EVERYBODY LIKES TO BE IT

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

EVERYBODY LIKES TO BE IT, BUT NOBODY CARES TO HAVE ITS NAME

Almost every Christian denomination admits in some way that it is living in the time of the last of the seven churches of Revelation 2 and 3, the church "in the latter days," yet not one wants to accept her name "Laodicea"!

The reason is evident: in the sacred annals of church history, she carries the heaviest condemnation. Claiming to be in need of nothing, actually she is in need of everything, not even knowing that she is "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." And though counselled to buy gold tried in the fire (Inspired Truth) and "eyesalve" (eye-opening Truth), her only remedy, she does not care to invest, for she imagines she has it all.

If she continues in this lukewarm (satisfied) condition, she must certainly know that she will as a result be spued out. Yet, thus far, every effort has failed to bring her closer to her Lord, that she might see herself even as Isaiah saw himself: "Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am...of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts." Isa. 6:5.

Laodicea, the last church with the "wheat" and "tares" commingled, may be recognized amidst the many "isms" of Christendom by the work she is doing. She is pointed out by the very name.

The name Laodicea is compounded from the two Greek words lao and decia, which mean the people declare judgment. The church, therefore, which declares, "Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come" (Rev. 14:7), is evidently the one called Laodicea. And it is almost as well known outside of Seventh-day Adventist circles as within it, that the Seventh-day Adventist church is endeavoring to carry the judgment message of Revelation 14:7, and is therefore unchallenged in her claim to the title of Laodicea.

Describing her condition in present-day language, Inspiration declares:

"The message to the church of the Laodiceans is a startling denunciation, and is applicable to the people of God at the present time.

"...The people of God are represented in the message to the Laodiceans as in a position of carnal security. They are at ease, believing themselves to be in an exalted condition of spiritual attainments....

"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,

2 Vol. 9 Symbolic Code Nos. 1-12 (Texas--1943) 2L

cannot be a mistake, for it is the True Witness who speaks, and his testimony must be correct."--Testimonies, Vol. 3, pp. 252, 253.

"l asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen, and was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans. This will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver, and will lead him to exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth. Some will not bear this straight testimony. They will rise up against it, and this is what will cause a shaking among God's people.

"I saw that the testimony of the True Witness has not been half heeded. The solemn testimony upon which the destiny of the church hangs has been lightly esteemed, if not entirely disregarded."--Early Writings, p. 270.

"... our own course of continual backsliding has separated us from God. Pride, covetousness, and love of the world have lived in the heart without fear of banishment or condemnation. Grievous and presumptuous sins have dwelt among us. And yet the general opinion is that the church is flourishing, and that peace and spiritual prosperity are in all her borders.

"The church has turned back from following Christ her Leader, and is steadily retreating toward Egypt. Yet few are alarmed or astonished at their want of spiritual power. Doubt and even disbelief of the testimonies of the Spirit of God, is leavening our churches everywhere. Satan would have it thus. Ministers who preach self instead of Christ would have it thus. The testimonies are unread and unappreciated. God has spoken to you. Light has been shining from his word and from the testimonies, and both have been slighted and disregarded. The result is apparent in the lack of purity and devotion and earnest faith among us."--Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 217.

That Laodicea is the typical name for the Seventh-day Adventist denomination, every Seventh-day Adventist knows, and yet no one cares to do anything about it! Instead, all are satisfied that they have all the truth to carry them clear through!

To prolong their lukewarm condition indefinitely, the Demon power has perfected a thermos-covering composed of an impervious layer of prejudice, self-confidence, and the fear that someone is trying his best to deceive them by word or by literature. Hence most of us, as Seventh-day Adventists, do not discuss or read Bible truths that are advocated by anyone not approved by the angel of Laodicea--the conference prelates. Consequently, such ones cannot be reached with a message from heaven today any easier than could the Jews in their day. Nevertheless the All-knowing One commanded:

"And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or

2 Vol. 9 Symbolic Code Nos. 1-12 (Texas--1943) 2R

hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see." Rev. 3:14-18.

According to Revelation 1:20, the "candlesticks" symbolize the churches, and the "stars" the angels (leadership) who have charge over the churches. So when in Revelation 2:5 the Lord sternly addresses one group of leaders, warning them that unless they repent and do their first works, He will come unto them quickly and remove the candlestick out of their control, He makes that fate entirely conditional on their own response to His cutting rebuke.

But later, to the Laodicean leadership (angel), He makes an even more drastic decree, an unconditional, unequivocal, sharp and final statement, that He will spue them out, thus bringing the Laodicean church government to an abrupt and cataclysmic climax. At this very time, then, the church is to under go a thorough house-cleaning, a change of administration and organization, even as anciently the Kingdom was "rent from" Saul and given to David (1 Sam. 15:28).

And this example from the history of Israel becomes even more impressive when one compares the circumstances surrounding "the seven churches" with the selection of David, the eighth son of Jesse, who was completely left out of consideration until his seven brothers had been tested, one by one. (See our Tract No. 8, Mt. Sion at the Eleventh Hour.)

Clearly, the "angel" and the church here addressed, necessarily represent two parties--the ministry and the laity. But the one directly addressed and condemned is the angel, the one in charge of the laity. The True Witness' "startling denunciation," therefore, though not exempting the laity, is expressly and particularly for the sake of the ministry. So, especially should they, most of all, take heed and lay well to heart the great ethic that the Master Shepherd will let no sheep go carelessly

NOW LET EVERYONE HEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT SAITH UNTO LAODICEA

"Let Him That Thinketh He Standeth Take

Heed Lest He Fall." 1 Cor. 10:12.

Sacred history is repetitious with the tragic lesson that when a people go wrong, as did Israel in Elijah's and again in Christ's time, they are no longer sensible of their being wrong. Likewise repetitious is the even more tragic lesson that such a people have always misconstrued God's efforts to bring them to a realization of their errors. So once they are led astray from the teachings of the prophets, and captivated by new and magnetic human leadership, their liberation and correction

3 Vol. 9 Symbolic Code Nos. 1-12 (Texas--1943) 3L

tended, to fall into the abyss, if He can help it.

But since, as under-shepherds, they have long and grievously been thus derelict, the Lord years ago promised that He would shortly "take charge of the flock Himself."--Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 80.

In a forecast of this complete change-over from the Laodicean inertia, the Spirit of truth solemnly affirms: "God will use ways and means by which it will be seen that He is taking the reins in His own hands. The workers will be surprised...."--Testimonies to Ministers, p. 300.

Again, we read that God will put aside those who are "self-sufficient, independent of God," and whom "He cannot use," and will disclose to view those "precious ones now hidden, who have not bowed the knee to Baal."--Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 80.

Thus, even more accurately does sacred history repeat itself than does profane history. And the terrifyingly irrevocable words of the prophet Samuel to Saul, (1 Sam. 15:28, 29.) come ringing down the ages with double finality to the Laodiceans.

Awake, Brethren, awake! to the stern realization that if you would have a part in the work of the angel who is to join the Third Angel, and lighten the earth with his glory, you must now accept the "renewal of the straight testimony to the Laodiceans," and humbly confess to the Lord that your idea of being rich and increased with goods (truth) and in need of no more, and of being continuously harassed by a Voice (the Rod) trying its best to deceive you, is only a dream. For the Lord Himself says that you are "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked"--already deceived. Do you not think He knows? And again, it is He Himself Who says: "The Lord's voice crieth unto the city, and the man of wisdom shall see thy name: hear ye the rod, and Who hath appointed it." Mic. 6:9. And do you not think He knows this, too?

So, Brethren, we beg of you, "look up!" Hear the True Witness--hear the Rod--and fill up your vessels quickly, for they are empty; the oil in your lamps is used up; and your light is already grown dim. Now is your chance to refill. Believe the truth--beyond this filling station there is none other!

NOW LET EVERYONE HEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT SAITH UNTO LAODICEA RIGHT SIDE

become almost impossible. (See Prophets and Kings, pp. 121-126.)

In varying ways, the fatal weakness which has characterized every Movement, from that of Israel to that of Laodicea, has been in "laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works." Heb. 6:1. And what is still more basic, and more urgently to the point, is that each Movement alike failed to progress beyond the first principles of Truth, and to go on to reach its final goal of transcendental attainments in divine knowledge. Instead each fell from the heights of its own early, rich experience back down to spiritual poverty, because

3 Vol. 9 Symbolic Code Nos. 1-12 (Texas--1943) 3R

it failed to keep pace with the Truth. Each divinely called Movement came to a standstill where it contentedly satisfied itself that it was yet in the sanctified steps to the Mount of Perfection, that it was "flourishing, and that peace and spiritual prosperity" were "in all its borders" (Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 217), when in reality, quite the opposite was the truth. So follows Laodicea, thinking she is all right when she is all wrong.

Never in the violent history of this sin-deluged world has so great a danger and so great a necessity confronted the church. In this all-enveloping peril, what does God say in regard to His people?--'But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore. (See also Isaiah 43.) These are prophecies that will be fulfilled."--Testimonies to Ministers, p. 96.

"What greater deception can come upon human minds than a confidence that they are right, when they are all wrong!"--Testimonies, Vol. 3, pp. 252, 253.

Again, it is written in Proverbs 29:18 margin), "Where there is no vision, the people is made naked."

Here in more extensive relief is the picture of a people who have indeed lost their "vision" (the supernatural guidance afforded by the living voice of the prophetic gift resident among them), but who realize it not. More amazing still, they have evidently introduced their own inventions (idols) as substitutes for the things of God. This they have done so gradually that they are quite as unaware of it as they are that many have not availed themselves of the volumes of the Spirit of Prophecy--their very "eyesight." And where others have had these volumes of vision lying all around them, they have let them go either unread or unheeded and therefore "unappreciated."--Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 217. Thus it is in this sense more than in any other that they have become blind--no longer even expecting any further revealed truth to give power and force to their message (Early Writings, p. 277). Yet they still flatter themselves that they are in the inner circle of God's favor!

"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 be correct."--Testimonies, Vol. 3, p. 253.

If the thinking processes of the Laodiceans were not in dire need of a complete spiritual overhauling and re-orientation, they would not "think they are all right when they are all wrong," think that they are "rich" when in reality they are desperately "poor"--destitute of truth and righteousness!

4 Vol. 9 Symbolic Code Nos. 1-12 (Texas--1943) 4L

Accordingly, nothing but a message with "healing in its wings" will heal the Laodicean mind of its spiritual sickness. In this hour of the church's crisis, "those who have been timid and self-distrustful, will declare themselves openly for Christ and his truth. The most weak and hesitating in the church, will be as David--willing to do and dare."--Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 81. Why?--Because they have the promise that "there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.

"And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land." Zech. 13:1, 2.

"For in that day every man shall cast away his idols...which your own hands have made unto you for a sin....Turn ye unto Him from Whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted." Isa. 31:7,6.

"In that day shall the Lord defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the Lord before them." Zech. 12:8.

The Spirit's Voice through Isaiah is now also crying aloud: "Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean....How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of Him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!" Isa. 52:1, 7.

The same Voice through Nahum also pleads: "Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off." Nah. 1:15.

But in all her history, the church as a whole has never accepted a message from heaven. The call therefore comes to each individual member. Each must decide for himself. No one should allow himself to be influenced by another. And "no one has a right to shut away the light from the people. When a message comes in the name of the Lord to His people, no one may excuse himself from an investigation of its claims....It was from pursuing this very course that the popular churches were left in partial darkness, and that is why the messages of heaven have not reached them."--Testimonies on Sabbath School Work, p. 65; Counsels on Sabbath School Work, p. 28.

"But we see that the God of heaven sometimes commissions men to teach that which is regarded as contrary to the established doctrines. Because those who were once the depositories of truth became unfaithful to their sacred trust, the Lord chose others who would receive the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness, and would advocate

4 Vol. 9 Symbolic Code Nos. 1-12 (Texas--1943) 4R

truths that were not in accordance with the ideas of the religious leaders. And then these leaders, in the blindness of their minds, give full sway to what is supposed to be righteous indignation against the ones who have set aside cherished fables. They act like men who have lost their reason. They do not consider the possibility that they themselves have not rightly understood the Word. They will not open their eyes to discern the fact that they have misinterpreted and misapplied the Scriptures, and have built up false theories, calling them fundamental doctrines of the faith."--Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 69, 70.

Dear Brethren in Laodicea, take heed to this divine wisdom. Since you are already in the great-

WHEN IN NEED OF TRUTH, WHY BEG FOR POWER

From time to time many zealous individual and group Christian Movements have launched impressive prayer-marathons in a determined, persevering effort to bring about the fulfillment of the promised outpouring, of the Holy Spirit, even the "latter rain." Because, though, these periodic efforts have invariably ended in heart-breaking disappointment and frustration, thousands of souls have become confused and bewildered, given up their faith completely, and perhaps sunk into infidelity.

Yet no student of the Scriptures will deny that the Bible does definitely hold forth the promise of a singularly dynamic manifestation of the Holy Spirit, to bestow upon all believers a special outpouring of power such as the apostles received on the day of Pentecost,--yes, even greater! Then the answer to the question, Why do we not now receive It? inescapably is, Because the conditions for receiving it have not as yet been met. When they are met, this sure promise of God will be instantaneously fulfilled,--even as it was with the apostles.

Therefore, whatever is now keeping the Christian from receiving this greatest of the gifts, the hindrance must lie with him and not with God:

There is a promise of the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth (John 16:7-13), and a promise of the "latter rain." Joel 2:23, 28. This promised Comforter, the apostles received on the day of Pentecost, and It was to abide with them forever; that is, even with their successors. But as in the apostolic succession, men of the primitive apostolic caliber ceased, the Comforter gradually disappeared. And though He has at different times reappeared, through the Spirit of Truth, His Pentecostal power and presence have never since been reimparted. This manifestation of the Spirit should not, however, be confused with either that of the "latter rain" (Joel 2:23) or that of the Spirit of truth.

The very title, "latter rain," itself shows that this particular manifestation takes place in the "latter days"--our time. And through Zechariah the prophet, Inspiration in pointing out that there is a set time for the latter rain, urges: "Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field." Zech. 10:1.

5 Vol. 9 Symbolic Code Nos. 1-12 (Texas--1943) 5L

est deception, you stultify reason in your declining to investigate a claimant to truth for fear that in doing so you will be deceived. Awake, Brethren! Can you not see that study is your only salvation--your only hope of getting out of your present "sad" (Testimonies, Vol. 3, p. 253), "terrible" (Id., p. 254), "fearful" (Id., p. 260) deception, and your only hope of protection in keeping you from plunging into the abyss? So study--study as never before! And you will find that this is the beginning of the very message you must have in order to clear the scales from your eyes and break the invisible, but nonetheless real, shackles of inertia and self-exaltation in which the Enemy holds you bound.

WHEN IN NEED OF TRUTH, WHY BEG FOR POWER RIGHT SIDE

The related passage of Joel 2:23, marginal rendering, makes clear that "the latter rain" is a teacher of righteousness," bringing a full knowledge of Truth in righteousness--the very last message. Therefore, while it is very urgently requested to pray and agonize for the Spirit of Truth at all times, it is even more urgently necessary to pray for it now!

As in the natural state of things, the latter rain comes not only to make the wheat grow but also to bring it to its full maturity, so, by spiritual analogy, this Teacher of Righteousness must bring the saints to the full stature of men in Christ Jesus (Eph. 4:13)--fit them for the Kingdom.

But the second phase, that promise of power in Joel 2:28 which comes "afterward," after "the latter rain," is that for which most Christians are praying without considering that there is a first phase (Joel 2:23)--the "teacher of righteousness," a final outpouring of Present Truth--which must be obtained before the final outpouring of power can be realized.

It is evident that the part which comes "afterward," the Pentecostal power, comes to enable the receiver to proclaim the latter truth; and this power will not come until the church as a body, every one grass in the field" (Zech. 10:1), not a group here and a group there, has joyously assimilated for their spiritual growth all the rain that the Teacher of Righteousness, who has now come, has brought.

But the great question here confronting us is: When can "every grass," every church member, receive this glorious power? Shall saint and hypocrite share it alike? Inspiration answers:

"By fire and by His sword will the Lord plead with all flesh: and the slain of the Lord shall be many....and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations....and they shall declare My glory among the Gentiles....they shall bring all your brethren...to My holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the Lord, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the Lord." Isa. 66:16, 19, 20.

So in the time between the "latter rain" of truth and the "outpouring" of the Spirit's power, there

5 Vol. 9 Symbolic Code Nos. 1-12 (Texas--1943) 5R

will be a consecrated number who will escape from among the "slain of the Lord." In other words, at the first-fruit harvest, when all the sinners have been taken out of the church, and the righteous left by themselves as were the 120 disciples in the upper room, then and only then can the Lord finally pour out His Spirit's power upon all, so that all (all the "escaped" ones) shall prophesy, dream dreams, and see visions.

"And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem: When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning. And the Lord will create upon

ALMOST DROWNED BY FLOOD BUT RESCUED BY EARTH

"And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. 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." Rev. 12:13-17.

Nearly all Christians accept as the only tenable interpretation of the "woman" here mentioned, that she symbolizes the church. And the fact that she gave birth to the man child, Christ, she is therefore symbolical of the church in at least the Christian dispensation.

While the dragon was persecuting her through the deceived Jewish priests who rejected Christ as the Messiah, "there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every-where preaching the Word." Acts 8:1-4.

To her were given the wings of a great eagle her means of transport into the wilderness. The figure, "wilderness," being the opposite of the vineyard ("the house of Israel, and the men of Judah His pleasant plant"--Isa. 5:7), the former obviously denotes the Gentile nations. The apostles, therefore, in fulfillment of this prophecy were commanded, given the wings, to go preach to all nations.

"Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said,

6 Vol. 9 Symbolic Code Nos. 1-12 (Texas--1943) 6L

every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence. And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuse, and for a covert from storm and from rain." Isa. 4:3-6.

Only after this great purge in the Church (described also in the ninth chapter of Ezekiel), will the remnant be equipped to carry their fully blazing, lighted torch of Truth to all the Gentile world. Out of Zion will then go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. The work will then be finished, "cut short in righteousness," and the Lord will then appear in glory--seen by every eye (Rev. 1:7).

ALMOST DROWNED BY FLOOD BUT RESCUED BY EARTH RIGHT SIDE

It was necessary that the Word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the Word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. And the Word of the Lord was published throughout all the region." Acts 13:46-49.

Seeing this, the serpent sought to destroy the "woman's" usefulness among the Gentiles--he "cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood." Rev. 12:15.

Anyone can see that this "flood" can only represent the church's suddenly becoming infiltrated with unconverted pagans who, as in Constantine's time and for years thereafter, were even taken en masse and forced into baptism. In the parables of Christ this same "flood" is described, but under the different term, "tares." And the evident fact that they are still very much in the church compels the painful realization that the earth has not as yet swallowed up the flood.

The figures "flood" and "tares" being synonymous, the time of the swallowing of the flood or of the burning of the tares are therefore both comprehended in the parable of the harvest (Matt. 13:30).

Besides, the Revelator points out that not until after the flood is swallowed by the earth, after the unconverted are "slain" and buried, and the church thereby purified, will the dragon wage his fiercest warfare against the remnant of the woman's seed. Hence, the harvest time in the church, the time the earth swallows the flood, is before the dragon wars against the remnant.

"Fruits" garnered are the result of a harvest. When the 144,000, the first fruits (Rev. 14:4), are garnered in, and the tares (flood) are destroyed (swallowed) from among them, the 144,000 are

6 Vol. 9 Symbolic Code Nos. 1-12 (Texas--1943) 6R

taken to Mt. Zion, where they then comprise the Mother church, the twelve-star-crowned woman, under the protection of the Lamb, the One with them. Thus protected, the dragon consequently can not then war against her. So he wars only against her "remnant," those yet to be garnered--the second fruits still scattered throughout the world, away from Mt. Zion. This climax of the ages was vividly foretold by both Isaiah and Micah:

"But in the last days," declares Micah, "it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem." Mic. 4:1, 2. (See also Isaiah 2.)

From these scriptures, it is plainly seen that Mt. Zion becomes the headquarters for the last gospel work on earth, from the time the 144,000 arrive there, and during the time the dragon wars against the remnant, "for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem"--no longer from the General Conference, or from Mt. Carmel Center.

Then shall many nations say, "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths....

"In that day, saith the Lord, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted; and I will make her that halteth a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the Lord shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even forever." Mic. 4:2, 6, 7.

In these verses three nations are brought to view: (1) "her that halteth," (2) "her that is driven out," (3) and her that is "afflicted."

In the parable of the seed sower, we are told that "he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the Word, and anon with joy receiveth it; yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the Word, by and by he is offended....But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the Word,

LAY NOT AGAIN THE FOUNDATION OF REPENTANCE

To all those who are dissatisfied with their present spiritual status, and thus no longer "lukewarm," comes this divine challenge: "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ [or, as the margin says, "the word of the beginning of Christ"--the first principles], let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God." Heb. 6:1.

Make absolutely certain that advancement to per-

7 Vol. 9 Symbolic Code Nos. 1-12 (Texas--1943) 7L

and understandeth It; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." Matt. 13:20, 21, 23.

The difference between the two soils is that the seed in the stony, shallow soil comes up quickly, while the seed in the good, deep soil comes up slowly. She "that halteth" therefore is the one that received seed in good soil, the Christian church. And she needs to be assembled because at the present time she is scattered and divided into schisms. She is therefore seen to be the woman's "remnant" of Revelation 12.

She "that is driven out" can be none other than the ten-tribe kingdom, and she "that is afflicted" is the two-tribe kingdom, Judah, as will be seen from reading the third chapter of Micah.

"Her that halteth," the Lord will make a remnant: He will separate her unlawful children, the tares, from her. "And her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the Lord shall reign over them in Mount Zion from henceforth, even forever." Mic. 4:7.

Thus the subjects who are the root of the Kingdom, are to be converted and gathered from the Christian church and from the descendants of the two ancient kingdoms, Israel and Judah, and then brought to Mount Zion, because "the Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah. I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know Me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there. And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her. The Lord shall count, when He writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah." Ps. 87:2-6.

Dear Brethren in Laodicea, do not miss this greatest and most blessed of all opportunities, now tarrying for a little moment, as it were, for the wise: "The Lord's voice crieth unto the city, and the man of wisdom shall see thy name: hear ye the rod, and Who hath appointed it." Mic. 6:9. Do, we beseech you, give ear. To you is given the privilege of becoming Israelites indeed, in whom is no guile; to stand on Mt. Zion, the city of David, Jerusalem the Holy City. Hear the Good Shepherd's Voice: "Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean." Isa. 52:1.

LAY NOT AGAIN THE FOUNDATION OF REPENTANCE RIGHT SIDE

fection be real, not imaginary; do not slide back into Laodiceanism. This urgency upon us as message-bearers cannot be over-emphasized.

Let us all, as a Davidian band, remember that we are called to the high office of conservators of the gospel, restorers of the old paths, repairers of the breach. We are called as the first of the "firstfruits" from Laodicea, and thus we are to serve as "saviours" to and of Laodicea (Obad. 17, 21). Hence, obviously, before we can save our brethren

7 Vol. 9 Symbolic Code Nos. 1-12 (Texas--1943) 7R

from the fatally pernicious malady of Laodiceanism, we must first save ourselves from it. And to do this, we must now and forever absolutely stop treating symptoms, and instead get at the cause; stop dosing ourselves first for this, then for that, but instead correctly apply the sovereign remedy, the message in the heart, until a complete cure is effected.

Accordingly, he who really means to be present and accounted for in the swift-coming Kingdom of God is perseveringly exploring and applying the divine principles and laws of the Science of Salvation. He is earnestly laying hold upon the all-enabling power of divine grace to do all that the Truth bids him do, first things first, and all things "decently and in order" (1 Cor. 14:40), not each thing catch-as-catch-can when the urge strikes.

It is this careless, sporadic, hit-and-miss, irregular sort of effort to live "the principles of the doctrine of Christ," that has resulted in Seventh-day Adventists' laying again and again down through the years "the foundation of repentance from dead works." While all the time thinking ourselves full of zeal "according to knowledge," we all, as Seventh-day Adventists, have grown more and more lukewarm, lapsing little by little into a mechanical, cut-and-dried performance of the Truth, which must inevitably cause all who persist in it to be spued out.

The Davidian who is determined to escape this fearful end, and who is therefore taking the cure for Laodiceanism, is accordingly reversing his former thinking process, is rigorously disciplining himself consistently, day in and day out. He has "regular hours for rising, for praying, and for eating" (Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 181); indeed, he guards jealously his hours for prayer, Bible study, and self-examination. (See Gospel Workers, p. 100.) He rises on time, eats on time, goes to work on time, goes to bed on time, and above all he is always on time, never late, to church services. He is a time-keeping Christian; and not only a model of punctuality, but also a model of correctness in all things.

Six days he labors and does all his work. He is as careful to order his home as himself. He has a place for everything and keeps everything in its place, and runs his home according to Bible order.

All these things is the Kingdom-bound Christian faithfully doing day in and day out. Lest he be

NO GUILE IN THEIR MOUTH

Our only safeguard, we are adjured, is to speak only those "things which become sound doctrine" (Tit. 2:1) and to "speak evil of no man." Tit. 3:2. That is, speak the truth and naught but the truth, and always speak well of every man.

Never was this solemn charge more binding upon Christians than upon Davidians, Present Truth believers today, because never before were God's people so exposed and subject to unsound and evil speaking at a time when so much depended upon their teaching for doctrine the absolute Truth, and

8 Vol. 9 Symbolic Code Nos. 1-12 (Texas--1943) 8L

almost but not quite a real Christian, he is, most imperatively of all, practicing the golden rule. He has forsaken murmuring, criticizing, gossiping, and backbiting, and by the grace of all-enduring, never-failing charity, has become a peacemaker.

To be such a man or woman, an "altogether" Christian, a true Davidian, means to be implicitly and absolutely obedient to the heavenly vision, as notably as was Abraham, Joseph, Daniel, and Paul. When the church has reached the state of such perfection, "Then shall the Assyrian fall with the sword, not of a mighty man; and the sword, not of a mean man, shall devour him: but he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be discomfited. And he shall pass over to his strong hold for fear, and his princes shall be afraid of the ensign, saith the Lord, Whose fire is in Zion, and His furnace in Jerusalem." Isa. 31:8, 9.

"And there shall be an highway for the remnant of His people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt." Isa. 11:16. (See our Tract No. 14, War News Forecast.)

"For I will take you," says the Lord, "from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you....and I will put My spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be My people, and I will be your God." Ezek. 36:24, 25, 27, 28.

Let us therefore hasten that glad day in every way we can, by wasting not a moment of the precious time of which life is composed. Let us gear our Christian lives to the greatly increased tempo that present-day activities everywhere demand.

That "the final movements will be rapid ones" must be seen in our spiritual progress as verily as in the social and political movements that are daily rocking the world with breath-taking swiftness and far-reaching consequences.

We cannot afford at this late hour, if ever before, to allow one day's developments to catch us "unawares."

NO GUILE IN THEIR MOUTH RIGHT SIDE

upon their speaking only the absolute good of all men; no gossip.

The last hour, the eleventh--the most momentous in history--is about to strike, when the billions of earth are to hear the gospel's final plea, and Mercy's farewell cry to unrepenting sinners. Upon the purity of this final message and the force given to it now in the sealing time of the first fruits, hangs the fate of the church and the world. If it goes forth in company with pet theories and fanatical ideas (unsound doctrines), with faultfinding.

8 Vol. 9 Symbolic Code Nos. 1-12 (Texas--1943) 8R

talebearing, reporting, backbiting, and slandering (evil speaking), how can we dare think that it will charm the ear and turn the heart Zionward?

How, O, how, then, dare a herald of the Kingdom bruit about the frailties and faults, foibles, failures, and sins of others? Certainly not, if in his heart abides the love of Christ for the thousands in Laodicea and the millions in Babylon, whose souls are Judgment-bound. With their salvation in the balance, he will covenant with the Lord to tell them only this wonderful message, free from man-made ideas and theories.

"It pains me to say that there are unruly tongues among [Present Truth] members. There are false tongues, that feed on mischief. There are sly, whispering tongues. There is tattling, impertinent meddling, adroit quizzing. Among the lovers of gossip, some are actuated by curiosity, others by jealousy, many by hatred against those through whom God has spoken to reprove them. All these discordant elements are at work. Some conceal their real sentiments, while others are eager to publish all they know, or even suspect, of evil against another.

"I saw that the very spirit of perjury, that would turn truth into falsehood, good into evil, and innocence into crime, is now active. Satan exults over the condition of God's professed people. While many are neglecting their own souls, they eagerly watch for an opportunity to criticize and condemn others. All have defects of character, and it is not hard to find something that jealousy can interpret to their injury. 'Now,' say these self-constituted judges, 'we have facts. We will fasten upon them an accusation from which they cannot clear themselves.' They wait for a fitting opportunity, and then produce their bundle of gossip, and bring forth their tidbits.

"In their efforts to carry a point, persons who have naturally a strong imagination, are in danger of deceiving themselves and deceiving others. They gather up unguarded expressions from another, not considering that words may be uttered hastily, and hence may not reflect the real sentiments of the speaker. But those unpremeditated remarks, often so trifling is to be unworthy of notice, are viewed through Satan's magnifying glass, pondered, and repeated, until mole hills become mountains. Separated from God, the surmisers of evil become the sport of temptation. They scarcely know the strength of their feelings or the effect of their words. While condemning the errors of others, they indulge far greater errors themselves. 'Consistency is a jewel.'

"Is there no law of kindness to be observed? Have Christians been authorized of God to criticize and condemn one another? Is it honorable, or even honest, to win from the lips of another, under the guise of friendship, secrets which have been entrusted to him, and then turn the knowledge thus gained to his injury? Is it Christian charity to gather up every floating report, to unearth everything that will cast suspicion on the character of another, and then take delight in using it to injure

9 Vol. 9 Symbolic Code Nos. 1-12 (Texas--1943) 9L

him? Satan exults when he can defame or wound a follower of Christ. He is the 'accuser of the brethren.' Shall Christians aid him in his work?

"God's all-seeing eye notes the defects of all, and the ruling passion of each; yet he bears with our mistakes, and pities our weakness. He bids his people cherish the same spirit of tenderness and forbearance. True Christians will not exult in exposing the faults and deficiencies of others. They will turn away from vileness and deformity, to fix the mind upon that which is attractive and lovely. To the Christian every act of fault-finding, every word of censure or condemnation, is painful.

* * *

"Would all professed Christians use their investigative powers to see what evils needed to be corrected in themselves, instead of talking of others' wrongs, there would be a more healthy condition...[among Present-truth believers] today."--Testimonies, Vol. 5, pp. 94-96.

"What a world of gossip would be prevented, if every man would remember that those who tell him the faults of others, will as freely publish his faults at a favorable opportunity. We should endeavor to think well of all men, especially our brethren, until compelled to think otherwise. We should not hastily credit evil reports. These are often the result of envy or misunderstanding, or they may proceed from exaggeration or a partial disclosure of facts. Jealousy and suspicion, once allowed a place, will sow themselves broadcast, like thistle-down."--Id., p. 58.

"The tongue that delights in mischief, the babbling tongue that says, Report, and I will report it, is declared by the apostle James to be set on fire of hell. It scatters fire-brands on every side."--Id., p. 57. Indeed, it is "a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell." James 3:6. The man who controls it, "the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body." James 3:2.

"I saw that it is highly important for those who preach the truth to be refined in their manners, to shun oddities and eccentricities, and present the truth in its purity and clearness."--Testimonies, Vol. 1, p. 415.

"I saw the necessity of the messengers, especially, watching, and checking all fanaticism wherever they might see it arise. Satan is pressing in on every side, and unless we watch for him, and have our eyes open to his devices and snares, and have on the whole armor of God, the fiery darts of the wicked will hit us. There are many precious truths contained in the word of God, but it is 'present truth' that the flock needs now. I have seen the danger of the messengers running off from the important points of present truth, to dwell upon subjects that are not calculated to unite the flock and sanctify the soul. Satan will here take every possible advantage to injure the cause."--Early Writings, p. 63.

"'Sound doctrine' is Bible truth--truth that will

9 Vol. 9 Symbolic Code Nos. 1-12 (Texas--1943) 9R

promote piety and devotion, confirming God's people in the faith. Sound doctrine means much to the receiver; and it means much, too, to the teacher, the minister of righteousness; for wherever the gospel is preached, every laborer, whatever his line of service, is either true or untrue to his responsibility as the Lord's messenger.

"A devoted, spiritual worker will avoid bringing up minor theoretical differences, and will devote his energies to the proclamation of the great testing truths to be given to the world."--Gospel Workers, 311, 312, 313.

"A PRUDENT MAN FORSEETH THE EVIL"

Prov. 22:3.

From past experience, the wise have teamed the inexorableness of life's law of inflation and depression. They know that the abnormal amount of money in circulation swells the demand for goods beyond what the market can supply, and thus sends prices sky-rocketing. They recognize in this a warning signal of impending financial disaster.

The prudent also know that the wild orgy of spending everything they make must sooner or later end in an upheaval of privations, sorrows and regrets,--the shattering of many homes.