Lord shut him in" as the Sabbath drew on, being the tenth day of the second month. (Gen. 7:13,
16.) Seven days later, or at the beginning of the following Sabbath, being the seventeenth day of the
month, "all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened"
and it rained upon the earth forty days and forty nights. The rain ceased on the twenty seventh day
of the third month, and the fourth day of the week -- Wednesday at sunset. There is a remarkable
coincidence between the flood and the passover week; also in connection with the crucifixion,
resurrection, and ascension of Christ. Therefore, this divine providence is worthy of our earnest
consideration. The Israelites were commanded to take the passover lamb apart from the flock on the
tenth day of the first month, and were to kill it on the fourteenth day of the same month at even. (Ex.
12:3, 6.)
As Christ was crucified, buried, and resurrected within the passover week, the weekly cycle and
the monthly calendar coincide as follows: The tenth day in which the lamb was to be taken from the
flock, fell on the seventh-day Sabbath that year; which coincided with the day of the week and the
month of Noah's first day of confinement in the ark. In the end of the fourteenth day of the month
after Christ had observed the feast of the passover lamb, He was taken before the priests; died on
Friday the sixteenth day of the month, was buried at the commencement
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of the seventeenth (Sabbath), which coincides with the commencement of the flood,and was
resurrected on the eighteenth -- Sunday. As He ascended on high forty days afterwards, it fell on
Thursday the twenty seventh day of the second month; being the same day of the week, as that which
followed the forty days of rain. Our previous explanation showed that the day following the forty
days of rain, depicted in type, the end of the world, being followed with the departure of the saints
from the earth.
We may not presume that God had brought about these coincidences without an object in view.
As the ceasing of the rain is a time type of the end of this world, so the ascension of Christ with those
who were resurrected with Him, is a type of the ascension of the saints at the coming of the Lord.
It also reveals that His coming would be on Wednesday, and the train of glory shall depart for the
Heaven of heavens on Thursday. Again we are told that it would take the saints seven days to ascend
to the throne of God, and that we shall rest a Sabbath on one of the planets while on the way. From
this it is evident that Christ shall come in the middle of the week. So again we find that one thing
proves another. Such close calculations of the schedule of events that are soon to transpire, make
it evident that the end of all things is at hand, otherwise the information would not as yet have been
submitted.
This light being transmitted by marvels of typical events, is a clear manifestation that there is a type
for every incident of vital interest to the church of God, which are the only positive proofs and clear
explanations of divine providences. As there is no type for that which is false, teachers of theories
without a typical representation for their claims of so-called Bible truths, and those who believe in
them, are as the blind leading the blind. The types are worked out to expose the error and reveal the
truth. The honest ones will shun the devil by embracing the facts, and by walking in the light.
The passover lamb being separated from the flock on the tenth day, coincides with the separation
of the righteous from the wicked in the antediluvian world. The day of Christ's burial coincides with
the day of the commencement of the flood, also with the commencement of the plagues; and His
ascension with the day after the rain ceased, also with the end of the world and the translation of the
saints. These coincidences are perfect with the day of the week and of the month, but the one is a
month earlier in the season than the other; the passover being in the first month, and the flood in the
second. It has been explained that the passover is a type of the close of probation for the
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church, (see page 216-218) and the closing of the ark a type of the closing of probation for the world.
Therefore, there are thirty typical days between one close of probation and the other. If we were
given light on how to decipher these typical (30) days it seems it would reveal the exact number of
years from the fulfillment of Ezekiel nine (Passover), to the final close of probation. This fact perhaps
will not be made known until after the work of the gospel has closed. For a brief summary of the
flood in type and anti-type, we draw the reader's attention to the chart on page
The Significance Of The First And The Second Month
The closing work for the church is signified by the "first" month, and the harvest for the world by
the "second" month. As one truth reveals another, our attention is turned to Joel 2:23, 28, 29: "Be
glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for He hath given you the former
rain moderately, and He will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain
in the first month. And it shall come to pass afterwards, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh;
and your sons and your daughters shall prophecy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men
shall see visions: and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my
spirit." Note that the "rain" comes first and the pouring out of His spirit afterwards. Therefore, the
rain is one thing, and the pouring out of the spirit is another.
By the "rain" is represented great light on the Word of God that is to ripen the harvest and lighten
the world with its glory -- the angel of Revelation 18:1. The pouring out of the Spirit is the power
that is to descend upon God's servants to carry on the work represented by the former and latter rain.
"And upon all flesh" is the Spirit that is to convince the honest in heart of the truth and bring them
into the church, of which Pentecost was a type. "And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats
shall overflow with wine and oil" -- represents a great harvest of souls that shall be garnered in by the
result of the "rain" and the "Spirit." (Joel 2:24.)
The "rain" falls in the "first month," that is, the month by which the closing work for the church is
represented -- the sealing time of the 144,000. Therefore, in that period of time (before Ezekiel Nine)
a great light is to be revealed. It is remarkable to note the perfect grammatical order of the words
at the time of their application, clearly dividing the Word of truth as though it were written just at the
time the prophetic words are revealed.
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"For He hath given you the former rain moderately" is the light of truth that is characterized by the
former rain which must have fallen previous to the time of the latter rain. Therefore, the former rain
is none other than the writings of the "Spirit of Prophecy." Further proof of this will be given in
another chapter.
But note that the falling of the former rain is repeated with the latter rain: "And He will cause to
come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month." Therefore the
former rain (Spirit of Prophecy) falls the second time -- revealed more fully in the time of the "latter
rain" -- the first time independent of the latter rain, and the second time associated with the latter in
the "first month" (preceding Ezekiel Nine). The meaning is, the truth recorded in the writings of the
"Spirit of Prophecy" was not fully understood until the time of the latter rain. Thus the former rain
comes again with the latter rain, and this is what brings about the "Loud Cry."
Cain And Abel
Another remarkable fact as it appears on the chart is the crime committed by Cain in slaying his
brother Abel. These being the first two brothers and the first quarrel over religion, also the first
murder in the human family, it certainly must hold out a lesson of great importance.
According to the law of the Bible the priesthood was to be made up from the first born of every
family. Thus, by the rights of the law, Cain was the priest. The Lord himself stated this fact as He
spoke to Cain saying: "And unto thee shall be his desire [margin, subject], and thou shall rule over
him." (Gen. 4:7.) Therefore, these two men represent two classes of people. Since this fact cannot
be denied, Cain must represent a class of leadership (priests), and Abel the true church membership.
It was Cain who rebelled against God by presenting a false sacrifice, and because Abel obeyed and
worshiped in the manner prescribed by the Creator, he incurred the displeasure of his elder brother.
If the statement that Cain and Abel represent two classes of people is correct, then the same must
be proven by historical facts. We stated that Cain who typified the leadership persecuted him who
typifies the true membership. Thus every section of God's church has apostatized through
unconsecrated leadership, and every message that called for reformation was like-wise, by them,
thrown out of the church. In their blindness they were determined to keep the people ignorant of the
truth
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and thus they persecuted the messengers and those who embraced the message and obeyed the truth.
Therefore, necessity called forth one movement after another. How fearful the thought for those who
bear this great responsibility! And how dangerous to the class who permit others to think and act for
them! The class that accepts the decisions of others, whether for or against the truth, are deceived
and robbed of eternal life, for they can have no experience of their own, no true conversion, no
change of heart. My brethren: these words are not against you, for it is God speaking through His
word of truth to save you from the bottomless pit. Will you not let Him work for you and for His
people? Will you not be His sheep?
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The First And Second Temple -- Type And Anti-Type
The apostle Paul speaking comparatively of Solomon's temple with the church, points to Christ as
"the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together" he says is "for an habitation
of God through the Spirit." (Eph. 2:20-22.) David, looking prophetically forward to the construction
of the first temple by his son, and also of its application to the church of Christ says: "The Stone
which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the Lord's doing; it is
marvellous in our eyes." (Psa. 118:22, 23.)
Speaking of the ancient temple the Scripture says: "And the house, when it was in building was built
of stones made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any
tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building." (1 Kings 6:7.) A peculiar stone which was
prepared to fit the main corner of the temple, was disallowed; and though the builders refused the
"head-stone" of the house, the Psalmist says: "This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes."
By the refusal of the "stone," the Lord typified, and thus prophesied, the rejection of Christ by the
Jewish nation. (See The Acts 4:10, 11.) For Jesus says: "The stone which the builders rejected, the
same is become the head [stone] of the corner." (Matt. 21:42.) Therefore if it is become the head of
the corner, then it is evident that the first temple was a representation of a Spiritual house, and a type
of the Christian church, Christ himself was represented by the chief corner stone "which the builders
refused," as being both the head and the founder of the Christian church.
The Second Temple
In erecting the second temple, Haggai and Zechariah prophesied and strengthened the hands of the
people by the Word of God. The writings of both prophets bear evidence in every line, that the
perfect fulfillment of their prophecy is to be realized in the last days of this world s history. As they
have interwoven
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these predictions with the construction of the second temple, it is obvious that the literal model of the
stately edifice has a spiritual meaning for the church in the closing work of the gospel. Zechariah,
looking forward to the time of the spiritual temple (the last section of the church) and its
construction, says: "Behold the man whose name is the branch and he shall grow up out of his place,
and he shall build the temple of the Lord: Even he shall build the temple of the Lord, and he shall bear
the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the
counsel of peace shall be between them both. And they that are far off shall come and build in the
temple of the Lord, and ye shall know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto you." (Zech. 6:12,
13, 15.)
"He shall bear the glory." To Christ belongs the glory of redemption for the fallen race. "Unto Him
that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood.... to Him be glory and dominion for
ever and ever." (Rev. 1:5, 6.) He "shall sit and rule upon His throne, and He shall be a Priest upon
His throne." (Zech. 6:13.) "Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead and
the Prince of the kings of the earth." (Rev. 1:5.) "He shall be a Priest upon His throne." It is obvious
that the time predicted is some time after the crucifixion and before probation has closed; for He is
"a priest." Christ, "the branch," "shall grow up out of His place"; that is, He was to spring up from
the Jewish nation, "and He shall build the temple of the Lord." Therefore, the temple that "He shall
build" could not have been the literal temple in ancient Jerusalem, for it was a temple that He is to
build after His birth. "And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the Lord." As
this was untrue with the literal temple, the words must apply to the anti-typical one. At that time the
prophet says: "And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and shall be My people."
(Zech. 2:11.) "In that day;" that is, in the time of the "Loud Cry," a great multitude shall be
converted to the church. In Zechariah 13:8, it is stated that one-third of the inhabitants will "come,"
and they are the ones who shall "build in the temple of the Lord," of which the literal one was a type.
Zechariah then saw the powers that had "scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem" (the type, also the
anti-type), symbolized by "four horns." Immediately afterward he saw the same horns as four
carpenters (read Zech. 1:18-21), representing the agencies used by the Lord in restoring His people
and the house of His worship, both in type and anti-type; that is, the Gentiles who scattered the
church shall also come and build the same.
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The Literal And Spiritual Distinction Between The Two Temples
The religious services in both temples were executed in the same manner, but in structural
magnificence, both internal and external, Solomon's temple comparatively speaking, was by far the
greatest. But the Lord by the mouth of Haggai the prophet, asked those who were then engaged in
the construction of the house of God: "Who is left among you that saw this house [Solomon's temple]
in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? Is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?
The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this
place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts." (Haggai 2:3, 9.)
The literal grandeur of the second temple in comparison with the first was "as nothing," but the
Word says: "The glory of this latter house shall be greater than the former." Literally this was untrue.
Therefore, the glory of these two temples in comparison with each other, is not in their literal, visible
form, but rather in their typical spiritual standing. Consequently, both temples cannot typify the same
period of the Christian era, for one distinctly differs from the other. Since this is true, then the type
shows that the Christian church in this instance is divided in two sections. So then, in type the second
temple denotes that the latter section of the church is to be by far the greater, which in comparison
the former stands as nothing.
These two sections of church history were also pointed out in the vision on Patmos. To John was
shown the true Spiritual Church of God in all ages, in a symbol of a woman. To her were given two
wings of a great eagle that she should fly into the wilderness for 1260 days (years). The wilderness
represents the dark ages, in which time she was out of civilization (from 538 A.D. to 1798 A.D.)
Therefore, this prophetic period of 1260 years, split the true church in two sections; namely, from the
crucifixion to 538 A.D. and from 1798 A.D. to the end of time. Thus the first section, or as it is
called, the apostolic church, was typified by the first temple; and the last section by the second
temple. This is not saying that God had no true people between the years of 538 A.D. and 1798 A.D.
for the Word says, "She is nourished for a time, and times, and a half a time." (Rev. 12:14.) The
lesson taught here is that, the first section of the church in the first few centuries was endowed with
the true Sabbath -- "daily" -- and sanctuary truth; but prior to 538 A.D. the truth was "trodden under
foot." (Dan. 8:12, 13.) The second section after the fulfillment of the 1260 year period denotes that
she was again to be endowed with the truth that was "cast to the
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ground," and the reformation between these two sections (from 538 A.D. to 1798 A.D.) of the
church, or "woman," was to prepare the way for her return, or for the restoration of the truth. For
both temples, by which these two sections were typified, represent a worship with the Sabbath and
the sanctuary truths.
First Temple Literally Greater, But The Second Spiritually
There was something glorious with both temples; and the greatness of the one was as "nothing" in
comparison with the other. The first visibly exceeded the second, and the second spiritually exceeded
the first; but the glorious gift to both was unsurpassable. As the one represents the early Christian
church, and the other the last section of the same church, it is evident that both sections were
endowed with great glory; but the glory of the early church was literal, and of the latter spiritual,
according to types .
The early Christian church was literally greater, because Christ, the "Head stone of the corner,"
appeared at that time in His visible human form. Thus the literal magnificence of Solomon's temple
was a perfect symbol! But the type reveals that the glory of the early church was as nothing in
comparison with the latter section of the same church. Therefore, the visible presence of Christ (in
His human form) in the early church, was as nothing in comparison with His invisible presence in the
closing work of the gospel church!
We think of the wonderful miracles -- the casting out of devils, the healing of the sick, and the
raising of the dead! We marvel as we think of His resurrection, ascension, and of the glorious
demonstration on the day of Pentecost! But all these wonders will be as nothing in comparison with
the divine manifestations of greater splendor in the harvest time!
Let us not suppose that when Christ appears in the clouds the infirmities of the saints are to be
removed. This work must be done previous to that time, after which immortality shall be granted.
"He that believeth in me, the works that I do," said Jesus, "shall he do also; and greater works than
these shall he do." (John 14:12.) The perfect fulfillment of these words are yet future and must be
fulfilled before His second advent. "For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal
must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal
shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is
swallowed up in victory." (1 Cor. 15:53, 54.)
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Therefore, in the time of the "Loud Cry," miracles are wrought -- the sick will be healed, the eyes
of the blind shall be opened, the deaf shall hear, the tongue of the dumb loosed, and the lame shall
leap for joy! What a glorious sight! Those who have never seen light, to behold the glory of the
Lord! They who have never heard a sound, now listening to the glorious melodies of the angels'
harps, and the singing of the saints! What a thrill! What bliss! "And God shall wipe away all tears
from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be
any more pain: for the former things are passed away." (Rev. 21:4.)
"Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment,
in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised
incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal
must put on immortality.... Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is
swallowed up in Victory." (I Cor. 15:51-54.)
As the living saints witness the dead of all ages rising from their dusty beds, it will bring joy
indescribable. Then to behold friends and loved ones as they meet each other, clothed in glorious
incorruptible bodies, marching through space via sinless planets, and finally into the Heaven of
heavens! What a glorious train of immortal beings -- saints and angels, and the King of kings, the
Lord of lords, "the everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace," in the midst of them! Swiftly flying
from the sin-cursed earth to the Center of centers in but "seven" days, while it would take "light"
millions of years to make a trip of such incomprehensible distance! Can you perceive of an object
moving with such tremendous velocity! God forbid that we should rob ourselves of glory like this.
An hour's time lived in heaven, without sin, pain or tears, fear or death, is worth more than a thousand
years in tents of wickedness.
My brethren, to obey the Word of God, and be true to principle for your own good, is not asking
too much of you. Will you let self and sin rob you of a crown of life? Your human wisdom and
worldly knowledge will prove to be as black as darkness itself, if you should allow the wily foe to rob
you of the celestial bliss that should be yours throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity.
Though the early Christian church suffered terrible persecution, she prospered wonderfully. The
three thousand converted on the day of Pentecost "of such as should be saved," was marvelous to
behold. But the speedy growth of the first section of the church, in comparison with the second and
last is to be as
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nothing, according to the type. Therefore, the same is proven by the prophetic Word of God through
the prophet Zechariah, and as the prediction was interwoven with the construction of the second
temple, or with the type of the second section of the church, of which we speak at this particular time,
the application of the following Scriptures must be correct:
"Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith
the Lord. And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people: and I will
dwell in the midst of thee." (Zech. 2:10, 11.) "Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to
seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem [the church without reference to location], and to pray before the
Lord." (Zech. 8:22.) "Therefore thy gates shall be open continually: they shall not be shut day nor
night; that men may bring unto thee the forces [margin, wealth] of the Gentiles, and that their kings
may be brought." (Isa. 60:11.) "And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two
parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third 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 name, and I will hear them: I will say, it is My people: and they shall say, the Lord is my
God." (Zech. 13:8, 9.)
What is three thousand converts in one day in comparison to one third of the people saved of this
present generation! Gathered in during the last hours of probationary time! Truly then, it can be said,
the glory of the first temple, or first section of the church, was as nothing in comparison with the
second. The last section of the church in the time of the "loud cry" is indeed the harvest time and the
end of the world.
The early Christian church was a converted righteous church; nevertheless the tares and the wheat
were to grow together "until the harvest." (Matt. 13:30.) These word, "until the harvest," cannot be
mistaken; therefore, at the commencement of the harvest the separation takes place. Thus the church
in the time of the "loud cry" is to be a pure and holy church, without spot, or wrinkle, or any such
thing: a church without guile. If the foregoing statement is correct then the same must be found in
the prophetic Word of God.
My brethren I beg of you hear the voice of the Good Shepherd: "Awake, awake; put on thy
strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth [from now
on] there shall no more come unto thee the uncircumcised and the unclean. Shake thyself from the
dust; arise, and sit on thy throne, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands
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of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion." (Isa. 52:1, 2; A.R.V.) As these words are so plain, how
can we doubt, or misconstrue their meaning? -- It must be that the church of God is asleep in the
dust! Thy God is calling thee, O Zion. God's church, "the only object on earth upon which He
bestows His supreme regard" is in captivity; she is bound by her "neck" to "men of good words and
fair speeches." Hear the Words of thy God, O Zion, arise and sit on thy throne for thou shall judge
nations. Why make flesh thy arm? Is not thy God able to save thee? Is not the "Word of thy God
quick, and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul
and spirit, and a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart?" "For Zion's sake will I not hold
my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as
brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth." My brethren,"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." (Isa. 62:1, 10.)
"The remnant of Israel [the 144,000] shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful
tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid."
(Zeph. 3:13.) "In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses [those that carry the gospel]
holiness unto the Lord; and the pots [in whose possession is the truth] in the Lord's house shall be
like the bowls before the altar [pure and undefiled]. Yea, every pot in Jerusalem [the church] and in
Judah [the leading part of the church] shall be holiness unto the Lord of hosts, and all they that
sacrifice [offering] shall come and take of them, and seeth therein [they who administer in sacred
things], and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite [unconverted] in the house of the Lord
of hosts." (Zech. 14:20, 21.) This is the church that is represented in Revelation 12:17, "Which keep
the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." The "woman" represents the
church as a body. "The remnant of her seed" are the 144,000 against whom the dragon makes war.
The war is waged against them, because they are the earthly leaders and founders of the movement.
"Of her seed" signifies that they are part of "the woman," or in other words, the 144,000, and the
great multitude, is but one movement -- one family.
To the saints of this holy church the benediction is pronounced: "Blessed are they that do His
commandments, that they may have a right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into
the city." (Rev. 22:14.)
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Jacob, the father in type of Israel the true, dreamed on the way to Padan-Aram, "And behold a ladder
set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and
descending on it. And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the
house of God, and this is the gate of heaven." (Gen. 28:12, 17.) Jacob's dream was prophetic of a
time when there will be a complete connection and constant communication with heaven and earth
-- the "loud cry" of the third angel's message -- the harvest time. To that glorious church these words
apply: "This is the house of God and the gate of heaven." Only by the gospel proclamation through
that Spiritual house can God save His people. There is to be One fold, One Shepherd, One Lord, One
Truth to embrace, One salvation to accept, One road to travel, One gate to pass through, One train
to take, and One time to depart, One Heaven to enter, One people, and One holy family. There can
be no other way!
"It is impossible to give any idea of the experience of the people of God who shall be alive upon
the earth when celestial glory and a repetition of persecutions of the past are blended. They will walk
in the light proceeding from the throne of God. By means of angels there will be constant
communication between heaven and earth." -- "Testimonies for the church," Vol. 9, p. 16.
The Time For Building The Anti-Typical Temple (Church)
We partially explained that the two literal temples, successively built in ancient Jerusalem, were
types of two sections of the Christian church. The wide literal and spiritual contrast of these two
typical structures was explained comparatively with type and anti-type. Though we could have
greatly enlarged on the subject, we have eliminated excessive reading by briefly stating the facts,
endeavoring to paint a more comprehensive pen-picture of this most vital lesson to Christendom.
The question before us is, when will the anti-type meet its perfect fulfillment? In the preceding
paragraphs it was explained that the first section of the Christian church ended in 538 A.D.; and the
second must commence after 1798 A.D., at which time the "woman" was supposed to return from
the wilderness.
A close study of the type is the only possible way to clear the truth, not only of the foregoing
question, but also of the following ones: If the "woman" was to return from the wilderness to the
vineyard (civilization) after the end of the prophetic period of 1260 years, what transpired in 1798
to prove that "she" came
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back in that year? As the imprisonment and death of the pope answers one side of the question and
clears the end of the prophetic period, where is the sign to show that the "woman" returned from the
wilderness? If the accepted interpretation of the "woman" is a symbol of the church, and if she was
in the "wilderness" from 538 A.D. to 1798 A.D., what about the four great denominations that were
raised up prior to that time; namely, Lutherans, Presbyterians Methodist, and Christian? Were they
not the "woman" (church)? Bible students have failed to clear this mystery because of their lack of
light on the Word of God. A great searchlight by the power of the Spirit shining through the types,
is the only medium that can remove the obstruction and clear the way to an understanding of these
and many other mysteries that are considered incomprehensive and that baffle the human mind.
Therefore, the temple type of the church (woman) is the only channel by which these questions can
be answered.
The "temples" and the "woman" represent the church as a body; or in other words, the symbol of
the woman is a revelation of the types (temples), and the temples are symbolical prophecies of the
"woman" -- church. It will be noticed that the separate members of that church are represented by
the composite substance of the temples: "As lively stones are built up a spiritual house, an holy
priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2:5.) "So we
being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another." (Rom. 12:5.) "In whom
all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord." (Eph. 2:21.)
Therefore, these two temples represent both -- the church, and Christ. Christ our High Priest, is
prefigured by the "chief-corner-stone," and His priestly administration by the ceremonial or sanctuary
service of these two literal temples.
The earthly sanctuary service for the salvation of the human race, in types and symbols, reveals
Christ's administration in the heavenly. Which was made up of two laws; namely, the "ten
commandment" and the "ceremonial" laws. The tables of the ten commandments were put in the ark,
and the ceremonial or the law of Moses was placed on the side of the ark. (See Deut. 10:2; 31:26.)
Why two laws? The moral law points out the sin, "for by the law is the knowledge of sin." (Rom.
3:20.) "For where no law is, there is no transgression." (Rom. 4:15.) But the ceremonial law "was
added because of transgressions till the seed should come to whom the promise was made." (Gal.
3:19.) Which was the remedy to heal the sinner and set him free from the condemnation of the moral
law. When Christ
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(the seed) came, He took this law of ordinance (the law of Moses) "out of the way, nailing it to the
cross." (Col. 2:14.) The earthly administration of the law of ordinance could not give life of itself,
because it was only a shadow of the true. Therefore, at the crucifixion of Christ it ceased and the
heavenly one, which was foreshadowed by the earthly, began. The literal sanctuary service of both
temples were identical.
Therefore, these two temples are types of two sections of the Christian church with the anti-typical
sanctuary service made up of these two laws -- moral and ceremonial. The first section of the
Christian church, from the crucifixion to about 538 A.D., was endowed with just such a sanctuary;
that is, they had a perfect knowledge of the work in the heavenly to that time and their faith
corresponded with its service. But in 538 A.D. the faith of this divine administration was thrown out
from the church, or as Daniel puts it, "trodden under foot" (Dan. 8:13), and substituted by a pagan
priesthood, with pagan ceremonial, and moral laws, or papal service, and Sunday worship. Therefore,
as the first temple typified the first section of the early Christian church with faith in a true sanctuary
service, just so, the second temple has prefigured the last section of the same church with faith in a
sanctuary service that would be identical with the first.
The foregoing explanation answers one of our questions. The Protestant churches which were
raised up before the "woman" returned from the wilderness were in total darkness concerning the
sanctuary service. Therefore, they are not represented by the "woman," or by the "temple," for, as
we stated before, the typical temples represent both sections of the church with two divine laws;
namely, moral and ceremonial. Thus the "woman" represents a church that keep the "commandments
of God -- moral law, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ" -- ceremonial law or the plan of
salvation revealed in the light of "The Spirit of Prophecy." (Rev. 12:17.) The reformers, before the
"woman" returned from the wilderness, were divinely called out as a preparatory step to bring her
back to the "vineyard"; that is, to establish a true anti-typical temple service -- true church worship.
As Solomon's temple was robbed of the sacred vessels and destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar king of
Babylon, ancient Babylon became a type; and had it not been so, there would have been no modern
Babylon -- the anti-type. (Rev. 18:2.) As there is no controversy as to who these two Babylons are,
it is not difficult to unmask the mystery; and the proof of one will also clear the other. If the claim
in this study is correct that Solomon's temple
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PICTURE
[Chart of Temple Types]
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 269, 270
was a type of the first section of the Christian church, then there must be a perfect comparison with
type and anti-type.
As type destroyed type, so anti-type must have destroyed anti-type; that is, ancient Babylon (the
type of the papacy) robbed and destroyed Solomon's temple (the type of the early Christian church)
and led Israel into captivity. This symbolical prophecy met its perfect fulfillment in 538 A.D. when
the papacy went forth and destroyed the church (Christian), robbed them of the truth, and led the
followers of Christ into captivity (subject to papal rule). As the true sanctuary worship was abolished
by ancient Babylon at the captivity of Israel, with the destruction of the temple, just so the papacy
did away with the truth and strategically supplanted here on earth, the meaning of the mediatorial
work of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary, of which the ceremonial system of the first temple was a
type in the period before the judgment began. Thus the second temple represents the time while the
judgment was in session. And as the sacred vessels were carried from the sanctuary and set up in a
pagan temple in a heathen land, just so the papacy trod down the "truth" and set up a pagan
priesthood in a so-called Christian church during the dark ages, while the "woman' was in the
wilderness, which was typified by the heathen land -- Babylon.
Our second co-incident is the fall of the Babylonian monarchy by the conquest of the Medo-Persian
kings. Let it be remembered that in the night of Belshazzar's drunken feast, Cyrus and Darius took
the kingdom and slew the king. The fulfillment of the type in the anti-type, which co-incides with the
imprisonment of the Pope in 1798 A.D., and followed by his death. Therefore the death of
Belshazzar who defied the God of heaven and earth, is a type of the pope who blasphemed for a
"time, times and a half a time," fulfilling Daniel 7:25 and Revelation 13:10. At which time the
prophetic 1260 years of the "woman's" wilderness journey ended.
Again we refer back to the type. With the death of Belshazzar the captivity of God's people ended
and they were made free; this co-incides with the termination of the 1260 years of the persecution
against God's people by the papacy -- church and state. The fall of the Babylonian monarchy was not
the thing that built the temple in Jerusalem, but it was a preparatory step to it. As the death of
Belshazzar was a preparatory step toward the establishment of a true temple worship, just so the
death of the pope was a preparatory step toward the establishment of a true church-worship. If so,
then the type clearly shows that nothing could have happened to the church in 1798 A.D. to signify
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that the "woman" had returned from the wilderness. This brings us to a third co-incidence.
Cyrus was a heathen worshiper at the time he conquered Babylon; but his attention was turned to
the fulfillment of the Scriptures, and was shown that his name was written in the sacred volume years
before he was born, and that he had fulfilled the words of the prophet Isaiah: "Thus saith the Lord
to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will
loose the lions of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut; I
will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass,
and cut in sunder the bars of iron: And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches
of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of
Israel.... I have surnames thee, though thou hast not known me." (Isa. 45:1-4.) "That saith of Cyrus,
He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, thou shall be built;
and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid." (Isa. 44:28.)
Thus his heathen heart was changed, and with gratitude he inscribed the words: "Thus saith Cyrus,
the king of Persia, the Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and He hath
charged me to build Him an house at Jerusalem which is in Judah." (Ezra 1:2.) After his conversion
he recognized that the pagan worship in Babylon was false. Therefore, he proclaimed throughout the
realm of Babylon: "The Lord God of Israel, He is the God, which is in Jerusalem.... Also Cyrus the
king brought forth the vessels of the house of the Lord, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out
of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods; Even those did Cyrus, king of Persia, bring
forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar, the prince of
Judah." (Ezra 1:3, 7, 8.) Thus the pagan worship of Babylon was declared false some time after the
death of Belshazzar and the fall of his empire. Therefore, Cyrus made a decree to build the house of
God in Jerusalem. So much for the type, now our attention is turned to its fulfillment in the anti-type.
According to the type, we must look for a proclamation some time after 1798 A.D. that would
brand the so-called Christian churches as being Babylon and their worship false. This is just what
happened. Immediately after 1844 A.D. the second angel's message of Revelation 14:8 was
proclaimed, saying: "Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of
the wine of the wrath of her fornication." Therefore, it
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is evident that light shining through the types is the only medium that can explain these prophetic
mysteries in the Word of God. With the proclamation of the fall of Babylon, it was announced that
the so-called Christian festivals, such as Sunday keeping, Christmas, and Easter, also baptism by
sprinkling, and other false doctrines were unbiblical and of pagan origin. But as ancient Babylon
failed to renounce the pagan system of worship, and adopt the worship of the only true God, just so,
present day Christendom has refused to reform or turn from these practices. The true mediatorial
work of the heavenly sanctuary, jointly with the Seventh-day Sabbath as it was then taught, is also
unheeded!
Three Decrees Issued Before Temple Was Built
Though Cyrus freely offered his resources to finance the construction of the house of God and its
sacred service, and authoritatively commanded that it must be built, the Samaritans, or factitious
Jews, frustrated the progress of the foundation and retarded its completeness. Therefore, though the
message (decree) in 1844 was proclaimed to build the house of God and restore true worship
according to the law and the prophets, the type reveals that the progress has been frustrated, and its
completeness retarded by factitious Jews -- untrue Seventh-day Adventists. This fact is plainly stated
in the "Testimonies for the Church," Vol. 5, p. 217:
"I am filled with sadness when I think of our condition as a people. The Lord has not closed
Heaven to us, but our own course of continual backsliding has separated us from God. Pride
covetousness, and love of the world have lived in the heart without fear of banishment or
condemnation.... The church has turned back from following Christ her leader, and it steadily
retreating toward Egypt. Yet few are alarmed or astonished at their want of spiritual power."
False Accusations And Excuses
These unconverted Seventh-day Adventists when told of these facts, not to criticize or to find fault
with them, but to arouse them from the terrible stupor of deception and false security, begin to make
excuses in the following manner: "We are God's people." "This is God's church." "There is no other
movement to follow. "It is wicked to accuse the church militant." "You are setting time." "You
must not tear down but build up." "Shun them which make divisions." "There shall be no more
prophets." "We have all the truth and there is no need of more."
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My brethren, as you have trimmed your lamps, will you not also avail yourselves of the "extra oil"
(truth), and act like men who are looking for their Lord to come? No one denies the fact of your
being God's people, but remember that the Jews also were once His people. No one wishes to affirm
that it is not God's church, but is this the only time He has ever had a church? We do not claim that
there is another movement to follow. But is not the Word of the "True Witness" saying, "I will spue
thee out of my mouth?" If calling the church militant to a reformation by anointing their eyes with
eyesalve that they may see, that the shame of their nakedness do not appear, is wicked as you say,
then against whom are you speaking? And what other means can He use to call to repentance this
Laodicean, "rich, and Increased with goods, and have need of nothing" condition? "And knowest not
that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked?"
Is the one who calls for obedience to the truth according to the Word of God tearing down or the
ones who have broken every true principle of the message we bear? Who has caused divisions? Is
it he who calls for obedience to the Word, or the one who refuses to hear a call from Heaven? Do
you recall that the Christian church was split in seven reformatory sections because the messages
were rejected? Who is the one that should be "shunned?" Is it he who accepts truth regardless of
where it comes, or the one who allows prejudice to bar his mind from receiving the truth? Your claim
of having all the truth, and that there is need of none, is denying every word written to the church.
It is rejecting in advance every message of truth or light God may choose to send. It is shutting God
out, and cutting the church loose from His stretched out arm. It is a preparatory step toward sinning
against the Holy Ghost. Your assertion that there shall be no more prophets, is casting off before
hand the latter rain and the "loud cry!" It is denying the Word in its prophetic form, for we read:
"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and
your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions."
(Joel 2:28.)
My brethren is there anything so fearful as this ungodly practice committed by men who are
supposed to be watchmen on the walls of Zion? If you count yourselves unworthy of the everlasting
kingdom, will you not take your hands off the church of God? Will you not grant religious freedom
to the sheep and let them make their own decision? Why not do as you would have others do unto
you? It is hard for you to kick against the
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pricks. Will you not say, Lord what wilt thou have me to do? Do you know that the blood of the
lost sheep shall be required at your hands?
Your accusations against setting time is like a man talking when out of his mind. What definite time
has been set? Do you mean Ezekiel, chapter four? If so will you not study the subject a little closer
than you have and see what it says? Do you not see that the prophetic period had already ended
when the statement was made? Or do you mean to say that God knows not the length of time from
one event to another, and that He must not put it in the Bible? Do you not see that the coincidences
recorded in "The Shepherd's Rod," Vol. 1, pp. 112, 113, proves the interpretation of Ezekiel four to
be correct, or truth would not have come?
You will also note on page 222, that the 430 prophetic years originally applied to Abraham and his
seed, overlap the 430 of Ezekiel 4. The 430 years of Ezekiel should terminate in 1929, or 1930 but
the perfect fulfillment of the prophetic period of Abraham in its anti-type is yet in the future (going
out of Egypt). The chart on page 112, 113, shows its termination in 1930, for as we stated before,
it is outlined by the coincidences which perfectly fit the prophecy of Ezekiel. As it is impossible to
make a time chart without any date to go by, we have used these coincidences, and it is stated that
the date is indefinite. (See chart on page 133.) Ezekiel's prophecy is intended to point forward to the
announcement of the predicted reformation, and the one through Abraham, to its completion (Ezekiel
nine).
"Then shall the seers be ashamed, and the diviners confounded: yea they shall all cover their lips;
for there is no answer of God. But truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the Lord, and of
judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin. Hear this, I pray
you, ye heads of the house of Jacob, and princes of the house of Israel, that abhor judgment, and
pervert all equity. They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity. The heads thereof
judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money.
Yet will they lean upon the Lord, and say, Is not the Lord among us? None evil can come upon us.
Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the
mountain of the house as the high places of the forest." (Micah 3:7-12.)
Objections Against The Channel God May Use
History proves that many have risen against the channel God has used to reveal His Holy Word.
So it is now. Some say:
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"If God will speak to His people, He may do so through one of our leading men." That may be so,
but where is the evidence that He cannot call a more humble instrument from the flock of his sheep?
Historical facts prove that He seldom reveals himself through great men. Why should He change His
method now? Others throw reflections against God's servants because of their external appearance,
nativity, or rudiments of speech, etc. My brethren, will you limit the Father and Creator of the human
race by your restrictions to a nation, man or country, by your narrow minded and self-conceited
wisdom? The heart that conceives such unreasonable theologies through self-esteem, is like the
proud pharisee in comparison with the penitent publican. These wise and self-dignified ideologists
are the most ignorant ones, for by so doing, they allow the father of self-exaltation to rob them of life,
and eternity. While such men are blinded to their own destruction, they are very wise and useful
agents for the enemy of souls. For by their usurpation they carry a never ending influence like a
"pebble thrown in the lake; a wave is formed, and another and still another, and as they increase, the
circle widens, until it reaches the very shore."
What influence would your "words of life" have upon others if you think your dignity so great, and
that of theirs so insignificant? Your actions are speaking louder than your words, saying to the poor
of the flock: Look on us, and see yourselves as nothing. If a wrong act is committed against one
sheep for pouring forth the straight truth, the others would be treated likewise. To such shepherds
the following words are spoken:
"Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock.
The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye
bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither
have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them." (Ezek. 34:3,
4.)
The Second Decree To Build "The Temple"
By suppression the adversaries of God brought the work of the first decree to a stop. But in due
time Cyrus' decree was renewed by Darius the king, and "Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua
the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were
the prophets of God helping them." (Ezra 5:2.)
But though this second decree carried additional power against the temple foes, they made the Jews
cease by force of
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arms. The type by the second decree unmistakably reveals that there should have been another
message after 1844, which with additional mention should have declared -- go forward by faith,
endeavor to establish a clean church and a true worship by obedience to the Word of God
(righteousness by faith). The type also discloses that this second message would have been defeated
and the work frustrated. Now note how perfectly the type coincides, reveals the truth, and exposes
the schemes of the devil. In 1888 just such a message (decree) went forth, but the leaders at that time
rejected it as the following testimonies prove: "The Lord in His great mercy sent a most precious
message to His people. This message was to bring more prominently before the world the uplifted
Saviour, the sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. It presented justification through faith in the
Surety; it invited the people to receive the righteousness of Christ, which is made manifest in
obedience to all the commandments of God. Many have lost sight of Jesus." -- "Testimonies to
Ministers," p. 91.
The message was delivered with the power of the Spirit says the messenger: "I shall never again,
I think, be called to stand under the direction of the Holy Spirit as I stood at Minneapolis. The
presence of Jesus was with me. All assembled in that meeting had an opportunity to place themselves
on the side of truth by receiving the Holy Spirit, which was sent by God in such a rich current of love
and mercy. But in the rooms occupied by some of our people were heard ridicule, criticism, jeering,
laughter. The manifestations of the Holy Spirit were attributed to fanaticism.... The scenes which
took place at that meeting made the God of heaven ashamed to call those who took part in them His
brethren. All this the heavenly Watcher noticed, and it was written in the book of God's
remembrance." -- "Special Testimony to Review and Herald Office," pp. 16, 17, written in 1896.
"They began this satanic work at Minneapolis. Afterward, when they saw and felt the
demonstration of the Holy Spirit, testifying that the message was of God, they hated it the more,
because it was a testimony against them.... Yet these men have been holding positions of trust, and
have been molding the work after their own similitude, as far as they possibly could." -- "Testimonies
to Ministers," p. 80.
"But if... they nourish the same spirit that marked their course of action both before and after the
Minneapolis meeting, they will fill up to the full the deeds of those whom Christ condemned when
He was upon earth. The perils of the last days are upon us. Read Matt. 25:14." -- "Testimonies to
Ministers," p. 79. We also present a written testimony from an eye witness: "The
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1888 message backed up by Sr. White as the message of the hour... few of the leaders recognized it
as such. Almost as a unit they rebelled, even claiming those men had unduly influenced Sr. White in
their favor by some unseen power, thus they rejected the Spirit of Prophecy.... These two men (Elders
Jones and Wagoner) with Sr. White... were rejected the use of the big tabernacle.... Thus you see
not only (90%) but nearly (95%) of our leaders rebelled."
The Third Decree To Build "The Temple"
As the first and second decrees by the kings of Medo-Persia had failed to complete the construction
of the temple and restore the sacred typical service, a third decree was set forth, then the king added:
"Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his
house, and being set up, let him be hanged thereon; and let his house be made a dunghill for this. And
the God that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their
hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree;
let it be done with speed.... And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the
prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished
it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus,
and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia. And this house was finished on the third day of the month
Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king." (Ezra 6:11-15.)
It will be noticed that the third decree threatened the lives of disloyal men and nations: "Whosoever
shall alter this word," said the king, "let his house be made a dunghill for this." So much for the type.
Now we come to the anti-type. The type reveals that the messages of 1844 and 1888 are to be
followed by a third one. But according to the type, the third message is to be a severe one. A
message that will demand obedience and enforce executive judgment upon those who would oppose
its decree. And according to the type, it is the third message that will accomplish its mission.
In 1929 just such a message came to the Seventh-day Adventist church, and it was put in writing
and published in 1930, entitled "The Shepherd's Rod," Volume 1. And as the message went to all the
sisterhood of churches (as far as possible) throughout the world, the man clothed with linen, which
had the writer's inkhorn by his side, was told: "Go through the midst of
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the city, through the midst of Jerusalem [the church], and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men
that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof [in the church]. And
to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye
spare, neither have ye pity: Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women:
but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary [Conference]. Then
they began at the ancient men [Elders] which were before the house." (Ezek. 9:4-6.)
On this Scripture was the message based, prophetically declaring, that 144,000 will be marked, and
the balance now in the church must suffer the consequences except they repent and march on with
the truth of God. But though not one of the entire denomination has been able to contradict the truth
of the 144,000 as a whole, or even in part, nor have they dared refute the charge regarding the
fostered abominations in the midst of them, they have risen against the message and prefer to hold
to their abominations just as the enemies of God opposed the construction of the temple to the very
last. As the decree by the king of Medo-Persia declared to the foes of the house of God saying:
"Whosoever shall alter this word let his house be made a dunghill for this." Just so the Word of God
has declared now, "slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women." If such
a message as this would not convince the professed people of God to do better, then what can do it?
Nevertheless, as God's purpose was carried out in the type, just so it will be in the anti-type. It is
remarkable to note how perfectly the anti-type coincides with the type.
There was no change made in the decrees of Cyrus and as it was but a renewal from time to time
so it has been with the anti-type. Thus there can be no change with the Third Angel's Message, but
great light and power shall be added to it. "Fearful is his work! Awful is his mission. He is the angel
that is to select the wheat from the tares, and seal, or bind, the wheat for the heavenly garner." --
"Early Writings," p. 118.
The Time For the Establishment Of The True Church
In Haggai 2:23, speaking of the construction of the "type" (second temple) but looking
prophetically forward to the fulfillment of the anti-type (the church in her purity), the Word of God
by the prophet came to Zerubbabel who laid the foundation of the type (temple), and of whom the
Word says is a signet
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or sign for the anti-type. We read of what God is to do at that time:
"For thus saith the Lord of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the
earth, and the sea, and the dry land; And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall
come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold
is mine, saith the Lord of hosts. The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former,
saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts." (Haggai 2:6-9.)
"And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the Kingdoms of
the heathen; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their
riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother." (Hag. 2:22.)
It is evident by this Scripture that this glorious church is to be established at the close of this world's
history when the earthly kingdoms shall come to their end. While interpreting Zechariah's vision, the
angel spoke of Zerubbabel, saying: "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house;
his hands also shall finish it." (Zech. 4:9). That is, the founders of the anti-type which were typified
by Zerubbabel, laid the foundation in 1844. Zerubbabel being "a signet" to the anti-type (by laying
the foundation and finishing the house), denotes that the finishing of the spiritual house (the
completeness of the church of God -- numbering of the saints) is to be accomplished in one
generation (in the life of a man, commencing in 1844.)
The Power Of God's People To Build His House
"Thus saith the Lord of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then
thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk
among these that stand by. Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before
thee: for they are men wondered at: for behold, I will bring forth my servant the branch." (Zech. 3:7,
8.) "And they shall be as mighty men, which tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in
the battle: and they shall fight, because the Lord is with them, and the riders on horses shall be
confounded." (Zech. 10:5.)
"Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain. let all the inhabitants of
the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand; A day of darkness and of
gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great
people and a strong;
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there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of my
generations. A fire devoureth before them: and behind them a flame burneth; the land is as the garden
of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them. The
appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run. Like the noise
of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth
the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array. Before their face the people shall be much pained:
all faces shall gather blackness. They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of
war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and thev shall not break their ranks: Neither shall
one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they
shall not be wounded. They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall
climb upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief. The earth shall quake before
them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their
shining." (Joel 2:1-10.) "The earth," "sun," "moon," and the "stars" have no connection with Matt.
24:29. The prophetic signs of the stated planets shall find their complete fulfillment before the
commencement of the millennium.
The Result Of Obedience To God's Word
"Thus saith the Lord of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and the
inhabitants of many cities: And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go
speedily to pray before the Lord, and to seek the Lord of hosts: I will go also. Yea, many people and
strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord. Thus
saith the Lord of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all
languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with
you: for we have heard that God is with you." (Zech. 8:20-23.)
The meaning of the "ten men" is the same as the "ten virgins" of Matthew 25:1. The ten virgins
signify the church as a body; and the "men" symbolically denote those who are to be converted to the
church, and that they shall come from all languages, and nations. "Even shall take hold of the skirt
of him that is a Jew;" that is, the one who is a Jew represents Christ in the person of His saints (the
144,000), "His skirt"
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represents truth or the church as a whole, by which the 144,000 are symbolically clothed.
"And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off and
die; but the third 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 name, and I will hear
them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God." (Zech. 13:8, 9.)
"Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may
bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought." (Isa. 60:11.)
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Zechariah 4
The anti-typical symbols of the second temple (the type), were shown to Zechariah in vision and
recorded in the fourth chapter of his prophecy as follows:
"And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his
sleep. And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all
of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven
lamps, which are upon the top thereof: And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl,
and the other upon the left side thereof. So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me,
saying, What are these, my lord? Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me,
Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. Then he answered and spake unto me,
saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my
spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts.... And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive
branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? And he
answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. Then said he,
These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth." (Zech. 4:1-6, 12-14.)
Thus the word of God is represented by these symbols. Therefore, the interpretation of them is to
reveal the manner of communicating the Word of God to Zerubbabel. Not to the Zerubbabel that was
engaged in building the typical temple, for he was orally instructed by the prophets Zechariah and
Haggai. Therefore, as the significance of these prophetic symbols were not understood by them, they
must be applicable to those who are to be engaged in building the antitypical, or spiritual temple
(church), as it was previously explained.
Each one of these symbols must be separately deciphered by uncontradictory evidence, and their
significance must constitute the method by which God is to communicate His Word to His servants.
It has been previously stated that all the books of the Bible meet, and end in the book of Revelation.
Therefore, the revelation of Zechariah's prophecy must be found there also.
We quote: "The seven stars are the angels of the seven
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churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches." (Rev. 1:20.) It will
be noticed that the messages to the seven churches are not addressed to the candlesticks (the church
as a body), but to the angels, saying, "And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write."
(Rev. 3:14.) This angel is not a heavenly angel, for he is at fault -- under condemnation and about
to be spued out, except he repent. It is this angel who has charge of the candlestick (church).
Therefore, the seven angels denote the leadership of the seven churches, and the candlesticks are the
symbols of the seven churches. Thus, the churches in this instance are symbolized by candlesticks.
Therefore, the candlestick in Zechariah's vision denotes the church as a body.
The revelation of the olive trees is found in the eleventh chapter and the fourth verse: "These are
the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth." The olive trees
and the two candlesticks are the two witnesses. (See Rev. 11:3.) Zechariah also states that "These
are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth." (Zech. 4:14.) Therefore, these
two olive trees, and two candlesticks are inseparable, for they both "stand by the Lord of the whole
earth." The two candlesticks in this instance represent God's church in two sections, and each one
has an olive tree. The angel interpreted them to Zechariah as the Word of God to Zerubbabel.
Therefore, the two candlesticks represent the Old and New Testament churches (Jewish and
Christian). And the two olive trees are symbols of the Old and New Testament Bible (the Word of
God to Zerubbabel). These two witnesses "shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and three score
days (from 538 A.D. to 1798 A.D.) clothed in sackcloth." (Rev. 11:3.) "The two Witnesses represent
the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament." -- "The Great Controversy," p. 267.
Thus we have a candlestick for each of the two sections of God's church while the Scriptures were
being written. One candlestick and one olive tree to the Jewish, and one candlestick and one olive
tree for the apostle's, and seven for the remaining history of the church to the time of the separation
of the tares from the wheat, or to the commencement of the harvest. Thus the candlestick (church)
in Zechariah's vision is the tenth, denoting a universal church; depicting the living church that shall
unite with all the saints since the world began -- which will join with the church of the entire universe
of God! This candlestick in Zechariah's vision is a glorious one, which in comparison, all others stand
as "nothing" -- in perfect harmony with the second temple, which in comparison the first stood as
"nothing."
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The Two Golden Pipes
True then, the candlestick represents the church, and the two olive trees the Old and New
Testament Scriptures. Now, "What be these two golden pipes," which "empty the golden oil out of
themselves?" We quote from "Testimonies for the Church," Vol. 7, p. 249: "The inner lamp must be
supplied with the oil that flows from the messengers of heaven through the golden tubes into the
golden bowl. The Lord's communication never comes to man in vain." Therefore, the two golden
pipes that empty the golden oil into the golden bowl are God's messengers of inspiration through
whom present truth is revealed, and the only true interpreters of the Scriptures. The oil represents
the revealed Word of God from the Bible as it is explained through His appointed servants, and the
bowl describes the publications into which these revelations are compiled. This is the "Testimony of
Jesus" -- "the Spirit of Prophecy." (Rev. 12:17; 19:10.) The revelation which John received is called
"The Testimony of Jesus." (See Rev. 1:9.) Therefore, the testimony of Jesus is also the Spirit of
Prophecy, because his testimony is revealed only by the Holy Spirit through a human channel. Thus
the Scripture interpreted by Inspiration, is the only testimony that can be, "the testimony of Jesus"
-- truth without error.
The Seven Lamps
If the candlestick represents the church as a body, then the seven lamps thereon must denote the
sisterhood of churches scattered throughout the denomination. The Biblical number of completeness
takes in the entire movement as a whole. This fact is also proven by the following quotation: "When
the anointed ones empty themselves through the golden pipes, the oil flows out of themselves into
the golden bowl, to flow into the lamps, the churches." -- "Testimonies to Ministers," p. 337.
The Seven Golden Tubes
If the "golden bowl" is that which contains the inspired interpretation of the Scriptures or the
writings of the Spirit of Prophecy, and the lamps or churches are supplied with oil from the bowl
through the seven golden tubes, then the ministry is represented by the tubes, whose duty is to feed
the entire church with the inspired Word of God only. This fact also is proven by the "Spirit of
Prophecy," as we read: "The golden oil represents the Holy Spirit. With this oil God's ministers are
to be constantly supplied, that they, in turn, may impart it to the church." -- Id.,
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p. 188. Note, the seven tubes (Ministry) draw the oil from the golden bowl, not direct from the olive
trees (Scriptures).
This divinely illustrated lesson is too plain to be misunderstood, or its meaning misconstrued. The
only safe way by which God's servants and His church can be free from error, full of faith without
guile in their mouth (all speak the same thing), is the never erring guide -- "The Spirit of Prophecy."
The acceptance of so-called truth, without inspiration, is the devil's trap of deception, and they who
advocate such fallacious teachings are the hardest and most impossible ones to rescue from Satan's
bottomless pit; for he makes them believe that confession of their errors would disqualify them for
teachers, and dishonor their high standing.
He who denies inspired interpretation of the Scriptures is denying the office of the Holy Spirit, and
is sinning against Him -- committing the unpardonable sin!
This golden candlestick is the most remarkable symbol in the Bible pertaining to the church of God.
Its arrangement with complete number of lamps, bowl, tubes, and pipes, all of gold, with its two olive
trees emptying themselves of the golden oil in the golden bowl, reveals that the last section of God's
church, is to be the most glorious church in all ages. This "continued communication" by the Holy
Spirit to the church, represented by the olive branches emptying the "Golden Oil out of themselves"
into one Golden Bowl, and its complete set of Supply Tubes from the bowl to all its lamps, is to bring
every part of the entire body in perfect harmony; a church without guile.
This prophetic symbol unmistakably points forward to a heavenly agency absorbing human
weakness and imperfection into everlasting glory. "A glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle,
or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." (Eph. 5:27.) A church that keeps
"the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." "Clad in the armor of Christ's
righteousness, the church is to enter upon her final conflict. 'Fair as the moon clear as the sun, and
terrible as an army with banners,' she is to go forth into all the world, conquering and to conquer."
-- "Prophets and Kings," p. 725. (Song of Sol. 6:10.) To this "candlestick" is the promise: "Behold,
I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and
beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff. (Isa. 41:15.)
The "one stone" -- the church -- shall have complete vision of heavenly glory: "For behold the stone
that I have laid before
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Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the Lord
of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day. In that day, saith the Lord of hosts,
shall ye call every man his neighbor under the vine and under the fig tree." (Zech. 3:9, 10.) To the
servants of God (the church) is granted to possess the earth, and restore the land to the saints to
whom it originally belonged. Thus, "They shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree;
and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it." (Micah 4:4.)
"And they shall be as mighty men, which tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the
battle: and they shall fight, because the Lord is with them, and the riders on horses shall be
confounded." (Zech. 10:5.) "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit saith the Lord of hosts."
(Zech. 4:6.)
"And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden
themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together
against it.... In that day shall the Lord defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among
them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the Lord
before them." (Zech. 12:3, 8.) "And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord two parts
therein shall be cut off and die; but the third 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 name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my
God." (Zech. 13:8, 9.)
"Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God." (Psa. 87:3.) "Cry out and shout, thou
inhabitants of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee." (Isa. 12:6.) "Sing and
rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord.
(Zech. 2:10.)
What Is Inspired And What Is Not?
Cunning men under the power of the great deceiver, with good words and fair speeches have
sought to overthrow the faith of the saints in the word of God by almost innumerable interpretations
of the Scriptures, and multiplicity of sects; making it nearly impossible for one to find his way out
through the confusion, and thus keeping him in ignorance of the truth. God, knowing beforehand of
these cunning devices, has prophetically illustrated the truth by this candlestick in its assemblage of
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parts, symbolically showing that the truth of the Bible is revealed by Inspiration only. Written words
can be misconstrued, but symbols can not. Thus making it possible for both learned, and unlearned,
to immediately distinguish the difference between truth and error.
The question may arise with some, How can I determine what is inspired, and what is not? The
prophetic word of God is capable of answering the question and clearing the confusion, dividing the
one from the other as wheat is separated from the chaff. First, "to the law and the testimony: if they
speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" (uninspired). (Isa. 8:20.)
Second, the churches who were in existence prior to 1844, fell with the proclamation of the second
angel's message (Rev. 14:8), showing that God would no longer reveal Himself through that channel.
Therefore, every theory, and offshoot or sect that has sprung from the denominations in existence at
that time, is false with no light in them. This is also proven by the fact that nearly all the authors or
founders of these theories and movements make no claim of inspiration.
The prophecy of Ezekiel, chapter four (explained in "The Shepherd's Rod," Vol, 1, pp. 115-133),
proves that Luther, Knox, Wesley, Campbell, Miller, and E.G. White were divinely called. It is also
proven by the parable of Matthew 20 that Luther, Knox, Wesley, and Campbell were not given light
on prophetic truth, but were inspired to call for reformation on certain truths which were revealed
before their time, and had been "trodden underfoot." It is further proven by the same parable that
through Miller and White, prophetic truths were revealed which had never before been taught. (See
pages 227, 228). It is also shown by Ezekiel's prophecy that light and truth on the Scriptures would
continue for 390 years, that is, from 1500 A.D. to l890 A.D.; and then it was to cease for forty years.
(See "The Shepherd's Rod," Vol. 1, pp. 114-133.)
Thus, while the 1844 movement proclaimed that light had ceased to be revealed through all other
sects, it is shown by Ezekiel's prophecy that light was to continue with the latter, up to the year 1890.
This fact also is self-evident, for the Seventh-day Adventist denomination has had no additional light
on the Scriptures in the stated forty years. Therefore, any theory, or so-called truth, that might have
been advanced by some within this (S.D.A.) denomination that had not been revealed prior to 1890,
is also false; though some things were written in the Spirit of Prophecy, they were not to be
understood until 1929. The truths revealed prior to 1844, and up to
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1929, are found in the writings of the "Spirit of Prophecy," and that which is not written there, is of
no value. Not until our minds have been cleared from all these false theories can we comprehend the
truth. In other words the Laodiceans must confess that the charge against them is true -- "wretched,
and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked;" and by acceptance of the truth they would anoint
their eyes "with eyesalve;" for it is the "true witness speaking, and his Word must be correct." 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 difficulty in knowing the difference between truth and
error is eliminated.
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The River Of Ezekiel's Vision
It was previously explained that Zechariah's prophecy is applicable to the church in the time of the
"Loud Cry." Thus it becomes present truth. We quote from Zechariah 12:8. "In that day shall the
Lord defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as
David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the Lord before them" -- before the
great multitude of Revelation 7:9.
The church in her purity is called by these Scriptures, "The house of David." Therefore, this term
becomes one of the names of the church in the time of the "Loud Cry." Thus the church under this
name shall be as God before the people. The meaning here is the same as in Exodus 7:1, "And the
Lord said unto Moses See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy
prophet" (servant). That is, "Thou shalt represent My person, and act like God by requiring
obedience to thy commands, and by punishing disobedience with such punishment as none but God
can inflict; to which end thou shalt have My omnipotent assistance." This is the commission to the
church in the time of the harvest. The apostle Peter was vested with such divine power when he said:
"Thou has not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and gave
up the ghost.... And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was
done, came in. Then Peter said unto her.... behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband
are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up
the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her
husband." (The Acts 5:4, 5, 7, 9, 10.)
"In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of
Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanliness." (Zech. 13:1.) Note that this fountain is able to wash away
two things; first sin, and second uncleanness. What is the difference between the one and the other?
"Sin is the transgression of the law." (1 John 3:4.) And the result of sin is the decay of the body.
"Speak unto the children of Israel and say unto them, When any man hath a running issue out of his
flesh, because of his issue he is unclean." (Lev. 15:2.) The Biblical term for sickness is,
"Uncleanness." Also, taking
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into the body in the form of food of that which is forbidden by the Word of God, is transgression of
the law, and corruption of the body (uncleanness).
"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the
unclean thing; and I will receive you." (2 Cor. 6:17.) "For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor
unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ
and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath
of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were
sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.... And have no
fellowship with the unfruitful workers of darkness, but rather reprove them." (Eph. 5:5-8, 11.) God
is able to heal the soul and the body; but He will not heal the latter before He has healed the former
-- "sin" first, then "uncleanness." "I will also save you from all your uncleanness: and I will call for
corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you." (Ezek. 36:29.) The power that is able to
wash away the filthiness of any man, is "opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of
Jerusalem" and is represented by the "fountain" of Zechariah's prophecy.
Says Ezekiel: "In the five and twentieth year of our captivity," and "in the fourteenth year after that
the city was smitten, in the selfsame day the hand of the Lord was upon me, and brought me thither."
(Ezek. 40:1.) As recorded in the forty-seventh chapter, Ezekiel was shown in vision certain
particulars of the temple building some years before the Israelites were made free from Babylonian
captivity. It has been previously explained that the Temple erected after their captivity was a type
of this particular church in the time of the "loud cry" -- "house of David." Therefore, the river
coming out from the temple according to Ezekiel's vision is applicable at this time, and is but the
expansion of this "fountain" that is to be in the "house of Davld" the church. "From this fountain
flows the mighty river seen in Ezekiel's vision." -- Counsels on Health," p. 210. Thus far we have
explained the application of this "fountain," the place and the time; also that the mighty river seen in
Ezekiel's vision flows from it. Now we shall study the meaning of this mighty river.
Ezekiel 47
Ezek. 47:1: "Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued
out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood
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toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south
side of the altar." As the waters came from the south side of the altar, and then went toward the east,
it shows clearly that they proceeded from the north, which symbolically denotes that whatever the
meaning of the "waters" may be, they come from the throne of God, for It is "in the sides of the
north." (Isa. 14:14; Psa. 48:2; 75:6.)
While Ezekiel's attention was turned to the interior where he first saw the waters, he says: "Then
brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way unto the utter gate
by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side. And when the
man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought
me through the waters, the waters were to the ankles. Again he measured a thousand, and brought
me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought
me through; the waters were to the loins. Afterward he measured a thousand, and it was a river that
I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed
over. And he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen this? Then he brought me, and caused me to
return to the brink of the river. Now when I had returned, behold at the bank of the river were very
many trees on the one side and on the other. Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward
the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: Which being brought forth into
the sea, the waters shall be healed. And it shall come to pass, that everything that liveth, which
moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of
fish, because these waters shall come thither; for they shall be healed; and everything shall live whither
the river cometh. And it shall come to pass, that the fishers shall stand upon it from En-gedi even
unto En-eglaim, they shall be a place to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds,
as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many. But the miry places thereof and the marishes thereof
shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt. And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side
and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof
be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued
out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine."
(Ezekiel 47:2-12.)
It will be noticed that as Ezekiel first saw the waters by the side of the altar, they were of little
significance in comparison
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PICTURE
[Chart of Ezekiel's River]
Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 2 293, 294
with that which he saw outside the gate. As the tiny rivulet immediately swells into a mighty river,
it represents something of very rapid growth. These waters denote the same as the waters in
Revelation 17:15, "Peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues." For the angel said to Ezekiel:
"Which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed." (Ezek. 47:8.) Therefore, these
waters represent a very great multitude "which no man could number" that shall be healed from sin
and disease, saved in the time of the "loud cry" through the ministry of the "house of David" (the
church). As Ezekiel could not swim this river, the symbol is in perfect harmony with Revelation 7:9,
"A great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and
tongues... clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands."
Note that the reason the waters are healed, is because they are "brought forth into the sea." If the
mighty river represents the saints from the earth, then the sea must be a symbol of the sinless worlds
(inhabitants) in the universe of God. As the river is brought into the sea, it denotes that the saints
shall come in contact with the eternal nations who know not sin, and being "brought forth," we must
be "healed" before we meet each other! The facts of this symbol prove that this is the last section of
God's church -- the church that shall be translated without tasting death! Get ready, get ready, get
ready, we are now standing on the winds of eternity -- life that shall never cease.
The waters that make up this mighty river represents a multitude of saints endowed with healing
power from the throne of God; for the Word says, "And everything shall live whither the river
cometh." (Ezek. 47:9, last part.) This healing is not indefinite, but permanent; for we read: "And it
shall come to pass, that everything that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the river shall come, shall
live" (eternally).
After the angel had measured three times a thousand cubits, says Ezekiel: "And he said unto me,
Son of man, hast thou seen this? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the
river. Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one
side and on the other. And by the river upon the bank thereof," said the angel, "on this side and on
that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be
consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out
of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine." (Ezek.
47:6, 7, 12.)
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The value of the leaves and the fruit of these trees is identically the same as the tree of life according
to Revelation 22:2, "And on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bear twelve
manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of
the nations." The significance is that the church of God (house of David) is endowed with power
from the throne to offer life eternal with no taste of death to those who accept the truth, and are
willing to become a part of this mighty river. As this is the only section of God's church that has been
granted the authoritative gospel of permanent healing and life everlasting the Word declares: "He that
is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the
angel of the Lord before them." (Zech. 12:8.)
"And there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither.... And
it shall come to pass that the fishers shall stand upon it from En-gedi even unto En-eglaim.... Their
fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many." (Ezek. 47:9, 10.)
The fish represent those who are to be converted to the church -- "river." "And everything shall live
whither the river cometh." (Ezek. 47:9.) The ministry is symbolized as the fishers. "And Jesus said
unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men." (Mark 1:17.) The
apostles at one time left the gospel net and ceased to be fishers of men, as they went fishing for gain,
"and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the
shore.... then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered Him, No. And He
said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore and
now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes." (John 21:3-6.) Success never fails
when the command of the Master is obeyed. If the ministry had been constantly inquiring of Jesus
where and how to cast the net, there would have been a multitude of "fish" -- converts -- and never
a lack of "meat" -- means.
"For the forefront of the house stood towards the east." (Ezek. 47:1.) The position of the house
proves that it represents a true worship, for thus God's chosen people were instructed to build their
temples. Israel worshipped God with their backs toward the east to remind them that they should
have no respect for sun worship and idolatry.
"Then said he unto me, These waters issue out towards the east country, and go down into the
desert, and go into the sea." (Ezek. 47:8.) It is remarkable to note how perfect these symbols
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are in each instance. This direction of the compass denotes that the message of the "loud cry" is to
start eastward when it is first revealed. The church membership being largely east of California and
across the Atlantic, naturally the message must start toward the east. This symbolical prophecy
reveals that the message of the "loud cry" is to originate in California. Thus fulfilling the prophetic
words of the "Spirit of Prophecy" in a letter to Elder E. E. Andross: "I feel confident Elder Andross,
that the brethren in Southern California will find a blessing in reviewing the teachings of the Scripture
concerning the 144,000 and bringing to bear upon these teachings whatever light there may be in the
published writings of the Spirit of Prophecy, and as prayerful consideration is given the matter in all
its bearings, I believe that God will make the truth sufficiently clear to make possible the avoidance
of needless and unprofitable questions not vital to the salvation of precious souls."
East being the Biblical direction of idolatry, it also signifies that the message is headed toward the
conversion of sinners and destruction of idolatry. "And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the
Lord of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be
remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirits to pass out of the land." (Zech.
13:2.)
The angel measured four times a thousand cubits eastward (a thousand -- "ten" times one hundred).
Why four times a thousand? Why not more or less? It has been previously explained that number
"ten" is a symbol of universal, and the number four completeness of the earth or the four points of
the compass. Thus it symbolically denotes that the message is world wide; and while it starts toward
the east, it spreads from pole to pole, and encircles the earth completely (10 x 100 = 1,000 -- four
times.) In perfect harmony with the words of Christ: "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be
preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." (Matt. 24:14.)
"But the miry places thereof and the marishes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to
salt." (Ezek. 47:11.) The "marishes" and the "miry places" represent denominations and sects
separate of the "mighty river," and that they shall not be saved, or healed. "Turned to salt," means
eternally lost, as was Lot's wife. "And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of
the Son of man.... Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot.... Remember Lot's wife." (Luke 17:26,
28, 32.)
"And it shall come to pass, that the fishers shall stand upon
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it from En-gedi even unto En-eglaim; they [the two cities] shall be a place to spread forth nets."
(Ezek. 47:10.) These two cities reveal that the fish are caught in two places, En-gedi (S.D.A. church)
where the 144,000 are gathered -- the first fruits. En-eglaim (Babylon or the world) where the great
multitude of Revelation 7:9 are gathered. The diagram on the chart, page 294, represents the S.D.A.
church (En-gedi) as it becomes the "House of David," and the place of the river (En-eglaim) denotes
the world. The stream from the fountain where it first starts to the east gate, represents the 144,000,
and the river stands for the great multitude. "There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad
the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she
shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early." (Psa. 46:4, 5.)
Justification By Faith; What Is It?
All the blessings written in the preceding chapters are apprehended in the following
Though this most important subject is the simplest of all Biblical truths, it has been widely confused,
and largely misunderstood. The example of one man's experience in the things of God and his
justification by faith, should clear the widespread confusion, and remove the veil which has been
drawn over the eyes of the faithful. "To that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father
of us all. (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations), before Him Whom he believed,
even God, Who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were."
(Rom. 4:16, 17.)
When the method pursued by Abraham is followed, then, and then only, can any one of us be
justified, there is no other way. "And if ye be Christ's then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according
to the promise." (Gal. 3:29.) "If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham."
(John 8:39.) Let us take notice of Abraham's faith, experience and justification. "Harken to me, ye
that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and
to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged. Look unto Abraham your father." (Isa. 51:1,2.)
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In the following it will be noticed that Abraham responded without hesitation to all God
commanded him to do: "Now the Lord said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy
kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee.... So Abram departed, as the
Lord had spoken unto him.... And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said Unto thy seed will I give
this land: and there builded he an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him." (Gen. 12:1, 4, 7.)
"And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and
look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: for all
the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. And I will make thy seed
as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be
numbered. Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it
unto thee. Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in
Hebron, and built there an altar unto the Lord." (Gen. 13:14-18.)
"And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant, thou, and thy seed after thee in their
generations. This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee;
Every man child among you shall be circumcised.... And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that
were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money every male among the men of
Abraham's house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto
him." (Gen. 17:9, 10, 23.)
"And God said unto Abraham Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because
of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy
seed be called. And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water,
and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away." (Gen. 21:12,
14.) "And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him,
Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. And He said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac,
whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon
one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and
saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for
the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.... And Abraham
built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac
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his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took
the knife to slay his son. And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said,
Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither
do thou anything unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy
son, thine only son from me.... And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the
second time, And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing,
and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing will I bless thee, and in multiplying I
will multiply thy seed as the stars of heaven and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed
shall possess the gate of his enemies, And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;
because thou hast obeyed my voice." (Gen. 22:1-3, 9-12, 15-18.)
"Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the
friend of God." (James 2:23.) By simply doing the things that God asked of him he obtained this
record: "Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my
statutes, and my laws." "In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed." (Gen. 26:5, 4.)
Having childlike faith in the Word, and doing all God has said, is the only sanctification and
righteousness that is Christ's. Such are the children of Abraham, and to them is the promise. They
openly declare that the blood of Christ has the power to save them from the bondage of sin, and from
the condemnation of the law. They shall inherit the land for ever and ever. These are the Israel of
God. There are no others, and this only is righteousness and sanctification by faith.
End of Book.
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