the silver trumpet, vol. 1, nos. 15-16

THE SILVER TRUMPET“Let Elohim arise, let Their enemies be scattered; and let

those who hate Them fee from Their Presence.” - Psalm 68:1

The Flying ScrollAnd the Only Way to Life

Vol. 1, Nos. 15-16 New Moon (July 18, 2015) 5th and 6th Months New Moon (Aug. 17, 2015)

Yahweh spoke to Moses, “Make two trumpets of silver; you are to makethem from a single hammered piece. And they shall be for assembling thecommunity and for directing the traveling of the camps. When they blowthem both, all the community must come to you to the entrance of the tentof meeting. But if they blow with one trumpet, then the leaders, the heads ofthe thousands of Israel must assemble themselves. When you blow analarm, 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 arelocated on the south side must begin to move. An alarm must be soundedfor 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 blowthe trumpets; and they will be to you for an eternal ordinance throughoutyour generations. If you go to war in your land against an adversary whoopposes you, then you must sound an alarm with the trumpets, and you willbe remembered before Yahweh your Elohim, and you will be saved fromyour enemies. Also in the time when you rejoice, such as on your appointedfestivals and at the beginnings of your months, you must blow with yourtrumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifces of your peaceofferings, so that they may be a memorial for you before your Elohim: I amYahweh your Elohim.” - Numbers 10:1-10

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The Silver Trumpet Vol. 1 Nos. 15-16 1

The Flying Scrollby Trent Wilde

1 Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and beholda fying roll. 2 And he said unto me, What seest thou? And Ianswered, I see a fying roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, andthe breadth thereof ten cubits. 3 Then said he unto me, This is thecurse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: For everyone that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; andevery one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according toit. 4 I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enterinto the house of the thief, and into the house of him that swearethfalsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house,and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.- Zechariah 5:1-4 (KJV)

Once again, we are brought to the consideration of a secondtemple prophecy. There are a couple of points which have been wellestablished in past studies1 that are important to keep in mind. First,the prophecies of the second temple ultimately meet their fulfllmentin the last days. And second, the building of the second temple was, inreality, the rebuilding of the frst temple, Solomon's temple, whichitself was truly David's temple, since it was to him and through himthat the pattern was revealed (1 Chron. 28:11-19). What this meansfor the antitypical second temple is that it is, in the fullest sense, the re-establishment of the tabernacle of David (Amos 9:11; Zech. 12:8).

Let us never consider these things without a deep sense of itsimport for us as individuals. Prophecy declares that we are verily inthe last days.2 Things are happening of which we cannot afford to beignorant. At the close of the Babylonian exile, the Jews were called toreturn and build the temple, but many were too entrenched inBabylonian living. To them, returning to Jerusalem was too much ofan inconvenience. As a result, the rebuilding of the temple wasdelayed and, in fact, it never reached the splendor which it formerlyhad in the days of Solomon. If only the individuals who then had anopportunity had availed themselves of it, the history of the worldwould be oh so different. Now, here we are in the same place, in thetime of the building of the second antitypical temple, and what we

1 See The Silver Trumpet, Vol. 1, No. 8 and the other studies cited therein. 2 See The World Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow (Tract 12) by Victor Houteff.

2 The Silver Trumpet Vol. 1 Nos. 15-16

choose as individuals again makes all the difference.The prophecy we are herein set to examine is of utmost importance

to all of our readers. What it says concerns us at this very time, and itsmessage is not one which can be understood or received casually.

The vision is simple – there is a fying scroll, 20 cubits by 10 cubits,which is about 30 feet by 15 feet. Imagine this scroll! There has neverbeen a scroll like it in the history of the world. Its dimensions arebordering on the ridiculous. Moreover, it is not seen rolled up in ascroll box or spread across a table; rather, it is fying through the air! Itis not a scroll which has its effect on only a few either. No! It is said togo forth through the whole earth and enter into the houses of thethieves and false swearers to destroy their houses. Considering the factthat if we break one commandment we are guilty of all (James 2:10)and that all who sin are guilty of stealing from Christ His boughtpossession (themselves), it is apparent that this scroll is set to gothrough every house. Again, to emphasize – the time to which thisprophecy refers is said to be when all are dead in trespasses and sins(Eze. 37). Through Malachi (another second temple prophet) Yahwehdeclared,

8 Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed me. But you say,“How have we robbed you?” In tithes and offerings. 9 You arecursed with a curse: for you have robbed me, even this whole nation. -Malachi 3:8-9

The Spirit calls upon all to examine themselves. Do you have anysin? Have you withheld tithes and offerings from God's storehouse,thus making yourself a thief? Have you professed yourself to be afollower of Christ, but misrepresented his character, thus makingyourself a false swearer? Scripture declares all under sin. The wholenation has robbed God. All have fallen short. By this you are meant tolearn that you are to expect a visit from the fying scroll and that it isnot coming to be an added decoration on your wall.

So then, what is this fying scroll? As I'm sure all have alreadyperceived, this is no regular scroll. The dimensions alone keep us fromconsidering this scroll to be of human origin. In fact, the prophecyitself says that it was sent from Yahweh (vs. 4), implying its heavenlyorigin.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 itsactivity, is its dimensions, and they are quite specifc – 20 cubits by 10cubits. The fact that we are given the specifc measurements ratherthan simply being told that the scroll was very large or that it wastwice as long as it was wide, should inform us that there is specifcsignifcance to the measurements. There are only two other things insacred scripture which are described as having these same dimensions,and both of them are part of Solomon's temple. It must beremembered that this prophecy was given during the rebuilding ofSolomon's temple and that the temple was the thing foremost in thepeople's thoughts. Zechariah's description of the scroll as being 20cubits by 10 cubits would have immediately called two things to theminds of his frst hearers. The frst is Solomon's porch:

3 The porch in front of the main hall of the temple was 20 cubitslong, corresponding to the width of the temple. It was 10 cubitswide, extending out from the front of the temple. - 1 Kings 6:3

Before considering the signifcance of the porch, we will quote thepassages describing the second item of the same dimensions; namely,the cherubim in the Holy of Holies:

23 In the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim of olive wood;each stood 10 cubits high. 24 Each of the frst cherub's wings was 5cubits long; its entire wingspan was 10 cubits. 25 The second cherubalso had a wingspan of 10 cubits; it was identical to the frst inmeasurements and shape. 26 Each cherub stood 10 cubits high.27 He put the cherubs in the inner sanctuary of the temple. Theirwings were spread out. One of the frst cherub's wings touched onewall and one of the other cherub's wings touched the opposite wall.The frst cherub's other wing touched the second cherub's otherwing in the middle of the room. - 1 Kings 6:23-27

10 In the most holy place he made two images of cherubim andplated them with gold. 11 The combined wingspan of the cherubswas 20 cubits. One of the frst cherub's wings was 5 cubits long andtouched one wall of the temple; its other wing was also 5 cubits longand touched one of the second cherub's wings. 12 Likewise one of

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; 98:7-8; 104:1; 106:19; 107:1; 108:3, 7; Jub. 30:22; 36:10; 2 Bar. 24:1.


the second cherub's wings was 5 cubits long and touched the wall ofthe temple; its other wing was also 5 cubits and touched one of thefrst cherub's wings. 13 The combined wingspan of these cherubimwas 20 cubits. They stood upright, facing inward. - 2 Chronicles3:10-13

Notice that it is the wingspan of the cherubim, together with theirheight, that gives the dimensions of 20 cubits by 10 cubits. A numberof moons ago, we were shown that the cherubim are a symbol of thedivine council4 as well as Israel.5 The divine council in Heaven centersaround the Shekinah (1 En. 14:15-23), as did the Israelite nation onearth (Num. 2:17), and in both instances, cherubim are described asbeing, as it were, at Her very throne (1 En. 14:11, 18; Ex. 25:17-22).6

Ezekiel's frst vision makes this exceedingly plain as it shows theShekinah on Her cherubim throne. In other words, the reference to ameasurement which is the same as the wingspan of the cherubim isindicative of the presence of the Shekinah. This point is madeespecially clear when it is kept in mind that the measurement here isspecifcally that of the wingspan of the cherubim in the most holy place ofSolomon's temple, where the Shekinah dwelt.

The fact that it is the wingspan in particular which is being referredto is of signifcance in that wings represent truth (Ps. 91:4). In fact, inEzekiel, we are told that the sound of the wings of the cherubim waslike the voice of Shaddai (Eze. 1:24). The truth being symbolized by thewings in this context must be the truth of (and the truths known by)the heavenly council and Israel, for they are the ones symbolized bythe cherubim. Seeing that the fying scroll, by virtue of its dimensions,represents the same thing as the wings of the cherubim, then it toomust represent the truths of the heavenly council and the truths givento Israel7 in addition to indicating the presence of the Shekinah.

4 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.

5 See our video study Ezekiel 4 in Context. 6 For more on this, see our video Tabernacle Among Us. 7 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)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfzPpmfsOpM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjbpCES2tjc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4r2vVVd2p0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3KOZsPh05E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oo3yOZEvLMA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oo3yOZEvLMA


This is brought out more clearly as well when we consider thesignifcance of Solomon's porch in this relation. Simply put, Solomon'sporch was the entryway into the temple, and so, in antitype, it mustrepresent the entryway into the heavenly temple – the sanctuaryabove. Once again, the entryway into the heavenly temple for thoseon earth is the throne of Ezekiel 1, for it is the extension of theheavenly sanctuary to this earth; it is the mediatorial-judicial throneupon earth for the judgment of the living.8

In summary, Zechariah's prophecy of the fying scroll connects itsmeaning (by means of its dimensions) to two features of Solomon'sTemple (which was then being rebuilt) – the cherubim and theportico, or porch. Together, the symbols show that the ultimate andanti-typical meaning must encompass the truth of the divine counciland the truth of Israel, the presence of the Shekinah, and the entrywayto the heavenly sanctuary. Additionally, the symbol itself indicates athing which is not stationary by the fact that the scroll was fying. Allconsidered, the one object in Scripture which meets all theserequirements is the traveling cherubim throne of Ezekiel 1. It certainlyencompasses the truth of the cherubim and their wings (which arespecifcally described), the presence of the Shekinah (Who is alsospecifcally described), and the entryway to the heavenly sanctuary(which is one of the primary purposes of the whole vision).9

With the above revelation, the frst two verses of Zechariah 5become clear. The third verse has yet to be considered. Here it isagain as translated in the King James Version:

3 Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth overthe face of the whole earth: For every one that stealeth shall be cutoff as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shallbe cut off as on that side according to it. - Zechariah 5:3

The meaning of this text is, in many ways, central to the meaningof the passage for this is where the angel provides the interpretation ofthe scroll and begins the description of what it is sent to do. In order tobetter understand it then, it is necessary to look at a couple other (andmore accurate) translations.

8 See Pre-“Eleventh Hour” Extra (Tract 1) by Victor Houteff. 9 Again, see the information in the previous footnotes.


3 And he said to me, “This is the curse going out over the surfaceof the whole earth. For everyone who steals has gone unpunishedaccording to it, and likewise everyone who swears falsely has goneunpunished according to it. - Zechariah 5:3 (Lexham English Bible)

3 He said to me, “This is the curse which goes out over all theland, for every thief according to it has been acquitted, and everyperjurer according to it has been acquitted: - Zechariah 5:3(Anchor Yale Bible)

As you can see, these translations give a radically differentrendering of one aspect in particular. Where the KJV has “cut off,”these better translations have “gone unpunished” and “acquitted” -pretty well the opposite meaning! The Hebrew word underlying theEnglish is niqah (נקה) and does not at all mean “cut off,”10 but rather,“cleansed,” “purifed,” “pardoned,” “to be blameless,” or “purgedfrom guilt.”11 The problem here is that saying, “This is a curse forevery thief and false swearer will be forgiven, cleansed, and madepure, etc.” does not make any sense. Being forgiven and purifedwould be a blessing rather than a curse, both for those beingpardoned, and for everyone else. This may be the reason why theKJV simply mistranslated it; that is, as an attempt to try and make thetext make sense. Mistranslating the text, though, is no solution. It sayswhat it says and that cannot be changed.

In truth, even without the passage on sinners being purifed, it isstill peculiar, and even shocking, for Zechariah to be referring to thescroll (a symbol of the Shekinah and the heavenly truths given toIsrael) as a curse! Thus, we are obliged to investigate the Hebrewword underlying “curse.” The text reads h'lh (האלה). In the 7th-10th

centuries CE, the Masorets (a Jewish scribal community) developed afew systems of vowel pointings which consisted of a series of dots andmarkings placed above and below the letters. Prior to that time,Hebrew was only written as a consonantal text.12 In other words, there

10 The word for “cut off” in Hebrew is karat (כרת).11 For a couple dictionary examples, the Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic

Domains: Hebrew (Old Testament) gives, “go unpunished, be pardoned... lack of sin orwrongdoing... forgive, pardon” etc. Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament has “to be pure... to sprinkle water of purifcation.”

12 This has been the general view among scholars for a long time, but there are also scholars who suggest that some of what we now call consonants may have acted asvowels in ancient Hebrew.


were originally no vowel markings in Hebrew writing, only conson-ants, but the Masorets developed a way to write vowels. One of thosevowel 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 manywords can be made with only these two consonants appearing in thesame 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 ismissing its vowels. With some sentences, at least, it would be possibleto read it in different ways. This actually happens all the time in thetextual criticism of the Hebrew Bible. There are many times when theMasoretic Text (MT), following the ben Asher vowel pointing, willread one way, while the Septuagint (LXX), or another text, will readanother way, but both readings are possible from the sameconsonants. For example, the MT of Psalm 110:3 starts out with thewords ammekha n'davoth Your people are willing...” whereas“ :(עמך נדבת)the LXX reads the same consonants as immekha n'divoth (עמך נדבת):“With you is authority...” Since the original had no vowel pointing,context is what must dictate how we understand the words. We willlook at just one example to illustrate this point. The MT of Isaiah43:14 has the phrase, “For your sakes I have sent to Babylon and willbreak down all refugees (בריחים). And the Chaldeans, their jubilationwill be on ships (באניות).” Alternatively, those same consonants can beread as follows: “For your sakes I have sent to Babylon and will breakdown all bars (בריחים). And the Chaldeans, their jubilation will becomelamentations (באניות).” Clearly, the latter reading is the better one. It iscoherent in and of itself and makes sense in the context whereas theformer reading is almost nonsensical.

Now, let us apply what we have learned to h'lh (האלה) of Zechariah5:3. The Masoretic Text points these consonants as ha-alah (הלה),which can mean “the curse,” but as we have seen, the word “curse”here makes little sense. There is, however, another way to read thesesame consonants, and that is as ha-elah ( ) Elah .(האלה is the feminine (אלהform of the word El (אל), which means “God.”13 Elah ( occurs in its (אלהpossessive form in 1 Kings 11:5 as elohi tsidon (י צדנים and is (אלה

13 See Divine Plurality, Vol. 1, No. 2.


accurately translated “goddess of the Zidonians.”14 Only a few verseslater (1 Kings 11:9), we fnd the phrase elohi yisrael (ל י ישרא which (אלהemploys the same word in its same form as appeared four versesearlier; but unfortunately, translators don't exercise the same fdelity tothe text in this instance.

Looking again at our two options for translating h'lh (האלה), wehave ha-alah (הלה): “the curse,” and ha-elah ( the Goddess.” For“ :(האלהZechariah to refer to the scroll as a curse would be totally out ofcharacter, not only for Zechariah, but for any and all of the Hebrewprophets. Again, this is because the scroll, as we have alreadydemonstrated, is a symbol of the heavenly truth given to Israel (whichincludes the Torah and the rest of Scripture) as well as the ShekinahHerself. Also, the translation “curse” contradicts the context of thepassage, for purifying and pardoning sinners is not a curse, but rathera blessing. Moreover, one wonders why Zechariah would here employha-alah (הלה) for “curse” when by far the most common word forcurse is qalal (קלל) and its variations, which is what Zechariah useselsewhere for “curse” (e.g. Zech. 8:13).

On the other hand, translating h'lh (האלה) as “the Goddess” makesperfect sense both grammatically and contextually. Remember, thedimensions of the fying scroll would have immediately recalled thewings of the cherubim and Solomon's porch to the minds of the Jewswho frst heard and read the vision of Zechariah. What this meant tothem was the presence of the Shekinah and the divine truths given toIsrael. The Shekinah was always viewed as feminine15 and wasspecifcally identifed as elohi yisrael (ל י ישרא the Goddess of Israel.16 ,(אלה

Therefore, to call the scroll ha-elah ( the Goddess,” is entirely“ :(האלהftting. This also coheres with the idea of the scroll bringing pardonand forgiveness – purifying people of iniquity, for this was known as

14 See practically any translation.15 This can be verifed by reading Sirach 24 which describes Wisdom as a feminine

fgure Whom it specifcally equates with the Yahweh who dwelt between the cherubim in the most holy place (aka, the Shekinah). Also, The Wisdom of Solomon clearly speaks of Wisdom as a feminine being (ch. 9) Whom it also equates with the Shekinah (Wis. 10:17).

16 This can be seen in Psalm 68, which starts off quoting Numbers 10:35 which refers to the Shekinah and the ark moving out ahead of the tribes of Israel in their wilderness wanderings. It then refers to the Shekinah as the “presence of Elohim” four times in verses 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively. Then, in verse 8, we are told that “even Sinai itself was moved at the Presence of Elohim, the Goddess of Israel - elohi yisrael (ל י ישרא ”.(אלה


one of the primary roles of the Shekinah, as indicated even by thename of her throne – the “atonement plate.”17 Lastly, the word herebeing “the Goddess” rather than “the curse” is more likely by virtue ofthe fact that prophecies of the presence of the Shekinah in the secondtemple occur elsewhere in Zechariah, evidencing that it is part of theimmediate context. Take chapter two for instance, which speaks oftwo Yahwehs, one of Whom is sent by the other, and the sent One isidentifed as “the glory” (a common term for the Shekinah).18 In orderto aid you in reading the following verses, we have provided blueunderlining for all the references to the Yahweh who speaks in frstperson. Likewise, we have provided red underlining for all thereferences to the other Yahweh who is spoken of in third person bythe frst Yahweh.

5 For I, says Yahweh, will be a wall of fre round about to her,and will be the glory in the midst of her.... 9 and you shall know thatYahweh of hosts has sent me. 10 Sing and rejoice, O daughter ofZion: for behold, I come and I will dwell in your midst, saysYahweh. 11 And many nations shall be joined to Yahweh in thatday, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in your midst, andyou shall know that Yahweh of hosts has sent me to you. -Zechariah 2:5, 9-11

Again, we quote this passage as an example of the prophecieswithin Zechariah concerning “the glory” (the Shekinah) being amongGod's people.19 This is all part of Zechariah's context and shouldinform our understanding of the prophecy of the fying scroll. It is ofnote that the “glory” here spoken of is identifed as Yahweh. Later inZechariah, when this Yahweh appears (whether speaking or beingpictured among God's people), She is referred to as Yahweh elohi (יהוהYahweh my Goddess” (e.g. Zech. 11:4; 13:9; 14:5). Not only“ :(אלהיthat, but all of the occurrences of 'lh (אלה) in Zechariah, other thanayleh (אלה): the common word for “these,”20 are in reference toYahweh.

17 See The Silver Trumpet, Vol. 1, No. 2, p. 5.18 See, for example, Ex. 40:34. Also, study the video linked in fn. 6.19 For more information concerning Zechariah's prophecies of the Goddess of Israel,

please see our video study The Mystery of the Olive Trees | Zechariah 4. 20 This usage is well attested, occurring over 700 times in the Hebrew Bible. It is the

word for “these” in Zech. 1:9, 10, 19, 21; 3:7, 4:4, 5, 10, 11, 13, 14; 6:4, 5, etc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syZFRaFnNuQ




Due to the weight of all of the above evidence, we must concludethat ha-elah ( the Goddess,” is the correct translation. At this“ :(האלהpoint, we offer a new translation of the whole passage, which includesthe better readings along with a more faithful rendering of the gender:

1 And I turned and I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold! - afying scroll! 2 And he asked me, “What do you see?” And I said, “Isee a fying scroll, twenty cubits long and ten cubits wide.” 3 And hesaid to me, “This21 is the Goddess, Her Who goes forth over theface of all the earth, for everyone who steals will be purifed onaccount of Her, and everyone who swears falsely will be purifed onaccount of Her. 4 I have sent Her out, declares Yahweh of Hosts,and She will go into the house of the thief and into the house of theone who swears falsely by my name and She will lodge in the midstof his house and She will destroy it and its wood and its stone. -Zechariah 5:1-4

We can now see that this Scripture plainly declares the fying scrollto be a symbol of the Goddess. She is the Shekinah of Israel, the Gloryof Yahweh, the rider of the cherubim throne – the gateway to theheavenly temple. Before moving on to consider the fnal verse, wewant to pause here for a moment and look at some of the otherScriptural bases for the Goddess being represented by a scroll. Ourfrst passage is from Deuteronomy:

5 Look! I teach you rules and regulations just as Yahweh myGoddess told me to do so that you might do them in the land whichyou are about to enter and possess. 6 And so be careful to do themfor this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of thepeoples which will hear of all these rules and say, “Surely, this greatnation is a wise and understanding people.” - Deuteronomy 4:1-2,5-6

Though this passage does not say that Wisdom is represented by ascroll, it does introduce the idea that the statutes and judgments ofYahweh (the rules and regulations), along with their observation,equate to “wisdom.” Of course, these rules and regulations wererecorded upon scrolls and so later writers came along and expounded

21 The word for “this,” zoth (זאת), as well as all the verbs and pronouns for ha-elah ( .the Goddess,” in this passage, are feminine“ :(האלה


upon that connection. The frst that we will consider is from TheWisdom of Ben Sirach, a so-called “apocryphal” work which was used byJesus and the writers of the New Testament and considered Scriptureby many in the early church and early Judaism:

1 Wisdom commends Herself and tells of Her glory in the midst ofHer people. 2 In the assembly of the Most High She opens Hermouth, and in the presence of His hosts She tells of Her glory: 3 “Icame forth from the command of the Most High and covered theearth like a mist. 4 I dwelt in the highest heavens and my throne wasin a pillar of cloud. 5 Alone I compassed the vault of heaven andtraversed the depths of the abyss. 6 In the waves of the sea and in allthe earth, and among every people and nation I have acquired apossession. 7 Among all these I sought a resting place; 'In whoseterritory should I abide?'

8 Then the Creator of all things gave me a command and myMaker chose the place for my tent. He said, “Make your dwellingin 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 ceaseto be. 10 In the holy tent I ministered before him, and so I wasestablished in Zion. 11 Thus in the beloved city he gave me a restingplace, and in Jerusalem was my domain. 12 I took root in anhonored people, in the portion of Yahweh, his inheritance.

13 I grew tall like a cedar in Lebanon, and like a cypress on theheights of Hermon. 14 I grew tall like a palm tree in En-gedi, andlike rosebushes in Jericho; like a fair olive tree in the feld, and like aplane tree beside water I grew tall. 15 Like cassia and camel's thorn Igave forth perfume, and like choice myrrh I spread my fragrance,like galbanum, onycha, and stacte, and like the odor of incense inthe tent. 16 Like a terebinth I spread out my branches, and mybranches are glorious and graceful. 17 Like the vine I bud forthdelights, and my blossoms become glorious and abundant fruit. 18 Iam the Mother of beautiful love, of fear, of knowledge, and of holyhope; being everlasting, I am given to all my children, to those whoare 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 inheritanceis sweeter than the honeycomb. 21 Those who eat of me will hungerfor more, and those who drink of me will thirst for more.22 Whoever obeys me will not be put to shame, and those who workwith me will not sin.”

22 Verse 18 is included in some manuscripts of Ben Sira, but missing in others.


23 All this is the scroll of the covenant of the Most High God, thelaw that Moses commanded us as an inheritance for thecongregation of Jacob. - Sirach 24:1-23

Here, Wisdom is unmistakably personifed and unmistakablyfeminine. She is shown to be a Being Who existed prior to the creationof the world Who came and dwelt in the tabernacle among thechildren of Israel. She is the Shekinah, the Goddess of Israel. InDeuteronomy, the statutes and judgments of Yahweh along with theirobservance were spoken of on one hand and were equated withwisdom. Here, Wisdom is spoken of as the One who keeps us frombreaking the commandments, and so She, Her deeds, and Her glory,are all equated with the scroll.

Our last passage is taken from another so-called “apocryphal”work which goes by the name of Baruch, the scribe of Jeremiah:

9 Hear the commandments of life, O Israel; give ear and learnWisdom!... 15 Who has found Her place? And who has entered Herstorehouses?... 29 Who has gone up into heaven, and taken Her, andbrought Her down from the clouds? 30 Who has gone over the sea,and found Her, and will buy Her for pure gold? 31 No one knowsthe way to Her, or is concerned about the path to Her. 32 But theOne who knows all things knows Her, he found Her by Hisunderstanding... 36 He found the whole way to knowledge, and gaveHer to his servant Jacob and to Israel, whom he loved. 37 AfterwardShe appeared on earth and lived with humankind. 1 She is the scroll ofthe commandments of God, and the law that endures forever. Allwho hold Her fast will live, and those who forsake her will die.2 Turn, O Jacob, and take Her; advance toward the shining of Herlight! - Baruch 3:9, 15, 29-32, 36-37; 4:1-2

With the exception of Zechariah 5, this is perhaps the clearestexample in sacred writ of Scroll-Goddess imagery. To emphasize –this passage plainly equates the person Wisdom with the scroll! Weinvite all of our readers to investigate these passages more and you willsee for yourself that both Sirach and Baruch combine language fromProverbs (which clearly describes Wisdom as a person – the begottenDaughter of Yahweh), and Deuteronomy, which speaks of the statutesand judgments, and their observance, as “wisdom.” Clearly, the twolater works are building on the former. Zechariah doubtless knew ofthe prophecies and works of Jeremiah and Baruch and so would have


been acquainted with this sort of the description of the Wisdom-Scroll.Now that we have well established multiple witnesses to the

identity of the Scroll, every reasoning mind should be able to see thatthis is not a matter of opinion or speculation. Once again, Zechariah'svision has a specifc meaning – a meaning which can be discernedthrough the lens of Inspiration. We have seen that each aspect of thedescription of the fying scroll has a particular signifcance which canbe understood within the context of the vision itself and the messagewhich Zechariah bore. We have now only to praise our HeavenlyFamily for this wonderful revelation and to make every effort to“advance toward the shining of Her light.”

With the central aspects of the vision now made clear, let us nowturn to the climax of the vision:

4 I have sent Her out, declares Yahweh of Hosts, and She will gointo the house of the thief and into the house of the one who swearsfalsely by my name and She will lodge in the midst of his house andShe will destroy it and its wood and its stone. - Zechariah 5:4

If you steal, you sin against your neighbor, and if you swear falselyby the name of our Heavenly Family, you sin against Them. Both aremanifestations of the lack of love which has a hold of every unrenewedheart. Christ said,

37 …“'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all yoursoul, and with all your mind.' [Deut. 6:5] 38 This is the frst andgreatest commandment. 39 The second is like it: 'Love yourneighbor as yourself.' [Lev. 19:18] 40 All the law and the prophetsdepend on these two commandments. - Matthew 22:37-40

Since all the law and the prophets depend on these two command-ments, to break them in any regard is to break the whole law. This isthe condition pointed out by the prophecy under consideration. At theroot of it, it is a lack of love. Read 1 John.

The Flying Scroll, Wisdom, is sent into the houses of those whohave refused Her love, those who have clung to their sin and made acovenant with death (Wis. 1) – the dry bones. She does this in order todestroy their houses. To the carnal mind, this seems like an awfuldeed, even unloving, but it is just the opposite. See, the context of thisis that earlier in the same year Zechariah started teaching, Haggai


came and gave the message to build the temple. This is what he said:

2 This is what Yahweh of hosts has spoken: “This people herehave said, ‘Now the time has not yet come to rebuild the house ofYahweh.’ ” 3 So, the word of Yahweh came by the hand of Haggaithe prophet saying: 4 “Is it then time for you, yes you, to dwell inroofed houses while this house lay in ruins? 5 Here then is whatYahweh of hosts says: ‘Set your heart upon your ways. 6 You haveplanted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but are not flled.You drink, but are still thirsty. You put on clothes, but are notwarm. 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 willtake pleasure in it and show myself in my glory,’ says Yahweh.9 ‘You have hoped for much, but instead there was little, and whenyou brought it home I blew it away. Why?’ asks Yahweh of hosts.‘Because my temple remains in ruins, while each of you favors hisown house! 10 Therefore the sky above you withholds its dew andthe earth its produce. 11 I called for a drought upon the land andupon the hills, upon the grain, the wine, the oil, and uponeverything which the ground brings forth; upon men and cattle andupon all the work of their hands.’ ” - Haggai 1:2-11

Here the truth is made plain: Yahweh's temple lays in ruinsbecause people are too busy favoring their own houses. This is themessage which has been given to us and it applies to all who profess tobelieve Present Truth and who yet allow the things of this life to keepthem from exerting all their energies for the Kingdom. Please readThe Silver Trumpet, Vol. 1, No. 8 as it contains the message of Haggai 1.This is the truth: If Yahweh has no temple, She cannot dwell amongus and we therefore will have no protection. Left thus open to thewicked gods, our fate will be far worse than the destruction of ourHouses. So, in the mercy and love of our Heavenly Family, Wisdom issent to destroy our houses (that which keeps us from making adwelling for our Sister), that a temple may be built for Her dwelling-place. She does not intend to dwell alone either, for She invites us todwell with Her in Her house, wherein dwells only safety, love, truth,and righteousness. Let us then say,

4 Blessed is the one you choose and bring near to dwell in yourcourts! We will be satisfed with the goodness of your house, the


holiness of your temple! - Psalm 65:4

Your fate depends on how you will receive this Flying Scroll. If youneglect Her and thus refuse Her love, your house will be destroyedand you will sit as a wild animal scrounging for life among the ruins ofyour desolate house. If you receive Her and partake of Her love, youwill recognize that your “house” is no home to you, for yourcitizenship is not of this land, but of another. You will not give anythought to the destruction of your own house, for you will be toofocused building Her house and being consecrated into Herpriesthood, that you may dwell with Her forever and abide in Herhouse. The invitation to this new dwelling is open to all, and it is onlyone's own choice that will determine their destiny.

19 This day I call heaven and earth as a witness against you that Ihave set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore,choose life so that you and your children may live! - Deuteronomy30:19


The Only Way To Lifeby Trent Wilde

Heaven has now declared to us where things stand and what thecrux of the matter really is. We must get to know Wisdom. We mustreceive Her, Her love, and the life She gives. This is the heart of themessage. Give heed now to the practical instruction which follows, forit means your very life.

Since the purpose of this article is the same as that of Proverbs, wequote its introductory lines for your consideration:

1 The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: 2 To learnof 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 andknowledge and purpose to the young person. 5 Let the wise alsohear and gain instruction, and let the discerning acquire guidance.6 To discern the meaning of a proverb and a parable – the sayingsof the wise and their riddles. - Proverbs 1:1-6

This is precisely what we all need. We should each spend timestudying Proverbs as well as the contents of this article, for they bothcontain the instructions necessary to teach us the way to life.

53 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, unless you eat thefesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life inyou. - John 6:53

Right here we have the answer to our need. Christ tells us inunmistakable language that there is only one way. If we do not eat Hisfesh and drink His blood we have no life in us. If we do eat His feshand drink His blood, we have life! He does not say, “unless you eat myfesh and drink my blood and/or ___________ [fll in the blank].” No!Eating the fesh of the Son of Man and drinking His blood is the thingwhich makes the difference. To emphasize this another way – if wehave no life in us, it is because we have not eaten the fesh and drunkthe blood of the Son of Man. If we want life, what we must do, andthe only thing to do, is to eat His fesh and drink His blood.

So as to guard against mystical interpretations of these all-practicaltruths, let us refresh our minds on the truth of what this “life” is.


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 thingwas made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light ofmankind. 5 And the light shines on in the darkness, but the darknesshas not overcome it. - John 1:1-5

The life that was in Christ is said to be light. What is this light?

5 Now this is the message we have heard from him and announceto you: God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we saywe have fellowship with him and yet walk on in darkness, we lie and donot practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as he himself is in thelight, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus hisSon cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselvesand the truth is not in us, 9 but if we confess our sins he is faithful and just toforgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. - 1 John 1:5-9

Darkness is here defned as a place with no truth – a place ofdeception and sin. Light, on the other hand, is defned as a place oftruth and pure righteousness. This light is the life of which Christ wasspeaking. Everyone to whom He was speaking in John 6 had mortallife, but they did not have the truth and the pure righteousness ofChrist. This is what Christ was, and still is, offering. This is what weall must seek. The only way to receive this life – the light of truth andthe righteous-ness of Christ, is to feed upon Christ. There is no need,then, to further seek out a way, for the Way has already been pointedout. The deceptions of the enemy which we must face at this time arethose which seek to distort our image of who Christ is and what Hemeant. Feeding upon the wrong Christ, or doing something which wemistakenly think is eating the fesh and drinking the blood of even thetrue Christ, will avail nothing. In fact, the devil's false interpretationsof Christ's words began from the moment he spoke them.

60 Then many of his disciples, when they heard these things, said,“This is a diffcult saying! Who can understand it?” 61 When Jesusbecame aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, he saidto them, “Does this cause you to stumble? … 63 The Spirit is theOne who gives life; the fesh doesn't do anything! The words that Ihave spoken to you, they are spirit-giving and life-producing! - John6:60-61, 63


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 ifthey 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 thislife?

26 …just as the Father has life in himself, just so he has given to theSon to have life in himself. - John 5:26

The life, the light, the truth, the righteousness, which Christ had inHim, He received from the Father. Christ said,

16 …“My teaching is not from me, but from the One who sentme. - John 7:16

28 ...I do nothing from myself, but I speak just as the Father taughtme, these things I speak. - John 8:28

49 I have not spoken from myself, but the Father Himself who sentme has commanded me what I should say and what I should speak.50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. The things Ispeak, just as the Father has spoken to me, thus I speak. - John12:49-50

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 wordswere life-giving. Consider the following:

26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will sendin 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 Healso 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 Himso that He might proclaim the gospel (Luke 4:18).


remember everything I said to you. - John 14:26

Jesus' intention was that the Spirit would come and teach us thetruth so that its principles would change our way of thinking and wewould 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 manysuppose. It lies not with some mystical action or some unexplainablephenomenon. No! Our frst parents sinned by accepting a lie in placeof the truth and so we must be saved from sin by receiving the truth inplace 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 theprinciples of truth change our thinking that enables us to walk even asChrist walked. This is plainly declared in the following scriptures:

22 You were taught concerning your former way of life to lay asidethe 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 manwho has been created according to God in righteousness and holinessthat comes from truth. - Ephesians 4:22-24

56 The one who eats my fesh and drinks my blood abides in meand I in him. 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live by theFather, just so the one who eats me will live by me. - John 6:56-57

5 …whoever obeys his word, truly the love of God is perfected inthat person. By this we know that we are in him. 6 The one whosays he abides in him ought to walk just as that one [Jesus] walked. - 1John 2:5-6

5 And you know that that one [Jesus] was manifested to take awaysins, 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 Littlechildren, let no one deceive you: the one who practicesrighteousness is righteous, even as he [Jesus] is righteous. 8 The one whopractices sin is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from thebeginning. For this purpose the Son of God was revealed: to destroy theworks of the devil. 9 Everyone who is born of God does not commitsin, for his seed abides in him, and thus he is not able to sin, because heis born of God. - 1 John 3:5-9

22 You have purifed your souls by obeying the truth in order to showsincere brotherly love. So, love one another earnestly from a pure heart.


23 You have been born anew, not from perishable, but from imperish-able seed, through the living and enduring word of God. - 1 Peter 1:22-23

My friends, let your hearts be prompted by love. This is the way tolife. Consider how it is that Christ lived by the Father. He kept thetruth constantly in His mind which caused reason to dominate Histhinking. With reason ruling His mind, He could never give in totemptation and thus fall into sin. Instead, truth, reason, and lovedominated His every thought, prompting Him to surrender His will tothe Father, making His character to be consumed in that of HisFather's. He recognized His own weakness and thus fully dependedupon His Heavenly Parents and allowed Them to guide Him in allHis actions. He never made an independent move, but trusted inThem to make the way plain before Him and to give Him the strengthto walk. And so it is said, “The just shall live by faith.” (Hab. 2:4).

Christ pronounced the irrevocable truth that just as He lived bythe Father, just so we can live by Him. And we can do so in the sameway that He did, by having the truth constantly abiding in our minds,causing reason to dominate our thinking. With reason ruling ourminds, we can never give in to temptation and thus fall into sin.Instead, truth, reason, and love will dominate our every thought,prompting us to surrender our will to Christ, making our characters tobe consumed in that of Christ's. We will recognize our own weaknessand thus fully depend upon our Heavenly Parents and allow Them toguide us in all our actions. We will never make an independent move,but trust in Them to make the way plain before us and give us thestrength to walk. Thus it will be said, “The just shall live by faith.”(Hab. 2:4). This is the truth as it is in Jesus. Let it be so in you.

Our Savior said,

28 …all the sins and blasphemies they may speak will be forgiventhe children of mankind, 29 but whoever blasphemes against theHoly Spirit will never be forgiven, but is guilty of an eternal sin. -Mark 3:28-29

It has been said before and it must be said again – the Spirit is theOne who gives life! To refuse Her is to refuse life itself.

12 For Wisdom is a defense, and money is a defense, but theexcellency of knowledge is that Wisdom gives life to those that haveHer. - Ecclesiastes 7:12


13 Blessed is the one who fnds Wisdom... 18 She is a tree of life tothose who lay hold of Her. - Proverbs 3:13, 18

11 I will guide you in the way of Wisdom... 13 Hold on toinstruction, do not let Her go; keep Her, for She is your life. -Proverbs 4:11, 13

11 I, Wisdom, dwell with prudence... 19 My fruit is better than thepurest gold, and my produce is better than choice silver.26 20 I lead inthe path of righteousness, in the pathway of justice. - Proverbs 8:11, 19-20

35 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 lovedeath. - Proverbs 8:35-36

Wisdom is our only way to life. “She is a tree of life;” “She is yourlife;” “the one who fnds [Her] fnds life” - all these things, theScriptures tell us. Because of this, they recommend Her above all else:

An Inspired Plea to Seek Wisdom

1 My child, if you receive my words and store up my commandswithin you 2 by making your ear attentive to Wisdom, and byturning your heart to understanding, 3 indeed, if you call out fordiscernment – raise your voice for understanding – 4 if you seek Herlike silver, and search for Her like hidden treasure, 5 then you willunderstand the fear of Yahweh, and you will discover theknowledge of Gods (Elohim). - Proverbs 2:1-5

O Branches, with all of the strength that you have, seek tounderstand this passage of scripture! Earnestly endeavor to grasp itsmeaning! Read it again. Notice, “if you receive my words and store upmy commands within you;” this is something you can do. This issomething within your God-given powers. Here are the words; theyare the very words we are reading, the very words going through yourthoughts right now. You can believe them, can't you? You can store

26 This verse is building on the symbol of Wisdom being a tree of life. As a tree of life, She produces life-giving fruit, which enables its eaters to walk in the paths of righteousness where She leads. For more study on this idea, see She is a Tree of Life by Doug Mitchell.


them up within you. And how? “by making your ear attentive toWisdom, and by turning your heart to understanding;” Yes! Whatpractical instruction. You can make your ear attentive to Wisdom.You know that She is speaking – you know where the fountain ofInspiration springs forth. Avail yourself of the opportunity to hear thewords of the message as often as possible. Be as Mary who sat at thefeet of her Lord eagerly seeking to be touched by any ray of lightwhich might shine upon her. Mary would not miss any opportunity tohear the words of Jesus, for He spoke by the Spirit. “Make your earattentive to Wisdom” - do not miss any opportunity to hear the wordsof this present message, for they are according to the Spirit. Seek theword and abide in it; hide it in your heart (Ps. 119:11).

“Indeed, if you call out for discernment – raise your voice forunderstanding;” What does this mean? Don't sit back in indifferencewaiting for a revelation to fall on your lap. You must call out to ourHeavenly Family. Engage with them. You cannot fnd Wisdom bylooking within yourself or by trying to fgure out your theology. No!Engage with the Living Gods! Call to Them, depending on Theirword that They will hear you.

“If you seek Her like silver, and search for Her like hiddentreasure;” You must engage your whole being in searching for Her.The few of us who have labored at the Branch center have gained alittle experience in searching for rocks in the dirt. When doing so, yourwhole body and mind is engaged. You do not restrict your search tothe surface, but you dig deep, seeking for the best stones. Whennothing appears at frst, you do not give up, but you press forwardwith confdence that you will fnd what you seek. The more precioussubstances, such as gold and silver, are usually deeper than rocks fortheir weight sinks them into the earth. Searching for precious metals isa serious task that requires a persevering will. Often, when frst fndingsomething under the surface you can only see a small spot, a tip of theiceberg, as it were. But when you keep digging and putting forth yourefforts to obtain the stone, you may just fnd that it was bigger andmore beautiful than you could have conceived. Difference in valuebetween gold and rocks is no comparison to that between the mostprecious jewels and Wisdom.

Those who feel the constraining love of God do not ask how littlemay be given in order to obtain the heavenly reward; they ask not


for the lowest standard, but aim at a perfect conformity to the willof their Redeemer. With ardent desire they yield all, and manifestzeal proportionate to the value of the object of which they are in pursuit . Whatis the object? Immortality, eternal life.27

“Then you will understand the fear of Yahweh, and you willdiscover the knowledge of Elohim.” If you do what has been given youto do (as described in verses 1-4), then you will understand the fear ofYahweh. If you do not do what has been given you, you will fndneither Wisdom nor life. The cause must exist in reality in order forthe effect to take place, and if the cause does exist, the effect mostcertainly will. This is a promise.

What is the fear of Yahweh? It is the opposite of breaking the thirdcommandment. To take the name of the Lord in vain is for someoneto 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 thewritings of Ellen White to highlight this principle:

Now if those to whom these solemn warnings are addressed say,“It is only Sister White’s individual opinion, I shall still follow my ownjudgment,” and if they continue to do the very things they werewarned not to do, they show that they despise the counsel of God, andthe 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 whichquestions their course of action, or which does not coincide withtheir views, they pronounce Sister White’s opinion, denying its heavenly originand placing it on a level with their own judgment.28

The position that has been taken by some of the erring brethrenmakes my words simply the expression of an opinion and this view has beenadvocated and has had leavening infuence in our ranks.29

While some will openly say that the words of a prophet are themere opinions of man, others will think so in their hearts, but refrainfrom saying it openly. Still others are self-deceived into thinking theyare receiving the word as “the word of God” but manifest by theiractions that they do not. Consider this important testimony:

27 Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1, p. 16028 Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 68729 The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, p. 234


30 “But as for you, son of man, the sons of your people (who aretalking about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses) say toone another, ‘Come hear the word that comes from Yahweh.’ 31 They come toyou as people do, and they sit in front of you as my people. Theyhear your words, but do not do them. For they lust with their mouths,and their heart is set on their own advantage. 32 Behold, to them youare as a very lovely song of one that has a pleasant voice and can play well onan instrument. They hear your words, but they do not do them. 33 When allthis comes to pass—and it certainly will—then they will know thata prophet has been among them.” - Ezekiel 33:30-33

My dear Branch family, “Put yourselves to the test to see if you arein the faith; examine yourselves!” (2 Cor. 13:5) lest you be amongthose of whom it may be said, “but the message they heard did themno 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 messagecomes 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 The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of Wisdom... - Proverbs 9:10

Understood in the light in which we have just beheld it, we can seethat this is simply the practical application of the truth as expressed byPeter:

20 Knowing this frst, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one'sown interpretation, 21 for no prophecy has ever come about by thewill of man; rather, men moved upon by the Holy Spirit spokefrom God. - 2 Peter 1:20-21

Thus,

1 …if you receive my words and store up my commands within you2 by making your ear attentive to Wisdom, and by turning your heartto understanding, 3 indeed, if you call out for discernment – raise yourvoice for understanding – 4 if you seek Her like silver, and search for Herlike hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of Yahweh,and you will discover the knowledge of Elohim. - Proverbs 2:1-5

Mark; true knowledge is always experimental.30

30 See The Silver Trumpet, Vol. 1, No. 9.


6 Whoever abides in him does not sin; everyone who sins hasneither seen him nor known him. - 1 John 3:6

4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is aliar, and the truth is not in that person. - 1 John 2:4

3 By this we can be sure that we know him, if we keep his command-ments. - 1 John 2:3

Now that we have heard the words of the wise admonishing us toearnestly seek Wisdom, let us hear

Wisdom's Own Cry

20 Wisdom calls out in the street, She shouts loudly in the plazas;21 at the head of the noisy streets She calls, in the entrances of thegates in the city She utters Her words: 22 “How long will you lovenaivete, O you naive ones? How long will mockers delight inmockery and fools hate knowledge? 23 If only you will respond tomy rebuke, then I will pour out my thoughts to you and I will makemy words known to you. - Proverbs 1:20-23

What we need is the thoughts and words of Wisdom, for that iswhat can renew our minds. But how can we expect Her to pour outHer thoughts and Her words if we indicate from the very beginningthat we will not listen if it does not agree with us? Wisdom tells us thetruth of ourselves – that we are naive, mocking fools who hateknowledge. But She tells us as a plea, asking, “How long will you lovenaivete... [and] delight in mockery... [and] hate knowledge?” If wesay, “O, but you have misunderstood me, I don't delight in mocking;”or, “I don't hate knowledge;” then how can She tell us anything? If wecan't hear earthly things, how will we hear heavenly things (John3:12)?

It is only pride that keeps men and women from hearing Wisdom'srebuke. People trust in their own understanding (Prov. 3:5) of them-selves rather than acknowledging that our Heavenly Family issupreme and that They know us better than we could possibly knowourselves. Rebuke is Heaven's appointed means to shake us from thedust that we may arise (Isa. 52:2).


“If ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, thenare ye ... not sons.” Our Lord has said: “As many as I love, I rebukeand chasten.” “No chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous,but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruitof righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” Thoughbitter the discipline, it is appointed by a Father’s tender love, “thatwe might be partakers of His holiness.”31

1 Does not Wisdom call out? Does not Understanding raise Hervoice? 2 At the top of the elevated places along the way, at theintersection of the paths She takes Her stand; 3 beside the gatesopening into the city, at the entrance of the doorways She cries out:4 “To you, O people, I call out, and my voice calls to all thechildren of mankind. 5 You who are naive, discern wisdom! Andyou fools, understand discernment! 6 Listen, for I will speakexcellent things, and my lips will utter what is right. 7 For my mouthspeaks truth, and my lips hate wickedness. 8 All the words of mymouth are righteousness; there is nothing twisted or crooked inthem. 9 All of them are clear to the discerning and upright to thosewho fnd knowledge. 10 Receive my instruction rather than silver,and knowledge rather than choice gold.” For Wisdom is better thanrubies, and all the things that may be desired cannot be comparedto Her. - Proverbs 8:1-10

All of Wisdom's words are love, knowledge, righteousness, reason,and truth! She here calls out for us to hear Her. We are called to giveup all our searches for earthly pleasure. Gold and silver will availnothing; seek Wisdom rather than these things, for nothing comparesto Her.

The Mystery of Wisdom

Some may have noticed that in the passages just quoted, Wisdomdoes not relate the wonderful truths of which She speaks. She tells usthat She has much to say and that She wants to pour out Her thoughtsand words to us, but She stops short of telling us what these truthsactually are. In these passages, Her aim has been to plead with us tohear Her rebuke so that we might be able to hear all the rest of whatShe has to say. The rest, She left as a mystery.

31 Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 683


7 But we speak of the Wisdom of God in a mystery – the hiddenOne, Her32 Who God ordained before the world unto our glory. - 1Corinthians 2:7

8 For behold, you loved truth. You made manifest to me thesecret and hidden things of your Wisdom. - Psalm 50:8 (LXX),Psalm 51:6 (MT)

Evidently, both David and Paul understood that Wisdom isassociated with “mystery” in one way or another. Again though, inneither instance does Paul or David explain exactly what that mysteryis. In fact, looking through all of the 66 books of the Protestant Bible,it becomes apparent that there is no clear exposition of what thismystery is. We are not, however, left with no place to turn. Wisdomhas invited us to hear Her, and we have been instructed by Inspirationto make our ears attentive to Her and to search for Her as for hiddentreasure.

In past studies,33 we have learned that, in 1 Corinthians 2, Paulbases his discussion of the mystery of Wisdom on the so-calledapocryphal book, The Wisdom of Solomon. A little known fact is that thisbook, along with other “apocryphal” books, was actually quitepopular among early Seventh-day Adventists.34 We shall take a fewpages to discuss this issue in its Adventist context, for that will help usto bring out certain aspects of truth which will greatly aid inunderstanding the mystery of Wisdom. First, let us quote from an oldReview and Herald article from 1858:

Concerning the Apocrypha, we regard portions of it as containing muchlight and instruction. If we were asked to specify, we should mention 2Esdras, Wisdom of Solomon, and 1 Maccabees. Concerning the Wisdomof Solomon, Sears' History of the Bible thus speaks: "Although thefathers of the church, and particularly Jerome, uniformlyconsidered this book as apocryphal, yet they recommended theperusal of it, in consideration of the excellence of its style. The thirdCouncil of Carthage, held in the year 397, pronounced it to be acanonical book under the name of 'The Fourth Book of Solomon,'

32 The feminine form is found in the Aramaic Peshitta. 33 See The Silver Trumpet, Vol. 1, Nos. 5-7, pp. 58-61 and our youtube playlist, The

Wisdom of Solomon.34 This can be verifed by searching the term “wisdom of solomon” on the Adventist

Pioneers CD-ROM and/or on the www.adventistarchives.org website.

http://www.adventistarchives.org/

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLw8ykUZG-bwdA_fBwQc5hvcjKU4WW_zu6

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLw8ykUZG-bwdA_fBwQc5hvcjKU4WW_zu6


and the famous Council of Trent confrmed this decision."Concerning the frst book of Maccabees, it also says, "The frstbook of Maccabees is a very valuable historical monument, writtenwith great accuracy and fdelity, on which even more reliance maybe placed than on the writings of Josephus." The question of theinspiration of these books - the reasons that might be adduced infavor of such an opinion, and the objections that might lie againstit, we have never made a subject of particular study, and are nottherefore prepared to discuss.35

A more contemporary Adventist, Ronald Graybill,36 wrote anarticle in Adventist Heritage, called, Under the Triple Eagle: Early AdventistUse of the Apocrypha.37 Here is how he introduces his subject:

“The 2nd book of Esdras, contains very important truths,” wroteJoseph Bates in 1849. He was not the only early Adventist who feltthat way, even though he knew Esdras was part of the Apocrypha.O.R.L. Crosier, whom Adventists look to as one of the originalframers of the church's Sanctuary doctrine, believed that Esdraswas an inspired book which elucidated the prophecies of Daniel.When James White published Ellen White's early visions in A Wordto the Little Flock in 1847, he supplied scriptural footnotes for hervisions. Tucked in among the references to the canonical books ofthe Bible are three citations of 2 Esdras and one of the Wisdom ofSolomon.

That early Adventists should use the Apocrypha may seem oddto modern Adventists until the historical backgrounds of thepractice are understood.38

Later in Graybill's article, he explains some important aspects ofthe historical context behind the early Adventist use of the Apocrypha,which includes a signifcant statement from Ellen White. Beforequoting further in his article though, we want to take a look at Ellen

35 D.G. Needham in The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Aug. 5, 1858.36 The inside cover of Adventist Heritage, Winter 1987, describes him thus: “Assistant

Professor of History at Loma Linda University, is also Editor of ADVENTIST HERITAGE. A popular lecturer and writer on topics of Adventist History, Dr. Graybill has also served as Associate Secretary of the Ellen G. White Estate.”

37 The full article can be read at: http://documents.adventistarchives.org/ScholarlyJournals/AH/AH19870101-V12-01.pdf.

38 Adventist Heritage, Winter 1987, p. 25

http://documents.adventistarchives.org/ScholarlyJournals/AH/AH19870101-V12-01.pdf

http://documents.adventistarchives.org/ScholarlyJournals/AH/AH19870101-V12-01.pdf


White's statement in its own right along with a couple otherstatements to which it is intimately connected.

I then saw the Word of God pure and unadulterated, and that wemust answer for the way we received the truth proclaimed from that Word . Isaw that it had been a hammer to break the finty heart in pieces,and a fre to consume the dross and tin, that the heart might bepure and holy. I saw that the Apocrypha was the hidden book, and that thewise of these last days should understand it. I saw that the Bible was thestandard book, that will judge us at the last day. I saw that heavenwould be cheap enough, and that nothing was too dear to sacrifcefor Jesus, and that we must give all to enter the kingdom. I heardan angel say, think ye God will place His seal where there is anidol? No, no.39

This statement is more important than many realize, and this willonly become more clear the more we examine it. Notice that sherefers to the Apocrypha as “the hidden book.” The context of thisphrase can be found by looking at a record of a vision Ellen had only afew months before making this statement. The following words arefrom Arthur L. White:

In a report signed by three early believers reference is made tothe hidden book as Ellen White uttered certain words in vision.Here is the account:

“At another time at a meeting held at Brother Curtis’ inTopsham, 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 handsome time at an angle of forty-fve degrees, and said the hidden bookwas not there. When someone asked if the Apocrypha was not in the Bible ,Brother Curtis remarked it was not. She talked sometime about thehidden book. No one knew but Bro. Curtis' family that the Apocrapha[Apocrypha] was not there.40

Now, here are remarks made by Ellen White while in vision,September 23, 1849:

(Taking the large Bible containing the apocrypha:) Pure andundefled, a part of it is consumed, holy, holy, walk carefully,

39 Ms4-1850 (January 28, 1850) par. 1340 Manuscript Releases, Vol. 15, p. 66


tempted. The Word of God, take it (Marion Stowell), bind it longupon thine heart, pure and unadulterated. How lovely, how lovely,how lovely. My blood, My blood, My blood. O the children ofdisobedience, reproved, reproved. Thy word, thy word, thy word, apart of it is burned unadulterated, a part of the hidden book, a part of it isburned (the apocrypha).

Those that shall despitefully tread [treat?] that remnant wouldthink that they are doing God service. Why? because they are ledcaptive by Satan at his will. Hidden book, it is cast out. Bind it to the heart(4 times) bind it, bind it, bind it, (laying the Bible on Oswald Stowell) letnot its pages be closed, read it carefully. Snares will beset on every side,take the straight truth bind it to the heart (3 times) let everything be castout.41

These statements together make it quite clear that the Apocryphais the hidden book, that it was removed from the Bible, but that it is tobe bound to the heart and studied carefully; indeed, “the wise of theselast days should understand it.” For the purposes of our study, we willfocus now on the meaning of the idea that “the wise” shouldunderstand the Apocrypha, keeping in mind the subject of Wisdom.On this note, let us return to Graybill's article:

Joseph Bates, a reader and fnancial supporter of the Voice of Truth,in which Pinney and Fassett's article42 had appeared, made use ofthe Apocrypha in several of his pamphlets. In The Opening Heavens,he quoted 2 Esdras 7:26, then remarked: “But perhaps you do notbelieve that Esdras is a true prophet; well then, will you believe St.Paul?” Bates thus recognized that there were differences of opinionamong his readers on the subject. Nevertheless, the next year hecited Esdras again, right along with Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, andJeremiah.

In 1849 he suggested that while 2 Esdras contains “veryimportant truths for those that keep God's law and command-ments, they will probably beneft no others.” Then he cited 2Esdras 8:37, 38,43 in which the author of Esdras is instructed to“write all these things that thou has seen in a book, and hide them:And teach them to the wise of the people.”

41 Ms5-1849 (September 23, 1849) par. 7-842 As pointed out earlier in Graybill's article, the Voice of Truth was an Adventist

periodical in which Pinney and Fassett (two other early SDAs) had published an article defending the inspiration and authenticity of 2 Esdras.

43 The passage quoted is actually from 2 Esdras 12:37-38.


This text, about a hidden book to be revealed only to the wise,appears again in a rare Ellen White comment on the Apocrypha, acomment which neatly summarizes the early Adventist position: “Isaw that the Apocrypha was the hidden book, and that the wise ofthese last days should understand it. I saw that the bible was thestandard book, that will judge us at the last day.” She thusencouraged an understanding of the Apocrypha, while preservingthe canonical Scriptures as the standard.44

Given this attitude, it is not surprising that Ellen White wouldhave been familiar enough with 2 Esdras as to have used itslanguage in her early visions, nor that James White would providefootnote references to the passages from the Apocrypha whichparalleled her account.

44 The last half of this sentence is perhaps the only aspect of Graybill's article which Ibelieve to be misinterpreting the facts. There are a few assumptions he makes which greatly impact his reading of Ellen White's statement, which, if incorrect, leave one with quite a different meaning. The frst assumption is that when Ellen White used the word “bible” in the phrase “I saw that the bible was the standard book,” she was speaking of a Bible without the apocrypha. In other words, he believes she is contrasting the Apocrypha with “the bible.” This, however, is not the case. In the record of her words spoken in vision, we have “(Taking the large Bible containing the apocrypha:) Pure and undefled, a part of it [the Bible] is consumed,”. Here we fnd that Ellen White was speaking of the Apocrypha as a part of the Bible rather than something separate from it. In her day, it was still verycommon for Protestant Bibles to contain the Apocrypha, so she would not have the automatic separation in mind that most Protestants have today. In fact the very point that she seems to be making is that the Apocrypha is a part of the Bible and that the Bible as a whole (including the Apocrypha) is the “standard book.”What establishes this as being true is actually what Graybill himself noted; namely, that Ellen White's statement was an expression of a shared early Adventist understanding of 2 Esdras and its admonition to teach the hidden thingsto the “wise” (as Ellen White said, “the wise of these last days should understand it [the apocrypha].” Another passage a little further along in 2 Esdras, which certainly infuenced the early SDA understanding of this idea, reads as follows:“So during the forty days, ninety-four books were written. And when the forty days were ended, the Most High spoke to me, saying, 'Make public the twenty-four books that you wrote frst, and let the worthy and the unworthy read them: but keep the seventy that were written last, in order to give them to the wise among your people. For in them is the spring of understanding, the fountain of wisdom, and the river of knowledge.” - 2 Esdras 14:44-47This 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 thestatements 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.


For instance, Mrs. White describes heaven, where she saw MountZion, and noticed that “about it were seven other mountains, onwhich grew roses and lilies.” At that point, James White's footnotepointed the reader to 2 Esdras 2:19, which describes “seven mightymountains, whereupon there grow roses and lilies.”

There is even one phrase from the Apocrypha that James Whitedid not note. Ellen White describes Jesus as welcoming the saintsinto the New Jerusalem with the words: “You have washed yourrobes in my blood, stood stiffy for my truth, enter in.” 2 Esdras2:47 says “Then I began greatly to commend them that stood sostiffy for the name of the Lord.” The parallel phrase evidentlybecame a common one among early Adventists, for as late as 1856,one believer writes the Review and Herald to say “We mean to be ofthat company that Esdras saw who stood stiffy for the truth.”

In case Adventists did not have the Apocrypha in their Bibles,E.L.H. Chamberlin of Middletown, Connecticut, placed an ad inthe Review in 1851 offering to sell copies of it for 15 cents. Thispractice of making the Apocrypha available to Seventh-dayAdventists was revived again as late as 1869 when James Whiteannounced that the church's publishing association would beissuing an edition of the Apocrypha.45

While there are additional aspects brought out here which are ofmuch interest, we do not want to lose our focus on understanding theconnection between the Apocrypha and “the wise.” Again, as Graybillpointed out, the early Adventists believed that the Apocrypha was notnecessarily going to beneft everyone; rather, it was specifcally for thebeneft of the wise. This understanding is not something that theycame up with themselves, but instead, it is something they got from 2Esdras. As pointed out in footnote 44, 2 Esdras itself has someinteresting things to say concerning this idea. To quote a key passageagain:

44 So, during the forty days, ninety-four books were written.45 And when the forty days were ended, the Most High spoke tome, saying, 'Make public the twenty-four books that you wrote frst,and let the worthy and the unworthy read them: 46 but keep theseventy that were written last, in order to give them to the wise among yourpeople. 47 For in them is the spring of understanding, the fountain of Wisdom,and the river of knowledge. - 2 Esdras 14:44-47

45 Adventist Heritage, Winter 1987, p. 31


Notice how in this book, which many of the most infuential earlyAdventists considered to be Scripture, we have described for us how,in the time of Ezra, there were many more sacred writings than areeven in the Protestant Bible today. Even more signifcant is what weare told concerning these books; namely, that “in them is the spring ofunderstanding, the fountain of wisdom, and the river of knowledge.”Think of how important this is! If 2 Esdras is true, then we have theanswer as to where to look in order to fnd out the thoughts and wordsof 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 toEllen White, to an abundance of sacred texts not found in theProtestant 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 andcome to discover the knowledge of Elohim? Assuredly, the answer is asolemn “no.” So then, seek Wisdom with your whole heart, yourwhole mind, and your whole soul! Engage your whole being in thepursuit of Her! She is to be esteemed more than anything, for She isyour very life!

The Fountain of Wisdom

Now, let us see if these writings really are the fountain of Wisdom,and if they really do contain Her words and Her thoughts. For thepurposes of this article, we'll only give here a brief overview with theaim in mind of encouraging all to investigate the writings to which wehere refer along with others. The frst text which calls for our attentionis The Wisdom of Solomon:

22 I will tell you what Wisdom is and how She came to be, and Iwill hide no secrets from you, but I will trace Her course from thebeginning of creation, and make knowledge of Her clear, and I will notpass by the truth. - Wisdom of Solomon 6:22

None can deny that if any text makes a claim to be the fountain ofWisdom, then certainly this one does. Put the claim to the test.


Investigate! Gain an experimental knowledge of this writing. “Sink theshaft of truth down deep into the mine of God's word” (TM 476).Study, my friends, for these are they which testify of Wisdom!

The next few selections we'll be looking at are part of a collectionof poetic texts found in the Dead Sea Scrolls known as The ThanksgivingHymns. These hymns require our investigation.

I, the Master, know You, O my God, by the spirit which Youhave given to me, and by Thy Holy Spirit I have faithfully hearkenedto Your marvelous counsel. You have opened knowledge to me in themystery of Your Wisdom and in Your mercies [You have unlocked for me]46

the fountain of Your might.47

But You, O my God, have put into my mouth as it were rain forall [those who thirst] and a fountain of living waters which shall notfail.48

For You have opened a fountain in the mouth of Your servant . You engraved,by the measuring-line, [Your mysteries] upon his tongue, that out of hisunderstanding he might preach to a creature, and interpret thesethings to dust like myself.

You opened his fountain that he might rebuke the creature ofclay for his way, and him who is born of woman for the guilt of hisdeeds; that he might open the fountain of Your truth to the creaturewhom You uphold by Your might; that he might be, according toYour truth, a messenger of good news [to recount] Your goodness; thatto the poor he might bring glad tidings of Your great mercy, proclaimingsalvation from out of the fountain of kn[owledge to the trou]bled of spirit,and everlasting joy to those who mourn.49

Notice how here we have a messenger speaking, whose message islikened unto a fountain of living water – the fountain of knowledgeand truth – the mystery of Wisdom. There is much contained in theseThanksgiving Hymns with which we all need to become acquainted.Their author's claim certainly parallels the claim which 2 Esdras makesfor the writings that were to be reserved for the wise. Once again, weinvite you all to put these claims to the test.

46 Most of the Dead Sea Scrolls are fragmentary and so there are gaps in the text as well as restorations. Restorations are put in “[ ]” while gaps are indicated by “…”

47 1QHa Col. xx:11-13 (some give 14-16) – Hymn 2348 1QHa Col. xvi:16 – Hymn 1849 1QHa Col. xxiii top: 10-15 – Hymn 24 (Notice the parallels to Isaiah 61.)


Also in the Dead Sea Scrolls, is a collection of Beatitudes whichbear relevance in this investigation of Wisdom sayings:

[… to kno]w Wisdom and disc[ipline], to understand... … [Blessed is the one who …] with a pure heart and does not

slander with his tongue [Ps. 15:3]. Blessed are those who hold fastto Her [Wisdom's] statutes and do not hold fast to the ways ofunrighteousness. Blessed are those who rejoice in Her, and do notexult in paths of folly. Blessed are those who seek Her with purehands, and do not search for Her with a deceitful heart. Blessed isthe one who attains Wisdom, and walks in the law of the MostHigh. He directs his heart toward Her always, restrains himself by Hercorrections, does not forsake Her in the face of trials, he does not abandon Herin times of distress, does not forget Her in the day of terror, and does not despiseHer when his soul is afficted. For he meditates on Her continually andconsiders Her in his distress. [With al]l his being [he gains understanding] inHer, [and he establishes Her] before his eyes so as not to walk in the ways [ofwickedness].50

The practical lessons of the above sayings are beyond estimation.Next, is a psalm which was actually part of the scriptures of the

ancient Syriac Christians (numbered by them as Psalm 154),51 butwhich otherwise has been little known. It, too, was found in the DeadSea Scrolls and has many things to say concerning what Wisdom issent to declare and how the righteous will receive it. Once again, thelessons of this text are very practical, and if carried out, will not fail tosatisfy the searcher's desire.

[Lift your voice and glorify God; when the general congregationis assembled proclaim His glory. In the multitude of the uprightglorify His name, and recount His greatness among the faithful.Bind] your souls to those who are good, even to the blameless, so topraise the Most High. Assemble together to proclaim His victory,and be not idle in declaring His might—His glory to all the untutored.For Wisdom was given to declare Yahweh's glory. She was made known tohumankind to recount His many deeds to the foolish; to give insight intoHis glory to those without understanding—they who are far fromHer gates, who have strayed from Her entrances. For the Most

50 4Q525 Frag. 1:2; Frags 2-3:1-751 Many ancient Christians had 151 Psalms, but Syrians had an additional four

(Psalm 152-155).


High, He is Lord over Jacob, and His majesty is over all his works.Surely he who glorifes the Most High fnds favor as one who bringsan offering; as though offering he-goats and calves, as thoughfattening the altar with a myriad of burnt offerings; as a sweet savorat the hand of the righteous. Wisdom's voice is heard from the gatesof the righteous; Her song, from the congregation of the devout.She is mentioned when they eat their fll and when they drink in communiontogether as one. Their conversation is on the law of the Most High,and their words are only declaring His might. How far is the word of Herfrom the wicked, and knowledge of Her from the haughty! Behold,the eyes of Yahweh look with compassion on the good. His mercyincreases upon those who glorify Him; from an evil time will Herescue their souls. Blessed is Yahweh, redeeming the poor from thepower of enemies, delivering the blameless from wicked oppressors.He calls forth a horn out of Jacob; from Israel, a judge of thepeoples. He will desire His habitation in Zion, choosing Jerusalemforever. - Psalm 15452

If you desire Wisdom, let your suppers of the Lord be thus.Lastly, we would like for you to consider a passage from The

Wisdom of Joshua Ben Sirach. Study this passage thoroughly and considerits instruction; apply its principles and see if it does not teach the onlyway to life.

18 My child, from your youth choose discipline, and when youhave gray hair you will still fnd Wisdom. 19 Come to Her like onewho plows and sows, and wait for Her good harvest. For when youcultivate Her you will toil but little, and on the morrow you will eatof Her produce. 20 She seems very rough to the undisciplined; foolscannot remain with Her. 21 She will be like a heavy stone to testthem, and they will not delay in casting Her aside. 22 For Wisdom islike Her name; She is not readily perceived by many.

23 Listen, my child, and accept my judgment; do not reject mycounsel. 24 Put your feet into Her fetters, and your neck into Hercollar. 25 Bend your shoulders and bear Her, and do not fret underHer chains. 26 Come to Her with all your soul, and keep Her wayswith all your might. 27 Search out and seek Her, and She willbecome known to you; and when you get hold of Her, do not letHer go. 28 For at last you will fnd the rest She gives, and She will beturned into your joy. 29 Then Her fetters will become for you astrong defense, and her collar a garment of glory. 30 Her yoke is a

52 11Q5 Col. xviii:1-17


golden ornament, and Her chains a purple cord. 31 You will wearHer 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 yougive your all, you will become clever. 33 If you love to listen you willgain knowledge, and if you pay attention you will become wise.34 Stand in the company of the elders. Who is wise? Attach yourselfto such a one. 35 Be ready to listen to every godly discourse, and letno wise proverb escape you. 36 If you see an intelligent person, riseearly to visit him; let your foot wear out his doorstep. 37 Let yourmind be on the fear of the Most High, and meditate at all times onhis commandments. It is He who will give insight to your mind,and your desire for Wisdom will be granted. - Sirach 6:18-37

So full of knowledge and instruction as it is, we cannot expound onevery aspect of this beautiful passage here (it invites your furtherstudy). But, it would be a loss to not comment on a few points. Let usgo over the passage again:

18 My child, from your youth choose discipline, and when youhave gray hair you will still fnd Wisdom. 19 Come to Her like onewho plows and sows, and wait for Her good harvest. For when youcultivate Her you will toil but little, and on the morrow you will eatof Her produce. - Sirach 6:18-19

Wisdom is here likened unto the earth. And that which she bringsforth for our life and sustenance (the truth), is likened unto the earth'sproduce. 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, turningup the soil to prepare it for the seed. This represents engaging withWisdom, uncovering Her deeper layers. This is done by thorough andtrue study of the messages She has inspired. By “true study,” we meanthat it is done by personally engaging with Her. As you study themessages She sends, ask Her personally what they mean. Ask Her tosearch you out and to show you anything in you which keeps Her at adistance that you may cast it away and thus be as close to Her aspossible. Thus you personally engage with the earth (Wisdom), anddiscover what She is like beneath the surface. You will fnd that She ismore than mere dirt to walk upon, but fertile soil ready to producelife.

Next, is the seed. Being a part of the produce (the truth), the seedhas its origin in the earth (Wisdom). It represents a part of the truth


which has already been reaped from a past harvest (a past revelationand proclamation of truth), but which, rather than being digested, isreturned to Wisdom in order to bring forth more produce. In otherwords, the seed represents the tiny kernel of truth which will grow tobe a large plant many times its own size. Let us illustrate with anexample: Earlier in this article we quoted a statement from EllenWhite where she spoke of the Apocrypha as the hidden book and saidthe wise in the last days should understand it. The reading of herwritings which led to that statement can be likened to feeding uponthe produce of a past harvest of truth. The statement itself can belikened unto a seed, for it may seem small and rather insignifcant atfrst glance, but it contains the essential elements which, if returned toWisdom, will produce a whole new plant with new fruits with moreseeds of their own. Thus, every seed of truth is a key with the potentialof opening up whole new felds of study, full of new plants, bearingnew fruit, with more seeds. All that is required of us once in possessionof such a seed is to return it to the earth. What this means is that whenwe come across a kernel of truth, rather than thinking little of it orcutting 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 handsof Wisdom. In order for the seed to grow we cannot simply toss it onthe surface of the earth. We must be plowing the soil so that we mightplace the seed deep enough to take root. This means that you will bestudying thoroughly and engaging Wisdom personally so that whenyou come across a kernel of truth you will know where to place it. Youwill take that kernel and apply it to your study and include it in yourconversation with Wisdom. When this is done, you can then watch ineagerness as the seed becomes a plant and as the plant bears fruit.This is how Wisdom must be approached.

20 She seems very rough to the undisciplined; fools cannot remainwith Her. 21 She will be like a heavy stone to test them, and they willnot delay in casting Her aside. 22 For Wisdom is like Her name; Sheis not readily perceived by many. - Sirach 6:20-22

Though Wisdom is fertile soil, she seems like rough, tough groundto 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


diffcult as a farmer attempting to plow a heavy stone. The secondaspect is the reason why they fnd her hard to work with. It is that Sheseems rough, or otherwise translated “harsh.” She disciplines bymeans of her rebukes and reproofs (Prov. 1:20-23). If one is unwillingto receive Her reproof, She seems harsh and unloving. In realitythough, it is not Her who is hard as a rock, but the carnal (stoney)heart of the unrenewed man. It is the method of the enemy to causepeople to view others as being guilty of the sins and attributes whichthey themselves commit and possess. It is one thing when this is doneto humanity, but it is even worse when it is done to Divinity.

Let it always be remembered that “Wisdom (the Person) is like Hername (the quality of wisdom); She is not readily perceived by many.”Therefore, walk circumspectly.

23 Listen, my child, and accept my judgment; do not reject mycounsel. 24 Put your feet into Her fetters, and your neck into Hercollar. 25 Bend your shoulders and bear Her, and do not fret underHer chains. - Sirach 6:23-25

Though She seems harsh to you – though Her discipline seemseven like the bonds of slavery, do not fear. “Put your feet into Herfetters” - become slave to Her commands to either stay where Shesays to stay, or go where She says to go. Put “your neck into Hercollar” - metal collars were common for slaves in the ancient worldand were often inscribed with the name of the master and instructionsfor returning the slave. Thus, to have Her collar on your neck is toopenly identify as Her slave, which itself binds you to Her and bringsyou back if you run from Her. “Bend your shoulders and bear Her” -bear whatever burden She places upon you, even if it be She herself.“Do not fret under Her chains” - take upon yourself Her restrictions,but do not fear.

26 Come to Her with all your soul, and keep Her ways with all yourmight. 27 Search out and seek Her, and She will become known toyou; and when you get hold of Her, do not let Her go. 28 For at lastyou will fnd the rest She gives, and She will be turned into your joy.29 Then Her fetters will become for you a strong defense, and hercollar a garment of glory 30 Her yoke is a golden ornament, and Herchains a purple cord. 31 You will wear Her like a glorious robe, andput Her on like a splendid crown. - Sirach 6:26-31


Due to our own lack of discipline, She at frst seems harsh andenslaving, but if we only give ourselves up as slaves to Her, we will fndthat Her yoke is easy and Her burden light (Matt. 11:30). We mustrecognize that in sin, we are already in slavery (John 8:34), and so welose no freedom by making Her our Master. Rather, by becoming Herslave, we enter into glory. What at frst appears to be the shackles of aslave, turns out to be the glorious robes of righteousness and truth. Infact, not only does Wisdom adorn us as kings and queens, but Sheadorns 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 putHer on like a splendid crown.”

32 If you are willing, my child, you can be disciplined, and if you give yourall, you will become clever. 33 If you love to listen you will gainknowledge, and if you pay attention you will become wise. 34 Stand inthe 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 escapeyou. 36 If you see an intelligent person, rise early to visit him; let yourfoot 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 giveinsight to your mind, and your desire for Wisdom will be granted. -Sirach 6:32-37

Thus,

33 Seek frst the kingdom of God and His righteousness... - Matthew 6:33

20 So, the desire for Wisdom leads to a kingdom. - Wisdom of Solomon 6:20

Headquarters Update

As those who have been reading The Silver Trumpet are aware, ourHeavenly Family has been calling for laborers to come to the Branchproperty here in Ontario in order to accomplish the much needed taskof establishing a center. The lack of response from professed believersof present truth has flled Heaven with sadness. Angels are astonishedat the indifference and torpidity of this people. What a contradictionthat those who possess the most sacred and testing truths that have


ever been given to mankind could hear such clear calls to action andsuch startling denunciations of negligence, and yet do nothing in atime of great need.

There has been a long and beautiful summer here, and muchcould have been accomplished had more responded to the call. Thesummer is now past, and the time that has been wasted is forevergone. Those who think this a light thing, supposing that the great planof Omnipotence could not have been hindered by this dormantbehavior, have yet to learn the value of the cross of Christ – the greatprice that has been paid to redeem fallen humanity, as well as theimport and power of the will.

In all, one believer came to help, and another, physically unable tomake the trip and perform the manual labor, supported in the way shecould. There was still another, not an adherent to present truth, but adevout believer in Christ, who did more than many in the message bylending fnancial support to the cause, being moved by the evidentneed. Surely, he will be blessed as a result.

We would now like for you to consider the following testimony ofthe branch who came, our brother, Norman Hines. It is our hope andprayer that by reading his testimony your hearts will be stirred. Knowthat although the frown of our Heavenly Family has been expressedon this movement, and although the past is forever gone, there is stillopportunity 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

5 Every valley shall be flled, and every mountain and hill shall bebrought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the roughways shall be made smooth. - Luke 3:5

I recently traveled by plane from Springfeld, Missouri to Timmins,Ontario. Trent and Teresa met me at the Timmins airport, and wethen drove 3 hours to the Branch property. We celebrated our frstLord’s Supper Daily together during the trip. This was the frst of manydailies that I was privileged to share with them. I have to say that Igained a better understanding of these sacred times and how to


observe them while I was there. When Trent’s alarm on his phone would sound, we would always

stop what we were doing and spend time talking to our HeavenlyFamily, asking Them for guidance about how to start or continue ourdaily activities. If we were at home, we would go to the kitchen whereTeresa would prepare our food while Trent would read something tous. We always had some wonderful and interesting discussions on thetopic he was sharing. Passages from The Desire of Ages and the Thanks-giving Hymns from The Dead Sea Scrolls were often read and discussed.Whenever possible, we would begin the daily by praying outside innature. There is something about doing this that makes one feel closerto our Heavenly Family. I still do this whenever I can.

After seeing the Branch property for myself, I know why ourHeavenly Family led Trent and Teresa to purchase it. It is beautiful,with many different trees and with canals that run through it. It alsohas wild fowers scattered throughout, and abundant wild raspberriesand strawberries. These thingsgive the property an atmo-sphere that is conducive tocontemplating the work ofour Creators. The propertyalso has many areas that areperfectly suited for buildingswhich will be used to carryforward the work that hasbeen given to us in spreadingthe Gospel to a needy world.

The reason I quoted Luke 3:5 at the beginning of this testimony isthat this verse, when applied in a practical sense, will make it possibleso that the true meaning of it can be presented to people in need ofhaving all obstacles removed so they will be prepared to enter theKingdom of our Heavenly Family.

With that being said, I want to tell you about some of the things weaccomplished during the 2 weeks I was in Ontario. The frst necessarything we did was to remove the obstacles in the driveway so thatgravel could be laid. The driveway to the yurt is about 1/2 mile long,with a canal on each side. It had a lot of old logs imbedded in it thatneeded to be removed so they would not puncture a tire. The grassand weeds had grown so tall that they were in need of being cut down.


Trent and I did a lot of this work with machetes so that Teresa couldgo over it with a riding mower. Also, a ditch had to be dug out for aculvert to go in. You may have seen the videos that Teresa sent outshowing the ditch with the new culvert. I regret that I was not able tostay longer to help with the spreading of gravel and flling in the ditchwe dug. However, seeing the pictures of it being completed makes methankful 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 2garages to be erected for storing wood and parking their vehicle.These garages are actually greenhouse frames with heavy plasticcanvas over them. They came in a box that was labeled “Garage in aBox.” I would have liked to have been able to stay longer so I could bethere to help assemble them; it will be quite a project.

Another thing we accomplished was building a compost bin. Wealso built a dirt and gravel separator out of a wooden pallet, which willbe used for flling dirt bags to construct walls of future buildings. Wecollected rocks for an outside fre pit, and moved a pile of frewoodnear to it. There were many other small jobs that we did which werenecessary to prepare the property and the yurt for the soon comingharsh winter.

Needless to say, I enjoyed my time in Ontario, and I receivedmany blessings while there. I plan to return next year in the spring tohelp Teresa and Trent with making a garden. If any of you haveheirloom seeds to send, that would be great. I saw some beautifulgardens while in Ontario, and was quite surprised by how well thingsgrow so far north.

I urge each of you to consider making a trip to the Branchproperty. There is so much that needs to be done for our HeavenlyFamily that it will take many hands to accomplish it all! And if you dohelp in this important work, in return, I know you will receive a greatblessing!

Mattawishkwia River, Hearst


Questions and Answers

WHO IS TO CALL WISDOM “SISTER”?

Question No. 24:Proverbs 7:4 has the phrase, “Say unto Wisdom, 'Thou art my

sister'...” Who is this phrase addressed to? If Wisdom is Jesus' Sister,then could this passage be addressed to Jesus and telling Him to callWisdom His sister? It seems like many of the proverbs are addressedto “my son” and so, if the speaker is God, wouldn't this be referring toJesus? Also, in Proverbs 4:3-4, Solomon tells us that his father (David)taught him, and then he goes on to tell us what David said. With thisin mind, could Proverbs 7:4 be David telling Solomon to call Wisdomhis sister? And since Solomon is a type of Christ, that would seem toconfrm the thought that it is Christ who is to call Wisdom, “Sister.” Answer:

This is an excellent question with a simple answer. All we must dois to see from Proverbs itself who is being addressed. First though, itwill be well for us to understand a little of the phrase “my son.”Historians have noted that this phrase has been used by the wisdomteachers of Egypt, Sumer, and Mesopotamia going back to the thirdmillennium BCE.53 It has also been noted that while the phrase wasoriginally used exclusively in the context of blood relation, it came tobe used to refer to any student of the wisdom teachers.54 For a ofcouple examples of the use of this phrase outside of “Biblical” poeticwritings, we'll quote from the Assyro-Israelite work, The Words ofAhiqar (c., 8th century BCE):

My son, do not curse the day until you have seen the night. Myson, do not utter everything which comes into your mind, for thereare eyes and ears everywhere. But keep watch over your mouth,lest it bring you to grief! - Ahiqar, Saying 14

Hear, O my son: harvest any harvest, and do any job; then youmay eat your fll and provide for your children. - Ahiqar, Saying 40

53 See Education in Ancient Israel: Across the Deadening Silence, pp. 109-110 by James Crenshaw and The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, Vol. 2, p. 486.

54 See Education in Ancient Israel: Across the Deadening Silence, pp. 54, 209, and 226 by James Crenshaw.


This is typical of ancient Wisdom sayings, whether Israelite orPagan. Now we come to the more important issue – Proverbs itself.

It should be noted that Solomon is identifed as the author of theseproverbs from the frst verse of the book. The frst time he mentionshis father (David) is in 4:3. Prior to this, though, Solomon himself usesthe phrase “my son” a number of times to address the readers andhearers of the proverbs (1:8, 10, 15; 2:1; 3:1, 11, 21). In 4:1, we alsofnd the expression “sons,” or “children,” (both the singular and pluralform are gender inclusive). From 4:4 to 4:9, the phrases “my son” and“my sons” do not appear, only the record of David's words toSolomon. In 4:10, the phrase “my son” again appears. This is themost likely place for the transition from David's monologue back tothe words of Solomon. Even if this is not the point of transition,however, we know that the transition takes place before 7:4, for theplural “sons” is again employed in 5:7. This demonstrates that 7:4 isnot the words of David to Solomon.

In addition to the use of the plural in 5:7, there are a number ofother indications in the passage between 4:3 (where David isintroduced) and 7:4 (where we fnd the phrase, “Say unto Wisdom,'Thou art my sister'...”) that the one being addressed is not Jesus. Thefrst obvious example is in 4:24 where the “son” is told to “removeperverse speech from [his] mouth,” yet Jesus had no perverse speechin his mouth to remove. Then, in chapter 6, we have an admonitionto “my son” on what to do if he makes a foolish pledge:

1 My son, if you make a pledge for your neighbor, and havebecome a guarantor for a stranger, 2 if you have been ensnared by thewords you have uttered, and have been caught by the words you have spoken ,3 then, my son, do this in order to deliver yourself, because youhave fallen into your neighbor's power: go, humble yourself, andappeal frmly to your neighbor. 4 Permit no sleep to your eyes orslumber to your eyelids. 5 Deliver yourself like a gazelle from asnare, and like a bird from the trap of the fowler. - Proverbs 6:1-5

I don't believe that any would suggest that the above words areaddressed to Christ. Still, even more obvious are the words of the nextverse, which declare:

6 Go to the ant, you sluggard; observe its ways and be wise! -Proverbs 6:6


This rebuke is again repeated in 6:9. Following the passage on to7:4, Solomon continues to address “my son” as highlighted in 6:20and 7:1.

In conclusion, Proverbs 7:4 is not a part of the monologue of Davidto Solomon, but is rather part of the words of Solomon which areaddressed to any and all of his students, who are named “sons”collectively, or “my son” as individuals. Thus, the injunction to “Sayunto Wisdom, 'Thou art my sister'...” is to all the students of theteachers of wisdom.

WHY “RIGHTEOUSNESS 'BY' FAITH” AND“RIGHTEOUSNESS 'OF' CHRIST”?

Question No. 25:What does it really mean by the “Righteousness BY faith” and the

“Righteousness OF Christ”? I'm sure it's the middle word that isconfusing me. I know that righteousness means “right doing,” but I'mconfused as to the real meaning because of the middle word in eachinstance.Answer:

The word “by” in the frst phrase is expressing the means by whichone becomes righteous. The same thought could be conveyed bysaying “righteousness by means of faith” or “righteousness throughfaith.” The word “of” in the second phrase is meant to convey whoserighteousness is being referred to. In other words, the “righteousnessof Christ” is simply Christ's righteousness. In an attempt to make theconcept as simple as possible, we would like to bring both ideastogether as follows: One might say, “we receive the righteousness ofChrist by faith.” To put that in perhaps more simple terms, one couldsay, “we can do the same 'right doing' that Christ did through trustingin Him.”

WHAT OF GENESIS 38:9-10?

Question No. 26:How do we explain Genesis 38:9-10?

Answer:One key element needed to understand Gen. 38:9-10 is the idea of

levirate marriage. Basically, it was an ancient form of an arranged


marriage in which the brother of a deceased man would marry his (thedeceased man's) wife; that is, if they hadn't had children. It served afew purposes; one was to take care of the wife, and another was tocarry on the family line of the deceased brother.

In Gen. 38:9-10, Onan, the son of Judah, was supposed to takeunto himself Tamar, the wife of his deceased brother Er. He wassupposed to "go in unto her" that she might become pregnant andbear 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 haveintercourse. Basically, he was using her for sex and not giving her anychildren who could take care of her when she became old. Yahwehviewed 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 aregrievous sins among professors of present truth. These sins have, andare, greatly hindering the work, and placing those carrying it forwardin needless trial. We have received the divine command to point outand rebuke these sins. The eighth commandment has been broken inthe withholding of tithes and offerings from the storehouse of presenttruth. Some rob our Heavenly Family by giving Their tithe to those towhom 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 lessthan one third of their income to sacred purposes (Testimonies for theChurch, Vol. 3, p. 395), and in apostolic days they were called to selltheir 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, theMillerites also sold all they had to proclaim the Advent. Think you notthat you will be called to sacrifce your material wealth for the cause oftruth? We are told by Inspiration that we are to give of our wealth inproportion to the amount of truth we have received, yet the majorityare 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


withheld by those who profess to believe present truth, we cannotexpect the working out of that great reformation called for inTestimonies for the Church, Volume 9, page 126. Consider the followingstatements in the light of the cross of Christ:

ELLEN WHITE ON TITHE

Covetousness Among God's PeopleI saw that many who profess to be keeping the commandments of

God are appropriating to their own use the means which the Lordhas entrusted to them and which should come into His treasury.They rob God in tithes and in offerings. They dissemble andwithhold from Him to their own hurt. They bring leanness andpoverty upon themselves and darkness upon the church because oftheir covetousness, their dissembling, and their robbing God intithes and in offerings.

I saw that many souls will sink in darkness because of their covetousness.The plain, straight testimony must live in the church, or the curseof God will rest upon His people as surely as it did upon ancientIsrael because of their sins. God holds His people, as a body,responsible for the sins existing in individuals among them. If theleaders of the church neglect to diligently search out the sins whichbring the displeasure of God upon the body, they becomeresponsible for these sins....

There are many who do not have the discretion of Joshua andwho have no special duty to search out wrongs and to dealpromptly with the sins existing among them. Let not such hinderthose who have the burden of this work upon them; let them notstand in the way of those who have this duty to do. Some make it apoint to question and doubt and fnd fault because others do thework that God has not laid upon them. These stand directly in theway to hinder those upon whom God has laid the burden ofreproving and correcting prevailing sins in order that His frownmay be turned away from His people. Should a case like Achan’sbe among us, there are many who would accuse those who mightact the part of Joshua in searching out the wrong, of having awicked, fault-fnding spirit. God is not to be trifed with and Hiswarnings disregarded with impunity by a perverse people.

I was shown that the manner of Achan’s confession was similar tothe confessions that some among us have made and will make. Theyhide their wrongs and refuse to make a voluntary confession until God searchesthem out, and then they acknowledge their sins. A few persons pass on in acourse of wrong until they become hardened. They may even know


that the church is burdened, as Achan knew that Israel were made weakbefore their enemies because of his guilt. Yet their consciences donot condemn them. They will not relieve the church by humblingtheir proud, rebellious hearts before God and putting away theirwrongs. God’s displeasure is upon His people, and He will not manifest Hispower in the midst of them while sins exist among them and are fostered by thosein responsible positions.

Those who work in the fear of God to rid the church ofhindrances and to correct grievous wrongs, that the people of Godmay see the necessity of abhorring sin and may prosper in purity,and that the name of God may be glorifed, will ever meet withresisting infuences from the unconsecrated. Zephaniah thusdescribes the true state of this class and the terrible judgments thatwill come upon them:

“And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will searchJerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled ontheir lees: that say in their heart, The Lord will not do good,neither will He do evil.” “The great day of the Lord is near, it isnear, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the Lord: themighty man shall cry there bitterly. That day is a day of wrath, aday of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a dayof darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, aday of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and againstthe high towers. And I will bring distress upon men, that they shallwalk like blind men, because they have sinned against the Lord andtheir blood shall be poured out as dust, and their fesh as the dung.Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them inthe day of the Lord’s wrath; but the whole land shall be devouredby the fre of His jealousy: for He shall make even a speedyriddance of all them that dwell in the land.”55

Because of selfshness and love of the world, God is forgotten,and many have barrenness of soul, and cry: “My leanness, myleanness.” The Lord has lent means to His people to prove them, to testthe depth of their professed love for Him. Some would let go of Him andgive up their heavenly treasure rather than to decrease their earthlypossessions and make a covenant with Him by sacrifce. He calls forthem to sacrifce; but the love of the world closes their ears, and theywill not hear.

I looked to see who of those who professed to be looking forChrist’s coming possessed a willingness to sacrifce offerings to Godof their abundance. I could see a few humble poor ones who, like

55 Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 3, pp. 269-271


the poor widow, were stinting themselves and casting in their mite.Every such offering is accounted of God as precious treasure . But those whoare acquiring means, and adding to their possessions, are farbehind. They do comparatively nothing to what they might. Theyare withholding, and robbing God, for they are fearful they shall come to want.They dare not trust God. This is one of the reasons that, as a people, we are sosickly and so many are falling into their graves. The covetous are amongus. Lovers of the world, also those who have stinted the laborer in his hire,are among us.56

Many have their hearts so fxed upon their earthly treasure thatthey do not discern the advantage of laying up for themselves treasures in heaven.They do not realize that their freewill offerings to God are not enriching Him,but themselves.... Men whom God has made stewards are soinfatuated by the riches of this world that they do not discern thatby their selfshness and covetousness they are not only robbing the Lord intithes and offerings, but robbing themselves of eternal riches. They could bedaily adding to their heavenly treasure by doing the very work thatthe Lord has left them to do, and which He has entrusted themwith means to carry out. The Master would have them watch foropportunities to do good and, while they live, apply their meansthemselves to aid in the salvation of their fellow men and in theadvancement of His cause in its various branches. In so doing theyonly do that which God requires of them; they render to God the things that areHis. Many willingly close their eyes and hearts, lest they should see and feel thewants of the Lord’s cause, and by helping in its advancement should lessen theirincrease by detracting from the interest or the principal. Some feelthat what they give to advance the cause of God is really lost. Theyconsider so many dollars gone and feel dissatisfed unless they canimmediately replace them so that their earthly treasure may notdecrease.57

Many would love to see souls converted if it could be done without anysacrifce on their part; but if their property is touched, they draw back, for it is ofmore value to them than the souls of men and women for whom Christ died.58

The principle of the cross of Christ brings all who believe under heavyobligations to deny self, to impart light to others, and to give of their means toextend the light.59

56 Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 2, pp. 197-19857 Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 2, p. 65358 Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 2, p. 65459 Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 3, p. 382


Every man is a steward of God. To each the Master hascommitted His means, but man claims that means as his own.Christ says: “Occupy till I come.” A time is coming when Christwill require His own with usury. He will say to each of Hisstewards: “Give an account of thy stewardship.” Those who have hidtheir Lord’s money in a napkin in the earth, instead of putting it out to theexchangers, and those who have squandered their Lord’s money byexpending it for needless things, instead of putting it out to usury byinvesting it in His cause, will not receive approval from the Master, butdecided condemnation.60

He who embezzles his Lord’s goods not only loses the talent lent him of God,but loses eternal life. Of him it is said: “Cast ye the unproftableservant into outer darkness.” The faithful servant, who invests hismoney in the cause of God to save souls, employs his means to the glory ofGod and will receive the commendation of the Master: “Well done,thou good and faithful servant: ... enter thou into the joy of thyLord.” What will be this joy of our Lord? It will be the joy of seeingsouls saved in the kingdom of glory. “Who for the joy that was set beforeHim endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at theright hand of the throne of God.”

The idea of stewardship should have a practical bearing upon allthe people of God. The parable of the talents, rightly understood,will bar out covetousness, which God calls idolatry. Practicalbenevolence will give spiritual life to thousands of nominal professors of the truthwho now mourn over their darkness. It will transform them from selfsh,covetous worshipers of mammon to earnest, faithful co-workers with Christ inthe salvation of sinners.

The foundation of the plan of salvation was laid in sacrifce. Jesusleft the royal courts and became poor, that we through His povertymight be made rich. All who share this salvation, purchased forthem at such an infnite sacrifce by the Son of God, will follow theexample of the true Pattern. Christ was the chief Cornerstone, and wemust build upon this Foundation. Each must have a spirit of self-denialand self-sacrifce. The life of Christ upon earth was unselfsh; it wasmarked with humiliation and sacrifce. And shall men, partakers of thegreat salvation which Jesus came from heaven to bring them, refuseto follow their Lord and to share in His self-denial and sacrifce?Says Christ: “I am the Vine, ye are the branches.” “Every branchin Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch thatbeareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.”The very vital principle, the sap which fows through the vine,

60 Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 3, p. 385


nourishes the branches, that they may fourish and bear fruit. Is theservant greater than his Lord? Shall the world’s Redeemer practiceself-denial and sacrifce on our account, and the members ofChrist’s body practice self-indulgence? Self-denial is an essentialcondition of discipleship.

“Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me,let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” I lead the way inthe path of self-denial. I require nothing of you, My followers, but that of whichI, your Lord, give you an example in My own life.

The Saviour of the world conquered Satan in the wilderness oftemptation. He overcame to show man how he may overcome. Heannounced in the synagogue of Nazareth: “The Spirit of the Lordis upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel tothe poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preachdeliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, toset at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year ofthe Lord.”

The great work which Jesus announced that He came to do wasentrusted to His followers upon the earth. Christ, as our head, leadsout in the great work of salvation and bids us follow His example.He has given us a world-wide message. This truth must beextended to all nations, tongues, and people. Satan’s power was tobe contested, and he was to be overcome by Christ and also by Hisfollowers. An extensive war was to be maintained against thepowers of darkness. And in order to do this work successfully, means wererequired. God does not propose to send means direct from heaven,but He gives into the hands of His followers talents of means to usefor the very purpose of sustaining this warfare.

He has given His people a plan for raising sums suffcient tomake the enterprise self-sustaining. God’s plan in the tithing system isbeautiful in its simplicity and equality. All may take hold of it in faith andcourage, for it is divine in its origin. In it are combined simplicity and utility,and it does not require depth of learning to understand and execute it. All mayfeel that they can act a part in carrying forward the precious workof salvation. Every man, woman, and youth may become atreasurer for the Lord and may be an agent to meet the demandsupon the treasury. Says the apostle: “Let every one of you lay byhim in store, as God hath prospered him.”

Great objects are accomplished by this system. If one and all wouldaccept it, each would be made a vigilant and faithful treasurer for God , andthere would be no want of means with which to carry forward the great work ofsounding the last message of warning to the world. The treasury will be fullif all adopt this system, and the contributors will not be left the poorer.


Through every investment made they will become more wedded to the cause ofpresent truth. They will be “laying up in store for themselves a good foundationagainst the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”

As the persevering, systematic workers see that the tendency of theirbenevolent efforts is to nourish love to God and their fellow men, and thattheir personal efforts are extending their sphere of usefulness, theywill realize that it is a great blessing to be co-workers with Christ.The Christian church, as a general thing, are disowning the claimsof God upon them to give alms of the things which they possess tosupport the warfare against the moral darkness which is foodingthe world. Never can the work of God advance as it should until the followersof Christ become active, zealous workers.

Every individual in the church should feel that the truth which heprofesses is a reality, and all should be disinterested workers. Somerich men feel like murmuring because the work of God is extendingand there is a demand for money. They say that there is no end to thecalls for means. One object after another is continually arising,demanding help. To such we would say that we hope the cause of God willso extend that there will be greater occasion, and more frequent and urgent calls,for supplies from the treasury to prosecute the work.

If the plan of systematic benevolence were adopted by everyindividual and fully carried out, there would be a constant supply inthe treasury. The income would fow in like a steady streamconstantly supplied by overfowing springs of benevolence.Almsgiving is a part of gospel religion. Does not the consideration of the infniteprice paid for our redemption leave upon us solemn obligations pecuniarily, aswell as lay claim upon all our powers to be devoted to the work of the Master? 61

“Ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a price,” and are underobligation to glorify God with your means as well as in your body and in yourspirit, which are His. “Ye are bought with a price,“ not “withcorruptible things, as silver and gold,” “but with the precious bloodof Christ.” He asks a return of the gifts that He has entrusted to us,to aid in the salvation of souls. He has given His blood; He asks our silver. It isthrough His poverty that we are made rich; and will we refuse to giveback to Him His own gifts?62

Christians are required by the Scriptures to enter upon a plan ofactive benevolence which will keep in constant exercise an interest in thesalvation of their fellow men. The moral law enjoined the observance ofthe Sabbath, which was not a burden except when that law was transgressed

61 Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 3, pp. 387-38962 Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 3, p. 390


and they were bound by the penalties involved in breaking it. Thetithing system was no burden to those who did not depart from the plan. Thesystem enjoined upon the Hebrews has not been repealed orrelaxed by the One who originated it. Instead of being of no forcenow, it was to be more fully carried out and more extended, as salvationthrough Christ alone should be more fully brought to light in the Christian age.

Jesus made known to the lawyer that the condition of his havingeternal life was to carry out in his life the special requirements of the law, whichconsisted in his loving God with all his heart, and soul, and mind, and strength,and his neighbor as himself. When the typical sacrifces ceased at thedeath of Christ, the original law, engraved in tables of stone, stoodimmutable, holding its claims upon man in all ages. And in theChristian age the duty of man was not limited, but more especially defned andsimply expressed.

The gospel, extending and widening, required greater provisions to sustain thewarfare after the death of Christ, and this made the law of almsgiving a moreurgent necessity than under the Hebrew government. Now God requires, not less,but greater gifts than at any other period of the world. The principle laid downby Christ is that the gifts and offerings should be in proportion to the light andblessings enjoyed. He has said: “For unto whomsoever much is given, of himshall be much required.”63

All that is withheld of that which God claims, the tenth of the increase, isrecorded in the books of heaven against the withholders, as robbery. Suchdefraud their Creator; and when this sin of neglect is broughtbefore them, it is not enough for them to change their course and begin towork from that time upon the right principle. This will not correct the fguresmade in the heavenly record for embezzling the property committed to them intrust to be returned to the Lender. Repentance for unfaithful dealing with God,and for base ingratitude, is required.

“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed Me. But ye say,Wherein have we robbed Thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye arecursed with a curse: for ye have robbed Me, even this whole nation.Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat inMine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I willnot open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that thereshall not be room enough to receive it.” A promise is here given that, if allthe tithes are brought into the storehouse, a blessing from God will be pouredupon the obedient.64

63 Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 3, pp. 391-39264 Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 3, p. 394


Remembering Rollin

Our dear brother, Rollin Eugene Cannedy, passed away July 27 or28, 2015. The cause of his death is uncertain, but may have been heatrelated as it was extremely hot and humid at the time of his death. Hewas born December 11, 1937 in Girard, Illinois to Earl & Ethel(Squires) Cannedy. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothersPaul & Floyd, and sister Donna Jurina. He graduated high school inVirden, Illinois at the age of 16 and was married from 1961 to 1972.He is survived by a brother, Gail, of Pawnee, Illinois; two daughters,Vickie (Kevin) Webb, Little Rock, Arkansas and Sherri (Rankyn)Valverde, Cumming, Georgia. Also, three grandchildren: Erick Stone,Little Rock; Jenna Todero, Benton, Arkansas & Daniel Valverde ofCharlotte, North Carolina, and three great-grandchildren. He workednearly 20 years for the State of Illinois Highway Department until hemoved to Springfeld, Missouri in 1978. He became a Christianshortly after moving to Missouri. He also lived in Waco, Texas for afew years, before moving to Benton, Arkansas in 1996, where he liveduntil 2013, when he returned to Missouri.

Rollin had been Davidian for over 20 years and, more recently,became a frm believer in the message of the Branch. He was amongthe little fock who came into the message during the closing of Doug'sministry, and, other than Doug, is the only present truth believer tohave passed away in nearly 30 years. In relation to the current phaseof the Branch message, he was there from the beginning, and was afaithful supporter of the work.

At 77 years old, Rollin was well-known for his soothing, green salvethat he'd been making for many years. He devoted the last 2 years ofhis life to the work of our Heavenly Family by moving to Missouri to


do the printing and mailing of present truth literature. He did nothesitate to leave all and respond to the call for help when it came. Inaddition to making and distributing his salve, he wrote many poemswhich taught the gospel, one of which we have included at the end ofthis periodical. He was always looking for ways to share the truth ofour Heavenly Family and of Justifcation by Faith.

Rollin's faith was very strong and he frmly believed what VictorHouteff wrote in Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 7, p. 6, which says, “Letus therefore wholeheartedly believe that God is in charge of oursalvation, of our lives and of our death, too. That He is able to take usto safety even if the earth should drop out of space, that we cannot dieif He wants us alive, and that we cannot live if He wants us dead. Letus ever bear in mind that we of ourselves know nothing about God'splans except as told through His appointed servants, the prophets, andas we witness them day by day. If we daily walk with God, if wecommit all to Him, then the responsibility is all His.” He was notafraid to die, for he trusted in our Heavenly Family and Their love forhim.

Rollin will be missed while he is asleep, but we look forward toseeing him again very soon. We know that there will be a specialresurrection prior to the second advent of Christ in which many willarise to continue sharing the gospel of the kingdom of heaven. Wehave been told through Inspiration that, “The battle cry is soundingalong the line. Let every soldier of the cross push to the front, not inself-suffciency, but in meekness and lowliness, and with frm faith inGod. Your work, my work, will not cease with this life. For a littlewhile we may rest in the grave, but, when the call comes, we shall, inthe kingdom of God, take up our work once more.” (Testimonies for theChurch, Vol. 7, p. 17).

And so, we who remain – may we respond to the battle cry whichis sounding! Let us eagerly advance the work of our Heavenly Familyand be able to greet our brother, Rollin, when the call is made for himto come forth from the grave and take up his work once more.

HalleluYah!


Notices1

Our weekly and festal meetings are being held through aconference call service known as FreeConferenceCallHD. Here aresome of the call-in numbers:65

Australia: +61 (0) 3 8672 0185Canada: (712) 775-7060 (Important - This is a US number.)Kenya: +254 (0) 20 5231033United Kingdom: +44 (0) 330 606 0527United 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 bediffcult to edit out of the recordings, we request that all participantskeep themselves on mute except when speaking. You can mute orunmute yourself by hitting *6. Also, if at any point during a meetingyou receive another call on the same phone, please hang up on themeeting line and then call back when you have fnished the otherconversation. When a participant has the meeting on hold, there is abeep which occurs every few seconds which would disturb the meetingand 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:

65 For the complete list of call-in numbers please visit www.bdsda.com/conference-calls/.

http://www.freeconferencecallhd.com/

http://www.bdsda.com/conference-calls/

http://www.bdsda.com/conference-calls/


Another window should then appear in which you will see the fashphone:

Select from here the correct number, type inthe access code, fll out your name, then click“place call.” You should then be connectedto the meeting and set for learning as well asfellowship.

2With 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 TheSilver Trumpet in particular) has impacted you, reports of how the workis going in your area, or stories of trials you have undergone onaccount of the message. It could be health tips, quotes of interest,recipes, poems, articles, etc. Whatever it may be, please send it in [email protected] that it may be published and thus serve asan encouragement to others.

3For the convenience of our readers, we here provide a number of

references to some of the days of the ffth and sixth scriptural monthswhich 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 7:94th Day (July 21) – Jub. 28:227th Day (July 24) – 2 Kings 25:810th 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


1st Day (Aug. 17) – Hag. 1:15th Day (Aug. 21) – Eze. 8:19th Day (Aug. 25) – Jub. 28:1818th Day (Sept. 3) – 1 Macc. 14:2724th Day (Sept. 9) – Hag. 1:1525th Day (Sept. 10) – Neh. 6:15

4Please send in names, e-mail addresses, and/or postal addresses of

any you know who would like to receive The Silver Trumpet and othernotifcations on a regular basis. Please send all contact information [email protected].

5Those in the USA may pay tithes and offerings or make other

donations by going to www.bdsda.com/donation-instructions/ whereyou will fnd instructions on how to send funds online.

Those in Canada can send funds through www.bdsda.com or e-mail us at [email protected] in order to obtain information for sendingInterac e-transfers or other other methods. If writing checks, makethem payable to Branch Association66 and mail to:

Branch Association69 HWY 583 SouthJogues, OntarioP0L 1R0

For all fnancial inquiries not answered here or in the links cited,please e-mail [email protected].

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.

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.bdsda.com/

http://www.bdsda.com/donation-instructions/


NOW OR NEVER

Jesus is “the Way, the Truth and the Life;”All other ways are errors that lead to sorrow.

The way of truth saves from sin and strife.The worldly way is to live like there is no tomorrow.

Truth is the only way to obtain eternal life!Following another path brings trouble.

Too late, this was learned by Ananias and his wife!The penalty of death was double.

Jesus, our example, lived without sin;He was tempted at every step of the way.God has promised, Jesus will come again!Even so, come Lord Jesus; soon, I pray!

But frst, help me share with one more precious soulThe love of God revealed in the gospel of our Lord

Which is found in Zechariah's bowl.The golden oil represents God's Word!

Soon, the time of judgment will end!Then shall the separation of wheat and tares take place.

Every soul's destiny will dependOn the acceptance or rejection of God's grace.

Don't wait until it's too lateTo accept God's loving plea

Or else you'll share the evil one's fate!Now is the day of salvation; Don't you see?

Rollin Cannedy


NOTES

the silver trumpet, vol. 1, nos. 15-16

Documents

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davids temple

trumpets of silver

silver trumpetlet elohim

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blowthe trumpets

beholda fying roll

flying scrolland