Dear Reader,
The following exchange took place on an SDA Internet chat group between Paul, Walt and Ron Beaulieu. It begins with Walt addressing Paul. Walt is the Shepherd's Rod person:
Hi Paul
I don't know for some reason what "IOW" [computer shorthand for "In other words"] means, but no, I do not believe that the Bible teaches that "all" the "Jews" will be gathered back to Jerusalem.
To explain: what is to be made is a distinction between the terms Israel and Jew. They are historically and technically not the same.
Yet the gathering will include all God's children (the wheat), left alive on the earth prior to Christ's 2nd. coming, (Mat. 13:30 Isa. 2; Micah 4; Ezk. 36 & 37; Isa. 66:12-21 KJV.).
If this seems weird or too fantastic, remember that the world is to be in a total different state of affairs leading up to such a time. It is to be a day like none other that has ever been seen. Thus shall it be in many ways.
We're so used to things the way they are that we can sometimes have a hard time visualizing that which we are being told of what the last days are to be like.
The time soon to come, is to be widely different than today, as it is the last chance for our enemy the effort on his part will be fierce. So too will the Lords power be more marked in defence of His children.
Yes, the Great and Dreadful day of the Lord -- Great to the righteous and Dreadful to the unrighteous. We should expect both more dramatic deceptions and from the Lord, greater miracles.
It would be an amazing time to live through, and we must prepare.
Walt
Ron's note here: The Shepherds Rod believe that the 144,000 go to Jerusalem during the time of trouble.
Ron response to Walt:
Walt,
In The Great Controversy, pp. 25 and 36, Ellen White says that the destruction of Jerusalem, 70 A.D., was a prefigure of the world being destroyed. Jerusalem today is the world after it has heard the gospel. The bride, the 144,000, will be the generals in God's Army of Joel, who officiate the giving of the final Loud Cry, and they do not do it from Jerusalem. They do it from outposts all over the earth, according to Ellen White. So again, Victor Houteff, has contradicted Ellen White.
Notice: "When the protection of human laws shall be withdrawn from those who honor the law of God, there will be, IN DIFFERENT LANDS, a simultaneous movement for their destruction. As the time appointed in the decree draws near, the people will conspire to root out the hated sect. It will be determined to strike in one night a decisive blow, which shall utterly silence the voice of dissent and reproof.
The people of God--some in prison cells, some hidden in solitary retreats in the forest and the mountains-- still plead for divine protection, while in every quarter companies of armed men, urged on by hosts of evil angels, are preparing for the work of death. It is now, in the hour of utmost extremity, that the God of Israel will interpose for the deliverance of His chosen." E.G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 635.
Come Walt, let us reason together. Where are those who honor the law of God when there is a simultaneous movement for their destruction? They are IN DIFFERENT LANDS. Some are in prison cells, some hidden in solitary retreats in the forest and the mountains. The death decree will affect men in all the countries of the world, not just Jerusalem. But, you say, Ellen White is speaking of those other than the 144,000? Not so Walt. Ellen White is speaking of the 144,000! You know how I know? Because they are delivered--"...the God of Israel will interpose for the DELIVERANCE OF HIS CHOSEN."
Only the 144,000 are DELIVERED and translated without seeing death. So, again Walt, Victor Houteff and the Shepherd's Rod are controverting Ellen White, and truth is supposed to build on truth, not error. Walt, you seem too astute to fall for such error. Will you pray about this?
Sincerely,
Ron B.