GLL wrote: "For clarification, could you please explain why asking for a private interpretation is disrespectful?"
Answer:
According to your posts on this thread, you don't believe anyone has the right and responsibility to go directly to the scriptures and seek truth for themselves -- to be like the Bereans who searched the scripture for themselves.
It doesn't matter how much Bible or even EGW I share, if it doesn't agree with Houteff you denounce it as "private interpretation" and in your view the term "private interpretation" is evil. (several of your posts on this thread deal with your concept of "private interpretation")
Yet, there is no way I think of Houteff's writings as living testimony, they ARE NOT LIVING TESTIMONY, they are private interpretations of a man who has skilfully combined Adventist truths with false prophet temporal kingdom theology and several other strange doctrines that he gleaned from other sources. (Not from visions) His interpretations are not unique to him, only that he skilfully laced them with EGW quotes, adapting them to Adventist theology somewhat, to make them SEEM right. Yet anyone who has actually studied EGW in context knows Houteff's interpretations are in opposition to her last day message.
You think the counterfeit kingdom in Palestine is just "private interpretation" to be thrown in the trash can, but I am fully convinced IT IS A REAL COUNTERFEIT that will deceive millions.
Houteff's interpretations of prophecies are destined to lead people into a dead end of deception -- into the counterfeit kingdom.
Indeed,the quote you posted of a false shepherd crying Peace, describes Houteff's illusion of an earthly pre-advent literal kingdom of peace and safety. There's the implication of just accept Houteff as a prophet, and you will supposedly have earthly peace in a literal kingdom over in Palestine, which supposedly will be extended to much of the rest of the world through Houteff's followers. According to Houteff, there will be no "test" for Sabbath keepers to face -- Adventists who don't accept Houteff will supposedly all be dead, and Houteff's followers will be safely in the kingdom when the Sunday laws arise.
However, the real "straight testimony" message should be to seek the Lord with all our heart, and live for Him, for the time of testing and trial is about to come and multitudes will fail that test, and be swept into that great delusion. Yes, it's about eternal life, it's about making our anchor sure in Christ, fully committing our lives to Him, so we cannot be moved when the storms of opposition rage. It's about sharing the three angel's message with the life changing righteousness in Christ message, with others
now so they too will be able to stand - it's NOT ABOUT A PEACEFUL pre-second coming kingdom. That is a delusion.
Our crowning hope is Christ's second coming in the clouds of glory to take us to His Father's house. (see John 14:1-3)
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As to the "he = male" argument. If every promise or passage statement in scripture and EGW when the word "he" or "man" is used can only refer to a male, then indeed there are a lot of "curve balls" against women in scripture.
Just one example, there are hundreds like it:
James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to them that love him. .
No matter the masculine language, that passage is equally applicable for every woman who seeks and loves the Lord and stands against temptation in His power.
As a people who believe in Christ's soon appearing, we have a definite message to bear,--"Prepare to meet thy God."
In this time of well-nigh universal apostasy, God calls upon His messengers to proclaim His law in the spirit and power of Elias. As John the Baptist, in preparing a people for Christ's first advent, called their attention to the Ten Commandments, so we are to give, with no uncertain sound, the message: "Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come." With the earnestness that characterized Elijah the prophet and John the Baptist, we are to strive to prepare the way for Christ's second advent (SW March 21, 1905). {4BC 1184.8}
