The enemies of Truth have always resorted to unethical tactics to avoid the plain teachings of the Bible and often take portions of scripture out of their proper context or pit one passage against another in a effort to make the Bible contradict itself. This underhanded method of study is the result of surface reading and failure to harmonize all that has been written on the subject. Such treacherous and fundamentally disingenuous methods of analysis have been used as weapons against the Shepherd’s Rod message ever since its inception. A common tactic was to attempt to pit the Spirit of Prophecy against the teachings of the Rod. Brother Houteff faced these deceptions head on with sound logic and solid Bible reasoning on numerous occasions. Below is a convenient table which summarizes ten examples that were first publicized in the Symbolic Codes for your admonition and prayerful contemplation. The complete text for this compilation can be downloaded as a PDF by clicking here: Apparent Contradictions.
Addressing Apparent Contradictions Between the Shepherd’s Rod message and the Spirit of Prophecy (compiled from the old Symbolic Codes)
| Topic | Apparent Contradiction | Rod Reply |
| The destroying weapons are during the seven last plagues. | 5T 212 vs the Rod on Ezekiel 9 | Symbolic Code, Vol. 1, No. 10, p. 9 |
| Fate of unfaithful SDA’s during the mark of the beast | 5T 81 vs Ezekiel 9 | Symbolic Code, Vol. 1, No. 5, p. 5 |
| What is the former rain? | DA 827 vs 2 SR 256, 257 | Symbolic Code, Vol. 1, No. 5, p. 5 |
| Where does Mal. 3:1-3 Apply? | GC 424, 425 vs 1 SR 151, 170; 2 SR 184, 240 | Symbolic Code, Vol. 1, No. 5, p. 5 |
| School teachers paid with tithe? | 9T 248 vs 1 SR 34 | Symbolic Code, Vol. 1, No. 5, p. 6 |
| Time of Trouble and the Tribulation | Matt. 24:21 vs Dan. 12:1 | Symbolic Code, Vol. 2, No. 2, p. 3 |
| The time the seals begin | S.D.A. teaching vs 2 SR 194-221 | Symbolic Code, Vol. 2, No. 7, 8, p. 9, 10 |
| “Daily” doctrine or “daily” sacrifice? | EW 75 vs 2 SR 130-134 | Symbolic Code, Vol. 2, No. 10, p. 6 |
| Who is the messenger of the covenant? | GW 42.2 vs 2 SR 240.2 | Symbolic Code, Vol. 1, No. 5, p. 5 |
| Only 144,000 living saints in final harvest? | EW 15 vs Rev. 7 | Symbolic Code, Vol. 1, No. 18, p. 7-9 |
This unfortunate warfare against the truth has also been practiced by professed believers of the Rod, especially during the period of the enemy’s effort to deliver a knock out blow. We have many examples before us such as Florence Houteff and her false time setting of the fulfillment of the forty-four month prophecy found in Revelation 11:2, the living Spirit of Prophecy having to be another living prophet, more than 144,000 saved alive from the S.D.A. church, etc. In these and other instances not only do its promoters use the SOP but also the Rod statements and the scriptures to make claims about what the Rod teaches, or does not teach. In the end this unscrupulous practice places the Rod in conflict with either the writings of Ellen White and/or itself. Such an insidious variety of modernism by these lesser cattle who muddy the waters of truth continues unabated. It seems that some in the midst have no fear to tell Brother Houteff how to teach his message by casting their strange fire on the altar. We have recently encountered another case of this unwarranted warfare against the Truth in the Rod that will be addressed in detail in a subsequent post. This matter is being addressed publicly since the instigator has made their teachings public on Facebook. Let us pray like never before asking for wisdom and discernment from God to face these issues as the enemy is going about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour with his false doctrines, character attacks, and gossiping.
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