Perhaps one of the clearest evidences that Davidia is still knocked out and spiritually unconscious today is in regards to the topic of whether we should accept the Symbolic Codes published by Florence Houteff after the death of Bro. Houteff as part of the inspired message of the Shepherd’s Rod. This is evidenced by the fact that most of the major Davidian Associations at present, along with many independent Davidians, tenaciously uphold and defend these Codes (Vol. 10, No. 7 to Vol. 13, Nos. 11, 12) despite many efforts to bring to their attention some of the problems with the teachings found therein. We ourselves used to accept these “New Codes” but by the providence of God were challenged to explain a number of blatant contradictions with the plain teachings from the original published works of the Rod from 1930 to 1954. The results of our independent investigation is attached in the study below and serves as a warning call for all honest and true hearted Davidians to search out and study the issue for themselves as it is a matter of life or death that we teach only pure unadulterated truth and shun cunningly devised fables about the confederacy, Jacob’s time of trouble, etc..
Upon researching our files we came across what we believe is the earliest recorded study that brought into question the validity of the New Codes. It was publishing in 1999 by John O’Rawe in a tract entitled “The Sixth Trumpet Study”. Please click the link to download a PDF copy of this tract which was distributed at the 2000 Waco Session.
Should We Teach and Publish the “New Symbolic Codes” Today?
It has been our strong conviction since April 2000, that we can not in clear conscious or in obedience to “teach that which is published”, use for study or even publish the “New Codes”. Would anyone today add “unpublished” sand scripts to the bible? It would not be sensible. The Bible has 66 confirmed inspired books. The Rod has Vol. 1 – 10 confirmed (the prophet was still alive) inspired codes. No more… No less.
Praise the Lord! Thank you for your timely comment. Yes we have noticed that there is an increasing conviction arising amongst sincere and honest Davidians that we must only “teach only that which is published”. God is seeking to arouse us out of our knocked out state of slumber and start following that what is written in the Bible, SOP, and SRod alone. Onward and upward as we seek to turn from cunningly devised fables and follow the truth, pure and unadulterated with man’s dung.
Greetings to my fellow shepherd’s rod believer!
I have this question in my mind and i sincerely want to know the answer about “teach only that what is published.” Why is it that the Mountaindale and Waco advocates are not united if they teach and preach only what is published? The Spirit of Prophecy declared: “When controversy or division comes in, all parties claim to be right and to have a conscience void of offense.” (5T 688, 689). I really hope someone will help me clarify these things?
Dear Fellow Shepherd’s Rod believer:
Thank you for your post and God willing we will do our best to answer your question. As far as to why Mountain Dale and Waco advocates are not united though they all claim to believe the same thing, you may want to ask them why. We can only suggest that since they both believe and promote the New Codes published by Florence Houteff and its associated errors that is one major reason there is no unity in the ranks. How can there be unity when Truth is mixed with error? They have strayed outside the hedge of inspiration and are going to another bowl other than the golden bowl. The only way we can achieve the unity that the Bible calls for is for us to dispense from all private interpretations, i.e. unauthorized publications that do not come from the golden bowl (the writings of Ellen White and Victor Houteff alone). This would include a host of counterfeits that have arisen over the years under titles such as “Timely Truth Educator”, Laymen Ministries Publishing (Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines), Mustard Seed Advent, and a host of others.
May God bless your search for Truth as for hidden treasure, uncontaminated with man’s private opinions.
In that blessed hope, The Publishers
What is the word “publish” anyway? Are those that are printed in machines are the only ones that are to be called “published writings”? How about the Bible? Considering the time that there were no printing machines, or even from Adam to Noah’s generation, were the Truth has only been passed orally?
Dear Brother Edexis:
Greetings in Christian love!
Your questions are rhetorical and are calculated to maneuver from the plain truth that the published writings of the golden bowl come from the pens of Ellen White and Victor Houteff alone. Perhaps you have not seen them for yourself and this is the reason you are confused? Or that you are following the writings of an unauthorized and uninspired source and do not yet know where to find the Truth for today? Our only suggestion for you is to sell all that you have and go purchase the entire set of Ellen White’s original books and the original publications of the Shepherd’s Rod published by Victor Houteff. After reading them over from cover to cover then you will hopefully understand why we are told to follow only the published writings of God’s true latter day prophets, Ellen White and Victor Houteff, alone and to shun all other publications for what they really are, counterfeits. Below is a link where you can download some of the original Rod tracts for your reading enjoyment and enlightenment.
Yours to stand for the Truth, without addition nor subtraction–The Publishers
http://shepherds-rod-speaks.org/rod-publications/
Fellow Believer knockoutblow:
I carefully read your reply and still the question Edexis asked still bothering my mind. I really want to know what is really the meaning of “teach and preach only what is published?” or to be specific what is really the meaning of “published?” I already read the link about the new codes but still that question keeps on bothering my mind.
If you cannot understand what it means to follow “only that which is published” by God’s true latter day prophets, Ellen White and Victor Houteff, no more, no less, then perhaps it is because you are following a counterfeit false prophet whose publications are not part of the golden bowl? We can only suggest that once you burn those unauthorized publications and get your doctrine from the inspired writings of God’s true prophets then you will understand and not become wise in your own conceit.
Ok.,Thank you very much for your answer. May the Lord help us all.
Dear Friend:
Praises be unto God, the Truth will prevail. If at any time we need the Truth pure and unadulterated it is now. Once we dispense with these unauthorized New Codes then the clouds of confusion regarding many subjects such as the time of Jacob’s trouble, when the six trumpet began to sound, etc. are sweep away.
Please share with others and may God continue to bless your search for Truth as for hidden treasure.–The Publishers
Amen brother, keep answering and spreading truth!
Forgive me Mr. Publisher if i have harshly stated the inquiries that shows insincerity, I was just trying to reconsider and ponder deeply the “acts of publishing” done by the previous prophets or holy men of God. And as we already knew that John the Baptist and even Christ Himself at His first advent(as a prophet), both of them have no written revelations that they of themselves personally wrote. Please help enlighten me. God bless
Dear Brother Edexis:
If you were sincere then you would have to consider that your arguments are but an attempt to maneuver from the obvious. Comparing the work of Christ and John the Baptist who did not leave their works in published form with that of Victor Houteff is illogical. The “published” work of Brother Houteff is specified in scripture (Nahum 1:15, Isaiah 52:1, 7). How is it that you can ask such a question and yet be involved in the publication and promotion of many dozens of tracts authored by a certain Ariel Dacutanan whom you believe to be a living prophet today? A strange inconsistency indeed!
Our only recommendation and plea for you is to prayerfully investigate our post on the living spirit of prophecy (http://knockoutblow.wordpress.com/2011/12/05/revisiting-the-living-spirit-of-prophecy/) coupled with a careful reading Tract No. 6 and Timely Greetings Vol. 1, No. 14 so that you can understand the prophecy in Zechariah 4 and realize that the two pipes that bring the golden oil into the golden bowl are two latter day prophets (Ellen White and Victor Houteff alone). There is no room for your prophet. What he (Ariel) publishes is not found in the golden bowl, the “Spirit of Prophecy”.
Yours in Christian concern, The Publishers
Thank you Mr. Publisher for answering my questions with advises, May the Lord bless us more……Godspeed
I am reading your discussion on Mrs. Houteff. At the moment I would like to just deal with the Jonah message that I understand you do not see. I noted that in your dissertation that I pulled from Bro. Edstrom’s website the following quote from the Rod is not dealt with. (1TG 15:14-16) It seems to be passed over, perhaps you can share with me why this is so. Please notice also Ellen White, Prophets and Kings 366.
With out looking at the new codes. I do have some observations. (It has been a long time since reveiwing this study, and am holding off while I base my observations here, mostly on what I remember.
1, Jonah’s message was sent to a foreign people. And it was a time appointed message.
2, according to brother Houteff there is a Jonah message, and it is Nahum’s message. It must be a time message, otherwise it does not complete the type to accurately be a Jonah message.
3, Nahum’s message is about the fall of Assyria, and we teach in the Rod, this fall. A Jonah message it seems to me would emphasize this message.
4, Isaiah confirms this message. An victor Houteff makes mention of this fall several different time in the Timely Greetings and Tract 14, and the answer books.
5, Zephaniah speaks of the message of Assyria and Nineveh falling, that too, is in the Rod Proper.
6, Isaiah 30:31, distinctly says, through the voice of the LORD, (which is in the Rod proper) My question is how is this phrase then to be interpreted, if Jonah is not the example of a people at an appointed time. How is God to voice this message stating Assyria’s fall?
7, Ellen White says to consider time and place when studying her message, does this not apply to Elder Houteff as well. It is necessary to make the same application to the Scriptures as well.
Henry, thanks for the references. We will be responding to this and several others in a new video presentation that will be posted on this blog and elsewhere soon.
Henry you seem troubled, perhaps even obsessed to defend the bogus teachings found in the unauthorized New Codes sermon addresses published by the wife (Florence Houteff).
There are several flaws in your questionings, doubts, and false charges as enumerated below.
1. You keep referring to a “Jonah message”. The Rod does not use the phrase “Jonah message”, that is the invention of man. This is found nowhere in the original writings of Brother Houteff. The Rod reference you gave in 1 TG 15:14-16 simply states “Jonah’s prophecy is a counterpart of Nahum’s.” Adding or subtracting from inspiration is a serious offense of which we will be held accountable to God.
2. Your charge that we are somehow passed over or are ignoring what the Rod teaches in 1 TG 15 and elsewhere about the fall of antitypical Assyria is without foundation. We teach and follow only that what the Rod teaches on the book of Nahum, which as the Rod identifies is a counterpart to Jonah’s prophecy (14 Tr, in particular). We reject extra-Rod expositions and private interpretations that have been woven into the fabric of the Rod over the years, most especially the New Codes heresies published by the wife. This is plainly stated and referenced in our published study (click to download PDF) and video presentations.
3. Your questions are diverting off of the subject. The issue is not whether Assyria will fall so please stop charging us with denying the Rod and scripture. You have not faced the facts presented in the study and video presentations which expose the New Code false teaching that there will be first an Elijah phase of the message to be given to the S.D.A. church, and then another separate “Jonah phase” of the message that will be given supposedly to antitypical Nineveh (America).
4. The S.O.P reference your provided, PK 365, 366 is speaking about the fall of Assyria. We believe this. Where does the passage state that there will be a “Jonah phase” of the message in which Davidians will go out and warn America not to form a confederacy, as the New Codes teaches? Why do you attempt to read into the passage something that is not there? This is folly and madness.
Henry, as far as attempting to deal with your endless attempts to defend the teachings found in the New Codes we can only point that your activities are appropriately identified in the following inspired statement. Thus we rest our case. Let us move forward and follow only that which is published by the prophet, no more, no less.
Yours to become a 100%-Rod Only Davidian,
The Publishers
I have some feedback that I thought I would be able to get to tonight, but it will be a couple to a few days.
We will look forward to whatever you have to share.
Dear Brethren,
I am happy for the privilege of reviewing this article and submitting some thoughts on it as well. I am in agreement that the “new codes” do not constitute what is defined by the Rod as “that which is published.” They were clearly published after his death and there is no written record of his authorizing his publication after his death. I don’t think that anyone disputes that. What I think needs to be reviewed more closely are the “doctrinal discrepancies” between the statements often referred to in the new codes and the published Rod literature, especially on Jacob’s Trouble and the Assyrian Confederacy and related events. Those are the events that are most disputed and would actually affect our understanding and time line of end time events.
For example, I will just deal with the section on Jacob’s Time of Trouble in this post. I will deal with the confederacy in another so that this post is not too long. Jacob’s Time of Trouble has been controversial since the early 1840’s and the Rod did not add much information to help clarify it. It did adjust the time by additional light on various topics (mainly the Kingdom). It is assumed by the article (and all the opponents of the new codes that I am aware of) that the listing of fundamental beliefs numbers 4-11 are in absolute chronological order. I believe there are some problems with that assumption that requires some reevaluation.
Fundamental Belief 4 refers to the purification of the church. Number 5 explains that the “four winds” are then permitted to blow. Number 6 is critical and it says this: “That the angels’ letting loose the four winds to blow over the four corners of the earth (Rev. 7:1), does not anticipate a World war but rather a world wide decree enforced throughout Babylon by the image-beast, and that then no one may buy or sell save he who worships “the image.” Rev. 13:15-17.” This fundamental belief brings us down to the time that the “woman” (Babylon) rides the “scarlet colored beast” and the “decree” is enforced internationally. By the time this happens, the first fruits will have already been in the Kingdom for some time (12 Tract 40,41). But Belief number 7 states: That SUBSEQUENTLY, the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jer. 30:7) for the 144,000, the sons of Jacob, logically develops on their way home (Gen. 32:1, 24) to the land of their fathers (Ezek. 36:28; 37:21, 25).” The 144,000 will not experience Jacob’s Time of Trouble in the Kingdom, will they? In addition, a review of beliefs 8-10 reveal that, in end time event sequencing, belief 6 actually fits between belief 9 and 10. I believe that these facts should inspire us to a closer reevaluation of this topic.
There are some other points I could make on this section but I won’t until later to minimaize the length of this post. I will say also that there are some major, critical events that are not mentioned or even hinted at in the fundamental beliefs that, when studied and understood in their proper framework, would most likely give a more complete view of the fianl events leading up to the setting up of the Kingdom and the rise of Babylon the Great.
Dear Bro. Erik:
We are glad that you do not advocate republication of the New Codes. However, as to your suggestion that the order of events published in 2 TG, No. 10 and the tract “Fundamental Beliefs and Directory of The Davidian Seventh-day Adventists” may not be in proper order this we cannot agree. By whose authority does any of us who follow the Rod message have to tell Brother Houteff how to teach his message? Is not this the danger specified in TM 475 which our brethren in Laodicea disregard with impunity? We do not feel at liberty to suggest that event “6 actually fits between belief 9 and 10”.
Furthermore, your question “The 144,000 will not experience Jacob’s Time of Trouble in the Kingdom, will they?” is not in harmony with the passage (event 7) since it says that the 144,000 will experience the Jacob’s time of trouble on their way home. It did not say that they would experience the trouble once the arrived home (the kingdom), but on their way home. This is logical in the context of what the Rod teaches since the blowing of the four winds (event 6) will ensue only after the church is purified and just before the 144,000 are gathered up and brought to the kingdom on the chariot of God (1 TG 11:13), the time when Michael stands up to deliver His people (Dan. 12:1). Only at this time will Satan unleash the image of the beast system with its associated death decree in a desperate last attempt to keep the 144,000 from arriving to the kingdom. Once they arrive then they will get their new names and prepare to give the Loud Cry and go forth to gather in the Great Multitude (events 8 -> 12 in order). This is plain and simple enough, why not take the Rod as it reads?
Dear Brethren,
Thank you for your reply. It is unfortunate that I was misunderstood and I am thankful for the opportunity to clarify.
In reverse order, I am well aware that the 144,000 experience their trouble on the way home and not in the Kingdom. That was the point of my question. Fundamental belief 6 clearly defines the “blowing of the four winds” as the “world wide decree enforced throughout Babylon by the image-beast…”. This makes clear that Babylon the Great is dominating the seat of world affairs at that time. It also makes clear that the image of the beast system at that point will be international rather than local. That is what is represented in belief number 6. If this is an incorrect assumption then please produce the references from Inspiration and I will be more than happy to change my position.
By the time Babylon the Great rides the beast (the event represented in belief 6 as I understand it until proven otherwise) the Kingdom will have already been set up. I quote, “As the symbolical “sea” and “earth,” along with the beasts’ characteristics, perfectly locate the abode of each beast, likewise ‘The Wilderness’ Locates the Scarlet-Colored Beast’s Domain.
“By contrast, a wilderness is the opposite of a vineyard. And since a vineyard is figurative of the home of God’s people (Isa. 5:7), the wilderness can only represent the
home of the Gentiles. The beast’s being in the wilderness indicates that at the time it comes into existence, there is a vineyard. Obviously, it would be superfluous to designate “the wilderness” if the whole world is wilderness. The certainty that both the vineyard and the wilderness are in existence at the same time, shows, first, that Babylon, riding (ruling) the beast, reigns only over the wilderness (Gentile world); and second, that from it are God’s people called to go into the vineyard (the kingdom restored), where there are no sins, and where there is no fear of their receiving the plagues. Of this kingdom of safety the prophet Daniel wrote: ‘And in the days of these kings shall the God of Heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.’ Dan. 2:44.” – Tract 12, pp. 40, 41. Many other references make this clear as well.
But belief number 7 states, “That, SUBSEQUENTLY, the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jer. 30:7) for the 144,000, the sons of Jacob, logically develops on their way home (Gen. 32:1, 24) to the land of their fathers (Ezek. 36:28; 37:21, 25).” The Time of Jacob’s Trouble does not happen while God’s people are in the Kingdom or while Babylon rides the beast, but, as is clearly stated “on their way home.” Yet it just as clearly states that it takes place “subsequently” from the “world wide decree enforced throughout Babylon” (belief number 6). This is a time discrepancy as far as the order of the events listed being absolutely chronological. This presents a serious challenge to the document’s main foundation on the timing of Jacob’s Trouble. If it is not a time discrepancy as far as the order of the events are concerned, then please explain how it is not. If it is, then please clarify the position of the document in the light of this.
Concerning my statement that belief “6 actually fits between 9 and 10”, I was trying to state that, as end time events have been explained through the lens of the Rod, in the chronology of how things will be fulfilled, Jacob’s Trouble will take place (no. 7), the name of the body will be changed at some point after the trouble is over (no. 8), the Kingdom will be set up and the 144,000 will stand on Mt. Zion, (no. 9), then the woman will mount the beast and rule (no. 6), and the Loud Cry and call to come out of her will take place (no. 10) for if she is not in existence and ruling there can be no call to come out of her (1 TG 21:20). I thought I could make that clear without stating it so explicitly, but apparently I couldn’t. For that I do apologize.
Let me further clarify that I was not suggesting that the fundamental beliefs needed to be rearranged, no more than I would suggest that someone would need to redraw the “Flood” chart because it shows that children will be on the “New Earth” (which even a studious Laodicean knows will not be the case). I was simply pointing out that the events listed are not in absolute chronological order as the document assumes that they are. As a result, that makes that assumption a shaky foundation for the placement of the timing of Jacob’s Time of Trouble and warrants reevaluation.
Dear Brother:
The article merely points out the order of events as outlined in the Rod (2 TG 10:29-30) being that Jacob’s time of trouble (event 7) takes place subsequently (following after) those in event 6. That is what is taught and published by Brother Houteff and that is where we rest our case. We pray and hope to meet you in that beautiful Beulah land were more light will shine and then we will no longer see through the glass darkly, but then face to face, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Dear Brethren,
Thank you for the reply, but you did not answer my questions, and I assume by the references that you quoted you do not intend to do so. These are perfectly proper and relevant questions to ask in an investigation of a position, especially on topics as controversial as the ones the document addresses. The references that I quoted as just as much as inspired and published as are the fundamental beliefs, are equally as authoritative and demand consideration in the discussion. I am saddened to have been privately invited and encouraged by the publishers of this blog to ask my questions and share my thoughts on this controversial topic, only to have them sidestepped and marked as “caviling and quibblings.” It is both unfair and unwarranted to be accused of having “an evil heart of unbelief” (by way of quotation) especially when you indirectly admit that you have no answer (“we will no longer see through the glass darkly”). It’s sad, especially when this is the same thing that we ask for when we go to the mother church, an answer to relevant questions. It does not promote unity or harmony among brethren. It doesn’t even promote cooperation.
I hope to see you in the Beulah land as well as the Lord has done a great work and blessed many through the work that you are doing with the blog, website and other venues.It is a great thing to see the research that the Lord has permitted you to perform. I must say at the same time that if we continue to view our brethren who may challenge our belief system through the eyes of suspicion, questioning their motives, it won’t matter when Jacob’s Trouble or the Assyrian Confederacy will take place because we will be bowing down to Babylon the Great anyway and remaining on earth during the millenium.