THE DAVIDIAN OR

SHEPHERDS ROD
MOVEMENT
God will not condemn any at the judgment because they
honestly believed a lie, or conscientiously cherished error; but
it will be because they neglected the opportunities of making
themselves acquainted with truth.
-- Testimonies to Ministers, page 437
Research compiled by Robert O. Jackson, August 2014
Foundational Principle
Despise not prophesying. Prove all things;
hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all
appearance of evil. And the very God of
peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God
your whole spirit and soul and body be
preserved blameless unto the coming of our
Lord Jesus Christ.
- 1 Thessalonians 5: 20-23
SECTION ONE
The Man Behind the Movement
The Man Behind The Movement
Victor Tasho Houteff (March 2, 1885February 5, 1955)
was a religious reformer and author. Houteff
was born in Raicovo, Bulgaria, and - as a
child - he was baptized as a member of
the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.. In 1907,
he and his brothers emigrated to the United
States after - according to Victor Houteff's
testimony - a mob had taken up arms
against his family and forced them onto a
boat.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Houteff

Victor had desired many things as a young
man, but the two he had rhapsodized [spoke
about with great enthusiasm and delight] most
were to know God and to be wealthy.. That
need to know God would become his
consuming passion, changing his life forever.
While living in Bulgaria, he had joined the Greek
Orthodox church. There, he and others would
be accused of conspiracy against the
government.--http://www.shepherds-rod-
message.org/articles/houteff.html
A Dream Come True
[T]oday after going through the nightmare of
supposing I might live a life of poverty, as I
explained before, my credit is unlimited, and
the checks I write amount to thousands of
dollars week after week, and year after year,
although I am not bonded, own no property,
and have no personal bank account!
/
Furthermore, I pay my secretaries as
much as I pay myself and some of my
workmen I pay twice as much. Yes, there
are as great miracles today as there ever
were.
--Timely Greetings by V.T. Houteff,
Volume 2, no. 35, p 24
Address of April 24, 1948
The Birth of the Movement
In 1918, [Houteff] attended a tent meeting, and
that year, at the age of 38, he was baptized into
the Rockford Seventh-day Adventist Church. By
1923, he had moved to southern California,
where, two years later, he had his membership
transferred to the Olympic Exposition Park
Church in Los Angeles.
/
Soon complaints came from Sabbath School
class members that Houteff was teaching
strange ideas in his Sabbath School class and
at private Sabbath afternoon meetings with
some of the members. A representative group
of church workers, Bible teachers, and leaders
met with him to consider his views on
November 14, 1929. But nothing came of it.
/

The next spring, Houteff distributed copies of a
study that he entitled The Shepherd's Rod, to a
number of the leaders attending the 1930
General Conference Session. One of those who
received it - and had time to carefully examine
it - was the well-known F.C. Gilbert. A highly
educated, converted Jew, Gilbert was quite
solid in the faith and knew Adventist teachings
well.
/
On June 26, Elder Gilbert wrote a letter to
Houteff, pointed out a number of errors in his
publication, and recommended that he give
them up. Gilbert also wrote to church leaders in
southern California and recommended that
careful study should be given to this problem
before the situation worsened.
/
On October 16, the Union President,
Conference President, and local pastor met
with Houteff, at which time the action taken
was that:
"The Shepherd's Rod is neither true to simple
facts, nor true to the word of God, and it is
condemned by the very 'Testimonies' it quotes
from. We warn our dear brethren against the
false conclusions this poor man has come to.
/
The Shepherd's Rod was printed about
December 1930. [Prior to this] On November
20, 1930, a special church board meeting was
held, at which time Houteff was finally dropped
from church membership. At each of those
meetings, Houteff was patiently worked with;
his errors were listened to and then pointed
out; he was asked to retract them.
/
On and on it went for a full year, from
November 14, 1929 to November 20, 1930.

--The Shepherd's Rod & Davidians Of Waco
by Vance Ferrell

In1932, Houteff wrote:
"From the very time I tried to get either a
private hearing, or else some of the leading
men to come and see what it was all about,
pleading with them that it was their duty to
correct us if we were in error, or if we had
any truth that they should know about it.
/
While they refused to give us any kind of
hearing, they did everything possible to close
our place of meeting, and some of those who
attended these studies were frightened for
fear of losing their church membership.

--Letter dated April 22, 1932, published in The
Symbolic Code, Vol. 10, no. 7 (May 1955), pp.
4-5.
Two More Hearings
Since Houteff insisted that church leaders
refused to give him a hearing, two more
hearings were granted - the first in1932 and, the
second, in 1934.
An abundance of time was to be given for
Houteff to present his views to delegates from
the General Conference, with opportunity for
discussion of each point he presented.
/
General Conference Decision
The conclusion of the report on the hearing from
the General Conference was simple enough:
"Since error is found in the Shepherd's Rod,
and it is in open disagreement with the Bible
and the Spirit of Prophecy, the only safe
course is to reject its teachings and to
discontinue its study.
(Excerpt from The Shepherd's Rod & Davidians
of Waco)
On March 12 of that same year, Houteff met
with a number of his followers and officially
began their new church organization under
the name, The Shepherd's Rod.
The General Conference soon began issuing
small booklets refuting errors in the teachings
of the Rod.
Basic Davidian Message Unchanged
The Davidian movement has undergone numerous
changes, and has given birth to many splinter
groups throughout the years. However, the basic
message (concerned with earths final events)
remains:
God has raised up a people who will call out and
seal the 144,000. After this, comes the slaughter of
the unfaithful Seventh-day Adventists who have
not heard the Rod and him who hath appointed
it.

Church Took The Correct Approach
Suppose a brother held a view that differed
from yours, and he should come to you,
proposing that you sit down with him and make
an investigation of that point in the Scriptures;
should you rise up, filled with prejudice, and
condemn his ideas, while refusing to give him a
candid hearing?
/
The only right way would be to sit down as
Christians and investigate the position
presented, in the light of Gods word, which will
reveal truth and unmask error.
--Counsels to Writers and Editors
page 44, para.1
Timely Admonition
When a brother receives new light upon the
Scriptures, he should frankly explain his
position, and every minister should search the
Scriptures with the spirit of candor to see if the
points presented can be substantiated by the
inspired word. The servant of the Lord must
/
not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to
teach, patient, in meekness instructing those
that oppose themselves; if God peradventure
will give them repentance to the
acknowledging of the truth. 2 Timothy 2:24,
25.
--Christian Experience and Teachings
page 203, para.3
Submit New Light to Experienced
Brethren
There are a thousand temptations in disguise
prepared for those who have the light of truth;
and the only safety for any of us is in receiving
no new doctrine, no new interpretation of the
Scriptures, without first submitting it to brethren
of experience. Lay it before them in a humble,
/
teachable spirit, with earnest prayer; and if
they see no light in it, yield to their judgment; for
in the multitude of counselors there is safety.
--Testimonies for the Church
Volume 5, pages 291-293 (1885)
Counsels to Writers and Editors,
page 47, para.1
The Test of New Light
Our brethren should be willing to investigate in
a candid way every point of controversy. If a
brother is teaching error, those who are in
responsible positions ought to know it; and if he
is teaching truth, they ought to take their stand
at his side. We should all know what is being
taught among us; for if it is truth, we need it.
/
We are all under obligation to God to know
what He sends us. He has given directions by
which we may test every doctrine,To the law
and to the testimony: if they speak not
according to this word, it is because there is no
light in them. If the light presented meets this
test, we are not to refuse to accept it because it
does not agree with our ideas.
--Gospel Workers, pp.300-301
{Counsels to Writers and Editors, p.43, para.3}
SECTION TWO
The Shepherds Rod vs. The Bible and the
Writings of EGW
The Coming Kingdom
Pre-Advent or Post-Advent?
The culmination of the teachings of the
Shepherds Rod is the setting up of the kingdom
of God during the loud cry and before the
second, visible coming of Christ.
Many texts of Scripture are quoted, along with
passages from the writings of Ellen White, in an
attempt to prove this point. However, The truth
becomes clear when we will allow the writings to
speak for themselves.
The Shepherds Rod:
And in mercy shall the throne be established:
and He shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle
of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and
hasting righteousness. Isaiah 16:5.
The fact that the establishment of Christs
throne, according to this scripture, is yet in the
future, and that He is to set His throne in the
tabernacle of David on the earth, which He
/
did not at His first coming, it proves that this
time in the antitypical reign He will sit on the
throne of David; and as He is to judge, and seek
judgment, and hasten righteousness while
sitting on the throne, it further proves that He
will do this before the close of probation, for He
cannot hasten righteousness after the door of
probation (righteousness) has been closed to
all nations.
-Tract 8, p. 86.
Ellen G. White:
Not until the personal advent of Christ can His
people receive the kingdom. The Saviour said:
When the Son of man shall come in His glory,
and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He
sit upon the throne of His glory: and before Him
shall be gathered all nations: and He shall
/
separate them one from another, as a
shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
and He shall set the sheep on His right hand,
but the goats on the left. Then shall the King
say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye
blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom
prepared for you from the foundation of the
world.
/
We have seen by the scriptures just given
that when the Son of man comes, the dead are
raised incorruptible, and the living are
changed. By this great change they are
prepared to receive the kingdom; for Paul says,
Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of
God; neither doth corruption inherit
incorruption.
/
Man in his present state is mortal,
corruptible; but the kingdom of God will be
incorruptible, enduring forever. Therefore man
in his present state cannot enter into the
kingdom of God. But when Jesus comes, He
confers immortality upon His people; and then
He calls them to inherit the kingdom of which
they have hitherto been only heirs.
--The Great Controversy, pp. 322, 323.
The Throne of David
Who will sit on it?
The Shepherds Rod:
Again we read in Hosea 3:4, 5 that the
children of Israel were to abide many days
without a king; which has been their lot unto
our time ever since from the days when they
were led into Babylonish captivity But
afterward, some time in the future says the
Scripture, shall the children of Israel return, and
/
seek the Lord their God, and David their
king; and shall fear the Lord and His goodness
in the latter days. When this prophecy was
made, David, the king of ancient Israel, had
been dead for many years. Therefore, the
David of Hoseas prophecy can only be the
antitypical king who reigns in the latter days-
our time.
/
Thus we see that, out of the twelve tribes, all
those, and only those, who fear the Lord and
His goodness (not the unconverted Jews
who even deny the divinity of Christ) shall be
gathered together, and shall appoint
themselves one head or king- David in
antitype.
-Tract 8, pp. 11, 12
The Bible:
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb,
and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name
JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the
Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give
unto him the throne of his father David: And he
shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and
of his kingdom there shall be no end.
-Luke 1:31-33
Ellen White - The prophecies of judgment
delivered by Amos and Hosea were
accompanied by predictions of future glory.
To the ten tribes, long rebellious and
impenitent, was given no promise of
complete restoration to their former power in
Palestine. Until the end of time, they were to
be wanderers among the nations.
/
But through Hosea was given a prophecy that
set before them the privilege of having a part in
the final restoration that is to be made to the
people of God at the close of earths history,
when Christ shall appear as King of kings and
Lord of lords. Many days, the prophet
declared, the ten tribes were to abide without
a king, and without a prince, and without a
/
sacrifice, and without an image, and
without an ephod, and without teraphim.
Afterward, the prophet continued, shall the
children of Israel return, and seek the Lord
their God, and David their king; and shall fear
the Lord and His goodness in the latter days.
-Prophets and Kings, p.298
He shall sit and rule upon His throne; and He
shall be a priest upon His throne. Not now upon
the throne of His glory; the kingdom of glory has
not yet been ushered in. Not until His work as a
mediator shall be ended, will God give unto Him
the throne of His father David, a kingdom of
which there shall be no end.
--The Great Controversy, p.416
This Man
Based on Luke 19
The Shepherds Rod:
But as they sent a message after Him,
saying, We will not have this man to reign
over us, it is plain that before Christs return,
the kingdom is to be set up. . . . There is to be
a man in Christs visible stead reigning over
them. Hence, while probation lingered,
/
and while by simple means He is taking
the reins in His own hands (Testimonies to
Ministers, p.300), they said to Christ in their
message, We will not have this man to reign
over us. Hence this man is the antitypical
David, the simple means- the visible king, and
Christ the invisible King, as He was in the exodus
movement - the type.
--Tract 8, p. 63.

Ellen White:
The whole wicked world stand arraigned at
the bar of God, on the charge of high treason
against the government of Heaven. They have
none to plead their cause; they are without
excuse; and the sentence of eternal death is
pronounced against them. . . . All see that their
exclusion from heaven is just. By their lives they
have declared, We will not have this Jesus to
reign over us.
-The Great Controversy, p.668
The Return To Palestine
Fact or Fiction?
This false doctrine of the establishment of a
kingdom of David in Palestine, before the
close of probation, leads this Shepherds
Rod group into an error against which we
were warned in the early days of the
Advent Movement.

/
While, as far as we know, this particular
fantastic theory of the land of our fathers
becoming our final and superb dressing
chamber for entrance into heaven, had
not been advanced at that time, the truths
stated and the warning given are certainly
pertinent at this time.
Ellen G. White:
Then I was pointed to some who are in the
great error of believing that it is their duty to
go to old Jerusalem, and think that they have
a work to do there before the Lord comes.
Such a view is calculated to take the mind
and interest from the present work of the
Lord, under the message of the third angel;
/
for those who think that they are yet to
go to Jerusalem, will have their minds there,
and their means will be withheld from the
cause of present truth, to get themselves
and others there. . . . I also saw that old
Jerusalem never would be built up; and that
Satan was doing his utmost to lead the
minds of the children of the Lord into these
/

things now, in the gathering time, to
keep them from throwing their whole interest
into the present work of the Lord, and to
cause them to neglect the necessary
preparation for the day of the Lord.
--Early Writings, pp. 75, 76
666
The Number of the Beast
The Shepherds Rod:
The mystical number "666" of the beast in
Revelation 13:18 as applied to the papacy,
proves to be unscriptural as well as
unreasonable. While the numerical letters of
the title of the pope bears the number 666,
there are many other titles, as well as names
of individuals, who bear the same number.
../
By simply computing the numerical value
of letters in a title, or name, we find it fits
many, hence we must look for Biblical proof
to make the application. Except we thus
prove the idea it would be improper and
unfair to apply the symbol to any one
individual.
- The Shepherd's Rod, Volume 2, p.147
There are many beasts spoken of in the
Bible, but this two-horned beast is the only
one that can be termed "a man." It will be
noticed that from the 11th verse on, of the
13th chapter of Revelation the Scripture
speaks of the two-horned beast and closes
with the words: "For it is the number of a man;
and his number is six hundred three-score and
six.
/
Therefore, the mystical number "666,"
belongs to the two-horned beast and none
other. However, we may not conclude that
no one before it could have such a number.
The idea that the papacy is called the beast
is altogether wrong.
- The Shepherd's Rod, Vol. 2, pp. 149, 150
Scripture Speaks (Revelation 13)
Verses 1-3 introduce a beast that the dragon of
chapter 12 gave his power to, tell what would
happen to the beast, its restoration and how
the world responded to it (wonder after;
worship).
Verses 4-10 explain/amplify verses 1-3.
/
Verse 11 introduces a new beast with horns
like a lamb, which speaks like a dragon.
Verse 12 states that the second beast
acted like the first beast and caused
people to worship the first beast (the one in
verses one to 10).
/
Verses 14-16 explain how through deception
the two horned beast causes people to:
i. Make an image to the first beast
ii. Worship the image of the beast by force
iii. Receive a mark in their hand or forehead
Please note that verse 17 says that no man
might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or
the name of the beast, or the number of his
name.
/
If the verse was related to the second
beast, it would read something like this, that
no man might buy or sell, save he that had
his mark, or his name, or the number of his
name.
The fact that the pronoun his was not used
initially proves that the word beast, used
here, could not be referring to the beast with
the lamb-like horn but the beast that he is
exalting.
/
Thus the pronoun his, used in the last
phrase, is not related to the second beast
but the first.
Verse 18 simply states what the number of
the beast is. Note also that all that the
second beast does is to draw attention to
the first beast and not to itself.
Clarification From Revelation Chapter 15
Rev 15:2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass
mingled with fire: and them that had gotten
the victory over the beast, and over his
image, and over his mark, and over the
number of his name, stand on the sea of
glass, having the harps of God.
Ellen G. White:
The beast with two horns causeth
[commands] all, both small and great, rich
and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark
in their right hand, or in their foreheads: and
that no man might buy or sell, save he that
had the mark, or the name of the beast, or
the number of his name. Revelation 13:16,
17.
/
The third angels warning is: If any man
worship the beast and his image, and receive
his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the
same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of
God. The beast mentioned in this message,
whose worship is enforced by the two-horned
beast, is the first, or leopardlike beast
of Revelation 13 - the papacy.
--Great Controversy, p.445, para.2
The beast with lamb-like horns commands
all, both small and great, rich and poor, free
and bond, to receive a mark in their right
hand, or in their foreheads; and that no man
might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or
the name of the beast, or the number of his
name. [Revelation 13:16, 17.] This is the mark
concerning which the third angel utters his
warning. It is the mark of the first beast, or the
/
papacy, and is therefore to be sought
among the distinguishing characteristics of
that power. The prophet Daniel declared that
the Roman Church, symbolized by the little
horn, was to think to change times and laws,
[Daniel 7:25.] while Paul styled it the man of sin,
[2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4.] who was to exalt
himself above God.
--Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 4, p.279, para.1
The Mother of Harlots in
Revelation 17
Who is she?
The Shepherds Rod:
The Mother of Harlots Not The Beast --
It has been explained that the papacy would
remain to the last. If the woman on the scarlet
colored beast (Babylon the Great) comes to
her end at a different time and in another way,
she cannot be a symbol of the papacy as
some have thought.
--Shepherd's Rod, Vol. 2, p.147
Ellen G. White:
Thus is represented the papal power, which
with all deceivableness of unrighteousness, by
outside attraction and gorgeous display,
deceives all nations; promising them, as did
Satan our first parents, all good to those who
receive its mark, and all harm to those who
oppose its fallacies. The power which has
/
the deepest inward corruption will make
the greatest display, and will clothe itself with
the most elaborate signs of power. The Bible
plainly declares that this covers a corrupt and
deceiving wickedness. Upon her forehead
was a name written, Mystery, Babylon the
Great, The Mother of Harlots and
Abominations of the Earth.
-- SDA Bible Commentary, Volume 7,
page 983, para.4

Victor Houteff once stated that:
Both the Bible and Sister White's writings
support the Rod one hundred percent.
-- The Symbolic Code, Volume 7,
Nos.7-12 (July-December, 1941), p.5

We have seen that this is far from the
truth.
SECTION THREE
Houteffs Unbiblical Claims
The Rod Contains All Truth?
We must conclude that the 'Rod' contains all
truth, or there is no truth in it save the quotations
of truth. Therefore, if we admit one truth revealed
by the 'Rod,' then we must accept it all as truth.
Therefore we take the position that the message
in the 'Rod' is free from error in so far as the idea
put forth is concerned.
-V. T. Houteff
(Circular letter dated August 31, 1931)
EGW on Infallibility
In regard to infallibility, I never claimed it; God
alone is infallible. His word is true, and in Him is no
variableness, or shadow of turning.
--Letter 10, 1895
{Selected Messages, Book 1, p.37, para.4}

Shepherds Rod/Davidians
Will Not Die?
"Moreover, as the Shepherd's Rod is the Elijah
message (Testimonies to Ministers, p.475) it is
impossible for anyone who accepts it and lives
it to die, for the type demands translation. Thus,
it is that Elijah stands as a type of the 144,000.
--The Symbolic Code, No. 9,
(March 15, 1935), p.9
"Those who believe in Present Truth, yet
continue to find fault with Brother Houteff's
marriage, prove to us one of two things:
either that they are shallow thinkers, or that
they have no faith in what they believe, for
the message teaches that we, as a part of
the 144,000, shall never die.
--The Symbolic Code, Volume 3
Nos.5-6 (May-June, 1937), p.8.

We Serve an Organized God
God is not the author of confusion...
-1 Corinthians 14:33
God is Leading His Church
God has a church upon the earth who are His
chosen people, who keep His commandments.
He is leading, not stray offshoots, not one here
and one there, but a people. The truth is a
sanctifying power; but the church militant is not
the church triumphant. There are tares among
the wheat.
/
Wilt thou then that we . . . gather them up?
was the question of the servant; but the
master answered, Nay; lest while ye gather up
the tares, ye root up also the wheat with
them. The gospel net draws not only good
fish, but bad ones as well, and the Lord only
knows who are His.
-- Counsels for the Church
p.240, para.1

John 4:22 - Ye worship ye know not what: we
know what we worship: for salvation is of the
Jews.

Revelation 3:16 - So then because thou art
lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue
thee out of my mouth.
/
Christs Example
Revelation 3:19-20 - As many as I love, I
rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and
repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock:
if any man hear my voice, and open the door,
I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and
he with me.

If Christ had written off the Laodecian church,
why would He encourage them to repent? Why
would He be knocking?
Matthew 23:37-38 - O Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them
which are sent unto thee, how often would I
have gathered thy children together, even as a
hen gathereth her chickens under her wings,
and ye would not! Behold, your house is left
unto you desolate.
These words were spoken by Christ to the
Jewish nations after they had rejected Him.
/
Similar words will be spoken by Christ at the
close of probation

Revelation 22:11 - He that is unjust, let him be
unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be
filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be
righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be
holy still.
SECTION FOUR
Warnings and Admonitions from the Bible
and the writings of E. G. White
Truth Will Not Contradict Truth
When the power of God testifies as to what is
truth, that truth is to stand forever as the truth.
No after suppositions, contrary to the light God
has given are to be entertained. Men will arise
with interpretations of Scripture which are to
them truth, but which are not truth.
/
The truth for this time, God has given us as a
foundation for our faith. He Himself has taught
us what is truth. One will arise, and still
another, with new light which contradicts the
light that God has given under the
demonstration of His Holy Spirit.

--Counsels to Writers and Editors
p.31, para.2
Not Revealed To Just One Or Two
God has not passed His people by, and
chosen one solitary man here and another
there as the only ones worthy to be entrusted
with His truth. He does not give one man new
light contrary to the established faith of the
body. In every reform men have arisen making
this claim.
/
Paul warned the church in his day, Of your
own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse
things, to draw away disciples after them.
The greatest harm to Gods people comes
through those who go out from among them
speaking perverse things. Through them the
way of truth is evil spoken of.

--Counsels to Writers and Editors
p.45, para.2
Satan hopes to involve the remnant people of
God in the general ruin that is coming upon the
earth. As the coming of Christ draws nigh, he
will be more determined and decisive in his
efforts to overthrow them. Men and women will
arise professing to have some new light or
some new revelation whose tendency is to
/
unsettle faith in the old landmarks. Their
doctrines will not bear the test of Gods word,
yet souls will be deceived.
--Counsels for the Church, p.344, para.4
EGW on New Light
Men professing to have new light, claiming to
be reformers, will have great influence over a
certain class who are convinced of the heresies
that exist in the present age and who are not
satisfied with the spiritual condition of the
churches. With true, honest hearts, these desire
to see a change for the better, a coming up to
a higher standard.
/
If the faithful servants of Christ would present
the truth, pure and unadulterated, to this class,
they would accept it and purify themselves by
obeying it. But Satan, ever vigilant, sets upon the
track of these inquiring souls. Someone making
high profession as a reformer comes to them, as
Satan came to Christ, disguised as an angel
of light, and draws them still farther from the
path of right.
--Counsels on Health, p.625, para.1
Presumptuous Prophecies
Deuteronomy 18:21-22 - And if thou say in thine
heart, How shall we know the word which the
LORD hath not spoken? When a prophet
speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing
follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing
which the LORD hath not spoken, but the
prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou
shalt not be afraid of him.



Entertain No Debates
Just such transactions are taking place today.
Many place such confidence in their own ideas
that they present their theories as if they could
make no mistake. Once their words are spoken,
they never go back, never repent, never feel
that they need forgiveness. They feel that they
are infallible. Thus it has been in past history;
thus it will be again. False religious confidence
/
becomes supposed infallibility. How can these
deluded ones think that they are the only ones
led and taught of God? When this spirit is
manifested, what can be done? You cannot
convince them, because they say, God has
led me. They will not acknowledge that they
have acted on wrong principles.
/
They maintain that they have moved rightly.
The only course that can be pursued is to leave
them to develop their principles. They may
never see their error, but others may be
convinced and saved. To attempt to unmask
them would be to call sympathy to their side.
-- Review and Herald, Sept. 7, 1897, para. 5
Avoid False Teachers
Rom 16:17-18 - Now I beseech you, brethren,
mark them which cause divisions and offences
contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned;
and avoid them. For they that are such serve
not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and
by good words and fair speeches deceive the
hearts of the simple.

/
2 John 1:10-11 - If there come any unto
you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him
not into your house, neither bid him God
speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God
speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
Our True Condition
The church has failed, sadly failed, to meet the
expectations of her Redeemer, and yet the Lord
does not withdraw Himself from His people. He
bears with them still, not because of any
goodness found in them, but that His name may
not be dishonored before the enemies of truth
and righteousness, that the satanic agencies
may not triumph in the destruction of God's
people.
/
He has borne long with their waywardness,
unbelief and folly. With wonderful forbearance
and compassion He has disciplined them. If they
will heed His instruction He will cleanse away
their perverse tendencies, saving them with an
everlasting salvation and making them eternal
monuments of the power of His grace.
--Signs of the Times, Nov. 13, 1901
{Last Days Events, p.58, para.2}
We should remember that the church,
enfeebled and defective though it be, is the
only object on earth on which Christ bestows
His supreme regard. He is constantly watching
it with solicitude, and is strengthening it by His
Holy Spirit.

--Selected Messages, Book 2, p.396 (1902)
{Last Days Events, p.58, para.3}
The Apple of Gods Eye
Zechariah 2:7-8 - Deliver thyself, O Zion, that
dwellest with the daughter of Babylon. For thus
saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he
sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for
he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his
eye.

/
Enfeebled and defective as it may appear,
the church is the one object upon which God
bestows in a special sense His supreme
regard. It is the theater of His grace, in which
He delights to reveal His power to transform
hearts.
-- Acts of the Apostles, p.12, para.1
The Big Question
Why do Davidians remain in the SDA
Church?
On February 15, 1935, Houteff wrote in The
Symbolic Code, his monthly publication to his
followers, that they should stay in their local
churches and not separate, for "if we separate
ourselves from the organization, then - in the
fulfillment of Ezekiel 9 - when those who have
not the mark are taken away, we shall have no
right to claim possession of the denomination."
THE END