The Shepherd's Rod Volume 2

 

 

 

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THE SHEPHERD'S ROD

Volume 2

 

By V. T. HOUTEFF

 

"Every scribe which is instructed

unto the kingdom of heaven is like

unto a man that is an householder

which bringeth forth out of his

treasure things new and old."

Matt. 13.52

 

 

 

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THE SHEPHERD'S ROD, Vol. 2

Copyright, 1932

By V.T. HOUTEFF

 

 

 

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LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

 

THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS IN THE HEART OF THE

   EARTH....................................................................................................................... 22

THE IMAGE OF DANIEL 2......................................................................................... 29

THE FOUR BEASTS OF DANIEL 7.......................................................................... 31

THE LION OF DANIEL 7............................................................................................. 35

THE BEAR OF DANIEL 7........................................................................................... 37

THE LEOPARD OF DANIEL 7................................................................................... 39

LION'S WINGS PLUCKED, MAN'S HEART GIVEN TO IT..................................... 44

THE GOAT AND RAM OF DANIEL 7........................................................................ 51

NON-DESCRIPT BEAST IN HIS FIRST STAGE.

  DANIEL 7:7................................................................................................................. 57

NON-DESCRIPT BEAST IN HIS SECOND STAGE.

  DANIEL 7:8................................................................................................................. 59

THE WOMAN AND THE DRAGON OF REVELATION 12..................................... 64

THE WOMAN WITH THE EAGLE'S WINGS OF

  REVELATION 12....................................................................................................... 74

THE BEASTS OF DANIEL AND REVELATION...................................................... 84

WORLD'S HISTORY IN SYMBOLS OF RAM AND GOAT................................... 128

THE DESTRUCTION OF THE BEASTS,

  THE HARVEST AND THE PLAGUES ................................................................. 150

THE SEVEN SEALS AND THE JUDGMENT........................................................ 204

THE HISTORY OF THE GOSPEL, ELEVENTH HOUR CALL,

  MATTHEW 20. HISTORY OF THE GOSPEL....................................................... 224

THE FLOOD--TYPE AND ANTI-TYPE.................................................................... 250

THE TWO TEMPLES IN TYPE AND ANTI-TYPE.................................................. 270

THE MIGHTY RIVER OF EZEKIEL.......................................................................... 294

 

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TOPICAL INDEX

 

Introduction...................................................................................................................... 9

 

IN WHAT MANNER WERE THE SCRIPTURES GIVEN?...................................... 12

    Sin Against The Holy Ghost What Is It?.................................................................. 13

 

INTRODUCING CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR

   Three Days And Three Nights In the Heart Of The Earth...................................... 17

    The Passover Preparation...................................................................................... 20

    Time Table From Passover To The Resurrection................................................ 23

 

THE PROPHECY OF DANIEL AND THE REVELATION OF JOHN    

  CONTAINS THE WORLD'S HISTORY ................................................................... 27

    Symbol Of Wings And Ribs..................................................................................... 33

    "Arise Devour Much Flesh" .................................................................................... 42

    Plucked The Lions Wings........................................................................................ 42

    Man's Heart Given To It ........................................................................................... 45

 

THE BEAR AND THE LEOPARD............................................................................. 50

    The Ram And The He Goat..................................................................................... 53

    Kingdom Of Brass Rules The World...................................................................... 53

 

THE NON-DESCRIPT BEAST. DAN. 7.................................................................... 56

    Attempts To Establish Ecclesiastical Governments ............................................ 56

 

THE RED DRAGON. Rev.3........................................................................................ 65

    War In Heaven.......................................................................................................... 66

    Time Cast Out........................................................................................................... 66

    The Dragon's Horns And Heads............................................................................. 68

    The Dragon's Crown................................................................................................ 69

    The Accuser Of The Brethren.................................................................................. 69

 

 

THE CHURCH OF GOD IN SYMBOL OF A WOMAN.

  Rev. 12........................................................................................................................ 71

 

THE CROWN OF TWELVE STARS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT  

  PERIOD....................................................................................................................... 76

 

THE LEOPARD-LIKE BEAST. Rev.13:1-10............................................................ 85

    The Crowns And The Horns.................................................................................... 87

    Horns And Heads All Present................................................................................. 88

    The Symbol Of The Heads...................................................................................... 88

    One Head Wounded Unto Death............................................................................ 96

    His Deadly Wound Was Healed............................................................................. 97

    All The World Wondered After The Beast............................................................. 98

    The Name Of Blasphemy........................................................................................ 98

    Separating The Tares From The Wheat.............................................................. 101

    Confidence In Man Is Satan's Sure Trap............................................................. 103

    A Brief Summary Of The Leopard-Like Beast.................................................... 106

 

THE TWO-HORNED BEAST. Rev.13:11-18.......................................................... 108

 

THE SCARLET COLORED BEAST. Rev.17......................................................... 111

 

THE WOMAN RIDING ON THE "BEASTS,"

  "HEADS" AND "WATERS." Rev.17...................................................................... 121

    Who Is The Woman Riding On The Beast?........................................................ 121

    How Long Has The Woman Been In Existence?................................................ 123

 

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TOPICAL INDEX

 

THE EXCEEDING GREAT HORN OF DAN. 8:9................................................... 126

   Rome's Power Not Her Own; Understanding Dark Sentences.......................... 127

   The Horn Reveals That Which The Beast Fails To Do....................................... 129

   Cast Down The Host And The Stars..................................................................... 129

   The Daily And The Sanctuary Cast Down............................................................ 130

   How Was The Church Paganized?....................................................................... 134

   How Idol Worship Crept Into The Church.............................................................. 136

   SUMMARY--The Horn "Bears Rule Over All The Earth" .................................... 139

   The Sabbath "Trodden" Only Once....................................................................... 141

   Double Worship In All Ages................................................................................... 142

 

THE BEAST (666), FALSE PROPHET,  MOTHER OF HARLOTS,  

  MAN OF SIN, WHO ARE THEY?........................................................................... 148

   The Destruction Of The Beast And The Prophet................................................. 152

   The Destruction Of The "Man Of Sin"................................................................... 153

   The Mother Of Harlots Not The Beast................................................................... 153

   The Time Of the Woman's Destruction................................................................. 154

   Who Is The False Prophet?................................................................................... 157

   The Woman Sitting On The Heads....................................................................... 157

   The Woman Sitting On The Beast......................................................................... 158

   The Cup, Jewels, And The Loud Colors .............................................................. 159

   SUMMARY............................................................................................................... 160

 

THE ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-FOUR THOUSAND.

 Rev. 7 & 14................................................................................................................ 163

    The 144,000 Sealed While In The Church........................................................... 163

    Servants Of God In The Time Of The Harvest..................................................... 166

    Are The 144,000 Of Both Sexes?........................................................................ 167

 

AT PROBATION'S END, GRAVES CEASE--

  Rev. 14 & 15............................................................................................................. 170

 

THE TWENTY-FOURTH CHAPTER OF MATTHEW, AND

  THE SIGNS OF CHRIST'S COMING..................................................................... 174

    Committed To S.D.A. Denomination................................................................... 178

    The Ten Virgins--Matthew 25................................................................................ 180

    Summary Of The Ten Virgins................................................................................ 185

 

THE SEVEN SEALS AND THE SANCTUARY..................................................... 187

    The Plan Of Salvation Preceded The Fall........................................................... 188

    Is The Sanctuary The Eternal Place Of God's Throne?...................................... 188

    Where Is The Throne Seen By John?.................................................................. 189

    The Judgment And The Seals--Revelation Chapter 4....................................... 194

    Sea Of Glass.......................................................................................................... 198

    The Opening Of The Book.................................................................................... 200

    The Seals By Periods--Revelation Six................................................................ 201

    The Meaning Of The Horses And Riders............................................................ 202

    First Seal--White Horse......................................................................................... 205

    The First Rider........................................................................................................ 205

    Second Seal--Red Horse...................................................................................... 206

    The Rider On The Red Horse............................................................................... 207

    The Third Seal--Black Horse................................................................................ 208

    The Balances In The Rider's Hand....................................................................... 209

    Hurt Not The Oil And The Wine............................................................................. 210

    The Fourth Seal...................................................................................................... 211

    The Fifth Seal......................................................................................................... 212

    The Sixth Seal........................................................................................................ 213

    The Seventh Seal, Revelation 8:1-5..................................................................... 214

    Reformation In View............................................................................................... 219

    Summary Of Commencement And Termination Of Seals................................. 221

 

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WHEAT AND BARLEY EACH FOR A PENNY...................................................... 222

    The Ancient Time Clock........................................................................................ 225

    The Morning Call.................................................................................................... 226

    Second Call In The Third Hour.............................................................................. 227

    The Sixth Hour Call................................................................................................ 227

    The Ninth And Eleventh Hour Calls...................................................................... 229

    Why Stand Ye Idle?................................................................................................ 231

    The Last First And The First Last......................................................................... 233

    Give Them Their Hire............................................................................................. 235

    Why Early In The Morning?.................................................................................... 236

    Seven Universal Movements................................................................................ 236

    Reason Why Three Hours To A Movement......................................................... 237

 

WHY MILLER'S MISTAKE; WHAT IS THE FLOOD

  TO US?..................................................................................................................... 240

    The Flood A Type Of The Destruction Of The Wicked....................................... 246

    Flood Coincides With The Passover And Crucifixion........................................ 254

    The Significance Of The First And The Second Month...................................... 256

    Cain And Abel........................................................................................................ 257

 

THE FIRST AND SECOND TEMPLE--TYPE AND

  ANTI-TYPE................................................................................................................ 259

    The Second Temple.............................................................................................. 259

    The Literal And Spiritual Distinction Between The Two Temples..................... 261

    First Temple Literally Greater, But The Second Spiritually................................ 262

    The Time For Building The Anti-Typical Temple (Church)................................. 266

    Three Decrees Issued Before Temple Was Built............................................... 273

    False Accusations And Excuses.......................................................................... 273

    Objections Against The Channel God May Use................................................. 275

    The Second Decree To Build "The Temple"....................................................... 276

    The Third Decree To Build "The Temple"........................................................... 278

    The Time For The Establishment Of The True Church....................................... 279

    The Power Of God's People To Build His House............................................... 280

    The Result Of Obedience To God's Word........................................................... 281

 

ZECHARIAH 4............................................................................................................ 283

    The Two Golden Pipes.......................................................................................... 285

    The Seven Lamps.................................................................................................. 285

    The Seven Golden Tubes...................................................................................... 285

    What Is Inspired and What Is Not?....................................................................... 287

 

THE RIVER OF EZEKIEL'S VISION........................................................................ 290

    Ezekiel 47............................................................................................................... 291

 

JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH; WHAT IS IT?............................................................... 299

 

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Introduction

 

   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, incomprehensive 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

 

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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

 

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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.

 

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