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DOCTRINES
OF THE SHEPHERDS ROD TEACHINGS OF THE
SHEPHERD'S ROD- TABLE OF CONTENTS Will
Headquarters be in Palestine? Dwell in Perfect Peace and Safety? Teaching of the Bible and Spirit of
Prophecy. Will There be Two Comings of Christ? Warning Against Divisive Speculations What is the Message of the Hour Are the 144,000 to Minister on Earth? Will They Gather the Great Multitude in? Pentecost and Its First Fruits Leopardlike Beast and the Papacy The Deadly Wound of the leopardlike
Beast This Is one of several studies on the Shepherd's Rod
(also known as the Davidian Seventh-day Adventist
Church, and will provide you with an extensive Refutation of the primary
errors in the teachings of the Rod. Other studies in this series include: History of the
Shepherd's Rod [WD41] The Latest Prophet of the
Rod: Marc Breault (pG-41]
Because it was already so thorough in its coverage, the following study is a
reprint of a doctrinal analysis prepared several years ago by the General
Conference. In addition, certain new doctrines have developed since then,
primary among them being Lois Roden's teaching that
the Holy Spirit is a woman, and Marc Breault's
teaching that the only mediator in the heavenly Sanctuary has been, and
continues to be, this woman Holy Spirit. For further information on Lois Roden, and Marc Breault, see WD41 and PG.-41, mentioned above. In the following study
all italics have been added to quotations, unless otherwise noted. The Shepherd's Rod literature teaches that the
kingdom of David will be established for God's people here upon earth,
particularly in Palestine, before the close of probation and the coming of
Christ in glory. Their leader, V.T. Houteff, has
said: "The eleventh-hour message has been timed and designed to reveal
the Davidian Kingdom rising anew before the
appearing of Christ in the clouds. "-The Answerer, No. 2 (1944), p.77. He said also: "This prophesied era of absolute
righteousness, peace, and knowledge of God On the kingdom) under the reign of
the 'rod' (David) and of the 'Branch' (Christ), must begin before the close
of probation. "-"Behold, I Make All Things New. (1942), p 45. It is obvious that the Shepherd's Rod theory does
not envision Christ, the great Son of David, as the visible ruler governing
that kind of Davidic kingdom, since it is supposed to be set up here on earth
before He shall come in glory to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.
The monarch of such a regime would not be the King David who ruled over
ancient Israel, for he is dead and buried (Acts 2:29-34) and there is no
assurance that he will be raised from his grave prior to the general resurrection
of the righteous dead at the second advent of Christ (1 Thessalonians
4:16-18). Hence Mr. Houteff has instructed his followers that God promised
"an antitypical David" to rule over them in that envisioned Davidic
kingdom. (See V.T. Houteff, "Behold, I Make
All Things New" [1942], p 43; Mount Sion at "the Eleventh
Hour" [1941], p.13). Moreover, the adherents of the Shepherd's Rod have
been taught by their leader that the antitypical David who would rule over
them should be another person than our Lord Jesus Christ. In interpreting
certain Old Testament prophecies to suit his theory, Mr. Houteff illustrates
it by means Of a drawing of a tree, concerning which he says: "In this illustration there are three persons brought
to view: Jesse (the father of David), the rod (David), and the Branch
(Christ). The relationship shows that David (the rod) is not Christ (the
Branch) . . "-Mount Sion at "the Eleventh Hour" (1941), p45. A similar distinction of persons is made on page
forty-six of the same tract. It is by this process of theorizing that Mr. Houteff
has excluded the possibility of Christ's being the visible ruler of the
expected Davidic kingdom supposed to be set up on earth before He comes the
second time. Hence Mr. Houteff planned for his followers a Davidic kingdom to
be governed under the ensign of a "David the visible king and Christ the
invisible King of kings." Ibid., p 47. That is, his plan is that Christ,
as "the invisible King Of kings," should rule over the proposed
Davidic kingdom by means of an antitypical underling described as "David
the visible king." Therefore, it is no surprise that Mr. Houteff, in
calling for a "reorganization" (Ibid., p 47-50), has designed for
his followers a regime theocratic in nature that is, a sort of combination of
church and kingdom. "Thus His church, or kingdom," says Mr.
Houteff, "is again reflected without 'spot or wrinkle, or any such
thing' (Ephesians 5:27), a theocracy of peace, safety, and invincibility,
under the rule of one shepherd and a king-David, His servant." Mount
Sion at "the Eleventh Hour" [1941], p 47. The testimony of the Bible concerning the
everlasting kingdom promised to David by the Lord is very clear (2 Samuel
7:16; Psalm 132:11). The promise of a future king to sit on David's throne
was to meet its fulfillment in Christ, the mighty "Son of David"
(Matthew 1:1; 22:42), the Root and Offspring of that ancient Hebrew monarch
(Isaiah 7:1314; 9:6-7; Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:4-6; Luke 1 :32; 2:4,11; John
7:42; Revelation 22:16). One of the Old Testament prophecies used by Mr.
Houteff to bolster his theory of the Davidic kingdom is Ezekiel 34:23 (Ibid.,
p.19,47). On the other hand, Ellen G. White speaks
specifically of Christ, and not another person, as the antitypical David
referred to in Ezekiel's prophecy: "The Holy Spirit through Ezekiel had declared:
'I will set up one Shepherd over them and He shall feed them.' 'I will seek
that which was lost and bring again that which was driven away. . and will
strengthen that which was sick.' 'I will make with them a covenant of peace.'
'And they shall no more be a prey to the heathen. . but they shall dwell
safely and none shall make them afraid.' Ezekiel 34:23,16,25,28. Christ
applied these prophecies to Himself, and He showed the contrast between His
own character and that of the leaders in Israel."-The Desire of Ages, p
477. When
Shall the True Davidic Kingdom Be Established? Another prophecy used by Mr. Houteff to support his
theory is that Of Hosea 3:4-5. But note in the following statement that Mrs.
White declares that Hosea's prophecy will be fulfilled at the close of
earth's history, when Christ shall appear as King of kings: "The prophecies of judgment delivered by Amos
and Hosea were accompanied by predictions of future glory. To the ten tribes,
long rebellious and impenitent, was given no promise of complete restoration
to their former power in Palestine. Until the end of time, they were to be
'wanderers among the nations.' But through Hosea was given a prophecy that
set before them the privilege of having a part in the final restoration that
is to be made to the people of God at the close of earth's history, when
Christ shall appear as King of kings and Lord of lords. 'Many days,' the
prophet declared, the ten tribes were to abide 'without a king, and without a
prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod,
and without teraphim.' 'Afterward: the prophet
continued, 'shall the children of Israel return and seek the Lord their God,
and David their king; and shall fear the Lord and His goodness in the latter
days' (Hosea 3:4-5).-Prophets and Kings, p.298. Christ made it very clear that He did not propose to
establish a kingdom in this present world. When He was accused by His enemies
of conspiring to do such a thing, He said emphatically to Pilate: "My
kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my
servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my
kingdom not from hence" (John 18:36). In reference to Zedekiah, the last king of Judah to
sit upon David's throne, Mrs. White writes: "To the 'profane wicked
prince' had come the day of final reckoning. 'Remove the diadem,' the Lord
decreed, 'and take off the crown.' Not until Christ Himself should set up His
kingdom, was Judah again to be permitted to have a king. 'I will overturn,
overturn, overturn, it,' was the divine edict concerning the throne of the
house of David; 'and it shall be no more, until He come whose right it is;
and I will give it Him' (Ezekiel 21:25-27):'Prophets and Kings, p.451. (See also Education, p.179).
Mrs. White says of Christ: "Not until His work
as a mediator shall be ended will God 'give unto Him the throne of His father
David,' a kingdom of which 'there shall be no end' (Luke 1
:32-33.)"Great Controversy, p.416. That statement makes it clear that the establishment
of the throne of David as the kingdom of Christ will not take place until
after probation has closed-not until His work as mediator has ended. Concerning Christ's second coming we are told:
"It is then that the peaceful and long-desired kingdom of the Messiah
shall be established under the whole heaven. "-Great Controversy, p.302. Not until the personal advent of Christ can His
people receive the kingdom. The Saviour said: 'When the Son of man shall come
in His glory and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the
throne of His glory: and before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He
shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from
the goats: and He shall set the sheep on His right hand but the goats on the
left. Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed
of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the
world' (Matthew 25:31-34). We have seen by the scriptures just given that
when the Son of man comes, the dead are raised incorruptible, and the living
changed. By this great change they are prepared to receive the kingdom; for Paul
says: 'Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth
corruption inherit incorruption' (1 Corinthians 15:50). Man in his present
state is mortal, corruptible; but the kingdom of God will be incorruptible,
enduring forever. Therefore man in his present state cannot enter into the
kingdom of God. But when Jesus comes, He confers immortality upon His people;
and then He calls them to inherit the kingdom of which they have hitherto
been only heirs." Great Controversy, p.322-323.
That makes it very plain that Christ will not
establish His kingdom and sit upon its throne until His second coming in
glory. Will Headquarters Be in Modern Palestine? The Shepherd's Rod leader has declared that the headquarters
of the Davidic kingdom which he advocates is to be set up in Palestine. He
has announced that "the Kingdom in its beginning is to be set up in the
Promised Land. "-The Answerer, No. 2 (1944), p.83.
Hence he teaches "that the Promised Land will
be reinhabited by the Lord's own converted
people."-The Answerer, No.2 (1944), p.75. In an address dated August 10, 1946, he announced:
"Right now the Lord is advertising for at least 144,000 lifesavers, with
headquarters at famous Mt. Zion-a greater post than was held by Joseph.
"-Timely Greetings, Volume 1, Number 2, p.11. On January 25, 1947, he declared: "Virtually
whole nations shall join 'the mountain of the Lord' while the law goes 'forth
of Zion and the Work of the Lord from Jerusalem,' the future headquarters of
the gospel."-Timely Greetings, Volume 1, Number 25, p.5.
And on November 27, 1948, Mr. Houteff said of his
followers: "They are to dwell, not in some other land, says the Lord,
but in their own land, in the land He had anciently given to their fathers.
They are to dwell in Palestine. "Now you plainly see that the unconverted Jews
who are endeavoring to take the land of Palestine are not the people of whom
these passages of Scripture speak. Now you see that Arab, Jew, or Gentile,
all will eventually have to move away and give room to God's clean and
purified people."-Timely Greetings, Volume 2, Number 42, p.36. He had alleged that there "are to be found
five groups in the kingdom. These five groups are: (1) the 144,000
Israelites, the first fruits of the living, whose nobles shall be of
themselves,' and whose 'governor shall proceed from the midst of them'
(Jeremiah 30:21); they shall return to Jerusalem, and stand on Mount Sion
with the Lamb; (2) those whom John saw, after the sealing of the 144,000,
gathered from 'all nations, and kind reds, and peoples, and tongues,' during
the great tribulation,' the time of trouble such as never was'-the great
multitude who go to Jerusalem before the resurrection; (3) those who arise to
everlasting life in the resurrection of Daniel 12:2; (4) those Israelites who
shall come forth in the resurrection of EzekieI37:1-14;
(5) all who come forth in the resurrection of Revelation 2O:6-collectively,
those are all the Israelites and Gentiles who shall return to Jerusalem,
possess the promised land, and then the whole earth. "-"Behold I
Make All Things New" (1942), p.65-66. The Shepherd's Rod teaching that the headquarters of
the gospel work will be established in Jerusalem, in modern Palestine, and
that there will be a mass migration of God's people from all parts of the
earth to that place for translation to heaven when Christ comes, is a product
of fancy that finds no support in God's Word or in the writings of the Spirit
of Prophecy. In fact, Mrs. White wrote the following message of warning to
our people in the early days of the church: "Then I was pointed to some who are in the
great error of believing that it is their duty to go to Old Jerusalem, and
think they have a work to do there before the Lord comes. Such a view is
calculated to take the mind and interest from the present work of the Lord,
under the message of the third angel; for those who think that they are yet
to go to Jerusalem will have their minds there, and their means will be
withheld from the cause of present truth, to get themselves and others there.
I saw that such a mission would accomplish no real good, that it would take a
long while to make a very few of the Jews believe even in the first advent of
Christ, much more to believe in His second advent."-Early Writings, p.75. That testimony, given in the latter part of 1850,
was not a condemnation of the Zionist Movement of Jews organized in 1897 at
Basel, Switzerland, to establish a Jewish state in Palestine. Mrs. White
warned against fanatics who were bent on going to Jerusalem to launch from
that city evangelistic work for the people who had not received the knowledge
of the truth. An editorial in our general church paper, in 1851, uttered this
warning: "We wish here to state that we as a people have
no confidence in the strange notions, that some have run into, that the
saints have yet to go to Old Jerusalem, etc, etc. Brethren, beware of such
heresies."-The Review and Herald, October 7, 1851, p.36.
Although the testimony that Mrs. White gave in 1850
did not specifically refer to the Shepherd's Rod teachings, yet she
emphatically condemned the idea in such a manner that it should not receive
endorsement thereafter. The Shepherd's Rod project of establishing the
kingdom of David in Palestine, with the headquarters of the gospel work set
up there, and with the 144,000 living there and directing the evangelistic
activities of God's people for the conversion of souls in all lands before
the close of probation, is contrary to the warning and counsel given us
through the testimony by Ellen White. Dwell in Perfect Peace and Absolute Safety? Furthermore,
the Shepherd's Rod teaching that the 144,000 will go to Jerusalem first, and
will be followed later by the rest of the living saints, and there find a
place of perfect peace and absolute safety before the close of probation and
the second advent of Christ in glory, finds no support in the Bible and in
the writings of the Spirit of Prophecy. For example, the founder of the
Shepherd's Rod says of the proposed establishment of the kingdom of David in
Palestine before the close of probation: "This soon-coming kingdom being
not like an earthly kingdom, but like a heavenly one, its confines shall be a
place of perfect peace and absolute safety. "-"Behold, I Make All
Things New" (1942), p.44. He says also that "in the land where the
kingdom stands; there sin exists not. "-"Behold I Make All Things
New", p 47. On the other hand, it should be remarked that in so
far as the teachings of the Bible are concerned, there is no indication that
there will be any land in this present world where we can find perfect peace
and absolute safety, where sin will not exist, prior to the close of
probation and the second advent of Christ in glory. Such conditions will obtain
for God's people alter our Saviour has removed them from this sinful world
when He comes to receive them unto Himself. "All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall
suffer persecution"(2 Timothy 3:12). Christ said, "If they have
persecuted me, they will also persecute you (John 15:20). Nowhere in the Scriptures or in the writings of the
Spirit of Prophecy do we read that the 144,000 will be exempt from the
persecution foretold in the following prophecy: "And the dragon was
wroth with the woman and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which
keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ"
(Revelation 12: 17). Mrs. White says: "As America, the land of
religious liberty, shall unite with the papacy in forcing the conscience and
compelling men to honor the false sabbath, the people of every country on the
globe will be led to follow her example."-6 Testimonies, p.18. "Foreign nations will follow the example of the
United States. Though she leads out, yet the same crisis will come upon our
people in all parts of the world. "-6 Testimonies, p.395.
Since all of Palestine is a part of the world, it is
clear from the statements given above by Mrs. White, that in that country the
Lord's people will not find perfect peace and absolute safety during the
final crisis. "That which God purposed to do for the world
through Israel, the chosen nation, He will finally accomplish through His
church on earth today. He has 'let out His vineyard unto other husbandmen:
even to ..His covenant-keeping people, who faithfully 'render Him the fruits
in their seasons.' Never has the Lord been without true representatives on
this earth who have made His interests their own. These witnesses for God are
numbered among spiritual Israel, and to them will be fulfilled all the
covenant promises made by Jehovah to His ancient people."-Prophets and
Kings, p.713-714. "While all the world is plunged in darkness,
there will be light in every dwelling of the saints. They will catch the first
light of His second appearing. The unsullied light will shine from His
splendor, and Christ the Redeemer will be admired by all who have served Him.
While the wicked flee, Christ's followers will rejoice in His presence. "Then it is that the redeemed from among men
will receive their promised inheritance. Thus God's purpose for Israel will
meet with literal fulfillment. That which God purposes, man is powerless to
disannul. Even amid the working of evil, God's purposes have been moving
steadily forward to their accomplishment. It was thus with the house of
Israel throughout the history of the divided monarchy; it is thus with
spiritual Israel today. "The seer of Patmos, looking down through the
ages to the time of this restoration of Israel in the earth made new,
testified: 'I beheld, and 10, a great multitude, which no man could number,
of all nations, and kind reds, and people, and tongues, stood before the
throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes and palms in their
hands; and cried with a loud voice saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth
upon the throne and unto the Lamb' (Revelation 7:9,10).-Prophets and Kings, p.720-721. Brethren and sisters, let us ever remember that our
destination is that "Jerusalem which is above" (Galatians 4:26).
God's plan for His people is that they "come unto mount Sion, and unto
the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem" (Hebrews 12:22). Let
us stay in that company of faithful ones who "desire a better country,
that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God:
for He hath prepared them a city" (Hebrews 11 :16). This is the company
to which Abraham, that mighty man of faith, belonged, "for he looked for
a city which hath foundation, whose builder and maker is God" (verse
10). That is the New Jerusalem, the Holy City that John saw coming down out
of heaven to become the capital of the kingdom of Christ, the Root and
Offspring of David, in the earth made new. (See Revelation 21:2,10;
22:15,16). There, and there alone, we shall find a city of perfect peace and
absolute safety, where sin does not exist to annoy and disturb our souls. "Let us be encouraged by the thought that the
Lord is soon to come. Let this hope gladden our hearts. 'Yet a little while,
and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.' Hebrews 10:37. Blessed
are those servants who, when their lord comes, shall be found watching. "We are homeward bound. He who loved us so much
as to die for us, hath builded for us a city. The
New Jerusalem is our place of rest. There will be no sadness in the city of
God. No wail of sorrow, no dirge of crushed hopes and buried affections, will
evermore be heard. Soon the garments of heaviness will be changed for the
wedding garment. Soon we shall witness the coronation of our King. Those
whose lives have been hidden with Christ, those who on this earth have fought
the good fight of faith, will shine forth with the Redeemer's glory in the
kingdom of God. "It will not be long till we shall see Him in
whom our hopes of eternal life are centered. And in His presence, all the
trials and sufferings of this life will be as nothingness. 'Cast not away
therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have
need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive
the promise. For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and
will not tarry. ' Verse 35-37. Look up, look up, and let your faith
continually increase. Let this faith guide you along the narrow path that
leads through the gates of the city of God into the great beyond, the wide,
unbounded future of glory that is for the redeemed. "-9 Testimonies, p.287-288. Speaking particularly of the harrowing experience
which the 144,000 shall have endured prior to their translation to heaven,
Mrs. White says of them: "These, having been translated from the earth,
from among the living, are counted as 'the first fruits unto God and to the
lamb.' Revelation 15:2-3; 14:15. 'These are they which came out of great
tribulation'; they have passed through the time of trouble such as never was
since there was a nation. . they have stood without an intercessor through
the final outpouring of God's judgments. . They have seen the earth wasted
with famine and pestilence, the sun having power to scorch men with great
heat, and they themselves have endured suffering, hunger, and thirst.
"The Great Controversy, p.649. 1. The Shepherd's Rod theory that the kingdom of
David will be established here on earth, particularly Palestine, for God's
people before the close of probation and the coming of Christ in glory is
contrary to the teachings of the Bible and of the writings of the Spirit of
Prophecy. 2. The truth is that the promised kingdom of David
will not be set up until after the close of probation and the coming of
Christ in glory. 3. The Shepherd's Rod view that the antitypical King
David is to be another person than our Lord Jesus Christ is contrary to the
teachings of the Bible and of the writings of the Spirit of Prophecy . 4. The truth is that Christ, the mighty "son of
David," is the person to whom the everlasting Davidic throne and kingdom
have been assured. THE HARVEST Throughout this study it must be remembered that the
term "harvest" is used in the Scriptures in more than one sense in
its application to the carrying out of the plan of salvation. Here are two
principal uses of the word as illustrated by texts of Scripture: 1. The word "harvest" is used to represent
the gathering of souls into the church of God by the preaching of he gospel throughout the world before the close of
probation. In this case, the reapers are the faithful men and women who teach
the gospel to others. Concerning this harvest, Christ said: "The
harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are
few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth
laborers into His harvest" (Matthew 9:37-38). Again: "Say not ye,
There are yet four months and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you,
Lift up your eyes and look on the fields; for they are white already to
harvest" (John 4:35). 2. The term "harvest" is used also to
represent the gathering of the righteous and the wicked to their respective
fates by angels at the second coming of Christ, to judge every man according
as his work shall be, after the close of probation. In the parable of the wheat and the tares the
householder said: "Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the
time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather together first the tares and bind them into bundles to burn them: but gather
the wheat into my barn" (Matthew 13:30). In explaining the parable, Christ declared:
"The harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As
therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in
the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels and they
shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do
iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing
and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the
kingdom of their Father" (verses 39-43). John says, And I looked, and behold a white cloud,
and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of Man, having on His head a
golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of
the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in
thy sickle and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest
of the earth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud thrust his sickle on the
earth; and the earth was reaped. "Another angel came out of the temple which is
in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the
altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to Him that had
the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters
of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. And the angel thrust
in his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it
into the great winepress of the wrath of God" (Revelation 14:14-19). These two important senses in which the term
"harvest" is used in the Scriptures need to be kept clearly in mind
by those who would not be led off into paths of error. The Shepherd's Rod theory confuses the whole
question of the harvest by taking texts that refer to the harvest in which
the good and the bad are gathered unto their respective fates by holy angels
after the close of probation, and applying them to that harvest in which
souls are gathered into the church by gospel laborers before the close of
probation. To bolster the theory that a theocratic kingdom of
David will be set up for God's people on earth-specifically in
Palestine-before the close of probation, the leader of the Shepherd's Rod
group has divided the harvest of the parable of the wheat and the tares into
two sections, with two comings of Christ. (See V.T.
Houteff, The Judgment and the Harvest (1942), p.52,
68.) In presenting his view of that harvest, Mr. Houteff
says: "Note that the separation takes place just at the beginning of
harvest; also that the tares are gathered in first. The separation marks the
beginning of harvest. The harvest is the loud cry of the third angel's
message."-The Shepherd's Rod, Volume 1, (1930), p.104.
He says also: "Note that in the first section
of the separation, the one in the church, the wicked are taken away from the
just, whereas in the second, the one in Babylon, the just are called from
among the wicked."-The Judgment and the Harvest (1942), p.68. Again: "Since these escaped ones (the first
fruits, the 144,000 servants of God-Revelation 7:3) 'shall bring all your
brethren' (the second fruits, the great multitude-Revelation 7:9) 'for an
offering . . out of all nations' (Isaiah 66:20, first part), this great
ingathering necessarily, therefore, is the closing work of the gospel-the
second section of the harvest." -The Judgment and the Harvest (1942), p.70. According to the chart presented in The Shepherd's
Rod (Volume 1, edition of 1930, p. 224), the harvest referred to in the
parable of the wheat and the tares was to begin at the close of the year
1930, or the beginning of 1931, with the effort of V.T.
Houteff to call out the 144,000 for the special work that he outlined for
them to do in the harvest of the wheat. But the harvest of the tares would
be, in his opinion, the slaughter of the Seventh-day Adventists who reject
his message, for thus he supposed that the slaughter predicted in Ezekiel 9
would be fulfilled. (See also his tract The Answerer, No.1,
[1944], p.94-95). Mr. Houteff, in his tract The Judgment and the
Harvest, (1942), p.42-43, 49,67, alleges that the
parable of the fish net cast into the sea, as recorded in Matthew 13:47-50,
refers to the same thing. Hence the Shepherd's Rod theory concerning the
parable of the wheat and the tares is that "the harvesting itself
necessarily precedes the close of probation."-The Judgment and the
Harvest (1942), p.66. We inquire, is that doctrine
sound? Teaching
of the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy The Shepherd's Rod teaching does not harmonize with
that of the Bible and the writings of Ellen G. White concerning the parable
of the wheat and the tares. In His interpretation of the parable of the wheat
and the tares, Christ said: "The harvest is
the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares
are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his
kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; and shall cast
them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their
Father" (Matthew 13:39-43). And in His interpretation of the parable of the fish
net, Christ said: "So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels
shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, and shall cast
them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of
teeth" (verses 49-50). Note that Christ, in explaining the parables,
emphasizes two things: (1) that the harvest in which the separation of the
bad from the good is to take place will occur at the end of the world; and
(2) that the reapers, the agents by which He will effect that harvest or
separation, will be His angels. Ellen G. White says: "The great final
separation of the righteous and the wicked He (Christ) had pictured in the
parables of the wheat and tares and the fishing
net."-The Desire of Ages, p.333. This statement by Mrs. White makes it plain that in
the parable of the wheat and the tares, and in that
of the fish net, Christ did not refer to the investigative judgment, which
takes place before the close of probation, and which decides who among God's
professed people shall be accepted or rejected as candidates for entrance
into the kingdom of glory. But He was speaking of the "great final
separation" of the righteous and the wicked, which will take place after
the close of probation. Hence Mrs. White comments: "When the mission of the gospel is completed,
the judgment will accomplish the work of separation. . Both the parable of
the tares and that of the net plainly teach that
there is no time when all the wicked will turn to God. The wheat and the
tares grow together until the harvest. The good and the bad fish are together
drawn ashore for a final separation. "Again, these parables teach that there is to
be no probation after the judgment. When the work of the gospel is completed,
there immediately follows the separation between the good and the evil, and
the destiny of each class is forever fixed."-Christ's Object Lessons, p.122-123. Since the separation between the good and the evil
will take place when the gospel work is completed, that separation must
follow, and not precede, the close of probation. So Mrs. White consistently
says: "The tares and the
wheat are to grow together until the harvest; and the harvest is the end of
probationary time. "Christ's Object Lessons, p.72.
"The wheat and tares grow together until the
harvest, the end of the world. "-Christ's Object Lessons, p.75. "Tiff the end of time there will be tares
among the wheat."-The Ministry of Healing, p.493.
(Italics added). "Although there are evils existing in the
church, and will be until the end of the world, the church in these last days
is to be the light of the world that is polluted and demoralized by
sin." Testimonies to Ministers, p.49. (Italics
5 added). "He (Christ) has said that false brethren will
be found in the church till the close of time. -Christ's Object Lessons, p.73. "He (Christ) expressly states that the wheat
and tares shall grow together till the harvest, which is the end of the
world. Then the tares are to be gathered out of the field; but they are not
to be transformed by a mighty miracle into wheat."-2 Spirit of Prophecy,
p.250. Such is Mrs. White's teaching in reference to
"the teaching of Christ and His apostles, who declared that the wheat
and the tares are to grow together until the harvest, the end of the world.
"- The Great Controversy, p.321. And in
comment on the parable of the fish net, Mrs. White writes: "Here again
the separation of the wicked form the righteous at the end of the world is
impressed upon the minds of His hearers, in words that cannot be
mistaken."-2 Spirit of Prophecy, p.253. "When the work of the investigative judgment
closes, the destiny of all will have been decided for life or death.
Probation is ended a short time before the appearing of the Lord in the
clouds of heaven. Christ in the Revelation, looking forward to that time,
declares: 'He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is
filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be
righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I
come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his
work shall be.' Revelation 22:11-12."-The Great Controversy, p.490-491. 1. The Shepherd's Rod theory that the separation
between the good and the bad, as foretold in the parable of the wheat and tares and in that of the fish net, will take place before
the work of the gospel is completed, and before the close of probation for
mankind in general, is contrary to the teachings of the Bible and the Spirit
of Prophecy. 2. The truth of the matter is as stated by Ellen G.
White: "When the mission of the gospel is completed, the judgment will
accomplish the work of separation . . When the work of the gospel is
completed, there immediately follows the separation between the good and the
evil, and the destiny of each class is forever fixed." -Christ's Object
Lessons, p.122-123. "When Christ entered the most holy place of the
heavenly sanctuary to perform the closing work of the atonement, He committed
to His servants the last message of mercy to be given to the world. Such is
the warning of the third angel of Revelation 14. Immediately following its
proclamation, the Son of Man is seen by the prophet coming in glory to reap
the harvest of the earth."-4 Spirit of Prophecy, p.273.
The slaughter referred to in Ezekiel 9 is one of the
principle subjects of the Shepherd's Rod teachings. We set forth here a few
of the salient features of that teaching in order to compare them with
counsels given us by the Spirit of Prophecy. The Shepherd's Rod leader holds that the slaughter
referred to in Ezekiel 9 is a slaughter of Seventh-day Adventists who reject
the Shepherd's Rod message, and that it is to take place before the loud cry
and the close of probation. Excerpts from his literature on this subject are
as follows: "Had the church as a body, or at least the
leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination accepted the message of
reform as presented to them in 'The Shepherd's Rod, Volume 1, there would be
no necessity for that class to fall by the figure of the five men with the
slaughter weapons. It is the reception or rejection of the message that will
fix the destiny of the two classes as described in the following testimony:
(quotes Early Writings, p.270)."-The
Shepherd's Rod, Volume 2, (1932), p.218. In comment on Revelation 3:14-16, he says:
"Note that the existence of the present name 'Seventh-day Adventist' is
conditional, otherwise the name will be spewed out of His mouth."-The
Shepherd's Rod, Volume 1 (1930), p.101. Hence, Mr. Houteff reasons: "Thus, the church
is reorganized under a new name. The old name, being polluted, could no
longer be retained. There is no one to go by the old name, for the ones who
were not worthy of having the new name have perished under the figure of the
five men with the slaughter weapons of Ezekiel 9. The name only remains for a
curse." - The Shepherd's Rod, p.155. And in
reference to the "half an hour; of Revelation 8:1, he says: "Thus
the silence of half an hour points forward to this great event for the church
of God. Its fulfillment would bring us to the time of the harvest, or as it
is called, the Loud Cry of the Third Angel's Message of Revelation 18-the
last message to the world. Thus, while the five men with the slaughter
weapons are taking away those represented by the tares within the church,
there will be silence inv heaven for about half an
hour (seven days), after which the judgment will commence again for those who
shall be sealed in the time of the great harvest, which is the end of the world."
- The Shepherd's Rod, Volume 2 (1932), p.217. Again: "The five agents that destroy the wicked
in the church are not forces of nature but men with slaughter weapons in
their hands. They are supernatural beings, not natural elements. "- The
Answerer, No. 2 (1944), p.42-43. Although he says
that this slaughter will not be performed by the seven last plagues, yet he
affirms that "a common end (death) befalls both the wicked in the church
of Laodicea, and the wicked in the churches of Babylon. And only those who
say, 'We need not look for miracles and the marked manifestation of God's
power as in former days,' think the slaughter is not literal."-The
Shepherd's Rod, p.44 Thus they teach; 1. That Seventh-day Adventists, leaders and people,
who reject the message of the Shepherd's Rod will be slaughtered during the
half hour of Revelation 8:1. 2. That this half hour will mark the beginning of
the time of harvest. 3. That the time of harvest is synchronous with the
loud cry of the third angel's message. 4. That the removal of the tares
from the church is the same as the slaughter referred to in Ezekiel 9. 5. That the slaughter of Ezekiel 9 will take place
prior to the close of probation, and not at or subsequent to the second
advent of Christ. The Seventh-day Adventist Position Seventh-day
Adventists hold that the slaughter of the unfaithful leaders and people in
the church, as foretold in Ezekiel 9, will occur after the close of
probation, and in the general destruction of the wicked during the falling of
the seven last plagues and at the second coming of Christ in glory. Ellen G. White, in a message of rebuke to those in
the church who would excuse wrongdoing among the professed people of God, and
who murmur against those who reprove sin, says: "Unless they repent, and leave the work of
Satan in oppressing those who have the burden of the work and in holding up
the hands of sinners in Zion, they will never receive the mark of God's
sealing approval. They will fall in the general destruction of the wicked,
represented by the work of 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 that cry for all the abominations that be done in the
church. . "But the general slaughter of all those who do
not thus see the wide contrast between sin and righteousness, and do not feel
as those do who stand in the counsel of God and receive the mark, is
described in the order to the five men with slaughter weapons: Go ye after
him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye
pity; slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women:
but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary'
[Ezekiel 9:56]"-3 Testimonies, p.267. Note that, according to Mrs. White's statement, the
slaughter foretold in Ezekiel 9 will be fulfilled "in the general
slaughter of the wicked" that is to come. When will that be? In
Testimonies to Ministers, p.431-432, Mrs. White
indicates that this slaughter will take place during the pouring out of the
seven last plagues after the close of probation for all mankind. In another
place she describes more fully that awful time of slaughter of those who,
both in and out of the church, shall have sinned away their day of grace by
impenitence and disobedience. Their awakening in that terrible hour is
pictured thus by her pen, calling particular attention to the fate of leaders
of apostasy in the religious world generally: "The people see that they have been deluded.
They accuse one another of having led them to destruction; but all unite in
heaping their bitterest condemnation upon the ministers. Unfaithful pastors
have prophesied smooth things; they have led their hearers to make void the
law of God and to persecute those who would keep it holy. Now, in their
despair, these teachers confess before the world their work of deception. The
multitudes are filled with fury. 'We are lost!' they cry, 'and you are the
cause of our ruin;' and they turn upon the false shepherds. The very ones
that once admired them most will pronounce the most dreadful curses upon
them. The very hands that once crowned them with laurels will be raised for
their destruction. The swords which were to slay God's people are now
employed to destroy their enemies. Everywhere there is strife and bloodshed. " 'A noise shall come even to the ends of the
earth; for the lord hath a controversy with the nations, He will plead with
all flesh; He will give them that are wicked to the sword.' Jeremiah 25:31 .
For six thousand years the great controversy has been in progress; the Son of
God and His heavenly messengers have been in conflict with the power of the
evil one, to warn, enlighten, and save the children of men. Now, all have
made their decision; the wicked have fully united with Satan in his warfare
against God. The time has come for God to vindicate the authority of His
downtrodden law. Now the controversy is not alone with Satan, but with men.
'The Lord has a controversy with the nations'; 'He will give them that are
wicked to the sword.' "The mark of deliverance has been set upon
those 'that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done.' Now the
angel of death goes forth, represented in Ezekiel's vision by the men with
the slaughtering weapons, to whom the command is given: 'Slay utterly old and
young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man
upon whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary.' Says the prophet, 'They
began at the ancient men which were before the house.' Ezekiel 9:1-6. The
work of destruction begins among those who have professed to be the spiritual
guardians of the people. The false watchmen are the first to fall. There are
none to pity or to spare. Men, women, maidens, and little children perish
together. "At the coming of Christ the wicked are blotted
from the face of the whole earth-consumed with the spirit of His mouth and
destroyed by the brightness of His glory. Christ takes His people to the city
of God and the earth is emptied of its inhabitants." -Great Controversy,
p.655-657. The statements from the pen of Mrs. White clearly and
definitely show that the slaughter foretold in Ezekiel 9 will not take place
until after "all have made their decision," and at the time when
the seven last plagues shall fall upon those who persist in disobeying God. Furthermore, in comment on the parable of the ten
virgins, Mrs. White makes it clear that there will be no general slaughter of
unconverted Seventh day Adventists before the close of probation, for
otherwise the unfaithful in the church, as represented by the five foolish
virgins, would not be left to be found unprepared for probation's closing
hour. The lord's servant says: The great final test comes at the close of human
probation, when it will be too late for the soul's need to be supplied. The
ten virgins are watching in the evening of this earth's history. All claim to
be Christians. All apparently wait for Christ's appearing. But five are
unready. Five will be found surprised, dismayed, outside the banquet hall.
Christ's Object Lessons, p.412. Will There be Two Comings
of Christ? Will There Be Two Comings of Christ? The Shepherd's
Rod leader affirms that there will be two comings of Christ: (1) one
invisible, in the investigative judgment, to slay the disobedient in the
church before the close of probation; and (2) the other, a visible coming in
glory, after the close of probation and the seven last plagues. Mrs. White states: "When the work of the gospel
is completed, there immediately follows the separation between the good and
the evil. "-Christ's Object Lessons, p.123. In
thus commenting on the parable of the net (in Matthew 13:47-50), Mrs. White
shows that the good and the bad will not be separated until the close of
probation. When the attention of the author of The Shepherd's
Rod was called to that statement by Mrs. White, he said: "The separation which takes place when Christ
comes the second time, is His taking the saints to heaven with Him (John
14:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:17) and leaving the wicked dead here on earth (2
Thessalonians 2:7-8). In this way His second coming does bring about a
physical separation. But the preliminary separation takes place before the
second advent of Christ, at His invisible coming, when He puts the 'sheep' on
His right hand and the 'goats' on His left (Matthew 25:32-33; 13:30;
Revelation 18:4; Matthew 13:48)."- The Answerer, No. 2 (1944), P 39. Again, in commenting on Isaiah 66:15-17, the author
of The Shepherd's Rod, Volume 1, 1930 edition, p.170,
says: "The coming of the lord 'with fire . . to render his anger with
fury,' is not the coming of Christ in the clouds to receive His people. it is
before the close of probation, and in the time of the purification of the
church." Thus the Shepherd's Rod teaching is that there are
to be two comings of Christ in connection with the closing events of this
age: (1) an invisible coming before the dose of probation, to slay the
disobedient in the church; and (2) a visible coming, after the close of
probation, to receive his people. Note also that Mr. Houteff declares that
the coming of Christ to separate the sheep from the goats, as foretold in
Matthew 25:3134, will be an "invisible coming," and that this
separation is to take place before the second advent of Christ. In so doing,
the Shepherd's Rod leader contradicts what is taught in the writings of the Spirit
of Prophecy. Mrs. White, in commenting on Matthew 25:31-34, declares that the
separation of the sheep from the goats will take place when Christ shall come
in glory: "Not until the personal advent of Christ can
His people receive the kingdom. The Saviour said: 'When the Son of man shall
come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon
the throne of His glory: and before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He
shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from
the goats: and He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the
left. Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed
of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the
world.' Matthew 25:31-34. We have seen by the scriptures just given that when
the Son of Man comes, the dead are raised incorruptible and the living are
changed. By this great change they are prepared to receive the kingdom; for
Paul says: 'Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth
corruption inherit incorruption.' 1 Corinthians 15:50.-Great Controversy, p.322-323. "The throne of glory represents the kingdom of
glory; and this kingdom is referred to in the Saviour's
words: 'When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels
with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: and before Him
shall be gathered all nations.' Matthew 25:31-32. This kingdom is yet future.
It is not to be set up until the second advent of Christ. "Great
Controversy, p.347. When Christ comes, He will "appear the second
time," and not some third time. The statement in Hebrews 9:28 that
"unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time; proves
that there is to be a not previous coming of the lord with fire to slay the
unfaithful in the church before probation closes. The Scriptures plainly show
that Christ will come with fire when He comes to gather His people unto
Himself. (See Psalm 50:3-5; 2 Thessalonians 1 :7-10). In her description of
the deliverance of God's people at the second advent of Christ, Mrs. White
says: "Fierce lightnings leap from the heavens,
enveloping the earth in a sheet of flame. "-Great Controversy, p.638. A small cloud appears in the east. "The people
of God know this to be the sign of the Son of man. In solemn silence they
gaze upon it as it draws nearer the earth, becoming lighter and more
glorious, until it is a great white cloud, its base a glory like consuming
fire, and above it the rainbow of the covenant." -Great Controversy, p.640641. "The King of kings descends upon the cloud,
wrapped in flaming fire. The heavens are rolled together as a scroll, the
earth trembles before Him, and every mountain and island is moved out of its
place. 'Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour
before Him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about Him. He shall call
to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that He may judge His
people." Psalms 50:3-4."-Great Controversy, p. 641-642. "At the coming of Christ the wicked are blotted
from the face of the whole earth-consumed with the spirit of His mouth and
destroyed by the brightness of His glory. Christ takes His people to the city
of God, and the earth is emptied of its inhabitants."-Great Controversy,
p.657. 1. The Shepherd's Rod theory that the slaughter of
the unfaithful in the church, as foretold in Ezekiel 9, will take place prior
to the close of probation for all mankind and before the falling of the seven
last plagues is an erroneous notion. 2. The truth is that the slaughter predicted in
Ezekiel 9 will occur after the close of probation for all humanity. and in
the general destruction of the wicked during the falling of the seven last
plagues and at the second coming of Christ in glory. (For further consideration of this subject, see the
chapter entitled "The Harvest," on pages 14-20 of this study). |