THE STONE
Summary

The closing events and setting up of the kingdom are: (1) The nation not desired (the Jews) are to gather together in Palestine before the Lord’s anger comes upon them and before the decree goes forth that God’s servants are sealed (Zeph. 2:1,2). (2) The statement in EW75 that says that no one is to go to old Jerusalem to teach the Jews the second coming of Christ because they would not believe, simply means what it says: “It is not our present work (her time).” But when the gospel is presented in its fullness to the Jews, many will believe (AA 380). The gospel in its fullness, we find out, is “this gospel of the kingdom” (Matt. 24:14). The General Conference Headquarters is to be moved from Takoma Park to Jerusalem (Isa. 2:2, 3) (3) Before this happens, though, we see that the lmmanuel is born to the virgin movement DSDA (Isa. 8:14). As a result of the rulers at Mt. Carmel rejecting the message (The Branch) that gave birth to the Immanuel, the prophetess (leaders) gave birth to the child Mahershalalhashbaz (Isa. 8:1-3). These two children are for “signs and wonders” in Israel (SDA) that the confederacy with Syria to war against Judah will come to naught and the 144,00 stand on Mt. Sion, Palestine with the Lamb (Rev. 14:1). (4) The two-horned beast (USA) makes an image to the beast (Rev. 13:11). . . “For before the child shall have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, the riches of Damascus (capital of Syria) and the spoil of Samaria (capital of Israel – SDA) shall be taken away before the king of Assyria.”(Isa 8:4). This simply means, as far as we can see at this time, the civil powers represented by Assyria, and the religious powers represented by Assyria, merge. This automatically spoils Samaria; for figurative Samaria finds herself in figurative Syria. During this Assyrian period is the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jer. 30:7). Both Syria and Samaria lose their kings, power as kings (Isa. 7:16). This is a time of war, famine, and pestilence.

(5) The Assyrian passes through Judah even to filling the breadth of Immanuel’s land. (Isa. 8:8). This is the great and dreadful day of the Lord (Mal. 4:5), the day in which God causes all the evil beasts to cease out of the land (Eze. 34:25) : “And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land: and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods.” These things happen to Jacob, you see, because the rulers of Samaria refuse the waters of Shiloah – the message that comes softly to seal them (Isa. 8:6). The remnant of Jacob, however, do not need to fear for God is with them (Isa. 8:10). He will break the Assyrian yoke from off his neck (Jer. 30:8). Although the Assyrian smites God’s people with a rod, nevertheless, he falls because of the voice of the Lord (Isa. 30:31). When God’s people cast away their idols and take up the sword of Truth, the Assyrian will faIl (Isa. 31:7, 8).

The investigative Judgment in the courts above having been finished for the church when Michael stands up, the judicial Judgment (3 Tr. 47:3) for the 144,000 then begins, and while Assyria is smiting with a rod, the true Israel will be disclosed to view – all whose names have not been blotted out of the books as a result of the investigative judgment. This is the time in which the Nobleman comes in to inspect the wedding guests, and cast out those who have not on the wedding garment. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. They will say: “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” Jer. 8:20.

As ancient Babylon came up and was the dominating power after ancient Assyria overthrew the ancient Syrian-Israel confederacy, we see history is being repeated by antitypical Syria and Assyria – Judah and Israel of today. Babylon of old became a world power after Assyria. So, the daughter of Babylon (Zech. 2:7) will take over when Assyria falls. God puts it in the hearts of the ten horns (all the kings of the earth) to give their power one hour to the beast.(Rev. 17:12).

(6) When the 144,000 are sealed and the names of the wicked in the church are blotted out of the books, Michael stands up to deliver His people, also a special resurrection of those who have died under the third angel’s message [takes place]. So when Israel (144,000) leaves modern Egypt, they take Joseph’s bones with them. [brackets added for clarity]

The two-horned beast makes an image to the beast. Assyria (church and state by allied nations) overthrows the Syria- Israel confederacy, and assimilates them. On the way home Jacob wrestles and his sins are blotted out and his name changed to Branch. The Assyrian is beaten down by the voice of the Lord, and God sets up His kingdom. The earth is lightened by the glory of the third angel as it goes forward under the direction of the angel who joins the third angel. (TM 300).

(7) The crown that passed from the last king of Israel (Zedekiah – Ed 179) to Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome, now passes from the kingdoms of this earth back to Israel as the 144,000 stand on Mount Sion with the Lamb (Gen. 49:10). God makes a new Covenant with them (Jer. 31:31). They are kings and priests, an holy nation. Babylon the Great is set on the scarlet colored beast (Rev. 17:3). The cry is heard by that other voice (the 144,000) – “Come out of her, my people.” (Rev. 18:4). There is no

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war among the nations while the woman is on the back of the beast (Rev. 17:12-14). He cries mightily, “Babylon the Great is fallen” (Rev. 18:2). The nations learn war no more (Micah 4:3). The nations stop warring among themselves, and all turn on the Lamb; but He overcomes them “for He is Lord of Lords and King of Kings.” Rev. 17:14.

The coming war, which destroys Jerusalem (Zech. 14:1-4) will be the finishing up of the war Hitler started. World War Two, which Nahum wrote about, has not really stopped; for, when the shooting stopped, the cold war began. Ever since then there have been wars and rumors of wars among the nations. This is only the beginning of sorrows. We have just witnessed the fulfillment of the marvelous prophecy in Luke 21:20. The United States and Great Britain have just pulled their armies out of the Middle East. When the shooting really begins, it will involve all nations and there will be no safety in any of the large cities. Cities like New York, San Francisco, Houston, London will be bombed. There will really be no peace anywhere on earth. Our only safety, then, will be in the Son of God. He alone can protect us. To realize this fact is the only peace we can have. This war will bring famine and pestilence (Jer. 29:17). Who knows what a year may bring forth? Yea, even six months may bring destruction upon Jerusalem and upon the earth, for this time destruction cometh suddenly. If, in God’s providence, war should not come next year, we know for sure it cannot be long deferred. According to the Spirit of Prophecy on the chart in Branch Lesson #2, it shows the spring of 1960 to be the date of Eze. 9. This being right, next year is the last year to labor for Mother (Hos. 2:2).

We do know when Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 A.D., the Roman armies came against Jerusalem at the time of the Feast of Tabernacles. They withdrew for some unknown reason; but at the time of the Passover they came back and destroyed Jerusalem. We have had the sign fulfilled that was prophesied by Luke 21:20. If this is the time and the signal in God’s great prophetic time chart, and if the antitypical destruction of Jerusalem meets the typical fulfillment; then, next spring should mark the destruction of Jerusalem (Zech.14:1-2). But, if not next year, then surely it cannot be long; for the present government of Jerusalem is destroyed and God’s theocratic government is set up. We know that the 144,000 will be delivered in time of war. It will be said to then: “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world!” Matt. 25:34

“. . . I lay in Sion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious:” 1 Pet. 2:6. Christ came and laid the foundation for the temple. He, being that cornerstone, comes this time as the Headstone to set up His kingdom – to build the temple (Zech. 6:12). To those who are obedient to His word, He gives a “white stone” with His new name written in it (Rev. 2:15). His elect “. . . as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house.” 1 Pet. 2:5. “. . . for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land.” Zech. 9:16.

Wherefore, His church today is to be a reflection of His church in the day of Pentecost. Therefore, Christ is the “. . . Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending. . .’ Rev. 1:8. His people are to be ‘. . . an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” 1 Pet. 2:5. “In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious. . . for them that are escaped of Israel . . . he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even everyone that is written among the living in Jerusalem:” Isa. 4:2, 3.

This is the Loud Cry Church. God’s denomination of today, “clad in the armor of Christ’s righteousness, the church is to enter upon her final conflict. ‘Fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners, she is to go forth into all the world, conquering and to conquer.” PK 725.

The Word of God came and was manifest in the flesh (John 1:14). The Holy Spirit revealed to Peter that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God, and upon this solid rock of Truth Christ builds His church (Matt. 16:16). Peter being the first to receive the revelation by the Spirit of God, the keys of the kingdom were placed in his hands. Jesus ratified His Sonship by shedding His blood; therefore, the Stone that men rejected became the chief cornerstone of the temple (church). Down through the ages the church has been built upon the same Truth that was revealed to Peter. This is the alpha of the plan of salvation. This was revealed to Abraham when he offered his son Isaac on that great rock on Mount Moriah. Isaac was a type of Christ, and Abraham became our father, or the beginning of God’s everlasting kingdom; for to him was the promise made.

King Solomon, the son of David, built the temple over this huge rock, where Isaac was offered. It is said that in this rock is a hole, and over this hole was where the sacrificial animals were offered. At certain times of the year, when the tide of the Mediterranean Sea (which is about fifty miles away) comes in, water, we are told, supernaturally comes up through this hole and overflows the rock. The blood of the animals that were slain for the sins of the people represented the blood of the Messiah that was to be spilt in behalf of sinners. The water which comes up through

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the rock signifies the cleansing fountain that comes from the Rock of Ages which supernaturally cleanses our blood and washes away our sins.

There are two classes of people that will make up God’s everlasting kingdom – those that die and those that never taste death. Therefore, the plan of salvation is divided into two divisions – for the dead and for the living.

The Messiah came and died (Isa. 53:12), rose from the dead, and now He ever liveth to make intercession for us. Therefore, He is not only the Saviour of the dead, but also of the living. He came in the flesh and was established as the corner, or foundation stone of the temple. This time He comes in the Word of God, the BRANCH, as the Head-Stone (Cap- Stone) – the Omega of our salvation which is to complete the temple (Zech. 6:12). This Stone is laid before Joshua (Zech. 3:9) and it brings forth the BRANCH, God’s servant (Zech. 3:8; Isa. 4:2). When He cleanses His people by the Spirit of Judgment and burning (Isa. 4:4), His people, as stones of a crown (Zech. 9:16), will cap the hole in the Great Rock, which signifies that no longer does blood need to be shed for their salvation; for they have become saviours (Obadiah 21) to the living. Then the waters of salvation will issue “out from under the threshold of the house eastward.” Ezek. 47:1.

“As the tiny rivulet immediately swells into a mighty river, it represents something of very rapid growth.” 2 SR 295:0. This tiny stream represents people with saving Truth. “The Lord of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones . . .” (Zech. 9:15). “. . . and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the Lord before them.” (Zech.12:8). “And everything shall live whither the river cometh.” (Ezek. 47:9).

We see that the Loud Cry starts in a small, insignificant way and quickly spreads to all nations. A “rivulet” means a small stream, so Ezekiel’s river like all natural rivers, begins as a Branch. And as all lasting streams come from God’s earthly fountains, so the Branch comes from the Source of all living waters. We see that Christ came in the flesh and was revealed by the Spirit of God to Peter as the Son of God. Christ also was established as the cornerstone of the church that was to die. He is revealed by the Spirit of God at this appearing as the BRANCH, the new name of the Son of God (Rev. 3:12), to Joshua (Zech. 3:8, 9); and is to be established as the Head Stone (King Stone) of the church that will never die. (Zech. 4:7).

To those who die, the Son of God is Christ (Greek for Messiah). But when “. . . the times of the Gentiles (Greeks) be fulfilled” (Luke 21:24) to the living, His name is BRANCH (Hebrew for Messiah) [Publisher’s note: What Ben is meaning here is that the Hebrews understand that “the man whose name is The Branch” (Zec 6:12), refers to the “Messiah,” because He is the one who “shall grow up out of his place, and He shall build the temple of the LORD.” (ibid.) – not that “Branch” is the true translation of the Hebrew word for Messiah (which is, “mashiyach.”) ]. Read John 4:22. He is one name to the dead and a new name to the living, but the same Saviour to all. This is proof to show to the world that some will never die. The keys to the church that was to die were given to Peter, but to the living church the keys are given to Joshua.

Our prayer is that you might be healed by the cleansing Fountain.
Yours in the name of the BRANCH,

Benjamin Roden NOTE: Emphases and parentheses in quotations ours, unless otherwise indicated.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: All planning to return to Palestine send in questionnaire and fare as soon as possible. Continue to direct all correspondence, etc. to Box 3088, Odessa, Texas until further notice.
[Publisher’s Note: the foregoing mailing address is no longer in use]

THE WISE SHALL UNDERSTAND

“And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you. If ye will not hear,.and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the Lord of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.” (Read verses 14-17) Malachi 2:1, 2.

“Our message must be as direct as was the message of John. He rebuked Kings for their iniquity.” 8T 333:0 THE STONE – Summary – Page 4

FALSE SHEPHERDS

“I have no real ground of hope for those who have stood as shepherds to the flock, and have for years been borne with by the merciful God, following them with reproof, with warnings, with entreaties, but who have hid their evil ways, and continued in them, thus defying the laws of the God of heaven by practicing fornication. We may leave them to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling, after all has been done to reform them; BUT IN NO CASE ENTRUST TO THEM THE GUARDIANSHIP OF SOULS. False shepherds: Oh, can it be that the men who have been engaged in this work for a long time will corrupt their ways before the Lord after great experience and special light?” T.M. 428

When they consider themselves injured by their brethren, some will even go to law, instead of following the Saviour’s rule. Even many who appear to be conscientious Christians are hindered by pride and self-esteem from going privately to those they think in error, that they may talk the matter over in the spirit of Christ, and pray for one another. Contentions, strife and lawsuits between brethren are a disgrace to the cause of truth. Those who take such a course expose the church to the ridicule of her enemies, and cause the powers of darkness to triumph. They are piercing the wounds of Christ afresh, and putting him to an open shame.” 5T 242-3

“My brethren and sisters, are you among those who, having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not? Is it in vain that God has given you a knowledge of His will? Is it in vain that He has sent you warning after warning of the nearness of the end? Do you believe the declarations of His word concerning what is coming upon the world? Do you believe that God’s judgments are hanging over the inhabitants of the earth? How, then, can you sit at ease, careless and indifferent?” 9T 27

“Let it not be said of this highly favored people, as of the Jews when the good news of the kingdom was preached to them, ‘THEY ENTERED NOT IN THEMSELVES, AND THEM THAT WERE ENTERING IN THEY HINDERED.’ ” 5T 728