The BRANCH in the Light of Zechariah 1 and 2

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LESSON NO. 5

May 7, 1958
(Revised - 1967)

Subject:

THE BRANCH in the Light of Zechariah 1 and 2.

The 3rd Angel's Message in the light of the four-fold symbolism of Zech. 1:7-17 and the three-fold symbolism of Zechariah 2:1-5.

Purpose:

To identify each fold of these two symbolisms and show that the "fourth-fold" and "third-fold" represent THE BRANCH as it joins the 3rd Angel of 1844.

Gem Thought:

"The true understanding of these messages is of vital importance. The destiny of souls hangs upon the manner in which they are received." E.W. pages 258-259. Thank God for "These messages (3 Angels)...an anchor...Those who understand and receive them will be kept from being swept away by the many delusions of Satan." E.W. 256:2.

"While the enemy has succeeded in confusing the written Word, God lightens the earth with His glory by these symbolic revelations; and by which He discloses the entire truth and uncovers the traps of the devil!" 2 S.R. page 10.

Zechariah 1 – Four-fold Symbolism:

Verses 7-17 disclose three groups:

1. 3 horses.................................verse 8
2. Zechariah and the angel...........verse 9
3. Man on the red horse...............verse 8

Group 1: According to "Why Perish," Tract #6, pages 60-66.

Horses represent messages and movements.
Horses "walk" throughout the earth three times.

First time:
(1831-1844)

Horses represent Millerite movement as it warned the earth of "the end" and then came to rest, thinking the work was finished.

Second time:
(1844 - on)

After the disappointment, the horses were told to "cry again" (Zechariah 1:17), or to prophesy again (Rev. 10:11).
"...its (S.D.A.) 1844 commission, was not to 'all' (nations), but simply to 'many',..." Tract #6, page 66.

Third time:

"Necessarily, then, it must receive another commission, one to go to 'all nations'." Tract #6, page 66, paragraph 1.

"There is...another message;...to join the Third Angel" -- three horses. Tract #6, page 66, paragraph 2.

E.W. 277 and T.M. 300 describe Angel of Rev. 18:1, who directs 3 horses on their third walk.

Question:

Is the "addition" that joins the "three horses" and subsequently directs their walk to all nations, represented in this symbolism of Zechariah 1:7-17 ?

Branch Lesson No. 5 (1958), page 2

Answer:

Group 2.

The Rod is silent concerning these two: Zechariah & angel. It is now time to reveal their identity.

Zechariah questioned the angel about the horses.....................verse 9.
The angel answered, "I will show thee what thee be."

Notice:

The chart on page 61 of Tract #6 shows a shepherd's rod in the angel's hand.

The angel is interested in Jerusalem..........verse 12.

Therefore, the angel represents the Shepherd's Rod message — new Jerusalem, the Kingdom, and Zechariah represents V.T. Houteff.

Yes, the anti-typical Zechariah (V.T.H.) tells us in Tract #6 what the angel told him about the horses.

Question:

Does Zechariah and the angel, now identified, hold the reins - direct - the 3 horses on their walk to all nations?

Answer:

Evidently not, for the Symbolic Code, Oct-Nov-Dec. Issue, 1938, tells us that the Lord did not then have the reins in His own hands, but that at some future time He would.

Further, since the Rod of Rev. 7 ascended, while the "directing" Angel descends (E.W. 277; Rev. 18:1) then

Rod not the Answer.

We must look further into Zechariah's symbolism for the identity of the One Who directs the 3rd Angel's message in its final "walk."

Group 3.

Where the Rod is silent concerning "Man on red horse," the BRANCH now speaks:

Man riding red horse variously termed:

1. Man.........verse 10
2. Angel.......verse 11
3. Lord.........verse 13

Man is very interested in Jerusalem, for He has returned with "mercies" to build and prosper her. (verses 14-17)

Man is depicted on chart, Tract #6, page 61, as holding the "reins" of the red horse in His hands.

Man is the Lord, returned to direct the work and take the "reins" in His own hands." (T.M. 300; E.W. 277; C.O.L. 79)

Branch Lesson No. 5 (1958), page 3

"...Christ shall inform His 'citizens' that He is taking 'the reins in His own hands' to set up His kingdom..." Tract #6, page 71:1. Read Tract #8; all of pages 70 and 71.

Revelation 18:1.............."...the angel come down........"
Isaiah 66:15.................."For behold, the Lord will come..."
Ezekiel 9.......................Lord comes to threshold of House.
Isaiah 6.........................Lord comes to traveling throne.
Revelation 14:14,15........Lord comes on cloud to harvest.

THE BRANCH comes to reveal Himself in the Branch Message (October 1955).

Yes, the Answer!

THE BRANCH joins and directs the 3 horses (3rd Angel's Message) on their third walk throughout the earth, beginning at God's House. (1 Pet. 4:17).

"...I (THE BRANCH) will send those that escape of them unto the nations,...And they shall bring all your brethren...out of all nations." Isaiah 66:19,20.

MAKE NOTE:

The red horse says nothing.

"those...within should know better than to tempt themselves..." to tell THE BRANCH how to teach His message. (G.C.S. 44-45).

Red Horse.....................................................Becomes...........................White Horse.................

Red - Before Ezek. 9...............................-1-................................Purity, white...................Isaiah 1:18.
Righteousness as filthy rags....................-2-................................C.O.R............................T.G. 1:8:23.
Before purification....................................-3-................................After purification.............Isaiah 4:
Doesn't speak.........................................-4-................................Speaks..........................Rev. 9:17.

See the Seals Chart: BRANCH, second Adam rides White Horse. (Rev. 6:2; P.K. 725).

Identity revealed:

Group 1.

Miller-White....First and Second Phase....3 horses fused into one move-
ment (6th and 9th hours) or 3rd Angel......W.H.R. 19:3.........................9th. hr.

Group 2.

Davidian.........Third Phase......................Zechariah & Angel.........pre-11th. hr.

Group 3.

Branch...........Fourth Phase...................Man on red horse................11th. hr.

Two Mergers:

Group 1.

Type — Judgment of The Dead:

The two phases -- 6th and 9th Hour Calls, were
"...FUSED into ONE..." White House Recruiter, page 19:3.
"...We have walked..." Zechariah 1:11.
(They speak as one unit, one purpose: 3rd Angel's Message).

Group 2 & 3.

Antitype — Judgment of The Living:

This same movement (Rod) will merge into a greater one (1 S.R. 234).

Branch Lesson No. 5 (1958), page 4

GREATER ONE..................................................................The Branch (1 S.R. 233:3)

Shepherd's Rod - antitype of John the Baptist (1 T.G.r. 36:4:1; 1 T.G.u. 42:19). Elijah John the Baptist (Davidians) must DECREASE and Christ (BRANCH) must INCREASE.

"But the work of John was not sufficient to lay the foundation of the Christian church. When he had fulfilled his mission, another work was to be done, which his testimony could not accomplish. His disciples did not understand this. When they saw Christ coming in to take the work, (take the reins) they were jealous and dissatisfied. The same dangers still exist." D.A. 131,132.

David (Davidians) prepared material for Teemple, and Solomon, David's son (Branch) builds the Temple. (Zechariah 6:12; 1 T.G.r. 8:24:3; Tract #8:62:0,1).

Thus it is:

These two mergers produce 2 groups.

Three Angel's Messages in their former phase (Miller & White) merge for Judgment for the Dead (Rev. 14:6-11).

Three Angel's Messages in their latter phase (Rod & Branch) merge for Judgment for the Living. (Rev. 7:1-8; 1 S.R. 234; Rev. 18:1; G.C.S. 41:1)

"There will be those among us who will always want to control the work of God, to dictate even what movements shall be made when the work goes forward under the direction of the angel who joins the third angel in the message to be given to the world. God will use ways and means by which it will be seen that He is taking the reins in His own hands. The workers will be surprised by the simple means that He will use to bring about and perfect His work of righteousness." T.M. 300

Therefore:

BRANCH - the 4th phase.......................................joins.................................................3rd Angel.

Conclusion:

God's servants can clearly see that this symbolism, beginning with William Miller, reveals The Branch as the 4th phase, joining the 3rd phase.

Zechariah 2 — Three-fold Symbolism:

Verses 1-5 also discloses three groups:

Young man.......................(verses 1,4).

Angel that "went forth"........(verse 3).

Another angel....................(verse 3).

Rod says:

Young man represents S.D.A.

He tries to measure the Kingdom: limit its inhabitants (1 T.G.r. 12:18)

Branch Lesson No. 5 (1958), page 5

Zechariah talks to the young man (verse 2): the Rod message has for many years told the young man — S.D.A., through V.T. Houteff (Zechariah) that there would be at least 144,000 in the Kingdom — Mt. Zion — Palestine.

Now revealed:

Angel (who gave Zechariah his information - Shepherd's Rod Message) went forth and was met by another angel — message (Zechariah 2:3).
"...this same movement (angel that went forth) would merge into a greater one (another angel)." 1 S.R. page 234.

Another angels runs! (quick work in church — harvest shortest time) and tells young man not to measure (limit) Jerusalem to only 144,000.

"Then I saw another mighty angel commissioned to descend to the earth, to unite his voice with the third angel,...This message seemed to be an addition to the third message,..." E.W. 277.

Thus it is:

The "another angel" is THE BRANCH, the Man on the red horse, Who runs to the young man (S.D.A. — 3rd Angel's Message of 1844) – (2nd commission for Davidians to give Kingdom message to young man under New Name – Branch).

Hence:

YOUNG MAN.................S.D.A...............Received first "addition" of Kingdom News from

ANGEL who went forth............................Davidians.................then...................

ANOTHER ANGEL.........The Branch runs (quick work in church)..........to young man
with final "addition" of Kingdom News. (G.C.S. 26; Zech. 2:4).

Therefore:

It is clearly seen that since The Rod, the angel of Rev. 7, did not DESCEND, but rather ASCENDED, another must finish the work and appear according to prophecy
"...another angel..." he DESCENDED. E.W. 277. It can't be other than CHRIST, THE BRANCH, Who descends from heaven as the Angel (Message) of Rev. 18:1; Eze. 9.

The angel of Zechariah's symbolism, verse 3, and the angel in Early Writings, p. 277, have one identifying name that shows they are the same: ANOTHER.

Identity revealed:

Young Man.....S.D.A......-1-....Rev. 14:6-11......"...one..." (3rd Angel of 1844) (W.H.R. 19:3).

Angel..........D.S.D.A......-2-....Rev. 7:1-8.......ASCENDED — went forth with message
of the Kingdom, sealing of 144,000 to S.D.A.

Another Angel

Branch D.S.D.A.......-3-....Rev. 18:1.....Judgment of Living first in the church.

Branch Lesson No. 5 (1958), page 6

(V.T.H. Jez. Let. #2:5:5) DESCENDING angel meets angel that went forth – they merge into a greater movement and join third angel in a message to be given to the world.

Conclusion:

God's servants further see that this symbolism, beginning with 1844, reveals THE BRANCH (2nd angel – Zech. 1:11) as the 3rd Angel of the Judgment of the Living (G.C.S. 41:1, 1950 edition; 1954 reprint 33:5) joining the 3rd angel of 1844. And therefore is the 3rd Angel's Message. (2 S.R. 231:0; T.M. 59:1).

SUMMARY

Zechariah 1: Four-fold Zechariah 2: Three-fold

1 & 2..........Miller & White............3 Horses............(1).............Rev. 14:6-11.............S.D.A..........Young man........1.

3........Davidian....Zechariah & Angel.......................(2).............Rev. 7:1-8.............D.S.D.A...........Angel................2.

4........BRANCH......Man on Horse..........................(3).............Rev. 18:1.......Branch D.S.D.A......Another Angel....3.

_______________ _____________ __________________

THREE PERIODS
in
4___________________________________4 phases & 3 phases_________________________________________3

4th & 3rd = BRANCH -- latter phase of 3rd Angel

Thus:

BRANCH in dual role as 4th and 3rd joins the 3rd of 1844 -- former phase of 3rd Angel

Latter plus former = Complete whole: BRANCH - all in one.

Warning!

This four-fold phase Truth plus the three-fold phase Truth equals a perfect Truth – 7, which if received in the heart will be watered by the Trinity – 3, to produce the Universal Church — the 10th.

(4 plus 3 = 7 plus 3 = 10)

"...a solid, immovable platform." E.W. 259; 4 Test. 17:1.
"...'WOE to him who shall move a block or stir a pin'..." E.W. 258.

Yours to see that the reins are in His hands,

Ben L. Roden

Note: All emphasis in quotations ours.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Continue to prepare for trip to the Holy Land. More lessons and charts to follow. Sell that ye have – lay up treasure. Read: Luke 12:33,34; G.W. 339-342; 7 Test. 27:1.