Habakkuk's Two Tables #37
Part Five: 1863
Presented by Jeff Pippenger
Invocation by Brother Jeff Pippenger: Heavenly Father, we thank you for a good night's rest and for awaking us to serve you another day. And as we take up the study of your Word this morning, we ask that you would take control of this meeting, grant us your Holy Spirit in each of our hearts and minds, and that you overrule my humanity that I might be a vessel that you use to convey a message that will produce an effect that will glorify and honor you among us. We want the Latter Rain poured out upon us; so, we ask that you would forgive our sins so that the vessels that we are can receive the Rain that you have for us. Please send the Holy Oil down through the golden pipes that we will have a supply of Oil to share with those that we come in contact with. Please bless this study. In Jesus's name, amen.
BROTHER PIPPENGER: Okay. We are going to have to move quickly here this morning because there are a lot of pages of notes.
Isaiah 7
We are beginning to identify 1863 as a waymark in sacred history, and there are some points that we want to put in place before we move into a detail study in Isaiah 7.
Yesterday we looked at Isaiah 6, where Isaiah, representing Laodicean Seventh-day Adventists at the end of the world, is purified and prepared to carry a message to God's church. Isaiah 7 is the message that he is to carry to God's church, and the message of Isaiah 7 is the 2520.
The duration of the 2520 time prophecy is set forth in Leviticus 26 by Moses. The starting points for both 2520s are noted in Isaiah 7. The conclusion of both 2520s is found in the Book of Daniel.
We are going to deal with the 2520 as a doctrine, after we finish looking at the Two Tables of Habakkuk typified in Bible prophecy; so, I am not going to spend a great deal of time here in Isaiah 7 defending the application of the two 2520s in Isaiah 7. I want to look at 1863 as typified.
742BC
Isaiah 7:3-9
"3Then said the Lord unto Isaiah, Go forth now to meet Ahaz, thou, and Shearjashub thy son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field; 4And say unto him, Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be fainthearted for the two tails of these smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin with Syria, and of the son of Remaliah. 5Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have taken evil counsel against thee, saying, 6Let us go up against Judah, and vex it, and let us make a breach therein for us, and set a king in the midst of it, even the son of Tabeal: 7Thus saith the Lord God, It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass. 8For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin; and within threescore and five years shall Ephraim be broken, that it be not a people. 9And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah's son. If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established." Isaiah 7:3-9 (KJV).
But, in Isaiah 7, verse 8, in the time period the Northern Tribe of Ephraim has formed an alliance with Syria and is on its way to attack Judah, the Southern Kingdom, Isaiah is commissioned by the Lord to go tell Ahaz not to be worried about this confederacy that is coming against him.
And in the midst of this prophetic announcement to Ahaz by Isaiah, in verse 8, there is a time prophecy that says, "For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin; and within threescore and five years"�how many is threescore and five years?
FROM THE AUDIENCE: Sixty-five.
BROTHER PIPPENGER: Sixty-five�"sixty-five years shall Ephraim be broken, that it be not a people. 9And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah's son. If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established."
742BC 723 677 AD1798 1844 1863
Ephraim
2520
Judah
4 6 2520 4 6
1 9 1 9
James White
Rehoboam
Aaron 723 1844
Jeroboam � 677 � 1798
Saul 46 46
Figure No. 61A
So, we find that this time prophecy of Isaiah 7 was given in the year 742BC, and the promise was that in 65 years, which takes you out to 677BC, the Northern Kingdom of Ephraim would be broken. And it was carried away in 677BC, thus beginning the scattering of the Northern Kingdom that concludes in AD1798.
And although it is not specifically addressed, it is there in black and white. At the end of these 65 years you come to 677BC, which marks the beginning of the 2520 against the Southern Kingdom of Judah that ended in AD1844.
But the Lord speaks through what the theologians call chiastic structures, and we have these 19 years here at the beginning that takes us to the beginning point of the first 2520, that ends in AD1798. The second 2520 ends in AD1844. And if you extend 19 years farther you come to several things that took place in AD1863 that are identical to what took place in 742BC. So, we are going to start building a case that the characteristics of 742BC are fulfilled again in Adventism in AD1863. And, of course, this is one of the battle grounds over this message, even though it is not being battled yet; because, those people that are rejecting the 2520 have not heard a real complete argument about 1863.
But, I would suggest to you that even though this will be a battle point in this message, the real battle point of 1863 is illustrating the beginning of Adventism, and therefore 1863 is identifying the end of Adventism; and, the characteristics that are in 742BC that are repeated in AD1863 are going to be repeated in the time of The Sunday Law in Adventism at the end of the world. So, there is even a more present truth application than simply the argument of 1863.
But, if you go back into the Millerite History, you will find that William Miller and most of the Millerites mark the beginning of this time prophecy in 722BC. Hiram Edson in AD1856, when he wrote his articles about the 2520, he marked 723BC; so, there were some historical differences. When they looked into history they were seeing 722BC and 723BC. And even with those people presenting this message, there are still some people that cling to 722BC.
That is why I have this up here [referring to the calculation in the bottom right of Figure No. 61A.] Without dealing with historical evidence, just keeping it at a simple mathematical level, if you have 46 years from 1798 to 1844�1798 subtracted from 1844 equals 46�and both of these points in time [1798 and 1844] are the conclusions of identical time prophecies of 2520, then mathematically when you go back to the beginnings, the beginnings have to do the same thing for you.
You subtract 677BC from 723, you come to 46. If it was 722BC, you would come to 45, and it does not�just mathematically you know right there it has to be 723BC, if you want to know. This idea of the 45 years becomes something that the Millerites struggled with. You will see that the 45 years on these 1843 and 1850 Charts, this was part of what they were dealing with, was with the two 2520s, with the belief that one started in 722BC. That is not a big point in our study here today, so we will move beyond that.
The Northern 2520 (Three Years)
2 Kings 17:20-22
In your notes, you will see 2 Kings 17, where the Northern Tribe is carried into captivity.
"20And the Lord rejected all the seed of Israel, and afflicted them, and delivered them into the hand of spoilers, until he had cast them out of his sight. 21For he rent Israel from the house of David; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king: and Jeroboam drave Israel from following the Lord, and made them sin a great sin. 22For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they departed not from them; . . ." 2 Kings 17:20-22 (KJV).
The Beginning�723BC
And Jesus illustrates the end with the beginning; and, in 723BC, the history that surrounds 723BC is one of the reasons that some people say 722 is the starting point for this 2520 is a process that covers at least three years. Some people will argue that it covers four years. There is a sequence of events that takes place between 724BC and 722BC. And when this prophecy ends down here [at the end of the timeline in Figure No. 61A], you will be the same sequence of events. So, it is up to the student of prophecy to go select how he wants to apply it.
But, first, Hoshea was besieged. He was captured, surrounded; but, he was not defeated. Then he was defeated, and then he was carried away into captivity over a period of time.
Review and Herald, February 12, 1914:
"About two years later, 'in the seventh year of Hoshea,' 'Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against Samaria, and besieged it. And at the end of three years they took it: even in the sixth year of Hezekiah, that is the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel, Samaria was taken. And the king of Assyria did carry away Israel unto Assyria, and put them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes: because they obeyed not the voice of the Lord their God, but transgressed his covenant, and all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded.' 2 Kings 18:9�12.
"The destruction that came upon the northern kingdom was directly from God himself. The Assyrians were merely the instruments that he used to carry out his purpose. Through Isaiah, who began to prophesy before the fall of Samaria, the Lord referred to the Assyrian hosts as the 'rod of mine anger.' 'The staff in their hand,' he said, 'is mine indignation.' Isaiah 10:5." Review and Herald, February 12, 1914.
The End�1798
And the story of the Papacy receiving its deadly wound here [AD1798].
Encyclopedia Britannica, 1913 Edition:
"In 1796 Napoleon invaded Italy, defeated the papal troops and occupied Ancona and Loreto. Pius sued for peace, which was granted at Tolentino on the 19th of February1797; but on the 28th of December of that year, in a riot created by some Italian and French revolutionists, General Duphot of the French embassy was killed and a new pretext furnished for invasion. General Berthier marched to Rome, entered it unopposed on the 13th of February 1798, and, proclaiming a republic, demanded of the pope the renunciation of his temporal authority. Upon refusal he was taken prisoner, and on the 20th of February was escorted from the Vatican to Siena, and thence to the Certisa near Florence. The French declaration of war against Tuscany led to his removal by way of Prama, Piacceza, Turin and Grenoble to the citadel of Valance, where he died six weeks later, on the 29th of August 1799." Encyclopedia Britannica, 1913 Edition.
1799
T. Jones, Signs of the Times, October 24, 1900:
"Thus 'those days' are the twelve hundred and sixty years of papal supremacy, which began in A.D. 538, at the rooting up of the last of the 'three' kingdoms mentioned in Daniel 7:8, 20, 24, and ended in A.D. 1798, when the papal government was abolished in Rome, when a Roman republic was again declared there, and 'the old foundations of the capital were made again to resound with the cries, if not the spirit, of freedom; and the venerable ensign, S.P.Q.R., after the lapse of fourteen hundred years, again floated in the winds,' and when the pope was made a prisoner and was carried into captivity in France, where he died at Valence, August 29, 1799." A. T. Jones, Signs of the Times, October 24, 1900.
First in AD1797, Berthier subdues Italy but the Pope is still in the Vatican; and, in then 1798 he [Berthier] takes him [the Pope] and then in 1799 in captivity he [the Pope] dies.
So, Jesus illustrates the end from the beginning.
And at the beginning of this time prophecy, you have got a three- or four-year history that gets paralleled down here at 1798. It is very interesting to look at it. And we are not dealing with it in detail here, because there is more about this 2520 that is very profound.
The Southern 2520 (Progressive)
The First: Manasseh�677BC
2 Chronicles 33:11
"11Wherefore the Lord brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon." 2 Chronicles 33:11 (KJV).
And in this history [beginning at 677BC], one of the arguments is that Manasseh, though carried away in captivity in 677, he repents and he returns home. Okay? Therefore, that cannot be the beginning of the scattering is the argument. But, that is not the Millerite logic.
Prophets and Kings, page 382:
"Faithfully the prophets continued their warnings and their exhortations; fearlessly they spoke to Manasseh and to his people; but the messages were scorned; backsliding Judah would not heed. As an earnest of what would befall the people should they continue impenitent, the Lord permitted their king to be captured by a band of Assyrian soldiers, who 'bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon,' their temporary capital. This affliction brought the king to his senses; 'he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed unto Him: and He was entreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord He was God.' 2 Chronicles 33:11�13. But this repentance, remarkable though it was, came too late to save the kingdom from the corrupting influence of years of idolatrous practices. Many had stumbled and fallen, never again to rise." Prophets and Kings, 382.
EARNEST: First fruits; that which is in advance, and gives promise of something to come. Hence earnest or earnest-money is a first payment or deposit giving promise or assurance of full payment. Hence the practice of giving an earnest to ratify a bargain. This sense of the word is primary, denoting that which goes before, or in advance. Webster's 1828 Dictionary.
The Millerite logic is is that the 2520 begins when the pride of God's people's power is broken, and the pride of their power is they wanted a king. They wanted to be like the other nations. And here [723BC], the king of the Northern Tribe is taken away, and here [677BC] Manasseh is carried away. And from this point on, they are always in subjection to other kings, even if they are still ruling in their own little domain they are in subjection to other kings. This [677BC] is where their pride of their power is taken away.
And more importantly, there are five or six kings after Manasseh that takes you to Zedekiah, when Jerusalem is destroyed and they are carried into Babylon captive.
The Last: United States�1844
The Great Controversy, page 389:
"The Bible declares that before the coming of the Lord, Satan will work 'with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness;' and they that 'received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved,' will be left to receive 'strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.' 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11. Not until this condition shall be reached, and the union of the church with the world shall be fully accomplished throughout Christendom, will the fall of Babylon be complete. The change is a progressive one, and the perfect fulfillment of Revelation 14:8 is yet future." The Great Controversy, 389.
But, Manasseh here is illustrating 1844; and, in 1844 what Manasseh is illustrating is the United States. And the United States, when Sister White talks about the First Angel's Message being rejected down here in 1842, 1843, 1844, she says the Protestants of the United States suffered a moral fall, but it was not complete. The complete fall of the United States is down here at The Sunday Law.
So, this prophecy with Manasseh is describing a progressive fall; and, when it is fulfilled in the 1844 time period, it is marking the beginning of a progressive fall.
So, if you do not understand that Jesus illustrates the end from the beginning, and you do not look carefully at this, there are lots of hooks to hang your doubts on and reject the warning message that is designed to prepare you for the Seal of God.
And the name MANASSEH here, I will add one nice little thought here. We are passing over some things that we have dealt with before.
MANASSEH: Strong's Concordance H4519�causing to forget.
The name MANASSEH means causing to forget.
And when you get down here to the Protestants of the United States, they have forgotten that they had escaped from Roman Catholicism. So, when the message came to them saying, "You need to continue to separate further and further from the Roman Church here in the 1840s because now the complete light of the Reformation has come," the Protestants have forgotten that they have come out of Roman Catholicism and they determined they were going to stay under the influence of Catholicism, holding on to the two primary pillars of Catholicism, that being the immortality of the soul and Sunday sacredness.
And, of course, when you get down to the end of the world, the reason that the United States places the Papacy on the throne of the Earth is they forgot who she is.
The Great Controversy, page 581:
"And let it be remembered, it is the boast of Rome that she never changes. The principles of Gregory VII and Innocent III are still the principles of the Roman Catholic Church. And had she but the power, she would put them in practice with as much vigor now as in past centuries. Protestants little know what they are doing when they propose to accept the aid of Rome in the work of Sunday exaltation. While they are bent upon the accomplishment of their purpose, Rome is aiming to re-establish her power, to recover her lost supremacy. Let the principle once be established in the United States that the church may employ or control the power of the state; that religious observances may be enforced by secular laws; in short, that the authority of church and state is to dominate the conscience, and the triumph of Rome in this country is assured.
"God's word has given warning of the impending danger; let this be unheeded, and the Protestant world will learn what the purposes of Rome really are, only when it is too late to escape the snare. She is silently growing into power. Her doctrines are exerting their influence in legislative halls, in the churches, and in the hearts of men. She is piling up her lofty and massive structures in the secret recesses of which her former persecutions will be repeated. Stealthily and unsuspectedly she is strengthening her forces to further her own ends when the time shall come for her to strike. All that she desires is vantage ground, and this is already being given her. We shall soon see and shall feel what the purpose of the Roman element is. Whoever shall believe and obey the word of God will thereby incur reproach and persecution." The Great Controversy, 581.
So Manasseh, meaning causing to forget, he is illustrating the United States from a lot of different directions; and, you have these quotes that show the United States forgets where they came from.
You have some quotes in there that show the United States forgets where they came from.
Ahaz�742BC (The Beginning)
Isaiah 7:1-2
"1And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up toward Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it. 2And it was told the house of David, saying, Syria is confederate with Ephraim. And his heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind." Isaiah 7:1-2 (KJV).
James White�1863 (The End)
Okay. Now, what we want to deal with today a little bit�and this is why I am moving quickly; I have a lot of reading�is here in 1863, James White, the leader of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, he sets aside the 2520 on this [1843] Chart and, in so doing, he is setting aside this Chart. And in the same year he introduces a new chart without the 2520. And those of us that are teaching the importance of Habakkuk's Tables out in the public arena today, one of the quotes that we use�I do not have it in these notes, but it is in the worship notes�one of the quotes that we use is from James White; and, James White said, before 1863, "Anyone that denies that the 1843 Chart is the fulfillment of Habakkuk II has left the original faith. So, James White is the one that is noted as being so specific about the significance of this [1843] Chart, of which the [vertical] center line is the 2520; and, yet, he is the one in 1863 that sets it aside.
And what James White was, he was the first leader of Adventism. So, what we are going to do this morning is deal with James White, but deal with him line upon line, proof-texting, by looking at some first leaders. We want to put in the record here about James White as we begin.
Like I said this morning, we have to move quickly because there is some reading to do.
This is from Pamphlets 159, beginning on page 14, speaking of James White.
"I will here copy from another testimony written June 6, 1863:"�
So, this is a testimony from 1863, the very year that we are dealing with, the conclusion of the 19�years.
"'I was shown that our testimony was still needed in the church,"�hers [Ellen's] and James's testimony�"and that we should labor to save ourselves trials and cares, and that we should preserve a devotional frame of mind. It is duty for those in the Office to tax their brains more, and my husband tax his less. Much time is spent by him upon various matters which confuse and weary his mind, and unfit him for study, or for writing, and hinder his light from shining in the Review as it should."�
So, we are taking note here that in 1863 James White is under�I am going to call it "peer pressure," and you will see why I call it peer pressure. I do not mean it specifically as peer pressure, necessarily; but, all the first leaders are under mental strain and they are tested. You will find that every first leader is placed under mental strain and then they are tested. And that is where James is.
And when is he? He is that way in 1863.
Continuing on:
�"I saw that my husband's mind should not be crowded and overtaxed. His mind must have rest, and he be left free to write and attend to matters which others cannot do. Those engaged in the Office can lift from him a great weight of care if they would dedicate themselves to God, and feel a deep interest in the work. No selfish feelings should exist among those who labor in the Office. It is the work of God in which they are engaged, and they are accountable to God for the motives and manner in which this branch of his work is performed. They are required to discipline their minds, and to bring their minds to task. Forgetfulness is sin. Many feel that no blame should be attached to forgetfulness. There is a great mistake here; and this leads to many blunders, and much disorder, and many wrongs. The mind must be tasked. Things that should be done should not be forgotten. The mind must be disciplined until it will remember."�
Dropping down to the next paragraph:
"My husband has had much care, and he has done many things which others ought to have done, fearing they would, in their heedlessness, make mistakes which would involve losses not easily remedied. This has been a great perplexity to his mind. Those who labor in the Office should learn. They should study, and practice, and exercise their own brains; for they have this branch of business alone, while my husband has the responsibility of many departments of the work. If the workmen make a failure, they should feel that it rests upon them to repair damages from their own purses, and not allow the Office to suffer loss through their carelessness. They should not cease to bear responsibilities, but should try again, avoiding their former mistakes. In this way they would learn to take that care which the word of God ever requires, and then they will do no more than their duty."�
So, she is talking about Jams White having a personal connection to every branch of the work, working with people that did not seem to have that personal connection with it; so, his mind is getting worn out from worry.
The next paragraph:
�"I was shown that my husband should take time to do those things which his judgment tells him would preserve his health. He has thought that he must throw off the burdens and responsibilities which were upon him, and leave the Office, or his mind would become a wreck."�
He knew it. He thought, "I need to set these things aside, because I can tell my mind is getting worn out." So, he even knew it.
And when did he know it?
FROM THE AUDIENCE: In 1863.
BROTHER PIPPENGER: In 1863.
�"I was shown that when the Lord released him from his position, he would give him just as clear evidence of his release as he gave him when he laid the burden of the work upon him. But he has borne too many burdens, and those laboring with him at the Office, and his ministering brethren also, have been too willing that he should bear them. They have, as a general thing, stood back from bearing burdens and have sympathized with those that were murmuring against him, and left my husband to stand alone while he was bowed down beneath censure until God has vindicated his own cause. If they had taken their share of the burdens, he would have been relieved." Pamphlets 159, 14�15.
So, I am putting into the record here, in this argument that I am making, that James White in 1863, he was going to be tested at a time period when he was mentally worn out.
Peer Pressure
Rehoboam�The First King of Judah (Rejecting the Old Paths)
So, I want to go to the first king of Judah, [indicating the name of Rehoboam on the whiteboard].
The first king of the united Israel of the 12 tribes is king Saul; but, when the kingdom split, the first king of Judah is Rehoboam, the first king of Israel is Jeroboam�we are going to look at Jeroboam.
The first leader of God's people when they came out of Egypt is Aaron. I know you might claim Moses, but I am pointing to Aaron the same way I am pointing to James White. Aaron's brother was the prophet; James White's wife was the prophetess. As far as a human leader, Aaron was the first leader when they came out of Egypt; and, then king Saul�this is not Paul; this is king Saul�the first leader of Ancient Israel united.
So, let us look at Rehoboam.
And what I am saying is, is that in every first leader they are tested. You will see that they are tested, and part of their test is mental strain, peer pressure, of one way or another.
So, this is Rehoboam. And we want to look at what their [these first leaders'] tests are and what they do with their tests, and see that it is a parallel to James White's test, and also a parallel to Ahaz's test; but, we will deal with that more later.
This is Rehoboam, the first king of Judah, reading from Prophets and Kings, pages 87 � 91.
"'Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the City of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.' 1 Kings 11:43.
"Soon after his accession to the throne, Rehoboam went to Shechem, where he expected to receive formal recognition from all the tribes. 'To Shechem were all Israel come to make him king.' 2 Chronicles 10:1.
"Among those present was Jeroboam the son of Nebat�the same Jeroboam who during Solomon's reign had been known as 'a mighty man of valor,' and to whom the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite had delivered the startling message, 'Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee.' 1 Kings 11:28, 31.
"The Lord through His messenger had spoken plainly to Jeroboam regarding the necessity of dividing the kingdom. This division must take place, He had declared, 'because that they have forsaken Me, and have worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in My ways, to do that which is right in Mine eyes, and to keep My statutes and My judgments, as did David.' Verse 33.
"Jeroboam had been further instructed that the kingdom was not to be divided before the close of Solomon's reign. 'I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand,' the Lord had declared; 'but I will make him prince all the days of his life for David My servant's sake, whom I chose, because he kept My commandments and My statutes: but I will take the kingdom out of his son's hand, and will give it unto thee, even ten tribes.' Verses 34, 35.
"Although Solomon had longed to prepare the mind of Rehoboam, his chosen successor, to meet with wisdom the crisis foretold by the prophet of God, he had never been able to exert a strong molding influence for good over the mind of his son,"�it is about his mind�"whose early training had been so grossly neglected. Rehoboam had received from his mother, an Ammonitess, the stamp of a vacillating character. At times he endeavored to serve God and was granted a measure of prosperity; but he was not steadfast, and at last he yielded to the influences for evil that had surrounded him from infancy. In the mistakes of Rehoboam's life and in his final apostasy is revealed the fearful result of Solomon's union with idolatrous women."�
What is that? The Mystery of Iniquity.
�"The tribes had long suffered grievous wrongs under the oppressive measures of their former ruler."�Solomon�"The extravagance of Solomon's reign during his apostasy had led him to tax the people heavily and to require of them much menial service. Before going forward with the coronation of a new ruler, the leading men from among the tribes determined to ascertain whether or not it was the purpose of Solomon's son to lessen these burdens. 'So Jeroboam and all Israel came and spake to Rehoboam, saying, Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore ease thou somewhat the grievous servitude of thy father, and his heavy yoke that he put upon us, and we will serve thee.'
"Desirous of taking counsel with his advisers before outlining his policy, Rehoboam answered, 'Come again unto me after three days. And the people departed."�
Now, in these worship series, we have already determined that these three days, prophetically, is 46�years. So, his decision takes place after 1844, if you can understand that at a prophetic level.
Is 1863 after 1844?
FROM THE AUDIENCE: (Affirmations.)
BROTHER Pippenger: Yes. Okay.
�"'And King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men that had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give ye me to return answer to this people? And they spake unto him, saying, If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants forever.' 2 Chronicles 10:3�7."�
So, who did he turn to? He turned to the Pioneers. He turned to the founding fathers. He turned to the old men, and the old men gave him counsel.
But, now he is going to turn to the young men.
�"Dissatisfied,"�
Dissatisfied with what?
FROM THE AUDIENCE: With their answer.
BROTHER PIPPENGER: With the Old Paths, with the Pioneer message, he was dissatisfied with it.
�"Dissatisfied, Rehoboam turned to the younger men with whom he had associated during his youth and early manhood, and inquired of them, 'What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter?' 1 Kings 12:9. The young men suggested that he deal sternly with the subjects of his kingdom and make plain to them that from the very beginning he would brook no interference with his personal wishes.
"Flattered by the prospect of exercising supreme authority, Rehoboam determined to disregard the counsel of the older men"�
"Set aside the foundational message."
�"the older men of his realm, and to make the younger men his advisers. Thus it came to pass that on the day appointed, when 'Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam' for a statement concerning the policy he intended to pursue,"�
When they came together after the three days, when they came together after 1844.
�"Rehoboam 'answered the people roughly, . . . saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.' Verses 12�14.
"Had Rehoboam and his inexperienced counselors understood the divine will concerning Israel, they would have listened to the request of the people for decided reforms in the administration of the government. But in the hour of opportunity that came to them during the meeting in Shechem, they failed to reason from cause to effect, and thus forever weakened their influence over a large number of the people. Their expressed determination to perpetuate and add to the oppression introduced during Solomon's reign was in direct conflict with God's plan for Israel, and gave the people ample occasion to doubt the sincerity of their motives. In this unwise and unfeeling attempt to exercise power, the king and his chosen counselors revealed the pride of position and authority."�
Now, you can take these first leaders and compare them to James White. And for me, an important reason why I start with Rehoboam�and we are about at this important reason, so I want you to get it�because, when we are talking about James White in 1863 setting aside the [1843 and 1850] Charts, the foundational truths, many people, you know, get offended, "Oh, he is attacking James White."
But, in the story of Rehoboam, it is clear that what Rehoboam did�I mean, it mattered but it really did not matter what Rehoboam did because it was going to happen. It was a fulfillment of prophecy; and, the Bible plainly says that.
So, what James White was going to do, he was going to fulfill prophecy, one way or the other. It is not about James White being a lost person or a saved person or being a good person or a bad person, it is about prophetic fulfillment.
And Frank Sutter, how many of you know of Frank Sutter, the Pioneer Frank Sutter?
Had Frank Sutter been the one that set aside the 2520 in 1863, nobody would have known it because you do not even know who Frank Sutter is, do you?
Neither do I. I doubt that there was a Pioneer named Frank Sutter. But, the point is, in order to mark this point in prophecy, the covering up of William Miller's jewels, it had to be done by someone in authority to put it into the historical record. Had Frank Sutter did it, it would not have meant anything. It had to be accomplished; this prophecy has to be fulfilled by someone in authority and leadership position. So, this is not about James White being a lost soul or a bad guy; this is about the fulfillment of prophecy. And this argument is sustained in the first leader, Rehoboam.
Notice the next paragraph. It says,
�"The Lord did not allow Rehoboam to carry out the policy he had outlined. Among the tribes were many thousands who had become thoroughly aroused over the oppressive measures of Solomon's reign, and these now felt that they could not do otherwise than rebel against the house of David. 'When all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents.' Verse 16.
"The breach created by the rash speech of Rehoboam proved irreparable. Thenceforth the twelve tribes of Israel were divided, the tribes of Judah and Benjamin composing the lower or southern kingdom of Judah, under the rulership of Rehoboam; while the ten northern tribes formed and maintained a separate government, known as the kingdom of Israel, with Jeroboam as their ruler. Thus was fulfilled the prediction of the prophet concerning the rending of the kingdom. 'The cause was from the Lord.' Verse 15." Prophets and Kings, 87�91.
Okay. This 1863, the cause is from the Lord. This is not about the salvational status of James White. It was not about the salvational status of Rehoboam. It was the prophecy was going to be fulfilled, one way or another.
Nevertheless, this first king [Rehoboam] was suffering under peer pressure. All Israel came together. They wanted an answer, and he was being tested right there at the beginning of his reign as a leader. And what he did is he rejected the Old Paths; he rejected the Pioneer counsel, if you can see it.
And in so doing, as a first leader, Rehoboam is prefiguring the first leader James White who, in 1863, set aside the Old Paths.
Aaron�The First High Priest (Only a Few Days)
Exodus 32:1
Aaron, the first leader when they came out of Egypt.
Exodus 32:1 says,
"And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him." Exodus 32:1 (KJV).
And Sister White tells us, they were threatening to kill Aaron, if he did not do as they said. So, is that peer pressure?
FROM THE AUDIENCE: (Affirmations.)
BROTHER PIPPENGER: Is he under a mental strain here?
FROM THE AUDIENCE: (Affirmations.)
BROTHER PIPPENGER: Okay. And he is the first leader.
There is a whole lot in this, but let us read this passage from Patriarchs and Prophets, beginning at page 316.
"In the absence of Moses, the judicial authority had been delegated to Aaron, and a vast crowd gathered about his tent, with the demand, 'Make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.' The cloud, they said, that had heretofore led them, now rested permanently upon the mount; it would no longer direct their travels. They must have an image in its place; and if, as had been suggested, they should decide to return to Egypt, they would find favor with the Egyptians by bearing this image before them and acknowledging it as their god.
"Such a crisis demanded a man of firmness, decision, and unflinching courage; one who held the honor of God above popular favor, personal safety, or life itself. But the present leader of Israel was not of this character."�it is about his mental strength�"Aaron feebly remonstrated with the people, but his wavering and timidity at the critical moment only rendered them the more determined. The tumult increased. A blind, unreasoning frenzy seemed to take possession of the multitude. There were some who remained true to their covenant with God, but the greater part of the people joined in the apostasy. A few who ventured to denounce the proposed image making as idolatry, were set upon and roughly treated, and in the confusion and excitement they finally lost their lives."�
Did you notice that? They actually killed some people over this, to get him to build this calf.
�"Aaron feared for his own safety;"�
This is mental stress, like Rehoboam, like James White.
�"and instead of nobly standing up for the honor of God, he yielded to the demands of the multitude. His first act was to direct that the golden earrings be collected from all the people and brought to him, hoping that pride would lead them to refuse such a sacrifice. But they willingly yielded up their ornaments; and from these he made a molten calf, in imitation of the gods of Egypt. The people proclaimed, 'These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.' And Aaron basely permitted this insult to Jehovah. He did more."�
And pay attention to this; because, "He did more."
�"He did more. Seeing with what satisfaction the golden god was received, he built an altar before it,"�
He did not just build a golden calf; he built an altar before it.
�"and made proclamation, 'Tomorrow is a feast to the Lord.'"�
Now, I want you to see here�I will throw it in here real quickly�is the first thing is self in this story. Okay? Aaron determines that he is going to preserve himself, and his first 'trying to defend God,' his first thing is to appeal to the pride of self to the people around him. The first issue in this sequence of events is self.
The second issue is the image of the beast, the golden calf.
And, the third issue is the altar. And we have already read in this worship service that the true altar is Christ.
So, what you have in this sequence is self-exaltation, the image test, and a false Christ. In our history that would be the Daily, self-exaltation; Pantheism; and, a false Christ.
All right. Anyway, we are going to deal with that as we proceed; but, we have put it in the record.
�"'Tomorrow is a feast to the Lord.' The announcement was heralded by trumpeters from company to company throughout the camp. 'And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink and rose up to play.' Under the pretense of holding 'a feast to the Lord,' they gave themselves up to gluttony and licentious reveling.
"How often, in our own day, is the love of pleasure disguised by a 'form of godliness'! A religion that permits men, while observing the rites of worship, to devote themselves to selfish or sensual gratification, is as pleasing to the multitudes now as in the days of Israel. And there are still pliant Aarons, who, while holding positions of authority in the church, will yield to the desires of the unconsecrated, and thus encourage them in sin.
"Only a few days had passed since the Hebrews had made a solemn covenant with God to obey His voice."�
Please note that time is not the factor. You know, when some people point to 1863 and they argue, "Well, James White had to have a grasp of that history. It was right there in that very same history. He was giving the accurate understanding of what should be done with the 2520, because he was right there with it. He could not have made a mistake that early on."
Well, Aaron is making a mistake within days. The time is not the argument against James White being typified by these first leaders.
�"Only a few days had passed since the Hebrews had made a solemn covenant with God to obey His voice."�a few days!�"They had stood trembling with terror before the mount, listening to the words of the Lord, 'Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.' The glory of God still hovered above Sinai in the sight of the congregation; but they turned away, and asked for other gods. 'They made a calf in Horeb, and worshiped the molten image. Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox.' Psalm 106:19, 20. How could greater ingratitude have been shown, or more daring insult offered, to Him who had revealed Himself to them as a tender father and an all-powerful king!" Patriarchs and Prophets, 316�317.
So, if you have looked at this story before closely, you know that what Aaron assembled was the image of the beast; because, when Moses is going to punish those for making and worshipping the image of the beast, he grinds it up in powder and forces them to drink it. He mixes it with water and forces them to drink it; and, this is the punishment of the Third Angel in Revelation�14, when the wrath of God is poured out without measure from the cup of His indignation.
So, here we see Aaron not only making an image to the beast but making an altar, a false Christ, in this history. And at the same time that he is doing it, Moses is up doing what? Receiving the Two Tables.
So, Aaron, at the time that the Two Tables are being given to Ancient Israel, Aaron is making a counterfeit table, and the counterfeit table is the gods of Egypt.
And what are the primary gods of Egypt? What is the primary god of Egypt that is represented by that golden calf? It is the worship of the sun.
So, Aaron is making a counterfeit table. Aaron is being tested as a first leader. He is under extreme peer pressure, as was James White. And what Aaron does is he introduces a false table, a counterfeit table, in place of Moses's Two Tables. And what we are saying is James White was under peer pressure and was being tested as the first leader and he introduces a false table in place of Habakkuk's Two Tables [referencing the 1843 and 1850 Charts displayed behind the podium], paralleling Rehoboam rejecting the Old Paths.
Jeroboam�The First King of Ephraim
1 Kings 12:25-33
"25Then Jeroboam built Shechem in mount Ephraim, and dwelt therein; and went out from thence, and built Penuel. 26And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David: 27If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah. 28Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. 29And he set the one in Bethel, and the other put he in Dan. 30And this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan. 31And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi. 32And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that is in Judah, and he offered upon the altar. So did he in Bethel, sacrificing unto the calves that he had made: and he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places which he had made. 33So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Bethel the fifteenth day of the eighth month, even in the month which he had devised of his own heart; and ordained a feast unto the children of Israel: and he offered upon the altar, and burnt incense." 1 Kings 12:25-33 (KJV).
Jeroboam, the first leader of the Northern Tribe, the ten kings; Prophets and Kings, pages 99 � 101:
"Placed on the throne by the ten tribes of Israel who had rebelled against the house of David, Jeroboam, the former servant of Solomon, was in a position to bring about wise reforms in both civil and religious affairs. Under the rulership of Solomon he had shown aptitude and sound judgment; and the knowledge he had gained during years of faithful service fitted him to rule with discretion. But Jeroboam failed to make God his trust.
"Jeroboam's greatest fear"�
Now, Sister White is going to introduce Jeroboam's first test, and she is going to let us know that he was afraid. He is under mental pressure.
�"Jeroboam's greatest fear was that at some future time the hearts of his subjects might be won over by the ruler occupying the throne of David."�of Judah�"He reasoned that if the ten tribes should be permitted to visit often the ancient seat of the Jewish monarchy, where the services of the temple were still conducted as in the years of Solomon's reign, many might feel inclined to renew their allegiance to the government centering at Jerusalem. Taking counsel with His advisers, Jeroboam determined by one bold stroke to lessen, so far as possible, the probability of a revolt from his rule. He would bring this about by creating within the borders of his newly formed kingdom two centers of worship, one at Bethel"�
What does BETHEL mean? The House of God.
�"and the other at Dan."�
And DAN, what does DAN mean? Judge.
Okay. So, these two cities, this is church the House of God; judgment, state: church and state.
He is going to outdo Aaron twofold.
�"In these [two] places the ten tribes should be invited to assemble, instead of at Jerusalem, to worship God.
"In arranging this transfer, Jeroboam thought to appeal to the imagination of the Israelites by setting before them some visible representation to symbolize the presence of the invisible God. Accordingly he caused to be made two calves of gold, and these were placed within shrines at the appointed centers of worship. In this effort to represent the Deity, Jeroboam violated the plain command of Jehovah: 'Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image. . . . Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them.' Exodus 20:4, 5.
"So strong was Jeroboam's desire to keep the ten tribes away from Jerusalem that he lost sight of the fundamental weakness of his plan. He failed to take into consideration the great peril to which he was exposing the Israelites by setting before them the idolatrous symbol of the deity with which their ancestors had been so familiar during the centuries of Egyptian bondage. Jeroboam's recent residence in Egypt should have taught him the folly of placing before the people such heathen representations. But his set purpose of inducing the northern tribes to discontinue their annual visits to the Holy City led him to adopt the most imprudent of measures. 'It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem,' he urged; 'behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.' 1 Kings 12:28."�
Word for word from the story of Aaron.
�"Thus they were invited to bow down before the golden images and adopt strange forms of worship.
"The king tried to persuade the Levites,"�
Now, he tried to persuade the Levites of the ten Northern Tribes.
�"some of whom were living within his realm, to serve as priests in the newly erected shrines at Bethel and Dan; but in this effort he met with failure. He was therefore compelled to elevate to the priesthood men from 'the lowest of the people.' Verse 31. Alarmed over the prospect, many of the faithful, including a great number of the Levites, fled to Jerusalem, where they might worship in harmony with the divine requirements." Prophets and Kings, 99�101.
In the story of Aaron, who were the heroes?
FROM THE AUDIENCE: The Levites.
BROTHER PIPPENGER: The Levites. They refused to participate.
So, the story of Aaron and the story of Rehoboam, they are the same stories. Aaron had just come out of Egypt, but Jeroboam had just come out of Egypt. Those that refused to participate in the golden calf in both stories are the Levites.
And in the story of Aaron and in the story of Jeroboam it is emphasized more clearly that the golden calf represents the image of the beast. Aaron built an image of this calf, an image of the beast, and they were to worship it.
At the end of the world, the image of the best test, Sister White defines the image of the beast is the combination of church and state, with the church in control of the relationship. And in Jeroboam's time, you see more clearly the church and state, because one of the idols is in Bethel (the church) and one is in Dan (the state). So, in both of these stories you see the church and state. In both of these stories you see the first leaders under pressure. They just came out of Egypt; they are under pressure, and they introduce a counterfeit worship.
And in 1863, due to the Civil War, the Seventh-day Adventist Church was formed; but, in order to be formed, it had to become legally represented, legally associated with the Government of the United States. So, in 1863 the Adventist Church and the United States became connected. In this history [of the first leaders] the combination of church and state is marking that in 1863 the Adventist Church becomes connected with the Government of the United States; so, in this story we are seeing a parallel with this.
But with Jeroboam, with Jeroboam there is something even more significant. Jeroboam is the first of 19 kings in the Northern Kingdom. There are going to be 19 kings in all; Jeroboam is the first; and, every one of these was bad kings.
And ultimately, the final king, Hoshea, he gets carried away into captivity, and it begins this scattering of Israel. And it does not matter which of those 19 kings that you look at in the Northern Kingdom in the Scriptures, all of their wickedness is traced back to Jeroboam. They are always associated with the sin of Jeroboam. They would not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam.
Therefore, who is it that produced the scattering? Jeroboam. This sin here, this is what caused the scattering.
And what we are saying is that in 1863 the scattering of William Miller's dream began as the first foundational truths were set aside and covered up. So, Jeroboam is associated with the scattering: first king, under pressure, gives us an illustration of James White.
Of course, James White, the "first king," the first leader of Adventism, what is he doing? He is giving us an illustration of the last leader of Adventism, whoever that might be.
Saul�The First King
The first king, Saul.
In 1 Samuel 13:1-14, you can read this story.
"1Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel, 2Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel; whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in mount Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent. 3And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear. 4And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel also was had in abomination with the Philistines. And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal. 5And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Bethaven. 6When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits. 7And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling. 8And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. 9And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering. 10And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him. 11And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash; 12Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the Lord: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering. 13And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the Lord have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. 14But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee." 1 Samuel 13:1-14 (KJV).
But, Samuel had given Saul a prophecy right when he was anointed king. It was a prophecy�all right?�that "I am going to meet you." But, you can read it real quickly and you can think that He is going to meet him right away. But, it was not. It was a prophecy when he was first anointed king that was not going to be fulfilled for two years. We are going to read about this.
So, when it was fulfilled, when Saul reached this city, he was supposed to wait for Samuel to come to do an offering; but, he was under pressure because the Philistines were rallying their troops and his men were scared, and it says that his men were scattered. Okay? And it says his men were scattered for seven days. And under pressure, Saul, in the scattering of seven times, he goes ahead and he makes the offering that Samuel was supposed to make, thus rejecting the Spirit of Prophecy and setting forth an example of church and state when the king takes it upon himself to do the offering.
So, there are lots of tie-ins with these first kings.
But, let us read this from Samuel. In 1 Samuel 13:1-14 is where this story, and we are going to read verse 8:
"8And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: . . ."�
What is a day?
FROM THE AUDIENCE: A year.
BROTHER PIPPENGER: A year; seven years.
How many days in a year? He tarried 2520 days. Okay?
�"but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him."
Now, here is Sister White on this, Signs of the Times, May 11, 1888.
"After Saul had been anointed king of Israel, Samuel the prophet gave him minute directions as to what course he should pursue. He prophesied that the Lord would work a change in his heart to prepare him for the solemn responsibilities of his new office. He declared to the king, 'Thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy; and the Spirit of the Lord will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man. . . . And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal;"�
Now, you can read this passage and think, "Well, right after he prophesizes, he is going to Gilgal; but, the reality of it is, he does not end up in Gilgal for a couple of years; but, he is supposed to remember the prophecy about Gilgal. Okay?
�"And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal; and, behold, I will come down unto thee, to offer burnt-offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace-offerings. Seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come to thee, and show thee what thou shalt do.' As Saul journeyed on his way, the change of which the prophet had spoken was wrought in him, and God gave him another heart; and all that Samuel had said came to pass. The heart of Saul was turned to the Lord, his mind was enlarged, and he had the blessing of spiritual understanding. He felt that the strength of Israel was the Lord God, even Jehovah, and in him he could have courage, fortitude, and resolution to govern wisely. It now depended upon Saul to work out the salvation that God had wrought within him.
"It was not until the second year of his reign that the presence of Saul was required at Gilgal. At that time the Philistines were encamped against the Israelites."�
He is going to be tested, as all these first leaders are tested.
�"At that time the Philistines were encamped against the Israelites. Saul and his followers could see the vast host that were arrayed against them, and the Israelites were appalled at the sight of the mighty forces they would have to encounter in battle. They were not prepared to meet the enemy, for they were undisciplined and poorly armed." Signs of the Times, May 11, 1888.
You are a king. You are getting surrounded by the Philistines. Your army is undisciplined, and they are poorly armed, and they are starting to run away. Is that mental pressure or what?
FROM THE AUDIENCE: (Affirmations.)
BROTHER PIPPENGER: Okay.
Patriarchs and Prophets, pages 617 � 261:
"Day after day Saul tarried,"�
How many days is he tarrying? Seven days.
�"Day after day Saul tarried, but without making decided efforts toward encouraging the people and inspiring confidence in God. Before the time appointed by the prophet had fully expired, he became impatient at the delay and allowed himself to be discouraged"�
Now, if you remember way back when in this worship series, who is it that becomes impatient with a delay? The foolish virgins become impatient with a delay.
He is a foolish virgin here.
�"he became impatient at the delay and allowed himself to be discouraged by the trying circumstances that surrounded him."�
This is mental pressure.
�"Instead of faithfully seeking to prepare the people for the service that Samuel was coming to perform, he indulged in unbelief and foreboding. The work of seeking God by sacrifice was a most solemn and important work; and God required that His people should search their hearts and repent of their sins, that the offering might be made with acceptance before Him, and that His blessing might attend their efforts to conquer the enemy. But Saul had grown restless; and the people, instead of trusting in God for help, were looking to the king whom they had chosen, to lead and direct them.
"Yet the Lord still cared for them and did not give them up to the disasters that would have come upon them if the frail arm of flesh had become their only support. He brought them into close places,"�
He is going to test them.
�"that they might be convicted of the folly of depending on man, and that they might turn to Him as their only help. The time for the proving of Saul had come."�
Every first leader gets tested. Every first leader gets tested. James White was a first leader; he got tested.
�"He was now to show whether or not he would depend on God and patiently wait according to His command, thus revealing himself as one whom God could trust in trying places as the ruler of His people, or whether he would be vacillating and unworthy of the sacred responsibility that had devolved upon him. Would the king whom Israel had chosen, listen to the Ruler of all kings? Would he turn the attention of his fainthearted soldiers to the One in whom is everlasting strength and deliverance?
"With growing impatience he awaited the arrival of Samuel and attributed the confusion and distress and desertion of his army to the absence of the prophet. The appointed time came, but the man of God did not immediately appear. God's providence had detained His servant. But Saul's restless, impulsive spirit would no longer be restrained. Feeling that something must be done to calm the fears of the people, he determined to summon an assembly for religious service, and by sacrifice entreat the divine aid. God had directed that only those consecrated to the office should present sacrifices before Him. But Saul commanded, 'Bring hither a burnt offering;' and, equipped as he was with armor and weapons of war, he approached the altar and offered sacrifice before God."�
This is a combination of church and state, just like Jeroboam, just like Aaron, marking that in 1863, for noble purposes, the Seventh-day Adventist Church is going to be legally established so that its members have a legal right not to be drafted into the Civil War. But, nevertheless, the Millerite Movement became a church in 1863, and to do so, became connected legally with the Government of the United States.
�"'And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him.' Samuel saw at once that Saul had gone contrary to the express directions that had been given him. The Lord had spoken by His prophet that at this time He would reveal what Israel must do in this crisis. If Saul had fulfilled the conditions upon which divine help was promised, the Lord would have wrought a marvelous deliverance for Israel, with the few who were loyal to the king. But Saul was so well satisfied with himself and his work that he went out to meet the prophet as one who should be commended rather than disapproved.
"Samuel's countenance was full of anxiety and trouble; but to his inquiry, 'What hast thou done?' Saul offered excuses for his presumptuous act."�
We noted yesterday that the presumptuous act of Uzziah parallels the presumptuous act of The Sunday Law by the United States.
�"He said: 'I saw that the people were"�what?�"scattered from me,"�
This test produced a scattering.
�"and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash; therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the Lord: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.
"'And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly:"�
There is a foolish virgin.
�"thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God, which He commanded thee: for now would the Lord have established thy kingdom upon Israel forever. But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought Him a man after His own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over His people. . . . And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin.'
"Either Israel must cease to be the people of God, or the principle upon which the monarchy was founded must be maintained, and the nation must be governed by a divine power. If Israel would be wholly the Lord's, if the will of the human and earthly were held in subjection to the will of God, He would continue to be the Ruler of Israel. So long as the king and the people would conduct themselves as subordinate to God, so long He could be their defense. But in Israel no monarchy could prosper that did not in all things acknowledge the supreme authority of God.
"If Saul had shown a regard for the requirements of God in this time of trial, God could have worked His will through him. His failure now proved him unfit to be the vicegerent of God to His people. He would mislead Israel. His will, rather than the will of God, would be the controlling power. If Saul had been faithful, his kingdom would have been established forever; but since he had failed, the purpose of God must be accomplished by another. The government of Israel must be committed to one who would rule the people according to the will of Heaven." Patriarchs and Prophets, 617�621.
So, what are we saying? We are saying, as we are looking at the conclusion of the 2520s in 1863, that this is the point where James White set aside this [1843] Chart and introduced a counterfeit Chart, the 1863 Chart. And in so doing, he covered up the first truth that William Miller had been led to recognize, the 2520. James White rejected it. He was under mental pressure, according to the testimony of the Spirit of Prophecy. And as the first leader of modern Israel, he has been prefigured by Rehoboam, who under mental pressure set aside the Old Paths, the counsel of the Pioneers; he was prefigured by Aaron, who introduced under mental pressure a counterfeit table in the place of the Two Tables of the Ten Commandments and thus represented the combination of church and state, identifying that the Seventh-day Adventist Church would be formed as a legal church in 1863. And he paralleled Jeroboam who did the same thing with Bethel and Dan (church and state); but, Jeroboam is the one that is attributed with causing the scattering, which parallels the scattering of William Miller's dream begins in 1863. And Saul, also an illustration of church and state as he takes it upon himself to make an offering that the priests were supposed to make, did so in a time when his armies were being scattered for seven days, causing him great mental anguish.
MENTAL PRESSURE
THE BEGINNING AND THE END
AHAZ (742BC�A CIVIL WAR BETWEEN NORTH AND SOUTH)
NINETEEN YEARS BEFORE
JAMES WHITE (1863� A CIVIL WAR BETWEEN NORTH AND SOUTH)
NINETEEN YEARS AFTER
First Rulers
Aaron (Image of the Beast)
Jeroboam (Church and State)
Saul (Church and State)
1863 Adventist Church Legally Established
Rehoboam (Rejects the Old Paths)
James White (Rejects the Old Paths)
Saul (A Scattering of Seven Days)
James White (Miller's Scattering Begins)
So, when it comes to first leaders, upon the testimony of several, we see that a first leader is tested. And so far, we see that they always failed the test.
And then in the middle of the night I realized something. This here [indicating the 1843 Chart], we have already established this. I realized this last night, so there is no way that it is in your notes. Okay? But, I like it.
We have already established in this worship series, you can go back and check your notes, that the truths on this [1843] Chart, Sister White says, are the foundational truths of Adventism; and, she says so in the context of at least in one passage that there is no other foundation that can be laid except Christ Jesus. So, she is saying that the doctrines on these [1843 and 1850] Charts�and doctrines are truths�the truths on these Charts are the truths of the Word of God, and Jesus is the Word of God. So, at a level that it is really impossible for human beings to fully understand, the Bible, the truths in the Bible, are Jesus. We can understand it to a certain extent, but I do not think we can understand it fully.
And Sister White says that the truths on this [1843] Chart are Christ. They are the foundation. She also says that this is the Rock of Ages. So, she gives you two testimonies about who Christ is, connected with this [1843] Chart.
742BC 723 677 AD1798 1844 1863
Ephraim
2520
Judah
4 6 2520 4 6
1 9 1 9
James White
Rehoboam
Aaron 723 1844
Jeroboam � 677 � 1798
Saul 46 46
Peter
Figure No. 61B
So, in 1863, there was another leader that denied the Rock of Ages, another first leader, Peter. And he denied Him right there at the beginning.
Was Peter under stress when he realized that they were going to take Christ into the Judgment Hall and He was actually going to be crucified?
FROM THE AUDIENCE: (Affirmations.)
BROTHER PIPPENGER: Now, what had James White said?
What had James White said? James White said if you denied that this [1843] Chart is a fulfillment of Habakkuk, then you have left the original faith.
What did Peter say? "There is no way they are going to crucify you!" And he meant it. He cut off a man's ear.
But then he was confronted with the reality, and what did he do? He denied the Rock of Ages. He denied the foundations, right there in the crucifixion scene.
And what happened at the crucifixion scene? All the disciples were scattered.
So, you have a scattering here [indicating Peter]. You have a scattering here [indicating Saul]. You have a scattering here [indicating Jeroboam]. Upon the testimony of three, under pressure James White rejected the Pioneers' position and began the scattering of William Miller's dream, of Nebuchadnezzar's dream, in 1863; thus prefiguring the scattering the Adventism at The Sunday Law when the last leader of Adventism repeats the history of not only James White but of Ahaz. And we will look at that tomorrow.
Shall we pray?
Benediction: Heavenly Father, we want to be benefited from these sacred histories, and we know that in the future we are going to come under great mental pressure as we are separated from one another and have to give a reason of why we believe what we believe. And we want to take a lesson from these men. At that time we must depend fully upon you and stand upon the Foundation. But, we know that in a crisis is only where character is demonstrated, and at a crisis it is too late to develop character. We need to have that experience now if we are going to stand firm on the Rock when the test comes. Help us to learn from these first leaders, and help us to understand that these first leaders are prefiguring what took place in 1863, and that it has nothing to do with the salvation status of James White, that it was simply the prophecy had to be fulfilled, the prophecy of William Miller's dream. We thank you for bringing us together to open your Word this morning. We ask a blessing upon our day of service to you. Please keep us safe. Let us do things that are glorifying to you. We ask for a continued blessing upon the DVDs and the LiveStreaming. In Jesus's name, amen.