My Vision on the Issue of
“Added Probation”
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September
3, 2011
What
follows is the teaching of Laval Picard (forerunner000), who implies that he
fulfills the role of John the Baptist in the Spirit of Elijah by teaching that
he is the forerunner and that he and some select others are to remain outside
of church membership in the SDA church to prepare to give a message later to
the church, but others are not to be called out.
Laval told me that he
and some others are being prepared to give a message to the church later at the
outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and that it is then that there will be a call
out. I have said that my call is to those who desire to be the bride of Christ,
for they cannot be defiled by apostate churches. Laval does not know whom God
is calling. If he did, he would know who the 144,000 are and no one knows that
at this time. So in essence, Laval is judging who is and who is not one of the 144,000. I fully agree that there will be
a final call out of all apostate churches when the Holy Spirit is poured out in
the final Loud Cry, and that all who have not rejected knowledge of the
apostasy and an invitation to come out from it to be the bride of Christ, will
then have a final opportunity to heed the call out of Jerusalem, Isaiah 37:31,
32, as well as Babylon.
A
vision was given to me early this a.m. which proves that certain and serious
aspects of Mr. Picard’s theory are patently false. In Laval Picard’s theory is
a classic example of just how good and reasonable and true something can sound
until put under the microscope of all the weight of evidence.
I want
to make it very clear that I will publish on this Website any rebuttal to this
weight of evidence by one Laval Picard, who is a trained SDA minister. But I
will predict that he will not be able to refute this serious weight of evidence
testimony which the Lord gave to me in vision this a.m., September 4, 2011. I
asked the Lord why He did not give me this testimony sooner. He told me that he
wanted Laval Picard and his followers to be tested by a time factor of being
immersed in their cherished error. Laval once told me he would never accept
Ellen White’s teaching on the Godhead. The Lord showed me he will likewise
never accept the truth regarding his error on added probation. I hasten to add
the serious warning that it is rejection of the Holy Spirit to persist in the
rejection of the evidence of any and all truth. We are told that is
unpardonable sin against the Holy Spirit.
First,
let’s investigate Ellen White’s teaching on “added probation:” This is
interesting reading in light of the fact that Ellen White says in scores of
statements that SDA’s are repeating the history of Israel:
Chap. 17 - "Spare it this Year
Also"
Christ in His teaching linked with the warning of
judgment the invitation of mercy. "The Son of man is not come," He
said, "to destroy men’s lives, but to save them." Luke 9:56.
"God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the
world through Him might be saved." John 3:17. His mission of mercy in its
relation to God’s justice and judgment is illustrated in the parable of the
barren fig tree. {COL 212.1}
Christ had been warning the people of the coming of
the kingdom of God, and He had sharply rebuked their ignorance and
indifference. The signs in the sky, which foretold the weather, they were quick
to read; but the signs of the times, which so clearly pointed to His mission,
were not discerned. {COL 212.2}
But men were as ready then as men are now to conclude
that they themselves are the favorites of heaven, and that the message of
reproof is meant for another. The hearers told
Jesus of an event which had just caused great excitement. Some of the measures
of Pontius Pilate, the governor of Judea, had given offense to the people.
There had [BEGIN P.213 (COL)] been a popular tumult in Jerusalem, and Pilate
had attempted to quell this by violence. On one occasion his soldiers had even
invaded the precincts of the temple, and had cut down some Galilean pilgrims in
the very act of slaying their sacrifices. The Jews regarded calamity as a judgment on account of the sufferer’s
sin, and those who told of this act of violence did so with secret
satisfaction. In their view their own good fortune
proved them to be much better, and therefore more favored by God, than were
these Galileans. They expected to hear from Jesus words of condemnation for
these men, who, they doubted not, richly deserved their punishment. {COL 212.3}
Note: The implication
(above and as proved erroneous below) is that calamity is not always a judgment
on account of the sufferer’s sin. Sometimes calamity and its associated trials
are for the purpose of bringing us closer to Christ. End note by Ron.
The disciples of Christ did not venture to express
their ideas until they had heard the opinion of their Master. He had given them
pointed lessons in reference to judging other men’s characters, and measuring
retribution according to their finite judgment. Yet they looked for Christ to denounce these men as sinners above
others. Great was their surprise at His answer. {COL 213.1}
Turning to the multitude, the Saviour said, "Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners
above all the Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay; but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise
perish." These startling calamities were designed
to lead them to humble their hearts, and to repent of their sins. The storm of vengeance was gathering, which was soon
to burst upon all who had not found a refuge in Christ. {COL 213.2}
As Jesus talked with the disciples and the multitude,
He looked forward with prophetic glance and saw Jerusalem besieged with armies.
He heard the tramp of the aliens marching against the chosen city and saw the
thousands upon thousands perishing in the siege. Many of the Jews were, like
those Galileans, slain in the temple courts, in the very act of offering
sacrifice. The calamities that had fallen [BEGIN P.214] upon individuals were
warnings from God to a nation equally guilty. "Except ye repent,"
said Jesus, "ye shall all likewise perish." For a little time the day of probation lingered for them. There
was still time for them to know the things that belonged to their peace. {COL 213.3}
"A certain man," He continued, "had a
fig-tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and
found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three
years I come seeking fruit on this fig-tree, and find none: cut it down; why
cumbereth it the ground?" {COL 214.1}
Christ’s hearers could not misunderstand the
application of His words. David had sung of Israel as the vine brought out of
Egypt. Isaiah had written, "The vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house
of Israel, and the men of Judah His pleasant plant." Isa. 5:7. The
generation to whom the Saviour had come were represented by the fig tree in the
Lord’s vineyard--within the circle of His special care and blessing. {COL
214.2}
God’s purpose toward His people, and the glorious
possibilities before them, had been set forth in the beautiful words,
"That they might be called trees of
righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified," Isa.
61:3. The dying Jacob, under the Spirit of
inspiration, had said of his best-loved son, "Joseph is a fruitful bough,
even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall." And he
said, "The God of thy Father" "shall help thee," the
Almighty "shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of
the deep that lieth under." Gen. 49:22, 25. So God had planted Israel as a
goodly vine by the wells of life. He had made His vineyard "in a very
fruitful hill." He had "fenced it, and gathered out the stones
thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine." Isa. 5:1, 2. [BEGIN
P.215] {COL 214.3}
"And He looked that it should bring forth grapes,
and it brought forth wild grapes." Isa. 5:2. The people of Christ’s day made a greater
show of piety than did the Jews of earlier ages, but they were even more
destitute of the sweet graces of the Spirit of God. The precious fruits of character that made the life of Joseph so fragrant and beautiful, were not
manifest in the Jewish nation. {COL 215.1}
God in His Son had been seeking fruit, and had found
none. Israel was a cumberer of the ground. Its very existence was a curse; for it filled the place in the vineyard that a fruitful tree might fill.
It robbed the world of the blessings
that God designed to give. The Israelites had misrepresented God among the
nations. They were not merely useless, but a decided hindrance. To a great
degree their religion was misleading, and wrought ruin instead of salvation. {COL 215.2}
In the parable the dresser of the vineyard does not
question the sentence that the tree, if it remained fruitless, should be cut
down; but he knows and shares the owner’s interest in that barren tree. Nothing
could give him greater joy than to see its growth and fruitfulness. He responds
to the desire of the owner, saying, "Let it alone this year also, till I
shall dig about it and dung it; and if it bear fruit, well." {COL 215.3}
The gardener does not refuse to minister to so
unpromising a plant. He stands ready to give it still greater care. [BEGIN
P.216] He will make its surroundings most favorable, and will lavish upon it
every attention. {COL 215.4}
The owner and the dresser of the vineyard are one in
their interest in the fig tree. So the Father and the Son were one in their
love for the chosen people. Christ was saying to His hearers that increased
opportunities would be given them. Every means that the love of God could
devise would be put in operation that they might become trees of righteousness,
bringing forth fruit for the blessing of the world. {COL 216.1}
Jesus did not in the parable tell the result of the
gardener’s work. At that point His story was cut short. Its conclusion rested
with the generation that heard His words. To them the solemn warning was given.
"If not, then after that thou shalt
cut it down." Upon them it depended whether the
irrevocable words should be spoken. The day of wrath was near. In the calamities that had already befallen Israel,
the owner of the vineyard was mercifully forewarning them of the destruction of
the unfruitful tree. {COL 216.2}
The warning sounds down along the line to us in this
generation. Are you, O careless heart, a fruitless tree in the Lord’s vineyard?
Shall the words of doom erelong be spoken of you? How long have you received
His gifts? How long has He watched and waited for a return of love? Planted in
His vineyard, under the watchful care of the gardener, what privileges are
yours! How often has the tender gospel message thrilled your heart! You have
taken the name of Christ, you are outwardly a member of the church which is His
body, and yet you are conscious of no living connection with the great heart of
love. The tide of His life does not flow through you. The sweet graces of His
character, "the fruits of the Spirit," are not seen in your life. [BEGIN P.217] {COL 216.3}
The barren tree receives the rain and the sunshine and
the gardener’s care. It draws nourishment from the soil. But its unproductive
boughs only darken the ground, so that fruit-bearing plants cannot flourish in
its shadow. So God’s gifts, lavished on you, convey no blessing to the world.
You are robbing others of privileges that, but for you, might be theirs. {COL
217.1}
You realize, though it may be but dimly, that you are
a cumberer of the ground. Yet in His great mercy God has not cut you down. He
does not look coldly upon you. He does not turn away with indifference, or
leave you to destruction. Looking upon you He cries, as He cried so [BEGIN
P.218] many centuries ago concerning Israel, "How shall I give thee up,
Ephraim? How shall I deliver thee, Israel? . . . I will not execute the
fierceness of Mine anger. I will not return to destroy Ephraim; for I am God,
and not man." Hosea 11:8, 9. The pitying Saviour is saying concerning you,
Spare it this year also, till I shall dig about it and dress it. {COL 217.2}
With what unwearied love did Christ minister to Israel
during the period of added probation.
Upon the cross He prayed, "Father,
forgive them; for they know not what they do." Luke 23:24. After His
ascension the gospel was preached first at Jerusalem. There the Holy Spirit was
poured out. There the first gospel church revealed the power of the risen
Saviour. There Stephen--"his face as it had been the face of an
angel" (Acts 6:15)--bore his testimony and laid down his life. All that
heaven itself could give was bestowed. "What could have been done more to
My vineyard," Christ said, "that I have not done in it?" Isa.
5:4. So His care and labor for you are not lessened, but increased. Still He
says, "I the Lord do keep it; I will water it every moment; lest any hurt
it, I will keep it night and day." Isa. 27:3. {COL 218.1}
Note: Recall that in
Daniel 9, Israel was given 490 years to put away sin from the camp. That 490
year time ended in A.D. 34, at the stoning of Stephen. Yet, Christ added
probation for individuals in Israel from the Day of Pentecost in A.D. 31, while
His presence left their Sanctuary (Temple) when the veil was rent at His
crucifixion, signifying that the organization was no longer His church, because
only His presence can constitute a church, The
Upward Look, 315. So added probation was then extended to those individuals who would leave that apostate church and join with the
disciples who organized home churches all over Judea. End note by Ron.
"If it bear fruit, well; and if not, then after
that"-- {COL 218.2}
The heart that does not respond to divine agencies
becomes hardened until it is no longer susceptible to the influence of the Holy
Spirit. Then it is that the word is spoken, "Cut it down; why cumbereth it
the ground?" {COL 218.3}
Note by Ron:
Thirty-six years of added probation was granted individual Jews, until their
Temple and all who would not respond to the delivering message of the two calls
of the disciples, Matthew 22:1-10, were destroyed when the Roman came and
destroyed the Temple and the city of Jerusalem. This was the cutting down
mentioned by Christ. But for 36 years before that cutting down, true followers
of Christ left that apostate church to join home churches established by the
disciples of Christ.
Laval Picard says that
we are not to leave the church until the two calls of Matthew 22:1-10 are made
AFTER the antitypical Day of Pentecost. Then, may I ask: Why does Ellen White reapply
Matthew 22:1-10 and say that they have been going on—in Sermons and Talks, Vol. 1: pp. 4-9, to wit:
Called to the Wedding Feast
(Sermon by Ellen G.
White In Washington, Township, Iowa, Cir. 1874.) [Remember this date!]
The words which I have selected as a
foundation for a few remarks you will find in the 22nd chapter of Matthew,
beginning at the first verse. [Verses 1-10, quoted.] {1SAT 4.1}
The portion of
Scripture presented before us, which I have referred to and have presented
before your minds, is of intense meaning--much more than I am able to explain. It is of great
interest to us, and we should consider it, and let it have due weight upon our
minds. We find by perusing God's sacred Word of
inspiration that when the promised Messiah, the Son of God, came into the world
His own people, even His own nation--the Jews--would not and did not receive
Him. As we are told in the first chapter of St. John, "He came unto His
own, and His own received Him not" (John 1:11). {1SAT 4.2}
The provision was made, but they would not
receive it. The Father Himself provided a ransom, even a sacrifice. His own
dear Son submitted Himself to His Father's requirements, came into this sinful
world, became a man of sorrow and acquainted with grief. He went about doing
good, speaking in tones of tenderness, saying in the deepest and most fervent
and sweetest accents ever uttered, "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and
are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of
Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart"; and He assures us we shall find
rest to our souls. {1SAT 4.3}
"Again, he sent forth other servants,
saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen
and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his
merchandise."
-5- {1SAT
4.4}
The great King Himself hath made a
marriage for His Son. He hath sent forth His servants for many hundreds of
years, saying, "Come, for all things are ready." But how little do
they [His people] heed the invitation!
They make light of it and go their ways to their worldly pursuits and worldly
pleasures, the same as they have done for centuries. But the King sendeth
forth His armies and destroys those murders and burns up their city [church],
and we are told in the ninth chapter of Daniel, the 26th verse, that
"the people of the Prince that shall come shall destroy the city...;
and the end thereof shall be with a flood." {1SAT 5.1}
"Then saith he to his servants, The
wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore
into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage."
{1SAT 5.2}
In the 14th chapter of Luke, verse 16, we
find that there was made a great supper and many were bidden. Servants were
sent forth to say to those that were bidden, "Come; for all things are now
ready" [verse 17]. But they made excuses. {1SAT 5.3}
The King of the kingdom hath made a
marriage supper for His Son. He hath sent forth His servants to say to those
which are bidden, "Come to the marriage." The Lord is sending His servants, saying unto all who will hear,
"Come, make ready for the great marriage supper of the Lamb; He is soon
coming to receive all the faithful to the mansions prepared by Him, to partake
of the feast which He hath prepared." He is sending, and hath been sending His servants for some thirty
years past to say unto His people, "Come, make ready, put on your wedding garments; clothe
yourselves with meekness, humility, and truth, and have yourselves clad in the
righteousness of Christ, that you may be
-6-
able to appear before
Him, and enter into the guest chamber with those who shall sit with Me at the
wedding of My Son." {1SAT 5.4}
Today He invites you: "O Israel, return unto the
Lord thy God. . . . I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely. . .
. I will be as the dew unto Israel; he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth
his roots as Lebanon. . . . They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they
shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine. . . . From Me is thy fruit
found." Hosea 14:1-8. {COL 218.4}
Note by Ron: The date of the statement is circa 1874!
Ellen White says the calls of Matthew 22 had been going for 30 years when she
made this statement. That dates back to 1844. So the Spirit of Prophecy says
that the first awakening calls of Matthew 22:1-10 TO GOD’S PEOPLE, began in
1844. They were awakened by the bride (Philadelphia) which had previously been
called of God.
So take your choice
friends and followers of Laval Picard. He is awaiting the two calls of Matthew
22:1-10 in the future, and Ellen White says they have been going on to God’s
people since 1844. However, to be totally fair to the issue, Ellen White did
say that the Midnight Cry would be repeated. I fully believe and have always
taught since the inception of my ministry that the Midnight Cry now applies to
Adventists because they took their eyes off that lighted pathway to heaven by
ecumenical retrogression back to association, council/counsel, girding and
confederacy with their forefathers, the enemies of God, just as the Jews did in
Jeremiah 11:9-15. Words to the Little
Flock, p. 14, says that all who take their eyes off the Midnight Cry by
saying it led them too far out of Babylon (implied), find it “impossible” to get back on the pathway to heaven. And Ellen White reapplies the words of
Jeremiah 11 to God’s people at the end-time.
In light of the fact
that the 490 years of Israel’s probation (Daniel 9) ended in A.D. 34, God gave
about 39 years of added probation to apostate Israel (from A.D. 31-70). During that 39 years, the faithful were gathered out into home
churches. So I fully believe that at least 39 years prior to the destruction of
apostate Jerusalem (the SDA church) at the end-time, the faithful will be
gathered out of the apostate SDA church into home churches, for Ellen White
said Ezekiel 9 was a prefigure (GC p. 25) beginning at His church (5T211). If
Laval Picard wants to say it’s all like it was in the type involving the
typical Day of Pentecost, then he must allow for the 39 year gathering out
before the antitypical Ezekiel 9 destruction BEGINNING AT HIS SANCTUARY,
JERUSALEM, the apostate SDA church.
So how long do you
think time will go on given the serious events occurring all around us?! How
long does Laval’s theory delay His coming if all is according to the Day of
Pentecost in the type—when there was 36 years of separation from the apostate
church after that event? By his reckoning, there would be 36 more years after
antitypical Pentecost until the coming of Christ, for that is how long the two
calls of Matthew 22:1-10 extended in the type and he says it will be exactly as
it was then! Laval said: “The latter rain
will be another Pentecost and the scenario described above will be fulfilled
again to the very letter!” And how can we say the two calls of Matthew 22:1-10
are all future to Adventists, when Ellen White says they have been on-going to
Adventists since 1844? End Ron’s note.
“We are living in a time
when the last message of mercy, the last invitation, is sounding to the
children of men. The command, "Go out into the highways and hedges,"
is reaching its final fulfillment. To every soul Christ’s invitation will be
given. The messengers are saying, "Come; for all things are now
ready." Heavenly angels are still working in co-operation with human
agencies. The Holy Spirit is presenting every inducement to constrain you to
come. Christ is watching for some sign that will betoken the removing of the
bolts and the opening of the door of your heart for His entrance. Angels are
waiting to bear the tidings to heaven that another lost sinner has been found.
The hosts of heaven are waiting, ready to strike their harps and to sing a song
of rejoicing that another soul has accepted the invitation to the gospel
feast.” {COL 237.2}
Here is Laval’s spurious teaching to the Adventist people, and keep in mind that he was trained as an SDA minister at Canadian Union College.
---- Original Message -----
From: "forerunner000"
forerunner000@...
To: DefendEGW@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, May 09, 2007 10:33 PM
Subject: [DefendEGW] Re: A STRAIGHT AND
NARROW PATH (Time of added
probation)
TIME OF ADDED PROBATION
Now we should all be able to appreciate the truth that in spite of the fact that the "new
organization" has fallen off the path, that we are living in the time of
"added probation".
This is exactly what happened in the days of Christ. At the time of His crucifixion the entire Jewish structure
was off the path and out of the light and was left unto them desolate.
"Your house is left unto you
desolate."
However, though the Jewish "organization" had gone beyond the point
of no return by crucifying Jesus, "the Lord's care and labor for His people had not lessened but increased."
C.O.L.218. The time following the crucifixion was a time of "added
probation" when the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the disciples at
Pentecost:
"This was the message borne
to the Jewish people after the crucifixion of Christ; but the nation that
claimed to be Christ's peculiar people rejected the gospel brought to them in
the power of the Holy Spirit. Many did this is the most scornful manner. Others
were so exasperated by the offer of salvation and the offer of pardon for
rejecting the Lord of glory, that they turned upon the bearers of the message.
There was 'a great persecution.' Acts 8:1. Many both of men and women were thrust into prison, and
some of the Lord's messengers, as Stephen and James were put to death. Thus the
Jewish people sealed their rejection of God's mercy. The result was foretold in
the parable." C.O.L.308, 309.
History is about to be repeated. The latter rain will be another Pentecost and the scenario described above will be fulfilled again to the very letter! If you wish to read more about what is going to take place, turn to THE ADVENT MOVEMENT ILLUSTRATED from Early Writings, pp. 240, 241 and THE SHAKING from the same book, pp. 269-271.
Laval Picard
My
Vision Exposing the Errors of Mr. Picard’s Position
I was
shown that Laval Picard is teaching serious error on the following issues per
the weight of all the evidence:
1.
The close of
probation for the apostate corporate organization of the Jews, as a church
body, was when they crucified Christ, for it was then that Christ’s presence
left the Sanctuary when the veil was rent at His death. God’s presence then
ceased and only His presence can constitute a church, The Upward Look, 315.
2.
Added probation for
Israel consisted in added probation for INDIVIDUALS ONLY. There was no virtue
in the apostate Jewish organization to seal or save anyone after the leaders of
that apostate Temple crucified Christ.
3.
The Jews could not
receive the Ezekiel 9 Mark (Seal) by the Man in Linen, until after the time of
the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, 10 days after the
ascension of Christ in A.D. 31. The Daniel 9, 490 years of general probation,
ended for individuals in A.D. 34,
although the outpouring on the disciples and the 120 occurred in A.D. 31. God
had departed at the renting of the veil in A.D. 31. But the added probation by
the God’s grace was from A.D. 31, to A.D. 70.
My
point is that there was no virtue in remaining with the apostate church from
A.D. 31, the time of the crucifixion of Christ, to the time of the general
close of probation for the Jews in A.D. 34, and even after the time of the
outpouring of the Holy Spirit occurred on the typical Day of Pentecost in A.D.
31. That outpouring was the Ezekiel 9 sealing (Mark by the Man in Linen) on all
who received it at that time. So it was by no virtue of the apostate Temple
church that one received the sealing or Mark by the Man in Linen.
4.
The reason the
disciples were told to remain in Jerusalem until they received the Holy Spirit
(power from on high), was because they were to go to
Jewish individuals first after the
general close of Israel’s probation. Empirically, probation had closed for the
Temple (organization) at the crucifixion of Christ, and an added time for
probation extended for individuals
only.
5.
As the first act of
His ministry, Jesus gathered out His disciples, those who were to take the
gospel to the world. Desire of Ages,
232. Those disciples constituted His bride. Ibid.
p. 179. The disciples were gathered out seven full years before the general
close of probation for Israel as individuals in A.D. 34. The 490 years given to
the Jews to put away sin ended with the stoning of Stephen in A.D 34. But as
previously stated, God added probation for individuals until the destruction of
Jerusalem in A.D. 70.
6.
In Acts 1:12-15,
there were about 120 others who stood with the disciples and received the Holy
Ghost on the Day of Pentecost, to wit:
12Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the
mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath
day's journey.
13And when they were come in, they went up into
an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip,
and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon
Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.
14These all continued with one accord in prayer
and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his
brethren.
15And in those days Peter stood up in the midst
of the disciples, and said, (the number
of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)
The Lord showed me that these 120 followers of
the disciples were separated from the apostate church as well when the Holy
Spirit was poured out in A.D., 31—3 ½ years before the 490 years of general
probation for individuals in the Jewish church was ended in A.D. 34. By Laval
Picard’s personal opinion theology, these 120 should not have left the apostate
church of Israel, for he said the end-time fulfillment of Pentecost will all be
exactly as it was in the type. In that case, you can see that others—than the
bride of Christ, (the disciples), had left the apostate Jewish church and were
followers of the disciples. So more than
just John the Baptist, the forerunner, were separated
from the apostate Temple.
7. The bride at the time of Christ was composed of 12. At
the end-time it is composed of 144,000. Only the 144,000 enter the Temple on
Mt. Zion, Early Writings, p. 19.
Philadelphia is the 144,000 because they are made “pillars” (priests—leaders)
in the Temple in heaven, Revelation 3:10-12 and Zion gets the New Name, New
Jerusalem, Isaiah 62 and Revelation 3:10-12. Zion is married, Isaiah 62:1-5 and
she had sons and daughters—verses 5-12. She gives the Loud Cry which awakens
all ten virgins, Christ’s Objects
Lessons, 405-406, for all those virgins slumbered and slept, Matthew
25:1-5.
8. So at the very least, the 144,000 will leave the
apostate church for they are not defiled with women (Revelation 14:1-4), which
are apostate churches. In Isaiah 4:1-4, seven women (all formally organized
churches) at the end-time, are eating their own bread (the commandments of men
in lieu of the commandments of God), and wearing their own apparel (their own
robes of Laodicean, rich, increased with goods, in need of nothing – self-righteousness).
And Ellen White cites the Laodicean message as part of the final message to the
fallen churches, to wit:
“Will the churches heed the Laodicean
message? Will they repent, or will they, notwithstanding that the most solemn
message of truth--the third angel's message--is being proclaimed to the world,
go on in sin? This is the last message of mercy, the last warning to a fallen
world. If the church of God becomes lukewarm, it does not stand in favour with
God any more than do the churches that are represented as having fallen and
become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and the
cage of every unclean and hateful bird. Those who have had opportunities to
hear and receive the truth and who have united with the Seventh-day Adventist
Church, calling themselves the commandment-keeping people of God, and yet
possess no more vitality and consecration to God than do the nominal churches,
will receive of the plagues of God just as verily as the churches who oppose
the law of God. Only those that are sanctified through the truth will compose
the royal family in the heavenly mansions Christ has gone to prepare for those
that love Him and keep His commandments.” E. G. White, Manuscript
Releases, Vol. 19, 171-178.
9. Laval Picard’s personal opinion theory is that he is
one of a select number called to come out of the church and that all others should
remain members until the Day of Pentecost. But the disciples of Christ, as
prepared by John the Baptist (DA 179), were gathered out by Jesus long before
the Day of Pentecost. It was John the Baptist who
prepared them, but it was God (Jesus) personally, who called them to service.
The 120 were also in accord with the disciples before the Day of Pentecost. So
it is not for Laval to decide who is one of the true
reformers called of God. Also, Ellen White says that the calls of
Matthew 22 have been on-going to SDA’s since 1844. Sermons
and Talks, Vol. 1, pp. 4-9.
"Characteristics of True
Reformers.--Here are given the characteristics of those who shall be reformers,
who will bear the banner of the third angel's message, those who avow
themselves God's commandment-keeping people, and who honor God, and are
earnestly engaged, in the sight of all the universe, in building up the old
waste places. Who is it that calls them, The repairers of the breach, The restorers
of paths to dwell in? It is God.
Their names are registered [written--Heb. 12:22, 23] in heaven as reformers,
restorers, as raising the foundations of many generations." E. G. White, SDA Bible Commentary, Vol. 4, 1151.
10. Ellen White, not Laval Picard, fulfilled the role of John the
Baptist in the spirit and power of Elijah, because two men refused that role.
It is not for Laval Picard to decide that he and who else are the ones who
calls the 144,000 to service, for Ellen White said it is God alone who does
that, just as it was God alone (Jesus) who did it in the type. Laval and others
can help prepare a bride, but it is God who calls His bride and no man is to
say who that bride is and is not by saying who should and should not leave the
apostate SDA church in order to not be defiled by women (apostate churches) in
the context of Revelation 14:1-4.
11. Jeremiah 11:9-15, teaches that a chosen people can
commit unpardonable sin on a generational basis to the point that we are not to
even pray for them.
12. Ellen White reapplies Jeremiah’s treatise
on the Jews of his generation to the time of the end, to wit:
COUNTERPART:
"The Lord commanded one of his ancient servants, 'Pray not thou for this
people [Jer. 7:16 and 11:9-15], neither lift up cry nor prayer for them neither
make intercession to me for I will not hear thee.' The prophet thus describes
the sins which had called forth this fearful denunciation: 'The prophets
prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means and my people love
to have it so and what will ye do in the end thereof?' 'From the least of them
even unto the greatest of them, every one is given to covetousness and from the
prophet even unto the priest, every one dealeth falsely. They have healed also
the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace, when
there is no peace.' The apostles declare that this state of things will find
its COUNTERPART in the last days. Many have a form of godliness, but in their
daily life deny the power thereof. They have ceased to be convicted of their
sins or alarmed at their state. They say in their hearts, 'The church is
flourishing. Peace and spiritual prosperity are within her borders.' The words
of the prophet may well apply to these self-deceivers, 'They have chosen their
own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. I also will choose
their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them." E. G. White, Second Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, 11-07-82.
"Shall
the Lord be compelled to say, `Pray not thou for this people, neither lift up
cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to Me: for I will not hear
thee' [Jeremiah 7:16]? `Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there
hath been no latter rain....Wilt thou not from this time cry unto Me, My
Father, thou art the guide of my youth' [Jeremiah 3:3-4]?
We
are to be judged by the light that has been given us,(159) and we can find no
excuse by which to extenuate our course." Review and
Herald, Vol. 3, p 69-70 (August 1, 1893). (Brackets by Ellen White)
COUNTERPART:
"In
the time of the Saviour, the Jews had so covered over the precious jewels of
truth with the rubbish of tradition and fable, that it was impossible to
distinguish the true from the false. The Saviour came to clear away the rubbish
of superstition and long-cherished errors, and to set the jewels of God's word
in the framework of truth. What would the Saviour do if he should come to us
now as he did to the Jews? He would have to do a similar work in clearing away
the rubbish of tradition and ceremony. The Jews were greatly disturbed when he
did this work [As are SDAs today!]. They had lost sight of the original truth
of God, but Christ brought it again to view. It is our work to free the
precious truths of God from superstition and error." E.G. White, Review and Herald, Vol.
2, 308.
“The
Lord commanded one of his ancient servants, "Pray not thou for this
people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them; neither make intercession to
me; for I will not hear thee." The prophet thus describes the sins which
had called forth this fearful denunciation: "The prophets prophesy
falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have
it so; and what will ye do in the end thereof?" "From the least of
them even unto the greatest of them, every one is given to covetousness; and
from the prophet even unto the priest, every one dealeth falsely. They have
healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace,
peace, when there is no peace. The apostles declare that this state of things
will find its counterpart in the last days. Many have a form of godliness, but
in their daily life deny the power thereof. They have ceased to be convicted of
their sins or alarmed at their state. They say in their hearts, "The
church is flourishing. Peace and spiritual prosperity are within her
borders." The words of the prophet may well apply to these self-deceivers,
"They have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their
abominations. I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears
upon them." {RH, November 7, 1882 par. 9}
The carnal mind is enmity against God. Not one of us can love and keep his
commandments, only as we deny self, and take upon ourselves the yoke of Christ.
Divine truth has never been in harmony with the traditions and customs of the
world; it has never conformed to their opinions. Christ himself received not
honor from men. He was meek and lowly of heart, and made himself of no
reputation. His simple dress and unpretending manners were in so marked
contrast to the pomposity, self-conceit, and vain display of the Pharisees,
that they would not accept him. All witnessed the manifestation of divine
power, but few saw in Christ, amid his sufferings and humiliation, the Saviour
of the world. {RH, November 7, 1882 par. 10}
At
the present day a form of godliness is popular, even in the world. A profession
of Christianity costs little. But those who follow Jesus must walk in the same
path of self-denial and cross-bearing which the Master trod. They may be
lightly esteemed by the world, but they are honored of God. {RH, November 7,
1882 par. 11}
13.
Laval Picard does not attend the SDA church, but he believes he is the only one
who should not do so. He apparently believes he is John the Baptist and is the
only one who is preparing a bride for Jesus Christ. But soon after John’s
preparation of the bride, the disciples, DA 179, those disciples were gathered
out of the apostate Jewish church seven years before any general close of
probation for individual Jews and 3 ½ years before the corporate apostate
Jewish church closed its probation by removing God by killing Jesus. These
facts of history completely destroy Laval’s personal spurious, personal opinion
teaching that only a John the Baptist “forerunner” type was to leave the
apostate church BEFORE the two calls of Matthew 22:1-10. Such a spurious
teaching is totally false and absurd, especially as deriving from a trained SDA
minister. At the very least, 144,000, as the bride of Christ, called of God,
would leave so as not to be defiled with women—an apostate church (Rev.
14:1-4). Just as the bride, Philadelphia, left the apostate churches of 1844, before
they called others out, so the bride at the end-time would leave before they
call others out of the apostate SDA church. The call to come out, in this case,
is just like an invitation from Christ to His disciples to be His bride. Can
one refuse that call and still be saved? I think not! And Ellen White has that
call extending from 1844.
God’s people have
left apostate churches in every succeeding generation since Christ and His
followers left, to wit:
"The
Sanhedrin had rejected Christ's message and was bent upon His death therefore
Jesus departed from Jerusalem, from the priests, the temple, the religious
leaders, the people who had been instructed in the law, and turned to another
class to proclaim His message, and to gather out those who should carry the
gospel to all nations.
As the light and life of men was rejected by the ecclesiastical authorities in
the days of Christ, so it has been rejected in every succeeding generation.
Again and again the history of Christ's withdrawal from Judea has been
repeated. When the Reformers preached the word of God, they had no thought of
separating themselves from the established church but the religious leaders would not tolerate the light, and those that bore
it were forced to seek another class, who were longing for the truth. In our
day few of the professed followers of the Reformers are actuated by their
spirit. Few are listening for the voice of God, and ready to accept truth in
whatever guise it may be presented. Often those who follow in the steps of the
Reformers are forced to turn away from the churches they love, in order to
declare the plain teaching of the word of God. And many times those who are
seeking for light are by the same teaching obliged to leave the church of their
fathers, that they may render obedience."
E.G. White, Desire of Ages, 232.
How
many generations before the general close of probation for the individual Jews
in A.D. 34, did the following separation occur? Hint: Shiloh was the first
civilized settlement of the Jews when they first exited the Sinai Desert!
Why
does Ellen White cite this statement below? Does the Holy Spirit make such
serious statements for sport, or for our admonition and example?
"The recreant priests added licentiousness to
the dark catalogue of their crimes yet they still polluted by their presence
the tabernacle of the Lord, and, laden with sin, dared to come into the
presence of a holy God. As the men of Israel witnessed the corrupt course of the priests, they
thought it safer for their families not to come up to the appointed place of
worship. Many went from Shiloh with their peace disturbed, their indignation
aroused, until they at last determined to offer their sacrifices themselves,
concluding that this would be fully as acceptable to God, as to sanction in any
manner the abominations practiced in the Sanctuary." E.G. White, The Signs of the
Times, vol.
1, p. 264, col. 3, December 1, 1881.
In the above statement, are those Jews of Shiloh to
be faulted for separating from the apostate Jewish church centuries before the
Day of Pentecost, and the two calls of Matthew 22:1-10? I think not!
Never forget, the time of added probation for the
Jews was AFTER probation was closed for their apostate Temple, at the crucifixion
of Christ, and AFTER the general probation of 490 years closed in A.D. 34, at
the stoning of Stephen—and one could say AFTER the Day of Pentecost in A.D. 31.
The time frame for the “added probation” was entirely AFTER the close of all
probationary times and AFTER the disciples began to gather out the faithful for
36 years before the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem. But even centuries
before the circumstances of the “added probation” were applied by Christ,
faithful Jews were worshipping at home because they thought it was safer for
their families if they did not attend the appointed place of worship which was
conducted by recreant, apostate, corrupt priests. That is the principle taught
by the above statement as opposed to considering any general end of probation
for God’s first chosen people. The above separation had nothing to do with
“added probation.” It was a principle sanctioned by God Almighty and Ellen
White second’s it by citing it.
In light of the above facts, one must consider a
fact that Laval Picard totally ignores—the fact that the apostasy of the SDA
church beginning in the mid 1950’s and on, involved unpardonable sin relative
to ecumenical violation of Isaiah 8:9-12, the Midnight Cry, the Second Angel’s
Message, the Godhead, the Sanctuary/Atonement and the human nature of Jesus
Christ, all of which has constituted the teaching of antichrist doctrine. What
virtue, pray tell, has any “once church” which has removed God (1SM 204-205)
and teaches antichrist doctrine? But God has shown me that in mercy He did give
the SDA church time (from the mid-1950’s to 1986) to see their serious
apostasies and the principle of corporate responsibility for those antichrist
errors. Even before they were committed, He sent Wieland and Short to SDA
leaders with a thick manuscript on corporate responsibility for the rejection
of righteousness by faith in 1888. The church still participates in that 1888
rejection by turning the true teaching of righteousness by faith on its head
and implementing cheap grace and a false gospel in its place. This is another
accursed of God abomination for which we are to be sighing and crying.
The church is guilty of every specification of
Jeremiah 11:9-15 in principle. The prime call out of the apostate SDA church
has been given primarily since 1996. That is a 25 year time span. How long will
that call continue? Only God knows for sure, but I don’t believe it will be
long. The Lord has shown me that the reason He does not reveal such time
factors is because His people would tend to delay their preparation and attempt
to jump on the bandwagon at the very end. This is so true, because many
professing SDA’s who are not preparing have told me personally that they will
not take the mark. They think they will be able to make the necessary
preparations (character development) at that time. That will not be possible!
Added probation is on-going for SDA church individuals since 1986, and will continue until the church is
destroyed just before the final call to the highways and byways just as Matthew
22:1-10 teaches. But it does not linger for those who have heard of the
apostasy and continue to support it, any more than probation would have
lingered for Christ’s disciples after He gathered them out (DA 232) and taught
them of the apostasy of the Jewish Temple and no more than it would have
lingered for the bride of 1844, if she had rejected the light that exposed the
apostasy of Babylon, and chose to remain a member of the fallen churches. This
will be clear and understood by the wise virgins.
Laval Picard does teach the truth on the message of
righteousness by faith, which makes his spurious teaching on added probation so
much more acceptable by unwary followers. Satan has a counterfeit for
everything, and Laval is teaching Satan’s counterfeit on added probation.
Laval said to me: "However, though the Jewish
"organization" had gone beyond the point of no return by crucifying
Jesus, ‘the Lord's care and labor for His people had not lessened but
increased.’ C.O.L.218. The time following the crucifixion was a time of ‘added
probation’ when the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the disciples at Pentecost.”
Ron responds: There was added probation for
individuals, but not for the organization, because as Laval admits above, the
Jewish organization had gone beyond the point of no return by crucifying Jesus.
So what good was there in remaining a member of an organization that had gone
beyond the point of no return? Some might say it gave better opportunity to
witness to the members to whom added probation had
been granted. That is disproven by the fact that the disciples who did that
witnessing were “gathered out” as the first act of Christ’s ministry, DA, 232.
It is also disproven by the fact that at the very time the Holy Spirit was
poured out upon the disciples, A.D. 31, and 10 days after Christ ascended to
heaven, they began gathering out true believers in Christ into home churches.
Just as Laval won’t cede to the truth on the
Godhead, neither will he cede to the truth on added probation. Teaching that
Adventists are not corporately responsible for antichrist apostasy before the
antitypical Day of Pentecost, is insane! And that, in essence, is what Laval
Picard is teaching. Saying that Adventists cannot close their
probation before the general time for the close of probation and/or before the
antitypical Day of Pentecost, as a generation of Jews did in Jeremiah 11:9-15,
is spiritual insantity. Saying that Adventists
can be impervious to recreant apostasy in the church is like the ancient Jews
of Shiloh saying that they and their children would not be affected by it and
considered themselves not corporately responsible for it.
And by the way, General Conference President Ted Wilson, now admits to corporate responsibility—BUT ONLY WHEN
IT COMES TO UNITY AND PRAYING FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT—not when it comes to apostasy
for which the leaders deny exists! So essentially, one would have to conclude
that we are not to sigh and cry for all the abominations in the church per
Ezekiel 9, and Ellen White, because NONE EXIST!
“Who
are standing in the counsel of God at this time? Is it those who virtually
excuse wrongs among the professed people of God, and murmur in their hearts, if
not openly, against those who would reprove sin? Is it those who take their
stand against them, and sympathize with those who commit wrong? No, indeed!
These, unless they repent, and leave the work of Satan in oppressing those who
have the burden of the work, and holding up the hands of sinners in Zion, will
never receive the mark of God's sealing approval. They will fall in the general destruction of all the wicked,
represented by the five men bearing slaughter weapons. Mark this point with
care: Those who receive the pure mark of
truth, wrought in them by the power of the Holy Ghost, represented by a mark
by the man in linen, are those "that sigh and cry for all the
abominations that are done" in the church. Their love for purity and the honor and glory of God is
such, and they have so clear a view of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, that
they are represented as being in an agony, even sighing and crying. Read
Ezekiel, chapter nine.” {RH, September 23, 1873 par. 5}
Do you
believe there are abominations done in the church? Do you believe those
abominations are mere faults and defects such as we all have? Were the disciples of Christ guilty of and corporately responsible
for all the abominations of the Jewish leaders in light of the fact that all
the disciples has serious personal defects? Are serious personal defects the
same as antichrist apostasy being taught by unfaithful watchmen to God’s
people? What is the only way to avoid corporate responsibility for the
abominations? Leave! Fear and Shun such!
Fear and Shun "'They that forsake the
law praise the wicked.' Proverbs 28:4. When those who are uniting with the
world, yet claiming great purity, plead for union with those who have ever been
the opposers of the cause of truth, we should fear and shun them as decidedly
as did Nehemiah. Such counsel is prompted by the enemy of all good. It is the
speech of timeservers, and should be resisted as resolutely today as then.
Whatever influence would tend to unsettle the faith of God' people in His
guiding power, should be steadfastly withstood." E.G. White, Prophets and Kings, p.
660.
"We should never give sanction to sin by
our words, our deeds, our silence or our presence." Desire
of Ages, 152.
“It would be poor policy to support
from the treasury of God those who really mar and injure His work, and
who are constantly lowering the standard of Christianity.” Testimonies, Vol. 3 p.
553.
“There are fearful woes for those who preach
the truth, but are not sanctified by it, and also for those who consent to
receive and maintain the unsanctified to minister to them
in word and doctrine.” Testimonies, Vol. 1 pp. 261- 262.
“As there are woes for those who preach the truth while they are
unsanctified in heart and life, so there are woes for those who receive and
maintain the unsanctified in the position which they cannot
fill.” Testimonies,
Vol. 2 p. 552.
"Even though you may not be able to
speak a word to those who are working on wrong principles, leave them. Your
withdrawal and silence may do more than words. Nehemiah refused to associate
with those who were untrue to principle, and he would
not permit his workmen to associate with them. The love and fear of God were
his safeguard-Dare to be a Daniel, Dare to stand alone. Thus as did Moses,
you will endure the seeing of Him who is invisible. But a cowardly and
silent reserve before evil associates, while you listen to their devices makes
you one with them. Come out from among them and be separate, saith the Lord,
and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father
unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."
Review & Herald Vol. 4, p. 42.
"If God has any new light to communicate,
He will let His chosen and beloved understand it, without their going to have
their minds enlightened by hearing those who are in darkness and error. {EW
124.2}
“I was shown the necessity of those who
believe that we are having the last message of mercy, being separate from those
who are daily imbibing new errors. I saw that neither young nor old should
attend their meetings; for it is wrong to thus encourage them while they teach
error that is a deadly poison to the soul and teach for doctrines the
commandments of men. The influence of such gatherings is not good. If God has delivered
us from such darkness and error, we should stand fast in the liberty wherewith
He has set us free and rejoice in the truth. God is displeased with us when we
go to listen to error, without being obliged to go; for unless He sends us to
those meetings where error is forced home to the people by the power of the
will, He will not keep us. The angels cease their watchful care over us, and we
are left to the buffetings of the enemy, to be darkened and weakened by him and
the power of his evil angels; and the light around us becomes contaminated with
the darkness. {EW 124.3}
“I saw that we have no time to throw away in
listening to fables. Our minds should not be thus diverted, but should be
occupied with the present truth,..." EW p. 125.
The days of
“playing church” are over my friends.
—rwb