“Outpouring of the Holy Spirit” in power
“Outpouring of the Holy Spirit” in
power,
when and where?
What does the SRod teach is the prerequisite for the
“outpouring of the Holy Spirit” in power?
FIVE MEN FOLLOW
THE ONE
The men with the
slaughter weapons must immediately follow the one with the writer’s inkhorn. God must
separate His people if the marking is to be of any value and except the separation takes place, the outpouring of the Holy
Spirit can not fall
in its fullness upon the people of God.—1SR:37.2
What is the stated repeated unchanging condition for the antitypical
fulfillment of this prophecy?
"…except the separation [[ the separation accomplished by SIX men ]] takes place, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit can not fall in its fullness upon the people of God." (1SR:37.2.)
Brethren, this subject is basically over in the first four paragraphs. Nothing is ever added to this prerequisite. This ever remains the only required condition. What follows now in the rest of this post is the weight of evidence and the repetition of the fact.
Let's look at the timing with the prerequisite, the SRod states
the following:
The date of that most glorious event for the
righteous, but exceeding solemn for the wicked, will be made known at the
fulfillment of the following verse: “And the angel took the censer, and filled
it with fire of the altar and cast it into the earth: and there were voices,
and thunderings, and lightnings and an
earthquake.” (Rev. 8:5.) The casting of the fire from the
altar into the earth is the outpouring of the Spirit of God. We have stated before that the book of
Revelation is a revealing of prophecies, and not a prophecy of itself. Therefore, we find the prediction of this glorious event in Joel 2:28, 29. The “voices, and thunderings, and
lightnings,” denote the opening of the judgment for the living, as they also
denote the opening of the judgment for the dead. (See Rev. 4:5.) The
earthquake will be the sign of THE EVENT.—2SR:220.4
Now let us consider the truth as taught by the last seal. Note carefully the order of each act. The seal is opened, and silence follows, for it reads: "and when he had opened the seventh seal there was silence." The Revised Version, Weymouth, the Greek, and the Bulgarian Bibles read the same way. The silence was followed by the angel coming to the altar with the censer, after he offered the prayers of the saints. And then he filled the censer with fire, and cast the fire to the earth [[ FIRST ]] and [[ SECOND ]] again the voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. This is the exact order of each event. {2SR:215.3}
What made the silence? As the judgment opened, John states: "And out of the throne proceeded lightnings, and thunderings and voices;" and the four beasts "rest not day and night, saying, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty." (Rev. 4:5, 8.) The voices are continuous day and night while the judgment is going on. But sometime AFTER the seventh seal was opened these voices were silenced for about half an hour. AFTER the angel offered the prayers of the saints, and [[ FIRST ]] cast the fire upon the earth, [[ SECOND ]] the voices resumed. "And there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake." Evidently the judgment, for some reason, had stopped, and half an hour later it resumed. It cannot be otherwise, for, if the judgment was going on, and the beasts and the elders kept silent, it would indicate that there was something wrong—something to which they could not say "amen" and praise God. Therefore, the only proper conclusion is, that for some reason the judgment retired for half an hour.—2SR:215.3-216.1
(See also: 3Tr:47.1-3; 15Tr:64.3)
This here is lock and key evidence that every bible verse
that is in harmony with the event of Rev. 8:5 is to be synchronized with the
fulfillment of Joel 2:28, 29 when the only stated prerequisite condition of separation
between the penitent and impenitent Laodiceans has been met. More on the only necessary
condition follows.
Let us turn to Tract No. 1. It reads as follows:
After the sighing and crying ones were marked
(which is NOT to be understood as being consummated in its entirety worldwide
BEFORE the slaying follows anywhere), the slaughter completed, and the matter reported,
the Lord "spake unto the man clothed with linen, and said, Go in between
the wheels even under the cherub, and fill thine hand with coals of fire from
between the cherubims, and scatter them over the city." Ezek. 10:2.
{1Tr:38.2}
The scattering of the “coals of fire…over
the city” represents absolute purification of
the heart (Gospel Workers, p. 23) effected by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon those who
receive the “mark”—those who escape the “slaughter.“ {1Tr:39.1}
Following the completion of the “slaughter,” and just preceding the scattering of the “coals of fire” “over
the city,” “the cherubims stood on the right side of the house,…and the
cloud filled the inner court.” Ezek. 10:2, 3.…—1Tr:38.2-39.2
Are we closely observing the timing and unchanging
prerequisite condition for the fulfillment of Joel 2:28, 29?
Now, when you carefully read Gospel Workers p. 23 it is
qualifying what is meant by “absolute purification of the heart.” This cannot
be misconstrued to mean the condition that will be obtained after the "new heart" transplant is performed in the pre-millennial kingdom. If that is what Bro.
Houteff meant he would have stated it in that way. Instead, by quoting GW:23 we
find that the same prerequisite condition that qualifies the present truth
believer to receive the seal of the living God (5T:216.2) is the same
prerequisite condition described in GW:23.
The same meaning qualified by the reference in GW:23 and
also in harmony with 5T:216.2 is also restated in the following references:
Gal
5:24—And they that are
Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Time is short,
and our forces must be organized to do a larger work. Laborers are needed who
comprehend the greatness of the work and who will engage in it, not for the
wages they receive, but from a realization of the nearness of the end. The time
demands greater efficiency and deeper consecration. Oh, I am so full of this
subject that I cry to God: “Raise up and send forth messengers filled with a
sense of their responsibility, messengers in
whose hearts self-idolatry, which lies at the foundation of all sin, has been crucified.”—9T:27.2
All of this is obtainable through the Fountain that is open
at this time for Sin first.
Again, the timing of the “outpouring of the Holy Spirit” in power is described. The teaching consistently taught by the SRod always follows the immediate separation of the unrighteous from the righteous. What else did we find in addition, after the separation of the wicked from among the just and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit? We find only three things.
(1) That the same sealing angel (one among the SIX) with the writer's inkhorn that at first received a command during the "half an hour silence" to "Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry" now receives a second command. Where is this second command given to the sealing angel by Jesus Christ? They are at the same threshold of the house where the marking and slaying—the purification of the church took place in the wilderness.
(2) That the sealing angel obeys Christ's second command to him and obtains "coals of fire" from "between the wheels even under the cherub." Where is this taking place? "At the threshold of the house."
(3) "Following the completion of the 'slaughter,' and just preceding the scattering of the 'coals of fire' 'over the city,' 'the cherubims stood on the right side of the house,...and the cloud filled the inner court.' Ezek. 10:2, 3." In other words at the time and place the angel has the coals of fire in his hand from Jesus' chariot the same chariot "stood on the right side of the house." Which house? Ths same "house" where the purification of the SDA Church took place in the wilderness, in the field where the tares comingled among the wheat grew by the latter rain of truth (Joel 2:23). The same place where "the stone was cut out of the mountain." The last time I checked the dictionary meaning for the word "stood" does not mean "to move," "to relocate."
The only difference between Ezek. 9:3 and 10:2, 3 is that in Ezek. 9:3 the specific destination of the chariot was not revealed. However, in Ezek. 10:2, 3 the side of the house where the chariot came to at the TIME of the purification, the separation is now made known. But the Ezek. 1 Chariot is not only made known where it is when the purification took place which is in the wilderness far away from the vineyard but it is not moving, "the cherubims stood." How can a Davidian teach contrary to this clear primary direct positive statement about where Joel 2:28 takes place?
This is the dictionary's meaning of
CITY, noun
1. In a general sense, a large town; a large number of houses and inhabitants, established in one place.
2. In a more appropriate sense, a corporate town; a town or collective body of inhabitants, incorporated and governed by particular officers, as a mayor and aldermen. This is the sense of the word in the United States. In Great Britain, a city is said to be a town corporate that has a bishop and a cathedral church; but this is not always the fact.
3. The collective body of citizens, or the inhabitants of a city; as when we say, the city voted to establish a market, and the city repealed the vote.
CITY, adjective Pertaining to a city; as city wives; a city feast; city manners.
Websters Dictionary 1828
In prophecy it has this understanding:
See: 5T:211.1, 2, and 2TG11:10.3 to see what "city" means in Ezek. 9:4
The fact that in the city were those who had already been "bidden" [[ by the proclamation of the sealing message ]] when the last call for supper came to them, proves that the city represents the Church. To them was the servant first sent. The highways and hedges, therefore, where the servant next went, represent the world, far and wide, aside from the Church. But the most important and very sad part to remember in this parable is that which is told in the verse that follows:—2TG11:10.3
The city is Jerusalem is the Seventh-day Adventist Church. This is His vineyard where He is going to reap. It is important to note that Ezek. 9 has two stages. One for the “firstfruits” and as it continues out into the world (7SC7-12:19.3) it will also be responsible for separating Second fruits. The separation of the "firstsruits" is not the entire world and it is not the only separation. This is why the purification starts in the "city" first.
Thus the purification is taking place in the "city" in "the church."
Who then has the authority to manipulate the meaning of “the city” or “the right side of the house” as recorded in Ezek. 10:2, 3? Who is capable of trying to relocate the location where the purification of the SDA church took place during the half an hour silence in heaven—the commencement of the JOL? Clearly, the pre-requisite condition, timing, and location is abundantly met by “it is written.” These clear references on the same subject matter are a stumbling block for those with preconceived unsubstantiated cherished pet ideas, erroneous misleading conclusions of the worst kind.
There are 25 direct statements with reference to the “outpouring" of the Holy "Spirit." There are two, "Spirit" + "poured," referring to the power of Joel 2:28. And there are 13 references for "Joel 2:28" for a total of 40. In all of these, you will not
find a single reference that places the fulfillment of Joel 2:28 in the precinct
of the promised land. Neither does the SRod ever connect Josel 2:28 with "a new heart" (Ezek. 36:26) transplant. I don't know how can some Davidians achieve this without a single SRod reference. The chariot stood not moved from the right side of the house at the TIME of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in power in the wilderness.
There are 29 separate references for the phrase "a new heart." The first reference is found in 8Tr:26.3 and
the second one is 9Tr:48.2. If you continue to search the other 27 references for any connection with Ezek. 36:26 you will come up empty. This is then the moment where this conjecture that led to a cherished idea must die and be buried. So how was it possible for anyone to add to the prophet’s
words? What is that telling us about private unauthorized constructions some
Davidians believe and teach? We cannot add, subtract, misapply, nor rearrange what the
Prophet has interpreted if we expect to be numbered among the faithful.
I've examined a voluminous number of references provided by others but they were misconstrued and borrowed from a separate subject, timing, and location. They do nothing to prove the “weight
of evidence.” They conflate "a new heart" transplant doctrine with the separation, the only pre-requite condition for the “outpouring of the Holy Spirit” in power without
a SRod reference. The absence of sin and sinners among the SDA church.
Thus far the first three references provided for "outpouring" + "spirit" (1SR:27.2; 2SR:220.4;
and 1Tr:39.1, 2) are sufficient proof. These three unanimously speak to the ONLY prerequisite condition, time, and place for the “outpouring of the Holy
Spirit” in power.
In this restraining circumstance, is found proof again of the inerrancy of the Rod, for from the beginning, it has proclaimed that the three angels' messages cannot go to the ends of the earth until after [[ 1. ]] the fulfillment of Ezekiel 9, and [[ 2. ]] after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit as described in Joel 2:28—the time in which the Lord has prophetically said, "Go."—2Tr:56.2
From 1932 in 2SR to 1948 in 2TG22 Joel 28, 29 is interpreted.
Here is additional corroborating evidence besides 1Tr:39. “Thus saith the
Lord God”:
Isa. 32:15—”Until the Spirit be poured upon us from on high,
and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a
forest.” {1TG33:6.4}
Here we are told that the people are to be
among the Gentiles, and the land remain desolate until the Spirit be poured upon them from on high. Then will they return.—1TG33:6.4-7.1
Where does inspiration place the outpouring of the Spirit in
1TG33:6.4-7.1, is it In the Promised Land or is it in the Land of the Gentiles
as directed in 1Tr:38.2-39.2?
What kind of “outpouring of the Holy Spirit” could this
possibly be AFTER Joel 2:23 is fulfilled in the land of the gentiles?
It is difficult to find evidence like in 1TG33:6.4-7.1 when Bro. Houteff does not use the same keywords for the same event. Yet they are of equal importance and are to be
appreciated by the diligent student of the word of God.
So now we have three witnesses.
1. Tract No. 1 p. 38.2-39.2
2. Eze. 10:2, 3 (Same:
1Tr:21.2, 3)
3. 1TG33:6.4-7.1
And
4. 2SR:220.4 (Rev. 8:5)
Four conclusive places for the fulfillment of Joel 2:28, 29 in
close proximity to the Event of the Earthquake that is to be the sign.
Here is more for our consideration.
So, in the time
between the “latter rain” of truth and the “outpouring” of the Spirit’s power,
there will be sealed 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.—1An:91.3
Please pay close attention to the inspired comparison. It is not talking
about where they are but who is among them at the time of the
fulfillment of the event:
…WHEN all the sinners have been taken out of the
church, and the…
There are many outpourings of the Holy Spirit and was having
difficulty locating the last one. These two references speak of the same which I numbered as the 4th one.
Question No. 9:
“Early Writings,”
p. 15, speaks about God’s announcing the day and the hour of Jesus’ coming, and
pouring upon the saints the Holy Ghost. Does not all this take place at the
time of the seven last plagues, just before the second Advent? If so, then does
it not show that the “latter rain” is to be poured out upon God’s people after
the close of probation?
Answer:
True, we do
understand from the passage in question that toward the close of the seventh
plague, God will announce the day and the hour of Christ’s coming, and that He will then pour out His Spirit
upon His saints. We do not, however, understand this outpouring to
be either the “latter” or the “former rain” of truth, or yet the power
prophesied of in Joel 2:23, 28, but rather the final manifestation of
God’s Spirit not to reveal to us any more of Gospel Truth, nor to enable us to
proclaim it more fully, but simply to baptize us with a fitness to behold Jesus
face to face, “as He is.”— 1An:81.2, 3.
Question:
“Please explain
‘Early writings,’ p. 15, about the voice of God announcing the day and the hour
of Jesus’ coming, at which time He ‘pours upon’ the saints ‘the Holy Ghost.’ Is
this not at the time of the seven last plagues’ If so, then how could the
‘latter rain’ be poured out upon God’s people before the close of probation?”
Answer:
We understand
that God will announce the day and the hour of Christ’s coming at the time of
the seventh plague, at which time He will pour out His Spirit upon His saints,
but this pouring out of His Spirit is not the latter or the former rain of the
truth and the power prophesied in Joel 2:23, 28, or in “Early Writings,” p. 85,
but rather a special manifestation of God’s Spirit—not to reveal to us
[[ miracle working truth ]] either the fullness of or to enable us [[ miracle
working power ]] to proclaim the Gospel Truth, but simply to fit us to see
Jesus face to face as He is. These facts are further attested by Joel 2:24, and
“Early Writings,” pp. 277, 278.— 2SC7,8:11.1, 2
These are two other references that speak of the 4th common outpouring of the Holy Spirit. They also certainly confirm the first two, the
one of Joel 2:23 and the second one of Joel 2:28.
How many outpourings of the Holy
Spirit are recorded in Scripture?
As many as Bro. Houteff interprets found in the Golden Bowl.
We should be in the habit of believing everything the
prophets have written (Luke 24:25).
1. Joel 2:23
2. Joel 2:28
3. Ezek. 10:2
4. Isa. 32:15
5. Rev. 8:5
6. Zech. 10:1
7. Ezek. 36:27
For a start.
Side note:
Isa. 33:20—“Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities:
thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not
be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither
shall any of the cords thereof be broken.” {1TG34:15.1}
After the
troublemakers have been removed, then God’s people will be seen to stand
steadfast and sure, standing not even the slightest chance of EVER being
disturbed.—1TG34:15.1, 2
Here is something you can use to disturb that theory that
JTT is AFTER Ezek. 9 in light of the fact that the outpouring of the Holy
Spirit in power happens in the land of the gentiles where the purification of
the church took place. The “firstfruits” will be harvested (Matt. 13:30),
baked, and put into the barn never to be troubled again.
Coming back to the subject at hand if we are to believe everything that the prophets have written then we are in agreement with when and where Ezek. 10:2, 3 will be fulfilled.
Isa. 32:15—”Until the Spirit be poured upon us from on high,
and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a
forest.” {1TG33:6.4}
Here we are told
that the people are to be among the Gentiles, and the land remain desolate until the Spirit be poured upon
them from on high. Then will they return. {1TG33:7.1}
Again, Where does inspiration place the outpouring of the Spirit in
1TG33:6.4-7.1, In the Promised Land or in the land of the gentiles as directed
in 1Tr:39?
Precisely!
What does Ezek. 9:4 teach us about “the city, through the
midst of Jerusalem”?
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the land called
Palestine is for a different reason and it is under different circumstances. Thus we confirm the following four Bible verses to be connected by Elijah.
Isa. 32:15 = Ezek.
10:2 = Rev. 8:5 = Joel 2:28
Comparing both
reports, each is seen to be of a different event: At the first
report, the Lord was on “the threshold of the house” on earth (Ezek. 9:3); at
the second, He was in the heavenly sanctuary. {1Tr 21.2}
After the
angel had made his first report, the Lord commanded him: “Go in between
the wheels, even under the cherub, and fill thine hand with coals of fire from
between the cherubims, and scatter them over the city. And he went in my sight.” Ezek.
10:2.—1Tr:21.2, 3
This is in harmony with
The scattering of the “coals of fire...over
the city” represents absolute purification of the heart (Gospel Workers, p. 23)
effected by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon those who receive the
“mark”—those who escape the “slaughter. “ {1Tr 39.1}
Following the completion of the “slaughter,”
and just preceding the scattering of the “coals of fire” “over the city,” “the
cherubims stood on the right side of the house,...and the cloud filled the
inner court.” Ezek. 10:2, 3.…—1Tr:39.1, 2
Praise the Lord we now see and believe where the prophet
places this outpouring of the Holy Spirit according to Isa. 32:15.
Let’s examine GW:23...
As God’s
ministers look by faith into the holy of holies, and see the work of our great
High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary, they realize that they are men of
unclean lips, men whose tongues have often spoken vanity. Well may they despair
as they contrast their own unworthiness with the perfection of Christ. With
contrition of heart, feeling wholly unworthy and unfit for their great work, they
cry, "I am undone.” But if, like Isaiah, they humble their hearts before God,
the work done for the prophet will be performed for them. Their lips will be
touched with a live coal from off the altar, and they will lose sight of self
in a sense of the greatness and power of God and His readiness to help them.
They will realize the sacredness of the work entrusted to them, and will be led
to abhor everything that would cause them to dishonor Him who has sent them
forth with His message. {GW 22.4}
The live coal is
symbolical of purification, and it also represents the potency of the efforts
of God’s true servants. To those who make so full a consecration that the Lord
can place His touch upon their lips, the word is spoken, Go forth into the
harvest-field. I will co-operate with you.
{GW 23.1}
The minister who
has received this preparation will be a power for good in the world. His words
will be right words, pure and true, fraught with sympathy and love; his actions
will be right actions, a help and a blessing to the weak. Christ will be to him
an abiding presence, controlling thought, word, and deed. He has pledged
himself to overcome pride, covetousness, selfishness. As he seeks to fulfil
this pledge, he gains spiritual strength. By daily communion with God he
becomes mighty in a knowledge of the Scriptures. His fellowship is with the
Father and the Son; and as he constantly obeys the divine will, he becomes
daily better fitted to speak words that will guide wandering souls to the fold
of Christ.—GW:22-4-23.2
Since this
message announces that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is at hand—that
the Judgment for the Living is about to begin, and since Isaiah the prophet was
given a vision of the Lord’s moving into His temple for this judicial work, the
prophet’s experiences while he was yet in vision must, therefore, represent the
experience of God’s servants who are to announce the day of the Lord. His experience and commission must be our
experience and commission: {1TG27:8.2}
“Also I heard the
voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. And He said, Go, and tell this people, Hear
ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the
heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest
they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their
heart, and convert, and be healed. Then
said I, Lord, how long? And He answered,
Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and
the land be utterly desolate, and the Lord have removed men far away, and there
be a great forsaking in the midst of the land.” Isa. 6:8-10.—1TG27:8.2, 3
So, AFTER the Holy Spirit is poured out in power, AFTER
the “silence in heaven about the
space of half an hour” had begun in heaven, having received the coals from the altar
the 144,000 respond to the Lord “Here am I, send me” and the Loud Cry preaching
begins.
Where was the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in power upon Jesus’
disciples? Was it the same place where the truth that prepared them for such an event was preached also in the same region? Then logically it stands to reason that when
the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in power happens again it will fall in the
same place where “the former rain,
and the latter rain” of truth fell in preparation for the event immediately
after the purification of the church.
The outpouring of truth and power happened in Jerusalem
because that is where Jesus’ church was located when it happened. Today the
church is located in the wilderness where the outpouring of former and the
latter rain falls upon the church, so will the power. If we fail to
acknowledge Isa. 32:15 and Bro. Houteff’s interpretation it will be because it
contradicts a cherished presupposition.
The spiritual
meaning of the word “rain” according to Joel’s prophecy is not the outpouring
of the Holy Spirit in Pentecostal power ONLY, but rather a revelation of truth
as is evidenced by the marginal reading—“a teacher of righteousness.” “And it
shall come to pass afterwards (after the revelation of truth—rain) that I will
pour out My Spirit upon all flesh.” Joel 2:23, 28. {1SC5:7.3}
Here we see that
verse 23 promises a revelation of truth, for righteousness is developed only by
a knowledge of the truth, while verse 28 promises an outpouring of the Holy
Spirit on “all flesh” to endue them with power to proclaim the revelation
(rain) of “the teacher of righteousness.” Thus these TWO manifestations of the
Holy Spirit—the truth and the power to proclaim it—compose the RAIN in its
fullness. {1SC5:7.4}
As to the time of the former and the latter
rain, the former according to the meaning of the word—“preceding in time or
place”—must naturally precede the latter. Therefore, the Desire of Ages is
correct, for to the church before the SRod came, the experience of the apostles
was the former rain, whereas to us at the present time the “former rain” is the
Spirit of Prophecy, and the “latter rain” the SRod.—1SC5:7.3-5
Again, “study every word” do not “let a line escape your
attention” (4Tr:7.1):
Isa. 32:15—”Until the Spirit be poured upon us from on high,
and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a
forest.” {1TG33:6.4}
Here we are told that the people are to be
among the Gentiles, and the land remain desolate UNTIL the Spirit be
poured upon them from on high. THEN will they return.—1TG33:6.4-7.1
Ezek. 9:4 bares language of a local, not a universal
Judgment. Jerusalem here represents the SDA Church and not the promised land.
This is where Ezek. 10:2 is fulfilled, in the land of the gentiles away from
the promised land.
When then was
this purification of the church? Ezekiel
8, tells us of the abominations done in the midst of Jerusalem (church);
Ezekiel 9, reveals the consequences to those who do not sigh and cry for all
the abominations. “One sinner may
diffuse darkness that will exclude the light of God from the entire
congregation.” Volume 3, page 265.—1SR:37.1
The angels have
charge of the “city,” Jerusalem, not of the world, and not of Babylon. Even an altogether uninformed Christian knows
that the terms Jerusalem, Judah, and Israel, mean the church…—1TG3:12.4
There is another outpouring of the Holy Spirit that we would overlook if it
were not for the SRod. It is found in 1 Pet. 3:18-20. For a detailed
explanation see 3Tr:96.4-97.2. Thus on record so far in total, we have 5.
God takes the reins in his hands as
soon as the tares are removed.
The above proves
that the slaughter comes before the gathering of the second fruits and under
the seventh seal, and that the Loud Cry begins with an additional message and
with mighty power. However, when the seventh seal begins, the events of the
sixth do not necessarily cease, for all the seals extend to the close of
probation. (See “The Shepherd’s Rod,” Vol. 2, p. 221.) Revelation 8:1, speaking
of the silence in Heaven for the space of half an hour, proves to be the
event of the fulfillment of Ezekiel 9. At which time “shall Michael stand
up.” It is at this juncture that Christ puts on His garments of vengeance and
surprises the hypocrites in Zion. See “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. 5, p.
690.—2SC5,6:10.2
Following the
completion of the “slaughter,” and just preceding the scattering of the “coals
of fire” “over the city,” “the cherubims stood on the right side of the
house,...
With the city thus purged of sin and
sinners, and none but the “residue,” the righteous, remaining, “I, saith the Lord, will be unto her a wall
of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.... Sing and
rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of
thee, saith the Lord. And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day,
and shall be My people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt
know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto thee.” Zech. 2:5, 10, 11. (For a more ample explanation of these
verses, see The Shepherd’s Rod, Vol. 2, pp. 259-282.) {1Tr 39.3}
Mark that while He dwells in the midst of
His people, “many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day,” and that He
will be unto them “a wall of fire round about.”
Here we are graphically reassured that “in that day,” in the day that the Lord takes the reins in His Own
hands and comes to dwell in the midst of the city, His Presence, His marvelous
chariot, shall be a protection round about His people!—1Tr:39.2-40.1
Not the world,
but Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen.
Why?—Because their doings and their tongues are against the Lord; that
is, they are against His Judgment Truth.
What are the eyes of His glory?
According to Isaiah 62:3 and 4:5, His glory is the ever-living Zion, His
Truth-enlightened church. The
depository of His revealed Truth is, therefore, His glory, His seers are His
“eyes.” See 1 Samuel 9:9. That is, God’s Spirit-filled servants who
lead into all Truth, are the eyes of His glory whom the sinners shamelessly
provoke.—1TG5:18.1
…”a city of Truth,...the holy mountain”—a people well versed
in God’s whole Truth and without a sinner in their midst.…
When is Zion and Jerusalem without a sinner in their
(people) midst?
Are we going to resort to wresting the interpreted
scriptures to attempt to relocate where and what takes place in Ezek. 9:4 and
Ezek. 10:2?
Does 1TG16:24; 1TG26:23.1 relocate where and what Ezek. 9:4
and Ezek. 10:2 takes place?
“Left by themselves” here means that no sinners are among
them as a denomination, not necessarily in a particular location.
Where in the SRod has it been revealed where exactly will the members of the 144,000 be at the time of the marking and slaying? Book and page, please.
“Escaped” in Isa. 66:19 is not about relocation but about surviving
the 2nd, the Antitypical Passover in the land of the gentiles.
VTH references have been presented for where our faith
should rest concerning Ezek. 9:4; 10:2.
So in the time
between the “latter rain” of truth and the “outpouring” of the Spirit’s power,
there will be sealed 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.—1An:91.3
The comparison, pay attention to it. It is not talking about
where they are but who is among them at the time of the fulfillment of the
event:
…WHEN all the sinners have been taken out of the church, and
the righteous left by themselves AS WERE the 120 disciples [[ left by
themselves ]] in the upper room,…
God will make the Land like the garden of Eden. “…I the LORD
have spoken it, and I will do it.”
…in the time between the “latter rain” of truth and the
“outpouring” of the Spirit’s power,…
This event takes place where the church is located.
Anciently the latter rain of truth fell where? It fell in geographical Jerusalem
because that is where the church was. Where did the power fall anciently? In
the same place where the church was where the latter rain of truth fell.
In the antitype, the same follows. Where the church receives
Joel 2:23 which is in the land of the gentiles what follows where the church is
located also is Joel 2:28.
When and where Joel 2:23 occurs there can be
sinners among them in the church but not for Joel 2:28. That is what 1An:91.3
is referring to.
Here is an explanation for those who insist that in the
pre-millennial kingdom Joel 2:28 shall be fulfilled. 👇🏼
The answer and evidence will not change.
This is what the SRod says. You can choose to ignore the
evidence:
Note that the
glory of the Lord, 👉🏼 AND
👈🏼
the cherubims were on the “threshold of the house” (Ezek. 9:3) until the
slaughter was finished; and as the slaying began BEFORE the marking was
over, then, “the man clothed with linen, which had the inkhorn by his side,
reported the matter, saying, I have done as Thou hast commanded me.” (Ezek.
9:11.) Therefore, after the sighing
1 Tract (1st Ed.) 34
and crying ones were marked, the slaughter finished, and the
man with the inkhorn by his side had “reported the matter,” the Lord “spake
unto the man clothed with linen, and said, Go in between the wheels, even under
the cherub, and fill thine hand with coals of fire from between the cherubims,
and scatter them over the city.” (Ezek. 10:2.)—1Tr33:34.3
And in the 2nd edition:
The Purpose of the Message. {1Tr:37.2}
“And it came to
pass, while they were slaying them, and I was left, that I fell upon my face,
and cried, and said, Ah Lord God! wilt Thou destroy all the residue of Israel
in Thy pouring out of Thy fury upon Jerusalem?
Then said He unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is
exceeding great,...and as for Me also, Mine eye shall not spare, neither will I
have pity.” Ezek. 9:8-10. {1Tr:38.1}
After the sighing
and crying ones were marked (which is not to be understood as being consummated
in its entirety worldwide before the slaying follows anywhere), the slaughter
completed, and the matter reported, the Lord “spake unto the man clothed with
linen, and said, Go in between the wheels even under the cherub, and fill thine
hand with coals of fire from between the cherubims, and scatter them over the
city.” Ezek. 10:2. {1Tr:38.2}
The scattering
of the “coals of fire...over the city” represents absolute purification of
the heart (Gospel Workers, p. 23) effected by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit
upon those who receive the “mark”—those who escape the “slaughter.”—1Tr:37.2-39.1
“…represents absolute purification of the heart…” meaning
that the Holy Spirit cannot be poured out in power while sin and sinners exist
among God’s people.
“…God holds His people, as a body, responsible for the sins
existing in individuals among them. If the leaders of the church neglect to
diligently search out the sins which bring the displeasure of God upon the
body, they become responsible for these sins.…God’s displeasure is upon His
people, and He will not manifest His power in the midst of them while
sins exist among them and are fostered by those in responsible
positions.—3T:269.2; 270.2
So in the time
between the “latter rain” of truth and the “outpouring” of the
Spirit’s power, there will be sealed 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.—1An:91.3
When sin and sinners are immediately removed the power will rain
down upon his people. The manifestation of God’s Spirit upon His people in the
Promised Land is ONLY to remove the marks of sin.
AFTER the
angel had made his first report, the Lord commanded him: “Go in between the wheels,
even under the cherub, and fill thine hand with coals of fire from
between the cherubims, and scatter them over the city. And he went in my sight.” Ezek.
10:2.—1Tr:21.3
Where was the sealing angel when he made his first
report?
Isn’t this sequential in time yet in the same place the
angel receives the command to cast the “coals of fire”?
How are any able to create “another” separate occasion
outside of the time and place described in 1Tr:21.3?
As if the weight of evidence already presented is insufficient. And although some objections have been abundantly dealt with already above I will present one nonetheless. Unfortunately, the mind clinging to privately constructed cherished ideas is desperate to live and when closely examined is oftentimes sustained through violence in the word of God.
Objection:
Plainly, then, the "latter rain" is miracle-working Truth that causes the saints to mature for the harvest of which the 144,000 are the first fruits (Rev. 14:4). Then, in order to quickly gather the second fruits, God pours His Spirit upon every first fruit saint, (upon "every one grass") old or young, boy or girl—not upon one here and upon another there.—1TG17:4.2
Yet, what does that mean "…not upon one here and upon another there" in context?
Well, I will admit that the impression is that not only are there no sin and sinners present but they apparently preferably asserted to happen in one location, the pre-millennial kingdom. Unfortunately, if that is what you thought, you did not sink the shaft deep enough to find the underlying harmony. Rather such conclusions reached fail to harmonize with the weight of evidence and attempt to create an isolated anomaly that can not hope to sustain and aid the uninspired cherished idea.
It is true that when you go back 2 paragraphs and read 1TG17:3.4 "…the 'barn,' (Kingdom)…" is mentioned. However, would you conclude that this is where the fulfillment of Zech. 10:1 takes place? No, right? You wouldn't do so, correct? But Zech. 10:1 is what is under discussion. What we must observe is that a comparison between the latter rain of truth and the latter rain of power is being made. The latter rain of truth does fall upon "one here and upon another there" because the 144,000 are gathered one at a time into the sealing message. But when the Holy Spirit power is poured out all of the escaped ones receive it at the same time wheresoever they will be found after the tares are removed.
Obviously "bright clouds" represent agencies conveying Truth which they scatter everywhere [[ although not all receive or reject the truth at the same time ]] in the Lord's vineyard—over every church member—"every one grass," wheat or tare.—1TG17:4.3
But the second phase, that promised power (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. {1An:90.3}
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 its spiritual growth all the rain that the Teacher of Righteousness, who has now come, has brought.—1An:90.3, 4
Objection:
After we have been taken from among the heathen, God will sprinkle clean water upon us to cleanse us. By this we are to understand that until God gathers us from among the heathen we cannot be clean. After He cleanses us we will be without spot. The judgment time we must remember, is a cleansing time as well as a separating time. The Judgment for the Living takes place when God cleanses His people from all their filthiness and puts within them His Spirit and hearts of flesh. This work is to be done for His people after God has returned them to their own land.—11SC12:22.4
Answer:
Although this sentence is written in black and white the weight of evidence has already indicated when the Judgment of the Living begins. The commencement of the Judgment of the living does not have two beginnings. It does not begin after the 144,000 have their heart transplant but rather before they are transported to the pre-millennial kingdom.
Please find the prophecy of Ezek. 36 has undoubtedly already been assigned where it will be fulfilled, why, and what will happen in this 1946 statement located in 11SC12.
Bro. Houteff interpreted the remaining "marks of sin" as something that will be removed in no other place than in Palestine.
1. 2TG33:12.4-13.3 [1948]
2. 2TG42:35.2-36.3 [1948]
Which is the tract that explains what happens in Palestine, isn't it tract 8? Can you find a single Joel 2:28 reference in that tract? Why do you ignore this glaring absence of evidence for the belief that the fulfillment of Joel 2:28 will take place in Palestine?
However, what you will find in Tract No. 8 and 9 is “I will put My Spirit within you” 8Tr:26.3; 9Tr:48.2. What is missing? The timing and fulfillment of Joel 2:28 in two tracts.
That is in the tracts. Let's move on to the TGs.
1TG15:8.4; 1TG51:12.3; 2TG3:6.4; 2TG23:11.3; 2TG33:12.4-13.1: 2TG34:27.1; 2TG42:36.2, 3; 2TG43:12.3; 2TG44:45.2, 3; 2TG45:20.1; 2TG46:36.2-37.3
In all of the Timely Greetings series in 2TG46:34.2-35.1 is your last hope. And while in this TG you can find the phrase "I will put my spirit within you" and "Joel 2:28" in the same TG. Yet if what you believe is true then you should have found them tied together. Did we? why not? He is a prophet, yes? The only reason Joel 2:28 came up is that on page 33 paragraphs 3, 4 the point of tongues in Zech 8:23 came up, "…ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations." The purpose was not to discuss where Joel 2:28 will take place but what Zech 8:23 and Joel 2:28 share in common.
Have you found a single reference that interprets, in the SRod, the prophecy of Ezek. 36 had something to do with the timing of the fulfillment Joel 2:28?
If not, why do you insist on believing what is not written?
Please accept the weight of evidence quoted from the "golden bowl" and adjust accordingly to what is written.
There is only two prerequisite condition for the fulfillment of Joel 2:28 in the final anti-type.
The men with the slaughter weapons must immediately follow the one with the writer's inkhorn. God must separate His people if the marking is to be of any value and except the separation takes place, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit CAN NOT fall in its fullness upon the people of God.…—1SR:37.2 [1930]
As the following quotations show that before manifesting His power among His people, God will put away sin and sinners from among them, I am making sure that I shall be found faithful.—3SC2:11.8 [1937]
In the year 1930, God spoke to His people, as He spoke to Israel in the days of Joshua, but now, as then, there are among us, to discourage and dishearten, the ten spies, Korah, Dathan, and Abiram (Num. 16:1-3), and also those who covet the Babylonish garment, the silver, and the wedge of gold. And as a result, we also are held back, and will continue to be until the Lord manifests His power and takes away from among us the pretending ones, makes us free from sin and sinners as in the time of Korah, (Num. 16:32, 33), and as in the time of Achan, Josh. 7:24-26), and says to us as He said to Joshua, "Go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel." (Josh. 1:2.) "Take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land." (Josh. 8:1.)—5SC1-5:9.4 [1939] (Same as in 2An:55.2 [1944])
The work that God has begun in the human heart by Divine light and knowledge, must continually go forward. “…Every individual must realize his own necessity. The heart must be emptied of every defilement, and cleansed for the indwelling of the Spirit. It was by the confession and forsaking of sin, by earnest prayer and consecration of themselves to God, that the early disciples prepared for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. The same work, only in greater degree, must be done now. Then the human agent had only to ask for the blessing, and wait for the Lord to perfect the work concerning him. It is God who began the work, and He will finish His work, making man complete in Jesus Christ. But there must be no neglect of the grace represented by the former rain.—1TG17:10.7 [1946]
Why? Because when the Spirit will be poured out in power and for power, it is prophesied to be poured upon ALL flesh. Thus the main reason why Bro. Houteff taught the SDA Church “When in need of truth, why beg for power?” (1An:88.1-92.2.)
Doesn't that make sense? He taught SDAs to meet the conditions for the Spirit's power in order to receive it. And we cannot even understand this point correctly without the "eyesalve" designed to remedy the Laodicean lukewarm malady.
So if you want to add up all the pre-requisite conditions for the fulfillment of Joel 2:28 then there are three. 1. the removal of Sin; 2. the removal of sinners; and 3. Separation of the wheat and tares at the commencement of the harvest.
Anything more than this is adding to "a thus saith the Lord."
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