Revival and Reformation Precede the Great Dreadful of the Lord

TEXT OF ADDRESS BY V.T HOUTEF,
MINISTER OF DAVIDIAN 7TH-DAY ADVENTISTS
SABBATH, SEPTEMBER 27, 1947
WACO, TEXAS

Mal 4:5, 6 — Behold I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children and the heart of the children to their fathers lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. -2TG8 16.2

Here we have the promise that God is to send someone before the great and dreadful day of the Lord and when he comes whether he accomplishes anything else he is to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers. -2TG8 16.3

Now it appears somewhat puzzling that the hearts either of the fathers or of the children need to be turned toward the other. But if we consider that the work of Elijah is not of a domestic nature but spiritual then we shall see that Elijahs message is to intensify in the heart of the parents as well as in the hearts of the children a burden for the salvation of the other. Parents are very anxious to labor with other peoples children but seldom with their own. Likewise children are anxious to preach to others but not so anxious to preach to their own parents. Elijahs message of revival and reformation however will place the burden of saving souls primarily where it belongs. His message will be seen to be of real importance rather than a theory. And when its followers fully realize that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is at the door they will be seen pleading first for those who are nearest their hearts. -2TG8 16.4

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Let us now turn to Daniels prophecy: -2TG8 17.1

Dan 2:44 — And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms and it shall stand for ever. -2TG8 17.2

It is understood by most Bible students that this great image of Daniel 2 represents the kingdoms from Daniels time down to the end. Here you see the stone which is cut out without hands smites the image in the feet and the stone fills the whole earth. In the days of these kings our time declares Inspiration God will set up the kingdom that is represented by the stone and it will smite the nations and thereby bring their end. What could that day be but great for Gods people and dreadful for the nations? Indeed it is to be the great and dreadful day of the Lord. -2TG8 17.3

Dan 2:45 — Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands and that it brake in pieces the iron the brass the clay the silver and the gold the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain and the interpretation thereof sure. -2TG8 17.4

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Daniels account of the day is very brief but Jeremiah describes the day in detail: -2TG8 18.1

Jer 51:21-23 — And with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider and with thee will I break in pieces the chariot and his rider with thee also will I break in pieces man and woman and with thee will I break in pieces old and young and with thee will I break in pieces the young man and the maid and I will also break in pieces with thee the shepherd and his flock and with thee will I break in pieces the husbandman and his yoke of oxen and with thee will I break in pieces captains and rulers. -2TG8 18.2

Here Inspiration explains that God with His Kingdom is to break the nations that His people are to be His battle ax. Both Daniel and Jeremiah are definite that the Kingdom is to bring the kingdoms of the world to an end. -2TG8 18.3

Micah 5:7 — And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the Lord as the showers upon the grass that tarrieth not for man nor waiteth for the sons of men. -2TG8 18.4

The remnant of Jacob (those who are left after the tares are taken out) when once set up as a kingdom is to be as showers of blessing to those who seek salvation and as a lion that tears in pieces those who continue in their sin. The day shall be great to the one people and dreadful to the other. -2TG8 18.5

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Now we turn to the chapters of Joels prophecy that meet their fulfillment in the latter days. -2TG8 19.1

Joel 2:1-3 — Blow ye the trumpet in Zion and sound an alarm in My holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh for it is nigh at hand a day of darkness and of gloominess a day of clouds and of thick darkness as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong there hath not been ever the like neither shall be any more after it even to the years of many generations. A fire devoureth before them and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them and behind them a desolate wilderness yea and nothing shall escape them. -2TG8 19.2

Here you see that a message is to be proclaimed to the church to Zion declaring that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is at hand that it is to be devastating behind His people and glorious ahead of them — that the Lord is thoroughly to comb the field that He is to gather every grain of wheat and then burn the tares. -2TG8 19.3

Joel 2:4-6 — The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses and as horsemen so shall they run. Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble as a strong people set in battle array. Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness. -2TG8 19.4

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We see that the power which attended ancient Israel while they were taking the Promised Land shall also attend the servants of God at this gathering time. -2TG8 20.1

Joel 2:7, 8 — They shall run like mighty men they shall climb the wall like men of war and they shall march every one on his ways and they shall not break their ranks: neither shall one thrust another they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword they shall not be wounded. -2TG8 20.2

Nothing shall be able to hold down the people of God. Everyone shall perfectly attend to his business. They shall gather the fruits of the earth and nothing shall hurt them. The Spirit of Prophecy testifies: As the saints left the cities and villages they were pursued by the wicked who sought to slay them. But the swords that were raised to kill Gods people and fell as powerless as a straw — Early Writings pp. 284-285. -2TG8 20.3

Joel 2:9 — They shall run to and fro in the city they shall run upon the wall they shall climb up upon the houses they shall enter in at the windows like a thief. -2TG8 20.4

The servants of God shall certainly gather all their brethren out of all nations (Isa. 66:20). Indeed so for the legs of the Gospel are the legs of the people who proclaim it. Of course only with perfect co-ordination and a bullet-proof army can the gospel work be finished when the two-horned beast declares that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. Rev. 13:15. -2TG8 20.5

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Joel 2:10, 11 — The earth shall quake before them the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark and the stars shall withdraw their shining: and the Lord shall utter His voice before His army: for His camp is very great: for He is strong that executeth His word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible and who can abide it? -2TG8 21.1

Having announced how great and dreadful the day is to be the Lord is making this plea: -2TG8 21.2

Joel 2:12-14 — Therefore also now saith the Lord turn ye even to Me with all your heart and with fasting and with weeping and with mourning: and rend your heart and not your garments and turn unto the Lord your God: for He is gracious and merciful slow to anger and of great kindness and repenteth Him of the evil. Who knoweth if He will return and repent and leave a blessing behind Him even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the Lord your God? -2TG8 21.3

Gods plea is that we prepare to meet the day that now as sincere Christians who realize that for such an hour as this has this message of mercy come to us we penitently return unto Him. -2TG8 21.4

Joel 2:15, 16 — Blow the trumpet in Zion sanctify a fast call a solemn assembly: gather the people sanctify the congregation assemble the elders gather the children and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber and the bride out of her closet. -2TG8 21.5

In these verses as in Joel 2:1, the command is given to blow the trumpet in Zion. This second trumpet however is not to announce the day of God but to sanctify both a fast and the people to call a solemn assembly from which not one is to be excluded from the assembly. -2TG8 21.6

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Joel 2:17 — Let the priests the ministers of the Lord weep between the porch and the altar and let them say Spare Thy people O Lord and give not Thine heritage to reproach that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people Where is their God? -2TG8 22.1

Here we are plainly told that Gods people are to face persecution and distress and that unless they keep close to the Lord their very existence may be at stake Gods name dishonored and the heathen allowed to rule over them and to challenge their faith in God. -2TG8 22.2

Joel 2:18, 19 — Then will the Lord be jealous for His land and pity His people. Yea the Lord will answer and say unto His people Behold I will send you corn and wine and oil and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen. -2TG8 22.3

God finds refuge and freedom for them in their own land where nothing shall be lacking. -2TG8 22.4

Joel 2:21-23 — Fear not O land be glad and rejoice: for the Lord will do great things. Be not afraid ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring for the tree beareth her fruit the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength. Be glad then ye children of Zion and rejoice in the Lord your God: for He hath given you the former rain moderately and He will cause to come down for you the rain the former rain and the latter rain in the first month. -2TG8 22.5

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It is plain enough to see that God is speaking to His people who are to receive both the former and the latter rain in the first month. -2TG8 23.1

Joel 2:24 — And the floors shall be full of wheat and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil. -2TG8 23.2

Inspiration of course is not speaking of spiritual things only but of material things as well. The rain (newly-revealed Truth) shall therefore produce a great harvest of souls as well as abundance of provisions. -2TG8 23.3

Joel 2:25-32 — And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten the cankerworm and the caterpiller and the palmerworm My great army which I sent among you. And ye shall eat in plenty and be satisfied and praise the name of the Lord your God that hath dealt wondrously with you: and My people shall never be ashamed. And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel and that I am the Lord your God and none else: and My people shall never be ashamed. And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy your old men shall dream dreams your young men shall see visions: and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out My Spirit. And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the great and terrible day of the Lord come. And it shall come to pass that whosoeve shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in -2TG8 23.4

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Mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance as the Lord hath said and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call. -2TG8 24.1

Here we see that those who call on the name of the Lord after the latter rain falls shall find deliverance on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem also in the remnant whom the Lord shall call. -2TG8 24.2

The very first word ( for ) of the next chapter shows that the prophecy of chapter two continues through chapter three. -2TG8 24.3

Joel 3:1, 2 — For behold in those days and in that time when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem I will also gather all nations and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat and will plead with them there for My people and for My heritage Israel whom they have scattered among the nations and parted My land. -2TG8 24.4

These verses explain why how and when Gods people are delivered in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem. These things you see are to take place when He brings again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem. Then shall He bring all the nations into the valley of Jehoshaphat and there plead for all His captive people whom the nations have scattered throughout the world. -2TG8 24.5

Joel 3:3 — And they have cast lots for My people and have given a boy for an harlot and sold a girl for wine that they might drink. -2TG8 24.6

Verse 3 reveals the vile practices of the world. -2TG8 24.7

Joel 3:4-7 — Yea and what have ye to do with Me O Tyre and Zidon and all the coasts of Palestine? will ye render Me a recompence? and if ye recompense Me swiftly and speedily will I return your recompence upon your own head because ye have taken My silver and My gold and have carried into your temples My goodly pleasant things: the children also of Judah and the children of Jerusalem have ye sold unto the Grecians that ye might remove them far from their border. Behold I will raise them out of the place whither ye have sold them and will return your recompence upon your own head. -2TG8 24.8

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Tyre and Zidon and the coast of Palestine then those nations which have scattered Gods people shall have their reward. What shall their recompense be? Here is the answer– -2TG8 25.2

Joel 3:8-10 — And I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the children of Judah and they shall sell them to the Sabeans to a people far off: for the Lord hath spoken it. Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles Prepare war wake up the mighty men let all the men of war draw near let them come up: beat your plowshares into swords and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say I am strong. -2TG8 25.3

Inasmuch as the nations will be preparing for war when these prophecies are being fulfilled it is plain to see that atomic weapons will not bring peace. -2TG8 25.4

Joel 3:11 — Assemble yourselves and come all ye heathen and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause Thy mighty ones to come down O Lord. -2TG8 25.5

Here we are told that Gods mighty ones are to meet the armies of the heathen. And where will God judge the people? — The following verses give the answer: -2TG8 25.6

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Joel 3:12-14 — Let the heathen be wakened and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about. Put ye in the sickle for the harvest is ripe: come get you down for the press is full the fats overflow for their wickedness is great. Multitudes multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. -2TG8 26.1

Yes here is described the day of decision. The multitudes will then have to decide either to serve God and live or to continue serving the Devil and perish with him. -2TG8 26.2

Joel 3:15, 16 — The sun and the moon shall be darkened and the stars shall withdraw their shining. The Lord also shall roar out of Zion and utter His voice from Jerusalem and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of His people and the strength of the children of Israel. -2TG8 26.3

What a day the world is now approaching and how blind to the fact is even the church herself -2TG8 26.4

Joel 3:17-21 — So shall ye know that I am the Lord your God dwelling in Zion My holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy and there shall no strangers pass through her any more. And it shall come to pass in that day that the mountains shall drop down new wine and the hills shall flow with milk and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the Lord and shall water the valley of Shittim. Egypt shall be a desolation and Edom shall be a desolate wilderness for the violence against the children of Judah because they have shed innocent blood in their land. But Judah shall dwell for ever and Jerusalem from generation to generation. For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the Lord dwelleth in Zion. -2TG8 26.5

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Our final cleansing is to be in our own land. The Scriptures you see are correlated one truth explains another. Verses and chapters therefore cannot be isolated from their context if they are to be rightly understood. A correct idea cannot be built upon any one verse when isolated from its continuity. And only when we take God at His word can we in truth study the Scriptures. Then we need but the key word to unlock the mysteries of God. And here we have it. -2TG8 27.1

Revival and reformation a change of ideas and practices therefore is our greatest need. Without this we are sure to be found among those who shall say to the mountains and to the rocks Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of His wrath is come and who shall be able to stand? Rev. 6:16, 17. -2TG8 27.2

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