STUDY 31 |
INTERESTING FACTS and WORTHY INFORMATION? |
STUDIES |
| (This study was written by Bro. Don Adair and
copyrighted in 1991 by MT. CARMEL CENTER. You can print a copy of this study for yourself and share it
with others if you make no changes in it, if you take no credit for it, if you charge no
money for it, if you include this notification in this parenthesis with it; and if you
include their name, address, phone number, website, and e-mail, at the bottom.) INTERESTING FACTS and WORTHY INFORMATION COPYRIGHT 1991 by LOCATING "INTERESTING FACTS" INFORMATION IN THE SERIES BOOK The information in this Companion Book of "INTERESTING FACTS AND WORTHY INFORMATION" includes in parenthesis where the references are located in the separate pieces of The Shepherd's Rod literature, such as 1 T.G. 47:14:5. It also includes the book page where the same reference can be located in THE SHEPHERD'S ROD SERIES book, for example--1 T.G. 47:14:5-->273<---the book page number at the end of the reference. INTERESTING FACTS And WORTHY INFORMATION "FACTS ARE FACTS PREFACE "A true Christian [Davidian S.D.A. saint] never lags behind, but as perfect corn of the field steadily develops in the ear, so also does he develop in the Christian sphere as far as the Light {Bible, Spirit of Prophecy, and The Shepherd's Rod} leads him forth."--4 Answerer, pg. 10:4-->466 (bold emphasis, braces added). "He is progressively as perfect as the ear of corn is from the day it sprouts to the day it is harvested."--2 Answerer, pg. 35:1-->445 (bold emphasis added). This progressive perfection of true Davidian Christians is two-fold: (1) They all study diligently to "know the truth" (John 8:32; 2 Tim. 2:15). (2) They live out its principles in their "daily lives" (1 T.G. 21: 5:2-->219). That is, they not only have knowledge of the truth, but they also have "corresponding deeds" (1 T.G. 22:26:1-->223) with it. "Consequently, to him {a Davidian saint} who avails himself of every opportunity to know the Truth and who zealously complies with all its requirements {by living its principles}, it is counted for righteousness (Rom. 4:3)--living without sin."--2 Answerer, pg. 35:2-->445 (bold emphasis, braces added). These Davidians are the "wise" saints who are to "understand" (Dan. 12:10) all the truth that is necessary for them to know at this time; because they have the "gift of understanding" (2 T.G. 44:32:0-->414). "They know what they believe and believe what they know" (1 T.G. 7:13:4-->185), because they not only study every word, every line, and every page (5 Ans. 29:4-->480) of The Shepherd's Rod message, but they also live out its principles in their daily lives. "He is never a minute behind time or an inch below the highest step attainable at the moment."--2 Answerer, pg. 35:1-->445 (bold emphasis added). True Davidians Understand Truth And Advance With It It is for this reason that a faithful Davidian who would not want to "lag behind," would diligently seek to know everything he could concerning the advancement of The Shepherd's Rod message. "Every Christian should remember that as the Truth is ever-advancing, It will not be found today where It was yesterday, and that therefore Christ's followers must advance with It."--2 Answerer, pg. 80:3-->450 (bold emphasis added). "Since none of the wicked shall understand in the day of the Lord, it shows that the Truth will become deeper and deeper until finally the wicked will not be able to comprehend It."--12 Symbolic Code, No. 6, pg. 18:3-->625 (bold emphasis, braces added). The Truth inThe Shepherd's Rod message has continued to advance in many areas of the Bible, but only the Davidian saints who follow its advancement as it becomes "deeper and deeper" will not only know the truth, but also where God's Headquarters is located. God's Headquarters Known By Truth It Teaches, And Its Location It is very important for the Davidian saints to know which is God's Association and where its Headquarters is located, since there are several Davidian associations today, all of which claim that its headquarters is the only right one; but there can only be one true storehouse Headquarters, since "God is not the author of confusion" (1 Cor. 14:33). This means that only those Davidians who have zealously studied the truth as it becomes "deeper and deeper" will understand how to know where God's "storehouse" (2 T.G. 30:18:3-->363) is located today. Note, however, that this understanding cannot be based upon: (1) The number of the members in the association. (2) The amount of its accumulated wealth and its total assets. (3) The Rod literature which it might provide its members, because a large number of members and great wealth "have never signified a right cause at any time" (G.C.S. 8:2-->521), even if they do have Rod literature. Instead, it is the truth it teaches from The Shepherd's Rod message and its location, which determines the Association of God. To make this fact known to all sincere Davidians, is the purpose of this companion book entitled "Interesting Facts And Worthy Information." Companion Book For The Shepherd's Rod Series Book All the true Davidians who never lag behind will want to understand the Truth as it becomes "deeper and deeper" in many areas of The Shepherd's Rod message, and know the answers to two main questions explained in this companion book, which was written especially for the "THE SHEPHERD'S ROD SERIES" book: (1) "How can I know which is the Headquarters of God in this day?" This question is to be answered in the first thirteen articles of "Interesting Facts" in this companion book. Each "Topic Of Discussion" deals with various aspects of this main subject. (2) "What is this 'worthy information' which I need to understand?" This question is to be answered in the last of the twelve articles of "Interesting Facts," which are written in the companion book. Companion Book Articles Written In Brief Summary It may be of interest to the reader to know that even though the articles of "Interesting Facts" and "Worthy Information" were not written in full detail, but only briefly summarized, there is at the end of many articles in this book a special notation to encourage those who want to know more, to write for other articles and books which contains more detailed information about a certain subject. INTERESTING FACT NO. 1 After man sinned, he was separated from his Father in Heaven (Isa. 59:2); but a way was provided to save him from his sins: "The Father has given the world into the hands of Christ, that...He may redeem man...." and unite fallen mankind with Heaven. Therefore, "All the communion between heaven and the fallen race has been through Christ." (P.P. 366:1). During the old testament era, it was Christ that spoke to the patriarchs and prophets, and it was He who gave the ten commandment law to Israel. Many years later He appeared visibly on the earth at His first advent, died on the cross for the sins of mankind, and returned to Heaven (Mk. 16:19) to officiate as our high priest (Heb. 8:1) in the heavenly sanctuary; and now in the last days of the new testament era He came (1 Tr. 10:1,2-->6) to the earth invisibly (1 Tr. 37:2-->9), to complete that reunion before his second advent. It is for this very reason that the drawing on the cover page of Tract 1 (5) illustrates this invisible coming of the Lord Jesus to the earth on His traveling throne (1 Tr. pg. 7:2-->5). His purpose in coming is to bring the last message of the Loud Cry (2 S.R. pgs. 230, 231-->789) to reunite man on earth with His Father in Heaven. This fact proves, of course, that Ezekiel's vision must be of great importance to God's church (Seventh-day Adventists) in the latter days, because it clearly reveals to the Davidian saints "That Which unites Heaven with Earth, even as the Dardanelles links two important seas. Thus, this study of Ezekiel's vision, which brings to light earth's being visited by the Majesty of the Universe may be aptly termed, 'The Dardanelles of the Bible'" (1 Tr. 5:1-->5). Jesus' Chariot Arrived In California In 1929 In 1929 Jesus came to Los Angeles, California on His traveling "chariot, though invisible to human beings" (1 Tr. 37:2-->9), to visit the Seventh-day Adventist church, Laodicea (1 Tr. 14:2-->6), with the message of the Loud Cry (1 Ans. 82:3-->439). He gave that message to antitypical Ezekiel (V.T.H.), the "watchman" prophet (1 T.G. 22:30:2-->223), which was first to seal the 144,000 (1 S.R. tr. 10:2-->510). He began to proclaim that message in 1930 with the publication ofThe Shepherd's Rod book (Vol. 1) (1 Tr. 37:1-->9). It was Jesus' presence there in California at this first Headquarters where His invisible chariot resided, which began the final "link" that would unite the Heavens with the earth. Jesus' Chariot Moved Eastward To Texas In 1935 The invisible chariot stayed in California until 1935; then the Lord Jesus moved "eastward" on His invisible traveling chariot to Waco, Texas (1 T.G. 13:2:3-->201), and antitypical Ezekiel followed Him. It was there that Jesus' second Headquarters was set up at Mt. Carmel Center (M.C.T.C. 5:1-->571) where the invisible chariot continued to reside for several years. Then in 1951 Bro. Houteff published THE WHITE HOUSE RECRUITER; on page 33 he warned the Davidians to "brace" themselves for the coming of "a knockout blow." Four years later in 1955 he died, and his wife took charge as Vice-President of the Executive Council at Mt. Carmel Center. Some unfaithful Davidians, however, left the message when Bro. Houteff died in 1955, while a few others professed to believe the Rod message, but left it to follow another Davidian who claimed he was Elijah. He broke away (break-off no. 1 from God's Headquarters at Mt. Carmel Center), and set up another association which has been known as the "Branch Davidians." The great majority of all the other Davidians at that time remained faithful to Sister Houteff and her Council at Mt. Carmel Center; but there were some who manifested discouragement by the way they were "talking and acting" to other Davidians. It was for this reason that Sister Houteff was compelled to encourage them by a statement of rebuke which she put in The Symbolic Code wherein she said: Jesus' Chariot Not Leave After V.T.H. Died In 1955 "The way some have been taken captive by the humming of the Devil's hum-bug, evidenced by the way they are talking and acting, one would have to conclude that they believe the chariot of Ezekiel has not yet arrived or that it arrived in 1929 but for some unexplainable reason it has taken leave of us in 1955. What satanic self-deception and what utter nonsense in the light of Inspiration's own answer to the question: 'When Will The Chariot Arrive? How Long Will It Stay?'"--10 Symbolic Code, No. 12, pg. 5 (bold emphasis added). Then she continued to prove when the chariot arrived and how long it would stay by quoting Tract 1, pp. 37, 38 which says: "The fact, therefore, that from the chariot, the Lord commands the prophet to go speak, bear the message to His people, and that the message totals over 1250 pages of literature published since 1930, unfolding its truth from different angles, solemnly reveals that the chariot, though invisible to human beings (as to 'the young man' were the chariots which covered the mountains--2 Kings 6:17), has already arrived. And since it is already here, it must of course be the Divine instrumentality through which, as a sort of base of operations, the Lord is ordering and directing His work, and through which He shall do so until 'this gospel of the kingdom...be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and...the end come.' Matt. 24:14....Tract 1, pp. 37, 38."--The Symbolic Code, Vol. 10, No. 12, pg. 6 (bold emphasis added). Now since the gospel truth has not yet been preached to all the world, then we must conclude that the chariot didn't leave when Bro. Houteff died; and that it is still here today directing His work. Jesus' Chariot Not Leave After Knockout Blow In 1959 Sister Houteff's words encouraged the Davidians to believe that the invisible chariot did not leave in 1955; but they failed to heed the SRod's warning to watch out for the "knockout blow," which was to surely come by their own "professed friends of the gospel" (W.H.R. 33:2-->532)." And because they did not realize that Sister Houteff and her Council were these "professed friends of the gospel," they accepted her 3 1/2 year program, which finally led to the "knockout blow" in 1959. That event finally resulted in the dissolving of the assets of the Headquarters at Mt. Carmel Center in Waco, Texas. But Jesus did not return to Heaven; because in 1961 He led the Davidians to gather in L.A., California to reorganize His Headquarters and locate it in Riverside, California. Soon afterwards some Davidians broke away (break-off no. 2 from God's Headquarters), because they rejected the truth that the spiritual pasture "Carmel" (1 S.R. 243:2-->731) will wither at the close of probation for the S.D.A. church (11 S.C. 12:32). They said that spiritual "Carmel" was a literal Headquarters (Mt. Carmel Center) which had withered (dissolved); thus, all Davidians must feed in the Bashan pasture. Later they moved to Exeter, Missouri in 1968 and set up their "Bashan Hill" association. But God's Headquarters continued in Riverside, California where Jesus temporarily resided on His invisible chariot for several years while the faithful Davidians recuperated from the discouraging effects of the "knockout blow." Jesus' Chariot Moved Eastward To Salem In 1970 Finally, after the Davidians had revived from their "knockout blow" by 1969, Jesus led them to re-examine the study of "THE RIVER OF EZEKIEL'S VISION" (2 S.R. 290-298-->804). And when they saw that God's Headquarters should be relocated in the east, they followed His invisible traveling chariot "eastward" (2 S.R. 297:0-->805) to Salem, So. Carolina in 1970. There they continued the work of the Rod message, and published all of The Shepherd's Rod literature at His third Headquarters, where the chariot still resides to this day. Other Davidians Left Headquarters In 1973 And 1981 Then in 1973 a few Salem Davidians who lived in California wanted God's Headquarters to be moved back in the west, because they rejected the study of Ezekiel's River which says His Headquarters must move eastward. (More about this study will be discussed in greater detail in "Interesting Fact No. 2.") When their efforts failed to gain control of the Association, they broke away from the Salem Headquarters and set up their headquarters in Yuciapa, California (break-off no. 3 from God's Headquarters). Later in 1982 a few Jamacian Davidians rejected the truth of the living Davidians who are to go "with" the 144,000. (More about those "with" the 144,000 in "Interesting Fact No. 13".) They also broke away from the Salem Headquarters to set up their own headquarters in White Plains, New York (break-off no. 4 from God's Headquarters). Also, there were other Davidians that broke away from the Bashan group in Missouri, and set up their Gilead headquarters in Canada, which is contrary to the message; because it states that during the sealing period of the 144,000, "the church's headquarters" must be in America "the two-horned beast's dominion--the New World, 'the earth.'" (8 Tr. 24:2-->91). However, Jesus' invisible traveling chariot continued to reside in Salem, So. Carolina. Truth Reveals Where Invisible Chariot Resides Today Since Jesus' traveling chariot is invisible, then it can only be seen through the eye of faith by those Davidians who believe in the truth of the "eastward" course of Ezekiel's River, as well as the other Truths taught by His Headquarters in Salem. And since all the break-off Davidians have rejected one or all of these truths, they have no recourse but to boast that their prosperity (wealth) or their numbers of believers is proof that God is with them, which, of course, is contrary to what His prophet Elijah plainly stated: "No, not even the appearance of what his message is doing or not doing, or whether it is prospering or disintegrating, can be taken as evidence that God is in it. Neither can numbers of adherents {Davidians in God's Association}, for such have never signified a right cause at any time, not even in the day Christ Himself preached the Gospel of the Kingdom. The {truth in the Rod} message {which} he {Elijah--V.T. Houteff} brings is the only thing to go by."--General Conference Special, pg. 8:2-->521 (bold emphasis, braces added). These irrefutable facts prove, of course, that Jesus invisible chariot resides only where present truth is being dispensed from the storehouse Headquarters of the Lord, not because of its wealth or its numbers of members. In 1935 the chariot moved the storehouse Headquarters eastward to Waco, Texas; and again in 1970 it moved eastward to Salem, So. Carolina, where the chariot of Jesus resides today. But after the slaughter of Ezekiel 9, it will move eastward again across the Atlantic Ocean to Jerusalem, where its future Headquarters will be set up in the Holy Land. Chariot Moves Eastward Again After Ezek. 9 Slaughter "Following the completion of the 'slaughter {Ezekiel 9},'... 'the cherubims {Jesus' invisible traveling chariot}'... 'lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight,' says the prophet. Ezek. 10:19."--1 Tract, pg. 39:2 (9) (bold emphasis, braces added). Therefore, it will be shortly after the completion of the slaughter of Ezekiel 9 that Jesus' invisible traveling chariot will lift up its wings and return to Heaven. But he will, however, come back again to set up the kingdom of God, wherein He will not only stand invisibly on Mt. Zion with the 144,000 saints (Rev. 14:1), but He will also sit on the throne of David (Isa. 9:7) when the reign of David has begun. Invisible Chariot Returns To Dwell At Mt. Zion Zechariah also prophesied that Jesus was again to return to earth when he said of Him: "Lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee" (Zech. 2:10). And the Rod confirmed this fact when it said: "He comes to 'dwell' with them" (8 Tr. 47:1-->94; 1 T.G. 12:25:2-->199) invisibly in the kingdom. This proves that before the final "link" is completed to unite the earth with heaven, one more Headquarters must be set up in the Promised Land where Jesus' invisible chariot will reside until the finishing of the gospel work in all the world. Completion Of Final Link At Future Headquarters "Obviously we are right at the dawn of a new day, the day in which the gospel work is to triumph in victory and to reap an abundant harvest of converts. Virtually whole nations are to join 'the mountain of the Lord' {kingdom where Jesus dwells invisibly} during the Judgment day, the day in which the law goes 'forth of Zion, and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem,' from the future headquarters {4th one} of the gospel."--1 Timely Greetings, No. 25, pg. 6:1-->229 (bold emphasis, braces added). A Visible Cloudy Chariot Takes The Saints To Heaven It will be after the gospel of the Kingdom has been preached to all the world from God's "future headquarters" at Mt. Zion, that the earth will finally be linked to Heaven, and Jesus' invisible chariot will again return to Heaven, wherein the final probation will close for all humanity. It will be at this time that Jesus, who is ministering as our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary for the Judgment of the Living will say, "It is done" (E.W. pg. 279:2); after which the seven last plagues will fall on Babylon (Rev. 18:4, 8). Then Jesus, the King of kings, will visibly come again (1 Thess. 4:16, 17) for His saints on a "cloudy chariot" (E.W. pgs. 287, 288), which "being dedicated to the saints, and filled to the capacity, take off for the portals of glory" (1 Tr. pg. 40:3-->9); and all the redeemed will dwell with Him for 1,000 years. INTERESTING FACT NO. 2 "...He brought me again unto the door of the house {church}; and behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house {church--1 Tr. 17:21} eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar."--Ezekiel 47:1 (bold emphasis, braces added). "As the waters came from the south side of the altar, and then went toward the east, it shows clearly that they proceed 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)."--2 Shepherd's Rod, pg. 292:0-->804 (bold emphasis added). "Christ referred to 'water' as a symbol of everlasting life. The meaning of the symbol of drinking the water with barley cakes is that souls were to be saved by each new truth (the Spirit of life).."--1 Shepherd's Rod, pg. 123:0-->700. Similarities Of "North" And "Threshold Of The House" Ezekiel first prophesied that Jesus would come to earth (chap. 1) with a message (chap. 2-4) to purify His church for His kingdom (chap. 9), and concluded (chap. 48) with it being set up, because He "The Lord is there" (Ezek. 48:35; 2 Ans. 83, 84). This correlates his first chapters with his last chapters. Note the similarities between Ezekiel's two prophecies: (1) Ezekiel 1 to 9; and (2) Ezekiel 47. Chariot From The North (1) In Ezekiel 1:4 he saw the Lord Jesus coming with a message of truth, the Loud Cry (1 Tr. 37:0-->9), upon His invisible traveling chariot from the north. God At Threshold Of House (1) In Ezekiel 9:3 he saw that the "glory of God" was "gone up from the cherub" (His traveling throne) to the "threshold of the house" (1 Tr. 17:3-->7)--the Seventh-day Adventist church of God. Double Application Of The Symbolic Waters (1) The waters of "new truth" (1 S.R. 123:0-->700) flow eastward from under the "threshold of the house" (S.D.A. church). Ezekiel's Stream Moves Eastward Three Times "The stream from the fountain where it first starts to the east gate, represents the 144,000,..." (2 S.R. 298:0-->805). It is important to note that though "water" symbolically represents "people," we must not overlook the fact that it also represents the "truth." And in view of the fact that the people must be guided by the truth, then they are to follow the truth as it leads the way. It was for this reason that Ezekiel saw the waters of truth flowing eastward, and that it came at the south side of the "altar." Stream (144,000) Flows Eastward From "Altar" "Behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east,...at the south side of the altar."--Ezekiel 47:1 (bold emphasis added). "It will be noticed that Ezekiel first saw the waters {truth} by the side of the altar,..."--2 Shepherd's Rod, pg. 292:2-->804. (bold emphasis, braces added). "Altar" Signifies Reformation--reorganization "An altar denotes renewal of faith, reformation. That is what it meant to...Abraham..."--15 Tract, pg. 53:1-->158 (bold emphasis added). "Altar" Signifies Reformation--"the
Leviticus" "He makes clear that such a movement means 'a reorganization, a change in ideas and theories, habits and practices'."--1 Answerer, pg. 37:1-->433 (bold emphasis added). Reorganization = Leviticus "Also 'obtain...reformation,' our organizational publication, The Leviticus of The Davidian Seventh-day Adventists."--1 Answerer, pg. 38:2-->433 (bold emphasis added). "Altar" Signifies Reformation--a Laymen's
Movement "Here is brought to view a laymens' movement {D.S.D.A.} of both men and women who are to arise and proclaim the message of reformation to the church."--4 Tract, pg. 57:2-->46. (bold emphasis, braces added). Laymen's Movement Is To Finish The Gospel "Every member, therefore, is to be a {D.S.D.A.} missionary in one capacity or another. This indeed is the laymen's movement that shall finish the gospel work."--1 Timely Greetings, No. 8, pg. 25:4-->187. (bold emphasis, braces added). From Altar New Truth And People Flow Eastward The word "altar" (Ezek. 47:1) signifies a message of reformation (new truth), which is to flow as "waters" from under the "threshold of the house" (S.D.A. church). The fact that it flows from that church must mean that there will be S.D.A. (waters) who will accept that message and be reorganized as Davidian Seventh-day Adventists; wherein they will no longer be governed by "The General Conference" of S.D.A., but by the "laymen's movement" of the "Executive Council" of Davidian S.D.A., according to their organizational publication--"The Leviticus". However, since the S.D.A. church as a whole will reject the reformation in The Shepherd's Rod message, then only a few of them will become Davidian S.D.A. Therefore, they will be the "waters" (people) who will follow the "waters" (truth) as it flows eastward from the south side of the "altar." Waters (New Truth) Originated In California "This direction of the compass {east} denotes that the {Shepherd's Rod} message of the 'loud cry' {2 S.R. 230:3, 231:0--789} is to start eastward when it is first revealed {in Los Angeles, California}....naturally the message must start toward the east. This symbolical prophecy reveals that the message of the 'loud cry' is to originate in California."--2 Shepherd's Rod, pg. 297:0-->805 (bold emphasis, braces added). The "waters" of the stream represents both the "new truth" of the Loud Cry, and the "people" (144,000); and that it was to flow eastward after it was "first revealed" in California. This, clearly indicates that when Jesus arrived on the earth in Los Angeles, California in 1929 on His invisible traveling chariot, He gave the "Loud Cry" message, now in its "fainter cry" (1 Ans. 83:1--439), to antitypical Ezekiel (Brother Houteff) who set up God's first Headquarters in California; after which it was to move eastward. Waters (People) Follow Eastward To 2nd Headquarters It was later in the year 1935 that Jesus, "the truth," (John 14:6) moved eastward on His invisible traveling throne (symbolized as the waters of new truth flowing eastward); and antitypical Ezekiel (Brother V.T. Houteff and those with him at God's first Headquarters (also symbolized as waters of people flowing eastward), being Divinely directed (according to his study of "THE RIVER OF EZEKIEL'S VISION") followed Him to Waco, Texas, where he set up God's second Headquarters and named it Mt. Carmel Center. It was that same year that he wrote about this predicted move in his publication entitled The Symbolic Code: "It has been evident for some time that it would soon be necessary to seek a more central location for the office in order to serve the whole field efficiently, so those at headquarters {the Davidians at God's first Headquarters in Los Angeles, California} have been praying earnestly over this matter for many months, and as they kept praying for light, the Lord finally indicated that beautiful Southern California was no longer to remain the center of His work for the 'lost sheep of the house of Israel,' but an eastward course was to be seen in the stream from that 'fountain' which is to swell into the great river of Ezekiel's prophecy, and plans were soon formulated whereby a thorough search could be made in the territory indicated by the Lord where the future {second} Headquarters were to be found."--1 Symbolic Code, No. 10, pg. 3:1, 1935 (bold emphasis, braces added). Jesus, of course, remained at Mt. Carmel Center on His invisible traveling chariot until Bro. Houteff's death in 1955 and the "knockout blow" (W.H.R. 33:2--532) in 1959, wherein the assets of His second Headquarters was liquidated. It was not too long afterwards that many of the faithful Davidians gathered at Los Angeles, California for a session in 1961 to re-establish His third Headquarters; wherein it was officially set up in Riverside, California. Waters Moved Eastward To Jesus' Third Headquarters It was later in the year 1969 that these Davidians in California (the west) realized that the study of Ezekiel's River (2 S.R. 290-298--804, 805) proved irrefutably that God's Headquarters should be in the east. In 1970 they followed Jesus' invisible chariot eastward to relocate His third Headquarters at Salem, So. Carolina, where the invisible chariot still resides to this day, and where the "fainter cry" (1 Ans. 83:1--439) of the Loud Cry message is being proclaimed to S.D.A. Waters To Move Eastward To Fourth Headquarters But the day will come, after the spiritual pasture "Carmel" has withered (more details about this subject in "Interesting Fact No. 3"), that the invisible chariot of Jesus will again move eastward to Mt. Zion to the location of His fourth Headquarters, while the waters (representing people--the 144,000) follow Him there; wherein they will stand on Mt. Zion with Jesus the "Lamb." This fourth Headquarters is referred to as God's "future Headquarters;" and from there the message of the "Loud Cry" will be proclaimed (not with a faint cry but) with a loud voice to bring in a "great multitude" of people, represented as the flowing "river." Learn More About The Stream Moving Eastward Those desiring to learn more about the stream moving eastward from L.A., California to Salem, So. Carolina, write to the address on the copyright page, and ask for this article: "GOD'S HEADQUARTERS--WHY SALEM (As Seen From Ezekiel's River)." INTERESTING FACT NO. 3 Though the truth of The Shepherd's Rod message is located in many Bible texts, there is one particular text upon which the entire message is established, and which says to every Seventh-day Adventist and Davidian: "Hear ye the Rod" (Mic. 6:9). Besides this text, the Bible also mentions another important text in conjunction with this one about the "Rod," which says: "Feed thy people with thy rod, the flock of thine heritage, which dwell solitarily in the wood, in the midst of Carmel: let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old." (Mic. 7:14). Note the inspired comments which The Shepherd's Rod message says about this verse: "Feed thy people with thy rod: The verb 'feed' is to be understood as spiritual food and that food (truth) is found in the 'Rod,' therefore, we again have the command to give out the book ('Feed thy {God's} people'). Carmel, Bashan, and Gilead are used as symbols of good spiritual pasture."--1 Shepherd's Rod, pg. 243:2-->731. In 1929 Jesus came to the earth on His invisible traveling chariot to give to His prophet V.T. Houteff (antitypical Ezekiel) the message of the "Loud Cry." That message originated in the west (Los Angeles, California), being the same as the sealing angel (message) who arrived there from the east (1 S.R. 32:1--677; 1 S.R. tr. 10:2--510). In Micah 6:9 He identified that message to Ezekiel as the "Rod," wherein he named it The Shepherd's Rod message, and commanded him to "feed" this Rod to His "flock" in three different spiritual pastures, the first of which is "Carmel." It was in that very same year (1929) that three things came into existence for the first time. Three Things Began In California For The First Time (1) The first thing which began in 1929 was God's Headquarters being set up in Los Angeles, California where the Lord's invisible traveling chariot first resided. It was at this time that antitypical Ezekiel (Brother V.T. Houteff) was given the message of the "Loud Cry" for the S.D.A. church. (2) The second thing which began in 1930 was the first printing of that message entitled, The Shepherd's Rod, Volume 1, which was published in Los Angeles, California. (3) And the third thing was the beginning of the spiritual pasture "Carmel" in Los Angeles, California, which represents a period of probationary time for Seventh-day Adventists (more about this later) to "feed" upon the Shepherd's Rod message. It is important to note the difference between these three things and the reason why they must be kept separate. The first thing was the setting up of the literal Headquarters; and the second thing was the literal publication of The Shepherd's Rod message. But the third thing was the spiritual pasture "Carmel," which is not literal! It is intangible to the touch, and imperceptible to the eye! And that is the reason why it does not symbolize a visible Headquarters (Mt. Carmel Center), but an invisible period of probationary time for all S.D.A. to "feed" on the "Rod;" because this is what the Rod says in The Symbolic Code (as quoted on the next page) according to Amos 1:2, which clearly indicates that the spiritual Carmel pasture shall "wither" when probation closes. God's Kingdom Set Up While Spiritual Carmel Withers "The Lord will roar from Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem. and the inhabitations of the shepherds shall mourn, and the top of {spiritual} Carmel shall wither {at the time probation closes for the S.D.A. church}."--Amos 1:2 (bold emphasis, braces added). "With a few comments on the above scripture, any Bible student will recognize at a glance that it applies at the time of the end, as explained by the gospel prophet: 'And it shall come to pass in the last days {at the time probation closes for S.D.A. church}, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills...for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.' (Isaiah 2:2, 3), which the language of Amos is, 'Utter his voice from Jerusalem.'"--11 Symbolic Code, No. 12:30, 31-->600 (bold emphasis, braces added). A Vain Attempt To Refute Time When Carmel Withers Some Davidians teach the error that the spiritual Carmel pasture was a literal place (Mt. Carmel Center); which they say has withered (no longer exists), and that we are living in the time of the Bashan pasture; because they rejected the Truth that the spiritual Carmel represents a period of probationary time for the S.D.A. church as the Rod has stated in The Symbolic Code (which is quoted on the next page). It is for this reason that they deny this Truth by teaching that Bro. Houteff didn't know about the kingdom when he interpreted Amos 1:2; so, they say, he could not have meant that the Carmel pasture was spiritual and would "wither" at that time. Their teaching, however, is wrong, because this belief is a vain attempt to make the Lord Jesus a liar (Num. 23:19; Rom. 3:4), and Bro. Houteff a false prophet! Long before Jesus came to the earth in 1929 on His invisible traveling chariot, He inspired both of His prophets Isaiah and Amos to state that a kingdom will be set up in the latter days at the time Carmel "withers." And then after He came to earth on His chariot, He brought a message of the Loud Cry to gather in a great multitude to that kingdom which these two prophets wrote about. So it doesn't matter whether Bro. Houteff knew about the kingdom or not when he wrote that statement! What matters is that Jesus knew, and that He inspired him to write what He had already inspired Isaiah and Amos to write; which is exactly what all true Davidians must believe--that the "Carmel" in Micah 7:14 is not a literal place (Mt. Carmel Center), but a spiritual pasture of probationary time for S.D.A. to get the seal. It will "wither" when their allotted time has ended, at the time God's kingdom is set up in Mt. Zion. And it is for this reason that they "shall mourn." Laity Mourns When Carmel Withers (Probation Closes) "As Amos says, 'The habitations of the shepherds shall mourn,' it is obvious that Amos' prophecy is yet future, for the word 'habitations' (places) is in the plural form which cannot be applied to one shepherd's habitation (denomination) {the Seventh-day Adventist church} but to all that be in existence at that time. The term 'shepherds' means, as understood, the same as 'the ancient men which were before the house'--the ministers {of the S.D.A. church}.'Testimonies for the Church,' Vol. 5, pg. 211. Note that the shepherds are not themselves to mourn but their 'habitations' (their houses); that is, the membership of their churches, which fact reveals that it will be thus at the time when the sleeping multitudes {2 Test, 337:2} in the {S.D.A.} churches awake from their spiritual insensibility and find that the shepherds whom they have implicitly trusted for their salvation had deceived all those who followed them."--11 Symbolic Code No. 12, pgs. 30, 31-->600 (bold emphasis, braces added). Close Of Probation For S.d.a. Church, Not The World The Rod says: "It will be noticed that the close of probation for the church and the one for the world are two different events." (2 S.R. 186:1--779). The prophecies of Amos 1:2 and Micah 7:14 prove this fact: (1) Since Jesus sets up His kingdom in Zion at the time Carmel "withers" (Amos 1:2), then we must conclude that the withering means the close of probation for the Seventh-day Adventist church just before the slaughter of Ezekiel 9; because it is after the Loud Cry message has brought the great multitude into the kingdom that the final close of probation for the world it to take place. (2) According to Micah 7:14, the Rod says there are three spiritual pastures, the first of which is "Carmel." This proves that the final close of probation can not take place when Carmel "withers," because no one could "feed" on the Rod" message in the Bashan or Gilead pastures and be saved, for the "harvest is past"! Probation Closes--S.D.A. Cry Out "Harvest Is Past" "The prophet Jeremiah in the following words explains that this wailing by those {in the Seventh-day Adventist church} who are thus deceived will be at the close of probation {when Carmel withers}. For they shall say 'the harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.' (Jer. 8:20)."--11 Symbolic Code, No. 12, pgs. 31, 32-->600 (bold emphasis, braces added). Even though The Shepherd's Rod message does place the event of the laymembers who are crying out, "the harvest is past...and we are not saved" (Jer. 8:20), to the wicked in Babylon at the time of the final close of probation for the world (9 Tr. 70, 71--111; 12 Tr. 35:0--127); it also places that event of the mourning laity who are crying out when probation closes for the S.D.A church; and so does the Spirit of Prophecy. These facts prove that the Rod's comments in the statement above regarding the time when Carmel shall "wither" in Amos 1:2, must refer solely to the time when probation is closing for the S.D.A. church, as is clearly evident in the following quotations: "Then is the harvest of the first-fruits past, the fruits garnered in, and the tares shut out unto destruction, there in agony to wail and to gnash their teeth: 'The harvest is past,...and we are not saved' Jer. 8:20."--White House Recruiter, pg. 38:0-->111 (1 T.G. 17:7:2--212) (bold emphasis added). "But there are many, many in our {SDA} churches who know little of the real meaning of the truth for this time....Oh, how many who have not sought their souls' salvation will soon make the bitter lamentation: 'The harvest is past, the summer ended, and we are not saved'!"--8 Testimonies, pg. 252:3 (bold emphasis, braces added). When the "harvest of the first-fruits" (the 144,000) ends, and probation for the S.D.A. church closes, then the laity will not only cry out, "the harvest is past" (Jer. 8:20), but they will also "mourn." Spiritual Carmel Has Green Pasture--present Truth "That is, after the harvest, the time in which they could have been saved, they will realize that probationary time has closed. Then 'the habitations {Seventh-day Adventist laity} of the shepherds shall mourn, and the top of Carmel shall wither.' Hence, before that time the top of Carmel must have been green with much pasture, otherwise there would be nothing to wither; that is, though Carmel has now plenty of pasture (present truth), when probation closes it shall be deserted ('wither')."--11 Symbolic Code, No. 12, pg. 32:0-->600 (bold emphasis, braces added). Now since the Seventh-day Adventist church was given a period of probationary time to "feed" (Mic. 7:14) upon the "Rod" during the spiritual Carmel pasture, and since The Shepherd's Rod book, Volume 1 was printed in 1930 for them to "feed" upon, then this proves irrefutably that Carmel's time of probation must have begun in 1929, at the same time God's first Headquarters was set up in California! Therefore, it is obvious that three things came into existence all at the same time in California: (1) God's first Headquarters was set up; (2) The Shepherd's Rod book, Vol 1 was printed; and (3) The beginning of Carmel's period of probationary time for S.D.A. (12 S.C. 12:32). But note, however, that when the Headquarters was moved, it did not "wither" the "Carmel" pasture! Probation Not Closed When Headquarters Was Moved According to historical facts, it was after Bro. Houteff had writtenThe Shepherd's Rod book (Vol. 2) in 1932, that Jesus indicated to him in this book by the study entitled "THE RIVER OF EZEKIEL'S VISION" (2 S.R. 290-298), that He was moving "eastward" on His invisible traveling chariot; wherein he was to close God's first Headquarters in California, follow the chariot to Waco, Texas, and set up God's second Headquarters in 1935 (1 T.G. 13:2:3--201), which he named Mt. Carmel Center. Note, however, that the literal Mt. Carmel Center is not the same as the spiritual "Carmel" pasture of probationary time, according to the following two facts: (1) The spiritual "Carmel" pasture of probationary time for the Seventh-day Adventist church began in California in 1929, which was six years before the literal Mt. Carmel Center began in 1935. (2) The spiritual "Carmel" pasture which began in California, continued to exist after the first Headquarters was dissolved and during the time of the second Headquarters in Texas, which was named Mt. Carmel Center, not Mt. Bashan Center; because it had not withered; and it still existed after Mt. Carmel Center Headquarters was dissolved. Therefore, since the spiritual "Carmel" pasture of probationary time and the literal Mt. Carmel Center Headquarters are not the same, then Micah's prophecy (Mic. 7:14) of this "Carmel" would note this irrefutable fact. Mt. Carmel Center Situated Solitarily In The Woods "Feed thy people with thy rod, the flock of thine heritage, which dwell solitarily in the wood {at Mt. Carmel Center}, in the midst {middle} of {the spiritual} Carmel {pasture of probationary time}: let them feed in Bashan and Gilead {in the time of God's kingdom after Carmel has withered}, as in the days of old."--Micah 7:14 (bold emphasis, braces added). "Mt. Carmel Training Center was established in 1935, and is located six miles northwest of Waco, Texas. Its 375 acres a sylvan sanctuary, and its western and northern prominences commanding unexcelled views of beautiful Lake Waco some three hundred feet below, and the picturesque vistas beyond, it is happy indeed for situation solitarily in the woods."--Mt. Carmel Training Center, pg. 5:1-->571 (bold emphasis added). According to the above Rod quotation, the "people" in Micah 7:14 who are not only to "feed" on the message of the "Rod," but who were also to dwell "solitarily in the woods," are clearly identified as those Davidian Seventh-day Adventists who lived at Mt. Carmel Center in Waco, Texas. Mt. Carmel Center Existed In Midst Of Carmel Pasture It was there at Mt. Carmel Center that the invisible traveling chariot of the Lord Jesus resided, which was His second Headquarters "in the midst {middle} of Carmel"--a period of probationary time. This fact proves, then, that while the Davidians were living in the time of this spiritual "Carmel" pasture, they were also dwelling "solitarily in the wood" at God's second Headquarters--Mt. Carmel Center. Thus, the spiritual Carmel is symbolic, and the Headquarters of Mt. Carmel Center) is literal; because the spiritual Carmel began in California at the time of God's first Headquarters, before there ever was a Mt. Carmel Center--God's second Headquarters. Therefore, in view of the fact that the second Headquarters (Mt. Carmel Center) was situated "in the midst of Carmel" (a spiritual pasture), and that the word "midst" means middle (as Jesus Christ was "cut off in the midst {the middle} of the week" (3 Tr. 40, 41--27), then we must conclude that Mt. Carmel Center was not God's last Headquarters in the "Carmel" pasture. This not only proves that this spiritual "Carmel" pasture must have three phases in order to have a middle--(1) a beginning; (2) a middle; and (3) an end, but it also proves that Jesus must have a third Headquarters (end) after Mt. Carmel Center (the middle) was dissolved; because Carmel's period of probationary time did not wither when the second Headquarters at Mt. Carmel Center was dissolved. And since the spiritual pasture "Carmel" of probationary time has not withered even up to this very day (1991), it proves this fact irrefutably. Third Headquarters In Carmel's Time Of Probation Therefore, it is during the probationary time of the spiritual Carmel pasture that: (1) God's first Headquarters was set up in 1929 in Los Angeles, California and dissolved in 1935 (but not withered); (2) His second Headquarters was set up at Mt. Carmel Center in Waco, Texas in 1935 and dissolved in 1961 (but not withered); and (3) His third Headquarters was set up in Riverside, California in 1961 and later relocated at Salem, So. Carolina in 1970. All Davidians, of course, in one way or another believe that Micah 7:14 proves God must have three Headquarters, because the faithful Davidians not only understand that His true Headquarters is at Salem, So. Carolina, but they also understand that God is not the "author of confusion" (1 Cor. 14:33). So they know that He would not confuse Davidians by authorizing more than one Davidian Association at a time. This fact proves that those Davidians who rebelled against Salem and broke away, are vainly trusting in the false belief that their association is this third headquarters; while there are others who trust vainly in the error that their Bashan or their Gilead association must be this third headquarters. First Davidian To Desert The Rod Message During the time of each of God's Headquarters there were Davidians who apostatized and left the message. The first time this took place while the first Headquarters was in Los Angeles, California, it was considered such a remarkable event, that it was recorded in the 1941 edition of Tract No. 13: "1933--First believer to desert message." (13 Tr. 44:8--140). Later, after the second Headquarters was set up at Mt. Carmel Center in Waco, Texas, there were several other significant events of apostasy by unfaithful Davidians. Davidians Who Apostatized After Elijah Died After Bro. Houteff died in 1955, there were some Davidians who apostatized and broke away from Mt. Carmel Center to follow another so-called Elijah who claimed that he would not die; but he died anyway. He set up the Branch association, and led his followers to keep the feast laws, even though the Rod message had said we are not to keep them (see "Interesting Fact No. 7"). Davidians Who Apostatized After "Knockout Blow" Later, after the "professed friends of the gospel" had brought about the "knockout blow" in 1959, which resulted in the dissolving of Mt. Carmel Center and its assets (see "Interesting Fact No. 5"), there were other unfaithful Davidians who (rather than trust in what the Rod message teaches), continued to trust in Sister Houteff and her Executive Council. They all apostatized together and gave up the Rod, the Spirit of Prophecy, as well as the Sabbath. Davidians Who Apostatized After 1961 Session Then after the Davidians came together at the 1961 Session to re-establish God's third Headquarters in Riverside, California, one Davidian broke away shortly thereafter. He claimed that his office as editor was not respected by the newly elected Council, because they refused to print his article about his Bashan teachings, and he broke away and printed his article. It was later, after he lost some followers because he claimed he was a prophet (the porter), he started the Bashan movement and moved to Exeter, Missouri, where he set up his Bashan Hill headquarters. Davidians Who Apostatized After 1972 Session Later, after God's Headquarters in Riverside, California was relocated in Salem, So. Carolina in 1970, there were some California Davidians in 1972 who deserted a part of the message (1 S.R. 160:2--710) by their refusal to accept the fact that Ezekiel's stream was to flow "eastward;" and they broke away from Salem to establish their own headquarters in California--the west. Then later there were other unfaithful Davidians who also broke away from Salem to join with the Gilead movement up in Canada. Davidians Who Apostatized And Moved To New York Besides this, there were some Jamaicans who deserted the message in part (1 S.R. 160:2--710) by refusing to believe that there will be living saints who are to go "with" the 144,000 (see "Interesting Fact No. 13"); they broke away from Salem to establish their own headquarters in New York. Now today in 1991 there are some Davidians who have broken away from the Jamaicans in New York, because they want to buy the property and buildings of old Mt. Carmel Center in Waco, Texas to set up another headquarters there, because they cannot be taught by God to believe that Jesus' invisible traveling chariot has moved eastward from old Mt. Carmel Center in Waco, Texas to the Mt. Carmel Center in Salem, So. Carolina. True Davidians Today Stand With Third Headquarters But in spite of the unfaithful Davidians who deserted the message in part or altogether, there were true and faithful Davidians who not only stood firm with God's first Headquarters in California; but they also continued to stand firm with His second Headquarters in Texas. And now they stand firm with His third Headquarters in Salem, So. Carolina, where the Lord's invisible traveling chariot still resides to this very day. All of this proves that we are still living in the period of Carmel's spiritual pasture of probationary time for S.D.A., because it has not yet withered. Therefore, we cannot be living in the period of the Bashan or Gilead pastures, because these are spiritual pastures to feed upon the Rod after Carmel "withers" when the kingdom has been established. More About Carmel, Bashan, And Gilead Pastures All those Davidians who desire to learn more about Bashan and Gilead, and when the probationary time of the spiritual Carmel pasture really withers, write to the address on the copyright page, and ask for the article "GOD'S HEADQUARTERS--WHY SALEM." INTERESTING FACT NO. 4 "Awake, O sword, against My shepherd, and against the man that is My fellow, saith the Lord of hosts: smite the shepherd {V.T. Houteff}, and the {Davidian} sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn Mine hand upon the little ones {the humble and teachable saints}."--Zechariah 13:7 (bold emphasis, braces added). "I have no special comments to make on {Zech. 13} verses 6 and 7, other than what is commonly understood among Christians. It is plain to see, though, that after the Lord's shepherd {V.T.H.} is smitten, then it is that the Lord will separate His people."--1 Timely Greetings, No. 18, pg. 17:5-->213 (bold emphasis, braces added). Note that in the above bolded sentence Bro. Houteff predicted two future events: (1) He was to die, because he said, "the Lord's shepherd is smitten;" and (2) Sometime "after" his death (1955), "the Lord will separate His people." It is evident, however, that these two predictions were ignored by most of the Davidians; and it may have been because they did not want to believe he would die. This mistake led them to misunderstand his statements in his later tract entitled, "1950 GENERAL CONFERENCE SPECIAL." Elijah--the Last Prophet To The S.D.A. Church Today "...the promised Elijah {V.T. Houteff} is to be the last prophet to the church today,..."--1950 General Conference special, pg. 23:3-->523 (bold emphasis, braces added). When this tract was published by Bro. Houteff in 1950, it positively identified him as that Elijah; and some Davidians at Mt. Carmel Center said he would not die, because he wrote in this tract that Elijah was the last prophet. But there were others who were not so sure, obviously because they knew about his earlier 1947 statement (quoted above) regarding Zechariah 13:7: "smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered." This created a dilemma in the minds of some Davidians, which started a debate among them about Elijah concerning this question: "To Die Or Not To Die." The writer of this book was there at that time and he tells what he knew about what had happened in the following testimony: Personal Testimony Of A Witness At Mt. Carmel Center "When I (Don Adair) lived at Mt. Carmel Center while Bro. Houteff was still alive, I worked there and attended the Bible classes to learn the Rod message and become a Davidian Bible teacher and minister. One day I was told about a disagreement between some of the brethren who lived there, as to whether or not he was to die. This surprised me, because it was a new thought which I had never considered, and which I questioned in my mind ("Was Elijah the last prophet to die?"). Since I was not at the debate when it took place between the brethren, and had not heard their arguments, nor was I as familiar with the Rod message as they were, I did not know the Rod statements which created the debate. "Today, of course, being quite familiar with the two aforequoted statements, it is obvious to me now that some Davidians at Mt. Carmel Center believed that he was to die because of his 1947 comments about the shepherd being smitten; while many of the others believed that as ancient Elijah never died, so Bro. Houteff could not die, because of his 1950 statement where he said he was Elijah the last prophet. "However this was not all that I had heard about the debate. I was also told that some of them went to Bro. Houteff and asked him to settle their disagreement by telling them whether he was to die or not to die; wherein he handed them a Bible and said, 'Take this Bible and show me where I cannot die.' One Davidian brother (a minister) accepted this challenge, and on Sabbath he gave a sermon from the pulpit in the Mt. Carmel chapel. Of course, I was there at that meeting, and heard the Bible texts, as well as the Spirit of Prophecy and Rod references, which this minister quoted as his proof that Bro. Houteff could not die. He also proved conclusively that Bro. Houteff was that predicted prophet who came 'in the spirit and power of Elijah' (T.M. pg. 475); and his comments were centered around the fact that ancient Elijah did not die, wherein he concluded that Bro. Houteff could not die. "Apparently he overlooked (perhaps inadvertently) two very important statements by Bro. Houteff who said: (1) The shepherd was to be smitten, which proved he was to die; and (2) As John the baptist came in the spirit of Elijah, so he came 'in the same spirit' (see more details in 'Interesting Facts No. 8'); which also proved that he was to die, because John died! "His sermon apparently led many Davidians at Mt. Carmel Center to believe that he was not to die, because I heard very little about the debate after that. The debate, of course, should have been settled in the minds of all the Davidians when Bro. Houteff finally died in 1955. Instead, some said that if he was Elijah he would not have died; and since they did not search diligently for further truth to find out why he died, they apostatized and left the message. Thus the shepherd was smitten, which began the time for the sheep to be scattered."--End of statement by Don Adair. V.T. Houteff's Wife Comments About His Death It was the next month after his death in March, 1955 that his wife (Florence Houteff) published in The Symbolic Code, Vol. 10, No. 5, pages 3 and 4 his 1947 statement: "It is plain to see, though, that after the Lord's shepherd is smitten, then it is that the Lord will separate His people;" after which she added her own words (in the following two paragraphs) to show that by his death he was the "shepherd" that was "smitten." "All we stand on is a 'thus saith the Lord,' and if the death of Bro. Houteff fulfills this prophecy, then certainly he was the Lord's shepherd, and there can be no doubt that the next event, as prophesied in this chapter, is that the sheep will be scattered, and the Lord Himself will turn His 'hand upon the little {humble} ones.' In this case which will you be: a scattered sheep or a little one? "Following this comes the separation. Are we now more concerned with the shepherd's {V.T. Houteff} being smitten {in 1955} than how we shall fare in the event far more important to us--the separation?"--10 Symbolic Code, No. 5, pg. 4 (bold emphasis, braces added). Sheep Not Scattered If They Follow The Last Message It has always been the truth in the message of The Shepherd's Rod by which Jesus gathered the Davidian "sheep" (the "little ones"); therefore, the death of the "shepherd," the last prophet Elijah (V.T. Houteff), could not be the reason why the "sheep shall be scattered," because they still have that last message today which would hold them together! "The promised Elijah is to be the last prophet to the church today,...and...Elijah's message is the message of the Judgment of the Living, the last,..."--General Conference Special, pgs. 23, 24-->523 (bold emphasis added). The irrefutable fact that this last message of God has always gathered the sheep, rather than scatter them, proves conclusively that as long as the Davidian sheep hold to that last message, then they cannot be scattered. It is obvious, then, that the reason why some were scattered after the death of Bro. Houteff was not because he died, but specifically because some of the Davidian sheep ceased to follow that last message; and instead followed false prophets (usurpers), as well as the office seekers, who began to arise soon after the death of Elijah, the last prophet! The Usurpers (False Prophets) Scatter The Sheep "All these taking place at this particular time, and the prophecies now unfolded, prove that antitypical Zerubbabel {V.T. Houteff} must now be here {the day he spoke these words on Nov. 9, 1946}, and that as he has started the work, he also must finish it. The fact that Inspiration takes the pains to tell us who is to finish the work {V.T. Houteff} in itself is proof that there must be active usurpers {false prophets} of his office as there were of Moses' office."--1 Timely Greetings 14:21, 22-->204. (bold emphasis, braces added). The fact that several Davidian "usurpers" (false prophets) have arisen since the "shepherd" (V.T. Houteff) was "smitten" (died Feb. 5, 1955), proves that his divine prediction concerning Zechariah 13:7 did come to pass; wherein some of the unfaithful "sheep" (Davidians) were "scattered" because they ceased to "hear ye the Rod" and instead followed the usurpers. But not all! God Turns His Hand Upon "Little Ones" To Gather Them Not all of the Davidian sheep will always be scattered as they are today, because Jesus says in Zechariah 13:7 (see "Interesting Facts No. 12" pg. 65, 66) that He will turn his hand upon the "little ones"--those faithful Davidians who are humble and teachable like little children (P.K. 132:2; D.A. 327:2). They believe all that the Rod message teaches; therefore, they can be taught where Jesus' invisible chariot resides at His third Headquarters in Salem, So. Carolina; and one day they will be gathered into His true Association. Learn More About The Shepherd Being Smitten Those Davidians who desire to learn more about the shepherd being smitten, write to the address on the copyright page and ask for this article, "Exposing Usurpers No. 5" and read pages 1 to 9. INTERESTING FACT NO. 5 In 1947 Bro. Houteff gave a sermon in the Mt. Carmel chapel, and told the Davidians they would be scattered after he quoted Zechariah 13:7, "smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered," and said: "It is plain to see, though, that after the Lord's shepherd is smitten, then it is that the Lord will separate His people." Now since he was that "shepherd," then the scattering of the sheep began soon after he died ("smitten"); wherein some Davidians left the message, because they did not believe he would die. The scattering, however, was not to begin and end when he died, because he again warned the Davidians in his 1951 tract about "a knockout blow," which also would scatter the sheep. Elijah Told Davidians To Brace For A Knockout Blow "Unparalleled, therefore, is the urgency that every eleventh-hour church member now quickly and solidly brace himself against the Enemy's effort to deliver a knockout blow. We must be alert, too, to realize that the blow is to come from surprisingly unsuspected foes--from professed friends of the gospel, who are no less pious than were priests in Christ's day."--White House Recruiter, pg. 33:2-->532. (copyrighted 1951) (bold emphasis added). Since Bro. Houteff warned the Davidians in the 1951 White House Recruiter (four years before his death in 1955) to "brace" themselves for "a knockout blow," and since he would never have allowed any "professed friends of the gospel" to deliver such a "blow" while he was alive, then it is obvious that the "blow" had to come sometime after his death. He did not, however, tell the Davidians what to "brace" for, and who were the "professed friends" that was to bring the "knockout blow." Instead, he expected them to recognize the "professed friends" by their false teachings (compared to the Rod message), and then "brace" themselves for the "knockout blow." But the Davidians paid little attention to his warning in the tract (W.H.R. 33:2--532); obviously because they saw no reason to suspect that their own leaders were the "professed friends" at Mt. Carmel Center. And since they saw no danger, then no Davidian rose up and pointed at these "professed friends" at Mt. Carmel Center, and told the others to "brace" themselves while watching out for the "blow" to come by these "friends." "Knockout Blow" Identified The "Professed Friends" It was not until after the Davidians suffered the "knockout blow" in 1959-1960 at the hands of Florence Houteff (V.T. Houteff's wife) and her Council, that they finally recognized them as the "professed friends" who caused Mt. Carmel Center to be dissolved--the end result of the knockout blow. This event scattered the sheep again when more left the message, because they did not study (1 Ans. 75:1--438) to learn that the "blow" resulted, not by any errors of the Rod, but from two erroneous conclusions taught by their "professed friends;" the first of which was their misunderstanding of the meaning of Bro. Houteff's words on the night he died. Elijah's Last Study Was About The Forty-Two Months Just prior to Bro. Houteff's death, he was restudying the Bible about a prophetic period of 3 1/2 years (or 42 months or 1260 days); wherein he thought there could be an antitypical fulfillment of certain Bible texts besides that commonly understood as applying to the 1260 year period of the Dark Ages from 538 to 1798. But no one at Mt. Carmel Center knew when he thought the other fulfillment of this 3 1/2 year period was to begin, because he died before he could tell anyone. It was after his death that his wife revealed to the Davidians in her November 1955 "Symbolic Code" what he had been studying. "During the last months of his life, Bro. Houteff was engaged in studying Timely Greetings, Vol. 2, No. 15, preparatory to enlarging upon the subject matter therein for its reprint. At this time he expressed the definite conviction that the time prophecy of Revelation 11:2-12 and Daniel 12:6, 7 could have met their fulfillment only in type from 538 A.D. to 1798 A.D."--11 Symbolic Code, No. 1, pg. 3 (bold emphasis added). Before he died, however, his wife obviously expected him to receive from Jesus a Divinely inspired interpretation of another fulfillment of these verses and that he would surely tell her; but he became sick and was taken to the hospital in Waco. Of course, she was apprehensive about his sickness, because she did not know if he was going to die or not; so what could she do but anxiously anticipate his quick recovery, after which he would know the interpretation of the verses and explain them to her. The writer of this book (Don Adair) will explain in his own words what he was told about an event that took place on the night of Bro. Houteff's death. Elijah Said "Tomorrow You Will Have The Answer" "Several years after the death of Bro. Houteff, a Davidian Sister who I knew was the nurse at Mt. Carmel Center when I lived there, came to visit us at the Salem Headquarters. She said that she was still Mt. Carmel's nurse when Bro. Houteff was sick, and that she was at the hospital when his wife and others came to visit him on the night he died. She said that during the course of conversation with Bro. Houteff about the 3 1/2 year period, his wife asked him this question: 'Tell us Victor the answer.' "After the nurse said this, she paused to explain to us that because Bro. Houteff was feeling much better, the doctor had already told him that he was to be released from the hospital the next day. (This, of course, may have been the reason why he did not tell his wife the answer that night.) So when I asked the nurse what did Bro. Houteff tell his wife, she told us that he said to her: 'Tomorrow you will have the answer'! "Then the nurse told us that Sister Houteff and the others left the hospital that night feeling confident that 'tomorrow' Bro. Houteff would be alive to tell them 'the answer.' But, she said, later that night Sister Houteff received a phone call from the hospital telling her that her husband had just died! This is all I have to relate at this time about that event."--End of statement by Don Adair. After the nurse left that day, we realized that her testimony only confirmed what past history had already proven about the reason for the "knockout blow," which we knew was based upon the formation of an erroneous conclusion in the minds of the leaders at Mt. Carmel Center--the "professed friends of the gospel," who misunderstood and misapplied Bro. Houteff's words--"Tomorrow you will have the answer"! It was this erroneous conclusion that led the leaders to deliver "a knockout blow" to the un-suspecting Davidians who were not braced to receive the "blow." Misunderstanding Of What Was To Happen "Tomorrow" In order to help the reader understand what was the misapplication that led to an erroneous conclusion, which brought about the "knockout blow," the writer of this book (Don Adair) will relate what he was told, and also what he already knew about it. "After Bro. Houteff's death on February 5, 1955, the Executive Council at Mt. Carmel Center met together in a council meeting and made some changes in officers, which included the election of Bro. Oliver Hermanson (brother of Florence Houteff) as a new council member, and the election of Sister Florence Houteff as the new Vice-President (10 S.C. No. 3, pg. 21, 1955). At that time I was visiting my wife's parents in Logan, Utah. Later, in 1956 I moved back to Waco, Texas, and on Sabbaths I attended the services at Mt. Carmel Center with my family. One Sabbath day I was standing together with several other Davidians outside the Mt. Carmel chapel, listening to one of the new council members tell us about the event that took place on the night that Bro. Houteff died. He repeated to us his words--'Tomorrow you will have the answer;' and then told us what he had concluded from his words. "His explanation was basically just what Sister Houteff had written in the Symbolic Code--that her husband had 'expressed the definite conviction that the time prophecy in Revelation 11:2-12 and Daniel 12:6, 7 could have met their fulfillment only in type.' Then the council member told us what this meant to him. He said there must be another antitypical fulfillment, which must be connected with Bro. Houteff's promise to explain it to his wife the next day after he got home from the hospital when he said, 'Tomorrow you will have the answer.' But when someone asked him how that could be so, since he died before he gave 'the answer,' the council member said his death did not mean his promise to his wife was not kept, because if we believe what he said, then the next day (tomorrow) after he died was his answer--that another 3 1/2 year period was to begin. But he did not say when it was to begin. "His explanations didn't mean much to me at that time, since I couldn't prove him right or wrong. But today, as I look back on these historical events and reflect upon what he said regarding his conclusions, I wondered why I did not see how illogical it would be for him to expect us to believe that Bro. Houteff's words to his wife, 'Tomorrow you will have the answer,' meant that he knew he was going to die that night, so he expected her to believe that his silence the next day (as a dead man who could not speak), would be his 'answer' to her by unspoken words which she could not hear! "It seemed more logical to believe that even though he might have expected to be alive the next day, so he could tell her 'the answer' with words that she could hear; he still left his life in the hands of God to decide if he was to live to give 'the answer' tomorrow or not; as the apostle James said: 'Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow....for that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.' (Jam. 4:15). After this council member ended his explanation I went home and wondered afterwards if this belief was his only; but I later found out it was all the Executive Council's belief, because they began to teach this very same idea in The Symbolic Codes."--End of the statement by Don Adair. Misunderstanding Led To An Erroneous Conclusion It was obvious that Sister Houteff and her Council's misunderstanding of Bro. Houteff's words had led them to erroneously conclude that sometime after "tomorrow" would begin the fulfillment of another 3 1/2 year period, which they concluded was to begin sometime in 1956 and end in April of 1959. So they began to publish many articles in The Symbolic Code about this 3 1/2 year period. And during all that time the Davidians did not suspect that they were the "professed friends," who were teaching a doctrinal theory based upon their conclusions and misapplications, which would prove to be false; and would finally end in a "knockout blow." 3 1/2 Years Ended With A Call To The Solemn Assembly As the time neared for the expected events to take place at the fulfillment of the 3 1/2 year period, the Council warned the Davidians in their April, 1959 issue of The Symbolic Code, Volume 14, No. 8 to "Get Ready"! On the front cover it stated the following words: "BLOW THE TRUMPET IN ZION, Soon afterwards, they sent to all the Davidians another but very brief issue of The Symbolic Code, Vol. 14, No. 9, which consisted of only four pages. On the cover page they announced "THE CALL TO THE SOLEMN ASSEMBLY," and stated the time when the assembly was to begin on page two: "The call to come to the solemn assembly {at new Mt. Carmel} is now being made to all {Davidians} who have decided to take their stand fully on the Lord's side. Those who are coming should be located at Mt. Carmel or Waco by the sixteenth of April for a few days' necessary preliminary sessions preceding the solemn assembly."--14 Symbolic Code, pg. 9:2 (bold emphasis, braces added). And the Council was not disappointed. Many Davidians from all over the United States attended the solemn assembly to prepare for the events which they expected to take place--the slaughter and the Kingdom. Their solemn assembly was held in the new tabernacle which they had built especially for this event, and their ministers met there to "cry day and night" (Lk. 18:7) in prayer, asking God to work in their behalf and fulfill their expectations. But not one event happened as they expected! Finally, many Davidians became weary with their tearful prayers and they began to go back home and continue life as before. There they anxiously waited to see how their "professed friends of the gospel" at Mt. Carmel Center would explain in their next Symbolic Code why their solemn assembly in April of 1959 had ended in complete failure. Council Refused To Accept The Blame For The Failure Looking back on that past event, its obvious that the failure was caused by the Council's erroneous application of Bro. Houteff's words. But they did not want to admit this fact, so they deceived themselves into believing that he was to blame for the failure by his silent answer to his wife, which led them to believe that sometime after "tomorrow" there would begin another 3 1/2 year period (1956-1959). So they began to look for some excuse to show that it was not the Council at Mt. Carmel Center that caused the failure, but Elijah (V.T.H.)! And they found their excuse and published it in their September, 1960 issue of The Symbolic Code. On the front cover it stated: "AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT." Council's Announcement Of Committee's Findings The purpose of their "Important Announcement" was to report the findings of their committee who had searched the meaning of the word "church" throughout the Rod literature. Their objective was to prove that Davidians were to give "warning not only to the Seventh-day Adventists (Judah) but to the other Protestant Christians (Israel) as well" (Sept., 1960 Symbolic Code, pg. 5) (bold emphasis added). And the Committee did find the Council's objective (based on an erroneous conclusion) which they believed proved that "the trend of Truth was progressively moving in the direction that the {Laodicean} church consists of the Protestant Christian churches {Babylon}, and that our work should be extended to include them."--Sept., 1960 Symbolic Code, pgs. 5, 6 (bold emphasis, braces added). Council's Motive To justify Solemn Assembly Failure It was obvious, of course, that the Committee's motive was to prove to the Davidian sheep that the reason why their so-called solemn assembly had failed, wherein the slaughter and the kingdom did not take place as they expected, was because the prophet of God (Elijah--V.T. Houteff) had led them to believe that the work of Mt. Carmel was only for the Seventh-day Adventist church, "wherein it therefore strictly confines its activities"--The LEVITICUS, Preface, par. 1-->489. Now the Council could say that the premise of the Committee's weight of evidence (the Rod references which they searched out), proved that the work of Mt. Carmel Center includes the Protestants as well, and thats why their solemn assembly failed at the end of the 3 1/2 year period. So, they were not to be blamed for the failure. But their motive (to justify their failure) was all wrong; therefore, their premise (so-called weight of evidence) was also wrong; and this, of course, led them on to another erroneous conclusion. Conclusion Of Council's Weight Of Evidence It is important to note that the Council's erroneous conclusions were not based so much upon Bro. Houteff's use of the word "church" being joined with the name "Laodicea" or "Seventh-day Adventists," but upon his use of this word at other times without any name attached to it at all. Therefore, since there were many more statements in the Rod message which did not add the name "Seventh-day Adventist" to the word "church," the Committee took this as their "weight of evidence" to Sister Houteff and her Council. And because they refused to take the blame for the failure of the solemn assembly, they blindly concluded that the reason the slaughter of Ezekiel 9 and the kingdom did not take place in 1959, was because the sealing message of The Shepherd's Rod had not been preached to the Protestant churches (Babylon) who must also be included along with S.D.A. as a part of God's church. Knockout Blow Continued With A Work For Protestants Of course, they knew that this was incorrect because the Shepherd's Rod message and the Spirit of Prophecy both state unequivocally that it is an error to teach that "the Seventh-day Adventist churches constitute Babylon, or any part of Babylon" (T.M. pg. 37). Besides this, they knew that the sealing of the 144,000 who escape the slaughter is strictly confined to all those in the S.D.A. church, and cannot include those in the Protestant churches (1 T.G. 52:16:1--285). But it served their purpose very well, because it convinced most Davidians that Sister Houteff and her Council were not to blame for the failure of the 1959 solemn assembly. So they published their "weight of evidence" in the Symbolic Code (Dec., 1960), with an announcement to the Davidians that they were setting up a program to take the Rod message to all the churches of Babylon. And most of them accepted the Council's plans to work for the Protestants, because they still did not suspect that these "professed friends" who had started the "knockout blow," would finish it by their new program for the Protestants. However, some Davidians were suspicious, and a few others may have questioned the validity of their new program, but no one did anything about it. Knockout Blow Liquided Mt. Carmel's Assets The Council began their new program by printing up simplified tracts for Protestants, and putting a speaker on the radio to read them; but they couldn't understand it, and many wrote to Mt. Carmel Center and asked what were they trying to teach. The Council also sent Davidian preachers to parks and public places to teach the Rod message. It failed, of course, a few months afterwards, because God was not with them. Finally Sister Houteff and her Executive Council realized that they had blundered again, and that many other Davidians were beginning to recognize this fact. Therefore, they saw that they could no longer hide behind the excuse that Bro. Houteff had led them to accept two erroneous conclusions which ended in complete failure; so they committed an even greater mistake, which led to the dissolving of Mt. Carmel Center and its assets. They had a "rule or ruin" attitude (T.M. pg. 280:1)--if they could not "rule" Mt. Carmel, they would "ruin" Mt. Carmel so that no other Davidian could "rule" it. So they withdrew from the bank large amounts of money for themselves and moved elsewhere, after they had turned over all of Mt. Carmel's assets to a lawyer, and left its property in the hands of the courts of the state of Texas to liquidate. Davidians Knew They Had Suffered A Knockout Blow When this happened the faithful Davidians wanted to know what was the cause for the dissolving of Mt. Carmel Center, and as they searched for the truth they found Elijah's warning of the "knockout blow" in The White House Recruiter, pg. 33:2. As a result, they were willing to pay attention to it, but it was too late to do anything about it, much less "brace" themselves for it. And now they were all convinced that the "professed friends of the gospel" was none other than Sister Houteff and her Council, and that they had led them into believing their two erroneous conclusions: (1) The 3 1/2 year period had begun the next day after the death of Bro. Houteff; and (2) The sealing message and the slaughter of Ezekiel 9 was to be preached to the Protestant churches. Once again the Davidian sheep were scattered when many more of the unfaithful ones apostatized and left the Rod message, because they were "too lazy to study" (1 T.G. 21:12:4--220) and find out about Elijah's warning of the "knockout blow." But the Davidians who studied diligently to understand the truth, continued to be faithful believers in The Shepherd's Rod message, even though they had no Headquarters, and no leadership, and no literature! Faithful Davidians Met To Set Up God's Headquarters Then in 1961 a special Session was called, and all Davidians were invited. There were faithful, as as well as some unfaithful ones, who gathered together in Los Angeles, California to attend this Session to re-establish God's Headquarters. The Davidians elected the officers who were to fill the positions of the Executive Council, except for the President, whose office could not be replaced by any man (Lev. 9:3--490); and the Headquarters was set up in Riverside, California. But they had no Rod literature. It was not until after these few faithful Davidians had been divinely led to move "eastward" and relocate God's Headquarters at Salem, So. Carolina in 1970, that all of The Shepherd's Rod books, charts, and Rod literature were once again reprinted. And it is there that the invisible traveling chariot of Jesus has been residing for all these many years, even unto this very day. INTERESTING FACT NO. 6 "Awake, O sword, against My shepherd, and against the man that is My fellow, saith the Lord of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn Mine hand upon the little ones."--Zechariah 13:7 (bold emphasis added). "I have no special comments to make on verses 6 and 7, other than what is commonly understood among Christians. It is plain to see, though, that after the Lord's shepherd {V.T. Houteff} is smitten, then it is that the Lord will separate His people {Davidians}."--1 Timely Greetings, No. 18, pg. 17:5-->213 (bold emphasis, braces added). Not God But The Devil Scatters The Davidian Sheep This 1947 statement states plainly that the "sheep" will be scattered soon after the "shepherd" (V.T. Houteff) is smitten (dies). Now since God is not the "author of confusion" (1 Cor. 14:33), then He would not be responsible for this scattering, although He may allow it to take place. Therefore, we must conclude that Satan is the one directly behind the scattering of the sheep through his false prophets--the usurpers. And since Bro. Houteff not only held the antitypical title of Elijah, but also all of these prophets: Elijah, David, Jezreel, Ezekiel, Joshua, and Zerubbabel, etc., then it would make no difference which of the titles that these usurpers would claim to hold so as to exalt themselves professedly as true prophets, they must be false prophets instead. It is obvious, therefore, that the only reason why Bro. Houteff could rightly claim to hold all of these antitypical prophet-title positions and all the other Davidians could not, is because he was the last prophet! "The promised Elijah is to be the last prophet to the church today,..."--1950 General Conference special, pg. 23:3-->523 (bold emphasis added). The usurpers claim that their mission is to gather the sheep, but their real purpose is to exalt themselves; and instead of gathering sheep, they gather instead the tithe; while the devil uses them to scatter the Davidian sheep. For this reason Bro. Houteff gave them a twofold warning: (1) That he is antitypical Elijah the last prophet, as well as antitypical Zerubbabel who started the work, and only he can finish it; and (2) That the usurpers who teach they are the ones to finish his work after he died are all teaching error. Usurpers Say They Will Finish Zerubbabel's Work "All these taking place at this particular time, and the prophecies now unfolded, prove that antitypical Zerubbabel must now be here, and that as he has started the work, he also must finish it {the last prophet}. The fact that Inspiration takes the pains to tell who is to finish the work {V.T.H.} in itself is proof that there must be active usurpers {false prophets} of his office as there were of Moses' office."--1 T.G. No. 14, pgs. 21, 22-->204 (bold emphasis, braces added). After Jesus came to earth on His invisible traveling throne in 1929, He not only appointed Bro. Houteff as Elijah, but He also appointed him as antitypical Zerubbabel--the one who "started the work" in California, when he began to publish the Shepherd's Rod message. It was later, after he followed the invisible chariot to Waco, Texas and set up His second Headquarters at Mt. Carmel Center, that Jesus inspired him to warn the Davidian sheep that he is the only one who "must finish" the work which he had started. It is for this reason that the prophetic office which he held until his death in 1955, must remain vacant (L.D. 9:3--490) until the kingdom is set up, wherein he will be raised up to life again in the special resurrection; and then he will finish the work (7 Test. 17) which he started. Those who desire to know more about the time of this special resurrection, may write for the book entitled, "THE 144,000 AND 'THOSE' WITH THEM," and read pgs. 84-87. The usurpers, however, do not want to accept the fact that Bro. Houteff started the work and that only he is to finish it, because "they chafe at bringing themselves under the rule of Christ now when 'He is taking the reins in His own hands'" (3 Ans. 33:1--457). Therefore, by professing to be prophets, they are teaching that the work stopped when Bro. Houteff died, and that Jesus (whom they can not see on His invisible traveling chariot) could no longer control the work without a living prophet to guide them; so they have appointed themselves as living prophets to finish the work; which is an attempt to inspire themselves with the Spirit of Prophecy (2 T.G. 34:23:1--372), and that is not possible. These usurpers are, of course, "doomed to failure" (1 Ans., 43:2--434); and except they repent, they will die in the slaughter of Ezekiel 9 (1 T.G. 14:15:4--203). As for the other Davidian sheep who can not see Jesus on His invisible traveling chariot by the eye of faith, they have no choice but to follow the usurpers--that which they can see by the naked eye. And that is because they do not believe Jesus still has control of the work through the truth in The Shepherd's Rod message! Jesus And Truth Of SRod Message Are The Same When John wrote that "the Word was God...and the Word was made flesh" (John 1:1, 14), he meant that the Word of God was Jesus who was made flesh and dwelt on earth with mankind. And that is the reason why Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6), because "Jesus" and the "truth" are synonymous words which are invisible. And even though the Bible is visible, yet, the truth which it contains today (as interpreted by the Rod message) is invisible to the naked eye, just as is Jesus on His traveling chariot. However, true Davidians who really believe in the Rod message, can see by the eye of faith not only its truth, but Jesus as well, because they are the same. They know that before Elijah died, Jesus had the "reins in His own hands" through the Rod message, and that He still has control of it by that same message. But those Davidian sheep who do not fully believe the truth of the Rod message, cannot know by the eye of faith that Jesus has complete control of the work. Thus, they are scattered, because they look with confidence to their favorite usurper (who has assumed one of Bro. Houteff's titles), and follow him, not the Rod message. Jesus Took The Reins Through The Rod Message Jesus came to the earth in 1929 and took the "reins in His own hands" (T.M. pg. 300) through the Rod message, because "the Father has given the world into the hands of Christ." But He did not go back to Heaven on His traveling chariot after Bro. Houteff died in 1955, or even after Mt. Carmel Center was dissolved because of the "knockout blow;" because He did not lose His "reins" of control over the work. He continued to control the work by divine directions to the Davidians to inspire them to re-establish His Headquarters in California in 1961, and later relocating it in 1970 at Salem, So. Carolina; where He sits invisibly on His "throne" (Ezek. 1:26) of Inspiration on the traveling chariot, which is "the divine instrumentality through which, as a sort of base of operations, the Lord is ordering and directing His work" (1 Tr 38:1-->9). This veritable fact proves that while Jesus is sitting on His invisible traveling throne of inspiration, He still has the "reins in His own hands," and controls His work through the Rod message. However, at the same time it also exposes the so-called Davidian prophets as nothing more than the "usurpers of inspirations throne" (1 T.G. 5:14:2--177) who work against Jesus to scatter the sheep. Two Classes Of Office Seekers Scatter Davidian Sheep Surprising as it may seem to many of the Davidians, the usurpers (false prophets), are not the only ones who scatter the Davidian sheep by exalting themselves as Elijah the prophet or any other title which Bro. Houteff held; because there are two kinds of Davidians who do the scattering. There are the office-seeking Davidians, and also the usurper Davidians, which has already been discussed. Therefore, it is only repeated below very briefly: Usurpers--Sheep Scatterers No. 1 The false prophets (Matt. 7:15) in all ages have scattered the Christian sheep, and they are still doing it now. Today they are the Davidian usurpers who seek the "highest office in the land" (1 T.G. 2:23:2--166)--the prophetic office of a prophet; which is a forbidden office to all Davidians because Elijah was the last prophet. (Some Davidians do not see that the reason why the kingdom is imminent, is because the last prophet has come to announce it. But if there is to come another prophet, then that means the kingdom is not soon-coming.) These usurpers, however, are recognized by their false claim to take Bro. Houteff's place as an antitypical Elijah, a David, a porter, a president, a Zerubbabel, or any other title by which to exalt themselves as an important person for Davidians to follow.
Office Seekers--Sheep Scatterers No. 2 All the other Davidians who scatter the sheep are also seeking offices, but not the prophetic office of Elijah. They may seek the offices of the Executive Council at God's Headquarters in Salem, So. Carolina, or any of the other offices in the local area where they may live; especially the offices of the other associations; and Jesus identified them in the Rod as antitypical "office seekers"! "So it is that there must be among us {the Davidians of} today--antitypical doubters, complainers, office seekers and fault-finders, admitting one great truth one day and forgetting it the next day--yet expecting to be sealed with the seal of God and to stand with the Lamb on Mt. Zion!"--1 Timely Greetings, No. 7, pgs. 8, 9-->184 (bold emphasis, braces added). Though the above text does condemn every office-seeking usurper who covets the prophetic title of a prophet, it does not, of course, condemn every Davidian who holds a spiritual office in the work of the Lord. It can only condemn all those who are seeking an office of spiritual responsibility, not to further His work, but to exalt self, as seen in the following reference: "Today we see the same clamoring for position even in our own {S.D.A.} churches. The offices of Church Elders, Sabbath School Superintendents, Secretaries, Pianists, and other such church offices, let us remember, hold no monetary compensation. But in spite of it, every year in most of the churches, as far as I have been able to observe, there is a clamor and a quarrel by men and women for one or more of these offices. Since there is no monetary remuneration for such services, then what is the fuss about if not purely for self-exaltation, if not for the purpose of being looked up to as somebody?"--2 Timely Greetings, No. 28, pg. 15:1-->359 (bold emphasis, braces added). Difference Between Office Holders And Office Seekers It is important that all the Davidian sheep should know the difference between one who is an office holder, and one who is an officer seeker. That difference can only be understood by those Davidian sheep who recognize the Headquarters of Jesus where His invisible traveling chariot resides, first in California, then in Texas, and now at Salem, So. Carolina. Then they would know that: (1) An office holder would be a faithful Davidian who accepted a position at any of Jesus' Headquarters to further God's work; and (2) An office seeker would be a Davidian of other false associations where Jesus' invisible chariot does not reside; because He is not the "author of confusion" (1 Cor. 14:33), and would not scatter the sheep into several associations. (Note: If the reader is not a member of the Salem Association, he should not become offended by the aforementioned statement, because all the Davidians, including you the reader, believe that your association is the only right one, and that all the others are false.) Therefore, the irrefutable fact that Jesus' invisible chariot today only resides at His Headquarters which is now located in Salem, So. Carolina, proves conclusively that those leaders of the false associations are not office holders to exalt God, but office seekers to exalt self. Rebel Associations Founded On Rejection Of Truth It also proves that their associations were not founded upon "all truth" (John 16:13), but upon rebellion against God's Association because of some truth which they refused to accept. This fact can be verified by a brief rehearsal of some historical events concerning the rise of other associations by those Davidians who rejected truth, and broke away from God's Association to set up a false association, not to gather the Davidian sheep but to scatter them. Rebel Association No. 1 It was not too long after Elijah (V.T.H.) died in 1955 that a Davidian usurper rose up in rebellion against Mt. Carmel Center, claiming that he was Elijah. He established a false association known as "Branch" Davidians, and led some Davidians to break away and join him in rebellion against two truths: (1) The truth that Elijah was the last prophet, and (2) The truth that the Davidians are not to keep the feast laws (see "Interesting Facts No. 7"). All who denied these two truths and took positions of leadership in his cause were nothing more than rebel "office seekers"--the members of the first false association that is scattering the Davidian sheep. Rebel Association No. 2 Later, after Mt. Carmel Center was dissolved by the "knockout blow," Jesus still had the "reins in His own hands" and continued to control His work; wherein He re-established His Headquarters in Riverside, California in 1961. Then shortly thereafter another rebel Davidian usurper rose up claiming the title of the "porter" (see "Interesting Facts No. 9"). He established an association in Missouri known as the "Bashan" Davidians, and led some Davidians to break away in rebellion with him against these two truths: (1) The truth that Elijah is the last porter-prophet; and (2) The truth that we are still in the spiritual "Carmel" pasture, not the Bashan pasture. And all those who denied these two truths and took positions of leadership in his cause were nothing more than rebel "office seekers"--the members of another false association that is scattering the Davidian sheep. Rebel Association No. 3 Then after Jesus' invisible chariot moved eastward and God's Headquarters was relocated in Salem, So. Carolina in 1970, a few members of the Salem Association who lived in California also rose up in rebellion, because they were seeking offices in God's Headquarters; but they wanted it in California where they lived. They organized an illegal maneuver to close down the Headquarters in Salem and move it there, but it failed. So they set up a counterfeit association in California, and led some Davidians to break away in rebellion against the truth of Ezekiel's "stream" moving eastward. Their association continued for a few years and failed. It went into receivership and some of its assets were taken over. All who took positions of leadership in their cause were nothing more than rebel "office seekers"--the members of another false association that is scattering the Davidian sheep. Rebel Association No. 4 A short time later, a certain Jamaican member of the Salem Association and others with him, also rose up in rebellion against the Salem Headquarters, because they were office seekers who wanted a headquarters in New York where they lived. Their attempt to take control of the Association failed, so they led some others to join them in rebellion against the truth of living saints who go "with" the 144,000, and established another counterfeit association in White Plains, New York. Those Davidians who rejected this truth, and took positions of leadership in their cause were nothing more than rebel "office seekers"--the members of another false association that is scattering the Davidian sheep. Only One Association If All Davidians Were Faithful Now if all the Davidians had stayed faithful to the teachings of The Shepherd's Rod message, and no usurpers and office seekers had arisen to break away in rebellion, then the true Davidian sheep would all be members of God's Association in Salem, So. Carolina, and would not be scattered as they are today. But the fact that the Rod message has repeatedly warned Davidians to beware of these false prophets (usurpers) and office seekers who would arise to scatter the sheep, proves that there would be false associations besides God's Association at Salem, So. Carolina. "Little Ones"--Scattered Sheep Who Will Be Gathered There are, however, two kinds of Davidians who are members of these false associations: (1) The false-prophet usurpers and the office seekers; and (2) The honest sheep who have been deceived and misled by these usurpers and office seekers, and they do not know that they are members of a false association. They have been scattered because Zechariah said: "smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered." Some of those sheep are the "little ones" (teachable saints)--the honest Davidians who will one day be gathered into Jesus' Association at Salem, So. Carolina. To Learn More About Usurpers And Office Seekers Those who desire to learn more about the usurpers and office seekers, or about the titles of Bro. Houteff, write to the address on the copyright page of this book, and ask for the usurper articles, or for the article entitled, "MASTER ANTITYPICAL PROPHET." INTERESTING FACT NO. 7 Ellen G. White was a prophetess of the Lord, and she predicted in the Spirit of Prophecy that Malachi's prophecy would be fulfilled in the latter days by the appearance of antitypical "Elijah the prophet" (Mal. 4:5) who was to bring a "message" (T.M. pg. 475). to the Seventh-day Adventist church. And Elijah did appear to that church in Los Angeles, California with a message of The Shepherd's Rod, and those who believed his message were given the name of Davidian Seventh-day Adventists, which initiated a three-fold belief: Elijah Is The Last Prophet (1) They believe Brother V.T. Houteff was antitypical Elijah the prophet who came in the spirit and power of ancient Elijah to rebuke sin by his message which they were to study, because he said: "I {V.T. Houteff} implore you to write to the Universal Publishing Association, Mt. Carmel Center, Waco, Texas, for free literature on the message of the hour {The Shepherd's Rod} and study it thoroughly..."--General Conference Special, pg. 44:0-->526 (bold emphasis, braces added). Elijah's Message--The Shepherd's Rod (2). They believe that his message was entitled The Shepherd's Rod, because Micah 6:9 said that they were to "hear ye the Rod;" and also because he said: "Here is a Rod which speaks; and its voice, the scripture points out, is the voice of God to the people. And since 'The Shepherd's Rod,' the publications which contain the message of 'the great and dreadful day of the Lord,' is the only Rod that has ever spoken then it is the 'Rod' publications which the Lord demands all {S.D.A.} to hear."--Gen. Confer. Special, pgs. 35, 36-->525 (bold emphasis, braces added). Davidian--Elijah's Name For His Followers (3) They believe that it was none other than Elijah (V.T. Houteff) who gave to them their name Davidian, because he said: "We are the only people who have the {Shepherd's Rod} message of the re-establishment of the House of David, and of restoring 'all things' (Mark 9:12) and are therefore named Davidians."--1 Timely greetings, No. 9, pg. 6:1-->189 (bold emphasis, braces added). Hold Fast To Your Crown Or Lose It To The Usurpers If, however, they do not follow the admonition of Jesus on His invisible traveling chariot to "hold that fast which thou hast {the truth of The Shepherd's Rod message}, that no man {usurper} take thy crown." (Rev. 3:11) (bold emphasis, braces added), then they will lose hold of their three-fold belief. As a result, they will not only lose their right to be called Davidians, but they will also lose their "crown" of life; and then they will die in the slaughter of Ezekiel 9. A Usurper Who Claimed He Was Elijah In 1955 Elijah (V.T. Houteff) died, because he came in the "spirit and power of Elijah" (2 S.R. 230:1--789) as did John the Baptist (G.C.S. 32:0--532). And as John died, so Bro. Houteff died. The faithful Davidians, however, never lost their three-fold belief in spite of his death; but others were not so sure of their faith, and they did not "hold fast" to the truth of the Rod message. Very shortly after his death a Davidian usurper arose, and led some Davidians not only to believe his false claim that he was the antitypical Elijah that would not die, as ancient Elijah did not die (2 Ki. 2:11; P.K. pg. 227)., but he also led them to keep the ceremonial feast laws. But note, however, this important fact: The message of the Rod, as well as the Spirit of Prophecy, both teach that ancient Elijah does not typify one man, but many saints--the 144,000. "Accordingly, Elijah, an Israelite himself, logically typifies the 144,000."--1 Shepherd's Rod tract, pg. 22:4-->511 (bold emphasis added). "Elijah was a type of the saints {144,000} who will be living on the earth at the time of the second advent of Christ..."--Prophets and Kings, pg. 227 (bold emphasis, braces added). But in spite of the above inspired statements, this usurper took the "crowns" of some of the unfaithful Davidians, because they were determined to believe that he, not Bro. Houteff, was the Elijah of Malachi 4:5. Thus, all the Rod believers who came in contact with his false teachings had to choose between two Elijah's, both of which said that Davidians were to keep two different laws. Two Elijah's Say To Keep Two Different Laws The Lord Jesus said in Malachi's prophecy to those in the Seventh-day Adventist church that Elijah the prophet (Mal. 4:5) was to come and tell them to "remember ye the law of Moses" (Mal. 4:4). And by His Spirit He identified him to the Davidians as Victor T. Houteff. And when Jesus spoke through that Elijah in his writings of The Shepherd's Rod, he told the Davidians that the only law which they were to "remember" was the ten commandment law: "Here we are asked to remember the law of Moses which God commanded in Horeb--the ten commandments, the statutes and judgments (Deut. 4:10-14)."--2 Timely Greetings, No. 30, pg. 21:4-->364 (bold emphasis added). However, the false Elijah who was a usurper of the true Elijah's (V.T. Houteff) position, stated that the law which they were to "remember" was the ceremonial law. And many of the unfaithful Davidians who did not "hold fast" to the truth of the Rod message, lost their "crowns" to this "man" whom they accepted as Elijah and joined his association; and they were known as the "Branch" Davidians. But all of the faithful ones who "held fast" to the truth of The Shepherd's Rod message, investigated very closely its teachings, and proved that the law to "remember" was the ten commandment law of Moses. Note the following quotation which tells the Davidians the two laws which they are not to remember and keep, and the one law which they are to "remember" and keep. Three Parts To Moses' Law: Ceremonial, Civil, Moral "You know by now that Malachi, chapters 3 and 4, prophetically speak to the people of today, to the people just before the great and dreadful day, to the people to whom antitypical Elijah the prophet is sent. And what wise counsel does the Lord give through Malachi?--He says, 'Remember ye the Law of Moses My servant.' Which law?--The law of 'statutes and judgments" which the Lord commanded 'in Horeb.' Since this is God's faithful advice to His people of this day, we would do well to restudy this law of Moses, and to remember it, for we cannot disregard His counsel and still expect His blessings. "Broadly speaking, the law of Moses consists of three parts. The first is the Ceremonial law, the law of the temple--the sacrificial law. This law, of course, we today must not observe, except in antitype, for it foreshadowed things to come, particularly Christ's first advent. Thus it is that if we had lived in Old Testament times and had failed to comply with the sacrificial law and system of that day, we would thereby have demonstrated unbelief in Christ, Who was to come. But since we are living in the Christian era, if we should now observe the typical sacrificial law and system, we should thereby demonstrate unbelief in Christ, Who has come. "And so, as this law was nailed to the cross (Col. 2:14), we need not, and must not, observe it now. "The second part of Moses' law, is the law by which Israel was to rule its people, the civil, or legal law,--the law which defines what penalty the government should impose upon those who are caught stealing, killing, or the like. Now, since we as Christians do not have a government of our own, but are still under the governments of the nations of today, we personally, or as a group are not required to enforce the legal law of Moses either. "The only law of Moses, therefore, that we can possibly be admonished to remember, is the third part of his law: the moral law, which consists of the things that pertain to us as individuals, the things that we as individuals must perform, the things that perfect our character, the things that make us a peculiar people. We therefore need to search out and do the things contained in the moral law of Moses--'The commandments, and the statutes and the judgments.' Deut. 5:31."--2 Timely Greetings, No. 37, pgs. 14,15-->383 (bold emphasis added). Some Davidians Believe Jesus Was Not The Messiah While the true Elijah (V.T. Houteff) warned the Davidians to "remember" to keep the moral law of Moses--the ten commandment law; the false Elijah told them to "remember" to keep the ceremonial law which was "nailed to the cross" (Col. 2:14). This wide contrast between these two laws which the Davidian sheep were told to "remember," should have opened their eyes to recognize the false Elijah as a usurper; because all Christians believe, especially should Davidians believe, that Jesus died on the cross as the "lamb of God" (John 1:29), which fulfilled the entire ceremonial law. That is the reason why the Jews still keep the ceremonial laws, because they do not believe that Jesus was the "Lamb of God"--the Messiah. This fact proves conclusively that those Davidians who keep the ceremonial laws by order of the false Elijah, are saying by word and action that they are like the Jews and the heathens who believe that the New Testament Scriptures are not inspired, and that Jesus was not the Messiah! Such deceived Davidians have allowed this false prophet (usurper) to take away their "crown" of life. As a result they have not only lost their right to be called Davidians, but also their right to be called Christians! False Elijah Said To Remember Rite Of Circumcision Moreover, these deceived Davidians have become so spiritually blinded by this false Elijah (usurper), that they have been led into deeper apostasy, because they have accepted the false doctrine of circumcision. "Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing."--Galatians 5:2 (bold emphasis added). In spite of the fact that those Davidians who keep the rite of circumcision will surely lose the "profit" of Christ's salvation, which means the loss of their souls, they are telling others to keep the rite of circumcision if they want to be saved, as did the "Judaizing teachers" in the Apostles' day. "With great assurance these Judaizing teachers asserted {as do the apostate Davidians of today} that in order to be saved, one must be circumcised, and must keep the entire ceremonial law....The Jews...were slow to discern that the sacrificial offerings had but prefigured the death of the Son of God, in which type met antitype, and after which the rites and ceremonies of the Mosaic dispensation were {nailed to the cross} no longer binding....Paul and Barnabus met this false doctrine with promptness, and opposed the introduction of the subject to the Gentiles."--Acts of the Apostles, pgs. 188, 189 (bold emphasis, braces added). Live By Every Word Out Of God's Mouth Jesus said that "man" must "live...by every word that preceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Matt. 4:4). And "every word" concerning this subject in the Bible (Col. 2:14), and the Spirit of Prophecy (A.A. pgs. 188, 189), as well as the Rod message (2 T.G. 37:14, 15--383), have all stated irrefutably that all true and faithful Davidians must not observe the rite of circumcision. Therefore, those so-Davidians who defiantly observe the rite of circumcision, rather than obey "every word" out of the mouth of God, are exposed as unbelievers in the Bible, the Spirit of Prophecy, and the Rod message. It also proves that they are not Davidians or Christians, because they keep the ceremonial feasts which they know requires the use of animals. So they try to make it appear that the true Elijah (V.T. Houteff) had endorsed the false Elijah's command to observe the ceremonial feast laws, by their invention of this excuse: "Bro. Houteff commanded the Davidians to be vegetarians, so this gives us the right to eat fruits and vegetables on the feast days instead of animals"! Cain's Substitute--a Type Of All False Religions Think of it! So-called Christian Davidians who are attempting to keep the ancient feast law ordinances today by eating fruits and vegetables as a substitute in place of the sacrifical lamb. What an abomination and perversion of the truth! What greater apostasy from the Davidian and Christian faith can one be guilty of committing than to deny that Jesus Christ is the Messiah! This kind of false worship in obedience to the false Elijah's command to "remember" the ceremonial feast laws, is nothing more than Cain worship--a substitution of his fruits and vegetables (man's way of saving himself through his own form of religion) in the place of a lamb (God's way of saving man through Jesus Christ the Messiah--the true Paschal Lamb). "Cain...was the first one in history to worship according to his own private interpretation of religion."--2 Timely Greetings, No. 24, pg. 25:4-->351 (bold emphasis added). "Both Cain and Abel were endeavoring to walk in the highway of progress by each offering a sacrifice. Abel worshiped according to the wisdom of God, whereas Cain worshiped according to the wisdom of man. Cain's sacrifice was merely the counterfeit of Abel's. Here we see that where Truth is, there is also a counterfeit."--1 Timely Greetings, No. 51, pg. 10:2-->284 (bold emphasis added). This fact proves that where there is "truth" (true Elijah's command to "remember" the ten commandment law), there is a also a "counterfeit" (the false Elijah's command to "remember" the ceremonial law. This false Elijah was the first of the usurpers who came to deceive the Davidian with false doctrines; he opened the way for other usurpers to come and scatter the sheep. Father Of Usurpers Opened Way For Other Usurpers During the time that the true Elijah (V.T. Houteff) was unfolding the message of The Shepherd's Rod, there were some Davidians who had a hidden desire to usurp his position, but they dared not do so as long as he lived. Therefore, no one knew that these usurpers existed. But Jesus knew, and that is the reason why He inspired Elijah to warn the sheep that these Davidian usurpers would arise. It was shortly after his death in 1955 that the above mentioned false Elijah arose to scatter the sheep. He claimed that the law which the Davidians were to "remember" was not the moral law, but the ceremonial feast laws. He was, of course, the father of usurpers who opened the door for other usurpers to arise; and they did come through that door. The next usurper who arose to scatter the sheep claimed that he was also a prophet (the porter), but he did not teach the Davidians to keep the ceremonial feasts laws. He taught that the false doctrine that the spiritual "Carmel" pasture was not a period of probationary time as the Rod teaches in The Symblolic Code, but instead it was the Headquarters at Mt. Carmel Center, which was supposed to have withered, because it was dissolved; and that the Davidians were now to feed in the Bashan pasture. Later, another usurper arose who was at one time a believer in and teacher of the false doctrine of the Bashan pasture; but he broke away and taught that the Davidians were not to feed in the Carmel or Bashan pastures, but in the Gilead pasture. He established his headquarters in Canada, appointed himself as king David, and taught his followers to keep the feast laws. These usurpers as well as the office seekers have all had their part in scattering the Davidian sheep, and they have done their job very well. Learn More About False Elijah's Feast-law Doctrine The above subject about the feast laws in the "Interesting Facts No. 7" was very brief. Those Davidians, however, who want to learn more about the false Elijah and his counterfeit teachings concerning the ceremonial feast laws, may write to the address on the copyright page, and ask for this book, "FEAST LAWS! TODAY?" [If you want to know more about the feast laws right now, then click on that study at the end.] INTERESTING FACT NO. 8 Though this tract was not copyrighted, yet its title, "1950 General Conference Special," proves conclusively that it was first published in that year. Furthermore, note that the White House Recruiter stated on pages 2 and 3 (527) that it was copyrighted in 1951 by V.H. Jezreel; and that the General Conference Special was mentioned in White House Recruiter on page 58, par. 2 (536), which clearly indicates that Brother V.T. Houteff had authored both tracts. Moreover, the fact that in 1950 he was still living at Mt. Carmel Center, also indicates that the pronoun "I" mentioned on several pages (G.C.S. pgs. 4, 6, 31, 43, 44) must refer to no one but himself. And that is the reason he said on page 44 (526): "I implore you to write to the Universal Publishing Association, Mt. Carmel Center, Waco, Texas for free literature," because no one but Bro. Houteff could ask the reader to write to Mt. Carmel for the "free literature" of The Shepherd's Rod message which only he was the sole author! "General Conference Special" Proves Elijah Is V.T.H. Though the readers of the tract entitled, "1950 General Conference Special" understood that the author's purpose was to identify the prophet Elijah after asking this question on page 3 (521), "WHO IS THE ELIJAH OF TODAY?," he did not say by name who this Elijah was. But note that his revealing answer to the question on page 35: "What is...the Voice of Elijah's publications?" does prove that Bro. Houteff was its author and the Elijah; because he quoted Micah 6:9: "The Lord's Voice crieth unto the city,...hear ye the Rod," and then answered his own question: "And since 'The Shepherd's Rod,' the publications which contain the message of 'the great and dreadful day of the Lord,' is the only Rod that has ever spoken, then it is the 'Rod' publications which the Lord demands all to hear."--General Conference Special, pg. 36:0-->525 (bold emphasis added). Now in view of the irrefutable fact that "it is the 'Rod' publications which the Lord demands all" Seventh-day Adventists to hear, and since Bro. Houteff was the sole author of the entire message of The Shepherd's Rod, which is the Voice of the Lord, then he alone must be that Elijah the last prophet with the last message which he spoke of in the "1950 General Conference Special" on several pages (29:1--523; 32:0--524), and on the page that is quoted below: V.T. Houteff Said That Elijah Is The Last Prophet "...the promised Elijah {V.T. Houteff} is to be the last prophet to the church today,..."--General Conference Special, pg. 23:3-->523 (bold emphasis, braces added). The usurpers say the above mentioned uncopyrighted tract was not authored by Bro. Houteff, so there is no proof that he said Elijah is the last prophet with the last message. But they are wrong. There are other copyrighted tracts which he also authored, wherein he stated this irrefutable fact: (1) "when God sends to the world His last prophet, the antitypical Elijah" (13 Tr. 11:3--136); and (2) "in the end of the world,...Elijah's message, the last" (9 Tr. 67:3--111)! Elijah Is Not Many Prophets But Only One Person Moreover, these "active usurpers" are loath to accept the undeniable fact that Bro. Houteff had plainly stated that Elijah the prophet (the one who was "to come in the spirit and power of Elijah") could not be many persons, but "a prophet," and "a person" (G.C.S. 5:3--521), and "a man (prophet)" (6 Tr. 44:2--70). Furthermore, he emphasized this fact by referring to Sister White twice (G.C.S. 38, 39--525) as only "one" person, so as to make this fact stand out in bold relief that Elijah was also to be "one" person, which he repeated eleven times on page 32 (524), once more on page 34, and finally again on page 35 (525). Active Usurpers (False Prophets) Scatter The Sheep The reason for his great emphasis on Elijah being only one person, is because he predicted that there would arise false prophets--"active usurpers of his office" who were to arise up after his death, each trying to deceive the elect by claiming to be an Elijah (G.C.S. 8:2--521), or a "porter" (see "Interesting Facts No. 9"), or a "President" (see "Interesting Facts No. 10"), or a "David" and a "Jezreel" (see "Interesting Facts No. 11"). But in spite of the fact that these usurpers will scatter many of the sheep, because they are not meek (teachable), there will be the "little ones" who are teachable. They will be gathered into one fold if they believe that this Elijah (V.T.H.) was the last prophet, and trust only in his teachings of "The Shepherd's Rod." No Other Voice Of Timely Truth And Authority "His work and his interpretation of the prophecies for the great day will identify him as the promised Elijah the prophet ('Testimonies to Ministers' p. 475), and this will enrage the Devil as never before. Nevertheless, one's only safety will be in the teaching of {the message of The Shepherd's Rod which was authored by} Elijah {V.T. Houteff}, for there will be no other voice of timely Truth, and authority to whom one may turn {because he is the last prophet}. Any others {the voices of the usurpers} will lead their victims blind-folded into perdition."--1950 General Conference Special, pg. 7, 8-->521 (bold emphasis, braces added). There are some Davidians who have allowed themselves to become "victims" of false prophets (the usurpers), who have taken away their "crown" of life, by turning away from the Voice of the Rod, and listening to the voices of doctrines of error, which can only lead them "blind-folded into perdition"--the eternal loss of their souls. They refuse to accept the fact that their only safety is faith in the "Lord's Voice" which says to "hear ye the Rod" (Mic. 6:9), because "there will be no other Voice of timely truth and authority to whom one may turn"! "The Shepherd's Rod, the books that Inspiration so named and inspired its contents, being the only Rod in the world that can be heard speaking, the Lord commands that you should hear it, that you do not waste any time in deciding between the Rod literature and some other {usurper literature}. For there is none other today than the Rod literature which God recommends you to hear."--2 Timely Greetings, No. 34, pgs. 28, 29-->373 (bold emphasis, braces added). True Davidians Hear The Rod, Not Usurpers The teachable Davidian sheep, the "meek of the earth" (1 T.G. 22:24:5--222), are the "little ones," the saints. They believe that Bro. Houteff was Elijah the last prophet with the last message (The Shepherd's Rod); it is the only "Voice of timely truth and authority" which they must hear. Some of these Davidians have not allowed themselves to be scattered by the usurpers; therefore, they support God's third Headquarters in Salem, S. Carolina, because they know that is where Jesus' invisible chariot is located today. One day a great reformation will take place at the time Assyria (Protestant Nations) will fall (1 T.G. 24:15:6--227), and many of the "meek" Davidians who were scattered by the false prophets will cast away their idols (usurpers), and join with God's Association in Salem. More About Why Elijah (V.T.H.) Was The Last Prophet Those who desire to learn more about why some Davidians do not believe that Bro. Houteff was the last prophet with the last message, then click on that study at the end about "Exposing Usurpers No. 1." INTERESTING FACT NO. 9 "Only those who gain entrance through the Door and to whom 'the porter' (the one through whom the Spirit of Prophecy is manifested) {an inspired prophet 2 T.G. 34:23--372} opens are the authorized shepherd's whose voices God's {Davidian} sheep hear."--1 Timely Greetings, No. 2, pg. 20:1-->166 (bold emphasis, braces added). Spirit Of Prophecy First Manifested Through E.G.W. In 1844 the Spirit of Prophecy was "manifested" when Ellen Gould Harmon (not yet married to James White) had her first vision of the 144,000. She was inspired as a "messenger" of God and a "prophetess" (1 S.M. 34:5);" for this reason she was rightly called a prophetess just as Deborah was also called "a prophetess" (2 S.R. 168:1--774). Spirit Of Prophecy Manifested Again Through V.T.H. As a female "prophetess" of God she was inspired to prophecy that He was to send a male "prophet" Elijah to the S.D.A. church, whom all Davidians believe was Bro. V.T. Houteff. Therefore, it was "the Lord's Voice" (Mic. 6:9) that inspired him to author The Shepherd's Rod message, which is the "Voice of Elijah's publications." This fact proves that the Spirit of Prophecy was "manifested" through him, because he was a prophet; and it means that the inspired statements from Jesus' throne on His invisible chariot to Elijah, telling him that he was the last prophet, was a direct manifestation of the Spirit of Prophecy, which is an incontrovertible truth that no true Davidian would dare deny. Yet, these inspired words have been rejected by the usurpers and their followers as so much idle talk that should be completely ignored! Spirit Of Prophecy Not Manifested Through Usurpers Some Davidians may confess that Bro. Houteff was Elijah the prophet, but they refuse to admit that he was also the "porter (the one through whom the Spirit of Prophecy was manifested)," even though he stated irrevocably that he was the last porter-prophet. This fact forces them to reject Bro. Houteff as the last porter, because they do not want to admit that the porter whom they are following is a false prophet--a usurper! The teachable Davidians, however, accept the fact that Bro. Houteff was not only the last prophet, but also the last "porter (the one through whom the Spirit of Prophecy was manifested)." So, they know that any so-called Davidian who seeks self-exaltation by appointing himself with the Spirit of Prophecy as a "porter" is trying the impossible, because the "Voice of the Lord" (Mic. 6:9) would say to him in The Shepherd's Rod message: "You cannot inspire yourself with the Spirit of Prophecy" (2 T.G. 34:23:1--372)! The obvious reason why is because Inspiration only comes from Jesus; and in 1929 He already inspired the last "porter" (V.T. Houteff) --"the one through whom the Spirit of Prophecy was manifested"! A Usurper Who Claimed He Was A Porter Soon after the "knockout blow" in 1959-1960, the 1961 Session in Los Angeles, California established God's third Headquarters in Riverside, California. And shortly thereafter a usurper arose from their ranks who taught that the spiritual "Carmel" pasture was a literal Headquarters, and that it had withered when Mt. Carmel Center was dissolved. He broke away from God's newly organized Association and set up another association with its headquarters in Exeter, Missouri which he named Bashan Hill. He also appointed himself as a porter; and later he prepared papers (in case he should die) to transfer his position as the porter and president, as well as all properties and monies, to his wife. After he died, she most likely became the new porter and president of Bashan Hill. True Davidians Do Not Follow A Porter (Usurper) Now since all faithful Davidians know that the message of The Shepherd's Rod plainly states that Elijah (V.T.H.) was the last porter-prophet, then what other conclusion could any honest Davidian come to than the obvious fact that all porters who have arisen since the death of Elijah (V.T. Houteff) must be usurpers. In view of this irrefutable fact, those Davidian sheep who are teachable, would not be following any so-called "porter" since the death of Bro. Houteff in 1955; nor would they be supporting his association. Instead, they would be following Elijah's message found in The Shepherd's Rod literature, and supporting the storehouse Headquarters where that message is being printed at Salem, and where Jesus' invisible traveling chariot now resides. Learn More About Usurpers Who Claim To Be A Porter All those Davidians who desire to learn more about the last "porter (the one through whom the Spirit of Prophecy was manifested)," may click on that study at the end. write to the address on the copyright page of this book, and ask for this article entitled, "Exposing Usurpers No. 4." INTERESTING FACT NO. 10 "Christ Our Righteousness defines these terms of speech as follows: 'A revival and reformation must take place, under the ministration of the Holy Spirit. Revival and reformation are two different things. Revival signifies a renewal of spiritual life, a quickening of the powers of mind and heart, a resurrection from spiritual death. Reformation signifies a reorganization, a change in ideas and theories, habits and practices. Reformation will not bring forth the good fruit of righteousness unless it is connected with the revival of the Spirit. Revival and reformation are to do their appointed work, and in doing this work they must blend.'--The Review and Hearld, Feb. 25, 1902."--1 Selected Messages, pg. 128. (see 1 T.G. 10:18:4)-->191 (bold emphasis added). Revival And Reformation--Shepherd's Rod Message "As restorers of every Divine institution, we are glad to announce to the {Davidian} readers of Present Truth, that besides the literature of 'revival,' they may now also obtain that of 'reformation,' our organizational publication, The Leviticus of The Davidian Seventh-day Adventists."--1 Answerer, pg. 38:2-->433 (bold emphasis, braces added). Revived By The Literature Of The Shepherd's Rod A faithful Davidian who has been spiritually revived by The Shepherd's Rod "literature of revival," knows that he must believe all that this message teaches, because he is a meek (teachable) saint. He also knows that he must "comply with the demands of the message for today" (1 T.G. 31:9:0--242), which is reformation. This means that while he accepts revival, he must also accept reformation and "blend" them together, because "Reformation will not bring forth the good fruit of righteousness unless it is connected with the revival of the Spirit." (1 T.G. 10:19:0--192). What, then, is this "reformation"? Reformed By The Leviticus Of The Shepherd's Rod Reformation means to reform one's bad habits and change them into good habits. Therefore, a faithful Davidian who has been truly reformed (2 Ans. 34:1--445) is one who has already been truely revived, because he has blended together the teachings of the "revival" found in the literature of The Shepherd's Rod message, with the principals of the "reformation" found in the teaching of "THE LEVITICUS OF THE DAVIDIAN SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS." This "LEVITICUS" consists of the legislated laws of God which He has given to His associated Davidians through His prophet Elijah (V.T.H.); by which they are to be governed as members of the Davidian Seventh-day Adventist "reformatory association" (LD 14:2--490), which is presently located in Salem, So. Carolina where Jesus' invisible traveling chariot also resides. This means, of course, that a truely reformed Davidian who has been revived will not only believe in all of its divinely inspired "CONSTITUTION" as well as its "BY-LAWS" (LD 3, 9--489), but he will also accepts this fact: The President Is Called And Chosen By God, Not Men This means that a reformed Davidian who really believes the "CONSTITUTION," would accept "ARTICLE IV--OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES;" which states that "(b) The President shall be called and chosen in accordance" (Lev. 6:1--489) with the Bible texts used in this divinely inspired Constitution; and which show God's appointment of Moses, Ezekiel, and the twelve Apostles. Note that all the Bible texts used with this article "(b)" confirms the fact that the "President" is a prophet who must be chosen by God, as Moses was chosen to be a prophet. And the fact that no one other than Brother V.T. Houteff was Elijah the last prophet who died in 1955, is conclusive proof (to any revived and reformed Davidian) that he was the last President. Therefore, his office must still be vacant! Vacant Office Of President Cannot Be Filled By Men In view of the fact that a reformed Davidian would also believe in all the "BY-LAWS," then he must accept ARTICLE I--EXECUTIVE COUNCIL," which states undisputably: "(c) It" the Executive Council "shall be vested with authority to...fill vacancies that may occur in any of the Association's offices, save the office of President." (L.D. 9:3--490). Now since Elijah (V.T. Houteff) died in 1955, which created a vacancy in the office of President, and since he was the last prophet-President, because his vacant office cannot be filled by the Executive Council, then there cannot be a President until he has been raised to life again in the special resurrection to refill that vacancy. And this means, then, that the Constitution and also the By-Laws of The Leviticus are not today "fully operative." Constitution Of Leviticus Not Fully Operative Today The Leviticus states on the PREFACE page that the work of the Davidian Association (through its Council at the Headquarters of God) is only "provisional in setup as well as in name...to accomplish a...work" in the Seventh-day Adventist church until the 144,000 have all been sealed. However, after the 144,000 "'servants of God' (Rev. 7:3) are sealed...its work will become all-embracing to the gospel....Then its Constitution and By-Laws as herein codified will become fully operative" (Lev. Preface--489); which would be after God's kingdom has been set up (Dan. 2:44). This means, then, that today, before God's kingdom has been set up, a faithful Davidian who believes in the Constitution and By-Laws would know that they are not fully operative, and he would accept this absolute fact: A Vice-president Chosen At God's Headquarters Now since a faithful Davidian who has been truely revived and reformed would believe fully in the "CONSTITUTION" and all of its "ARTICLES," which clearly reveals the fact that a President must be "called and chosen" by God; then he would also believe that after the death of the last prophet-President (V.T. Houteff), which would be during the time when the Constitution and By-Laws are not "fully operative," that "(c) All other officers" besides the President "of this Association shall be appointed" (Lev. 3--489) by men, just as the "whole multitude" of men appointed seven men (Acts 6:5). Therefore, according to this by-law, the "other officers" of God's third Headquarters in Salem, So. Carolina, where the invisible chariot now resides, could not include the election of a President as chairman of the Executive Council by a majority vote of members, but only a Vice-President, who would be "appointed" by the Davidian laity at a Session, to continue the Association's work for "the restoration of the Davidian kingdom" (2 T.G. 34:25:0--373). Constitution And By-Laws Fully Operative In Kingdom Thus, it will be after God's kingdom has been restored, and Elijah (V.T.H.) has been raised to life again in the special resurrection (W.H.R. 46:1--534), that he will not only be the king (see pg. 62:1) when "the reign of antitypical David begins" (Lev. 3:2--489), but he will also be the "porter" and the "prophet" as well as the "President" once again; and then the "Constitution and By-Laws as herein codified will become fully operative." Therefore, these irrefutable facts prove that: A President Today Is A False Prophet (Usurper) The fact that the false prophets who usurped the office of the President have deliberately contradicted the Constitution and the By-Laws, and that their followers have accepted this contradiction, is proof that they have not been revived and reformed. Note in the following paragraph their desperate attempt to justify this contradiction by a misapplication of this one word "regular." "The regular officers of this Association shall be a president, a vice president, a secretary, and a treasurer." (Lev. 5, 6--489). The usurpers say that the "regular officers" must include a President at all times, even before and after the death of Bro. Houteff. But this is only a half truth. Though it was certainly true that while Brother V.T. Houteff was alive, the "regular" officers did include himself as President, but it could not be true after his death (before the kingdom is set up and before he has been resurrected); because his vacant office could not be filled by the Executive Council even to this very day, during the time when the Constitution and By-Laws are "not fully operative." And neither could it be filled by any Davidian president (usurper) since his death, because V.T. Houteff was the last prophet-President! This irrefutable fact is proof that any so-called Davidian association which has a president at its headquarters, would not only expose this association as a counterfeit, but it would also expose its president as nothing more than a usurper--a false prophet! More About Usurpers Who Claim To Be Presidents All those Davidians who desire to know more about the false prophets (usurpers) who claim to hold the title and position of president, then click on that study at the end. INTERESTING FACT NO. 11 The information in the message contained in Tract No. 4 is first preceded with "JEZREEL'S INTRODUCTORY APPEAL" (pgs. 5 to 9--39, 40) to show that it is Jezreel's letter of appeal from God the "Father" to "Ammi" and "Ruhamah"--the laity. In that appeal He urges the laity to plead with their "mother"--the ministry of God's church (S.D.A.); and the truth which it contained was so urgent, that Jesus came to the earth in the year 1929 upon His invisible traveling chariot to deliver the "Father's" urgent message in Tract No. 4 to His prophet--antitypical Jezreel. But who is this Jezreel? Antitypical Jezreel--Victor Tasho Houteff Since the "appeal" in Tract 4 on page 9 ends with the title "JEZREEL by V.T.H.," then V.T.H.--Victor Tasho Houteff--must be the antitypical Jezreel, the prophet who not only authored this tract, but also the "JEZREEL LETTERS;" because all nine letters ended with his signature, "VTHJEZREELHB" (652). And this could only refer to "Victor Tasho Houteff, Jezreel, Hosea Beeri" (Hos. 1:1). Jezreel--The Ancient Prophets Of God The name "Jezreel" (Hos. 1:4) has reference to the prophets who were slain by Jezebel (P.K. 126; 4 Tr. 56--45), and then later avenged by God in "the valley of Jezreel" (Hos. 1:5; 4 Tr. 56--45). And finally, because of their sins, He caused Assyria to scatter the ten tribes of Israel (4 Tr. 16--40). Then years later after the two tribes of Judah crucified Jesus, He rejected them and said, "Ye are not My people, and I will not be your God" (Hos. 1:9; E.W. 213), and drove them out of the Promised Land. Judah And Israel Return To The Holy Land However, Jesus spoke through his prophet Hosea and said that Judah and Israel (144,000) would return to the Holy Land (Hos. 1:11), which they have not yet done (only the unconverted Jews of Judah returned to the Holy Land in 1948). But before the 144,000 do return, the promised antitypical "Jezreel" the prophet must appear, because "Jezreel typifies the prophets who have been 'killed' (rejected) by all who despise the gift of prophecy (1 Thess. 5:20),..." (4 Tr. 56:2--45); and also because "Jezreel...represents the prophets of God in all times,..." (2 T.G. 6:26:2--301), which would include Jezreel the prophet (V.T.H.) who came in 1929 and died in 1955. Jezreel The One "Head" Is Also David The "King" Then when Judah and Israel, the 144,000 (Rev. 7:4-8), return to the Promised Land and stand on Mt. Zion with Jesus the "Lamb" (Rev. 14:1), He will set up God's kingdom (Dan. 2:44), wherein the people (Hos. 1:11) will "appoint themselves one head...for great shall be the day of Jezreel" (2 T.G. 43:17:2--411; 2 T.G. 43:24:1--412). And this proves therefore that he is the prophet Jezreel (the head) and David (the king), "the earthly head, king" (2 T.G. 43:16--411) whom they are to appoint; thus, "they shall finally have antitypical David rule over them" (2 T.G. 43:17:1--411). Now since Bro. Houteff is positively identified in the "Introductory Appeal" of Tract 4 and by his "JEZREEL LETTERS" to be none other than the antitypical Jezreel of today, then he is this "one head" Jezreel (Hos. 1:11), who is the same as "David their king" (Hos. 3:5; 2 T.G. 43:16, 24--411, 412), the one whom the people will appoint to rule over them (8 Tr. 71--97). "It is those who 'fear the Lord and His goodness {the Christian Israelites} in the latter days' (our time), who shall appoint one 'head' or 'king'--the antitypical David" (8 Tr. 13:4--90). At this time "the reign of antitypical David" (Lev. 3:2--489) will begin. This means, then, that after the kingdom is set up, he will be raised to life again in the special resurrection as David the "one shepherd." One Shepherd Over Them--My Servant David "And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even My servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. And I the Lord will be their God, and My servant David a prince among them; I the Lord have spoken it."--Ezekiel 34:23, 24 (bold emphasis added). "So it is that what a multitude of shepherds have failed to do, one shepherd, even David, will, in God's hands, get done."--2 Timely Greetings, No. 2, pg. 17:2-->291 (bold emphasis added). "Now is your opportunity to feast on 'meat in due season' {the Shepherd's Rod message} at the hand of God's chosen shepherd {antitypical David--V.T. Houteff}, or starve on husks at the hand of a multitude of shepherds {S.D.A. ministers}."--2 Timely Greetings, No. 2:23:3-->292 (bold emphasis, braces added). It was in the Mt. Carmel Chapel on August 16, 1947 that Bro. Houteff spoke the above words, and placed before every S.D.A. and Davidian a choice: (1) Continue to feed at the hands of a "multitude of shepherds" (S.D.A. ministers); or (2) Feed now at the hand of "God's chosen shepherd"--the same "shepherd" who later was "smitten" when he died in 1955. Now since Bro. Houteff is the "prophet" Elijah, the "porter," also the "President," and as well as "Jezreel" the king (David) whom the people will "appoint," then he must be the "one shepherd" at the very time "the reign of antitypical David begins," which is after the 144,000 stand on Mt. Zion and he is raised to life again in the special resurrection! Another Jezreel Or David Today Is A False Prophet This irrefutable fact proves, then, that any Davidian who has arisen since the death of Bro. Houteff, and who claims that he is Jezreel or king David, can only be a false prophet (a usurper). INTERESTING FACT NO. 12 "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."--Matthew 13:30. Note that the "reapers" (the angels) are "first" to "bind" the "tares" into "bundles" to burn them; after which they put the "wheat," the firstfruits--144,000 (Rev. 14:4), and later the second fruits, the great multitude (Rev. 7:9) into the "barn"--"the kingdom on earth" (3 Tr. 67--31). It is important to note that the harvest yields two fruits (one in the S.D.A. church, and another one in the world--Babylon), which proves conclusively that there are two separations, one in each section of the harvest. "Therefore the angels, the reapers, whom Christ sends forth, include both him who does the sealing, or binding, and those who follow on to do the destroying (Ezek. 9:2, 5, 6), first in the {S.D.A.} church, then in the world {Babylon}. Thus is the separation in two sections."--3 Tract, pg. 67-->31 (bold emphasis, braces added). Though the first section of the harvest "in the church" (3 Tr. 71:1--31) (not in the world) includes the separation by the sealing angel, as well as the slaughtering angels, it should be noted that the topic of discussion in this "Interesting Fact No. 12" is strictly limited to: (1) The separation of Davidians in the Seventh-day Adventist church (not in the world). (2) The separation by the sealing (not by the slaughter). Binding Of Tares Into Bundles Sometime After 1929 "The sealing of the 144,000 is the separation of the faithful from the disloyal ones; the purification of the church." (1 S.R. 29:0-->677). "If we were to mark out the exact time of the beginning of this sealing we would say it began sometime during 1929." (1 S.R. 32:1-->677) (see 2 Ans. 34:3--445). Since the sealing "is the separation," then when Jesus came to earth on His invisible traveling chariot in 1929, He first began the separation of S.D.A. by the sealing message of the Rod (comparing It to their doctrinal beliefs). And after the death of the "shepherd" (V.T.H.), He is also to "separate" the Davidian sheep by their doctrinal beliefs and bind them into "bundles;" then He will separate them by the slaughter. But there are also bound up "bundles" of tares in the church (S.D.A. independent groups) who have broken away as "offshoots." Therefore, the topic of discussion must again be strictly limited to the separation among the Davidian sheep (according to their doctrinal beliefs) who are to be bound into "bundles" (associations). In 1929 God had only one Association of believers, and its Headquarters was set up by Elijah (V.T.H.) in California. At that time the Davidian tares had not yet been bound up into any "bundles" (associations); but they would be several years later. The First Davidian "Tare" Appeared In 1933 It was not until the year 1933 that a Davidian apostatized and deserted the message of The Shepherd's Rod, which made him or her appear as a tare; and that was considered such a remarkable event, that it was recorded in the 1941 edition of Tract 13, which stated: "1933--First believer to desert message." (13 Tr. 44--140). There was, however, no "bundle" of tares (association) organized as a result of this apostasy. We must not, however, conclude that all of the tares who apostatize will say that they no longer believe the Rod message, and leave the ranks of Davidia. Instead, it is quite common for those deserters who leave God's Association to claim that they still believe the Rod message, and that they are still Davidians. The reason for this is because they have joined another association, or have established one of their own. They are those, therefore, who are being bound into other associations--"bundles." Several "Bundles" (Associations) Bound Up Since 1955 After the second Headquarters was established at Mt. Carmel Center in Texas in 1935, there were others who deserted the Rod message; but again they were not bound up into a "bundle" (association). It was shortly after Bro. Houteff died in 1955 that one Davidian rose up who claimed that he was the Elijah that would not die (as did Bro. Houteff). He rebelled against God's Headquarters and set up the Branch association. This began the time to bind up the tares into "bundles" (associations). Later, after God's Headquarters was dissolved by the 1959 "knockout blow" and re-established in 1961 in California, a Davidian usurper claimed he was the "porter," and taught that "Carmel" was not a spiritual pasture, but the Headquarters at Mt. Carmel Center in Waco, Texas. He said that it had withered, and the Davidian sheep were to feed on the Rod in the Bashan pasture. His false doctrine deceived several Davidian sheep; and when they united with him and set up an association in Exeter, Missouri, then another "bundle" of Davidians was bound up. Then after God's Association was relocated in the east at Salem, So. Carolina in 1970, there were a few other Davidians who had deserted the message in part by rejecting the truth that God's Headquarters must be in the east. They also broke away from God's Association; and led some Davidians to unite with them to form another association, then another "bundle" of Davidians was bound up; this time in the west at Yukiapa, California. A few years later it went into receivership and no longer exists today. Afterwards, some of the Jamaican Davidians rejected the truth of living saints who are to go "with" the 144,000, and they led others to unite with them; then another "bundle" (association) of Davidians was bound up in White Plains, New York. And this is not all. There have been other Davidians who broke away from these associations and formed new ones; and so there were more of the Davidian sheep bound into associations "bundles." Sheep Scattered Into Other Bundles (Associations) In 1947 Bro. Houteff gave a sermon in which he quoted Zechariah 13:7, "smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn Mine hand upon the little ones," and said: "after the Lord's shepherd is smitten, then it is that the Lord will separate His people." The "Shepherd" was, of course, Bro. Houteff; and while he was alive all the Davidians were members of God's Association at Mt. Carmel Center. But after he was "smitten" (died in 1955), many of the "sheep" (true Davidians) were "scattered" into other associations; while some stayed with God's Association after the "knockout blow" when it was re-established in California in 1961, and later when it was relocated "eastward" in Salem, So. Carolina. Though God does not scatter the sheep, He still allows the false associations to flourish, so that the tares could be bound into "bundles," because Elijah said in his sermon (Dec. 7, 1947) that "the Lord will separate His people." The word "separate" clearly indicates that after the shepherd is smitten, the Davidian sheep will be scattered by the usurpers into more than one Davidian association. Thus God allows the tares to be separated from the wheat into "bundles" of associations; then later He separates them by the slaughter of Ezekiel 9! This means, then, that between the two separations, which is after the tares are bound up but before they are slain, God will one day gather the honest Davidian sheep into His Association; because there are Davidian wheat who are mixed within the other "bundles" (associations) of tares. God Gathers His "Little Ones"--Teachable Davidians After the Davidian sheep have been scattered, God says that "I will turn Mine hand upon the little ones." (Zech. 13:7). The meaning of these two words "little ones" does not mean, of course, little children, but those who are the humble and teachable ones. They are the true Davidian "sheep" who have been scattered into the false associations; those whom God will gather into His Association by His own "hand." Note that the references below defines the meaning of these "little ones." "And in the same tender recognition Christ includes even the feeblest and lowliest of the human family. 'Whoever shall give to drink,' He says, 'unto one of these little ones'--those who are as children in their faith and their knowledge of Christ --'a cup of cold water...shall in no wise lose his reward.' Matthew 10:40, 42."--Prophets and Kings, pg. 132 (bold emphasis added). "Those who accept Christ as their personal Saviour are not left as orphans, to bear the trials of life alone. He receives them as members of the heavenly family; He bids them call His Father their Father. They are His 'little ones,' dear to the heart of God,..."--Desire of Ages, pg. 327 (bold emphasis added). "The little ones here referred to [in Matt. 18:1-6 quoted] who believe in Christ, are not simply those who are young in years, but little children in Christ."--5 SDA Bible Commentary, pg. 1096 (brackets belong). Zephaniah 2:3 speaks of the Davidian sheep as the "meek of the earth;" they would be the "little ones." "'The meek of the earth' are those who have wrought the Lord's judgments, who have proclaimed the {SRod} message of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. They are His people, His church."--1 Timely Greetings, No. 22, pg. 26:1-->223 (bold emphasis, braces added). "Says the Scripture, 'The meek will He guide in judgment, and the meek will He teach His way.' The meek are guided by the Lord, because they are teachable, willing to be instructed. They have a desire to know and to do the will of God."--Patriarchs and Prophets, pg. 384 (bold emphasis added). "He is first to harvest the righteous {D.S.D.A.} (teachable ones) from the Seventh-day Adventist church (the house of Judah)."--12 Symbolic Code, No. 8, pgs. 14, 15-->628 (bold emphasis, braces added). It is to be noted that these two words, "little ones," does not refer to little children, but to humble ones. They are the "meek of the earth" whom God will harvest from His church, because they do not think they have "need of nothing." They are Seventh-day Adventists who have become Davidian sheep, because they are teachable and can be taught The Shepherd's Rod message. One day God will gather them from the false associations (bundles) into His Association at Salem, So. Carolina. All the others will chose to stay in these "bundles" as tares, because they are not teachable; and this is what they cannot be taught: (1) INTERESTING FACT NO. 13 Tract 2 is entitled "The Great Paradox Of The Ages" (2 Tr. 9, 37, 42, 46--14, 17, 18), because its double team of horses (the grisled and the bay horses) are both trying to pull the Laodicean chariot--the "S.D.A. church" (2 Tr. 35:2--17) two different directions: (1) the grisled horses is the "one team trying to take" the chariot "in one direction (south), and the other" (2) the bay horses "in another direction (to and fro through the earth)!" (2 T.G. 22:19:0--344). And since the chariot symbolizes the S.D.A. church, then the "passengers in it must symbolize the laity" (2 T.G. 22:21:3--344) who are living when they go "with" the 144,000 to the kingdom. But the dead cannot be in the chariot to go to the kingdom "with" them (5 Ans. 90:1--488), since they are resurrected later. It is obvious that this "paradox" will remain a paradox until the one team of grisled horses (S.D.A. ministers), the first leadership, have been "unhitched" (2 T.G. 22:24:2--344), "cut out of the traces" (2 Tr. 45--18); that is, they are to die in the "slaughter" of Ezekiel 9 (2 T.G. 22:25:3--345). This leaves two classes of saints who will never die: (1) The living passengers in the chariot who are to go "with" the 144,000. (2) The living team of bay horses, the "strong horses" (2 Tr. 45:1--18), those who make up the "second leadership (2 Tr. 39:1--17)--the 144,000! 144,000 Are Symbolized By The Bay Horses However, there are some Davidians who teach that the 144,000 are not the bay horses as the SRod says, but are both horses and passengers; so they say that the way the sentence in 2 Tract, page 39, paragraph 1 is constructed, it does not mean that the bay horses symbolizes the 144,000, because it does not say these exact words: "The bay horses are the 144,000." Yet, this is what the Rod is teaching. And here is how this fact can be proven: (1) By asking these unbelieving Davidians who is the angel in this statement: "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him,...and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John" (Rev. 1:1), they would have to say that he must be Gabriel, because of the statement in Desire of Ages, page 99 which clearly identifies him as that angel. (2) Now by comparing these two statements, one following the other, any honest Davidian can see that the sentence structure in the Desire of Ages, page 99 which clearly identifies the angel as Gabriel, is the same type of sentence structure in 2 Tract, page 39:1 which also clearly identifies the bay horses as the 144,000. Of Gabriel We Read He Is The Angel "Of Gabriel the Saviour {Jesus} speaks in the Revelation, saying that 'He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John.' Rev. 1:1."--The Desire of Ages, pg. 99 (bold emphasis, braces added). Of The Bay-Horses We Read They Are The 144,000 "Of this second set of servants {the bay horses}, we read: 'And I saw another angel ascending from the east; having the seal of God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels,...saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea nor the trees, till we have sealed the {144,000} servants of our God in their foreheads.' 'And in their mouth {144,000} was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.' Rev. 7:2, 3; 14:5."--2 Tract, pg. 39:1-->17 (bold emphasis, braces added). It should be noted that the construction of both statements in clear English language begins with the word "of," which identifies the angel as Gabriel and the bay horses as the 144,000, because they end with references from the Bible (Gabriel--Rev. 1:1 and 144,000--Rev. 7:2, 3; 14:5) which proves this conclusive fact. And though neither of these two statements were written to state these exact words: "Gabriel is the angel" and "the bay horses are the 144,000," yet this is exactly what they mean in the English language, because of the Scriptures noted at the end of each quotation. This not only proves irrefutably that the bay horses who pull the chariot must be the living saints--the 144,000, but it also proves indisputably that all the living passengers in the chariot must be the saints that go "with" them, both of which will never die. Living Passengers In The Last Chariot--Laodicea Now since the Rod message says that the second team of bay horses, the "second leadership," are the "servants of God"--the 144,000 (2 Tr. pg. 39:1-->17), and since the chariot which they are to possess after the slaughter is Laodicea--the S.D.A. church (2 Tr. pg. 35:2-->17); then its obvious that the "passengers in the chariot represent the laity" (2 T.G. 22:21:3-->344) in that church who are to go "with" the 144,000 to the kingdom! This incontrovertible fact verifies the inescapable truth that there will be two classes of living Davidian "candidates" who are to escape the slaughter of Ezekiel 9: (1) the bay-horse servants who must be the one living class--the 144,000 "servants of God;" and (2) the "passengers in the chariot" who must be the other living class who go "with" the 144,000. Davidians To Be One "Of" Or One "With" The 144,000 "Remember, too, that you {Davidians} are {living} candidates for the first fruits, to {die or continue living to} be either one with {as dead or living saints}, or one of the 144,000 {living saints}"--1 Timely Greetings, No. 4, pg. 27:1-->173 (bold emphasis, braces added). Though its true that all Davidians who died or will die are "candidates" to be raised to life again in the special resurrection to be one "with" the 144,000 (5 Ans. 90:2--488); it is also true that there will be some living Davidians who will go "with" them as living "passengers in the chariot," because dead passengers go "nowhere"! That is why the Rod says the "red horses" in the first chariot (Zech. 6:2) were martyrs who "went nowhere" (2 Tr. 27:1--16), because they represent dead horses (leaders) and dead passengers (laity). Therefore, those in the chariot pulled by the 144,000 are not dead, because they escaped the slaughter, as noted below: "All {Davidians and Seventh-day Adventists} that are found members in the faith up to the fulfillment of Ezekiel Nine {slaughter} will either receive the seal and be a part of or with the 144,000, or else be left without the seal and fall {die} under the 'slaughter weapons' of the 'five angels'."--2 Symbolic Code, No. 5, pg. 8:1 (bold emphasis, braces added). This proves, of course, that there will be two classes of living Davidians from the "Laodicean church" (2 Tr. 34, 35--17; 4 Ans. 20:5--467) who are "candidates" to be one "of" or one "with" the 144,000. They are "those who will, in the 'latter days,' make up Zion and Jerusalem--the princes and rulers of the people in the Kingdom-church restored." (4 Ans. 21:0--467). The fact, therefore, that there will be two classes of leaders in the kingdom--princes and rulers, is proof that after the slaughtering angels have destroyed the grisled horses and the passengers in the chariot who follow them, there will be other living passengers left in the chariot (the Davidians) who will follow behind the other living Davidians--the 144,000 bay-horses. It is for this reason that "the bay alone are to possess the chariot and to take it from Egypt to the promised land" (2 Tr. 45--18) where the kingdom is set up. Then after they arrive, the 144,000 living bay horses will stand on Mount Zion as "princes;" while those "with" them, the living "passengers in the chariot," will dwell in Jerusalem as "rulers." Learn More About The 144,000 And Those "With" Them Those Davidians who desire to learn more information in greater detail about this subject, then write to the address on the copyright page, and ask for this book, "The 144,000 and those 'with' them. {If you want to know more about those "with" right now, then click on that study at the end.} INTERESTING FACT NO. 14 It was in the year 1929 when Jesus' arrived on His invisible traveling chariot at Los Angeles, California where His first Headquarters was set up; then Bro. Houteff began to print his literature. First he printed The Shepherd's Rod book, Vol. 1 in 1930, and Vol. 2 in 1932, and then he began a series of Tracts (1 Tr. 37:1--9). It was in 1934 when he published Tract No. 3 entitled, "THE HARVEST;" it included a section concerning the subject of Bible Numerology. Tract No. 3 Reprinted In Waco, Texas Then after Jesus moved eastward on His invisible traveling throne to Waco, Texas in 1935, and His second Headquarters was set up at Mt. Carmel Center, Bro. Houteff reprinted Tract No. 3 in 1942, which he renamed "THE JUDGMENT AND THE HARVEST." But the Bible Numerology section was left out, obviously to make room for other important material to be added to the tract. Tract No. 3 Reprinted In Salem, So. Carolina Later in 1970 Jesus' invisible traveling chariot moved eastward again, and His third Headquarters (Mt. Carmel Center) was relocated at Salem, So. Carolina. Then all of The Shepherd's Rod literature (books, tracts, charts, etc.) were again reprinted. This literature included not only Tract 3 "THE JUDGMENT AND THE HARVEST" but also "Tract 3 (Supplement)," which contained the 1934 Bible Numerology from "THE HARVEST" tract. The reason this tract was reprinted, was because the symbolic numbers on the large "Ceremonial Harvest" chart (856), couldn't be explained by a Davidian Bible teacher unless he understood this information. INTERESTING FACT NO. 15 Besides the two books of The Shepherd's Rod (Vols. 1, 2), and the ninety-eight Timely Greetings, as well as The Symbolic Codes (Vols. 10-13), there are twenty five pieces of Shepherd's Rod literature, all of which have a name. Ten of them are miscellaneous tracts which are not numbered, while the other fifteen tracts are all numbered, with the exception of one tract which was not copyrighted and had no number--Tract No. 11. This missing number on one of the tracts has caused some Davidians to conclude that it must be a lost tract, or that one of the miscellaneous tracts is Tract No. 11. But neither of these two conclusions is correct, according to the 1941 issue of The Symbolic Code. It should be noted that on page 13 it asked a certain question; and when it was answered, it clearly indicated that this tract, "God's Titles Not Restricted To One Language," is "Tract No. 11." 1941 Symbolic Code Identifies Tract No. 11 "Why Are Not The Given Names Of The Trinity Used In Baptizing? "As the Scriptures give several names for the Father and the Son (and none for the Holy Ghost), and as we are not told which of these to use in baptizing, we must, therefore take Him at His word and baptize in just the way He commands: 'in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.' Matt. 28:19. Moreover the names given in the Scriptures are not absolute names, but rather titles--equivalent to the names Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. "Still further, even if the absolute names of the Trinity were known, their use would lead to irreverent address. For example, suppose the Father's name is George; the Son's name Thomas; and the Holy Ghost's, William. Could any God-fearing human being even dare think of its being reverent to say, I now baptize you in the name of George, Thomas, and William! Let us {Davidians} therefore comply with the Lord's command: 'Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.' Matt. 28:19. (For further light on this subject {which concerns the proper use of the titles of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost}, study our Tract No. 11.)"--The Symbolic Code, Vol. 7, Nos. 1-6, January-June, 1941, pg. 13 (bold emphasis, braces added). It is important to note that in the above first paragraph of the quotation, it says that the names of the "Father, Son, and Holy Ghost" are only "titles," which is the same word used in the name of the tract, "God's TITLES Not Restricted To One Language." And this fact, along with the last sentence in paragraph two, clearly indicates that this tract and "Tract No. 11" are the same; because it says, "for further light on this subject" (about the "titles" regarding the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost) "study our Tract No. 11." And since no other tract has explained in detail the subject of the "titles" of God except this tract, then it must be "Tract No. 11." Tract No. 11 Printed First Time In 1940 However, other evidence must be considered to prove conclusively that "God's Titles Not Restricted To One Language" is really Tract No. 11; because there are some Davidians who may think that it is a lost tract, or that it is one of the miscellaneous tracts, or that maybe there never was a Tract No. 11. For these reasons, it should be noted that this evidence in part is found in the 1941 edition of Tract 13 on page 46 (140, col. 4, par. 1); which stated the year when Tract No. 11 was actually printed: "1940--Tract No. 11, The First Edition, 6,000 copies, published Aug. 23." Though this notation in Tract No. 13 does prove that Tract No. 11 did exist, and that it was not one of the unnumbered miscellaneous tracts, it does not prove that it was a lost tract. However, if the exact name of this tract was known, it would prove whether or not it was a lost tract. That irrefutable evidence is found in Tract No. 7. Tract No. 11 Is Also Identified In Tract No. 7 Finally, to confirm beyond a shadow of a doubt which tract is really Tract No. 11, note that in the 1944 edition of Tract No. 7 on page 78 (87), it listed twelve Tracts by number (Nos. 1 to 12); and this is what it listed for its tract number, followed by its name: "11. God's Titles Not Restricted To One Language (an answer to the question as to what is His name)."--Tract No. 7, pg. 78-->87. These Words "Tract No. 11" Added To Pages Of Tract Thus, the evidence in these three tracts: (1) the 1941 edition of The Symbolic Code, (2) the 1941 edition of Tract No. 13, and (3) the 1944 edition of Tract No. 7, have altogether proven unquestionably that "God's Titles Not Restricted To One Language" is indeed Tract No. 1I. Therefore, there can be no reason why these words "Tract 11" should not be added to all of its page numbers whenever it is republished. And that, of course, is exactly what was done to this tract by God's Headquarters at Mt. Carmel Center in Salem, So. Carolina (the adding of "Tract 11" at the bottom with its page numbers), when it was reprinted in singular tracts, and also included in the book "THE SHEPHERD'S ROD SERIES," pages 121 and 122! INTERESTING FACT NO. 16 In the early (1941) edition of Tract 13 it included 20 pages which were not found in the later (1944) edition. It may have been that these pages were left out of the later edition because they seemed unimportant at that time. They do, however, contain certain information which should not be forgotten. It is for this reason that these pages were included in the book entitled, "THE SHEPHERD'S ROD SERIES." Note on page 139 of this "SERIES" book that the later (1944) edition ended on page 38 with the caption, "His Prayer;" while the caption, "Facts About The Bible," also on the same page, begins the twenty missing pages contained in the early (1941) edition, which ended on page 58. Therefore, no break is shown between these two captions to divide the early edition from the later edition, because the first 38 pages in each edition are exactly the same. This means, then, that the tract used in the "SERIES" book contains the entire 1941 edition of Tract 13 and also includes the entire 1944 edition. INTERESTING FACT NO. 17 It was during World War II that Tract 14 was copyrighted in the year 1943. Though its primary subject concerned two entities, the tract was careful not to identify them by name. It did, however, challenge the readers to "submit an idea" to Mt. Carmel Center to try and guess their identity (14 Tr. 47--148). It was obvious to any careful reader, of course, that "Assyria" was England (which included her allies), and that Hitler was "he that dasheth in pieces" who was to win the war; because he would have remembered reading Tract 14, page 17, par. 3 (145), which said that this Assyria would be beaten to her knees "at the hands of him 'that dasheth in pieces'." He That Dashes In Pieces And Assyria Are Identified It was after World War II had ended, and England and her allies were declared the winners, that a section was added in 1947 to the back of Tract 14 entitled, "Time And Chance Solve Mysteries;" wherein it not only stated that "Nahum's war" was World War II, but it also affirmed the fact that Hitler was "he that dasheth in pieces" (14 Tr. 52-54--149), and that "Assyria" was Great Britain and her allies. Readers Of Tract 14 Surprised When Hitler Lost War The fact, however, that Assyria was to be beaten to her knees and lose the war "at the hands of him 'that dasheth in pieces'" (14 Tr. 17--145), caught some readers by surprise when Hitler lost the war. Instead, they expected him to win, because Tract 14 stated emphatically that "Nahum makes clear that in this conflict God interposes against Assyria, and as a result she is unable to withstand him who 'dasheth in pieces'" (14 Tr. 26--146). It is obvious, then, that this turn of events caused some readers to question how this was possible; and somebody probably wrote to Mt. Carmel Center and asked for an explicit explanation. It was after The Answerer, book No. 5 was copyrighted in 1944, that the question was finally answered. Another "He That Dasheth In Pieces" Is To Come "Question No. 113: "'He that dasheth in pieces,' as I see it after reading Tract No. 14 {on page 17, par. 3 in}, 'War News Forecast,' is Hitler. But how can this be {since Tract 14 clearly indicated that 'he that dasheth in pieces' is to win}, when He is now getting the worst of it and the allies are winning the war?"--5 Answerer, pg. 31:4-->480 (bold emphasis, braces added). "Answer: "...From current developments in the European theater of war, it does look as though Hitler is doomed. Despite this appearance, however, Nahum's prophecy analitically fits him, although it is possible that someone else {another he that dashes in pieces} may yet come forth to carry the prediction to fulfillment {and cause Assyria to fall}."--5 Answerer, pgs. 31, 32-->480 (bold emphasis, braces added). Someone Else Will Cause Assyria To Fall Completely Though the foregoing reference does say that "someone else...may yet come forth," this word "may" should not be understood to mean that maybe he will come and maybe he won't. Instead, it must mean that "someone else" is to come, because "someone" is commanded in Nahum's prophecy to "take ye the spoil" (Nah. 2:9), which will cause Assyria to fall completely when "she is empty, and void, and waste" (Nah. 2:10). Also because of the Rod's inspired comment on this verse: "Hence, to him 'that dasheth in pieces,' the command is: 'Take ye the spoil..." (14 Tr. 13:2--144). But Hitler did not do this; instead, he was to "stumble in his walk" and lose the war (Nah. 2:5). These facts positively prove that Hitler was not to win the war but only "start Assyria on her downfall" (1 T.G. 24:14:3--227). World War II Is Not Finished And Must Be Resumed In view of the fact that Hitler did not win the war and "take the spoil," nor did he cause Assyria to become "empty, and void, and waste," is the very reason why the Rod stated emphatically that "the world is fast getting ready to resume the war" (2 T.G. 41:16:0--403), because "World War II...is yet to be finished" (2 T.G. 7 8:5--304). It is obvious, then, that the reason why the war must be "resumed," and why it is must be "finished," is so that "someone else," another "he that dasheth in pieces" may come forth to do what Hitler did not do, and that is to cause Assyria (Protestant Nations) to fall completely. Man Says World War II Is Finished; God Says Its Not We must not, however, lose sight of the Rod's inspired interpretation of what the Bible says about Assyria and the time when World War II is really to be "finished." Today, we are hearing that Assyria, the "English-speaking Christian world" (1 T.G. 23:6:3--225), is rejoicing that the Berlin wall came tumbling down. And as a result, the news media has broadcast the idea that Communism is no longer a world power to be feared; and the United Nations has declared that World War II is finished, because the "cold war" is over. However, based upon what the Bible says, the Rod stated that "the war which Hitler began will actually be finished when Assyria falls" (1 T.G. 24:18:2--227) and becomes "empty, and void, and waste" (Nah. 2:10). This irrefutable fact proves that when World War II is resumed (which will probably be called World War III, because man says World War II is over), and "someone else" comes forth "to carry the prediction to fulfillment" (5 Ans. 31, 32--480), then the Assyrians will fall "at the hands of him 'that dasheth in pieces'" (14 Tr. 17:3--145). More Facts About Assyria And He That Dashes In Pieces Those who desire detailed information about the fall of Assyria, read THE FALL OF THE PROTESTANT NATIONS, pgs. 158-191. To order this book, click on that study at the end. INTERESTING FACT NO. 18 In the year 1948 Bro. Houteff copyrighted a certain piece of literature entitled, Timely Greetings, Vol. 2, Nos. 23 and 24. It has always been acceptable by all Davidians as a part of his original writings of The Shepherd's Rod literature, and no one ever questioned this fact, because he was the author. It was eight years later that someone else also copyrighted this Timely Greetings. 1956 Copyright Of 2 T.G. 23, 24 By Florence Houteff It was the next year after Bro. Houteff's death (Feb. 5, 1955) that his wife (Sister Florence Houteff) not only changed some of his paragraphs in that Timely Greetings, but she also added in some of her own, which she copyrighted in her name, and bound them together with the rest of his Timely Greetings in Volume 2. Yet, in spite of the fact that the front cover page of her leaflet looks exactly like his, it is easily identified as hers, because it states at the top of this page that it was copyrighted by "Florence Houteff" in 1956. Her copyrighted replacement, of course, was not included in the book entitled, "THE SHEPHERD'S ROD SERIES," because this book contains only the original writings of V.T. Houteff. INTERESTING FACT NO. 19 It was at Los Angeles, California that Brother V.T. Houteff copyrighted the books entitled The Shepherd's Rod (Volumes 1 and 2) in 1930 and 1932; after which he began the publishing of a "series of tracts" (1 Tr. 37:1--9), which totaled 15 numbered tracts. The first four numbered tracts (Nos. 1-4) were published at God's Headquarters, which was set up in California. Later, God's second Headquarters was set up at Mt. Carmel Center in Waco, Texas in 1935; after which the last of the numbered tracts (Nos. 5-15) were published (13 Tr. 44-46--140). Besides these numbered tracts, there were also printed ten (10) other miscellaneous unnumbered tracts. Tract No. 16 Was Copyrighted After V.T. Houteff Died Then after Brother Victor Houteff died in 1955, a so-called Tract No. 16 was sent out to S.D.A. and Davidians along with some of his other publications; and because his name was attached to the copyright page, it led some to believe that it was his tract. The fact, however, that it was copyrighted several years after his death, proves conclusively that he did not copyright it, and that someone else had copyrighted it with his name on it to make it appear that he was the author. It is for this reason, then, that Tract No. 16 was not included in "THE SHEPHERD'S ROD SERIES" book. INTERESTING FACT NO. 20 "Now if you have enjoyed, appreciated, and profited by this question-and-answer excursion through Book No. 5, and if you desire to continue, then send for Book No. 6. It will be mailed as a Christian service without charge or obligation." Because the above notice was inserted in The Answerer, Book No. 5 on page 94, par. 3 (488), it was assumed by some Davidians that Brother V.T. Houteff must have had this Answerer Book No. 6 set up and ready to be printed, or that he already had it published. Answerer No. 6 Was Copyrighted After V.T.H. Died There is no record, however, that The Answerer, Book No. 6 was ever printed and mailed out from Mt. Carmel Center to any Davidians while Bro. Houteff was still alive. Neither did his wife print and mail out any such tract at anytime after his death in 1955; or up to the time that the assets of Mt. Carmel Center had been liquidated by the Texas courts. It was several years after Bro. Houteff's death and the dissolution of Mt. Carmel Center, that this tract was sent out along with his other publications. This has caused some Davidians to believe that Answerer No. 6 was his authenticated tract, untampered by anyone. Instead, it only proved that he did not copyright it, and that someone else had copyrighted it with his name on it, so as to make it appear that he was the author. It was because of this obvious reason that Answerer Book No. 6 was not included in "THE SHEPHERD'S ROD SERIES" book. INTERESTING FACT NO. 21 Contrary to what many of the Davidians may believe, not all of the articles which were published in the issues of The Symbolic Codes were authored by Bro. Houteff. Though many of his sermons as well as other articles of information and interest were inserted in these Codes before he died, his wife also published many articles of her own in these Codes for several years after his death. Author No. 1 Of Symbolic Codes Was Victor T. Houteff The Symbolic Code has always been "the official organ of the organization" (LD pg. 7:3--490). It was not only used to publish Bro. Houteff's sermons and other doctrinal subjects as well, but it was also used for several other purposes (such as announcements, field letters, etc.). His first article was published in The Symbolic Code on July 15, 1934. But in 1943 he discontinued its use, and its place was temporary filled by several of his other publications; then in 1954, eleven years later (10 S.C. No. 2, pg. 12), he continued its use. Author No. 2 Of Symbolic Codes Was Florence Houteff It was after the death of Bro. Houteff in the year 1955 that Florence Houteff (his wife) began to publish her own articles of interest in later issues of The Symbolic Code. She did, however, take some of her husband's sermons from the office card files, and included them in some of the Codes (Vols. 10 to 13--579-650). Only Writings Of Author No. 1 (V.T.H.) Included In Series Book Now since THE SHEPHERD'S ROD SERIES book is a compilation only of Bro. V.T. Houteff's publications, and does not include his wife's (Florence Houteff), then that is the reason why only his sermons in The Symbolic Codes (579-650) were included in this book. INTERESTING FACT NO. 22 "It will interest you to know, too, that a pocket-sized edition of The Shepherd's Rod, Vol. 2, is also soon to come off the press. Do not neglect to send for your copy; you cannot afford to be without it."--The Shepherd's Rod tract, Vol. 1, pg. 94-->520. This announcement obviously implies that The Shepherd's Rod tract, Vol. 2, was already completed and no longer in its manuscript form; which meant that the printers had all of its camera-ready copies, and they could publish it very soon. And, of course, that must have been the reason why the tract stated that soon it was "to come off the press" at Mt. Carmel Center in Waco, Texas. No Shepherd's Rod Tract, Vol. 2 Came Off The Press But for some unknown reason, in spite of the announcement, this "pocket-sized edition of The Shepherd's Rod, Vol. 2" never did "come off the press" in tract form at any time as was advertised in the Vol. 1 Tract. For this reason, there is no record to prove that it was ever printed, or that it was sent to the Davidians during the time that Bro. Houteff lived. Nor was it ever printed and distributed at anytime by his wife (Florence Houteff) even after he died. Shepherd's Rod Tract, Vol. 2 Not In Series Book And even to this very day, no one has ever heard of or has seen a copyrighted edition of the "pocket-sized edition of The Shepherd's Rod, Vol. 2" (copyrighted at the time of the above announcement when Bro. Houteff was still alive). It is for this reason that God's storehouse Headquarters in Salem, So. Carolina has never printed any individual copies of this tract for distribution to anyone at anytime. And that, of course, is the reason why this tract was not included in THE SHEPHERD'S ROD SERIES book. INTERESTING FACT NO. 23 In 1932 Bro. Houteff received a letter from a Seventh-day Adventist Elder, which came after The Shepherd's Rod book (vol. 1) was printed in 1930, but before volume 2 was printed in 1932 (1 Tr. 37:1--9). The Elder said the brethren there wanted to cut loose from his teachings, because they doubted the inspiration of Volume 1. He answered the letter, and rebuked their doubts with these words: Bro. Houteff Answers Doubts About The SRod Book "You say that a report has been circulated that we claim Inspiration for the book, and that this has given another reason to the brethren for cutting loose from us....Why should they stick to us if the book was not inspired, Elder______? I would not waste my time with it, or give one cent for it. If it is not divinely communicated, how could it be the 'MESSAGE FOR THE HOUR?'...Think of it, they will accept the book if it is mixed with error, but ALL TRUTH they WILL NOT! Denying Inspiration of the message is throwing God out of it! Sinning against the Holy Ghost!"--10 Symbolic Code, No. 7, pg. 12:1-->580 (bold emphasis added). Note that Bro. Houteff's words in his letter confirmed the inspiration of The Shepherd's Rod book (Vol. 1); which, of course, includes the inspiration of all the rest of the Shepherd's Rod literature, as well as The Shepherd's Rod book (Vol. 2) which he published in 1932. And that is why he continued the sale of these two inspired books, and advertised them for sale in the 1940 issue of Tract No. 9, pgs. 108, 109--114. The Shepherd's Rod Books Advertised For Sale In 1940 After he moved eastward to Waco, Texas in 1935, where God's Headquarters was established at Mt. Carmel Center, he wrote Tract No. 9 in 1940 (13 Tr. 45:7--140). His advertisement in this tract for the sale of these two books (The Shepherd's Rod, Vols. 1, 2), not only included its price, but it also listed all their subject material (114). This was proof that he still regarded both books as a part of the inspired message contained in the Shepherd's Rod literature. Literature Directs Reader To Pages In Rod Books But why is this fact so important? Because there are some Davidians who are teaching unadvisedly that Bro. Houteff did not ever want God's storehouse Headquarters to print and sell The Shepherd's Rod books again. This, of course, is not true because if he didn't want anyone to read these two books, he would not have advertised them for sale; nor would he have put referrals throughout his literature to direct the reader to see certain pages in these two books to better understand his teachings. And how could the reader see these pages if the two books were not available? It is obvious, then, that if he did not want these two books to be sold and studied, he would have taken all of these referrals out of the SRod literature before he died. And since he did not take them out, then this fact proves that he wanted these two books to be sold and studied. And that is why they are sold at God's third Headquarters in Salem, So. Carolina. INTERESTING FACT NO. 24 The prophecy of Micah 6:9, "hear ye the Rod," began its fulfillment when God inspired Bro. Houteff to publish The Shepherd's Rod book (Vol. 1) in 1930. Later, in 1932 he published The Shepherd's Rod book (Vol. 2). And even though he published many other pieces of Rod literature thereafter, they could not replace the need for The Shepherd's Rod books (Vol. 1 and especially Vol. 2) as some Davidians teach, because there are certain truths in these two books which cannot be found anywhere else in his other literature. For example: Davidians cannot teach the lower half of the 11TH-HOUR chart study with reading its explanation in 2 SRod, pgs. 236-239. And they cannot teach the upper half of the GOLDEN BOWL chart study without reading its explanation in 2 SRod, pgs. 259-282. And they cannot teach the second beast chart study about the CLOSE OF PROBATION without reading its explanation in 2 SRod, pgs. 148-162. And they cannot teach the FLOOD chart study without reading its explanation in 2 SRod, pgs. 240-258. And they cannot teach the EZEKIEL'S RIVER chart study without reading its explanation in 2 SRod, pgs. 290-298. These examples prove irrefutably that the inspired teachings in The Shepherd's Rod book (Vol. 2) contains indispensable information that every Davidian must understand! True Davidians who believe the SRod message would never denounce these two inspired books, or condemn God's Headquarters in Salem, So. Carolina for selling them to the saints! See Volume One 62 Times And Volume Two 49 Times This important fact proves, then, that in order for a Davidian to teach the truths found only in these two books, as well as to correlate these and other truths along with the rest of his literature, Bro. Houteff directed the readers of his literature many times to compare similiar thoughts found on certain pages and paragraphs in the two books. There were Sixty-two times where he directed the readers to see certain pages in Volume one; and forty-nine other times where he directed them again to see certain pages in Volume two! Note this fact in the listing of the Index in the ThE SHEPHERD'S ROD SERIES book on PAGE 836, cols. 1 to 3. 1950 Was The Last Time He Said To See Volume Two It was five years before Bro. Houteff died in 1955 that he directed his readers for the last time in the 1950 copyright edition of the Timely Greetings (2 T.G 43 11:2--410) to see certain pages in The Shepherd's Rod book (2 S.R. 222-239). This fact proves conclusively that up to 1950 he was not only inspired to direct the Davidians to study these two books along with all the rest of the Rod literature; but he was also inspired not to take his referrals out of the literature. Study All The Rod Literature Including The Rod Books Therefore, his admonition to the faithful Davidians to study not only every word and every line, but every page of "The Shepherd's Rod publications" (5 Ans. 29:4--480), proves irrefutably that he meant all of the Rod literature. This, of course, includes both Volumes of The Shepherd's Rod books. And that is why God's Headquarters at Salem, So. Carolina is still selling these two inspired books. INTERESTING FACT NO. 25 In the last book of the Bible--The Revelation, it reveals to us the words of a song which the 144,000, those who have "gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image" (Rev. 15:2) will sing just before the angels pour out the seven last plagues. Of course, all of the 144,000 Davidians have not yet been sealed, and the time of the beast and his image has not yet taken place; so we really cannot sing that song and know its true meaning at this time. But we can still praise His Holy Name for His blessings to all of us for the health and strength which he has given to those who had a part in helping to complete the new book which is entitled, THE SHEPHERD'S ROD SERIES, and therefore we can say of Him: "Great and marvellous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are Thy ways, thou King of saints."--Revelation 15:3 (bold emphasis added). Truly, He is the King of the Davidian saints, who sits invisibly on His traveling chariot-throne, where He now resides at His third Headquarters at Salem, So. Carolina to guide and direct the work of the message of The Shepherd's Rod. For this reason we not only praise Him for His "great and marvellous...works" which He has done for us and His people now, and which He will do later for us and all those in His soon-coming kingdom; but we also trust wholly in His mighty power and wisdom to protect and guide us in all that we do; because we know that it is impossible for anyone to do anything to forward His great work, now or in the future, without Him. Without Me Ye Can Do Nothing To Forward The Truth Jesus said, "I am the Vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same shall bring forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing."--John 15:5 (bold emphasis added). We here at the Lord's third Headquarters where His invisible chariot now resides at Salem, So. Carolina, are praising the Lord Jesus, "the Vine," who has strengthened and blessed all the Salemite Davidians to "bring forth much fruit" at this time --the publication of THE SHEPHERD'S ROD SERIES book. We take no credit to ourselves, but give all the glory to Jesus the Vine, for we know that without Him, we can "do nothing." We know that without Jesus His third Headquarters could not have been established at Salem, So. Carolina in 1970, where His continuing Divine Presence on His invisible traveling chariot-throne still resides today. Without Him none of The Shepherd's Rod literature (books, tracts, and charts, etc.) could have been printed since that time. And without Him and His Divine protection, our enemies would have destroyed His Headquarters. Furthermore, we also know that without Him we could not have published the book entitled, THE FALL OF THE PROTESTANT NATIONS. And finally we know that without Him we could not have published this new book entitled, THE SHEPHERD'S ROD SERIES. Truly, Jesus was right when He said, "Without Me, ye can do nothing"! Thanks To Jesus For His Blessings To The Salem Davidians We give our special thanks to Jesus on His invisible traveling chariot for blessing the Salemites with health, strength, and wisdom to labor for Him; and also appreciation to all those who were used by Him to finish the new book: (1) All the faithful Davidians in the field who have not only prayed for us and the work, but also have sent their tithes to the Salem Headquarters to support its work, so that the new book could be finished. (2) The Dan Peters family who not only used some spare time to do work when they came to visit us, but also the use of their computer to copy pictures for the new book. (3) The Steven Cook family who bought a new computer and printer for the Association to make camera-ready copies for the printers, and helped proof-read these pages, besides other work. (4) The Carl Mueller family who helped do work on the new book and other things that had to be done. (5) The Don Adair family who did all of the typing and the editing of the new book for publication. Therefore, we praise His holy Name and thank Him for the kingdom truth; and ask Him to accept our individual prayer: "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my Redeemer."--Psalms 19:14. "FACTS ARE FACTS If you want to know more about those "with" the 144,000, then click on--->STUDY24. If you want to know more about the feast laws, then click on--->STUDY10. If you want to know why some Davidians do not believe that Bro. Houteff was the last prophet with the last message, then click on--->STUDY11. If you want to know more about who is the last porter, then click on--->STUDY14. If you want to know more about the Davidian false prophets (usurpers) who claim to be presidents, then click on--->STUDY15. If you want to know more about about the fall of Assyria, read the book, THE FALL OF THE PROTESTANT NATIONS, pgs. 158-191. To order this book, click on--->ORDER FORM. END OF STUDY 31Copyrighted
1991 by www.davidian.org |