Are Answerer Books Nos. 6 and 7 part of the original Rod message?- Who is responsible for bringing these manuscripts to the forefront?
- Does Answerer Book No. 6 really shed any light on Jacob’s Time of Trouble?
- How should we regard these materials today?
We recently received a copy of a document from Executive Secretary of the Waco Association in which they claim will help “to clarify Davidian confusion” over the topic of Jacob’s time of trouble. This particular document is a scanned portion of a draft version of Answerer Book No. 6.
Before we address the content of the question at hand, first it is imperative to ask two pressing questions . . .
Why is it that the Waco Association is bringing forth such a questionable document at this late hour?
Although they have not stated so clearly, it must be to sustain their belief in the unauthorized New Code sermon addresses published by Florence Houteff after the death of Brother Houteff. These Codes introduce the so-called “intervening time”, or “gap theory” as we prefer to call it, in which adherents believe that there will be a period of time between the marking (or sealing) and the slaughter of Ezekiel nine in which Jacob’s time of trouble is supposedly to take place (11 SC 7:3, 8). This highly suspect teaching has come under direct challenge from many sources and has been given increasing publicity in recent months from individuals who do not accept these postmortem Codes (click here and here for previous posts on this subject).
Is an unpublished manuscript or draft copy of Answerer Book No. 6 part of the original Shepherd’s Rod message that was authorized and published under the direction of the prophet?
The answer is no.
This is sufficient for the wise to discard such documents as a basis of our faith and move forward by standing firmly upon the rock of that which was published and authorized by Brother Houteff himself without addition nor subtraction. Nonetheless, for the sake of those who may not be as well informed and to stand up the gainsayers, we will provide some historical background and further reasons why such a document cannot be taken as a rule of our faith which was purchased at so great a price.
Historical Background
The following testimony regarding how Answerer Books Nos. 6 and 7 appeared in Davidia comes from Thomas Cadwell, a former Davidian who converted to the ranks of Roden’s Branch movement and was excerpted from his website, www.branch-davidianhistory.net.
Tract #16 and Answer Books #6 and #7, by V. T. Houteff, in published format, in this section, that were left in the administration building safe at New Mt. Carmel when the original DSDA Council disbanded and departed in 1962. These documents contain a continuation of The Shepherd’s Rod Message, including expanded valuable commentary of the harvest of the first-fruits by V. T. Houteff. There is nothing in these last publications by Brother Houteff that are particularly useful to the promotion of The Branch Message. These are objective publications of the previous messenger, V.T. Houteff. Ben Roden understood his duty to publish all of whatever remained of Brother Houteff’s work, left in the administration building vault. In 1984, at the direction of George Roden, Answer Book #6 & #7 were initially typed out in a galley format, by the author of this website (Thomas L. Caldwell), from the original rough revision manuscripts from Old Mt. Carmel. However, there was no significant circulation of these publications at that time, if any. The author of this website still has in possession the original manuscripts of these documents from Old Mt. Carmel, and other original mimeograph copies of manuscripts from the early 1950s.
These galley proofs for Answer Books Nos. 6 and 7, produced by George Roden, the son of Ben. L. Roden, founder of the Branch Davidians, later surfaced in the late 1980’s when George approached the various Davidian Associations with the said manuscripts and offered them for a selling price of $5,000.00. According to Don Adair, the long-standing vice president of the Salem Association, he was granted permission to examine the manuscripts before making a decision if they were of sufficient value to consider such a purchase. After determining that they contained no content or essential teaching beyond that which was already published, Salem declined the offer. Later, photocopies of these manuscripts appeared in the hands of some members of the Mountain Dale, NY Association. A former member gave us his personal copies as he was no longer interested in them. The Publishing Committee at upa7.org took some time to examine these documents and confirmed the prior reports of others. In fact, we were led to question if Brother Houteff had anything to do with Answerer Book No. 7 since it contained a reference to a false teaching of M. J. Bingham about there being more that 144,000 saved alive from the SDA church (Question 298), the infamous “those with” teaching that Don Adair picked up and made a particular point of division with the Mt. Dale Association (click here for a prior post on the subject of the “those with”). (please continue on the next page).
Excellent brother. The only fact we need, is that Brother Houteff under the guidance of the Holy Spirit kept all that was NOT published — not published for a divine reason. As you say, we have all we need by God’s divine plan to reach the kingdom through the straight “published” writings under Brother Houteff.
Brother P, thanks for comment and the obvious conclusion that we should follow only that which is published by the prophet despite the efforts of some to wedge in unauthorized publications in order to hold up their belief in the New Codes and other remodeled Rod doctrines that have crept into the fold since the death of Brother Houteff in 1955. Hold fast to that which is good.
that’s good… i imagined, after bro. houteff died, the enemies happiness success. But we should remember, the battle is not ours.THIs is God’s battle. we know that we are not united now because satan doesn’t like!. But we know also that God can change everything for his people to unite fully in love with each other…
Dear Sister Lucino:
Thank you for your comments. This subject of unity in the ranks is poorly understood and needs to be addresses based on what the Rod says. God willing we plan to post on this shortly.
In that blessed hope,
The Publishers
I’m brother lucino not sister. Publishers, I have witnessed everything about the division of mountaindale asso. from Salem davidians for the said reason of the picked up “those with the 144,000 by Don Adair. At this time, Can I learned also from you the history of division, and the truth which you have now if you think they are false by picking up “those with them in the 144,000 topic. Show me the evidence. I’m asking this not to let you up or let you down but to have a fair comparison. Because i had already got their side… Thank you Godbless…
Dear Brother Lucino:
Greetings in Christian love!
Please forgive me for misidentifying you as a sister in Christ.
As for all of the divisions in our midst I thank God that the Rod forewarned us that the enemy would attempt to deliver a knock out blow by friends of the faith (WHR 33), and we have certainly seen plenty of it starting with Florence Houteff and a host of others coming on after. Truly the shepherd has been smitten and sheep scattered. Regarding the controversy over the “those with” I have been on both sides if the issue and ultimately had to search the Rod for myself and take what it teaches. A detailed study has been prepared at the link listed below. I do look forward to the day the Lord takes the reigns in His hands and the 144,000 will all see eye-to-eye and speak the same things.
http://whyperish.org/2010/06/03/those-with-the-144000-who-are-they/
May God bless your continued search for Truth as for hidden treasure.
In that blessed hope,
Brother Eric
Publishing Director
upa7.org
shepherds-rod-speaks.org
whyperish.org
Brother Eric, I had discover few informations about the issue about the separation of each Headquarters especially started at Salem. I am very sorrowful of that events.. Now I will ask you few questions and I need an answer honestly if you know the story about……. Is it true that one brother have a secret relationship with the treasurer and cause six times abortions and the money of the association at salem was affected and the executive council did not knew it?. That’s why there is problem with the bankbook not release and Norman Archer was able to withdraw it and found very lacking to its full account. Is it true that this brother was discipline and others had symphatized to him and time comes when a study about 144,000 and those with them was rejected by those who symphatized with him?. If this is wrong kindly correct me. If true, the enemy is working to tear down the work of God! My conclusion is: Those who separate from Salem headquarters is not happened by a deeper study of 144,000 and those with them but by their hatred of the executive council because of the disciplinary action acted upon this brother which is capable to him. He was not able to hide from God because nothing hidden of him.
Dear Brother Lucino:
There are a lot of stories that go around Davidia which we consider either gossip or unconfirmed reports and do not repeat. They really prove nothing. When it comes to a controversy over a point of doctrine we prefer to stay focused on the topic at hand and avoid side issues involving the personalities of the various parties involved. Inspiration counsels us to:
“Oh, that the Lord might guide you! You should never in a single instance allow hearsay to move you to action, and yet you have sometimes done this.” — 3T 507
“Never, never be influenced by reports.” — TM 299
Thus as far as all of the personalities involved around Adair’s initial teaching of the living “those with” and the split that resulted in the formation of Mt. Dale we have taken the time to interview all of the parties involved and can say with certainty that the only thing to go by with what the SRod teaches and the importance of ceasing from man whose breath is in his nostrils. By record of fact, the brethren that started Mt. Dale did not separate from Salem they were illegally disfellowshipped without a hearing. I can speak from my personal experience, anyone who disagrees with Don Adair and his teachings and dares to question them are cast out without cause. I have spoken with dozens of brethren who have been cast out of Salem over the years for similar reasons. You cannot go by Adair’s side of the story alone, it is very misleading and self justifying.
God will guide. Praise God!
Okay, I understand… That’s why I ask information from your side. I’m sorry if you think I proselytize you about 144,000 and those with them topic.. Before, that’s in my mind but now I realize not force to do that… Thank you brother, Godbless…
Am studing alot. Thanks
Praise the Lord brother and always ask the Holy Spirit to guide, lead, and direct you unto all Truth and believe it shall be so. God bless.
As far as the Answerer Books No. 6 & 7, I take the position that whatever Bro. Houteff wrote is of value, even if not published in his lifetime. Bro. Houteff’s statement to teach only that which was published was to prevent speculation in the message during his ministry and lifetime, not to prevent anything of his actual writings that had not been published as yet, still in manuscript form after his death. In this same view, I see value even in what Florence Houteff published of Bro. Houteff’s from 1955 onward. Likely, not one of us would take the same position on Sister White’s extensive writings, many of which were not published until after her death. There are unpublished manuscripts of Ellen White that are still being released. I would like to address one other point here. To get someone’s name correct is the most basic courtesy. I would appreciate if you would notice every letter in my last name, CALDWELL, not “Cadwell”. There is a letter “L” in there somewhere. Let me know if you have taken notice of it. I will take notice if the correction is ever made. Thank you Eric.
Tom, thank you for bringing to our attention the misspelling of your name, please accept our apologies. The correction has been made. The will of Ellen White makes clear that she gave permission to the trustees of her writings to release any of her unpublished materials as they saw fit. There is nothing in comparison of similar instruction coming from Brother Houteff. We do not know if he even left a will, or if so, anyone has ever see it or has a record. Until then the case stands that anything that he did not publish while he was living should be considered “unauthorized” and as a result not part of the sacred canon of inspired writings constituting the golden bowl. This is not to say that these manuscripts or other documents coming from old Mt. Carmel are not valuable and of historical interest, but they should be recognized as such and not used to prove a controverted point of doctrine.
In Christian regards,
The Publishers