At the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses

It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. John 8:17. Now Jesus was making reference to the law he gave to Moses. At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; [but] at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death. One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. Deu. 17:6;19:15.

According to the law to establish a matter we need at least two witnesses. Where can we find two witnesses that have unquestionable authority and should settle all controversy?

And I will give [power] unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. Rev.11:3,4.

The Bible contains all the principles that men need in order to be fitted either for this life or for the life to come. And these principles may be understood by all. No one with a spirit to appreciate its teachings can read a single passage from the Bible without gaining from it some helpful thought. But the most valuable teaching of the Bible is not gained by occasional or disconnected study. Its great system of truth is not so presented as to be discerned by the careless or hasty reader. Many of its treasures lie far beneath the surface, and can be obtained only by diligent research and continuous effort. The truths that go to make up a great whole must be searched out and gathered up "here a little and there a little." {ST, September 19, 1906 par. 3}

Concerning the two witnesses, the prophet declares further, "These are the two olive-trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth." "Thy Word," said the psalmist, "is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." [REV. 11:4; PS. 119:105.] The two witnesses represent the Scriptures of the Old and the New Testament. Both are important testimonies to the origin and perpetuity of the law of God. Both are witnesses also to the plan of salvation. The types, sacrifices, and prophecies of the Old Testament point forward to a Saviour to come. The Gospels and Epistles of the New Testament tell of a Saviour who has come in the exact manner foretold by type and prophecy. {GC88 267.1}

Now indeed, we have two witnesses better than the testimony of any two men - The Old and New Testaments which Jesus in his earthly ministry taught with unquestionable authority. That is the Old, Moses and the Prophets for the New was not yet written; but we know he would have indeed done so, likewise with the New.

Now concerning the matter at hand which we have been investigating. This symbol which I believe that Satan has manage to attach his sophistry to which has us a little dumbfounded is the very thing that has the foundation shaky for those of us who are trying to build on the Rock. We have been given a platform of eternal truths. I do not wish to ignore or drop one link in the chain of evidence that was formed as, after the passing of the time in 1844, little companies of seekers after truth met together to study the Bible and to ask God for light and guidance. . . . The truth, point by point, was fastened in our minds so firmly that we could not doubt. . . .The evidence given in our early experience has the same force that it had then. The truth is the same as it ever has been, and not a pin or a pillar can be moved from the structure of truth. That which was sought for out of the Word in 1844, 1845, and 1846 remains the truth in every particular. Letter 38, 1906, pp. 1, 2. (To the Wahroonga Sanitarium Family, January 23, 1906.) {1MR 52.2}

Messages Located by Inspiration

The doctrinal teaching of denoting a name by number was not established during these years. By now you know how we came about this doctrine and since we cannot produce a testimony on the understanding of this vital symbol [ Why vital? It is symbol of the third angel's message - EW 118] explaining it in detail as we have own the symbols of the dragon, leopard like beast, two horn beast, the mark of the beast, the image to the beast it is past time we search the scriptures to give a reason for the hope which lieth in us, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Since we need two witnesses to establish a matter, it stands to reason that we need two witnesses to un-establish a matter that is supposed to be established. [ yea or nay ].

Concerning the matter lets look at a principle condemned by the two witnesses. Gen.41:8;41:24 - Pharaoh's magicians could not interpret his dream which was later interpreted by Joseph. Moses and Aaron before another Pharaoh - Ex. 7:10-12 rods of both became serpents [Aaron and magicians] ; Ex.7:20 -22 - waters became blood by both ; Ex. 8:5 -7 - both brought frogs upon the land; Ex.8:17-19 -- only Aaron brought forth lice and magicians admit this is the finger God; Ex. 9:8-11- boils in the land and the magicians could not stand. Now when the rain of fiery hail and the locusts came the magicians had succumbed; but Pharaoh was hardened. There was nothing in their magic to stay or duplicate the killing of the firstborn of man and beast. In the book of Daniel King Nebucchazzenar had no success with his magicians and Daniel interpreted the dreams. Now concerning the harden Pharaoh how do you think his magicians were able to do their duplicating in the beginning.

The magicians did not really cause their rods to become serpents; but by magic, aided by the great deceiver, they were able to produce this appearance. It was beyond the power of Satan to change the rods to living serpents. The prince of evil, though possessing all the wisdom and might of an angel fallen, has not power to create, or to give life; this is the prerogative of God alone. But all that was in Satan's power to do, he did; he produced a counterfeit. To human sight the rods were changed to serpents. Such they were believed to be by Pharaoh and his court. There was nothing in their appearance to distinguish them from the serpent produced by Moses. Though the Lord caused the real serpent to swallow up the spurious ones, yet even this was regarded by Pharaoh, not as a work of God's power, but as the result of a kind of magic superior to that of his servants. {PP 264.2} Now magic, helped to work hardness of heart in Pharaoh, even though his magicians [Satan power] were out classed in the end plagues?

The New Testament witness. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all [men]: and they counted the price of them, and found [it] fifty thousand [pieces] of silver. So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed. Acts 19:19-20. What did these books contained that they needed to be burned? When the Ephesians were converted, they changed their habits and practices. Under the conviction of the Spirit of God, they acted with promptness, and laid bare all the mysteries of their witchcraft. They came and confessed, and showed their deeds, and their souls were filled with holy indignation because they had given such devotion to magic, and had so highly prized the books in which the rules of Satan's devising had laid down the methods whereby they might practice witchcraft. They were determined to turn from the service of the evil one, and they brought their costly volumes and publicly burned them. Thus they made manifest their sincerity in turning to God. . . . {MYP 275.1}

The books the Ephesians committed to the flames on their conversion to the gospel, they formerly delighted in, and permitted them to rule their consciences and guide their minds. They might have sold them, but by so doing the evil would be perpetuated. They afterward abhorred the satanic mysteries, the magical arts, and regarded with aversion the knowledge they had obtained from them. I would ask the young who have been connected with the truth, Have you burned your magical books? {MYP 275.2}

What shall our children read? is a serious question, and demands a serious answer. I am troubled to see, in Christian families, periodicals and newspapers containing continued stories that leave no impress of good upon the mind. I have watched those whose taste for fiction has been thus cultivated. They have had the privilege of listening to the truths of God's word, of becoming acquainted with the reasons of our faith; but they have grown to mature years destitute of true piety. {MYP 279.1}

These dear youth need so much to put into their character building the very best material,--the love and fear of God and a knowledge of Christ. But many have not an intelligent understanding of the truth as it is in Jesus. The mind is feasted upon sensational stories. They live in an unreal world, and are unfitted for the practical duties of life. {MYP 279.2}

These books had the spiritual gifts of Satan and would you want your children reading thess books. Now Paul once blinded a sorcer [magician]. Acts 13:8 -12. We have read how magic can be used as deceptive power to harden the heart because it appears to work but the user and believer of it is spiritually blind; and such a conversion of that of the Ephesians may be necessary to break the yoke. If one was to search this method of denoting names by numbers this word that was such a hindrance to Pharaoh would appear. By the way, The name, " Vicarious Filli Dei" means this man is God's representative. Now his name has presented his character as Immanuel means, "God with us." What need is there to attach a number if the character is revealed by the name? The name itself gave understanding. It is character that determines destiny. See C.O.L. page 69. But the destiny of all sorcery [magic] is the lake of fire. Malachi 3:5; Rev.21:8.

God reigns, and notwithstanding His majesty He loves the most helpless, the most suffering ones among His children. God is showing us evidences of His power, and truth will triumph. God will uproot every error in doctrine. Every truth will be immortal. Commit the keeping of your soul to God as unto a faithful Creator. The angels of God are round about you. Have faith in God. Remember Jesus your Redeemer and see what He endured. {21MR 219.6}

Do you believe in Magic is the question? Will this magical number system harden the heart of modern day Israel? Now magic will do so because it appears to work.

Now do you think palm reading works. Is it a true principle or from the great deceiver? It may appear to work as it appeared that Saul saw Samuel in his encounter with the witch of Endor. But it is all a part of this. It is fondly supposed that heathen superstitions have disappeared before the civilization of the twentieth century. But the word of God and the stern testimony of facts declare that sorcery is practiced in this age as verily as in the days of the old-time magicians. The ancient system of magic is, in reality, the same as what is now known as modern spiritualism. Satan is finding access to thousands of minds by presenting himself under the guise of departed friends. The Scriptures declare that "the dead know not anything." Ecclesiastes 9:5. Their thoughts, their love, their hatred, have perished. The dead do not hold communion with the living. But true to his early cunning, Satan employs this device in order to gain control of minds. {AA 289.2}

Now in that untouchable book, Daniel and the Revelation by Uriah Smith who is the first group mentioned as denoting names by numbers. The Heathens. Bell ringer. Do you think they believed in MAGIC?

Let's hear the conclusion to the matter. Magic is alive and well in the twenty -- first century. Where? The Remnant Church of Bible Prophecy in denoting the pope's name by numbers in Latin, Greek, or Hebrew. You see the wily foe slipped it in; but it is now time to for us to fall and be broken or else be deceived by this sophistry which some are now hardening their hearts as Pharoah . The same spirit is being manifested as in the fallen churches of Babylon. The spirit of refusing to change when God word corrects or condemns their teachings. You mean we have taught this wrong for over 100 years. How long has Sunday sacredness been taught? Over 1000 years; and time does not make error, truth . There is nothing new under the sun.

Denoting a name by number is a dead system not yielding anything. Why not go to the living God instead of Greek philosophers and mathematicians . He can give wisdom without the aid of human inventions as done so many times in the Bible unaided by the wisdom of this world.

Mystical and magical qualities have been ascribed to numbers both in antiquity and in modern times. The pseudoscience of numerology attempts to interpret the occult by means of the symbolism of numbers, which is based on the doctrine of the Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras that all things are numbers and consist of geometrical figures in various patterns. Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 2002. © 1993-2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Now there is such a thing as Magical Numbers and magic harden Pharaoh in the days of Moses; but what shall it do in the days of the investigative judgment and the blotting out of sin?

Until Next time. Lessons from 1888. Happy Sabbath.