the davidian or shepherd’s rod movement - j

8/10/2019 The Davidian or Shepherds Rod Movement - j

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THE DAVIDIAN OR

SHEPHERDS ROD MOVEMENT

God will not condemn any at the judgment because they

honestly believed a lie, or conscientiously cherished error; butit will be because they neglected the opportunities of makingthemselves acquainted with truth.

-- Testimonies to Ministers , p

Research compiled by Robert O. Jackson, Augus


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Foundational Principle

Despise not prophesying. Prove all thinghold fast that which is good. Abstain from allappearance of evil. And the very God ofpeace sanctify you wholly; and I prayour whole spirit and soul and body bepreserved blameless unto the coming of ourLord Jesus Christ.

- 1 Thessalonians 5: 20


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SECTION ONE

The Man Behind the Movement


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The Man Behind The Movement

Victor Tasho Houteff (March 2, 1885 February 5, 1955)

was a religious reformer and author. Houteffwas born in Raicovo, Bulgaria, and - as achild - he was baptized as a member ofthe Bulgarian Orthodox Church .. In 1907,he and his brothers emigrated to the United

States after - according to Victor Houteff'stestimony - a mob had taken up armsagainst his family and forced them onto aboat. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Houteff
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Houteffhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Houteffhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Houteffhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Houteffhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Houteffhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Houteffhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Houteffhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Houteffhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Houteff


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Victor had desired many things as a youngman, but the two he had rhapsodized

about with great enthusiasm and delight] mostwere to know God and to be wealthyneed to know God would become hisconsuming passion, changing his life foreverWhile living in Bulgaria, he had joined the GreekOrthodox church. There, he and others wouldbe accused of conspiracy against thegovernment. --http://www.shepherds-rod-message.org/articles/houteff.html
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A Dream Come True

[T]oday after going through the nightmare ofsupposing I might live a life of poverty, as explained before, my credit is unlimited, andthe checks I write amount to thousands ofdollars week after week, and year after year,although I am not bonded, own no property,and have no personal bank account!


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Furthermore, I pay my secretaries asmuch as I pay myself and some of myworkmen I pay twice as much. Yes, thereare as great miracles today as there everwere.

--Timely Greetings by V.T. HoVolume 2, no. 35, p

Address of April 24, 1


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The Birth of the Movement

In 1918, [Houteff] attended a tent meeting, andthat year, at the age of 38, he was baptized intothe Rockford Seventh-day Adventist Church. By1923, he had moved to southern California,where, two years later, he had his membershiptransferred to the Olympic Exposition PaChurch in Los Angeles.


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Soon complaints came from Sabbath School

class members that Houteff was teachingstrange ideas in his Sabbath School class andat private Sabbath afternoon meetings withsome of the members. A representative groupof church workers, Bible teachers, and leadersmet with him to consider his views oNovember 14, 1929. But nothing came of it.


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The next spring, Houteff distributed copies of astudy that he entitled The Shepherd's Rod, to anumber of the leaders attending the 1930General Conference Session. One of those whoreceived it - and had time to carefully examineit - was the well-known F.C. Gilbert. A high

educated, converted Jew, Gilbert was quitesolid in the faith and knew Adventist teachingswell.


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On June 26, Elder Gilbert wrote a letter

Houteff, pointed out a number of errors in hispublication, and recommended that he givethem up. Gilbert also wrote to church leaders insouthern California and recommended thatcareful study should be given to this problembefore the situation worsened.


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On October 16, the Union PresideConference President, and local pastor met

with Houteff, at which time the action takenwas that:"The Shepherd's Rod is neither true to sfacts, nor true to the word of God, and it is

condemned by the very 'Testimonies' it quotesfrom. We warn our dear brethren against thefalse conclusions this poor man has come to.


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The Shepherd's Rod was printed abouDecember 1930. [Prior to this] On Novembe

20, 1930, a special church board meeting washeld, at which time Houteff was finally droppedfrom church membership. At each of thosemeetings, Houteff was patiently worked withhis errors were listened to and then pointedout; he was asked to retract them.


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On and on it went for a full year, fromNovember 14, 1929 to November 20, 1930.

--The Shepherd's Rod & Davidians Of Wacoby Vance Fe


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In1932, Houteff wrote:

"From the very time I tried to get either private hearing, or else some of the leadingmen to come and see what it was all about,pleading with them that it was their duty to

correct us if we were in error, or if we haany truth that they should know about it.


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While they refused to give us any kind ofhearing, they did everything possible to close

our place of meeting, and some of those whoattended these studies were frightened forfear of losing their church membership.

--Letter dated April 22, 1932, published in TheSymbolic Code, Vol. 10, no. 7 (May 1955), pp.4-5.


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Two More Hearings

Since Houteff insisted that church leaderrefused to give him a hearing, two morehearings were granted - the first in1932 and, thesecond, in 1934.An abundance of time was to be given for

Houteff to present his views to delegates fromthe General Conference, with opportunity fordiscussion of each point he presented.


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General Conference Decision

The conclusion of the report on the hearing fromthe General Conference was simple enough:

"Since error is found in the Shepherd's Roand it is in open disagreement with the Bibleand the Spirit of Prophecy, the only safcourse is to reject its teachings and todiscontinue its study. (Excerpt from The Shepherd's Rod & Davidiof Waco )


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On March 12 of that same year, Houteff met

with a number of his followers and officiallybegan their new church organization underthe name, The Shepherd's Rod.The General Conference soon began issuing

small booklets refuting errors in the teachingsof the Rod.


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Basic Davidian Message Unchanged

The Davidian movement has undergone numerouschanges, and has given birth to manygroups throughout the years. However, the basicmessage (concerned with earths final remains:

God has raised up a people who will call out andseal the 144,000. After this, comes the slaughter ofthe unfaithful Seventh-day Adventists who havenot heard the Rod and him who hath appointedit.


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Church Took The Correct Approach

Suppose a brother held a view that differefrom yours, and he should come to you,proposing that you sit down with him and makean investigation of that point in the Scriptures;should you rise up, filled with prejudice, andcondemn his ideas, while refusing to give him acandid hearing?


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The only right way would be to sit down a

Christians and investigate the positiopresented, in the light of Gods word, whreveal truth and unmask error.

--Counsels to Writers and Edi

page 44, p


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not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt toteach, patient, in meekness instructing thosethat oppose themselves; if God peradventurewill give them repentance to theacknowledging of the truth. 2 Timothy25.

--Christian Experience and Teachingspage 203, pa


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Submit New Light to ExperiencedBrethren

There are a thousand temptations in disguiseprepared for those who have the light of truth;and the only safety for any of us is in reno new doctrine, no new interpretation of theScriptures, without first submitting it to brethrenof experience . Lay it before them in a humb


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teachable spirit, with earnest prayer; andthey see no light in it, yield to their judgment; forin the multitude of counselors there is safety.

--Testimonies for the ChVolume 5, pages 291-293 (18

Counsels to Writers and Editpage 47, p


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The Test of New Light

Our brethren should be willing to investigate ina candid way every point of controversy.brother is teaching error, those who are inresponsible positions ought to know it; and if heis teaching truth, they ought to take their standat his side. We should all know what is beingtaught among us; for if it is truth, we need it.


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We are all under obligation to God to knowwhat He sends us. He has given directionwhich we may test every doctrine, Toand to the testimony: if they speak noaccording to this word, it is because there is nolight in them. If the light presented meets ttest, we are not to refuse to accept it because itdoes not agree with our ideas.

--Gospel Workers , pp.{Counsels to Writers and Editors , p.43,


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SECTION TWO

The Shepherds Rod vs. The Bible and Writings of EGW


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The Coming Kingdom Pre-Advent or Post-Advent?


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The culmination of the teachings of thShepherds Rod is the setting up of the kingd

of God during the loud cry and before thesecond, visible coming of Christ.Many texts of Scripture are quoted, along with

passages from the writings of Ellen White, in aattempt to prove this point. However, The truthbecomes clear when we will allow the writings tospeak for themselves.


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The Shepherds Rod:And in mercy shall the throne be established

and He shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacleof David, judging, and seeking judgment, andhasting righteousness. Isaiah 16:5.The fact that the establishment of

throne, according to this scripture, is yet in thefuture, and that He is to set His throne intabernacle of David on the earth, which He


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did not at His first coming, it proves that thitime in the antitypical reign He will sit on the

throne of David; and as He is to judge, and see judgment, and hasten righteousness whilesitting on the throne, it further proves that Hewill do this before the close of probation, for Hecannot hasten righteousness after the door ofprobation (righteousness) has been closed toall nations.

-Tract 8


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Ellen G. White:

Not until the personal advent of Christ canpeople receive the kingdom . The SaviouWhen the Son of man shall come in His gloand all the holy angels with Him, then shall He

sit upon the throne of His glory: and before Himshall be gathered all nations: and He shall


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We have seen by the scriptures just giventhat when the Son of man comes, the dead areraised incorruptible, and the living archanged. By this great change they areprepared to receive the kingdom; for Paul says,Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of

God; neither doth corruption inherincorruption.


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Man in his present state is morcorruptible; but the kingdom of God will beincorruptible, enduring forever. Thereforein his present state cannot enter into thekingdom of God. But when Jesus comesconfers immortality upon His people; and thenHe calls them to inherit the kingdom of whichthey have hitherto been only heirs.

--The Great Controversy , pp. 32


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The Throne of DavidWho will sit on it?


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The Shepherds Rod:Again we read in Hosea 3:4, 5 that th

children of Israel were to abide manywithout a king; which has been their lot unour time ever since from the days when theywere led into Babylonish captivity Bafterward, some time in the future says tScripture, shall the children of Israel return, an


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seek the Lord their God, and David theirking; and shall fear the Lord and His goodness

in the latter days. When this prophecy made, David, the king of ancient Israel, hadbeen dead for many years. Therefore,David of Hoseas prophecy can only be thantitypical king who reigns in the latterour time.


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Thus we see that, out of the twelve tribes, allthose, and only those, who fear the LorHis goodness (not the unconverted Jewwho even deny the divinity of Christ) shall begathered together, and shall apthemselves one head or king- Da

antitype . -Tract 8 , pp.


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The Bible:And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womand bring forth a son, and shalt call his namJESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called thSon of the Highest: and the Lord God sunto him the throne of his father David

shall reign over the house of Jacob for of his kingdom there shall be no end . -Lu


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Ellen White - The prophecies of judgmendelivered by Amos and Hosea were

accompanied by predictions of future glory.To the ten tribes, long rebellious andimpenitent, was given no promise complete restoration to their former power inPalestine . Until the end of time, they were tobe wanderers among the nations.


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But through Hosea was given a prophecy thatset before them the privilege of having a part inthe final restoration that is to be made to thepeople of God at the close of earthswhen Christ shall appear as King of kings andLord of lords . Many days, the p

declared, the ten tribes were to abidea king, and without a prince, and without a


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sacrifice, and without an image, andwithout an ephod, and without teraphim.Afterward, the prophet continued, schildren of Israel return, and seek the Lordtheir God, and David their king; and shall fearthe Lord and His goodness in the latter days.

-Prophets and Kings


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He shall sit and rule upon His throne; and Hshall be a priest upon His throne. Not nowthe throne of His glory; the kingdom of glorynot yet been ushered in. Not until His work as amediator shall be ended, will God give uthe throne of His father David, a kingd

which there shall be no end . --The Great Controversy


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This Man Based on Luke 19


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The Shepherds Rod :But as they sent a message after Hi

saying, We will not have this man to reignover us, it is plain that before Christs the kingdom is to be set up. . . . There isa man in Christs visible stead reigning ov

them . Hence, while probation lingered,


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and while by simple means He isthe reins in His own hands (Testimo

Ministers, p.300), they said to Christ in tmessage, We will not have this man to reover us. Hence this man is the antitDavid , the simple means - the visible kingChrist the invisible King , as He was in the exmovement - the type.

--Tract


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Ellen White:The whole wicked world stand arraigned atthe bar of God, on the charge of high treasonagainst the government of Heaven. They havenone to plead their cause; they are withoutexcuse; and the sentence of eternal death ispronounced against them. . . . All see that theirexclusion from heaven is just. By their livhave declared, We will not have this Jesureign over us.

-The Great Controversy


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The Return To Palestine Fact or Fiction?


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This false doctrine of the establishment of a

kingdom of David in Palestine, before theclose of probation, leads this ShepheRod group into an error against which wewere warned in the early days of theAdvent Movement.


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While, as far as we know, this particularfantastic theory of the land of our fabecoming our final and superb dressinchamber for entrance into heaven, hadnot been advanced at that time, the truthsstated and the warning given are certainly

pertinent at this time.


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Ellen G. White:Then I was pointed to some who are in thegreat error of believing that it is their duty tgo to old Jerusalem, and think that they havea work to do there before the Lord comes.Such a view is calculated to take the mind

and interest from the present work of theLord, under the message of the third angel;


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for those who think that they are yet togo to Jerusalem, will have their minds there,

and their means will be withheld from thecause of present truth , to get themselvand others there. . . . I also saw that oldJerusalem never would be built up; and thatSatan was doing his utmost to lead theminds of the children of the Lord into these


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things now, in the gathering time, tokeep them from throwing their whole interestinto the present work of the Lord, and tocause them to neglect the necessarypreparation for the day of the Lord.

--Early Writings , pp.


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666

The Number of the Beast


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The Shepherds Rod:The mystical number "666" of the beaRevelation 13:18 as applied to the papacyproves to be unscriptural as wellunreasonable . While the numerical letters the title of the pope bears the number 666,

there are many other titles, as well as namesof individuals, who bear the same number.


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By simply computing the numerical valueof letters in a title, or name, we find it fits

many, hence we must look for Biblical proofto make the application. Except we thusprove the idea it would be improper andunfair to apply the symbol to any oneindividual.

- The Shepherd's Rod , Volume 2, p


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There are many beasts spoken of in theBible, but this two-horned beast is the only

one that can be termed "a man." It will benoticed that from the 11th verse on, of the13th chapter of Revelation the Scripturespeaks of the two-horned beast and closeswith the words: "For it is the number of a man;and his number is six hundred three-score andsix.


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Therefore , the mystical number "66belongs to the two-horned beast and none

other . However, we may not conclude thatno one before it could have such a number.The idea that the papacy is called the beastis altogether wrong .

- The Shepherd's Rod , Vol. 2, pp. 149

Scripture Speaks (Revelation 13)


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Scripture Speaks (Revelation 13)

Verses 1-3 introduce a beast that the dragon ofchapter 12 gave his power to, tell what wouldhappen to the beast, its restoration and howthe world responded to it (wonder after;worship).Verses 4-10 explain/amplify verses 1-3.


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Verses 14-16 explain how through deceptio


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Verses 14-16 explain how through deceptiothe two horned beast causes people to:

i. Make an image to the first beastii. Worship the image of the beast by forceiii. Receive a mark in their hand or forehead

Please note that verse 17 says that

might buy or sell, save he that had the the name of the beast, or the number of hisname.

If the verse was related to the second


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If the verse was related to the secondbeast, it would read something like this,no man might buy or sell, save he that hadhis mark, or his name, or the number of hname.

The fact that the pronoun his was not usedinitially proves that the word beast,

here, could not be referring to the beast withthe lamb-like horn but the beast that he isexalting.


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Thus the pronoun his, used in the phrase, is not related to the second beast

but the first.Verse 18 simply states what the number ofthe beast is. Note also that all that thesecond beast does is to draw attention tothe first beast and not to itself.


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Ellen G White:


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Ellen G. White:The beast with two horns ca[commands] all, both small and great, richand poor, free and bond, to receive a markin their right hand, or in their foreheads: andthat no man might buy or sell, save he thathad the mark, or the name of the beast, or

the number of his name. Revelation 1317.

The third angels warning is: If a


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The third angel s warning is: If aworship the beast and his image, and receivehis mark in his forehead, or in his hand, thsame shall drink of the wine of the wrath oGod. The beast mentioned in this messawhose worship is enforced by the two-hornedbeast, is the first, or leopardlike b

of Revelation 13 - the papacy . --Great Controversy , p.445,


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papacy and is therefore to be soug


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papacy, and is therefore to be sougamong the distinguishing characteristics ofthat power. The prophet Daniel declared thatthe Roman Church, symbolized by the littlehorn, was to think to change times and laws,[Daniel 7:25.] while Paul styled it the man of sin[2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4.] who was to exa

himself above God.--Spirit of Prophecy , Vol. 4, p.279, p


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The Mother of Harlots inRevelation 17

Who is she?

The Shepherds Rod :


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The Shepherd s Rod :The Mother of Harlots Not The Beast --

It has been explained that the papacy wouldremain to the last. If the woman on the scarletcolored beast (Babylon the Great) comes toher end at a different time and in another way,she cannot be a symbol of the papacy assome have thought .

--Shepherd's Rod , Vol.


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the deepest inward corruption will make


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p pthe greatest display, and will clothe itself withthe most elaborate signs of power. The Bible

plainly declares that this covers a corrupt anddeceiving wickedness. Upon her forewas a name written, Mystery, Babylon theGreat, The Mother of Harlots an

Abominations of the Earth. -- SDA Bible Commentary , Volpage 983, pa

Victor Houteff once stated that:


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Victor Houteff once stated that:Both the Bible and Sister White's writinsupport the Rod one hundred percent.

-- The Symbolic Code , VolNos.7-12 (July-December, 1941), p

We have seen that this is far from thetruth.


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SECTION THREE

Houteffs Unbiblical Claims

The Rod Contains All Truth?


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We must conclude that the 'Rod' contains all

truth , or there is no truth in it save the quotationsof truth . Therefore, if we admit one truth revealby the 'Rod,' then we must accept it all as truthTherefore we take the position that the messagein the 'Rod' is free from error in so far as the ideaput forth is concerned .

-V. T.(Circular letter dated August 31, 193

EGW on Infallibility


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In regard to infallibility, I never claimed it; Godalone is infallible. His word is true, and in Him is nvariableness, or shadow of turning.

--Letter 1

{Selected Messages , Book 1, p.37, pa

Shepherds Rod/ Davidians


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Will Not Die?

"Moreover, as the Shepherd's Rod is the Elijamessage (Testimonies to Ministers, p.475)impossible for anyone who accepts it and livesit to die , for the type demands translation. Thu

it is that Elijah stands as a type of the 144,000.--The Symbolic Code

(March 15, 193

"Those who believe in Present Truth, ye


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ycontinue to find fault with Brother Houteff'smarriage, prove to us one of two things:either that they are shallow thinkers, or thatthey have no faith in what they believe,the message teaches that we, as a part ofthe 144,000, shall never die .

--The Symbolic Code , VolNos.5-6 (May-June, 1937), p


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God is Leading His Church


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God has a church upon the earth who are Hischosen people, who keep His commandments.He is leading, not stray offshoots , not onand one there, but a people. The truth is asanctifying power; but the church militant is not

the church triumphant. There are tares amongthe wheat.

Wilt thou then that we . . . gather them


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was the question of the servant; but themaster answered, Nay ; lest while ye gathe

the tares, ye root up also the wheat withthem. The gospel net draws not only goofish, but bad ones as well, and the Loknows who are His .

-- Counsels for the Chp.240,

Christs Example


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John 4:22 - Ye worship ye know not what: wknow what we worship: for salvation is of theJews.

Revelation 3:16 - So then because thou alukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spuethee out of my mouth.

Revelation 3:19-20 - As many as I lo


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rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, andrepent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock:if any man hear my voice, and open the door,I will come in to him, and will sup with him, andhe with me.

If Christ had written off the Laodecian church,why would He encourage them to repent? Why

would He be knocking?

Matthew 23:37-38 - O Jerusalem, Jerusah h kill h h d h


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thou that killest the prophets, and stonest themwhich are sent unto thee, how often would I

have gathered thy children together, even as ahen gathereth her chickens under her wings,and ye would not! Behold, your house is lefunto you desolate.

These words were spoken by Christ to theJewish nations after they had rejected Him.


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SECTION FOUR

Warnings and Admonitions from the Bibleand the writings of E. G. White

Truth Will Not Contradict Truth


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When the power of God testifies as to what i

truth, that truth is to stand forever as the truthNo after suppositions, contrary to the light Godhas given are to be entertained . Men wwith interpretations of Scripture which are tothem truth, but which are not truth.

The truth for this time, God has given us as afoundation for our faith He Himself has taught


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foundation for our faith. He Himself has taughtus what is truth. One will arise, and s

another, with new light which contradicts thelight that God has given under thedemonstration of His Holy Spirit.

--Counsels to Writers and Editp.31,

Not Revealed To Just One Or Two


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God has not passed His people by, andchosen one solitary man here and anotherthere as the only ones worthy to be entrustedwith His truth. He does not give one man newlight contrary to the established faith of the

body . In every reform men have arisen makingthis claim.

Paul warned the church in his day, own selves shall men arise speaking perverse


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own selves shall men arise, speaking perversethings, to draw away disciples after them

The greatest harm to Gods people cthrough those who go out from among themspeaking perverse things. Through them theway of truth is evil spoken of.

--Counsels to Writers and Editp.45,

S t h t i l th t l f


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Satan hopes to involve the remnant people ofGod in the general ruin that is coming upon the

earth. As the coming of Christ draws nigh, hewill be more determined and decisive in hisefforts to overthrow them. Men and womearise professing to have some new light or

some new revelation whose tendency is to

unsettle faith in the old landmarks


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unsettle faith in the old landmarks.doctrines will not bear the test of God

yet souls will be deceived. --Counsels for the Church , p.344,

EGW on New Light


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Men professing to have new light , claimbe reformers , will have great influence overcertain class who are convinced of the heresthat exist in the present age and who asatisfied with the spiritual condition of thchurches . With true, honest hearts, these desirto see a change for the better, a coming up toa higher standard.

If the faithful servants of Christ would presenthe truth, pure and unadulterated , to thi


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, p ,they would accept it and purify themselves by

obeying it. But Satan , ever vigilant, sets uptrack of these inquiring souls. Someone makinghigh profession as a reformer comes to themSatan came to Christ, disguised as an angelof light, and draws them still farther from path of right .

--Counsels on Health , p.625,

Presumptuous Prophecies


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Deuteronomy 18:21-22 - And if thou say i

heart, How shall we know the word which theLORD hath not spoken? When a prophespeaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thingfollow not, nor come to pass, that is the thingwhich the LORD hath not spoken, but thprophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thoushalt not be afraid of him.

Entertain No Debates


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Just such transactions are taking place today.Many place such confidence in their own ideasthat they present their theories as if they couldmake no mistake. Once their words are spoken,they never go back, never repent, never feelthat they need forgiveness. They feel that theyare infallible. Thus it has been in past historythus it will be again . False religious confidenc

becomes supposed infallibility How can


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becomes supposed infallibility . How candeluded ones think that they are the only ones

led and taught of God? When this spirit imanifested, what can be done? You convince them, because they say, Gled me. They will not acknowledge that thehave acted on wrong principles .

They maintain that they have moved rightly.


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They maintain that they have moved rightly.The only course that can be pursued is to leave

them to develop their principles . Thenever see their error, but others may beconvinced and saved. To attempt to unmthem would be to call sympathy to their side

-- Review and Herald , Sept. 7, 1897, pa

void False Teachers


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Rom 16:17-18 - Now I beseech you, brethmark them which cause divisions and offencescontrary to the doctrine which ye have learnedand avoid them. For they that are such servenot our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; andby good words and fair speeches deceihearts of the simple .

2 John 1:10-11 - If there come any un


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yyou, and bring not this doctrine, receive him

not into your house, neither bid him Godspeed: 11 For he that biddeth him Godspeed is partaker of his evil deeds.

Our True Condition

The church has failed sadly failed to meet the


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The church has failed, sadly failed, to meet theexpectations of her Redeemer, and yet the Lorddoes not withdraw Himself from His people. Hbears with them still, not because of anygoodness found in them, but that His name not be dishonored before the enemies of truth

and righteousness, that the satanic agenciesmay not triumph in the destruction of God'speople.

He has borne long with their waywardnessb l f d f ll h d f l f b


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unbelief and folly. With wonderful forbearanceand compassion He has disciplined them. If theywill heed His instruction He will cleanse awatheir perverse tendencies, saving them with aneverlasting salvation and making them eternalmonuments of the power of His grace.

--Signs of the Times , Nov. 1{Last Days Events , p.58,

We should remember that the church,enfeebled and defective though it be, is the


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only object on earth on which Christ bestows

His supreme regard. He is constantly watchingit with solicitude, and is strengthening it by HisHoly Spirit.

--Selected Messages , Book 2, p.396 (19{Last Days Events , p.58, par

The Apple of Gods Eye


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Zechariah 2:7-8 - Deliver thyself, O Ziondwellest with the daughter of Babylon. For thussaith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath hesent me unto the nations which spoiled you: forhe that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his

eye.


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The Big QuestionWhy do Davidians remain in the SDAChurch?

On February 15, 1935, Houteff wrote in Tb l d h hl bl h


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Symbolic Code, his monthly publication to hifollowers, that they should stay in their locachurches and not separate, for "if we seourselves from the organization, then - in thefulfillment of Ezekiel 9 - when those who havenot the mark are taken away, we shall have noright to claim possession of the denomination."


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THE END

the davidian or shepherd’s rod movement - j

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