Many have asked, perhaps by many in a tone of mockery, “what is the purpose of the Shepherd’s Rod, we have all of the truth of the three angels messages what need have we for another message?” In the next series of posts we will let the author of the original Shepherd’s Rod message speak for himself and let the wise weigh the evidence for themselves to determine whether or not the Seventh-day Adventist Church is in need of a better understanding of God’s Word if she hopes to survive the trouble that is about to be unleashed upon this earth. The following is the introduction to the book, The Shepherd’s Rod, Vol. 2 which was first published in 1932.
“This book is not published to explain, or comment on truths which have been previously revealed, and accepted as such, but is to disclose realities which God has preserved through many generations, not only from becoming extinct, but also preventing their meaning from being discovered by men of wisdom. Thus, He who controls the Scriptures is able to reveal present truth to His people at a time when needed. Therefore, though such truths are originally prophetic, they become new, and stand as a direct letter from God to men at the time revealed. “Thus saith God the Lord, . . . Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.” (Isa. 42:5, 9.) Hence, it will prove the contents of this publication new, interesting, instructive, inspiring, and converting. The message it bears being taught by symbols and types illustrated on charts, becomes simple, and all who are searching for truth with intention to fit themselves for the heavenly garner, can easily comprehend it.
The book of “Revelation” is said to be a closed book full of symbolical mysteries, incomprehensible to human beings. This is true of all prophetic truths. The one who admits this fact of the book of “Revelation,” automatically confesses that he does not understand the Bible; for all the books of Holy Writ meet and end in the “Revelation.” Therefore, to understand that book is to understand the Bible. “The One who reveals the mysteries to John will give to the diligent searcher for truth a foretaste of Heavenly things. Those whose hearts are open to the reception of truth will be enabled to understand its teachings, and will be granted the blessing promised to those who ‘hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein’.” — “The Acts of the Apostles,” pp. 584, 585. Thus, when the Revelation is understood, it will unlock the great Store House and bring to light all the prophetic mysteries that are stored in it.
The message in this volume was prophetically timed by the parable of the “Householder” who sent laborers into His “vineyard.” (Matt. 20:1-16.) Proving to be the “11th hour” “call,” — the last, and at the right time. The fact that this wonderful revelation of the Scriptures cannot be contradicted, proves the message correct, and its inspiration true. This prophetic call is based on the prophecies of Daniel, and its explanation made clear by the book of Revelation. Thus, it is symbolically explained. These prophetic symbols of beasts, wings, horns, heads, crowns, etc., prove to be most perfect symbols in revealing the truth represented by them and when correctly applied it is certain that their meaning cannot be misconstrued.
As the present day confusion and misunderstanding of the Scriptures among Christendom is proven by the multiplicity of sects, it is evident that the churches are in the Laodicean state: “Wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” And by denying the charge of this plain statement proves the words of the “True Witness” correct, “and knowest not.” While they think they are right, the “True Witness” declares: “Thou art all wrong.” What greater deception than this? (Read Rev. 3:14-18.) Since the Bible plainly says that it is the “truth” that shall make us “free,” we can not too closely examine ourselves and the things we believe, for if no two of this multi-sectarian Christianity believe alike, it is evident that most, if not all, are blind. And as the Bible is correct in the words: “If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch,” then it would be useless to dispute the truth — the world is headed for the “ditch.” Would not this indisputable statement arouse the professed people of God from their slumber and sleep? Past experiences prove that many will say, “It is not I.” Knowing that this deception would arise in the last days, God has devised this pictorial representation of the truth, by which He is able to enlighten His church and call out His people.
While the enemy has succeeded in confusing the written Word, God lightens the earth with His glory by these symbolic revelations; and by which He discloses the entire truth and uncovers the traps of the devil! Thus through types and symbols He makes wise the simple and confounds the prudent by showing that where there is no type there is no truth.
This volume contains a complete symbolic revelation of the entire world’s history, both civil and religious. The reason these wonders were portrayed by symbols is the same as that which caused Christ to teach by parables. “And the disciples came, and said unto Him [Christ], Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.” (Matt. 13:10, 11.) “But the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” (Dan. 12:10.) “The chief purpose of teaching by parables is that the truth may be revealed to God’s children and at the same time concealed from His enemies…. For this same reason the prophecies that described the great antichristian powers and their work down to the end of time had to be clothed in symbolic and parabolic language to insure their preservation.” — “Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly,” p. 33. Second Quarter, 1932. “Christ was the foundation of the Jewish economy. The whole system of types and symbols was a compacted prophecy of the gospel, a presentation in which were bound up the promises of redemption.” — “The Acts of the Apostles,” p. 14.
Each of these subjects could be greatly enlarged, but had we done so, this volume would have become too voluminous, also less comprehensive. Thus we have omitted many details.
(All bold face ours.) THE AUTHOR.” — Shepherd’s Rod book, Vol. 2, pp. 9-11
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