The Silver Trumpet, Vol. 1, Nos. 15-16

THE SILVER TRUMPET
Let Elohim arise, let Their enemies be scattered; and let

those who hate Them fee from Their Presence. - Psalm 68:1
The Flying Scroll
And the Only Way to Life
Vol. 1, Nos. 15-16
New Moon (July 18, 2015)

New Moon (Aug. 17, 2015)
5 th and 6th Months
Yahweh spoke to Moses, Make two trumpets of silver; you are to make
them from a single hammered piece. And they shall be for assembling the
community and for directing the traveling of the camps. When they blow
them both, all the community must come to you to the entrance of the tent
of meeting. But if they blow with one trumpet, then the leaders, the heads of
the thousands of Israel must assemble themselves. When you blow an
alarm, then the camps that are located on the east side must begin to move.
And when you blow an alarm the second time, then the camps that are
located on the south side must begin to move. An alarm must be sounded
for their journeys. But when you assemble the community, you must blow,
but you must not sound an alarm. The sons of Aaron, the priests, must blow
the trumpets; and they will be to you for an eternal ordinance throughout
your generations. If you go to war in your land against an adversary who
opposes you, then you must sound an alarm with the trumpets, and you will
be remembered before Yahweh your Elohim, and you will be saved from
your enemies. Also in the time when you rejoice, such as on your appointed
festivals and at the beginnings of your months, you must blow with your
trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifces of your peace
offerings, so that they may be a memorial for you before your Elohim: I am
Yahweh your Elohim. - Numbers 10:1-10
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The Silver Trumpet Vol. 1 Nos. 15-16
The Flying Scroll

by Trent Wilde
Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold
a fying roll. 2 And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I
answered, I see a fying roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and
the breadth thereof ten cubits. 3 Then said he unto me, This is the
curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: For every
one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and
every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to
it. 4 I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter
into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth
falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house,
and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.
- Zechariah 5:1-4 (KJV)
1
Once again, we are brought to the consideration of a second

temple prophecy. There are a couple of points which have been well
established in past studies1 that are important to keep in mind. First,
the prophecies of the second temple ultimately meet their fulfllment
in the last days. And second, the building of the second temple was, in
reality, the rebuilding of the frst temple, Solomon's temple, which
itself was truly David's temple, since it was to him and through him
that the pattern was revealed (1 Chron. 28:11-19). What this means
for the antitypical second temple is that it is, in the fullest sense, the reestablishment of the tabernacle of David (Amos 9:11; Zech. 12:8).
Let us never consider these things without a deep sense of its
import for us as individuals. Prophecy declares that we are verily in
the last days.2 Things are happening of which we cannot afford to be
ignorant. At the close of the Babylonian exile, the Jews were called to
return and build the temple, but many were too entrenched in
Babylonian living. To them, returning to Jerusalem was too much of
an inconvenience. As a result, the rebuilding of the temple was
delayed and, in fact, it never reached the splendor which it formerly
had in the days of Solomon. If only the individuals who then had an
opportunity had availed themselves of it, the history of the world
would be oh so different. Now, here we are in the same place, in the
time of the building of the second antitypical temple, and what we
1
2
See The Silver Trumpet, Vol. 1, No. 8 and the other studies cited therein.
See The World Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow (Tract 12) by Victor Houteff.
choose as individuals again makes all the difference.

The prophecy we are herein set to examine is of utmost importance
to all of our readers. What it says concerns us at this very time, and its
message is not one which can be understood or received casually.
The vision is simple there is a fying scroll, 20 cubits by 10 cubits,
which is about 30 feet by 15 feet. Imagine this scroll! There has never
been a scroll like it in the history of the world. Its dimensions are
bordering on the ridiculous. Moreover, it is not seen rolled up in a
scroll box or spread across a table; rather, it is fying through the air! It
is not a scroll which has its effect on only a few either. No! It is said to
go forth through the whole earth and enter into the houses of the
thieves and false swearers to destroy their houses. Considering the fact
that if we break one commandment we are guilty of all (James 2:10)
and that all who sin are guilty of stealing from Christ His bought
possession (themselves), it is apparent that this scroll is set to go
through every house. Again, to emphasize the time to which this
prophecy refers is said to be when all are dead in trespasses and sins
(Eze. 37). Through Malachi (another second temple prophet) Yahweh
declared,
8 Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed me. But you say,
How have we robbed you? In tithes and offerings. 9 You are
cursed with a curse: for you have robbed me, even this whole nation. Malachi 3:8-9
The Spirit calls upon all to examine themselves. Do you have any
sin? Have you withheld tithes and offerings from God's storehouse,
thus making yourself a thief? Have you professed yourself to be a
follower of Christ, but misrepresented his character, thus making
yourself a false swearer? Scripture declares all under sin. The whole
nation has robbed God. All have fallen short. By this you are meant to
learn that you are to expect a visit from the fying scroll and that it is
not coming to be an added decoration on your wall.
So then, what is this fying scroll? As I'm sure all have already
perceived, this is no regular scroll. The dimensions alone keep us from
considering this scroll to be of human origin. In fact, the prophecy
itself says that it was sent from Yahweh (vs. 4), implying its heavenly
origin.3
3
For examples of heavenly scrolls, see the following texts: Ex. 32:32-33; Ps. 69:28;
The most prominent point of the scroll's description, other than its
activity, is its dimensions, and they are quite specifc 20 cubits by 10
cubits. The fact that we are given the specifc measurements rather
than simply being told that the scroll was very large or that it was
twice as long as it was wide, should inform us that there is specifc
signifcance to the measurements. There are only two other things in
sacred scripture which are described as having these same dimensions,
and both of them are part of Solomon's temple. It must be
remembered that this prophecy was given during the rebuilding of
Solomon's temple and that the temple was the thing foremost in the
people's thoughts. Zechariah's description of the scroll as being 20
cubits by 10 cubits would have immediately called two things to the
minds of his frst hearers. The frst is Solomon's porch:
3 The porch in front of the main hall of the temple was 20 cubits
long, corresponding to the width of the temple. It was 10 cubits
wide, extending out from the front of the temple. - 1 Kings 6:3
Before considering the signifcance of the porch, we will quote the

passages describing the second item of the same dimensions; namely,
the cherubim in the Holy of Holies:
In the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim of olive wood;
each stood 10 cubits high. 24 Each of the frst cherub's wings was 5
cubits long; its entire wingspan was 10 cubits. 25 The second cherub
also had a wingspan of 10 cubits; it was identical to the frst in
measurements and shape. 26 Each cherub stood 10 cubits high.
27 He put the cherubs in the inner sanctuary of the temple. Their
wings were spread out. One of the frst cherub's wings touched one
wall and one of the other cherub's wings touched the opposite wall.
The frst cherub's other wing touched the second cherub's other
wing in the middle of the room. - 1 Kings 6:23-27
23
10 In the most holy place he made two images of cherubim and

plated them with gold. 11 The combined wingspan of the cherubs
was 20 cubits. One of the frst cherub's wings was 5 cubits long and
touched one wall of the temple; its other wing was also 5 cubits long
and touched one of the second cherub's wings. 12 Likewise one of
Isa. 4:3; Dan. 7:10; 12:1; Mal. 3:16; Luke 10:20; Ph. 4:3; Heb. 12:23; Rev. 3:5;
13:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27; 2 Esdras 6:18-20; 1 En. 47:3; 81:2; 90:20; 97:6; 98:78; 104:1; 106:19; 107:1; 108:3, 7; Jub. 30:22; 36:10; 2 Bar. 24:1.

the second cherub's wings was 5 cubits long and touched the wall of
the temple; its other wing was also 5 cubits and touched one of the
frst cherub's wings. 13 The combined wingspan of these cherubim
was 20 cubits. They stood upright, facing inward. - 2 Chronicles
3:10-13
Notice that it is the wingspan of the cherubim, together with their

height, that gives the dimensions of 20 cubits by 10 cubits. A number
of moons ago, we were shown that the cherubim are a symbol of the
divine council4 as well as Israel.5 The divine council in Heaven centers
around the Shekinah (1 En. 14:15-23), as did the Israelite nation on
earth (Num. 2:17), and in both instances, cherubim are described as
being, as it were, at Her very throne (1 En. 14:11, 18; Ex. 25:17-22). 6
Ezekiel's frst vision makes this exceedingly plain as it shows the
Shekinah on Her cherubim throne. In other words, the reference to a
measurement which is the same as the wingspan of the cherubim is
indicative of the presence of the Shekinah. This point is made
especially clear when it is kept in mind that the measurement here is
specifcally that of the wingspan of the cherubim in the most holy place of
Solomon's temple, where the Shekinah dwelt.
The fact that it is the wingspan in particular which is being referred
to is of signifcance in that wings represent truth (Ps. 91:4). In fact, in
Ezekiel, we are told that the sound of the wings of the cherubim was
like the voice of Shaddai (Eze. 1:24). The truth being symbolized by the
wings in this context must be the truth of (and the truths known by)
the heavenly council and Israel, for they are the ones symbolized by
the cherubim. Seeing that the fying scroll, by virtue of its dimensions,
represents the same thing as the wings of the cherubim, then it too
must represent the truths of the heavenly council and the truths given
to Israel7 in addition to indicating the presence of the Shekinah.
4
5
6
7
For information on the divine council see The Silver Trumpet, Vol. 1, Nos. 10-11,
pp. 38-41 and our video studies 11Q Melchizedek and the Wicked Gods, Gods of the
Council of El, and Discussing Wicked Gods and the Divine Council.
See our video study Ezekiel 4 in Context.
For more on this, see our video Tabernacle Among Us.
Representing the truths given to Israel by a giant scroll is quite ftting since
Judaism, unlike other religions, was largely centered on the messages of the
prophets, which were recorded on scrolls. Also, that a scroll contains heavenly
truths is an idea rooted in Jewish apocalypticism (of which Zechariah and Ezekiel
are a part). This is apparent from the description of heavenly scrolls throughout
apocalyptic literature (see fn. 3)
This is brought out more clearly as well when we consider the

signifcance of Solomon's porch in this relation. Simply put, Solomon's
porch was the entryway into the temple, and so, in antitype, it must
represent the entryway into the heavenly temple the sanctuary
above. Once again, the entryway into the heavenly temple for those
on earth is the throne of Ezekiel 1, for it is the extension of the
heavenly sanctuary to this earth; it is the mediatorial-judicial throne
upon earth for the judgment of the living.8
In summary, Zechariah's prophecy of the fying scroll connects its
meaning (by means of its dimensions) to two features of Solomon's
Temple (which was then being rebuilt) the cherubim and the
portico, or porch. Together, the symbols show that the ultimate and
anti-typical meaning must encompass the truth of the divine council
and the truth of Israel, the presence of the Shekinah, and the entryway
to the heavenly sanctuary. Additionally, the symbol itself indicates a
thing which is not stationary by the fact that the scroll was fying. All
considered, the one object in Scripture which meets all these
requirements is the traveling cherubim throne of Ezekiel 1. It certainly
encompasses the truth of the cherubim and their wings (which are
specifcally described), the presence of the Shekinah (Who is also
specifcally described), and the entryway to the heavenly sanctuary
(which is one of the primary purposes of the whole vision).9
With the above revelation, the frst two verses of Zechariah 5
become clear. The third verse has yet to be considered. Here it is
again as translated in the King James Version:
3 Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over
the face of the whole earth: For every one that stealeth shall be cut
off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall
be cut off as on that side according to it. - Zechariah 5:3
The meaning of this text is, in many ways, central to the meaning
of the passage for this is where the angel provides the interpretation of
the scroll and begins the description of what it is sent to do. In order to
better understand it then, it is necessary to look at a couple other (and
more accurate) translations.
8
9
See Pre-Eleventh Hour Extra (Tract 1) by Victor Houteff.

Again, see the information in the previous footnotes.

3 And he said to me, This is the curse going out over the surface
of the whole earth. For everyone who steals has gone unpunished
according to it, and likewise everyone who swears falsely has gone
unpunished according to it. - Zechariah 5:3 (Lexham English Bible)
He said to me, This is the curse which goes out over all the
land, for every thief according to it has been acquitted, and every
perjurer according to it has been acquitted: - Zechariah 5:3
(Anchor Yale Bible)
3
As you can see, these translations give a radically different

rendering of one aspect in particular. Where the KJV has cut off,
these better translations have gone unpunished and acquitted pretty well the opposite meaning! The Hebrew word underlying the
English is niqah ( ) and does not at all mean cut off, 10 but rather,
cleansed, purifed, pardoned, to be blameless, or purged
from guilt.11 The problem here is that saying, This is a curse for
every thief and false swearer will be forgiven, cleansed, and made
pure, etc. does not make any sense. Being forgiven and purifed
would be a blessing rather than a curse, both for those being
pardoned, and for everyone else. This may be the reason why the
KJV simply mistranslated it; that is, as an attempt to try and make the
text make sense. Mistranslating the text, though, is no solution. It says
what it says and that cannot be changed.
In truth, even without the passage on sinners being purifed, it is
still peculiar, and even shocking, for Zechariah to be referring to the
scroll (a symbol of the Shekinah and the heavenly truths given to
Israel) as a curse! Thus, we are obliged to investigate the Hebrew
word underlying curse. The text reads h'lh (). In the 7th-10th
centuries CE, the Masorets (a Jewish scribal community) developed a
few systems of vowel pointings which consisted of a series of dots and
markings placed above and below the letters. Prior to that time,
Hebrew was only written as a consonantal text. 12 In other words, there
10 The word for cut off in Hebrew is karat ().
11 For a couple dictionary examples, the Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic
Domains: Hebrew (Old Testament) gives, go unpunished, be pardoned... lack of sin or
wrongdoing... forgive, pardon etc. Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old
Testament has to be pure... to sprinkle water of purifcation.
12 This has been the general view among scholars for a long time, but there are also
scholars who suggest that some of what we now call consonants may have acted as
vowels in ancient Hebrew.
were originally no vowel markings in Hebrew writing, only consonants, but the Masorets developed a way to write vowels. One of those
vowel systems, the one developed by Aaron ben Moses ben Asher (10 th
century), became dominant and is still the standard today.
What is important to understand for our present study is that the
vowels one inserts make a big difference for the meaning of the text.
As an English example, take the consonants D and R. How many
words can be made with only these two consonants appearing in the
same order? There are at least six I can think of: dare, dear, deer, dire,
doer, and door. Imagine a sentence or phrase in which every word is
missing its vowels. With some sentences, at least, it would be possible
to read it in different ways. This actually happens all the time in the
textual criticism of the Hebrew Bible. There are many times when the
Masoretic Text (MT), following the ben Asher vowel pointing, will
read one way, while the Septuagint (LXX), or another text, will read
another way, but both readings are possible from the same
consonants. For example, the MT of Psalm 110:3 starts out with the
words ammekha n'davoth () : Your people are willing... whereas
the LXX reads the same consonants as immekha n'divoth () :
With you is authority... Since the original had no vowel pointing,
context is what must dictate how we understand the words. We will
look at just one example to illustrate this point. The MT of Isaiah
43:14 has the phrase, For your sakes I have sent to Babylon and will
break down all refugees () . And the Chaldeans, their jubilation
will be on ships () . Alternatively, those same consonants can be
read as follows: For your sakes I have sent to Babylon and will break
down all bars () . And the Chaldeans, their jubilation will become
lamentations () . Clearly, the latter reading is the better one. It is
coherent in and of itself and makes sense in the context whereas the
former reading is almost nonsensical.
Now, let us apply what we have learned to h'lh ( )of Zechariah
5:3. The Masoretic Text points these consonants as ha-alah () ,
which can mean the curse, but as we have seen, the word curse
here makes little sense. There is, however, another way to read these
same consonants, and that is as ha-elah () . Elah ( )is the feminine
form of the word El (), which means God.13 Elah ( )occurs in its
)and is
possessive form in 1 Kings 11:5 as elohi tsidon (
13 See Divine Plurality, Vol. 1, No. 2.
accurately translated goddess of the Zidonians.14 Only a few verses

)which
later (1 Kings 11:9), we fnd the phrase elohi yisrael (
employs the same word in its same form as appeared four verses
earlier; but unfortunately, translators don't exercise the same fdelity to
the text in this instance.
Looking again at our two options for translating h'lh (), we
have ha-alah () : the curse, and ha-elah (): the Goddess. For
Zechariah to refer to the scroll as a curse would be totally out of
character, not only for Zechariah, but for any and all of the Hebrew
prophets. Again, this is because the scroll, as we have already
demonstrated, is a symbol of the heavenly truth given to Israel (which
includes the Torah and the rest of Scripture) as well as the Shekinah
Herself. Also, the translation curse contradicts the context of the
passage, for purifying and pardoning sinners is not a curse, but rather
a blessing. Moreover, one wonders why Zechariah would here employ
ha-alah ( ) for curse when by far the most common word for
curse is qalal ( ) and its variations, which is what Zechariah uses
elsewhere for curse (e.g. Zech. 8:13).
On the other hand, translating h'lh ( )as the Goddess makes
perfect sense both grammatically and contextually. Remember, the
dimensions of the fying scroll would have immediately recalled the
wings of the cherubim and Solomon's porch to the minds of the Jews
who frst heard and read the vision of Zechariah. What this meant to
them was the presence of the Shekinah and the divine truths given to
Israel. The Shekinah was always viewed as feminine 15 and was
), the Goddess of Israel.16
specifcally identifed as elohi yisrael (
Therefore, to call the scroll ha-elah () : the Goddess, is entirely
ftting. This also coheres with the idea of the scroll bringing pardon
and forgiveness purifying people of iniquity, for this was known as
14 See practically any translation.
15 This can be verifed by reading Sirach 24 which describes Wisdom as a feminine
fgure Whom it specifcally equates with the Yahweh who dwelt between the
cherubim in the most holy place (aka, the Shekinah). Also, The Wisdom of Solomon
clearly speaks of Wisdom as a feminine being (ch. 9) Whom it also equates with
the Shekinah (Wis. 10:17).
16 This can be seen in Psalm 68, which starts off quoting Numbers 10:35 which
refers to the Shekinah and the ark moving out ahead of the tribes of Israel in their
wilderness wanderings. It then refers to the Shekinah as the presence of Elohim
four times in verses 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively. Then, in verse 8, we are told that
even Sinai itself was moved at the Presence of Elohim, the Goddess of Israel - elohi
).
yisrael (

one of the primary roles of the Shekinah, as indicated even by the

name of her throne the atonement plate. 17 Lastly, the word here
being the Goddess rather than the curse is more likely by virtue of
the fact that prophecies of the presence of the Shekinah in the second
temple occur elsewhere in Zechariah, evidencing that it is part of the
immediate context. Take chapter two for instance, which speaks of
two Yahwehs, one of Whom is sent by the other, and the sent One is
identifed as the glory (a common term for the Shekinah). 18 In order
to aid you in reading the following verses, we have provided blue
underlining for all the references to the Yahweh who speaks in frst
person. Likewise, we have provided red underlining for all the
references to the other Yahweh who is spoken of in third person by
the frst Yahweh.
5 For I, says Yahweh, will be a wall of fre round about to her,
and will be the glory in the midst of her.... 9 and you shall know that
Yahweh of hosts has sent me. 10 Sing and rejoice, O daughter of
Zion: for behold, I come and I will dwell in your midst, says
Yahweh. 11 And many nations shall be joined to Yahweh in that
day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in your midst, and
you shall know that Yahweh of hosts has sent me to you. Zechariah 2:5, 9-11
Again, we quote this passage as an example of the prophecies

within Zechariah concerning the glory (the Shekinah) being among
God's people.19 This is all part of Zechariah's context and should
inform our understanding of the prophecy of the fying scroll. It is of
note that the glory here spoken of is identifed as Yahweh. Later in
Zechariah, when this Yahweh appears (whether speaking or being
pictured among God's people), She is referred to as Yahweh elohi (
): Yahweh my Goddess (e.g. Zech. 11:4; 13:9; 14:5). Not only
that, but all of the occurrences of 'lh ( )in Zechariah, other than
ayleh () : the common word for these,20 are in reference to
Yahweh.
17 See The Silver Trumpet, Vol. 1, No. 2, p. 5.
18 See, for example, Ex. 40:34. Also, study the video linked in fn. 6.
19 For more information concerning Zechariah's prophecies of the Goddess of Israel,
please see our video study The Mystery of the Olive Trees | Zechariah 4.
20 This usage is well attested, occurring over 700 times in the Hebrew Bible. It is the
word for these in Zech. 1:9, 10, 19, 21; 3:7, 4:4, 5, 10, 11, 13, 14; 6:4, 5, etc.
10
Due to the weight of all of the above evidence, we must conclude

that ha-elah () : the Goddess, is the correct translation. At this
point, we offer a new translation of the whole passage, which includes
the better readings along with a more faithful rendering of the gender:
1 And I turned and I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold! - a
fying scroll! 2 And he asked me, What do you see? And I said, I
see a fying scroll, twenty cubits long and ten cubits wide. 3 And he
said to me, This21 is the Goddess, Her Who goes forth over the
face of all the earth, for everyone who steals will be purifed on
account of Her, and everyone who swears falsely will be purifed on
account of Her. 4 I have sent Her out, declares Yahweh of Hosts,
and She will go into the house of the thief and into the house of the
one who swears falsely by my name and She will lodge in the midst
of his house and She will destroy it and its wood and its stone. Zechariah 5:1-4
We can now see that this Scripture plainly declares the fying scroll
to be a symbol of the Goddess. She is the Shekinah of Israel, the Glory
of Yahweh, the rider of the cherubim throne the gateway to the
heavenly temple. Before moving on to consider the fnal verse, we
want to pause here for a moment and look at some of the other
Scriptural bases for the Goddess being represented by a scroll. Our
frst passage is from Deuteronomy:
Look! I teach you rules and regulations just as Yahweh my
Goddess told me to do so that you might do them in the land which
you are about to enter and possess. 6 And so be careful to do them
for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the
peoples which will hear of all these rules and say, Surely, this great
nation is a wise and understanding people. - Deuteronomy 4:1-2,
5-6
5
Though this passage does not say that Wisdom is represented by a

scroll, it does introduce the idea that the statutes and judgments of
Yahweh (the rules and regulations), along with their observation,
equate to wisdom. Of course, these rules and regulations were
recorded upon scrolls and so later writers came along and expounded
21 The word for this, zoth () , as well as all the verbs and pronouns for ha-elah
() : the Goddess, in this passage, are feminine.
11
upon that connection. The frst that we will consider is from The
Wisdom of Ben Sirach, a so-called apocryphal work which was used by
Jesus and the writers of the New Testament and considered Scripture
by many in the early church and early Judaism:
1 Wisdom commends Herself and tells of Her glory in the midst of
Her people. 2 In the assembly of the Most High She opens Her
mouth, and in the presence of His hosts She tells of Her glory: 3 I
came forth from the command of the Most High and covered the
earth like a mist. 4 I dwelt in the highest heavens and my throne was
in a pillar of cloud. 5 Alone I compassed the vault of heaven and
traversed the depths of the abyss. 6 In the waves of the sea and in all
the earth, and among every people and nation I have acquired a
possession. 7 Among all these I sought a resting place; 'In whose
territory should I abide?'
8 Then the Creator of all things gave me a command and my
Maker chose the place for my tent. He said, Make your dwelling
in Jacob, and in Israel receive your inheritance.' 9 Before the ages,
in the beginning, he made me, and for all the ages I shall not cease
to be. 10 In the holy tent I ministered before him, and so I was
established in Zion. 11 Thus in the beloved city he gave me a resting
place, and in Jerusalem was my domain. 12 I took root in an
honored people, in the portion of Yahweh, his inheritance.
13 I grew tall like a cedar in Lebanon, and like a cypress on the
heights of Hermon. 14 I grew tall like a palm tree in En-gedi, and
like rosebushes in Jericho; like a fair olive tree in the feld, and like a
plane tree beside water I grew tall. 15 Like cassia and camel's thorn I
gave forth perfume, and like choice myrrh I spread my fragrance,
like galbanum, onycha, and stacte, and like the odor of incense in
the tent. 16 Like a terebinth I spread out my branches, and my
branches are glorious and graceful. 17 Like the vine I bud forth
delights, and my blossoms become glorious and abundant fruit. 18 I
am the Mother of beautiful love, of fear, of knowledge, and of holy
hope; being everlasting, I am given to all my children, to those who
are named by him.22
19 Come to me, you who desire me, and eat your fll of my fruits.
20
For the memory of me is sweeter than honey and my inheritance
is sweeter than the honeycomb. 21 Those who eat of me will hunger
for more, and those who drink of me will thirst for more.
22 Whoever obeys me will not be put to shame, and those who work
with me will not sin.
22 Verse 18 is included in some manuscripts of Ben Sira, but missing in others.
12

23 All this is the scroll of the covenant of the Most High God, the
law that Moses commanded us as an inheritance for the
congregation of Jacob. - Sirach 24:1-23
Here, Wisdom is unmistakably personifed and unmistakably

feminine. She is shown to be a Being Who existed prior to the creation
of the world Who came and dwelt in the tabernacle among the
children of Israel. She is the Shekinah, the Goddess of Israel. In
Deuteronomy, the statutes and judgments of Yahweh along with their
observance were spoken of on one hand and were equated with
wisdom. Here, Wisdom is spoken of as the One who keeps us from
breaking the commandments, and so She, Her deeds, and Her glory,
are all equated with the scroll.
Our last passage is taken from another so-called apocryphal
work which goes by the name of Baruch, the scribe of Jeremiah:
Hear the commandments of life, O Israel; give ear and learn
Wisdom!... 15 Who has found Her place? And who has entered Her
storehouses?... 29 Who has gone up into heaven, and taken Her, and
brought Her down from the clouds? 30 Who has gone over the sea,
and found Her, and will buy Her for pure gold? 31 No one knows
the way to Her, or is concerned about the path to Her. 32 But the
One who knows all things knows Her, he found Her by His
understanding... 36 He found the whole way to knowledge, and gave
Her to his servant Jacob and to Israel, whom he loved. 37 Afterward
She appeared on earth and lived with humankind. 1 She is the scroll of
the commandments of God, and the law that endures forever. All
who hold Her fast will live, and those who forsake her will die.
2 Turn, O Jacob, and take Her; advance toward the shining of Her
light! - Baruch 3:9, 15, 29-32, 36-37; 4:1-2
9
With the exception of Zechariah 5, this is perhaps the clearest

example in sacred writ of Scroll-Goddess imagery. To emphasize
this passage plainly equates the person Wisdom with the scroll! We
invite all of our readers to investigate these passages more and you will
see for yourself that both Sirach and Baruch combine language from
Proverbs (which clearly describes Wisdom as a person the begotten
Daughter of Yahweh), and Deuteronomy, which speaks of the statutes
and judgments, and their observance, as wisdom. Clearly, the two
later works are building on the former. Zechariah doubtless knew of
the prophecies and works of Jeremiah and Baruch and so would have
13
been acquainted with this sort of the description of the Wisdom-Scroll.

Now that we have well established multiple witnesses to the
identity of the Scroll, every reasoning mind should be able to see that
this is not a matter of opinion or speculation. Once again, Zechariah's
vision has a specifc meaning a meaning which can be discerned
through the lens of Inspiration. We have seen that each aspect of the
description of the fying scroll has a particular signifcance which can
be understood within the context of the vision itself and the message
which Zechariah bore. We have now only to praise our Heavenly
Family for this wonderful revelation and to make every effort to
advance toward the shining of Her light.
With the central aspects of the vision now made clear, let us now
turn to the climax of the vision:
4 I have sent Her out, declares Yahweh of Hosts, and She will go
into the house of the thief and into the house of the one who swears
falsely by my name and She will lodge in the midst of his house and
She will destroy it and its wood and its stone. - Zechariah 5:4
If you steal, you sin against your neighbor, and if you swear falsely
by the name of our Heavenly Family, you sin against Them. Both are
manifestations of the lack of love which has a hold of every unrenewed
heart. Christ said,
'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your
soul, and with all your mind.' [Deut. 6:5] 38 This is the frst and
greatest commandment. 39 The second is like it: 'Love your
neighbor as yourself.' [Lev. 19:18] 40 All the law and the prophets
depend on these two commandments. - Matthew 22:37-40
37
Since all the law and the prophets depend on these two commandments, to break them in any regard is to break the whole law. This is
the condition pointed out by the prophecy under consideration. At the
root of it, it is a lack of love. Read 1 John.
The Flying Scroll, Wisdom, is sent into the houses of those who
have refused Her love, those who have clung to their sin and made a
covenant with death (Wis. 1) the dry bones. She does this in order to
destroy their houses. To the carnal mind, this seems like an awful
deed, even unloving, but it is just the opposite. See, the context of this
is that earlier in the same year Zechariah started teaching, Haggai
14
came and gave the message to build the temple. This is what he said:
This is what Yahweh of hosts has spoken: This people here
have said, Now the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of
Yahweh. 3 So, the word of Yahweh came by the hand of Haggai
the prophet saying: 4 Is it then time for you, yes you, to dwell in
roofed houses while this house lay in ruins? 5 Here then is what
Yahweh of hosts says: Set your heart upon your ways. 6 You have
planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but are not flled.
You drink, but are still thirsty. You put on clothes, but are not
warm. Those who earn wages end up with holes in their pockets.
7
Moreover, Yahweh of hosts says: Set your heart upon your ways.
8 Go up to the hills, bring back wood, and build the temple! I will
take pleasure in it and show myself in my glory, says Yahweh.
9 You have hoped for much, but instead there was little, and when
you brought it home I blew it away. Why? asks Yahweh of hosts.
Because my temple remains in ruins, while each of you favors his
own house! 10 Therefore the sky above you withholds its dew and
the earth its produce. 11 I called for a drought upon the land and
upon the hills, upon the grain, the wine, the oil, and upon
everything which the ground brings forth; upon men and cattle and
upon all the work of their hands. - Haggai 1:2-11
2
Here the truth is made plain: Yahweh's temple lays in ruins

because people are too busy favoring their own houses. This is the
message which has been given to us and it applies to all who profess to
believe Present Truth and who yet allow the things of this life to keep
them from exerting all their energies for the Kingdom. Please read
The Silver Trumpet, Vol. 1, No. 8 as it contains the message of Haggai 1.
This is the truth: If Yahweh has no temple, She cannot dwell among
us and we therefore will have no protection. Left thus open to the
wicked gods, our fate will be far worse than the destruction of our
Houses. So, in the mercy and love of our Heavenly Family, Wisdom is
sent to destroy our houses (that which keeps us from making a
dwelling for our Sister), that a temple may be built for Her dwellingplace. She does not intend to dwell alone either, for She invites us to
dwell with Her in Her house, wherein dwells only safety, love, truth,
and righteousness. Let us then say,
4 Blessed is the one you choose and bring near to dwell in your
courts! We will be satisfed with the goodness of your house, the
15
holiness of your temple! - Psalm 65:4
Your fate depends on how you will receive this Flying Scroll. If you
neglect Her and thus refuse Her love, your house will be destroyed
and you will sit as a wild animal scrounging for life among the ruins of
your desolate house. If you receive Her and partake of Her love, you
will recognize that your house is no home to you, for your
citizenship is not of this land, but of another. You will not give any
thought to the destruction of your own house, for you will be too
focused building Her house and being consecrated into Her
priesthood, that you may dwell with Her forever and abide in Her
house. The invitation to this new dwelling is open to all, and it is only
one's own choice that will determine their destiny.
19
This day I call heaven and earth as a witness against you that I
have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore,
choose life so that you and your children may live! - Deuteronomy
30:19
16
The Only Way To Life

by Trent Wilde
Heaven has now declared to us where things stand and what the
crux of the matter really is. We must get to know Wisdom. We must
receive Her, Her love, and the life She gives. This is the heart of the
message. Give heed now to the practical instruction which follows, for
it means your very life.
Since the purpose of this article is the same as that of Proverbs, we
quote its introductory lines for your consideration:
The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: 2 To learn
of Wisdom and moral instruction, and to discern words of insight.
3 To receive moral instruction in wise living, in righteousness,
justice, and uprightness. 4 To give shrewdness to the naive and
knowledge and purpose to the young person. 5 Let the wise also
hear and gain instruction, and let the discerning acquire guidance.
6 To discern the meaning of a proverb and a parable the sayings
of the wise and their riddles. - Proverbs 1:1-6
1
This is precisely what we all need. We should each spend time

studying Proverbs as well as the contents of this article, for they both
contain the instructions necessary to teach us the way to life.
Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I tell you, unless you eat the
fesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in
you. - John 6:53
53
Right here we have the answer to our need. Christ tells us in

unmistakable language that there is only one way. If we do not eat His
fesh and drink His blood we have no life in us. If we do eat His fesh
and drink His blood, we have life! He does not say, unless you eat my
fesh and drink my blood and/or ___________ [fll in the blank]. No!
Eating the fesh of the Son of Man and drinking His blood is the thing
which makes the difference. To emphasize this another way if we
have no life in us, it is because we have not eaten the fesh and drunk
the blood of the Son of Man. If we want life, what we must do, and
the only thing to do, is to eat His fesh and drink His blood.
So as to guard against mystical interpretations of these all-practical
truths, let us refresh our minds on the truth of what this life is.
17
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with the God,
and the Word was God. 2 He was with the God in the beginning.
3 All things were made by him, and apart from him not one thing
was made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of
mankind. 5 And the light shines on in the darkness, but the darkness
has not overcome it. - John 1:1-5
The life that was in Christ is said to be light. What is this light?
Now this is the message we have heard from him and announce
to you: God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we say
we have fellowship with him and yet walk on in darkness, we lie and do
not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as he himself is in the
light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus his
Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves
and the truth is not in us, 9 but if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to
forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. - 1 John 1:5-9
5
Darkness is here defned as a place with no truth a place of

deception and sin. Light, on the other hand, is defned as a place of
truth and pure righteousness. This light is the life of which Christ was
speaking. Everyone to whom He was speaking in John 6 had mortal
life, but they did not have the truth and the pure righteousness of
Christ. This is what Christ was, and still is, offering. This is what we
all must seek. The only way to receive this life the light of truth and
the righteous-ness of Christ, is to feed upon Christ. There is no need,
then, to further seek out a way, for the Way has already been pointed
out. The deceptions of the enemy which we must face at this time are
those which seek to distort our image of who Christ is and what He
meant. Feeding upon the wrong Christ, or doing something which we
mistakenly think is eating the fesh and drinking the blood of even the
true Christ, will avail nothing. In fact, the devil's false interpretations
of Christ's words began from the moment he spoke them.
60 Then many of his disciples, when they heard these things, said,
This is a diffcult saying! Who can understand it? 61 When Jesus
became aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, he said
to them, Does this cause you to stumble? 63 The Spirit is the
One who gives life; the fesh doesn't do anything! The words that I
have spoken to you, they are spirit-giving and life-producing! - John
6:60-61, 63
18
It is not the literal fesh and blood of Jesus that will save anyone.
Jesus died, yes, but that fact in and of itself will not beneft anyone if
they fail to receive His words.
Again, we are told that in Christ was life, and that life was light,
and that light is truth and pure righteousness. From whence came this
life?
26 just
as the Father has life in himself, just so he has given to the

Son to have life in himself. - John 5:26
The life, the light, the truth, the righteousness, which Christ had in
Him, He received from the Father. Christ said,
My teaching is not from me, but from the One who sent
me. - John 7:16
16
...I do nothing from myself, but I speak just as the Father taught
me, these things I speak. - John 8:28
28
49 I have not spoken from myself, but the Father Himself who sent
me has commanded me what I should say and what I should speak.
50
And I know that his commandment is eternal life. The things I
speak, just as the Father has spoken to me, thus I speak. - John
12:49-50
Christ was a prophet,23 and thus, His words were not His own, 24
but the words of the Father, which He received from the Spirit. 25
Again, Christ said it was the Spirit who gives life and that His words
were life-giving. Consider the following:
26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send
in my name, She will teach you all things, and will cause you to
23 Others referred to Christ as a prophet (Matt. 21:11; Luke 7:16; John 4:19) and He
also referred to Himself as a prophet (Mark 6:4).
24 In fact, the word prophet means spokesperson. See The Silver Trumpet, Vol. 1,
No. 4, pp. 23-27.
25 2 Peter 1:21 tells us that prophets speak as they are moved upon by the Holy
Spirit. Also, we have the specifc record that the Holy Spirit came upon Christ at
His baptism (Matt. 3:16; Mark 1:10; Luke 3:22; John 1:32) and that after that He
was full of the Holy Spirit and led by the Spirit (Luke 4:1). What He did was
directed by the Spirit (Luke 4:14) and we are even told that Spirit came upon Him
so that He might proclaim the gospel (Luke 4:18).
19
remember everything I said to you. - John 14:26
Jesus' intention was that the Spirit would come and teach us the
truth so that its principles would change our way of thinking and we
would be enabled to walk as Christ walked in faith and without sin.
The solution to the problem of sin is thus far more simple than many
suppose. It lies not with some mystical action or some unexplainable
phenomenon. No! Our frst parents sinned by accepting a lie in place
of the truth and so we must be saved from sin by receiving the truth in
place of the lie. The cause (accepting the lie) has had its effect (sin);
remove the cause and the effect will cease. Again, it is the way that the
principles of truth change our thinking that enables us to walk even as
Christ walked. This is plainly declared in the following scriptures:
22
You were taught concerning your former way of life to lay aside
the old man which is corrupt in accordance with deceitful desires,
and 23 to be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 to put on the new man
who has been created according to God in righteousness and holiness
that comes from truth. - Ephesians 4:22-24
56
The one who eats my fesh and drinks my blood abides in me
and I in him. 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live by the
Father, just so the one who eats me will live by me. - John 6:56-57
whoever obeys his word, truly the love of God is perfected in

that person. By this we know that we are in him. 6 The one who
says he abides in him ought to walk just as that one [Jesus] walked. - 1
John 2:5-6
5
5 And you know that that one [Jesus] was manifested to take away
sins, and in him there is no sin. 6 Everyone who abides in him does not sin;
everyone who sins has neither seen him nor known him. 7 Little
children, let no one deceive you: the one who practices
righteousness is righteous, even as he [Jesus] is righteous. 8 The one who
practices sin is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the
beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was revealed: to destroy the
works of the devil. 9 Everyone who is born of God does not commit
sin, for his seed abides in him, and thus he is not able to sin, because he
is born of God. - 1 John 3:5-9
You have purifed your souls by obeying the truth in order to show
sincere brotherly love. So, love one another earnestly from a pure heart.
22
20

You have been born anew, not from perishable, but from imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God. - 1 Peter 1:22-23
23
My friends, let your hearts be prompted by love. This is the way to

life. Consider how it is that Christ lived by the Father. He kept the
truth constantly in His mind which caused reason to dominate His
thinking. With reason ruling His mind, He could never give in to
temptation and thus fall into sin. Instead, truth, reason, and love
dominated His every thought, prompting Him to surrender His will to
the Father, making His character to be consumed in that of His
Father's. He recognized His own weakness and thus fully depended
upon His Heavenly Parents and allowed Them to guide Him in all
His actions. He never made an independent move, but trusted in
Them to make the way plain before Him and to give Him the strength
to walk. And so it is said, The just shall live by faith. (Hab. 2:4).
Christ pronounced the irrevocable truth that just as He lived by
the Father, just so we can live by Him. And we can do so in the same
way that He did, by having the truth constantly abiding in our minds,
causing reason to dominate our thinking. With reason ruling our
minds, we can never give in to temptation and thus fall into sin.
Instead, truth, reason, and love will dominate our every thought,
prompting us to surrender our will to Christ, making our characters to
be consumed in that of Christ's. We will recognize our own weakness
and thus fully depend upon our Heavenly Parents and allow Them to
guide us in all our actions. We will never make an independent move,
but trust in Them to make the way plain before us and give us the
strength to walk. Thus it will be said, The just shall live by faith.
(Hab. 2:4). This is the truth as it is in Jesus. Let it be so in you.
Our Savior said,
28
all the sins and blasphemies they may speak will be forgiven
the children of mankind, 29 but whoever blasphemes against the
Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, but is guilty of an eternal sin. Mark 3:28-29
It has been said before and it must be said again the Spirit is the
One who gives life! To refuse Her is to refuse life itself.
12
For Wisdom is a defense, and money is a defense, but the
excellency of knowledge is that Wisdom gives life to those that have
Her. - Ecclesiastes 7:12
21
13 Blessed is the one who fnds Wisdom... 18 She is a tree of life to

those who lay hold of Her. - Proverbs 3:13, 18
I will guide you in the way of Wisdom... 13 Hold on to

instruction, do not let Her go; keep Her, for She is your life. Proverbs 4:11, 13
11
11 I, Wisdom, dwell with prudence... 19 My fruit is better than the

purest gold, and my produce is better than choice silver. 26 20 I lead in
the path of righteousness, in the pathway of justice. - Proverbs 8:11, 1920
For the one who fnds me fnds life and receives favor from Yahweh,
but the one who sins against me harms his own soul. 36 All who hate me love
death. - Proverbs 8:35-36
35
Wisdom is our only way to life. She is a tree of life; She is your
life; the one who fnds [Her] fnds life - all these things, the
Scriptures tell us. Because of this, they recommend Her above all else:
An Inspired Plea to Seek Wisdom

1 My child, if you receive my words and store up my commands
within you 2 by making your ear attentive to Wisdom, and by
turning your heart to understanding, 3 indeed, if you call out for
discernment raise your voice for understanding 4 if you seek Her
like silver, and search for Her like hidden treasure, 5 then you will
understand the fear of Yahweh, and you will discover the
knowledge of Gods (Elohim). - Proverbs 2:1-5
O Branches, with all of the strength that you have, seek to

understand this passage of scripture! Earnestly endeavor to grasp its
meaning! Read it again. Notice, if you receive my words and store up
my commands within you; this is something you can do. This is
something within your God-given powers. Here are the words; they
are the very words we are reading, the very words going through your
thoughts right now. You can believe them, can't you? You can store
26 This verse is building on the symbol of Wisdom being a tree of life. As a tree of
life, She produces life-giving fruit, which enables its eaters to walk in the paths of
righteousness where She leads. For more study on this idea, see She is a Tree of Life
by Doug Mitchell.
22
them up within you. And how? by making your ear attentive to

Wisdom, and by turning your heart to understanding; Yes! What
practical instruction. You can make your ear attentive to Wisdom.
You know that She is speaking you know where the fountain of
Inspiration springs forth. Avail yourself of the opportunity to hear the
words of the message as often as possible. Be as Mary who sat at the
feet of her Lord eagerly seeking to be touched by any ray of light
which might shine upon her. Mary would not miss any opportunity to
hear the words of Jesus, for He spoke by the Spirit. Make your ear
attentive to Wisdom - do not miss any opportunity to hear the words
of this present message, for they are according to the Spirit. Seek the
word and abide in it; hide it in your heart (Ps. 119:11).
Indeed, if you call out for discernment raise your voice for
understanding; What does this mean? Don't sit back in indifference
waiting for a revelation to fall on your lap. You must call out to our
Heavenly Family. Engage with them. You cannot fnd Wisdom by
looking within yourself or by trying to fgure out your theology. No!
Engage with the Living Gods! Call to Them, depending on Their
word that They will hear you.
If you seek Her like silver, and search for Her like hidden
treasure; You must engage your whole being in searching for Her.
The few of us who have labored at the Branch center have gained a
little experience in searching for rocks in the dirt. When doing so, your
whole body and mind is engaged. You do not restrict your search to
the surface, but you dig deep, seeking for the best stones. When
nothing appears at frst, you do not give up, but you press forward
with confdence that you will fnd what you seek. The more precious
substances, such as gold and silver, are usually deeper than rocks for
their weight sinks them into the earth. Searching for precious metals is
a serious task that requires a persevering will. Often, when frst fnding
something under the surface you can only see a small spot, a tip of the
iceberg, as it were. But when you keep digging and putting forth your
efforts to obtain the stone, you may just fnd that it was bigger and
more beautiful than you could have conceived. Difference in value
between gold and rocks is no comparison to that between the most
precious jewels and Wisdom.
Those who feel the constraining love of God do not ask how little
may be given in order to obtain the heavenly reward; they ask not
23
for the lowest standard, but aim at a perfect conformity to the will
of their Redeemer. With ardent desire they yield all, and manifest
zeal proportionate to the value of the object of which they are in pursuit. What
is the object? Immortality, eternal life.27
Then you will understand the fear of Yahweh, and you will
discover the knowledge of Elohim. If you do what has been given you
to do (as described in verses 1-4), then you will understand the fear of
Yahweh. If you do not do what has been given you, you will fnd
neither Wisdom nor life. The cause must exist in reality in order for
the effect to take place, and if the cause does exist, the effect most
certainly will. This is a promise.
What is the fear of Yahweh? It is the opposite of breaking the third
commandment. To take the name of the Lord in vain is for someone
to come to you in the name of the Lord, but rather than receiving it
as it is in truth, the word of God, (1 Thess. 2:13) you receive it as
the word of man. We quote the following selections from the
writings of Ellen White to highlight this principle:
Now if those to whom these solemn warnings are addressed say,
It is only Sister Whites individual opinion, I shall still follow my own
judgment, and if they continue to do the very things they were
warned not to do, they show that they despise the counsel of God, and
the result is just what the Spirit of God has shown me it would be
injury to the cause of God and ruin to themselves that which
questions their course of action, or which does not coincide with
their views, they pronounce Sister Whites opinion, denying its heavenly origin
and placing it on a level with their own judgment.28
The position that has been taken by some of the erring brethren
makes my words simply the expression of an opinion and this view has been
advocated and has had leavening infuence in our ranks.29
While some will openly say that the words of a prophet are the
mere opinions of man, others will think so in their hearts, but refrain
from saying it openly. Still others are self-deceived into thinking they
are receiving the word as the word of God but manifest by their
actions that they do not. Consider this important testimony:
27 Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1, p. 160
29 The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, p. 234
24

30 But as for you, son of man, the sons of your people (who are
talking about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses) say to
one another, Come hear the word that comes from Yahweh. 31 They come to
you as people do, and they sit in front of you as my people. They
hear your words, but do not do them. For they lust with their mouths,
and their heart is set on their own advantage. 32 Behold, to them you
are as a very lovely song of one that has a pleasant voice and can play well on
an instrument. They hear your words, but they do not do them. 33 When all
this comes to passand it certainly willthen they will know that
a prophet has been among them. - Ezekiel 33:30-33
My dear Branch family, Put yourselves to the test to see if you are
in the faith; examine yourselves! (2 Cor. 13:5) lest you be among
those of whom it may be said, but the message they heard did them
no good, since they did not join in with those who heard it in faith.
(Heb. 4:2). To have the fear of the Lord means that when a message
comes to you in the name of the Lord, you hear it as from the Lord
you do not account the name in which it comes as useless, or vain.
10
The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of Wisdom... - Proverbs 9:10
Understood in the light in which we have just beheld it, we can see
that this is simply the practical application of the truth as expressed by
Peter:
Knowing this frst, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one's
own interpretation, 21 for no prophecy has ever come about by the
will of man; rather, men moved upon by the Holy Spirit spoke
from God. - 2 Peter 1:20-21
20
Thus,
if you receive my words and store up my commands within you
by making your ear attentive to Wisdom, and by turning your heart
to understanding, 3 indeed, if you call out for discernment raise your
voice for understanding 4 if you seek Her like silver, and search for Her
like hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of Yahweh,
and you will discover the knowledge of Elohim. - Proverbs 2:1-5
1
Mark; true knowledge is always experimental.30

30 See The Silver Trumpet, Vol. 1, No. 9.
25
6 Whoever abides in him does not sin; everyone who sins has
neither seen him nor known him. - 1 John 3:6
Whoever says, I know him, but does not do what he commands is a

liar, and the truth is not in that person. - 1 John 2:4
4
By this we can be sure that we know him, if we keep his commandments. - 1 John 2:3
3
Now that we have heard the words of the wise admonishing us to

earnestly seek Wisdom, let us hear
Wisdom's Own Cry

Wisdom calls out in the street, She shouts loudly in the plazas;
at the head of the noisy streets She calls, in the entrances of the
gates in the city She utters Her words: 22 How long will you love
naivete, O you naive ones? How long will mockers delight in
mockery and fools hate knowledge? 23 If only you will respond to
my rebuke, then I will pour out my thoughts to you and I will make
my words known to you. - Proverbs 1:20-23
20
21
What we need is the thoughts and words of Wisdom, for that is

what can renew our minds. But how can we expect Her to pour out
Her thoughts and Her words if we indicate from the very beginning
that we will not listen if it does not agree with us? Wisdom tells us the
truth of ourselves that we are naive, mocking fools who hate
knowledge. But She tells us as a plea, asking, How long will you love
naivete... [and] delight in mockery... [and] hate knowledge? If we
say, O, but you have misunderstood me, I don't delight in mocking;
or, I don't hate knowledge; then how can She tell us anything? If we
can't hear earthly things, how will we hear heavenly things (John
3:12)?
It is only pride that keeps men and women from hearing Wisdom's
rebuke. People trust in their own understanding (Prov. 3:5) of themselves rather than acknowledging that our Heavenly Family is
supreme and that They know us better than we could possibly know
ourselves. Rebuke is Heaven's appointed means to shake us from the
dust that we may arise (Isa. 52:2).
26

If ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then
are ye ... not sons. Our Lord has said: As many as I love, I rebuke
and chasten. No chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous,
but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit
of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Though
bitter the discipline, it is appointed by a Fathers tender love, that
we might be partakers of His holiness.31
Does not Wisdom call out? Does not Understanding raise Her
voice? 2 At the top of the elevated places along the way, at the
intersection of the paths She takes Her stand; 3 beside the gates
opening into the city, at the entrance of the doorways She cries out:
4 To you, O people, I call out, and my voice calls to all the
children of mankind. 5 You who are naive, discern wisdom! And
you fools, understand discernment! 6 Listen, for I will speak
excellent things, and my lips will utter what is right. 7 For my mouth
speaks truth, and my lips hate wickedness. 8 All the words of my
mouth are righteousness; there is nothing twisted or crooked in
them. 9 All of them are clear to the discerning and upright to those
who fnd knowledge. 10 Receive my instruction rather than silver,
and knowledge rather than choice gold. For Wisdom is better than
rubies, and all the things that may be desired cannot be compared
to Her. - Proverbs 8:1-10
1
All of Wisdom's words are love, knowledge, righteousness, reason,

and truth! She here calls out for us to hear Her. We are called to give
up all our searches for earthly pleasure. Gold and silver will avail
nothing; seek Wisdom rather than these things, for nothing compares
to Her.
The Mystery of Wisdom

Some may have noticed that in the passages just quoted, Wisdom
does not relate the wonderful truths of which She speaks. She tells us
that She has much to say and that She wants to pour out Her thoughts
and words to us, but She stops short of telling us what these truths
actually are. In these passages, Her aim has been to plead with us to
hear Her rebuke so that we might be able to hear all the rest of what
She has to say. The rest, She left as a mystery.
27
7 But we speak of the Wisdom of God in a mystery the hidden

One, Her32 Who God ordained before the world unto our glory. - 1
Corinthians 2:7
For behold, you loved truth. You made manifest to me the

secret and hidden things of your Wisdom. - Psalm 50:8 (LXX),
Psalm 51:6 (MT)
8
Evidently, both David and Paul understood that Wisdom is

associated with mystery in one way or another. Again though, in
neither instance does Paul or David explain exactly what that mystery
is. In fact, looking through all of the 66 books of the Protestant Bible,
it becomes apparent that there is no clear exposition of what this
mystery is. We are not, however, left with no place to turn. Wisdom
has invited us to hear Her, and we have been instructed by Inspiration
to make our ears attentive to Her and to search for Her as for hidden
treasure.
In past studies,33 we have learned that, in 1 Corinthians 2, Paul
bases his discussion of the mystery of Wisdom on the so-called
apocryphal book, The Wisdom of Solomon. A little known fact is that this
book, along with other apocryphal books, was actually quite
popular among early Seventh-day Adventists. 34 We shall take a few
pages to discuss this issue in its Adventist context, for that will help us
to bring out certain aspects of truth which will greatly aid in
understanding the mystery of Wisdom. First, let us quote from an old
Review and Herald article from 1858:
Concerning the Apocrypha, we regard portions of it as containing much
light and instruction. If we were asked to specify, we should mention 2
Esdras, Wisdom of Solomon, and 1 Maccabees. Concerning the Wisdom
of Solomon, Sears' History of the Bible thus speaks: "Although the
fathers of the church, and particularly Jerome, uniformly
considered this book as apocryphal, yet they recommended the
perusal of it, in consideration of the excellence of its style. The third
Council of Carthage, held in the year 397, pronounced it to be a
canonical book under the name of 'The Fourth Book of Solomon,'
32 The feminine form is found in the Aramaic Peshitta.
33 See The Silver Trumpet, Vol. 1, Nos. 5-7, pp. 58-61 and our youtube playlist, The
Wisdom of Solomon.
34 This can be verifed by searching the term wisdom of solomon on the Adventist
Pioneers CD-ROM and/or on the www.adventistarchives.org website.
28

and the famous Council of Trent confrmed this decision."
Concerning the frst book of Maccabees, it also says, "The frst
book of Maccabees is a very valuable historical monument, written
with great accuracy and fdelity, on which even more reliance may
be placed than on the writings of Josephus." The question of the
inspiration of these books - the reasons that might be adduced in
favor of such an opinion, and the objections that might lie against
it, we have never made a subject of particular study, and are not
therefore prepared to discuss.35
A more contemporary Adventist, Ronald Graybill,36 wrote an

article in Adventist Heritage, called, Under the Triple Eagle: Early Adventist
Use of the Apocrypha.37 Here is how he introduces his subject:
The 2nd book of Esdras, contains very important truths, wrote
Joseph Bates in 1849. He was not the only early Adventist who felt
that way, even though he knew Esdras was part of the Apocrypha.
O.R.L. Crosier, whom Adventists look to as one of the original
framers of the church's Sanctuary doctrine, believed that Esdras
was an inspired book which elucidated the prophecies of Daniel.
When James White published Ellen White's early visions in A Word
to the Little Flock in 1847, he supplied scriptural footnotes for her
visions. Tucked in among the references to the canonical books of
the Bible are three citations of 2 Esdras and one of the Wisdom of
Solomon.
That early Adventists should use the Apocrypha may seem odd
to modern Adventists until the historical backgrounds of the
practice are understood.38
Later in Graybill's article, he explains some important aspects of

the historical context behind the early Adventist use of the Apocrypha,
which includes a signifcant statement from Ellen White. Before
quoting further in his article though, we want to take a look at Ellen
35 D.G. Needham in The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Aug. 5, 1858.
36 The inside cover of Adventist Heritage, Winter 1987, describes him thus: Assistant
Professor of History at Loma Linda University, is also Editor of ADVENTIST
HERITAGE. A popular lecturer and writer on topics of Adventist History, Dr.
Graybill has also served as Associate Secretary of the Ellen G. White Estate.
37 The full article can be read at:
http://documents.adventistarchives.org/ScholarlyJournals/AH/AH19870101V12-01.pdf.
38 Adventist Heritage, Winter 1987, p. 25
29
White's statement in its own right along with a couple other

statements to which it is intimately connected.
I then saw the Word of God pure and unadulterated, and that we
must answer for the way we received the truth proclaimed from that Word. I
saw that it had been a hammer to break the finty heart in pieces,
and a fre to consume the dross and tin, that the heart might be
pure and holy. I saw that the Apocrypha was the hidden book, and that the
wise of these last days should understand it. I saw that the Bible was the
standard book, that will judge us at the last day. I saw that heaven
would be cheap enough, and that nothing was too dear to sacrifce
for Jesus, and that we must give all to enter the kingdom. I heard
an angel say, think ye God will place His seal where there is an
idol? No, no.39
This statement is more important than many realize, and this will
only become more clear the more we examine it. Notice that she
refers to the Apocrypha as the hidden book. The context of this
phrase can be found by looking at a record of a vision Ellen had only a
few months before making this statement. The following words are
from Arthur L. White:
In a report signed by three early believers reference is made to
the hidden book as Ellen White uttered certain words in vision.
Here is the account:
At another time at a meeting held at Brother Curtis in
Topsham, Maine, she was taken off in vision, and arose to her feet,
took the large family Bible from the table, and held it on her hand
some time at an angle of forty-fve degrees, and said the hidden book
was not there. When someone asked if the Apocrypha was not in the Bible,
Brother Curtis remarked it was not. She talked sometime about the
hidden book. No one knew but Bro. Curtis' family that the Apocrapha
[Apocrypha] was not there.40
Now, here are remarks made by Ellen White while in vision,

September 23, 1849:
(Taking the large Bible containing the apocrypha:) Pure and
undefled, a part of it is consumed, holy, holy, walk carefully,
39 Ms4-1850 (January 28, 1850) par. 13
40 Manuscript Releases, Vol. 15, p. 66
30

tempted. The Word of God, take it (Marion Stowell), bind it long
upon thine heart, pure and unadulterated. How lovely, how lovely,
how lovely. My blood, My blood, My blood. O the children of
disobedience, reproved, reproved. Thy word, thy word, thy word, a
part of it is burned unadulterated, a part of the hidden book, a part of it is
burned (the apocrypha).
Those that shall despitefully tread [treat?] that remnant would
think that they are doing God service. Why? because they are led
captive by Satan at his will. Hidden book, it is cast out. Bind it to the heart
(4 times) bind it, bind it, bind it, (laying the Bible on Oswald Stowell) let
not its pages be closed, read it carefully. Snares will beset on every side,
take the straight truth bind it to the heart (3 times) let everything be cast
out.41
These statements together make it quite clear that the Apocrypha

is the hidden book, that it was removed from the Bible, but that it is to
be bound to the heart and studied carefully; indeed, the wise of these
last days should understand it. For the purposes of our study, we will
focus now on the meaning of the idea that the wise should
understand the Apocrypha, keeping in mind the subject of Wisdom.
On this note, let us return to Graybill's article:
Joseph Bates, a reader and fnancial supporter of the Voice of Truth,
in which Pinney and Fassett's article42 had appeared, made use of
the Apocrypha in several of his pamphlets. In The Opening Heavens,
he quoted 2 Esdras 7:26, then remarked: But perhaps you do not
believe that Esdras is a true prophet; well then, will you believe St.
Paul? Bates thus recognized that there were differences of opinion
among his readers on the subject. Nevertheless, the next year he
cited Esdras again, right along with Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, and
Jeremiah.
In 1849 he suggested that while 2 Esdras contains very
important truths for those that keep God's law and commandments, they will probably beneft no others. Then he cited 2
Esdras 8:37, 38,43 in which the author of Esdras is instructed to
write all these things that thou has seen in a book, and hide them:
And teach them to the wise of the people.
41 Ms5-1849 (September 23, 1849) par. 7-8
42 As pointed out earlier in Graybill's article, the Voice of Truth was an Adventist
periodical in which Pinney and Fassett (two other early SDAs) had published an
article defending the inspiration and authenticity of 2 Esdras.
43 The passage quoted is actually from 2 Esdras 12:37-38.
31
This text, about a hidden book to be revealed only to the wise,

appears again in a rare Ellen White comment on the Apocrypha, a
comment which neatly summarizes the early Adventist position: I
saw that the Apocrypha was the hidden book, and that the wise of
these last days should understand it. I saw that the bible was the
standard book, that will judge us at the last day. She thus
encouraged an understanding of the Apocrypha, while preserving
the canonical Scriptures as the standard.44
Given this attitude, it is not surprising that Ellen White would
have been familiar enough with 2 Esdras as to have used its
language in her early visions, nor that James White would provide
footnote references to the passages from the Apocrypha which
paralleled her account.
44 The last half of this sentence is perhaps the only aspect of Graybill's article which I
believe to be misinterpreting the facts. There are a few assumptions he makes
which greatly impact his reading of Ellen White's statement, which, if incorrect,
leave one with quite a different meaning. The frst assumption is that when Ellen
White used the word bible in the phrase I saw that the bible was the standard
book, she was speaking of a Bible without the apocrypha. In other words, he
believes she is contrasting the Apocrypha with the bible. This, however, is not
the case. In the record of her words spoken in vision, we have (Taking the large
Bible containing the apocrypha:) Pure and undefled, a part of it [the Bible] is
consumed,. Here we fnd that Ellen White was speaking of the Apocrypha as a
part of the Bible rather than something separate from it. In her day, it was still very
common for Protestant Bibles to contain the Apocrypha, so she would not have
the automatic separation in mind that most Protestants have today. In fact the
very point that she seems to be making is that the Apocrypha is a part of the Bible
and that the Bible as a whole (including the Apocrypha) is the standard book.
What establishes this as being true is actually what Graybill himself noted;
namely, that Ellen White's statement was an expression of a shared early
Adventist understanding of 2 Esdras and its admonition to teach the hidden things
to the wise (as Ellen White said, the wise of these last days should understand it
[the apocrypha]. Another passage a little further along in 2 Esdras, which
certainly infuenced the early SDA understanding of this idea, reads as follows:
So during the forty days, ninety-four books were written. And when the forty days were
ended, the Most High spoke to me, saying, 'Make public the twenty-four books that you
wrote frst, and let the worthy and the unworthy read them: but keep the seventy that were
written last, in order to give them to the wise among your people. For in them is the spring
of understanding, the fountain of wisdom, and the river of knowledge. - 2 Esdras 14:44-47
This passage certainly does not teach that the hidden books are subordinate to
the others; rather, in some ways, it portrays them as richer in wisdom and
knowledge. Since Graybill has shown that it is 2 Esdras itself which lay behind the
statements by Ellen White and the other pioneers, then we must understand their
statements through the lens of Esdras, not through the lens of modern
Protestant/Adventist canonical theology, which evidently these early Adventists
did not share.
32

For instance, Mrs. White describes heaven, where she saw Mount
Zion, and noticed that about it were seven other mountains, on
which grew roses and lilies. At that point, James White's footnote
pointed the reader to 2 Esdras 2:19, which describes seven mighty
mountains, whereupon there grow roses and lilies.
There is even one phrase from the Apocrypha that James White
did not note. Ellen White describes Jesus as welcoming the saints
into the New Jerusalem with the words: You have washed your
robes in my blood, stood stiffy for my truth, enter in. 2 Esdras
2:47 says Then I began greatly to commend them that stood so
stiffy for the name of the Lord. The parallel phrase evidently
became a common one among early Adventists, for as late as 1856,
one believer writes the Review and Herald to say We mean to be of
that company that Esdras saw who stood stiffy for the truth.
In case Adventists did not have the Apocrypha in their Bibles,
E.L.H. Chamberlin of Middletown, Connecticut, placed an ad in
the Review in 1851 offering to sell copies of it for 15 cents. This
practice of making the Apocrypha available to Seventh-day
Adventists was revived again as late as 1869 when James White
announced that the church's publishing association would be
issuing an edition of the Apocrypha.45
While there are additional aspects brought out here which are of
much interest, we do not want to lose our focus on understanding the
connection between the Apocrypha and the wise. Again, as Graybill
pointed out, the early Adventists believed that the Apocrypha was not
necessarily going to beneft everyone; rather, it was specifcally for the
beneft of the wise. This understanding is not something that they
came up with themselves, but instead, it is something they got from 2
Esdras. As pointed out in footnote 44, 2 Esdras itself has some
interesting things to say concerning this idea. To quote a key passage
again:
44 So,
during the forty days, ninety-four books were written.

when the forty days were ended, the Most High spoke to
me, saying, 'Make public the twenty-four books that you wrote frst,
and let the worthy and the unworthy read them: 46 b u t keep the
seventy that were written last, in order to give them to the wise among your
people. 47 For in them is the spring of understanding, the fountain of Wisdom,
and the river of knowledge. - 2 Esdras 14:44-47
45 And
45 Adventist Heritage, Winter 1987, p. 31
33
Notice how in this book, which many of the most infuential early
Adventists considered to be Scripture, we have described for us how,
in the time of Ezra, there were many more sacred writings than are
even in the Protestant Bible today. Even more signifcant is what we
are told concerning these books; namely, that in them is the spring of
understanding, the fountain of wisdom, and the river of knowledge.
Think of how important this is! If 2 Esdras is true, then we have the
answer as to where to look in order to fnd out the thoughts and words
of Wisdom! She has instructed us to listen to Her and to seek Her out,
and when we do so, we are pointed, by means of a vision given to
Ellen White, to an abundance of sacred texts not found in the
Protestant Canon which are called the fountain of Wisdom. Surely,
the wise in these last days need to understand the Apocrypha.
If we know that these writings are called the fountain of Wisdom
and yet we do not earnestly study them to comprehend their meaning,
can we really say we are searching for Wisdom as for hidden treasure?
And if we are not, can we come to understand the fear of Yahweh and
come to discover the knowledge of Elohim? Assuredly, the answer is a
solemn no. So then, seek Wisdom with your whole heart, your
whole mind, and your whole soul! Engage your whole being in the
pursuit of Her! She is to be esteemed more than anything, for She is
your very life!
The Fountain of Wisdom

Now, let us see if these writings really are the fountain of Wisdom,
and if they really do contain Her words and Her thoughts. For the
purposes of this article, we'll only give here a brief overview with the
aim in mind of encouraging all to investigate the writings to which we
here refer along with others. The frst text which calls for our attention
is The Wisdom of Solomon:
I will tell you what Wisdom is and how She came to be, and I
will hide no secrets from you, but I will trace Her course from the
beginning of creation, and make knowledge of Her clear, and I will not
pass by the truth. - Wisdom of Solomon 6:22
22
None can deny that if any text makes a claim to be the fountain of
Wisdom, then certainly this one does. Put the claim to the test.
34
Investigate! Gain an experimental knowledge of this writing. Sink the

shaft of truth down deep into the mine of God's word (TM 476).
Study, my friends, for these are they which testify of Wisdom!
The next few selections we'll be looking at are part of a collection
of poetic texts found in the Dead Sea Scrolls known as The Thanksgiving
Hymns. These hymns require our investigation.
I, the Master, know You, O my God, by the spirit which You
have given to me, and by Thy Holy Spirit I have faithfully hearkened
to Your marvelous counsel. You have opened knowledge to me in the
mystery of Your Wisdom and in Your mercies [You have unlocked for me]46
the fountain of Your might.47
But You, O my God, have put into my mouth as it were rain for
all [those who thirst] and a fountain of living waters which shall not
fail.48
For You have opened a fountain in the mouth of Your servant. You engraved,
by the measuring-line, [Your mysteries] upon his tongue, that out of his
understanding he might preach to a creature, and interpret these
things to dust like myself.
You opened his fountain that he might rebuke the creature of
clay for his way, and him who is born of woman for the guilt of his
deeds; that he might open the fountain of Your truth to the creature
whom You uphold by Your might; that he might be, according to
Your truth, a messenger of good news [to recount] Your goodness; that
to the poor he might bring glad tidings of Your great mercy, proclaiming
salvation from out of the fountain of kn[owledge to the trou]bled of spirit,
and everlasting joy to those who mourn.49
Notice how here we have a messenger speaking, whose message is

likened unto a fountain of living water the fountain of knowledge
and truth the mystery of Wisdom. There is much contained in these
Thanksgiving Hymns with which we all need to become acquainted.
Their author's claim certainly parallels the claim which 2 Esdras makes
for the writings that were to be reserved for the wise. Once again, we
invite you all to put these claims to the test.
46 Most of the Dead Sea Scrolls are fragmentary and so there are gaps in the text as
well as restorations. Restorations are put in [ ] while gaps are indicated by
47 1QHa Col. xx:11-13 (some give 14-16) Hymn 23
48 1QHa Col. xvi:16 Hymn 18
49 1QHa Col. xxiii top: 10-15 Hymn 24 (Notice the parallels to Isaiah 61.)
35
Also in the Dead Sea Scrolls, is a collection of Beatitudes which

bear relevance in this investigation of Wisdom sayings:
[ to kno]w Wisdom and disc[ipline], to understand...
[Blessed is the one who ] with a pure heart and does not
slander with his tongue [Ps. 15:3]. Blessed are those who hold fast
to Her [Wisdom's] statutes and do not hold fast to the ways of
unrighteousness. Blessed are those who rejoice in Her, and do not
exult in paths of folly. Blessed are those who seek Her with pure
hands, and do not search for Her with a deceitful heart. Blessed is
the one who attains Wisdom, and walks in the law of the Most
High. He directs his heart toward Her always, restrains himself by Her
corrections, does not forsake Her in the face of trials, he does not abandon Her
in times of distress, does not forget Her in the day of terror, and does not despise
Her when his soul is afficted. For he meditates on Her continually and
considers Her in his distress. [With al]l his being [he gains understanding] in
Her, [and he establishes Her] before his eyes so as not to walk in the ways [of
wickedness].50
The practical lessons of the above sayings are beyond estimation.

Next, is a psalm which was actually part of the scriptures of the
ancient Syriac Christians (numbered by them as Psalm 154), 51 but
which otherwise has been little known. It, too, was found in the Dead
Sea Scrolls and has many things to say concerning what Wisdom is
sent to declare and how the righteous will receive it. Once again, the
lessons of this text are very practical, and if carried out, will not fail to
satisfy the searcher's desire.
[Lift your voice and glorify God; when the general congregation
is assembled proclaim His glory. In the multitude of the upright
glorify His name, and recount His greatness among the faithful.
Bind] your souls to those who are good, even to the blameless, so to
praise the Most High. Assemble together to proclaim His victory,
and be not idle in declaring His mightHis glory to all the untutored.
For Wisdom was given to declare Yahweh's glory. She was made known to
humankind to recount His many deeds to the foolish; to give insight into
His glory to those without understandingthey who are far from
Her gates, who have strayed from Her entrances. For the Most
50 4Q525 Frag. 1:2; Frags 2-3:1-7
51 Many ancient Christians had 151 Psalms, but Syrians had an additional four
(Psalm 152-155).
36

High, He is Lord over Jacob, and His majesty is over all his works.
Surely he who glorifes the Most High fnds favor as one who brings
an offering; as though offering he-goats and calves, as though
fattening the altar with a myriad of burnt offerings; as a sweet savor
at the hand of the righteous. Wisdom's voice is heard from the gates
of the righteous; Her song, from the congregation of the devout.
She is mentioned when they eat their fll and when they drink in communion
together as one. Their conversation is on the law of the Most High,
and their words are only declaring His might. How far is the word of Her
from the wicked, and knowledge of Her from the haughty! Behold,
the eyes of Yahweh look with compassion on the good. His mercy
increases upon those who glorify Him; from an evil time will He
rescue their souls. Blessed is Yahweh, redeeming the poor from the
power of enemies, delivering the blameless from wicked oppressors.
He calls forth a horn out of Jacob; from Israel, a judge of the
peoples. He will desire His habitation in Zion, choosing Jerusalem
forever. - Psalm 15452
If you desire Wisdom, let your suppers of the Lord be thus.

Lastly, we would like for you to consider a passage from The
Wisdom of Joshua Ben Sirach. Study this passage thoroughly and consider
its instruction; apply its principles and see if it does not teach the only
way to life.
My child, from your youth choose discipline, and when you
have gray hair you will still fnd Wisdom. 19 Come to Her like one
who plows and sows, and wait for Her good harvest. For when you
cultivate Her you will toil but little, and on the morrow you will eat
of Her produce. 20 She seems very rough to the undisciplined; fools
cannot remain with Her. 21 She will be like a heavy stone to test
them, and they will not delay in casting Her aside. 22 For Wisdom is
like Her name; She is not readily perceived by many.
23
Listen, my child, and accept my judgment; do not reject my
counsel. 24 Put your feet into Her fetters, and your neck into Her
collar. 25 Bend your shoulders and bear Her, and do not fret under
Her chains. 26 Come to Her with all your soul, and keep Her ways
with all your might. 27 Search out and seek Her, and She will
become known to you; and when you get hold of Her, do not let
Her go. 28 For at last you will fnd the rest She gives, and She will be
turned into your joy. 29 Then Her fetters will become for you a
strong defense, and her collar a garment of glory. 30 Her yoke is a
18
52 11Q5 Col. xviii:1-17
37
golden ornament, and Her chains a purple cord. 31 You will wear
Her like a glorious robe, and put Her on like a splendid crown.
32 If you are willing, my child, you can be disciplined, and if you
give your all, you will become clever. 33 If you love to listen you will
gain knowledge, and if you pay attention you will become wise.
34
Stand in the company of the elders. Who is wise? Attach yourself
to such a one. 35 Be ready to listen to every godly discourse, and let
no wise proverb escape you. 36 If you see an intelligent person, rise
early to visit him; let your foot wear out his doorstep. 37 Let your
mind be on the fear of the Most High, and meditate at all times on
his commandments. It is He who will give insight to your mind,
and your desire for Wisdom will be granted. - Sirach 6:18-37
So full of knowledge and instruction as it is, we cannot expound on

every aspect of this beautiful passage here (it invites your further
study). But, it would be a loss to not comment on a few points. Let us
go over the passage again:
My child, from your youth choose discipline, and when you
have gray hair you will still fnd Wisdom. 19 Come to Her like one
who plows and sows, and wait for Her good harvest. For when you
cultivate Her you will toil but little, and on the morrow you will eat
of Her produce. - Sirach 6:18-19
18
Wisdom is here likened unto the earth. And that which she brings
forth for our life and sustenance (the truth), is likened unto the earth's
produce. The instruction for us is to come to Her, not just in any way,
but as one who plows and sows. To plow is to work the earth, turning
up the soil to prepare it for the seed. This represents engaging with
Wisdom, uncovering Her deeper layers. This is done by thorough and
true study of the messages She has inspired. By true study, we mean
that it is done by personally engaging with Her. As you study the
messages She sends, ask Her personally what they mean. Ask Her to
search you out and to show you anything in you which keeps Her at a
distance that you may cast it away and thus be as close to Her as
possible. Thus you personally engage with the earth (Wisdom), and
discover what She is like beneath the surface. You will fnd that She is
more than mere dirt to walk upon, but fertile soil ready to produce
life.
Next, is the seed. Being a part of the produce (the truth), the seed
has its origin in the earth (Wisdom). It represents a part of the truth
38
which has already been reaped from a past harvest (a past revelation
and proclamation of truth), but which, rather than being digested, is
returned to Wisdom in order to bring forth more produce. In other
words, the seed represents the tiny kernel of truth which will grow to
be a large plant many times its own size. Let us illustrate with an
example: Earlier in this article we quoted a statement from Ellen
White where she spoke of the Apocrypha as the hidden book and said
the wise in the last days should understand it. The reading of her
writings which led to that statement can be likened to feeding upon
the produce of a past harvest of truth. The statement itself can be
likened unto a seed, for it may seem small and rather insignifcant at
frst glance, but it contains the essential elements which, if returned to
Wisdom, will produce a whole new plant with new fruits with more
seeds of their own. Thus, every seed of truth is a key with the potential
of opening up whole new felds of study, full of new plants, bearing
new fruit, with more seeds. All that is required of us once in possession
of such a seed is to return it to the earth. What this means is that when
we come across a kernel of truth, rather than thinking little of it or
cutting it open and trying to cause it to grow by our own means
(trying to fgure out the truth), we need to place it back in the hands
of Wisdom. In order for the seed to grow we cannot simply toss it on
the surface of the earth. We must be plowing the soil so that we might
place the seed deep enough to take root. This means that you will be
studying thoroughly and engaging Wisdom personally so that when
you come across a kernel of truth you will know where to place it. You
will take that kernel and apply it to your study and include it in your
conversation with Wisdom. When this is done, you can then watch in
eagerness as the seed becomes a plant and as the plant bears fruit.
This is how Wisdom must be approached.
She seems very rough to the undisciplined; fools cannot remain
with Her. 21 She will be like a heavy stone to test them, and they will
not delay in casting Her aside. 22 For Wisdom is like Her name; She
is not readily perceived by many. - Sirach 6:20-22
20
Though Wisdom is fertile soil, she seems like rough, tough ground
to the undisciplined; indeed, she even seems like a heavy stone. Thus,
she is cast aside. This has more than one aspect to its meaning. First,
those who are undisciplined fnd Her diffcult to work with as
39
diffcult as a farmer attempting to plow a heavy stone. The second

aspect is the reason why they fnd her hard to work with. It is that She
seems rough, or otherwise translated harsh. She disciplines by
means of her rebukes and reproofs (Prov. 1:20-23). If one is unwilling
to receive Her reproof, She seems harsh and unloving. In reality
though, it is not Her who is hard as a rock, but the carnal (stoney)
heart of the unrenewed man. It is the method of the enemy to cause
people to view others as being guilty of the sins and attributes which
they themselves commit and possess. It is one thing when this is done
to humanity, but it is even worse when it is done to Divinity.
Let it always be remembered that Wisdom (the Person) is like Her
name (the quality of wisdom); She is not readily perceived by many.
Therefore, walk circumspectly.
23 Listen, my child, and accept my judgment; do not reject my
counsel. 24 Put your feet into Her fetters, and your neck into Her
collar. 25 Bend your shoulders and bear Her, and do not fret under
Her chains. - Sirach 6:23-25
Though She seems harsh to you though Her discipline seems

even like the bonds of slavery, do not fear. Put your feet into Her
fetters - become slave to Her commands to either stay where She
says to stay, or go where She says to go. Put your neck into Her
collar - metal collars were common for slaves in the ancient world
and were often inscribed with the name of the master and instructions
for returning the slave. Thus, to have Her collar on your neck is to
openly identify as Her slave, which itself binds you to Her and brings
you back if you run from Her. Bend your shoulders and bear Her bear whatever burden She places upon you, even if it be She herself.
Do not fret under Her chains - take upon yourself Her restrictions,
but do not fear.
Come to Her with all your soul, and keep Her ways with all your
might. 27 Search out and seek Her, and She will become known to
you; and when you get hold of Her, do not let Her go. 28 For at last
you will fnd the rest She gives, and She will be turned into your joy.
29 Then Her fetters will become for you a strong defense, and her
collar a garment of glory 30 Her yoke is a golden ornament, and Her
chains a purple cord. 31 You will wear Her like a glorious robe, and
put Her on like a splendid crown. - Sirach 6:26-31
26
40
Due to our own lack of discipline, She at frst seems harsh and
enslaving, but if we only give ourselves up as slaves to Her, we will fnd
that Her yoke is easy and Her burden light (Matt. 11:30). We must
recognize that in sin, we are already in slavery (John 8:34), and so we
lose no freedom by making Her our Master. Rather, by becoming Her
slave, we enter into glory. What at frst appears to be the shackles of a
slave, turns out to be the glorious robes of righteousness and truth. In
fact, not only does Wisdom adorn us as kings and queens, but She
adorns us as gods by giving Herself (the divine nature) as our garment
(2 Peter 1:4). Again, You will wear Her like a glorious robe, and put
Her on like a splendid crown.
32 If you are willing, my child, you can be disciplined, and if you give your
all, you will become clever. 33 If you love to listen you will gain
knowledge, and if you pay attention you will become wise. 34 Stand in
the company of the elders. Who is wise? Attach yourself to such a one.
35 Be ready to listen to every godly discourse, and let no wise proverb escape
you. 36 If you see an intelligent person, rise early to visit him; let your
foot wear out his doorstep. 37 Let your mind be on the fear of the Most High,
and meditate at all times on his commandments. It is He who will give
insight to your mind, and your desire for Wisdom will be granted. Sirach 6:32-37
Thus,
33
Seek frst the kingdom of God and His righteousness... - Matthew 6:33
20 So, the desire for Wisdom leads to
a kingdom. - Wisdom of Solomon 6:20
Headquarters Update
As those who have been reading The Silver Trumpet are aware, our
Heavenly Family has been calling for laborers to come to the Branch
property here in Ontario in order to accomplish the much needed task
of establishing a center. The lack of response from professed believers
of present truth has flled Heaven with sadness. Angels are astonished
at the indifference and torpidity of this people. What a contradiction
that those who possess the most sacred and testing truths that have
41
ever been given to mankind could hear such clear calls to action and
such startling denunciations of negligence, and yet do nothing in a
time of great need.
There has been a long and beautiful summer here, and much
could have been accomplished had more responded to the call. The
summer is now past, and the time that has been wasted is forever
gone. Those who think this a light thing, supposing that the great plan
of Omnipotence could not have been hindered by this dormant
behavior, have yet to learn the value of the cross of Christ the great
price that has been paid to redeem fallen humanity, as well as the
import and power of the will.
In all, one believer came to help, and another, physically unable to
make the trip and perform the manual labor, supported in the way she
could. There was still another, not an adherent to present truth, but a
devout believer in Christ, who did more than many in the message by
lending fnancial support to the cause, being moved by the evident
need. Surely, he will be blessed as a result.
We would now like for you to consider the following testimony of
the branch who came, our brother, Norman Hines. It is our hope and
prayer that by reading his testimony your hearts will be stirred. Know
that although the frown of our Heavenly Family has been expressed
on this movement, and although the past is forever gone, there is still
opportunity to turn from your inactivity and to bless and be blessed.
Where sin abounds, grace does much more abound. - Romans 5:20.
MY TWO WEEKS AT THE BRANCH
PROPERTY IN ONTARIO
by Norman Hines
5
Every valley shall be flled, and every mountain and hill shall be
brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough
ways shall be made smooth. - Luke 3:5
I recently traveled by plane from Springfeld, Missouri to Timmins,

Ontario. Trent and Teresa met me at the Timmins airport, and we
then drove 3 hours to the Branch property. We celebrated our frst
Lords Supper Daily together during the trip. This was the frst of many
dailies that I was privileged to share with them. I have to say that I
gained a better understanding of these sacred times and how to
42
observe them while I was there.

When Trents alarm on his phone would sound, we would always
stop what we were doing and spend time talking to our Heavenly
Family, asking Them for guidance about how to start or continue our
daily activities. If we were at home, we would go to the kitchen where
Teresa would prepare our food while Trent would read something to
us. We always had some wonderful and interesting discussions on the
topic he was sharing. Passages from The Desire of Ages and the Thanksgiving Hymns from The Dead Sea Scrolls were often read and discussed.
Whenever possible, we would begin the daily by praying outside in
nature. There is something about doing this that makes one feel closer
to our Heavenly Family. I still do this whenever I can.
After seeing the Branch property for myself, I know why our
Heavenly Family led Trent and Teresa to purchase it. It is beautiful,
with many different trees and with canals that run through it. It also
has wild fowers scattered throughout, and abundant wild raspberries
and strawberries. These things
give the property an atmosphere that is conducive to
contemplating the work of
our Creators. The property
also has many areas that are
perfectly suited for buildings
which will be used to carry
forward the work that has
been given to us in spreading
the Gospel to a needy world.
The reason I quoted Luke 3:5 at the beginning of this testimony is
that this verse, when applied in a practical sense, will make it possible
so that the true meaning of it can be presented to people in need of
having all obstacles removed so they will be prepared to enter the
Kingdom of our Heavenly Family.
With that being said, I want to tell you about some of the things we
accomplished during the 2 weeks I was in Ontario. The frst necessary
thing we did was to remove the obstacles in the driveway so that
gravel could be laid. The driveway to the yurt is about 1/2 mile long,
with a canal on each side. It had a lot of old logs imbedded in it that
needed to be removed so they would not puncture a tire. The grass
and weeds had grown so tall that they were in need of being cut down.
43
Trent and I did a lot of this work with machetes so that Teresa could
go over it with a riding mower. Also, a ditch had to be dug out for a
culvert to go in. You may have seen the videos that Teresa sent out
showing the ditch with the new culvert. I regret that I was not able to
stay longer to help with the spreading of gravel and flling in the ditch
we dug. However, seeing the pictures of it being completed makes me
thankful that I had even a small part to play in its completion.
Another thing we did was to level out an area near the yurt for 2
garages to be erected for storing wood and parking their vehicle.
These garages are actually greenhouse frames with heavy plastic
canvas over them. They came in a box that was labeled Garage in a
Box. I would have liked to have been able to stay longer so I could be
there to help assemble them; it will be quite a project.
Another thing we accomplished was building a compost bin. We
also built a dirt and gravel separator out of a wooden pallet, which will
be used for flling dirt bags to construct walls of future buildings. We
collected rocks for an outside fre pit, and moved a pile of frewood
near to it. There were many other small jobs that we did which were
necessary to prepare the property and the yurt for the soon coming
harsh winter.
Needless to say, I enjoyed my time in Ontario, and I received
many blessings while there. I plan to return next year in the spring to
help Teresa and Trent with making a garden. If any of you have
heirloom seeds to send, that would be great. I saw some beautiful
gardens while in Ontario, and was quite surprised by how well things
grow so far north.
I urge each of you to consider making a trip to the Branch
property. There is so much that needs to be done for our Heavenly
Family that it will take many hands to accomplish it all! And if you do
help in this important work, in return, I know you will receive a great
blessing!
Mattawishkwia River, Hearst
44
Questions and Answers

WHO IS TO CALL WISDOM SISTER?
Question No. 24:
Proverbs 7:4 has the phrase, Say unto Wisdom, 'Thou art my
sister'... Who is this phrase addressed to? If Wisdom is Jesus' Sister,
then could this passage be addressed to Jesus and telling Him to call
Wisdom His sister? It seems like many of the proverbs are addressed
to my son and so, if the speaker is God, wouldn't this be referring to
Jesus? Also, in Proverbs 4:3-4, Solomon tells us that his father (David)
taught him, and then he goes on to tell us what David said. With this
in mind, could Proverbs 7:4 be David telling Solomon to call Wisdom
his sister? And since Solomon is a type of Christ, that would seem to
confrm the thought that it is Christ who is to call Wisdom, Sister.
Answer:
This is an excellent question with a simple answer. All we must do
is to see from Proverbs itself who is being addressed. First though, it
will be well for us to understand a little of the phrase my son.
Historians have noted that this phrase has been used by the wisdom
teachers of Egypt, Sumer, and Mesopotamia going back to the third
millennium BCE.53 It has also been noted that while the phrase was
originally used exclusively in the context of blood relation, it came to
be used to refer to any student of the wisdom teachers. 54 For a of
couple examples of the use of this phrase outside of Biblical poetic
writings, we'll quote from the Assyro-Israelite work, The Words of
Ahiqar (c., 8th century BCE):
My son, do not curse the day until you have seen the night. My
son, do not utter everything which comes into your mind, for there
are eyes and ears everywhere. But keep watch over your mouth,
lest it bring you to grief! - Ahiqar, Saying 14
Hear, O my son: harvest any harvest, and do any job; then you
may eat your fll and provide for your children. - Ahiqar, Saying 40
53 See Education in Ancient Israel: Across the Deadening Silence, pp. 109-110 by James
Crenshaw and The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, Vol. 2, p. 486.
54 See Education in Ancient Israel: Across the Deadening Silence, pp. 54, 209, and 226 by
James Crenshaw.
45
This is typical of ancient Wisdom sayings, whether Israelite or

Pagan. Now we come to the more important issue Proverbs itself.
It should be noted that Solomon is identifed as the author of these
proverbs from the frst verse of the book. The frst time he mentions
his father (David) is in 4:3. Prior to this, though, Solomon himself uses
the phrase my son a number of times to address the readers and
hearers of the proverbs (1:8, 10, 15; 2:1; 3:1, 11, 21). In 4:1, we also
fnd the expression sons, or children, (both the singular and plural
form are gender inclusive). From 4:4 to 4:9, the phrases my son and
my sons do not appear, only the record of David's words to
Solomon. In 4:10, the phrase my son again appears. This is the
most likely place for the transition from David's monologue back to
the words of Solomon. Even if this is not the point of transition,
however, we know that the transition takes place before 7:4, for the
plural sons is again employed in 5:7. This demonstrates that 7:4 is
not the words of David to Solomon.
In addition to the use of the plural in 5:7, there are a number of
other indications in the passage between 4:3 (where David is
introduced) and 7:4 (where we fnd the phrase, Say unto Wisdom,
'Thou art my sister'...) that the one being addressed is not Jesus. The
frst obvious example is in 4:24 where the son is told to remove
perverse speech from [his] mouth, yet Jesus had no perverse speech
in his mouth to remove. Then, in chapter 6, we have an admonition
to my son on what to do if he makes a foolish pledge:
My son, if you make a pledge for your neighbor, and have
become a guarantor for a stranger, 2 if you have been ensnared by the
words you have uttered, and have been caught by the words you have spoken,
3 then, my son, do this in order to deliver yourself, because you
have fallen into your neighbor's power: go, humble yourself, and
appeal frmly to your neighbor. 4 Permit no sleep to your eyes or
slumber to your eyelids. 5 Deliver yourself like a gazelle from a
snare, and like a bird from the trap of the fowler. - Proverbs 6:1-5
1
I don't believe that any would suggest that the above words are
addressed to Christ. Still, even more obvious are the words of the next
verse, which declare:
6 Go
to the ant, you sluggard; observe its ways and be wise! Proverbs 6:6
46
This rebuke is again repeated in 6:9. Following the passage on to

7:4, Solomon continues to address my son as highlighted in 6:20
and 7:1.
In conclusion, Proverbs 7:4 is not a part of the monologue of David
to Solomon, but is rather part of the words of Solomon which are
addressed to any and all of his students, who are named sons
collectively, or my son as individuals. Thus, the injunction to Say
unto Wisdom, 'Thou art my sister'... is to all the students of the
teachers of wisdom.
WHY RIGHTEOUSNESS 'BY' FAITH AND
RIGHTEOUSNESS 'OF' CHRIST?
Question No. 25:
What does it really mean by the Righteousness BY faith and the
Righteousness OF Christ? I'm sure it's the middle word that is
confusing me. I know that righteousness means right doing, but I'm
confused as to the real meaning because of the middle word in each
instance.
Answer:
The word by in the frst phrase is expressing the means by which
one becomes righteous. The same thought could be conveyed by
saying righteousness by means of faith or righteousness through
faith. The word of in the second phrase is meant to convey whose
righteousness is being referred to. In other words, the righteousness
of Christ is simply Christ's righteousness. In an attempt to make the
concept as simple as possible, we would like to bring both ideas
together as follows: One might say, we receive the righteousness of
Christ by faith. To put that in perhaps more simple terms, one could
say, we can do the same 'right doing' that Christ did through trusting
in Him.
WHAT OF GENESIS 38:9-10?
Question No. 26:
How do we explain Genesis 38:9-10?
Answer:
One key element needed to understand Gen. 38:9-10 is the idea of
levirate marriage. Basically, it was an ancient form of an arranged
47
marriage in which the brother of a deceased man would marry his (the
deceased man's) wife; that is, if they hadn't had children. It served a
few purposes; one was to take care of the wife, and another was to
carry on the family line of the deceased brother.
In Gen. 38:9-10, Onan, the son of Judah, was supposed to take
unto himself Tamar, the wife of his deceased brother Er. He was
supposed to "go in unto her" that she might become pregnant and
bear children which would be considered of the line of Er. Onan,
though, knowing that they would not be considered within his line,
decided to "pull out" every time he and Tamar would have
intercourse. Basically, he was using her for sex and not giving her any
children who could take care of her when she became old. Yahweh
viewed this as a terrible sin, and for this reason Onan was put to death.
Quotes of Interest
As this work progresses, it becomes painfully evident that there are
grievous sins among professors of present truth. These sins have, and
are, greatly hindering the work, and placing those carrying it forward
in needless trial. We have received the divine command to point out
and rebuke these sins. The eighth commandment has been broken in
the withholding of tithes and offerings from the storehouse of present
truth. Some rob our Heavenly Family by giving Their tithe to those to
whom it does not belong, and others selfshly waste it on themselves,
thinking they are justifed in breaking God's law due to circumstance.
In ancient times, the children of Israel were called to give no less
than one third of their income to sacred purposes (Testimonies for the
Church, Vol. 3, p. 395), and in apostolic days they were called to sell
their lands and houses to lay the proceeds at the feet of the apostles
(Acts 4:32-37). In the time just before the Great Disappointment, the
Millerites also sold all they had to proclaim the Advent. Think you not
that you will be called to sacrifce your material wealth for the cause of
truth? We are told by Inspiration that we are to give of our wealth in
proportion to the amount of truth we have received, yet the majority
are satisfed to return to God only what was required in years past;
that is, if they return at all.
The solemn truth is that while tithes and offerings continue to be
48
withheld by those who profess to believe present truth, we cannot

expect the working out of that great reformation called for in
Testimonies for the Church, Volume 9, page 126. Consider the following
statements in the light of the cross of Christ:
ELLEN WHITE ON TITHE
Covetousness Among God's People
I saw that many who profess to be keeping the commandments of
God are appropriating to their own use the means which the Lord
has entrusted to them and which should come into His treasury.
They rob God in tithes and in offerings. They dissemble and
withhold from Him to their own hurt. They bring leanness and
poverty upon themselves and darkness upon the church because of
their covetousness, their dissembling, and their robbing God in
tithes and in offerings.
I saw that many souls will sink in darkness because of their covetousness.
The plain, straight testimony must live in the church, or the curse
of God will rest upon His people as surely as it did upon ancient
Israel because of their sins. God holds His people, as a body,
responsible for the sins existing in individuals among them. If the
leaders of the church neglect to diligently search out the sins which
bring the displeasure of God upon the body, they become
responsible for these sins....
There are many who do not have the discretion of Joshua and
who have no special duty to search out wrongs and to deal
promptly with the sins existing among them. Let not such hinder
those who have the burden of this work upon them; let them not
stand in the way of those who have this duty to do. Some make it a
point to question and doubt and fnd fault because others do the
work that God has not laid upon them. These stand directly in the
way to hinder those upon whom God has laid the burden of
reproving and correcting prevailing sins in order that His frown
may be turned away from His people. Should a case like Achans
be among us, there are many who would accuse those who might
act the part of Joshua in searching out the wrong, of having a
wicked, fault-fnding spirit. God is not to be trifed with and His
warnings disregarded with impunity by a perverse people.
I was shown that the manner of Achans confession was similar to
the confessions that some among us have made and will make. They
hide their wrongs and refuse to make a voluntary confession until God searches
them out, and then they acknowledge their sins. A few persons pass on in a
course of wrong until they become hardened. They may even know

that the church is burdened, as Achan knew that Israel were made weak
before their enemies because of his guilt. Yet their consciences do
not condemn them. They will not relieve the church by humbling
their proud, rebellious hearts before God and putting away their
wrongs. Gods displeasure is upon His people, and He will not manifest His
power in the midst of them while sins exist among them and are fostered by those
in responsible positions.
Those who work in the fear of God to rid the church of
hindrances and to correct grievous wrongs, that the people of God
may see the necessity of abhorring sin and may prosper in purity,
and that the name of God may be glorifed, will ever meet with
resisting infuences from the unconsecrated. Zephaniah thus
describes the true state of this class and the terrible judgments that
will come upon them:
And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search
Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on
their lees: that say in their heart, The Lord will not do good,
neither will He do evil. The great day of the Lord is near, it is
near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the Lord: the
mighty man shall cry there bitterly. That day is a day of wrath, a
day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day
of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a
day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against
the high towers. And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall
walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the Lord and
their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their fesh as the dung.
Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in
the day of the Lords wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured
by the fre of His jealousy: for He shall make even a speedy
riddance of all them that dwell in the land.55
Because of selfshness and love of the world, God is forgotten,
and many have barrenness of soul, and cry: My leanness, my
leanness. The Lord has lent means to His people to prove them, to test
the depth of their professed love for Him. Some would let go of Him and
give up their heavenly treasure rather than to decrease their earthly
possessions and make a covenant with Him by sacrifce. He calls for
them to sacrifce; but the love of the world closes their ears, and they
will not hear.
I looked to see who of those who professed to be looking for
Christs coming possessed a willingness to sacrifce offerings to God
of their abundance. I could see a few humble poor ones who, like
55 Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 3, pp. 269-271
49
50

the poor widow, were stinting themselves and casting in their mite.
Every such offering is accounted of God as precious treasure. But those who
are acquiring means, and adding to their possessions, are far
behind. They do comparatively nothing to what they might. They
are withholding, and robbing God, for they are fearful they shall come to want.
They dare not trust God. This is one of the reasons that, as a people, we are so
sickly and so many are falling into their graves. The covetous are among
us. Lovers of the world, also those who have stinted the laborer in his hire,
are among us.56
Many have their hearts so fxed upon their earthly treasure that
they do not discern the advantage of laying up for themselves treasures in heaven.
They do not realize that their freewill offerings to God are not enriching Him,
but themselves.... Men whom God has made stewards are so
infatuated by the riches of this world that they do not discern that
by their selfshness and covetousness they are not only robbing the Lord in
tithes and offerings, but robbing themselves of eternal riches. They could be
daily adding to their heavenly treasure by doing the very work that
the Lord has left them to do, and which He has entrusted them
with means to carry out. The Master would have them watch for
opportunities to do good and, while they live, apply their means
themselves to aid in the salvation of their fellow men and in the
advancement of His cause in its various branches. In so doing they
only do that which God requires of them; they render to God the things that are
His. Many willingly close their eyes and hearts, lest they should see and feel the
wants of the Lords cause, and by helping in its advancement should lessen their
increase by detracting from the interest or the principal. Some feel
that what they give to advance the cause of God is really lost. They
consider so many dollars gone and feel dissatisfed unless they can
immediately replace them so that their earthly treasure may not
decrease.57
Many would love to see souls converted if it could be done without any
sacrifce on their part; but if their property is touched, they draw back, for it is of
more value to them than the souls of men and women for whom Christ died.58
The principle of the cross of Christ brings all who believe under heavy
obligations to deny self, to impart light to others, and to give of their means to
extend the light.59
56
57
58
59
Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 2, pp. 197-198

Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 2, p. 653

Every man is a steward of God. To each the Master has
committed His means, but man claims that means as his own.
Christ says: Occupy till I come. A time is coming when Christ
will require His own with usury. He will say to each of His
stewards: Give an account of thy stewardship. Those who have hid
their Lords money in a napkin in the earth, instead of putting it out to the
exchangers, and those who have squandered their Lords money by
expending it for needless things, instead of putting it out to usury by
investing it in His cause, will not receive approval from the Master, but
decided condemnation.60
He who embezzles his Lords goods not only loses the talent lent him of God,
but loses eternal life. Of him it is said: Cast ye the unproftable
servant into outer darkness. The faithful servant, who invests his
money in the cause of God to save souls, employs his means to the glory of
God and will receive the commendation of the Master: Well done,
thou good and faithful servant: ... enter thou into the joy of thy
Lord. What will be this joy of our Lord? It will be the joy of seeing
souls saved in the kingdom of glory. Who for the joy that was set before
Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the
right hand of the throne of God.
The idea of stewardship should have a practical bearing upon all
the people of God. The parable of the talents, rightly understood,
will bar out covetousness, which God calls idolatry. Practical
benevolence will give spiritual life to thousands of nominal professors of the truth
who now mourn over their darkness. It will transform them from selfsh,
covetous worshipers of mammon to earnest, faithful co-workers with Christ in
the salvation of sinners.
The foundation of the plan of salvation was laid in sacrifce. Jesus
left the royal courts and became poor, that we through His poverty
might be made rich. All who share this salvation, purchased for
them at such an infnite sacrifce by the Son of God, will follow the
example of the true Pattern. Christ was the chief Cornerstone, and we
must build upon this Foundation. Each must have a spirit of self-denial
and self-sacrifce. The life of Christ upon earth was unselfsh; it was
marked with humiliation and sacrifce. And shall men, partakers of the
great salvation which Jesus came from heaven to bring them, refuse
to follow their Lord and to share in His self-denial and sacrifce?
Says Christ: I am the Vine, ye are the branches. Every branch
in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that
beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
The very vital principle, the sap which fows through the vine,
51
52

nourishes the branches, that they may fourish and bear fruit. Is the
servant greater than his Lord? Shall the worlds Redeemer practice
self-denial and sacrifce on our account, and the members of
Christs body practice self-indulgence? Self-denial is an essential
condition of discipleship.
Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me,
let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. I lead the way in
the path of self-denial. I require nothing of you, My followers, but that of which
I, your Lord, give you an example in My own life.
The Saviour of the world conquered Satan in the wilderness of
temptation. He overcame to show man how he may overcome. He
announced in the synagogue of Nazareth: The Spirit of the Lord
is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to
the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach
deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to
set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of
the Lord.
The great work which Jesus announced that He came to do was
entrusted to His followers upon the earth. Christ, as our head, leads
out in the great work of salvation and bids us follow His example.
He has given us a world-wide message. This truth must be
extended to all nations, tongues, and people. Satans power was to
be contested, and he was to be overcome by Christ and also by His
followers. An extensive war was to be maintained against the
powers of darkness. And in order to do this work successfully, means were
required. God does not propose to send means direct from heaven,
but He gives into the hands of His followers talents of means to use
for the very purpose of sustaining this warfare.
He has given His people a plan for raising sums suffcient to
make the enterprise self-sustaining. Gods plan in the tithing system is
beautiful in its simplicity and equality. All may take hold of it in faith and
courage, for it is divine in its origin. In it are combined simplicity and utility,
and it does not require depth of learning to understand and execute it. All may
feel that they can act a part in carrying forward the precious work
of salvation. Every man, woman, and youth may become a
treasurer for the Lord and may be an agent to meet the demands
upon the treasury. Says the apostle: Let every one of you lay by
him in store, as God hath prospered him.
Great objects are accomplished by this system. If one and all would
accept it, each would be made a vigilant and faithful treasurer for God , and
there would be no want of means with which to carry forward the great work of
sounding the last message of warning to the world. The treasury will be full
if all adopt this system, and the contributors will not be left the poorer.

Through every investment made they will become more wedded to the cause of
present truth. They will be laying up in store for themselves a good foundation
against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
As the persevering, systematic workers see that the tendency of their
benevolent efforts is to nourish love to God and their fellow men, and that
their personal efforts are extending their sphere of usefulness, they
will realize that it is a great blessing to be co-workers with Christ.
The Christian church, as a general thing, are disowning the claims
of God upon them to give alms of the things which they possess to
support the warfare against the moral darkness which is fooding
the world. Never can the work of God advance as it should until the followers
of Christ become active, zealous workers.
Every individual in the church should feel that the truth which he
professes is a reality, and all should be disinterested workers. Some
rich men feel like murmuring because the work of God is extending
and there is a demand for money. They say that there is no end to the
calls for means. One object after another is continually arising,
demanding help. To such we would say that we hope the cause of God will
so extend that there will be greater occasion, and more frequent and urgent calls,
for supplies from the treasury to prosecute the work.
If the plan of systematic benevolence were adopted by every
individual and fully carried out, there would be a constant supply in
the treasury. The income would fow in like a steady stream
constantly supplied by overfowing springs of benevolence.
Almsgiving is a part of gospel religion. Does not the consideration of the infnite
price paid for our redemption leave upon us solemn obligations pecuniarily, as
well as lay claim upon all our powers to be devoted to the work of the Master? 61
Ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a price, and are under
obligation to glorify God with your means as well as in your body and in your
spirit, which are His. Ye are bought with a price, not with
corruptible things, as silver and gold, but with the precious blood
of Christ. He asks a return of the gifts that He has entrusted to us,
to aid in the salvation of souls. He has given His blood; He asks our silver. It is
through His poverty that we are made rich; and will we refuse to give
back to Him His own gifts?62
Christians are required by the Scriptures to enter upon a plan of
active benevolence which will keep in constant exercise an interest in the
salvation of their fellow men. The moral law enjoined the observance of
the Sabbath, which was not a burden except when that law was transgressed
53
54

and they were bound by the penalties involved in breaking it. The
tithing system was no burden to those who did not depart from the plan. The
system enjoined upon the Hebrews has not been repealed or
relaxed by the One who originated it. Instead of being of no force
now, it was to be more fully carried out and more extended, as salvation
through Christ alone should be more fully brought to light in the Christian age.
Jesus made known to the lawyer that the condition of his having
eternal life was to carry out in his life the special requirements of the law, which
consisted in his loving God with all his heart, and soul, and mind, and strength,
and his neighbor as himself. When the typical sacrifces ceased at the
death of Christ, the original law, engraved in tables of stone, stood
immutable, holding its claims upon man in all ages. And in the
Christian age the duty of man was not limited, but more especially defned and
simply expressed.
The gospel, extending and widening, required greater provisions to sustain the
warfare after the death of Christ, and this made the law of almsgiving a more
urgent necessity than under the Hebrew government. Now God requires, not less,
but greater gifts than at any other period of the world. The principle laid down
by Christ is that the gifts and offerings should be in proportion to the light and
blessings enjoyed. He has said: For unto whomsoever much is given, of him
shall be much required.63
All that is withheld of that which God claims, the tenth of the increase, is
recorded in the books of heaven against the withholders, as robbery. Such
defraud their Creator; and when this sin of neglect is brought
before them, it is not enough for them to change their course and begin to
work from that time upon the right principle. This will not correct the fgures
made in the heavenly record for embezzling the property committed to them in
trust to be returned to the Lender. Repentance for unfaithful dealing with God,
and for base ingratitude, is required.
Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed Me. But ye say,
Wherein have we robbed Thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are
cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed Me, even this whole nation.
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in
Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will
not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there
shall not be room enough to receive it. A promise is here given that, if all
the tithes are brought into the storehouse, a blessing from God will be poured
upon the obedient.64

55
Remembering Rollin
Our dear brother, Rollin Eugene Cannedy, passed away July 27 or

28, 2015. The cause of his death is uncertain, but may have been heat
related as it was extremely hot and humid at the time of his death. He
was born December 11, 1937 in Girard, Illinois to Earl & Ethel
(Squires) Cannedy. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers
Paul & Floyd, and sister Donna Jurina. He graduated high school in
Virden, Illinois at the age of 16 and was married from 1961 to 1972.
He is survived by a brother, Gail, of Pawnee, Illinois; two daughters,
Vickie (Kevin) Webb, Little Rock, Arkansas and Sherri (Rankyn)
Valverde, Cumming, Georgia. Also, three grandchildren: Erick Stone,
Little Rock; Jenna Todero, Benton, Arkansas & Daniel Valverde of
Charlotte, North Carolina, and three great-grandchildren. He worked
nearly 20 years for the State of Illinois Highway Department until he
moved to Springfeld, Missouri in 1978. He became a Christian
shortly after moving to Missouri. He also lived in Waco, Texas for a
few years, before moving to Benton, Arkansas in 1996, where he lived
until 2013, when he returned to Missouri.
Rollin had been Davidian for over 20 years and, more recently,
became a frm believer in the message of the Branch. He was among
the little fock who came into the message during the closing of Doug's
ministry, and, other than Doug, is the only present truth believer to
have passed away in nearly 30 years. In relation to the current phase
of the Branch message, he was there from the beginning, and was a
faithful supporter of the work.
At 77 years old, Rollin was well-known for his soothing, green salve
that he'd been making for many years. He devoted the last 2 years of
his life to the work of our Heavenly Family by moving to Missouri to
56
do the printing and mailing of present truth literature. He did not

hesitate to leave all and respond to the call for help when it came. In
addition to making and distributing his salve, he wrote many poems
which taught the gospel, one of which we have included at the end of
this periodical. He was always looking for ways to share the truth of
our Heavenly Family and of Justifcation by Faith.
Rollin's faith was very strong and he frmly believed what Victor
Houteff wrote in Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 7, p. 6, which says, Let
us therefore wholeheartedly believe that God is in charge of our
salvation, of our lives and of our death, too. That He is able to take us
to safety even if the earth should drop out of space, that we cannot die
if He wants us alive, and that we cannot live if He wants us dead. Let
us ever bear in mind that we of ourselves know nothing about God's
plans except as told through His appointed servants, the prophets, and
as we witness them day by day. If we daily walk with God, if we
commit all to Him, then the responsibility is all His. He was not
afraid to die, for he trusted in our Heavenly Family and Their love for
him.
Rollin will be missed while he is asleep, but we look forward to
seeing him again very soon. We know that there will be a special
resurrection prior to the second advent of Christ in which many will
arise to continue sharing the gospel of the kingdom of heaven. We
have been told through Inspiration that, The battle cry is sounding
along the line. Let every soldier of the cross push to the front, not in
self-suffciency, but in meekness and lowliness, and with frm faith in
God. Your work, my work, will not cease with this life. For a little
while we may rest in the grave, but, when the call comes, we shall, in
the kingdom of God, take up our work once more. (Testimonies for the
Church, Vol. 7, p. 17).
And so, we who remain may we respond to the battle cry which
is sounding! Let us eagerly advance the work of our Heavenly Family
and be able to greet our brother, Rollin, when the call is made for him
to come forth from the grave and take up his work once more.
HalleluYah!
57
Notices
1
Our weekly and festal meetings are being held through a
conference call service known as FreeConferenceCallHD. Here are
some of the call-in numbers:65
Australia: +61 (0) 3 8672 0185
Canada: (712) 775-7060 (Important - This is a US number.)
Kenya: +254 (0) 20 5231033
United Kingdom: +44 (0) 330 606 0527
United States: (712) 775-7035
The access code for all countries is 820382.
The regular weekend meeting times are:
Friday Night 8:00 (EST)
Saturday Night 8:00 (EST)
In order to avoid unnecessary background noises, which can be
diffcult to edit out of the recordings, we request that all participants
keep themselves on mute except when speaking. You can mute or
unmute yourself by hitting *6. Also, if at any point during a meeting
you receive another call on the same phone, please hang up on the
meeting line and then call back when you have fnished the other
conversation. When a participant has the meeting on hold, there is a
beep which occurs every few seconds which would disturb the meeting
and dramatically reduce the quality of the recording.
To join us online go to www.freeconferencecallhd.com and click:
This will bring you to another page where you should
click:
65 For the complete list of call-in numbers please visit www.bdsda.com/conferencecalls/.
58
Another window should then appear in which you will see the fash
phone:
Select from here the correct number, type in
the access code, fll out your name, then click
place call. You should then be connected
to the meeting and set for learning as well as
fellowship.
2
With each issue of The Silver Trumpet we hope to include
contributions from those investigating and examining present truth.
These contributions may be testimonies of how the message (or The
Silver Trumpet in particular) has impacted you, reports of how the work
is going in your area, or stories of trials you have undergone on
account of the message. It could be health tips, quotes of interest,
recipes, poems, articles, etc. Whatever it may be, please send it in to
silvertrumpet@bdsda.com that it may be published and thus serve as
an encouragement to others.
3
For the convenience of our readers, we here provide a number of
references to some of the days of the ffth and sixth scriptural months
which are found in the ancient writings of the Hebrews:
Fifth Month, no day specifed 1 Chron. 27:8; Ezra 7:8; Jer. 1:3;
28:1; Zech. 7:3; 1 Esdras 8:6; Jub. 16:11
1st Day (July 18) Num. 33:38; Ezra 7:9
4th Day (July 21) Jub. 28:22
7th Day (July 24) 2 Kings 25:8
10th Day (July 27) Jer. 52:12; Eze. 20:1
Sixth Month (Elul - Neh. 6:15), no day specifed 1 Chron. 27:9;
Jub. 16:12; Luke 1:26
59
1st Day (Aug. 17) Hag. 1:1

5th Day (Aug. 21) Eze. 8:1
9th Day (Aug. 25) Jub. 28:18
18th Day (Sept. 3) 1 Macc. 14:27
24th Day (Sept. 9) Hag. 1:15
25th Day (Sept. 10) Neh. 6:15
4
Please send in names, e-mail addresses, and/or postal addresses of
any you know who would like to receive The Silver Trumpet and other
notifcations on a regular basis. Please send all contact information to
sec@bdsda.com.
5
Those in the USA may pay tithes and offerings or make other
donations by going to www.bdsda.com/donation-instructions/ where
you will fnd instructions on how to send funds online.
Those in Canada can send funds through www.bdsda.com or email us at vp@bdsda.com in order to obtain information for sending
Interac e-transfers or other other methods. If writing checks, make
them payable to Branch Association66 and mail to:
Branch Association
69 HWY 583 South
Jogues, Ontario
P0L 1R0
For all fnancial inquiries not answered here or in the links cited,
please e-mail treas@bdsda.com.
66 The name Branch Association is just the name of the bank account. We were
not permitted to have a bank account with the phrase Seventh-day Adventist in
it for copyright reasons and so we used one of the abbreviated forms of the
association's name. The full name of the association remains The General
Association of Branch Davidian Seventh-day Adventists.
60

NOW OR NEVER
Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life;
All other ways are errors that lead to sorrow.
The way of truth saves from sin and strife.
The worldly way is to live like there is no tomorrow.
Truth is the only way to obtain eternal life!
Following another path brings trouble.
Too late, this was learned by Ananias and his wife!
The penalty of death was double.
Jesus, our example, lived without sin;
He was tempted at every step of the way.
God has promised, Jesus will come again!
Even so, come Lord Jesus; soon, I pray!
But frst, help me share with one more precious soul
The love of God revealed in the gospel of our Lord
Which is found in Zechariah's bowl.
The golden oil represents God's Word!
Soon, the time of judgment will end!
Then shall the separation of wheat and tares take place.
Every soul's destiny will depend
On the acceptance or rejection of God's grace.
Don't wait until it's too late
To accept God's loving plea
Or else you'll share the evil one's fate!
Now is the day of salvation; Don't you see?
Rollin Cannedy

NOTES
61

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The Silver Trumpet, Vol. 1, Nos. 15-16

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THE SILVER TRUMPET

Let Elohim arise, let Their enemies be scattered; and let

The Flying Scroll

And the Only Way to Life

Vol. 1, Nos. 15-16

New Moon (July 18, 2015)

5 th and 6th Months

The Silver Trumpet Vol. 1 Nos. 15-16

The Flying Scroll

Once again, we are brought to the consideration of a second

The Silver Trumpet Vol. 1 Nos. 15-16

choose as individuals again makes all the difference.

The Silver Trumpet Vol. 1 Nos. 15-16

Before considering the signifcance of the porch, we will quote the

10 In the most holy place he made two images of cherubim and

The Silver Trumpet Vol. 1 Nos. 15-16

Notice that it is the wingspan of the cherubim, together with their

The Silver Trumpet Vol. 1 Nos. 15-16

This is brought out more clearly as well when we consider the

See Pre-Eleventh Hour Extra (Tract 1) by Victor Houteff.

The Silver Trumpet Vol. 1 Nos. 15-16

As you can see, these translations give a radically different

The Silver Trumpet Vol. 1 Nos. 15-16

The Silver Trumpet Vol. 1 Nos. 15-16

accurately translated goddess of the Zidonians.14 Only a few verses

The Silver Trumpet Vol. 1 Nos. 15-16

one of the primary roles of the Shekinah, as indicated even by the

Again, we quote this passage as an example of the prophecies

The Silver Trumpet Vol. 1 Nos. 15-16

Due to the weight of all of the above evidence, we must conclude

Though this passage does not say that Wisdom is represented by a

The Silver Trumpet Vol. 1 Nos. 15-16

22 Verse 18 is included in some manuscripts of Ben Sira, but missing in others.

The Silver Trumpet Vol. 1 Nos. 15-16

Here, Wisdom is unmistakably personifed and unmistakably

With the exception of Zechariah 5, this is perhaps the clearest

The Silver Trumpet Vol. 1 Nos. 15-16

been acquainted with this sort of the description of the Wisdom-Scroll.

The Silver Trumpet Vol. 1 Nos. 15-16

Here the truth is made plain: Yahweh's temple lays in ruins

The Silver Trumpet Vol. 1 Nos. 15-16

holiness of your temple! - Psalm 65:4

The Silver Trumpet Vol. 1 Nos. 15-16

The Only Way To Life

This is precisely what we all need. We should each spend time

Right here we have the answer to our need. Christ tells us in

The Silver Trumpet Vol. 1 Nos. 15-16

Darkness is here defned as a place with no truth a place of

The Silver Trumpet Vol. 1 Nos. 15-16

as the Father has life in himself, just so he has given to the

The Silver Trumpet Vol. 1 Nos. 15-16

remember everything I said to you. - John 14:26

whoever obeys his word, truly the love of God is perfected in

The Silver Trumpet Vol. 1 Nos. 15-16

My friends, let your hearts be prompted by love. This is the way to

The Silver Trumpet Vol. 1 Nos. 15-16

13 Blessed is the one who fnds Wisdom... 18 She is a tree of life to

I will guide you in the way of Wisdom... 13 Hold on to

11 I, Wisdom, dwell with prudence... 19 My fruit is better than the

An Inspired Plea to Seek Wisdom

O Branches, with all of the strength that you have, seek to

The Silver Trumpet Vol. 1 Nos. 15-16

them up within you. And how? by making your ear attentive to

The Silver Trumpet Vol. 1 Nos. 15-16