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| Branch Lesson No. 1 | [BL 2-1] | |
| Subject: |
EZEKIEL 9 in the light of the 430 year PROPHECY. |
| 1. |
First: |
Bro. Houteff tells us we will know the exact date of the Judgment
of the Living. Shepherd's Rod Vol. 2 page 220:3
"Is there any way whereby we can determine the time of the opening
of the seal, and the commencement of the judgment for the living? If God
so faithfully revealed to the living the commencement of the judgment
for the dead, it can not be possible that He would keep secret the time
of the judgment for the living. If He did, we would have no present truth
in the time of the last seal; neither could there be justice in such secrecy,
nor could such judgment be legal. Therefore, a revelation of the judgment
for the living is of as great importance as the revelation of the gospel
itself. For the judgment (blotting out the sins) is the crowning act in
the gospel of Christ. Thus we conclude that when the seal is opened, and
the judgment for the living begins, we must know it. The day of atonement
in its type proves the same, for the Israelites were well informed of
the event, their duty, and the consequence." 2 SR page 220. Also
read 2U TG 11:13:1.
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| 2. |
Second: |
It did not start in 1929 – Tract 3:43:3
"As the cleansings called for in the parables and in Malachi's
prophecy have never taken place, the investigative judgment of the living
is obviously, then, yet future."
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| 3. |
Then: |
The clue as to when the judgment of the living starts is given
in 1 SR page 116 – at the end of 430 year prophecy of Eze. 4. |
| 4. |
Note: |
Chart on page 133 of 1 SR says the date of 1500 is not exact.
Read 1 SR page 116:2-3.
"We may suppose the 390 year period began in about 1500 A.D., (when
Luther found the Bible), and ended in 1890 A.D. where the 40 year period
began, which would end in 1930. However we cannot point out the exact
day or month, or even the year, ... The prophecy by Ezekiel gives the
information in detail from the beginning of Luther's reformation to Ezekiel
9, marking of the 144,000, and unrolling scroll, (not all in regard to
this matter is yet understood; nor will it be understood until the unrolling
of the scroll.' Volume 6, page 17)."
"It makes it clear that there is a 430 year period from the reformation
by Luther to the purification of the church."
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| 5. |
So we reason: |
1. Luther was only a boy of 17 in 1500.
2. He had just begun to study for the priesthood in the Catholic Church.
3. This date marked the reformation in his personal life.
4. The reformation against the Catholic Church did not begin then –
1500. |
| 6. |
Therefore: |
We find the first civil act in Luther's life (legal record)
which indicated a reformation against the Catholic Church was his marriage
to an escaped nun, Katherine Von Bora, in 1525 (as recorded in "Guiding
Lights" by F.E. Cook page 170), at the mature age of 42.
This was contrary to the authority and principles of the Catholic Church
which forbade either the priests or the nuns to marry.
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| 7. |
Adding: |
430 and 1525 equals 1955 – the end of the 430 year prophecy
– and beginning of Ezekiel 9 – Investigative judgment of the living. |
| 8. |
Conclusion: |
1955 is the beginning of The Judgment of the Living (investigative)
to the house of God – The Sanctuary – Davidians who have the greatest
light.
"The experience at Sinai is a symbol of the re-organization of
the church, God Himself takes charge of the flock." 1 SR page 100:1.
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Page 2 |
| 9. |
Now: |
What is the Investigation like? (Ezekiel 9) |
| 10. |
Consider: |
Brother Houteff's comment on Rev. 11:13 – Timely Greetings.
Unrevised, 2-15:12:1.
He classes
1. Rev. 11:13
2. Isa. 66:16 All equal to Ezekiel 9.
3. E.W. p. 270.
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| 11. |
Quote: |
"A tenth part of the city must represent the Lord's part,
the tithe, so to speak. The earthquake therefore represents a shaking in
the church of God. The remnant who give glory to God, can only be the faithful
who survive the shaking. Thus is the Church purified. This earthquake, then,
is symbolical of the slaughter of Ezekiel Nine, and coincides with Isaiah
66:16."
"....the Truth stands out that the shaking takes place before the
Gospel work is finished." 2 TG 15:12 – Before probation closes
for the church!
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| 12. |
Early Writings p. 270: |
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"... Some will not bear this straight testimony. They
will rise up against it, and, this is what will cause a shaking among God's
people." |
| 13. |
FOR JUDGMENT MUST FIRST BEGIN AT THE. HOUSE OF GOD. 1 Peter
4:17. |
| 14. |
Bro. Houteff places: |
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1. Matt. 25
2. Eze. 1 All at Ezekiel 9, see Tract 3:43:3 and 47:3
3. Mal. 3:1-3 |
| 15. |
Quote: |
3:43:3.
"As the cleansings called for in the parables and in Malachi's
prophecy have never taken place, the investigative judgment of the living
is obviously, then, yet future. This investigative work is therefore occasioned
by the work of separation in the earthly sanctuary (church), as brought
to view 'also in Ezekiel 9."
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| 16. |
Quote: |
3:47:3.
"Inescapably, therefore, the Lord's coming to His temple (Mal.
3:1-3), His coming with all His angels (Matt. 25), and His coming enthroned
above the living creatures (Ezek. 1), – all three representing the
same event as has been shown, – take place at the beginning of the
judgment of the living: the time in which the judicial activities of the
heavenly sanctuary extend to the earthly sanctuary – the church."
D.S.D.A. then S.D.A.
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| 17. |
All of which: |
BRINGS US FACE TO FACE WITH THE FACT THAT OUR NAMES ARE COMING
UP IN THE JUDGMENT OF THE LIVING WHICH STARTED OCTOBER 20, 1955.
"And he who does not reform at the moment he is convinced of the Truth
will not reform later." Ans. Book 2:34: 1.
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THE BRANCH
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