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Yahweh spoke to Moses, Make two trumpets of silver; you are to make
them from a single hammered piece. And they shall be for assembling the
community and for directing the traveling of the camps. When they blow
them both, all the community must come to you to the entrance of the tent
of meeting. But if they blow with one trumpet, then the leaders, the heads of
the thousands of Israel must assemble themselves. When you blow an
alarm, then the camps that are located on the east side must begin to move.
And when you blow an alarm the second time, then the camps that are
located on the south side must begin to move. An alarm must be sounded
for their journeys. But when you assemble the community, you must blow,
but you must not sound an alarm. The sons of Aaron, the priests, must blow
the trumpets; and they will be to you for an eternal ordinance throughout
your generations. If you go to war in your land against an adversary who
opposes you, then you must sound an alarm with the trumpets, and you will
be remembered before Yahweh your Elohim, and you will be saved from
your enemies. Also in the time when you rejoice, such as on your appointed
festivals and at the beginnings of your months, you must blow with your
trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifces of your peace
offerings, so that they may be a memorial for you before your Elohim: I am
Yahweh your Elohim. - Numbers 10:1-10
www.bdsda.com
See The Silver Trumpet, Vol. 1, No. 8 and the other studies cited therein.
See The World Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow (Tract 12) by Victor Houteff.
The Spirit calls upon all to examine themselves. Do you have any
sin? Have you withheld tithes and offerings from God's storehouse,
thus making yourself a thief? Have you professed yourself to be a
follower of Christ, but misrepresented his character, thus making
yourself a false swearer? Scripture declares all under sin. The whole
nation has robbed God. All have fallen short. By this you are meant to
learn that you are to expect a visit from the fying scroll and that it is
not coming to be an added decoration on your wall.
So then, what is this fying scroll? As I'm sure all have already
perceived, this is no regular scroll. The dimensions alone keep us from
considering this scroll to be of human origin. In fact, the prophecy
itself says that it was sent from Yahweh (vs. 4), implying its heavenly
origin.3
3
For examples of heavenly scrolls, see the following texts: Ex. 32:32-33; Ps. 69:28;
The most prominent point of the scroll's description, other than its
activity, is its dimensions, and they are quite specifc 20 cubits by 10
cubits. The fact that we are given the specifc measurements rather
than simply being told that the scroll was very large or that it was
twice as long as it was wide, should inform us that there is specifc
signifcance to the measurements. There are only two other things in
sacred scripture which are described as having these same dimensions,
and both of them are part of Solomon's temple. It must be
remembered that this prophecy was given during the rebuilding of
Solomon's temple and that the temple was the thing foremost in the
people's thoughts. Zechariah's description of the scroll as being 20
cubits by 10 cubits would have immediately called two things to the
minds of his frst hearers. The frst is Solomon's porch:
3 The porch in front of the main hall of the temple was 20 cubits
long, corresponding to the width of the temple. It was 10 cubits
wide, extending out from the front of the temple. - 1 Kings 6:3
Isa. 4:3; Dan. 7:10; 12:1; Mal. 3:16; Luke 10:20; Ph. 4:3; Heb. 12:23; Rev. 3:5;
13:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27; 2 Esdras 6:18-20; 1 En. 47:3; 81:2; 90:20; 97:6; 98:78; 104:1; 106:19; 107:1; 108:3, 7; Jub. 30:22; 36:10; 2 Bar. 24:1.
For information on the divine council see The Silver Trumpet, Vol. 1, Nos. 10-11,
pp. 38-41 and our video studies 11Q Melchizedek and the Wicked Gods, Gods of the
Council of El, and Discussing Wicked Gods and the Divine Council.
See our video study Ezekiel 4 in Context.
For more on this, see our video Tabernacle Among Us.
Representing the truths given to Israel by a giant scroll is quite ftting since
Judaism, unlike other religions, was largely centered on the messages of the
prophets, which were recorded on scrolls. Also, that a scroll contains heavenly
truths is an idea rooted in Jewish apocalypticism (of which Zechariah and Ezekiel
are a part). This is apparent from the description of heavenly scrolls throughout
apocalyptic literature (see fn. 3)
The meaning of this text is, in many ways, central to the meaning
of the passage for this is where the angel provides the interpretation of
the scroll and begins the description of what it is sent to do. In order to
better understand it then, it is necessary to look at a couple other (and
more accurate) translations.
8
9
He said to me, This is the curse which goes out over all the
land, for every thief according to it has been acquitted, and every
perjurer according to it has been acquitted: - Zechariah 5:3
(Anchor Yale Bible)
3
were originally no vowel markings in Hebrew writing, only consonants, but the Masorets developed a way to write vowels. One of those
vowel systems, the one developed by Aaron ben Moses ben Asher (10 th
century), became dominant and is still the standard today.
What is important to understand for our present study is that the
vowels one inserts make a big difference for the meaning of the text.
As an English example, take the consonants D and R. How many
words can be made with only these two consonants appearing in the
same order? There are at least six I can think of: dare, dear, deer, dire,
doer, and door. Imagine a sentence or phrase in which every word is
missing its vowels. With some sentences, at least, it would be possible
to read it in different ways. This actually happens all the time in the
textual criticism of the Hebrew Bible. There are many times when the
Masoretic Text (MT), following the ben Asher vowel pointing, will
read one way, while the Septuagint (LXX), or another text, will read
another way, but both readings are possible from the same
consonants. For example, the MT of Psalm 110:3 starts out with the
words ammekha n'davoth () : Your people are willing... whereas
the LXX reads the same consonants as immekha n'divoth () :
With you is authority... Since the original had no vowel pointing,
context is what must dictate how we understand the words. We will
look at just one example to illustrate this point. The MT of Isaiah
43:14 has the phrase, For your sakes I have sent to Babylon and will
break down all refugees () . And the Chaldeans, their jubilation
will be on ships () . Alternatively, those same consonants can be
read as follows: For your sakes I have sent to Babylon and will break
down all bars () . And the Chaldeans, their jubilation will become
lamentations () . Clearly, the latter reading is the better one. It is
coherent in and of itself and makes sense in the context whereas the
former reading is almost nonsensical.
Now, let us apply what we have learned to h'lh ( )of Zechariah
5:3. The Masoretic Text points these consonants as ha-alah () ,
which can mean the curse, but as we have seen, the word curse
here makes little sense. There is, however, another way to read these
same consonants, and that is as ha-elah () . Elah ( )is the feminine
form of the word El (), which means God.13 Elah ( )occurs in its
)and is
possessive form in 1 Kings 11:5 as elohi tsidon (
13 See Divine Plurality, Vol. 1, No. 2.
10
We can now see that this Scripture plainly declares the fying scroll
to be a symbol of the Goddess. She is the Shekinah of Israel, the Glory
of Yahweh, the rider of the cherubim throne the gateway to the
heavenly temple. Before moving on to consider the fnal verse, we
want to pause here for a moment and look at some of the other
Scriptural bases for the Goddess being represented by a scroll. Our
frst passage is from Deuteronomy:
Look! I teach you rules and regulations just as Yahweh my
Goddess told me to do so that you might do them in the land which
you are about to enter and possess. 6 And so be careful to do them
for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the
peoples which will hear of all these rules and say, Surely, this great
nation is a wise and understanding people. - Deuteronomy 4:1-2,
5-6
5
11
upon that connection. The frst that we will consider is from The
Wisdom of Ben Sirach, a so-called apocryphal work which was used by
Jesus and the writers of the New Testament and considered Scripture
by many in the early church and early Judaism:
1 Wisdom commends Herself and tells of Her glory in the midst of
Her people. 2 In the assembly of the Most High She opens Her
mouth, and in the presence of His hosts She tells of Her glory: 3 I
came forth from the command of the Most High and covered the
earth like a mist. 4 I dwelt in the highest heavens and my throne was
in a pillar of cloud. 5 Alone I compassed the vault of heaven and
traversed the depths of the abyss. 6 In the waves of the sea and in all
the earth, and among every people and nation I have acquired a
possession. 7 Among all these I sought a resting place; 'In whose
territory should I abide?'
8 Then the Creator of all things gave me a command and my
Maker chose the place for my tent. He said, Make your dwelling
in Jacob, and in Israel receive your inheritance.' 9 Before the ages,
in the beginning, he made me, and for all the ages I shall not cease
to be. 10 In the holy tent I ministered before him, and so I was
established in Zion. 11 Thus in the beloved city he gave me a resting
place, and in Jerusalem was my domain. 12 I took root in an
honored people, in the portion of Yahweh, his inheritance.
13 I grew tall like a cedar in Lebanon, and like a cypress on the
heights of Hermon. 14 I grew tall like a palm tree in En-gedi, and
like rosebushes in Jericho; like a fair olive tree in the feld, and like a
plane tree beside water I grew tall. 15 Like cassia and camel's thorn I
gave forth perfume, and like choice myrrh I spread my fragrance,
like galbanum, onycha, and stacte, and like the odor of incense in
the tent. 16 Like a terebinth I spread out my branches, and my
branches are glorious and graceful. 17 Like the vine I bud forth
delights, and my blossoms become glorious and abundant fruit. 18 I
am the Mother of beautiful love, of fear, of knowledge, and of holy
hope; being everlasting, I am given to all my children, to those who
are named by him.22
19 Come to me, you who desire me, and eat your fll of my fruits.
20
For the memory of me is sweeter than honey and my inheritance
is sweeter than the honeycomb. 21 Those who eat of me will hunger
for more, and those who drink of me will thirst for more.
22 Whoever obeys me will not be put to shame, and those who work
with me will not sin.
12
13
If you steal, you sin against your neighbor, and if you swear falsely
by the name of our Heavenly Family, you sin against Them. Both are
manifestations of the lack of love which has a hold of every unrenewed
heart. Christ said,
'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your
soul, and with all your mind.' [Deut. 6:5] 38 This is the frst and
greatest commandment. 39 The second is like it: 'Love your
neighbor as yourself.' [Lev. 19:18] 40 All the law and the prophets
depend on these two commandments. - Matthew 22:37-40
37
Since all the law and the prophets depend on these two commandments, to break them in any regard is to break the whole law. This is
the condition pointed out by the prophecy under consideration. At the
root of it, it is a lack of love. Read 1 John.
The Flying Scroll, Wisdom, is sent into the houses of those who
have refused Her love, those who have clung to their sin and made a
covenant with death (Wis. 1) the dry bones. She does this in order to
destroy their houses. To the carnal mind, this seems like an awful
deed, even unloving, but it is just the opposite. See, the context of this
is that earlier in the same year Zechariah started teaching, Haggai
14
came and gave the message to build the temple. This is what he said:
This is what Yahweh of hosts has spoken: This people here
have said, Now the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of
Yahweh. 3 So, the word of Yahweh came by the hand of Haggai
the prophet saying: 4 Is it then time for you, yes you, to dwell in
roofed houses while this house lay in ruins? 5 Here then is what
Yahweh of hosts says: Set your heart upon your ways. 6 You have
planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but are not flled.
You drink, but are still thirsty. You put on clothes, but are not
warm. Those who earn wages end up with holes in their pockets.
7
Moreover, Yahweh of hosts says: Set your heart upon your ways.
8 Go up to the hills, bring back wood, and build the temple! I will
take pleasure in it and show myself in my glory, says Yahweh.
9 You have hoped for much, but instead there was little, and when
you brought it home I blew it away. Why? asks Yahweh of hosts.
Because my temple remains in ruins, while each of you favors his
own house! 10 Therefore the sky above you withholds its dew and
the earth its produce. 11 I called for a drought upon the land and
upon the hills, upon the grain, the wine, the oil, and upon
everything which the ground brings forth; upon men and cattle and
upon all the work of their hands. - Haggai 1:2-11
2
15
Your fate depends on how you will receive this Flying Scroll. If you
neglect Her and thus refuse Her love, your house will be destroyed
and you will sit as a wild animal scrounging for life among the ruins of
your desolate house. If you receive Her and partake of Her love, you
will recognize that your house is no home to you, for your
citizenship is not of this land, but of another. You will not give any
thought to the destruction of your own house, for you will be too
focused building Her house and being consecrated into Her
priesthood, that you may dwell with Her forever and abide in Her
house. The invitation to this new dwelling is open to all, and it is only
one's own choice that will determine their destiny.
19
This day I call heaven and earth as a witness against you that I
have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore,
choose life so that you and your children may live! - Deuteronomy
30:19
16
Heaven has now declared to us where things stand and what the
crux of the matter really is. We must get to know Wisdom. We must
receive Her, Her love, and the life She gives. This is the heart of the
message. Give heed now to the practical instruction which follows, for
it means your very life.
Since the purpose of this article is the same as that of Proverbs, we
quote its introductory lines for your consideration:
The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: 2 To learn
of Wisdom and moral instruction, and to discern words of insight.
3 To receive moral instruction in wise living, in righteousness,
justice, and uprightness. 4 To give shrewdness to the naive and
knowledge and purpose to the young person. 5 Let the wise also
hear and gain instruction, and let the discerning acquire guidance.
6 To discern the meaning of a proverb and a parable the sayings
of the wise and their riddles. - Proverbs 1:1-6
1
17
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with the God,
and the Word was God. 2 He was with the God in the beginning.
3 All things were made by him, and apart from him not one thing
was made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of
mankind. 5 And the light shines on in the darkness, but the darkness
has not overcome it. - John 1:1-5
The life that was in Christ is said to be light. What is this light?
Now this is the message we have heard from him and announce
to you: God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we say
we have fellowship with him and yet walk on in darkness, we lie and do
not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as he himself is in the
light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus his
Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves
and the truth is not in us, 9 but if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to
forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. - 1 John 1:5-9
5
18
It is not the literal fesh and blood of Jesus that will save anyone.
Jesus died, yes, but that fact in and of itself will not beneft anyone if
they fail to receive His words.
Again, we are told that in Christ was life, and that life was light,
and that light is truth and pure righteousness. From whence came this
life?
26 just
The life, the light, the truth, the righteousness, which Christ had in
Him, He received from the Father. Christ said,
My teaching is not from me, but from the One who sent
me. - John 7:16
16
...I do nothing from myself, but I speak just as the Father taught
me, these things I speak. - John 8:28
28
49 I have not spoken from myself, but the Father Himself who sent
me has commanded me what I should say and what I should speak.
50
And I know that his commandment is eternal life. The things I
speak, just as the Father has spoken to me, thus I speak. - John
12:49-50
Christ was a prophet,23 and thus, His words were not His own, 24
but the words of the Father, which He received from the Spirit. 25
Again, Christ said it was the Spirit who gives life and that His words
were life-giving. Consider the following:
26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send
in my name, She will teach you all things, and will cause you to
23 Others referred to Christ as a prophet (Matt. 21:11; Luke 7:16; John 4:19) and He
also referred to Himself as a prophet (Mark 6:4).
24 In fact, the word prophet means spokesperson. See The Silver Trumpet, Vol. 1,
No. 4, pp. 23-27.
25 2 Peter 1:21 tells us that prophets speak as they are moved upon by the Holy
Spirit. Also, we have the specifc record that the Holy Spirit came upon Christ at
His baptism (Matt. 3:16; Mark 1:10; Luke 3:22; John 1:32) and that after that He
was full of the Holy Spirit and led by the Spirit (Luke 4:1). What He did was
directed by the Spirit (Luke 4:14) and we are even told that Spirit came upon Him
so that He might proclaim the gospel (Luke 4:18).
19
Jesus' intention was that the Spirit would come and teach us the
truth so that its principles would change our way of thinking and we
would be enabled to walk as Christ walked in faith and without sin.
The solution to the problem of sin is thus far more simple than many
suppose. It lies not with some mystical action or some unexplainable
phenomenon. No! Our frst parents sinned by accepting a lie in place
of the truth and so we must be saved from sin by receiving the truth in
place of the lie. The cause (accepting the lie) has had its effect (sin);
remove the cause and the effect will cease. Again, it is the way that the
principles of truth change our thinking that enables us to walk even as
Christ walked. This is plainly declared in the following scriptures:
22
You were taught concerning your former way of life to lay aside
the old man which is corrupt in accordance with deceitful desires,
and 23 to be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 to put on the new man
who has been created according to God in righteousness and holiness
that comes from truth. - Ephesians 4:22-24
56
The one who eats my fesh and drinks my blood abides in me
and I in him. 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live by the
Father, just so the one who eats me will live by me. - John 6:56-57
5 And you know that that one [Jesus] was manifested to take away
sins, and in him there is no sin. 6 Everyone who abides in him does not sin;
everyone who sins has neither seen him nor known him. 7 Little
children, let no one deceive you: the one who practices
righteousness is righteous, even as he [Jesus] is righteous. 8 The one who
practices sin is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the
beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was revealed: to destroy the
works of the devil. 9 Everyone who is born of God does not commit
sin, for his seed abides in him, and thus he is not able to sin, because he
is born of God. - 1 John 3:5-9
You have purifed your souls by obeying the truth in order to show
sincere brotherly love. So, love one another earnestly from a pure heart.
22
20
It has been said before and it must be said again the Spirit is the
One who gives life! To refuse Her is to refuse life itself.
12
For Wisdom is a defense, and money is a defense, but the
excellency of knowledge is that Wisdom gives life to those that have
Her. - Ecclesiastes 7:12
21
For the one who fnds me fnds life and receives favor from Yahweh,
but the one who sins against me harms his own soul. 36 All who hate me love
death. - Proverbs 8:35-36
35
Wisdom is our only way to life. She is a tree of life; She is your
life; the one who fnds [Her] fnds life - all these things, the
Scriptures tell us. Because of this, they recommend Her above all else:
22
23
for the lowest standard, but aim at a perfect conformity to the will
of their Redeemer. With ardent desire they yield all, and manifest
zeal proportionate to the value of the object of which they are in pursuit. What
is the object? Immortality, eternal life.27
Then you will understand the fear of Yahweh, and you will
discover the knowledge of Elohim. If you do what has been given you
to do (as described in verses 1-4), then you will understand the fear of
Yahweh. If you do not do what has been given you, you will fnd
neither Wisdom nor life. The cause must exist in reality in order for
the effect to take place, and if the cause does exist, the effect most
certainly will. This is a promise.
What is the fear of Yahweh? It is the opposite of breaking the third
commandment. To take the name of the Lord in vain is for someone
to come to you in the name of the Lord, but rather than receiving it
as it is in truth, the word of God, (1 Thess. 2:13) you receive it as
the word of man. We quote the following selections from the
writings of Ellen White to highlight this principle:
Now if those to whom these solemn warnings are addressed say,
It is only Sister Whites individual opinion, I shall still follow my own
judgment, and if they continue to do the very things they were
warned not to do, they show that they despise the counsel of God, and
the result is just what the Spirit of God has shown me it would be
injury to the cause of God and ruin to themselves that which
questions their course of action, or which does not coincide with
their views, they pronounce Sister Whites opinion, denying its heavenly origin
and placing it on a level with their own judgment.28
The position that has been taken by some of the erring brethren
makes my words simply the expression of an opinion and this view has been
advocated and has had leavening infuence in our ranks.29
While some will openly say that the words of a prophet are the
mere opinions of man, others will think so in their hearts, but refrain
from saying it openly. Still others are self-deceived into thinking they
are receiving the word as the word of God but manifest by their
actions that they do not. Consider this important testimony:
27 Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1, p. 160
28 Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 687
29 The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, p. 234
24
My dear Branch family, Put yourselves to the test to see if you are
in the faith; examine yourselves! (2 Cor. 13:5) lest you be among
those of whom it may be said, but the message they heard did them
no good, since they did not join in with those who heard it in faith.
(Heb. 4:2). To have the fear of the Lord means that when a message
comes to you in the name of the Lord, you hear it as from the Lord
you do not account the name in which it comes as useless, or vain.
10
Understood in the light in which we have just beheld it, we can see
that this is simply the practical application of the truth as expressed by
Peter:
Knowing this frst, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one's
own interpretation, 21 for no prophecy has ever come about by the
will of man; rather, men moved upon by the Holy Spirit spoke
from God. - 2 Peter 1:20-21
20
Thus,
if you receive my words and store up my commands within you
by making your ear attentive to Wisdom, and by turning your heart
to understanding, 3 indeed, if you call out for discernment raise your
voice for understanding 4 if you seek Her like silver, and search for Her
like hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of Yahweh,
and you will discover the knowledge of Elohim. - Proverbs 2:1-5
1
25
6 Whoever abides in him does not sin; everyone who sins has
neither seen him nor known him. - 1 John 3:6
By this we can be sure that we know him, if we keep his commandments. - 1 John 2:3
3
21
26
27
28
29
This statement is more important than many realize, and this will
only become more clear the more we examine it. Notice that she
refers to the Apocrypha as the hidden book. The context of this
phrase can be found by looking at a record of a vision Ellen had only a
few months before making this statement. The following words are
from Arthur L. White:
In a report signed by three early believers reference is made to
the hidden book as Ellen White uttered certain words in vision.
Here is the account:
At another time at a meeting held at Brother Curtis in
Topsham, Maine, she was taken off in vision, and arose to her feet,
took the large family Bible from the table, and held it on her hand
some time at an angle of forty-fve degrees, and said the hidden book
was not there. When someone asked if the Apocrypha was not in the Bible,
Brother Curtis remarked it was not. She talked sometime about the
hidden book. No one knew but Bro. Curtis' family that the Apocrapha
[Apocrypha] was not there.40
30
31
This passage certainly does not teach that the hidden books are subordinate to
the others; rather, in some ways, it portrays them as richer in wisdom and
knowledge. Since Graybill has shown that it is 2 Esdras itself which lay behind the
statements by Ellen White and the other pioneers, then we must understand their
statements through the lens of Esdras, not through the lens of modern
Protestant/Adventist canonical theology, which evidently these early Adventists
did not share.
32
While there are additional aspects brought out here which are of
much interest, we do not want to lose our focus on understanding the
connection between the Apocrypha and the wise. Again, as Graybill
pointed out, the early Adventists believed that the Apocrypha was not
necessarily going to beneft everyone; rather, it was specifcally for the
beneft of the wise. This understanding is not something that they
came up with themselves, but instead, it is something they got from 2
Esdras. As pointed out in footnote 44, 2 Esdras itself has some
interesting things to say concerning this idea. To quote a key passage
again:
44 So,
33
Notice how in this book, which many of the most infuential early
Adventists considered to be Scripture, we have described for us how,
in the time of Ezra, there were many more sacred writings than are
even in the Protestant Bible today. Even more signifcant is what we
are told concerning these books; namely, that in them is the spring of
understanding, the fountain of wisdom, and the river of knowledge.
Think of how important this is! If 2 Esdras is true, then we have the
answer as to where to look in order to fnd out the thoughts and words
of Wisdom! She has instructed us to listen to Her and to seek Her out,
and when we do so, we are pointed, by means of a vision given to
Ellen White, to an abundance of sacred texts not found in the
Protestant Canon which are called the fountain of Wisdom. Surely,
the wise in these last days need to understand the Apocrypha.
If we know that these writings are called the fountain of Wisdom
and yet we do not earnestly study them to comprehend their meaning,
can we really say we are searching for Wisdom as for hidden treasure?
And if we are not, can we come to understand the fear of Yahweh and
come to discover the knowledge of Elohim? Assuredly, the answer is a
solemn no. So then, seek Wisdom with your whole heart, your
whole mind, and your whole soul! Engage your whole being in the
pursuit of Her! She is to be esteemed more than anything, for She is
your very life!
None can deny that if any text makes a claim to be the fountain of
Wisdom, then certainly this one does. Put the claim to the test.
34
35
[Blessed is the one who ] with a pure heart and does not
slander with his tongue [Ps. 15:3]. Blessed are those who hold fast
to Her [Wisdom's] statutes and do not hold fast to the ways of
unrighteousness. Blessed are those who rejoice in Her, and do not
exult in paths of folly. Blessed are those who seek Her with pure
hands, and do not search for Her with a deceitful heart. Blessed is
the one who attains Wisdom, and walks in the law of the Most
High. He directs his heart toward Her always, restrains himself by Her
corrections, does not forsake Her in the face of trials, he does not abandon Her
in times of distress, does not forget Her in the day of terror, and does not despise
Her when his soul is afficted. For he meditates on Her continually and
considers Her in his distress. [With al]l his being [he gains understanding] in
Her, [and he establishes Her] before his eyes so as not to walk in the ways [of
wickedness].50
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golden ornament, and Her chains a purple cord. 31 You will wear
Her like a glorious robe, and put Her on like a splendid crown.
32 If you are willing, my child, you can be disciplined, and if you
give your all, you will become clever. 33 If you love to listen you will
gain knowledge, and if you pay attention you will become wise.
34
Stand in the company of the elders. Who is wise? Attach yourself
to such a one. 35 Be ready to listen to every godly discourse, and let
no wise proverb escape you. 36 If you see an intelligent person, rise
early to visit him; let your foot wear out his doorstep. 37 Let your
mind be on the fear of the Most High, and meditate at all times on
his commandments. It is He who will give insight to your mind,
and your desire for Wisdom will be granted. - Sirach 6:18-37
Wisdom is here likened unto the earth. And that which she brings
forth for our life and sustenance (the truth), is likened unto the earth's
produce. The instruction for us is to come to Her, not just in any way,
but as one who plows and sows. To plow is to work the earth, turning
up the soil to prepare it for the seed. This represents engaging with
Wisdom, uncovering Her deeper layers. This is done by thorough and
true study of the messages She has inspired. By true study, we mean
that it is done by personally engaging with Her. As you study the
messages She sends, ask Her personally what they mean. Ask Her to
search you out and to show you anything in you which keeps Her at a
distance that you may cast it away and thus be as close to Her as
possible. Thus you personally engage with the earth (Wisdom), and
discover what She is like beneath the surface. You will fnd that She is
more than mere dirt to walk upon, but fertile soil ready to produce
life.
Next, is the seed. Being a part of the produce (the truth), the seed
has its origin in the earth (Wisdom). It represents a part of the truth
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which has already been reaped from a past harvest (a past revelation
and proclamation of truth), but which, rather than being digested, is
returned to Wisdom in order to bring forth more produce. In other
words, the seed represents the tiny kernel of truth which will grow to
be a large plant many times its own size. Let us illustrate with an
example: Earlier in this article we quoted a statement from Ellen
White where she spoke of the Apocrypha as the hidden book and said
the wise in the last days should understand it. The reading of her
writings which led to that statement can be likened to feeding upon
the produce of a past harvest of truth. The statement itself can be
likened unto a seed, for it may seem small and rather insignifcant at
frst glance, but it contains the essential elements which, if returned to
Wisdom, will produce a whole new plant with new fruits with more
seeds of their own. Thus, every seed of truth is a key with the potential
of opening up whole new felds of study, full of new plants, bearing
new fruit, with more seeds. All that is required of us once in possession
of such a seed is to return it to the earth. What this means is that when
we come across a kernel of truth, rather than thinking little of it or
cutting it open and trying to cause it to grow by our own means
(trying to fgure out the truth), we need to place it back in the hands
of Wisdom. In order for the seed to grow we cannot simply toss it on
the surface of the earth. We must be plowing the soil so that we might
place the seed deep enough to take root. This means that you will be
studying thoroughly and engaging Wisdom personally so that when
you come across a kernel of truth you will know where to place it. You
will take that kernel and apply it to your study and include it in your
conversation with Wisdom. When this is done, you can then watch in
eagerness as the seed becomes a plant and as the plant bears fruit.
This is how Wisdom must be approached.
She seems very rough to the undisciplined; fools cannot remain
with Her. 21 She will be like a heavy stone to test them, and they will
not delay in casting Her aside. 22 For Wisdom is like Her name; She
is not readily perceived by many. - Sirach 6:20-22
20
Though Wisdom is fertile soil, she seems like rough, tough ground
to the undisciplined; indeed, she even seems like a heavy stone. Thus,
she is cast aside. This has more than one aspect to its meaning. First,
those who are undisciplined fnd Her diffcult to work with as
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Due to our own lack of discipline, She at frst seems harsh and
enslaving, but if we only give ourselves up as slaves to Her, we will fnd
that Her yoke is easy and Her burden light (Matt. 11:30). We must
recognize that in sin, we are already in slavery (John 8:34), and so we
lose no freedom by making Her our Master. Rather, by becoming Her
slave, we enter into glory. What at frst appears to be the shackles of a
slave, turns out to be the glorious robes of righteousness and truth. In
fact, not only does Wisdom adorn us as kings and queens, but She
adorns us as gods by giving Herself (the divine nature) as our garment
(2 Peter 1:4). Again, You will wear Her like a glorious robe, and put
Her on like a splendid crown.
32 If you are willing, my child, you can be disciplined, and if you give your
all, you will become clever. 33 If you love to listen you will gain
knowledge, and if you pay attention you will become wise. 34 Stand in
the company of the elders. Who is wise? Attach yourself to such a one.
35 Be ready to listen to every godly discourse, and let no wise proverb escape
you. 36 If you see an intelligent person, rise early to visit him; let your
foot wear out his doorstep. 37 Let your mind be on the fear of the Most High,
and meditate at all times on his commandments. It is He who will give
insight to your mind, and your desire for Wisdom will be granted. Sirach 6:32-37
Thus,
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Seek frst the kingdom of God and His righteousness... - Matthew 6:33
Headquarters Update
As those who have been reading The Silver Trumpet are aware, our
Heavenly Family has been calling for laborers to come to the Branch
property here in Ontario in order to accomplish the much needed task
of establishing a center. The lack of response from professed believers
of present truth has flled Heaven with sadness. Angels are astonished
at the indifference and torpidity of this people. What a contradiction
that those who possess the most sacred and testing truths that have
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ever been given to mankind could hear such clear calls to action and
such startling denunciations of negligence, and yet do nothing in a
time of great need.
There has been a long and beautiful summer here, and much
could have been accomplished had more responded to the call. The
summer is now past, and the time that has been wasted is forever
gone. Those who think this a light thing, supposing that the great plan
of Omnipotence could not have been hindered by this dormant
behavior, have yet to learn the value of the cross of Christ the great
price that has been paid to redeem fallen humanity, as well as the
import and power of the will.
In all, one believer came to help, and another, physically unable to
make the trip and perform the manual labor, supported in the way she
could. There was still another, not an adherent to present truth, but a
devout believer in Christ, who did more than many in the message by
lending fnancial support to the cause, being moved by the evident
need. Surely, he will be blessed as a result.
We would now like for you to consider the following testimony of
the branch who came, our brother, Norman Hines. It is our hope and
prayer that by reading his testimony your hearts will be stirred. Know
that although the frown of our Heavenly Family has been expressed
on this movement, and although the past is forever gone, there is still
opportunity to turn from your inactivity and to bless and be blessed.
Where sin abounds, grace does much more abound. - Romans 5:20.
MY TWO WEEKS AT THE BRANCH
PROPERTY IN ONTARIO
by Norman Hines
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Every valley shall be flled, and every mountain and hill shall be
brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough
ways shall be made smooth. - Luke 3:5
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Trent and I did a lot of this work with machetes so that Teresa could
go over it with a riding mower. Also, a ditch had to be dug out for a
culvert to go in. You may have seen the videos that Teresa sent out
showing the ditch with the new culvert. I regret that I was not able to
stay longer to help with the spreading of gravel and flling in the ditch
we dug. However, seeing the pictures of it being completed makes me
thankful that I had even a small part to play in its completion.
Another thing we did was to level out an area near the yurt for 2
garages to be erected for storing wood and parking their vehicle.
These garages are actually greenhouse frames with heavy plastic
canvas over them. They came in a box that was labeled Garage in a
Box. I would have liked to have been able to stay longer so I could be
there to help assemble them; it will be quite a project.
Another thing we accomplished was building a compost bin. We
also built a dirt and gravel separator out of a wooden pallet, which will
be used for flling dirt bags to construct walls of future buildings. We
collected rocks for an outside fre pit, and moved a pile of frewood
near to it. There were many other small jobs that we did which were
necessary to prepare the property and the yurt for the soon coming
harsh winter.
Needless to say, I enjoyed my time in Ontario, and I received
many blessings while there. I plan to return next year in the spring to
help Teresa and Trent with making a garden. If any of you have
heirloom seeds to send, that would be great. I saw some beautiful
gardens while in Ontario, and was quite surprised by how well things
grow so far north.
I urge each of you to consider making a trip to the Branch
property. There is so much that needs to be done for our Heavenly
Family that it will take many hands to accomplish it all! And if you do
help in this important work, in return, I know you will receive a great
blessing!
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I don't believe that any would suggest that the above words are
addressed to Christ. Still, even more obvious are the words of the next
verse, which declare:
6 Go
to the ant, you sluggard; observe its ways and be wise! Proverbs 6:6
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marriage in which the brother of a deceased man would marry his (the
deceased man's) wife; that is, if they hadn't had children. It served a
few purposes; one was to take care of the wife, and another was to
carry on the family line of the deceased brother.
In Gen. 38:9-10, Onan, the son of Judah, was supposed to take
unto himself Tamar, the wife of his deceased brother Er. He was
supposed to "go in unto her" that she might become pregnant and
bear children which would be considered of the line of Er. Onan,
though, knowing that they would not be considered within his line,
decided to "pull out" every time he and Tamar would have
intercourse. Basically, he was using her for sex and not giving her any
children who could take care of her when she became old. Yahweh
viewed this as a terrible sin, and for this reason Onan was put to death.
Quotes of Interest
As this work progresses, it becomes painfully evident that there are
grievous sins among professors of present truth. These sins have, and
are, greatly hindering the work, and placing those carrying it forward
in needless trial. We have received the divine command to point out
and rebuke these sins. The eighth commandment has been broken in
the withholding of tithes and offerings from the storehouse of present
truth. Some rob our Heavenly Family by giving Their tithe to those to
whom it does not belong, and others selfshly waste it on themselves,
thinking they are justifed in breaking God's law due to circumstance.
In ancient times, the children of Israel were called to give no less
than one third of their income to sacred purposes (Testimonies for the
Church, Vol. 3, p. 395), and in apostolic days they were called to sell
their lands and houses to lay the proceeds at the feet of the apostles
(Acts 4:32-37). In the time just before the Great Disappointment, the
Millerites also sold all they had to proclaim the Advent. Think you not
that you will be called to sacrifce your material wealth for the cause of
truth? We are told by Inspiration that we are to give of our wealth in
proportion to the amount of truth we have received, yet the majority
are satisfed to return to God only what was required in years past;
that is, if they return at all.
The solemn truth is that while tithes and offerings continue to be
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Remembering Rollin
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Notices
1
Our weekly and festal meetings are being held through a
conference call service known as FreeConferenceCallHD. Here are
some of the call-in numbers:65
Australia: +61 (0) 3 8672 0185
Canada: (712) 775-7060 (Important - This is a US number.)
Kenya: +254 (0) 20 5231033
United Kingdom: +44 (0) 330 606 0527
United States: (712) 775-7035
The access code for all countries is 820382.
The regular weekend meeting times are:
Friday Night 8:00 (EST)
Saturday Night 8:00 (EST)
In order to avoid unnecessary background noises, which can be
diffcult to edit out of the recordings, we request that all participants
keep themselves on mute except when speaking. You can mute or
unmute yourself by hitting *6. Also, if at any point during a meeting
you receive another call on the same phone, please hang up on the
meeting line and then call back when you have fnished the other
conversation. When a participant has the meeting on hold, there is a
beep which occurs every few seconds which would disturb the meeting
and dramatically reduce the quality of the recording.
To join us online go to www.freeconferencecallhd.com and click:
This will bring you to another page where you should
click:
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Another window should then appear in which you will see the fash
phone:
Select from here the correct number, type in
the access code, fll out your name, then click
place call. You should then be connected
to the meeting and set for learning as well as
fellowship.
2
With each issue of The Silver Trumpet we hope to include
contributions from those investigating and examining present truth.
These contributions may be testimonies of how the message (or The
Silver Trumpet in particular) has impacted you, reports of how the work
is going in your area, or stories of trials you have undergone on
account of the message. It could be health tips, quotes of interest,
recipes, poems, articles, etc. Whatever it may be, please send it in to
silvertrumpet@bdsda.com that it may be published and thus serve as
an encouragement to others.
3
For the convenience of our readers, we here provide a number of
references to some of the days of the ffth and sixth scriptural months
which are found in the ancient writings of the Hebrews:
Fifth Month, no day specifed 1 Chron. 27:8; Ezra 7:8; Jer. 1:3;
28:1; Zech. 7:3; 1 Esdras 8:6; Jub. 16:11
1st Day (July 18) Num. 33:38; Ezra 7:9
4th Day (July 21) Jub. 28:22
7th Day (July 24) 2 Kings 25:8
10th Day (July 27) Jer. 52:12; Eze. 20:1
Sixth Month (Elul - Neh. 6:15), no day specifed 1 Chron. 27:9;
Jub. 16:12; Luke 1:26
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66 The name Branch Association is just the name of the bank account. We were
not permitted to have a bank account with the phrase Seventh-day Adventist in
it for copyright reasons and so we used one of the abbreviated forms of the
association's name. The full name of the association remains The General
Association of Branch Davidian Seventh-day Adventists.
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