Publishers Preface

Throughout the Beatitudes there is an advancing line of Christian experience. Those who have felt their need of Christ, those who have mourned because of sin and have sat with Christ in the school of affliction, will learn meekness from the divine Teacher. Patience and gentleness under wrong were not characteristics prized by the heathen or by the Jews. The statement made by Moses under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that he was the meekest man upon the earth, would not have been regarded by the people of his time as a commendation; it would rather have excited pity or contempt. But Jesus places meekness among the first qualifications for His kingdom. In His own life and character the divine beauty of this precious grace is revealed. Jesus, the brightness of the Fathers glory, thought it not a thing to be grasped to be on an equality with God, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant. Philippians 2:6, 7, R.V., margin. Through all the lowly experiences of life He consented to pass, walking among the children of men, not as a king, to demand homage, but as one whose mission it was to serve others. There was in His manner no taint of bigotry, no cold austerity The worlds Redeemer had a greater than angelic nature, yet united with His divine majesty were meekness and humility that attracted all to Himself. Jesus emptied Himself, and in all that He did, self did not appear. He subordinated all things to the will of His Father. When His mission on earth was about to close, He could say, I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do. John 17:4. And He bids us, Learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart. If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself (Matthew 11:29; 16:24); let self be dethroned and no longer hold the supremacy of the soul. He who beholds Christ in His self-denial, His lowliness of heart, will be constrained to say, as did Daniel, when he beheld One like the sons of men, My comeliness was turned in me into corruption. Daniel 10:8. The independence and self-supremacy in which we glory are seen in their true vileness as tokens of servitude to Satan. Human nature is ever struggling for expression, ready for contest; but he who learns of Christ is emptied of self, of pride, of love of supremacy, and there is silence in the soul. Self is yielded to the disposal of the Holy Spirit. Then we are not anxious to have the highest place. We have no ambition to crowd and elbow ourselves into notice; but we feel that our highest place is at the feet of our Saviour. We look to Jesus, waiting for His hand to lead, listening for His voice to guide. The apostle Paul had this experience, and he said, I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20. (MB 13-15)

Yours in Christ Jesus,

THE LAYMANS MOVEMENT

Dear Brothers and Sisters; When we receive Christ as an abiding guest in the soul, the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, will keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. The Saviours life on earth, though lived in the midst of conflict, was a life of peace. While angry enemies were constantly pursuing Him, He said, He that sent Me is with Me: the Father hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him. John 8:29. No storm of human or satanic wrath could disturb the calm of that perfect communion with God. And He says to us, Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest. John 14:27; Matthew 11:29. Bear with Me the yoke of service for the glory of God and the uplifting of humanity, and you will find the yoke easy and the burden light. It is the love of self that destroys our peace. While self is all alive, we stand ready continually to guard it from mortification and insult; but when we are dead, and our life is hid with Christ in God, we shall not take neglects

or slights to heart. We shall be deaf to reproach and blind to scorn and insult. Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil; rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth with the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Love never faileth. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, R.V. Happiness drawn from earthly sources is as changeable as varying circumstances can make it; but the peace of Christ is a constant and abiding peace. It does not depend upon any circumstances in life, on the amount of worldly goods or the number of earthly friends. Christ is the fountain of living water, and happiness drawn from Him can never fail. The meekness of Christ, manifested in the home, will make the inmates happy; it provokes no quarrel, gives back no angry answer, but soothes the irritated temper and diffuses a gentleness that is felt by all within its charmed circle. Wherever cherished, it makes the families of earth a part of the one great family above. Far better would it be for us to suffer under false accusation than to inflict upon ourselves the torture of retaliation upon our enemies. The spirit of hatred and revenge originated with Satan, and can bring only evil to him who cherishes it. Lowliness of heart, that meekness which is the fruit of abiding in Christ, is the true secret of blessing. He will beautify the meek with salvation. Psalm 149:4. The meek shall inherit the earth. It was through the desire for self-exaltation that sin entered into the world, and our first parents lost the dominion over this fair earth, their kingdom. It is through self -abnegation that Christ redeems what was lost. And He says we are to overcome as He did. Revelation 3:21. Through humility and selfsurrender we may become heirs with Him when the meek shall inherit the earth. Psalm 37:11. The earth promised to the meek will not be like this, darkened with the shadow of death and the curse. We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. There shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and His servants shall serve Him. 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 22:3. There is no disappointment, no sorrow, no sin, no one who shall say, I am sick; there are no burial trains, no mourning, no death, no partings, no broken hearts; but Jesus is there, peace is there. There they shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for He that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall He guide them. Isaiah 49:10. (MB 15-18)

Yours in Christ Jesus,

A.D. JEZREEL

THE FIRST OF THE FIRST FRUITS

(Special Edition) We must not be superficial readers and thinkers. Let us be deep Bible students (2 TG 6:15). How many men in this age of the world fail to go deep enough. They only skim the surface. They will not think closely enough to see difficulties and grapple with them, and will not examine every important subject which comes before them with thoughtful, prayerful study, and with sufficient caution and interest to see the real point at issue. They talk of matters which they have not fully and carefully weighed, -- Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 4, p. 361. How readest thou? (3 SC 3, 4:15). Says the Spirit of Prophecy, Close reasoners and logical thinkers are few. (3 SC 5, 6:7) Those who take from books only sentences instead of taking the books entire will never by themselves find the truth, and therefore instead of helping others, others will have to help them. (3 SC 8-10:10). Let us not however forget, that (the Jews by) their perversions of the Scriptures by their uninspired interpretations of them caused them to lose the way, and finally to reject and even to crucify their own long-expected Redeemer. (1 TG 15:6) First of all, we need to establish the absolute fact, that it can never be called first fruits if there is no second, according to 9 TR 56. Logically then, if there is first of the first fruits there must also be first of the second fruits. If there is first fruits of the barley there must also be second fruits, as well as to the wheat. Now, let us read 4 TR 37, 38 THE FIRST BORN, THE FIRST FRUITS In Gods original plan, the first born of every family were to be the ministers of the temple. The first born of the flesh, therefore, are the type of the first-born of the Spirit. And though the typical first-born lost their priestly inheritance to the Levites, yet in the restitution of all things, in the final Davidian Period (Acts 15:16), this office will be restored to the antitypical first-born, the firstfruits of the harvest (Rev. 14:4), for they are the servants of our God. Rev. 7:3. This restoration, therefore, is to follow their Absolute Reformation, Resulting in Perfect Safety. (4 TR 37, 38) To get a correct understanding of this process, however, one must necessarily see it in historical perspective, to the 12 sons of Jacob. Let us read

GENESIS 29:32-35
Verse 32 And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me. Verse 33 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard that I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his name Simeon. Verse 34 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi. Verse 35 And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing. Then obvious it is, the only first born son of Jacob to Leah must be Reuben. Now let us read

GENESIS 30:3-8
Verse 3 And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees that I may

also have children by her. Verse 4 And she gave him Bilhah her handmaid to wife: and Jacob went in unto her. Verse 5 And Bilhah conceived, and bare Jacob a son. Verse 6 And Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son: therefore called she his name Dan. Verse 7 And Bilhah Rachels maid conceived again, and bare Jacob a second son. Verse 8 And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali. Therefore the only first born son of Jacob to Bilhah must be Dan.

GENESIS 30:9-13
Verse 9 When Leah saw that she had left bearing, she took Zilpah her maid, and gave her Jacob to wife. Verse 10 And Zilpah Leahs maid bare Jacob a son. Verse 11 And Leah said, A troop cometh: and she called his name Gad. Verse 12 And Zilpah Leahs maid bare Jacob a second son. Verse 13 And Leah said, Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed: and she called his name Asher. Then the only son that can be considered as first born to Zilpah must be Gad.

GENESIS 30:22-24
Verse 22 And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb. Verse 23 And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach: Verse 24 And she called his name Joseph; and said, The LORD shall add to me another son. Here we can plainly see, that the only first born sons of Jacob, must be Reuben, Dan, Gad and Joseph. Now, let us read 2 SR 76 This fact is proven by the type (the twelve tribes). It will be noticed that in the reckoning of the tribes of Spiritual Israel (the 144,000) by the type (Israel after the flesh) as in Revelation 7:5-8, the tribe of Dan is missing, and instead the tribe of Manasseh, the first born son of Joseph is numbered. The type corresponds perfectly with the anti-type, for Judas Iscariot being one of the twelve apostles, was cast aside, of whom Dan is a figure. And in his stead Paul of Tarsus was added, of whom Manasses is a figure. Therefore, we see perfect harmony in type and anti-type. (2 SR 76) The SROD made it so plain, that Rev. 7:5-8 is typological. Gods law of type that where there is type, there must also be anti-type. (9 TR 72) And according to our reading Dan is the type and Judas Iscariot is the antitype. The voice of Inspiration declared clearly, that Ezekiel 48 is the New Division of Israel in the kingdom restored (2 TG 42:38; 2 Ans. 83). But notice, the very first portion on the north is the portion of Dan (Eze. 48:1-3). Plainly therefore, only Dan of himself was rejected by God, but not his tribe, although the tribe of Dan was completely rejected by God in the ministry.

Plainly therefore, the only first born sons in Rev. 7:5-8, are Reuben, Gad, Joseph and Manasseh. But notice, the tribe of Reuben is the second, and the tribe of Gad is the third, the tribe of Manasseh is the sixth, and the tribe of Joseph is the eleventh in the sequence of the sealing in Rev. 7:5-8. Of course, all of us fully believe that 5 TR 36 Just as the alphabet lends itself to the fabrication of words, phrases, and sentences into a predetermined pattern of thought, sustained and coherent, likewise the Bible, when made wholly self -defining, marvelously builds its richly varied materials (types, symbols, parables, allegories, numerics, etc.) into a towering revelation, foreordained, of perfectly coordinated, life-saving truth. Accordingly, as every letter, word, and phrase of a sentence has its appointed part to play in giving coherent expression to the thought intended, just so has every scripture its appointed part in unfolding Bible truths. When each is carefully joined in its right relation in the picture of revealed truth, one leading on to and illuminating another, the great over -all design stands out in all the solemn majesty of its mountainous finality and grandeur. (5 TR 36) Those who are paying homage to evolution everything to him is just a chance. Such a one is denying the Master Mechanic of all creation according to 1 SR 234. In it every informed Bible student discerns, not mere happenstance, but purposive design wrought by the omnipotent hand of providence. ( 1 SR p.e. 37) Now, let us read

MALACHI 3:1-3
Verse 1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. Verse 2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiners fire, and like fullers soap: Verse 3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. The promise was to the tribe of Levi, why not Judah? The tribe of Levi in the sequence of the sealing in Rev. 7:5-8, is on number 8. Obviously therefore, it was predicted beforehand that such promise as predicted in Malachi 3:1-3, will be fulfilled in the 8th church of the New Testament succession the house of David. Let us read 1 Ans. 32, 33 But later, to the Laodicean leadership (angel), He makes an even more drastic decree, an unconditional, unequivocal, sharp and final statement, that He will spue them out, thus bringing the Laodicean church government to an abrupt and cataclysmic climax. At this very time, then, the church is to undergo a thorough house-cleaning, a change of administration and organization, even as anciently the Kingdom was rent from Saul and given to David (1 Sam. 15:28). And just as David, the eighth son of Jesse, was not chosen until the succession of his seven brothers had one by one passed in review, so the house of David (Zech. 12:8; Testimonies Vol. 5, p. 81), the church freed from the tares, the eighth church in the New Testament succession, was not to come into being until the succession of seven had passed one by one. (See Tract No. 8, Mt. Sion at the Eleventh Hour). (1 Ans. 32, 33) Let us distinctly separate, the house of David and the house of Saul (2 Sam. 3:1-6). Let us read 8 TR 47-49 WHY DAVID A TYPE? Inevitably because he is the only one who perfectly fits the antitype -- the leadership in the time of the Loud Cry of the Third Angels Message. This being so, then it necessarily follows that Saul, the first king who reigned over Israel, and who was largely responsible for the early experience of Davids life, is a type of the church leadership in the period preceding the Loud Cry -- the leadership which was raised up in 1844, and for the sole purpose of gathering the 144,000, the first fruits of the kingdom. In each case, type perfectly matches antitype.

On account of his outwardly kingly appearance, Saul was chosen by the people, as the reader will remember, to be their king, in spite of Gods disapproval (1 Sam. 8:7). Then finally when God rejected him and anointed David to be a king in his stead, he was determined to retain the throne by attempting to kill David, but ended up, ever before David ascended it, by deliberately killing himself (1 Sam. 31:4). Time has already demonstrated that the S.D.A. organization is fulfilling the type. Preferring to incorporate, and to elect officers by the peoples vote, they have thereby manifested that they have cared not so much to please God by being a peculiar people, as He would have them to be, as they have to please themselves by being as much as possible like the other denominations -- just as in Sauls time the people wanted to be like the nations round about them (1 Sam. 8:5, 7). And although chosen by the people, yet the General Conference officers were nevertheless accepted by God to be the rulers over His people now, as Saul was anciently. Just as he betrayed his trust, however, by disobeying the Word of God as spoken to him by the prophet Samuel, so the present church organization, the ancient men...before the house, have, says the prophet to the church today, betrayed their trust. Testimonies, Vol. 5 p. 211. (For a more ample treatment of the subject of organization, see our Organization Manual). (8 TR 47-49) Plainly therefore, with such weighty of evidences here amassed there is manifestly one conclusion possible, that the sons of Levi in Malachi 3:1-3 is the house of David the DSDA organization by which God hath ever promised to purify them, and not the house of Saul. The voice of Inspiration declared clearly Are we hoping to see the whole church (the house of Saul) revived? That time will never come (1 SM 122). (To have more definite understanding, please read our pamphlets THE HOUSE OF DAVID and also THE HOUSE OF SAUL.) Now, let us read 4 TR 37, 38 THE FIRST-BORN, THE FIRST FRUITS. In Gods original plan, the first-born of every family were to be the ministers of the temple. The first-born of the flesh, therefore, are the type of the first-born of the Spirit. And though the typical first-born lost their priestly inheritance to the Levites, yet in the restitution of all things, in the final Davidian Period (Acts 15:16), this office will be restored to the antitypical first -born, the firstfruits of the harvest (Rev. 14:4), for they are the servants of our God. Rev. 7:3. (4 TR 37, 38) The statement declared clearly And though the typical firstborn lost their priestly inheritance to the Levites, clearly indicates that such original plan, the first born of every family were to be the ministers of the temple, from Adam up to the time of Moses was completely changed. God declared Numbers 18:21 And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.

NUMBERS 17:1-10
Verse 1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Verse 2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and take of every one of them a rod according to the house of their fathers, of all their princes according to the house of their fathers twelve rods: write thou every mans name upon his rod Verse 3 And thou shalt write Aarons name upon the rod of Levi: for one rod shall be for the head of the house of their fathers. Verse 4 And thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle of the congregation before the testimony, where I will meet with you. Verse 5 And it shall come to pass, that the mans rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom: and I will make to cease from me the murmurings of the children of Israel, whereby they murmur against you.

Verse 6 And Moses spake unto the children of Israel, and every one of their princes gave him a rod apiece, for each prince one, according to their fathers houses, even twelve rods: and the rod of Aaron was among their rods. Verse 7 And Moses laid up the rods before the LORD in the tabernacle of witness. Verse 8 And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds. Verse 9 And Moses brought out all the rods from before the LORD unto all the children of Israel: and they looked, and took every man his rod. Verse 10 And the LORD said unto Moses, Bring Aarons rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels; and thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not. Here we can plainly see, that from the time when the Israelites had been apostatized, by which only the tribe of Levi remained faithful unto the Lord, God decreed that the priestly inheritance was taken from the first born son, and completely given to the tribe of Levi, according to Inspiration. Now, let us read

HEBREWS 7:5, 12-14

Verse 5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: Verse 12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. Verse 13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. Verse 14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. Plainly therefore the dispensation of the Levitical priesthood ended after the death of Christ. Then such priestly inheritance was taken from the tribe of Levi and was given to the tribe of Judah. Now, let us read Genesis 49:10 The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. The word scepter is a noun. It is a staff or wand carried as the badge of command or sovereignty. To confer the scepter on invest with royal power. Numbers 24:17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth. 2 TG 20:21 Obviously this is a prophecy of Christ having taken the reins in His own hands. Testimonies to Ministers, pg. 300. Such is His Righteousness that we are urged to know. Concretely speaking, knowing the righteousness of Christ is knowing whole-heartedly that in the latter days He is to take the Scepter, that He is to reign; that at the outset He is to smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth; that Edom and Seir shall be a possession for His enemies; that Israel shall do valiantly; that He shall have dominion, and so on. According to Scripture, this is our righteousness of Christ if we know it. And he who realizes that the reign of Christ and His kingdom is not something intangible, not something imaginary floating in space, as it were, somewhere across hell, but a real thing, as real as any of the kingdoms today, will immediately inquire, as did the Apostle Paul, What wilt Thou have me to do Lord? (2 TG 20:21)

DA 34 The dying words of Jacob filled them with hope: The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come. Genesis 49:10. The waning power of Israel testified that the Messiahs coming was at hand. The prophecy of Daniel pictured the glory of His reign over an empire which should succeed all earthly kingdoms; and, said the prophet, It shall stand forever. Daniel 2:44. While few understood the nature of Christs mission, there was a widespread expectation of a mighty prince who should establish his kingdom in Israel, and who should come as a deliverer to the nations. (DA 34) All of us agreed that Shiloh is represented by Jesus Christ, according to DA 205. Obviously therefore, from Christs first advent up to His second advent, it was predicted beforehand that the scepter will no longer depart from Judah. The SROD declared clearly The first -born of the flesh, therefore, are the type of the first-born of the Spirit. (4 TR 37) Undoubtedly, they that are born after the Spirit points out definitely to the righteous. Then obvious it is, the first born after the flesh by which typify the first born after the Spirit, must also be represented by the righteous. Let us portray it through a diagram:

4000 B.C.

1451 B.C.

Within this period of time, God decreed, that the first born son of every family must be the lineage of the Priesthood. But in 1451 B.C. it was transferred to the tribe of Levi.

1451 B.C.

31 A.D.

Within this period of time, God decreed that such Priesthood must be taken from the tribe of Levi, and it is called the Levitical Priesthood. But in 31 A.D., the law was changed, and the Priesthood is given to the tribe of Judah. And it is called The Priesthood of Christ.

Brothers and Sisters, let us distinctly separate, those first born after the flesh in typical period, and those first born after the flesh in the antitypical period. The SROD made it so plain, that the crucifixion of Jesus Christ is the dividing line of the typical and antitypical periods. (see 2 SR 218, 219; 2 SR 53.) Now, let us read 1 SR p.e. 62, 63 Then Mercy brought forth Seth to carry on the part which Abel was circumstantially forced to leave. Cain, the first-born, represents, according to Bible order, a class of ministry, while Abel and Seth, the younger, necessarily represent a class of laity. (1 SR p.e. 62, 63) (To have more understanding, please read our pamphlet THE ALLEGORICAL PROPHECY.) The SROD made it so plain, that such antitypical first born after the flesh are those ministry by which circumstantially represents a carnal ministry who are led to that office, not through spiritual birthright and a call from the Lord of the vineyard, but only through favorable opportunity. The uppermost question is, when would that be, such favorable opportunity? Let us read 1 Ans. 64, 65 Being determined, though, to bring the Reformation to naught, Satan has from its beginning constantly worked to cause every church member to revel in private interpretation of the Scriptures and in extra Biblical theories. Consequently, Protestantism today finds itself following not merely in the way of the uninspired Bible interpretations of one man but in the ways of the uninspired interpretations of thousands of men! And the result is that Christendom teems with schism and confusion unrivaled in history --evidence that the great work of the founding fathers of the Protestant Reformation has been perverted and turned into an undermining force for the frustration of Gods special design for the church today. Thus we see that the Reformation, which, originally under the direction of inspired men, lifted the church out

of one morass, later under the direction of uninspired men, plunged her into another, wherein she has been floundering ever since. And unless we let the Truth extricate us from this fatal bog of confusion, we cannot defeat the Enemy of Inspiration in his tireless and powerful efforts to pervert the implements of our salvation into weapons for our destruction. (1 Ans. 64, 65) The only favorable opportunity by which these firstborn after the flesh in the antitypical period come to the ministry, is after such heaven-called founder died. Inspiration declared 3 SC 11, 12:10 A herculean task indeed it was to bring the beloved church of God out from under the rubbish of tradition which had been accumulating ever since her members had, in search of light, turned away from God, and begun to receive uninspired explanations of the Scriptures, and to punish those who dared oppose the doctrines which they themselves had privately established, and this they continued up to the time that the deadly blow struck her captors and set her at liberty to choose her own doctrines. Of this event, Luther writes: I stood up against the pope, indulgences, and papists, but without violence or tumult. I put forward Gods word: I preached and wrote -- this was all I did. And yet while I was asleep,the word that I had preached overthrow popery, so that neither prince nor emperor has done it so much harm. And yet I did nothing; the Word alone did all. -- The Great Controversy p. 190. The church, ever since emerging from her long sojourn in the wilderness, has not been able at once to shake from herself all the dirt -- heathen customs -- upon her, nor as yet to comprehend the whole truth, although the reformers were very zealous to restore the principles of the early church. Consequently, it has taken many years to recover the down-trodden doctrines, such as Righteousness by Faith, the Holy Spirit, Free grace, Baptism by Immersion, etc. Moreover, after the death of each reformer, the churches which they founded fell into the hands of foolish shepherds who were reaching out after numbers rather than after real converts. Thus as they flooded the churches with worldlings, they caused her to backslide after each forward step, with the consequence that the Lord has had to shift the responsibilities from the old leadership to a new one in each call of reformation. (3 SC 11, 12:10) The voice of Inspiration declared clearly, that the Movement which is originally under the direction of the inspired servant of God, later after Gods heaven-called founder died the movement fell into the hands of uninspired men. That when such heaven-called founder died, Satan has from its beginning constantly worked to cause every church member to revel in private interpretation of the Scriptures and in extra Biblical theories. And the sad fact is that these people punish those who dared oppose the doctrines which they themselves had privately established. (3 SC 11, 12:10) Thus adding evidence to evidence, all the passages overwhelmingly show, that all these leaderships who took over the Movement after such heaven-called founder died are the antitypical first born after the flesh. By which the SROD clearly declared, that these class of people came to such office of the ministry through favorable opportunity. Plainly therefore, Isaac represents as born after the Spirit (the righteous), in the typical period, and the Christians is the antitypical (Isaacites) as born after the Spirit in the antitypical period. Or in other words all the righteous from Abraham up to the death of Christ are represented by typical Isaac, and all the righteous from 31 A.D. up to the judgment of the living are represented by antitypical Isaac. And all the wicked from Abraham up to the death of Christ, are represented by typical Ishmael born after the flesh, and all the wicked from 31 A.D. up to the judgment of the living are represented by antitypical Ishmael born after the flesh. Now, let us read 2 SR 169 Thus the noun men used by Ezekiel, and the noun virgins by John is a collective Biblical term comprehending both. Furthermore, the denomination numbers a little over 300,000 at present time. Only about a third of them are men. If every man was sealed and numbered as one of the 144,000, we still would be far short of reaching the total. Again we note at the time of the passover in Egypt the blood on the door-post was a type of the marking or sealing. (The Shepherds Rod, Vol. 1, pp. 96-98). In that night wherever the blood appeared on the door -post, the first born whether male or female, perished not; just so now, those who receive the seal, have applied the blood on the door -post (forehead), and as the first born of both classes, those who died and those who did not, were a type of the present priesthood (ministry), evidently, the type points forward to a ministry in the anti-type made up of both sexes -- the first born who died represent the class that shall fall under the slaughter weapons of the five men; and the first born who escaped

from death, represent the class that shall receive the mark of the man with the writers inkhorn and pass from death to life. Thus the first born who lived and passed through the red sea, are a type of the 144,000. The first fruits of the harvest, are the servants of God in the time of the loud cry of the Third Angels Message. (2 SR 169) 1 TG 31:9 The first born (firstfruits) who failed to paint the door post with the sacrificial blood in the first exodus, the type, perished. So any of the firstfruits of today who fails to comply with the demands of the message for today, will as certainly perish at the angels slaughter weapons (Ezek. 9:5, 6). (1 TG 31:9) 1 SR 98, 99 The blood on the door post is the symbol of the seal, Revelation 7; mark, Ezekiel 9 (Rev. 7 and Eze. 9, is the same mark or seal). See Testimonies To Ministers, page 445. The blood being applied on the door post is to signify that the seal, or mark by which the 144,000 are to be sealed, is to be visible. The door post and the forehead both have the same significance. We do not mean to say that it is a certain visible brand, or mark on their foreheads, but a seal of character, principal, or rule; the standard being the pure Word of God. Thus they apply the blood on the door post, and their brethren in the church could be conscious of a change. (1 SR 98, 99) The blood on the door post is the symbol of the seal, according to our reading. The saints of God are sealed with present truth in all ages, and whatever that present truth is, that is the seal. (1 SR 28) The seal, or mark by which the 144,000 are to be sealed is to be visible, according to 1 SR 99. Such seal is visible, through our spiritual eyes, seeing that the seal is the present Truth. The first six seals, or the present Truth under the first six seals are intended to the saints to be resurrected, whereas the present Truth under the seventh seal is for the living saints. (see 2 SR 198, 202.) The one who did symbolically applied the blood on the door post are those who are conscious of a change according to 1 SR 99. Inspiration declared Thus, present truth has the power to change the individual and fit him for eternal life, which is the seal of the living God. ( 2 SR 198) Then obvious it is, only those who did apply the blood on the door post (accepted the present Truth under the 7th seal), will then be spared from the coming destruction. Now, lets turn back to our main subject

THE FIRST OF THE FIRST-FRUITS

2 SC 10:9 Answer: Solomon admonishes: Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase. (Prov. 3:9). Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto Me. (Ex. 22:29). And this shall be the priests due from the people, from them that offer a sacrifice, whether it be ox or sheep;...the firstfruit also of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the first of the fleece of thy sheep, shalt thou give Him. (Deut. 18:3, 4). That thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which thou shalt bring of thy land that the Lord thy God giveth thee, and shalt put it in a basket, and shalt go unto the place which the Lord thy God shall choose to place His name there. (Deut. 26:2). As it is written in the law: to bring the firstfruits of our ground, and the firstfruits of all fruit of all trees, year by year, unto the house of the Lord. (Neh. 10:34, 35). From these scriptures we are not, however, to draw the erroneous conclusion that all of the firstfruits are demanded by the Lord. God requires only an offering of the first of the firstfruits, as is proved by the fact of the wavesheaf, presented to the Lord before the individual could harvest his crop of firstfruits (Lev. 23:10); that is, besides the tithe, we owe an offering, and should not hold back Gods portion but pay it at once, before we

appropriate to ourselves any of our increase. (2 SC 10:9) The wave sheaf is the first of the first fruits. And the waving of such sheaf before the Lord is a permit before each individual could be able to harvest their individual crop of first fruits, according to the SROD. Let us read 1 SM 305 When the first heads of grain ripened in the field, they were carefully gathered; and when the people went up to Jerusalem, these were presented to the Lord as a thank offering. The people waved the ripened sheaf before God, acknowledging Him as the Lord of the harvest. After this ceremony the sickle could be put to the wheat, and the harvest gathered. (1 SM 305) The statement declared clearly after this ceremony the sickle could be put to the wheat, and the harvest gathered. With such weighty evidences here amassed, there is manifestly one conclusion possible, that every waving ceremony has a different significance, such as: 1.) The very first waving of the sheaf each individual required to offer a sheaf (an omer) before they are permitted to harvest each individual crop of first fruits. Such waving is not done in the temple of Jerusalem, but rather to their respective places unto the priest assigned to their designated places. 2.) The second waving of the sheaf each individual are no longer required, but rather among those sheaves that had been offered, the best sheaves that had been offered, the best sheaves are selected one (1) omer to each tribe to be brought into Jerusalem. And such waving is a permit to gather the harvested barley crop, and also a permit to harvest the wheat. Therefore, on that very day, tomorrow after the Sabbath there are two wavings first each tribe must have one (1) omer of sheaf to be waved before the Lord as a permit to gather all the harvested barley crop, and then among the 12 sheaves, there must be chosen best sheaf one (1) omer to waved before the Lord as a permit to harvest the wheat. Now, let us read PP 540 Fifty days from the offering of first fruits, came the Pentecost, called also the feast of harvest and the feast of weeks. As an expression of gratitude for the grain prepared as food, two loaves baked with leaven were presented before God. The Pentecost occupied but one day, which was devoted to religious service. (PP 540) This festival is called the wheat harvest, seeing at this time the barley crop is already completely gathered. Obviously therefore, this ceremony is a celebration as an emblem that all the wheat crop had been completely harvested. And before all the harvested wheat crop can be gathered, they must first offer two wave-loaves before the Lord. (To have more definite understanding, please read our pamphlet THE WAVE SHEAF AND WAVE LOAVES.) Inspiration declared All the ceremonies of the feast were types of the work of Christ. ( DA 77) The phrase the work of Christ cannot be construed that mankind have nothing to perform in such work of Christ. But rather such work of Christ is a work by which he will perform how we the living saints to become as colaborers with Him. Such process would be 1. wave to comprehend the message. 2. wave to equip. 3. wave to empower. 4. Pentecost the wave-loaves being a finished product, signify to those who are already gone to the waving process. Number 3 represents Trinity. Now, who are they

The First of the First Fruits?

Ezekiel 44:30 And the first of all the firstfruits of all things, and every oblation of all, of every sort of your oblations, shall be the priests: ye shall also give unto the priest the first of your dough, that he may cause the blessing to rest in thine house.

The word of God plainly declared that there must be first of the first fruits of all things. Obviously therefore, since the 144,00 are the first fruits, being taken from the 12 tribes, there must be first of the first fruits of each tribe. Now, let us read 2 SR 75, 76 Her crown of twelve stars originally represented the twelve patriarchs and later the twelve tribes after they went out of Egypt, at which time the wonderful light shining from the written Word of God (the Bible), clothed the church (woman) while she was travailing with the child (the promise of the Messiah). But the crown of twelve stars in the New Testament period stand for the twelve apostles. Number twelve is a symbol of government. Jesus said to them: Ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Matt. 19:28). This fact is proven by the type (the twelve tribes). It will be noticed that in the reckoning of the tribes of Spiritual Israel (the 144,000) by the type (Israel after the flesh) as in Revelation 7:5-8, the tribe of Dan is missing, and instead the tribe of Manasseh, the first born son of Joseph is numbered. The type corresponds perfectly with the anti-type, for Judas Iscariot being one of the twelve apostles, was cast aside, of whom Dan is a figure. And in his stead Paul of Tarsus was added, of whom Manasses is a figure. Therefore, we see perfect harmony in type and anti-type. The lesson in this instance by these unmistakable symbols, teaches that God has had only one church, one truth, and one way of salvation for all generations. The same is also expressed in the words of Paul: There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all. (Eph. 4:4-6). (2 SR 75, 76) 2 SR 79, 80 In reality the twelve stars on the womans crown originally represented the twelve patriarchs; later the twelve tribes of fleshly Israel; after that the twelve apostles; and last the twelve tribes of Spiritual Israel (the 144,000). Thus again it proves number four to be an important number, and that by the woman these four periods are represented. (2 SR 79, 80) The SROD definitely declared, that the 12 stars of the womans crown represented by four periods of time. The last representation of the 12 stars are represented by the 12 tribes of Spiritual Israel. Number 12 represents Gods church government. Now, let us read 1 TG 20:14 Again we see the necessity of forsaking our preconceptions of the final work of the gospel. No, the Lord will not drop upon the world like a bolt from the sky. He will first magnify His Word, His power, His righteousness and His church or people. He is also to have, as it were, an ark of safety into which to gather His elect and shield them. All these facts, you see, are vividly borne out in this prophecy. (1 TG 20:14) Here we can plainly see, that Gods work can never be finished, unless First God will magnify His Word. The Word mentioned here is the present Truth under the seventh seal the final outpouring of the Present Truth (1 Ans. 90). And before God could magnify His Word He will wave first the channel of such revelation. Such channel must be antitypical Elijah the Tishbite. a. Antitypical Elijah is wave to become the channel of revelation. b. Antitypical Elijah is wave to comprehend the message. c. Antitypical Elijah is wave to empower him or equip to spread the message. And since the very first foundation of the living church is the 12 stars of the woman, obvious it is, they ( the 12 stars) must represent as: antitypical Judah, Reuben, Gad, Aser, Nepthalim, Manasses, Simeon, Levi, Issachar, Zabulon, Joseph, and Benjamin. Now, let us read 1 SR 73, 74 The Bible says all the souls who came into Egypt were seventy in number. If we can in some way, find the meaning of the number, then we shall understand the lesson. When Moses, with the children of Israel, came to Sinai, he organized the church there, and in organizing, selected seventy elders. This same organization, years later, crossed the Jordan and went into the promised land. There they had the Sanhedrin which was composed of seventy men. Thus, the number seventy is a symbol of church organization. The meaning, then, is that there will be a church organization, sometime in the history of A.D. If this is true, then that church which Christ, with the apostles organized must disband, and of necessity be re-organized. This is true, for the Christian church was disorganized in the dark ages during the time of the beginning of papal rule. When

again organized, it would partially fulfill Joel 2:32, And in the remnant whom the Lord shall call. The 2300 days, or years, of Daniels prophecy in the eighth chapter gives us the entire truth of church history to 1844, until which time there was no call for re-organization. If there had been, or if this call for re -organization had met its fulfillment before 1844, then Daniels prophecy would have made mention of it. As the prophecy is silent, and there has no prophet of God risen since the church fell into papal power about A.D. 538 to 1844, then the truth of the symbol was yet in the future. (1 SR 73, 74) The perfect fulfillment of this predicted event did not as yet occurred in the days of E.G. White and V.T. Houteff. Both Israel going into Egypt (1 SR p.e. 37), and Israel going out of Egypt (1 SR p.e. 53), are typological. Now, let us read

1 SR 100 MOUNT SINAI

In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai. ...And God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before Me. Ex. 19:1; Ex. 20:1-3. Here is where the 430 years ended, beginning with Abraham going out of Ur. Patriarchs and Prophets, page 760. Here is where Moses organized a church, when he appointed seventy elders, and where God spoke to the people Himself. The experience at Sinai is a symbol of re -organization of the church,--God Himself takes charge of the flock. We read in Volume 5, page 80: We have been inclined to think that where there are no faithful ministers, there can be no true Christians; but this is not the case. God has promised that were the shepherds are not true He will take charge of the flock Himself. God has never made the flock wholly dependent upon human instrumentalities. But the days of purification of the church are hastening on apace. God will have a people pure and true. In the mighty sifting soon to take place, we shall be better able to measure the strength of Israel. (1 SR 100) Here we can plainly see, that God will anoint first antitypical Elijah the Tishbite. Then afterwards, the 12 stars will undergo the process of waving. And then the rest, the 58 souls to complete the 70 souls to represent Gods church organization according to Inspiration. (To have more clearer understanding please read our pamphlet THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST, and THE HARVEST IN THE JUDGMENT OF THE LIVING.) In Summary: 1. There must be first of the first fruits which pertains to the message the present Truth under the seventh seal. 2. The completeness of the firstfruits is the completeness of the present Truth under the seventh seal completely unfolded. 3. The 12 stars as the first of the firstfruits of the entire 12 tribes of Spiritual Israel. 4. There must be 120 souls as the first of the first fruits of each tribe. 5. Therefore 120 12 = 1,440 the entire first of the firstfruits of the 12 tribes. To have more definite understanding, let us put it into a diagram.

Nov. 27, 2011 A.D.

Antitypical Elijah the Tishbite waved to become channel of the revelation of the present Truth under the 7th Seal.

Jan. 15, 2012 A.D.

Antitypical Elijah the Tishbite is empowered to comprehend the message on its entirety, to give it to others. At the same time on Jan. 15, 2012 A.D. [The Pentecost], the 119 souls are empowered to comprehend the message.

Nov. 18, 2012 A.D.

The 49 souls among the 120 [EAST] is waved before the Lord, to become channel as the helpers of the prophet. At the same time there is 1 soul, selected by the Holy Spirit in the West.

Jan. 6, 2013 A.D.

At this time [Pentecost], the 49 souls in the East completely absorbed the message, empowered to give the message to the 70 souls in the East. At this time there are already 119 souls selected by the Holy Spirit, to become The Lords Arm.

Nov. 10, 2013 A.D.

The 120 souls are to be waved at this time, to become the Lords Arm to proclaim the message in The Loud Cry. At this time, there are 120 souls wave in the West (U.S.A.) to become a part of The Lords Arm to proclaim the message in The LOUD CRY.

Dec. 29, 2013 A.D.

The 120 souls in the East are empowered to gather the 120 souls in the West into one accord (not place, but on Truth). At the same time the 120 souls in the West are offered as the Wave-Loaves the completeness of the first of the first fruits in the tribe of Judah.

Nov. 9, 2014 A.D.

The 24 souls among the 120 in the West wave before the Lord, selected to become the messenger of the remaining 120, to gather into one accord.

Dec. 28, 2014 A.D.

At this time the 120 souls in the West completely comprehend the message, empowered to give the message to the remaining saints under the tribe of Judah.

Nov. 1, 2015 A.D.

The 1,440 souls as the entire wave sheaf of the 144,000 are wave before the Lord. The 360 souls that are wave at this time among the 1,440, are the entire first of the first fruits of all the first born sons.

Dec. 20, 2015 A.D.

At this time the 360 souls are empowered to proclaim the message of the acceptable year of the Lord within 360 days. From Dec. 20, 2015 up to Sept. 12, 2016 A.D.

Note: If you will read, THE POWER OF THE WORD, THE HARVEST IN THE JUDGMENT OF THE LIVING and THE WAVE SHEAF AND THE WAVE LOAVES there are different wavings and outpouring of The Holy Ghost with different significant and task.

Yours in Christ Jesus,

A.D. JEZREEL Contact Info; Smart (63) 9183866769 Globe (63) 9062328293 Globe (63) 9174500927 Land-line (088) 855 1692 Email add: ariel_dacutanan@yahoo.com laymansmovementoftheda@yahoo.com or visit us at www.facebook.com/laymansmovement.......your communication will be greatly appreciated.

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