Home

Home/Chat /Discussion /Links /Search /Resources /Order Form /SHRod /Audio /Contact us/ Espanol

GIVE PLACE THAT I MAY DWELL

We are happy to announce that Mt. Carmel's area is now nearly doubled by the purchase of another tract of land adjoining our original holdings of 189 acres, making a total of 375 acres; and we feel certain that all Present Truth believers will be delighted to know that the acquisition of this additional acreage will make it possible, for those who wish to live independently of the regulations governing Mt. Carmel, to build dwellings for themselves on a most beautiful lake-view frontage, overlooking Lake Waco from an elevation of about 200 feet, besides giving us a better road system, lake water-edge, and about two and one-half miles of highway frontage.

That which actuated us to make this purchase is the fact that we could not possibly subdivide any of the old acreage to give room to those who wish to build independently and live close to Mt. Carmel. Furthermore, without this additional land, the cost of constructing a road would have been prohibitive, as it would have had to be of suspended bridgework over several ravines; and then, too, as this piece of property was for sale, someone would eventually have purchased it, and possibly have become a menace to Mt. Carmel. Hence, we feel that the Lord has blessed us beyond measure by making it possible to acquire that for which more than one necessity was calling.

Hence, we ask all the friends of Present Truth to unite their voices with ours in prayer and praise to Him Who has not only made this possible, but Who also foresaw our need and caused it to be written:

"Lift up thine eyes round about, and behold: all these gather themselves together, and come to thee. As I live, saith the Lord, thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them on thee as a bride doeth. For thy waste and thy desolate places, and the land of thy destruction, shall even now be too narrow by reason of the inhabitants, and they that swallowed thee up shall be far away. The children which thou shalt have, after thou hast lost the other, shall say again in thine ears, The place is too straight for me: give place to me that I may dwell." (Isa. 49:18-20.)

To make the initial payment on this last tract of land, we have borrowed the money, and are praying that the Lord may bless the giver, and that He may make it possible for us soon to pay off the balance, clear the property from all incumbrances, and enable us satisfactorily to accommodate all our people in their present divers and pressing needs.

2 Vol. 2 Symbolic Code No. 10 (Texas--1936) 2L

GREETINGS FROM MOUNT CARMEL

It will be welcome news to all Present Truth believers to know that although the recent flood in Waco was the worst in local history, there were no casualties, and that only one family of believers in Present Truth lost any of their belongings.

Mount Carmel's elevation, being from two to three hundred feet above the flood level, was in no way endangered by the overflowing Brazos, and we praise God for bringing us to this beautiful safe spot in Texas.

The heavy rain suddenly cooled the air, but with the bright rays of the sun, it has again warmed up, and we are now happily enjoying delightful weather, while many beautiful blooms nurtured by the showers, and surrounded by verdant foliage not yet tinted with autumn's golden hues, are unfolding their colorful corollas, resembling the floral beauties of springtime.

"Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah." (Ps. 68:19.)

"From the solemn roll of the deep-toned thunder and old ocean's ceaseless roar, to the glad songs that make the forests vocal with melody, nature's ten thousand voices speak His praise. In earth and sea and sky, with their marvelous tint and color, varying in gorgeous contrast or blended in harmony, we behold His glory. The everlasting hills tell of His power. The trees that wave their green banners in the sunlight, and the flowers in their delicate beauty, pint to their Creator. The living green that carpets the brown earth, tells of God's care for the humblest of His creatures. The caves of the sea and the depths of the earth reveal His treasures. He who placed the pearls in the ocean and the amethyst and chrysolite among the rocks, is a lover of the beautiful. The sun rising in the heavens is a representative of Him who is the life and light of all that He has made. All the brightness and beauty that adorn the earth and light up the heavens, speak of God.

"Shall we, then, in the enjoyment of His gifts, forget the Giver? Let them rather lead us to contemplate His goodness and His love. Let all that is beautiful in our earthly home remind us of the crystal river and green fields, the waving trees and living fountains, the shining city and the white-robed singers, of our heavenly home,--that world of beauty which no artist can picture, no mortal tongue describe. 'Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.' 1 Cor. 2:9."--"Counsels to Teachers," pp. 54, 55.

2 Vol. 2 Symbolic Code No. 10 (Texas--1936) 2R

CORRECT THESE TWO SERIOUS EVILS

Much to our regret, it has become necessary for us to make public a criticism that some teachers of the SRod message have been reported to have fallen into the grievous evil of becoming overly zealous to establish their converts in the duty of tithe paying, which results in diverting the minds of the people from the main object of our message; that is, it leads to formalism and Pharisaism, and leaves the people asleep in their sins, hoping that their faithful tithe paying will, without change of habits and practices, insure their salvation.

As ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ, "in the closing work for the church, in the sealing time of the 144,000," our work, especially at this most critical time, is not to collect money for God, but to lead the blind to Him through presenting the message of Present Truth, thus preparing a people to meet their Lord, Who shall soon appear with power and great glory," "shake the heavens and the earth," "overthrow the throne of kingdoms," and "destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen." (Luke 21:27; Haggai 2:21-22.)

Hence, if we faithfully acquit ourselves of our charge, doing all in our power to bring souls to a saving knowledge of the truth, we need be concerned neither about God's getting poor nor our going hungry, for where the heart is, there the treasure is also, and if we seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, all these things shall be added unto us. (Matt. 6:33.)

Those who are converted to God, and whose Spiritual eye catches the eternal weight of glory, realizing that it is within their reach, we need not urge to give that which belongs to God, whether it be in tithes or in offerings--such need not be urged at all, for they will not let the cause of God suffer if they can help it.

"The Symbolic Code" has received another equally serious criticism against some who teach present truth, that they habitually put themselves in the defense whenever a question is asked during a study, making it appear that they assume the attitude that the questioner is simply trying to provoke an argument, when he is only desiring better to understand the truth.

This is a grave mistake, and an evil which will surely make for failure and for the driving away of souls. It is out of place anywhere and at any time, and is always inimical to happy results, especially when the questioner is seeking nothing but argument.

Study Christ's method, and be always self-contained--possessed of a calm, col-

3 Vol. 2 Symbolic Code No. 10 (Texas--1936) 3L

lected, controlled spirit, ready "to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear." (1 Peter 3:15.)

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

ON WHICH SIDE WILL YOU BE?

Question:

"What does Mt. Carmel stand for, and what position does 'The Shepherd's Rod' take in regards to the writings of Mrs. E.G. White, also the Seventh-day Adventists?"

Answer:

To answer the above questions, it is necessary that we first speak of the S.D.A. denomination, next of Mrs. White's writings, then of "The Shepherd's Rod," and at last of Mt. Carmel Center.

The membership of the S.D.A. denomination consists, as do most others, of two classes of people; namely, Fundamentalists, and Modernists, but unlike factions of other denominations, which openly declare themselves as Modernists, the unorthodox among S.D.A.'s are not modernists in name, but in practice only; that is, while they claim to believe in the fundamentals of Seventh-day Adventism, they have, both spiritually and morally, quietly modernized the church, which, of course, makes it far more difficult for us Fundamentalists to explain our position, without being misunderstood. Therefore, we find that this type of deception is as elusive as the identity of a Jew whose lineage has been for centuries lost to view.

Relevant to the question before us, one of the fundamentals of the church is Mrs. E.G. White's writings, which are known to the church as "Spirit of Prophecy."

The Fundamentialist group is in perfect harmony with all the fundamental doctrines of the S.D.A. church. It accepts Mrs. E.G. White as a prophetess; believes that what she wrote for publication is inspired in the same way as is all Biblical prophecy; and holds that "no prophecy of the Scriptures is of any private interpretation," and can no more now be understood without this divine enlightenment than it could in Daniel's time, when the angel said to him: "I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your Prince." (Dan. 10:21.)

As a matter of fact, there would be no Seventh-day Adventists church in existence, were it not for the writings of Mrs. E.G. White, who left as a monument to her long and eventful life, more volumes, perhaps, than any one who has ever lived on this earth.

Being God's mouthpiece for the church, the counsel of Sister White was prized as

3 Vol. 2 Symbolic Code No. 10 (Texas--1936) 3R

indispensable, and the pioneers of early Advent movement considered it dangerous, in launching any enterprise for the advancement of the cause of God, both at home and abroad, to go contrary to her judgment, and because "upon this solid rock" the denomination is founded, its fundamental principles have worked miracles in modern missions.

It is for the purpose of maintaining these solid foundation principles, which were calculated to make the S.D.A. denomination the greatest missionary movement of all time, that the Lord has "appointed" the volumes and tracts of "The Shepherd's Rod," and which the fundamentalist group are to restore, so that when, prophetically, "the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house," it stood. (Matt. 7:25.) Looking forward to this time, the prophet Micah wrote: "Hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it." (Mic. 6:9.)

"The Shepherd's Rod" calls for a reformation, and the major need with which it deals is the "purification of the church," based purely upon the Word of God as set forth in the Bible in the ninth chapter of Ezekiel and in the seventh chapter of Revelation, and in the "Testimonies for the Church" (Vol. 5, pp. 80, 81, 210-212), which work Sister White calls, "The closing work for the church," (Vol. 3, p. 266) and which she says, "hastens on apace."

Literally, scores and hundreds of Seventh-day Adventists from all parts of the United States, and some from foreign countries, have not only responded to this most solemn call, but are giving as much time as possible to the proclamation of this message to the church, which we believe is the preparatory call for what is to be the greatest work ever witnessed on earth.

Mt. Carmel Center is now being built not for the purpose, as it is falsely alleged, of starting a new denomination, but solely for the purposes of establishing a training center for workers who shall carry the message to the church; of educating the youth; of taking care of the poor and the orphans; and of ministering to the sick; thus gathering all the saints to the house of the Lord. (Isa. 66:1; 58:7.)

Like the early pioneers of the Adventist church, these reformers of the "old paths," believe it to be positively dangerous to go contrary to any light that the Lord chooses to send to His people. And since "The Shepherd's Rod" has called our attention to the need of "reformation among God's people," we would not only, in a general way, be recreant to our trust, but would be sitting idly by, allowing our beloved church to drag in the dust, our brethren to be lost, and the world around us to perish for "lack of knowledge."

4 Vol. 2 Symbolic Code No. 10 (Texas--1936) 4L

There exists among us no enmity, animosity, or ill feelings toward any of our Modernist S.D.A. brethren, and there is no such thing among us Fundamentalists as race, language, caste, or color prejudice for we believe with the apostle Paul that we are all the children of Adam, the "seed of Abraham," adopted into the family of God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Realizing that no such goal of soul-winning endeavor has ever been dreamed of before, yet with implicit confidence in our Leader, Who has never lost a battle, we face our task with courage, believing that He is well able to lead us unto victory, even into the Heavenly Canaan, which flows with "milk and honey."

THE LOUD CRY

Question:

"Sister White wrote in 1892 that the Loud Cry of the Third Angel's Message had already begun; others claim that it is yet future. Please explain."

Answer:

Those who think that the Loud Cry of the Third Angel's Message, which began in 1892, has continued ever since, prove to us that they are in great darkness, "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked," because of the fact that they can not tell the difference between that great light that lightens the earth, and the darkness that preceded it, which even a half awake Christian ought to be able to recognize.

The light with which the earth is to be lightened is, of course, understood to be a spiritual light--the Word of God. Moreover it is also understood that the church is to diffuse this great light to the ends of the earth, for in no other way will God reveal the truth to sinful men, and the Gentiles see her righteousness, and all kings her glory. (Isa. 62:2.) Consequently, the church from 1844 to the close of probation is divided into two sections--before the Loud Cry, and in the time of the Loud Cry--the latter of which will, by comparison, be far superior to the former in spirituality. In fact, there is no comparison between the two. Hence, those who cannot tell in which one of these stages the church now is, must be in great darkness!

The following references prove that though the Loud Cry had begun by 1892, it was muffled when the church rejected the message of 1888. Hence, instead of becoming the light of the world, she herself went into darkness.

In the following references the description of the church in the time of the Loud Cry, and also during the time preceding it is plainly given, and no one need be confused. Says the Spirit of Prophecy:

"In the manifestation of the power that lightens the earth with its glory, they will

4 Vol. 2 Symbolic Code No. 10 (Texas--1936) 4R

see only something which in blindness they think dangerous, something which will arouse their fears and they will brace themselves to resist it. Because the Lord does not work according to their expectations and ideal, they will oppose the work. Why, they say, should we not know the Spirit of God; when we have been in the work so many years?"--"Bible Training School," 1907. (Reprinted in "Review & Herald," Nov. 7, 1918.) This paragraph puts the Loud Cry in the future of 1918.

"The great outpouring of the Spirit of God, which lightens the whole earth with His glory, will not come until we have an enlightened people, that know by experience what it means to be laborers together with God. When we have entire, wholehearted consecration to the service of Christ, God will recognize the fact by an outpouring of His Spirit without measure; but this will not be while the largest portion of the church are not laborers together with God." ("Review and Herald," July 21, 1896.)

"The love of Christ, the love of our brethren, will testify to the world that we have been with Jesus and learned of Him. Then will the message of the third angel swell to a loud cry, and the whole earth will be lightened with the glory of the Lord."--"Testimonies for the Church," Vol. 6, p. 401.

The above references do not only plainly show that the Loud Cry of the Third Angel's Message is yet future, but they also show that, before it begins, there is to be a reformation among God's people, and that, at that time, "Clad in the armor of Christ's righteousness, the church is to enter upon her final conflict. 'Fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners,' she is to go forth into all the world, conquering and to conquer."--"Prophets and Kings," p. 725. Whereas, the church at this time is polluted in her sins, and asleep, just as she is described in the message to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans, of Revelation 3:14-18, and further in the following passage from the Spirit of Prophecy:

"What greater deception can come upon human minds than a confidence that they are right, when they are all wrong! The message of the True Witness finds the people of God in a sad deception, yet honest in that deception. They know not that their condition is deplorable in the sight of God. While those addressed are flattering themselves that they are in an exalted spiritual condition, the message of the True Witness breaks their security by the startling denunciation of their true condition of spiritual blindness, poverty, and wretchedness. The testimony so cutting and severe, cannot be a mistake, for it is the True Witness who speaks, and His testimony must

5 Vol. 2 Symbolic Code No. 10 (Texas--1936) 5L

be correct."--"Testimonies for the church," Vol. 3, p. 253.

Moreover, it was in 1892 when the statement was made that "This is the beginning of the Loud Cry," and just one year later, in 1893, the Spirit of Prophecy describes, in as plain a language as can possibly be stated, the church's condition, and no more condemnatory words could be used by any writer. We read:

"Who can truthfully say, 'Our gold is tried in the fire; our garments are unspotted by the world'? I saw our Instructor pointing to the garments of so-called righteousness. Stripping them off, He laid bare the defilement beneath. Then He said to me: 'Can you not see how they have pretentiously covered up their defilement and rottenness of character? 'How is the faithful city become an harlot?' My Father's house is made a house of merchandise, an place whence the divine presence and glory have departed! For this cause there is weakness, and strength is lacking.

"Unless the church, which is now being leavened with her own back-sliding, shall repent and be converted, she will eat of the fruit of her own doing, until she shall abhor herself."--"Testimonies for the Church," Vol. 8, p. 250.

In the face of these plain statements, it is most preposterous for any one to conclude that the church is now in her Loud Cry state. If we should make such absurd statements as some of our ministering brethren make, no one who believes in the Spirit of Prophecy would have a thing to do with us, and it is right that they should not, but when the ministers in the denomination give expression to such extravagant ideas, the laity avidly accept them, for they "like to have it so."

BOTH SECULAR AND ECCLESIASTICAL

Question:

"How do you meet some of the critics who claim that the 'papacy' is supposed to be a secular instead of an ecclesiastical power, as claimed by 'The Shepherd's Rod'?"

Answer:

Those who affirm that the wounded head of the leopard-like beast of Revelation 13:1-10 symbolizes the papacy, will also agree that the "little horn"' which had "the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things" (Dan. 7:8), is also the papacy. Hence, we had better examine the subject from its root up.

The papacy, in Daniel's vision, is represented by a symbol that is composed of two different members--a horn and a head--the one of man, the other of the beast. Therefore, the papacy, according to the symbol, consisted of two different elements, which were amalgamated into one whole--a horn-head. And as the papacy exercised

5 Vol. 2 Symbolic Code No. 10 (Texas--1936) 5R

both civil and religious power, shows that its secular side was represented by the horn part, for the ten horns of the beast, as Daniel explains, represented "ten kings" (verse 24), thus proving that the head part represented the ecclesiastical phase of the papacy.

Having obtained the key of interpretation, we come to the question, "Is the head that was wounded unto death (the papacy) ecclesiastical or secular?" The key of interpretation proves that the head which was wounded unto death (the papacy) was ecclesiastical, for on this beast the papacy is represented not by a horn or horn-head, but by a head only, which, of course, raises the

Question:

"If the papacy is represented in Daniel's vision as a combined power with secular and ecclesiastical authority, why does John's vision show it to be ecclesiastical only?"

Answer:

Daniel's prophecy points to the rising of the papacy, endowed with civil and religious power and employed to wear out the saints of the Most High, whereas, John prophetically reveals her downfall. This fact is shown not only by the wound, but also by the symbol itself, for in this instance the papacy is symbolized by a head only, instead of by a horn-head; that is, the omission of the horn proves that by the end of the 1260 year period, the papacy was divested of her secular power--leaving her as purely ecclesiastical, as it is up to this day. Thus, the foregoing facts prove that the wounded head of the leopard-like beast does not represent a secular power, but one purely ecclesiastical--the papacy as she is now,--and if the one head represents a religious body, then the other six must also, or, otherwise, we would have no rule of key by which to interpret the Revelation.

"DAILY" DOCTRINE, OR "DAILY"

SACRIFICE?

Question:

"How do you harmonize 'Early Writings,' p. 75 with "The Shepherd's Rod," Vol. 2, pp. 130-134, where the former claims that, 'When union existed, before 1844, nearly all were united on the correct view of the 'daily'; but in the confusion since 1844, other views have been embraced," whereas, the latter holds a view which was not then known at all? Is it not correct that the 'daily sacrifice' of Daniel 8:12 means the 'sacrificial altar of Jehovah'?"

Answer:

Taking for granted that the words, "correct view," mean "correct meaning," then why did not the denomination since 1844 teach it, for the view which the denomina-

6 Vol. 2 Symbolic Code No. 10 (Texas--1936) 6L

tion has held since is not the exact view which was held before 1844?

They may have been before 1844 united on the "view" that the "daily" was "not a test question" or, that it was not of basic importance, or, that its "true meaning" was not understood, or, that "under present conditions, silence is eloquent." In fact, there is many a possible view upon which they have been united, but which would not necessarily contain the meaning of the "daily."

Before we scrap the Rod in its interpretation of the "daily," let us be at pains to produce the testimony of history or of the Spirit of Prophecy, that the view of the "daily" upon which nearly all were united when union existed before 1844, was that it referred to the altar of paganism, or to any other kind of an altar. Then, we may begin to worry about the "Shepherd's Rod" interpretation of the "daily," for if the view of the "daily" was the "sacrificial altar of paganism," and the Spirit of Prophecy says that the view was "the correct view," then when one teaches that the correct view of the "daily is the sacrificial altar of Jehovah," one indicts the Spirit of Prophecy, and not the Rod, for the Spirit of Prophecy says that the word, "sacrifice", is supplied by man's wisdom, and does not belong to the text," because without the word "sacrifice" cannot of itself be connected with any act of sacrificing.

Moreover, the critics of "The Shepherd's Rod" are willing with one hand to whip the Rod with implications that its interpretation contradicts the Spirit of Prophecy, whereas, with the other hand, they deal a severe blow to the Spirit of Prophecy by insisting that the word, "sacrifice," belongs to the text, for without it their interpretation of the "daily" is shattered and scattered to the winds.

DEMOTED BUT NOT YET CAST OUT

Question:

"Please explain the following statement from "The Shepherd's Rod," Vol. 1, p. 153: 'Now to His people He gives one year to make good.'"

Answer:

The foregoing statement simply means that God limited to the leaders of the S.D.A. denomination one year in which to accept the sealing message, and to carry it to the church through the instrumentality of the old organization; and that if they still continued, after the expiration of this limited period of grace, to reject the message, He would spue them out of His mouth--reject them as His servants; and that now, since this limited period of grace has expired, though they are demoted, if they should accept the message and desire to carry it to the laity, they must humble themselves by working in His appointed way, under

6 Vol. 2 Symbolic Code No. 10 (Texas--1936) 6R

messengers of His own choosing. ("Testimonies to Ministers," p. 106; "Gospel Workers," p. 304.)

ENTERED NOT IN THEMSELVES,

OTHERS THEY HINDERED

Question:

"Does Isa 63:3 apply at Christ's first, or at His second advent? 'I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with Me: for I will tread them in Mine anger, and trample them in My fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon My garments, and I will stain all My raiment.' (Isa. 63:3.)"

Answer:

The first part of the verse applies to the first advent of Christ, and the last to the time of the purification of the church. However, the prophecy was made for the express purpose of revealing conditions when the purification shall take place. Thus Christ prophetically calls attention back to a fulfilled prophecy of His sufferings while He was on the cross, emphasizing that there were none with Him, and that therefore, those who had no part in His agony have no right to own or rule those for whom He has died to set free; and that if they continue to hold His people in bondage and in darkness of the truth, He will tread them in His anger, and trample them in His fury, and their blood shall be sprinkled upon His garments, and He will stain all His raiment, and thus set all His people free.

WHAT IS SUBJECT TO TITHING?

Question:

Please explain, "Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year." (Deut. 14:22.)

Answer:

Let us consider the following examples: If one should plant an acre of potatoes, which, without any overhead expense, such as hired labor, irrigation, rent, etc., would yield fifty bushels, then the whole crop would be subject to tithe, which tithe would amount to five bushels; but if there is an overhead expense against the crop, then such expense should be deducted from the gross value of the produce, before tithing. For instance, if the overhead expense should be five dollars, and if the potatoes are worth one dollar per bushel, the gross value value of the crop would be fifty dollars, less the overhead expense of five dollars, or, five bushels, leaving a net increase of forty-five bushels, or, forty-five dollars subject to tithing.

But if one is working for wages instead of for one's self, and if there is any overhead expense attached to one's wages, such as transportation to and from work, it can be deducted from the wages, before tithing.

7 Vol. 2 Symbolic Code No. 10 (Texas--1936) 7L

For example, if one is receiving a hundred dollars per month, and if it takes ten cents a day for transportation, which perhaps may amount to two dollars and sixty cents, it can be deducted before tithing, leaving ninety-seven dollars and forty cents, subject to tithing.

If one's income is from rentals, then what-ever expense may be incurred for the upkeep of the property during the month should be de-ducted from the gross income before tithing.

WHEN WILL THEY GO TO THE "HOLES AND TO THE ROCKS"?

Question:

"Do these three scriptures, Isa. 2:19-21, Isa. 28:21, Isa. 66:15,16, meet their fulfillment at the same time?"

Answer:

We must explain Isa. 2:19-21 by Revelation 16:15-17, because when a prophecy does not explain itself, the Revelation is supposed to throw light upon it, and because the results of the events of both scriptures are identical. Hence, we quote both the prophecy and the Revelation:

"And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of His majesty, when He ariseth to shake terribly the earth. In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats; to go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of His majesty, when He ariseth to shake terribly the earth." (Isa. 2:19-21.)

"And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came into remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great." (Rev. 16:17-21.)

The prophecy of Isa. 2:19-21 must be fulfilled sometime before the coming of Christ in the clouds, for in the description of events under the seventh plague (Rev. 16:17-21), which falls before the "second coming of Christ," it is written that "every island fled away, and the mountains were

7 Vol. 2 Symbolic Code No. 10 (Texas--1936) 7R

not found." Consequently, if we place the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy after the seven last plagues, we would make the revelator contradict Isaiah, for if the mountains disappeared just before Christ's coming, how could the wicked hide themselves in them? Consequently, if our understanding of Revelation 16:17-21 is correct, then Isaiah 2:19-21 must be fulfilled before the seven last plagues.

Coming to Isaiah 28:21 we read: "For the Lord shall rise up as in mount Perazim, He shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that He may do His work, His strange work; and bring to pass His act, His strange act."

The subject of Isaiah 28 is the church in apostasy, and the prophet is calling attention, in the twenty-first verse, to her call for reformation, and to the destruction of those who would continue on with their abominations; and it points back to the example in David's time, when the Lord "broke forth upon" David's enemies at Baal Perazim (II Sam. 5:20), so that those to whom the call comes may awake, repent, and be saved. Therefore, as the wicked in the church are to be destroyed at the end of "the closing work for the church" (3 T 266), at her purification (5 T 80), Isaiah 28:1 must meet its fulfillment at the time when the sinners in Zion shall be cast out from among the righteous. (Isa. 33:14; Matt. 13:49.)

"For, behold, the Lord will come with fire, and with His chariots like a whirlwind, to render His anger with fury, and His rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and by His sword will the Lord plead with all flesh: and the slain of the Lord shall be many." (Isa. 66:15,16.)

This scripture cannot meet its fulfillment at any other time than at the purification of the church, for those who escape from the slaying of the Lord are sent to all nations to proclaim God's fame and His glory, and to bring all their brethren (those who shall be saved) to the house of the Lord. (Verses 19,20.)

Hence, as the heathen were not slain in the slaughter of the sixteenth verse, and as those who escaped were sent by the Lord to preach to the Gentiles, it is definite that the slaughter took place only in the church, among those who knew God, and who could proclaim His fame and His glory; and as those who shall escape from the slaughter shall bring their brethren to the house of the Lord, it is plain that the slaughter took place before the close of probation, and at the purification of the church.

Thus we see that the prophecies of Isaiah 28:21 and Isaiah 66:15, 16 transpire at the same time, and Isaiah 2:19-21 after the purification of the church, and before the seven last plagues are poured out--in the

8 Vol. 2 Symbolic Code No. 10 (Texas--1936) 8L

time when God shall manifest His power and bring His judgments--when the inhabitants of the earth are to "learn righteousness." (Isa. 26:9.)

WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH MOUNT CARMEL?

Question:

"After almost a year and a half's preparation, why is Mount Carmel not yet ready to receive those who desire to go there for a few month's training?"

Answer:

Because the magnitude of the task here is understood by very few, this same question is in the minds of many.

The Lord of the harvest says, "the harvest is great, but the laborers are few." A great work to be done, and but few laborers on hand to do it--such is the case at Mount Carmel. And add to this already unequal situation the further hindering circumstance that the laborers are unskilled and still heavily trammeled with the common heritage of Laodiceanism--wretchedness, miserableness, poverty, blindness, nakedness--and it will begin to be understood why Mount carmel is still unprepared to receive those who desire to participate in the many benefits which it promises.

However, the greatest cause of this unpreparedness lies without. Never was there a time when God's work was in greater need of support than today; the work at Mount Carmel lags for want of necessary means and laborers; and yet seldom, if ever, have so steady and heavy demands been made by any of God's people upon the resources of a gospel institution depending for its success upon their own self-sacrificing efforts. At the same time, never since the days of the apostles has a Christian institution stood for such high elumosynary principles as does Mount Carmel Center.

Now when there is unparalleled need at Mount Carmel and throughout the harvest field for help and helpers of all kinds, and also a need to feed and care for them; to publish and circulate free literature; to pay for and develop nearly three hundred acres of raw timber land; to build buildings, roads, water works, power and heating plants; and to maintain a full graded school, with no charge for tuition, and but a small charge for board, room, laundry, etc., which at only ten dollars per month is way under cost; yet at this time we are expected to accomplish the whole program at once!

"HONOR THE LORD WITH THY

SUBSTANCE"

Question:

"Please explain about the firstfruits offerings and tithe paying."

8 Vol. 2 Symbolic Code No. 10 (Texas--1936) 8R

Answer:

Solomon admonishes: "Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase." (Prov. 3:9.)

"Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto Me." (Ex. 22:29.)

"And this shall be the priest's due from the people, from them that offer a sacrifice, whether it be ox or sheep;...the firstfruit also of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the first of the fleece of thy sheep, shalt thou give Him." (Deut. 18:3,4.)

"That thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which thou shalt bring of thy land that the Lord thy God giveth thee, and shalt put it in a basket, and shalt go unto the place which the Lord thy God shall choose to place His name there." (Deut. 26:2.)

"As it is written in the law:...to bring the firstfruits of our ground, and the firstfruits of all fruit of all trees, year by year, unto the house of the Lord." (Neh. 10:34, 35.)

From these scriptures we are not, however, to draw the erroneous conclusion that all of the firstfruits are demanded by the Lord. God requires only an offering of the first of the firstfruits, as is proved by the fact of the wavesheaf, presented to the Lord before the individual could harvest his crop of firstfruits (Lev. 23:10); that is, besides the tithe, we owe an offering, and should not hold back God's portion but pay it at once, before we appropriate to ourselves any of our increase.

"Elders of churches, do your duty. Labor from home to home, that the flock of God shall not be remiss in this great matter, which involves such a blessing or such a curse....Every man who bears the message of truth to our churches, must do his duty by warning, educating, rebuking. Any neglect of duty which is a robbery toward God, means a curse upon the delinquent."--"Testimonies to Ministers," pp. 306, 307.

"Let the church appoint pastors and elders who are devoted to the Lord Jesus, and let these men see that officers are chosen who will attend faithfully to the work of gathering in the tithe. If the pastors show that they are not fitted for their charge, if they fail to set before the church the importance of returning to God His own, if they do not see to it that the officers under them are faithful, and that the tithes are brought in they are in peril. They are neglecting a matter which involves a blessing or a curse to the church. They should be relieved of their responsibility, and other men should be tested and tried. The Lord's messengers should see that His requirements are faithfully discharged by the members of the church."--Supplement to "Review and Herald," Dec. 1, 1866.

9 Vol. 2 Symbolic Code No. 10 (Texas--1936) 9L

"Those who go forth as ministers have a solemn responsibility evolving upon them which is strangely neglected...There is great need of instruction concerning the obligations and duties to God, especially in regard to paying an honest tithe."--"Testimonies for the Church," Vol. 9, p. 250.

In harmony with the above urgent command, we as ministers of the Gospel, and as reformers, who must "build the old waste places,...raise up the foundations of many generations, and...be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in" (Isa. 58:12), are duty bound, especially for the benefit of those who do not own Sister White's writings, to quote the following instructions from the "Testimonies for the Church":

"God's requirements come first. We are not doing His will if we consecrate to Him what is left of our income after all our imaginary wants have been supplied. Before any part of our earnings is consumed, we should take out and present to Him that portion which He claims. In the old dispensation, an offering of gratitude was kept continually burning upon the altar, thus showing man's endless obligation to God. If we have prosperity in our secular business, it is because God blesses us. A part of this income is to be devoted to the poor, and a large portion to be applied to the cause of God. When that which God claims is rendered to Him, the remainder will be sanctified and blessed to our own use. But when a man robs God by withholding that which He requires, His curse rests upon the whole." (Vol. 4, p. 477.)

"Paul lays down a rule for giving to God's cause, and tells us what the result will be both in regard to ourselves and to God. 'Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver.' 'This I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.' 'God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work. (...Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) being enriched in everything to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God," (Vol. 5, p. 735.)

"The tithe was to be exclusively devoted to the use of the Levites, the tribe that had been set apart for the service of the sanctuary. But this was by no means the limit of the contributions for religious purposes. The tabernacle, as afterward the temple, was erected wholly by free-will offerings; and to provide for necessary repairs, and other expenses, Moses directed that as often

9 Vol. 2 Symbolic Code No. 10 (Texas--1936) 9R

as the people were numbered, each should contribute a half shekel for 'the service of the tabernacle.' In the time of Nehemiah a contribution was made yearly for this purpose. From time to time, sin-offerings and thank-offerings were brought to God. These were presented in great numbers at the annual feasts. And the most liberal provision was made for the poor."--"Patriarchs and Prophets," p. 526.

"The contributions required of the Hebrews for religious and charitable purposes amounted to fully one-fourth of their income. So heavy a tax upon the resources of the people might be expected to reduce them to poverty; but, on the contrary, the faithful observance of these regulations was one of the conditions of their prosperity. On condition of their obedience, God made them this promise: "I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field....And all nations shall call you blessed; for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts'."--Id., p. 527

"He has given His people a plan for raising sums sufficient to make the enterprise self-sustaining. God's plan in the tithing system is beautiful in its simplicity and equality. All may take hold of it in faith and courage, for it is divine in its origin. In it are combined simplicity and utility, and it does not require depth of learning to understand and execute it. All may feel that they can act a part in carrying forward the precious work of salvation. Every man, woman, and youth may become a treasurer for the Lord, and may be an agent to meet the demands upon the treasury. Says the apostle, 'Let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him.'

"Great objects are accomplished by this system. If one and all would accept it, each would be made a vigilant and faithful treasurer for God; and there would be no want of means with which to carry forward the great work of sounding the last message of warning to the world. The treasury will be full if all adopt this system, and the contributors will not be left the poorer. Through every investment made, they will become more wedded to the cause of present truth. They will be 'laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life'."--Vol. 3, pp. 388, 389.

"There has been a neglect in the churches of keeping up the plan of systematic benevolence, and the result has been an impoverished treasury and a backslidden church."--Vol. 3, p. 409.

"Whenever God's people, in any period of the world, have cheerfully and willingly carried out His plan in systematic be-

10 Vol. 2 Symbolic Code No. 10 (Texas--1936) 10L

nevolence and in gifts and offerings, they have realized the standing promise that prosperity should attend all their labors just in proportion as they obeyed His requirements. When they acknowledged the claims of God, and complied with His requirements, honoring Him with their substance, their barns were filled with plenty. But when they robbed God in tithes and in offerings, they were made to realize that they were not only robbing Him but themselves; for He limited His blessings to them, just in proportion as they limited their offerings to Him."--Vol. 3, p. 395.

"Systematic benevolence looks to you as needless; you overlook the fact that it originated with God, whose wisdom is unerring. This plan He ordained to save confusion, to correct covetousness, avarice, selfishness, and idolatry. This system was to cause the burden to rest lightly, yet with due weight, upon all. The salvation of man cost a dear price, even the life of the Lord of glory, which He freely gave to lift man from degradation, and to exalt him to become heir of the world. God has so ordained that man shall aid his fellowman in the great work of redemption."--Vol. 1, p. 545.

"Until all shall carry out the plan of systematic benevolence, there will be a failure in coming up to the apostolic rule. Those who minister in word and doctrine should be men of discrimination." Vol. 3, p. 411.

"The poor, by following the rule of the apostle and laying by a small sum every week, help to swell the treasury, and their gifts are wholly acceptable to God; for they make just as great, and even greater, sacrifices than their more wealthy brethren. The plan of systematic benevolence will prove a safeguard to every family against temptations to spend means for needless things; and especially will it prove a blessing to the rich by guarding them from indulging in extravagances."--Vol. 3, p. 412.

"There must be an awakening among us as a people upon this matter. There are but few men who feel conscience-stricken if they neglect their duty in beneficence. But few feel remorse of soul because they are daily robbing God....There are many neglected vows and unpaid pledges, and yet how few trouble their minds over the matter; how few feel the guilt of this violation of duty. We must have new and deeper convictions on this subject. The conscience must be aroused, and the matter receive earnest attention; for an account must be rendered to God in the last day, and His claims must be settled."--Vol. 4, p. 468.

"Of all our income we should make the first appropriation to God. In the system of beneficence enjoined upon the Jews, they were required either to bring to the

10 Vol. 2 Symbolic Code No. 10 (Texas--1936) 10R

Lord the first-fruits of all His gifts, whether in the increase of their flocks or herds, or in the produce of their fields, orchards, or vineyards, or they were to redeem it by substituting an equivalent. How changed the order of things in our day! The Lord's requirements and claims, if they receive any attention, are left till the last....The majority of professed Christians part with their means with great reluctance.