Recently, a verbatim telephone conversation was published in Pilgrims' Waymarks between Vance Ferrell and Jim Bolinger of the Institute for Restoring Ancient History, a Kansas-based organization. Mr. Bolinger claimed his organization has discovered the location of the Ark of the Covenant supposedly hid by Jeremiah the prophet prior to the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar.

To borrow the words of the prophet Simeon who stated to Mary that the Child in her arms would be "for a sign ... that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed," (Luke 2:34-35) so this reported discovery will likewise reveal the thoughts of many hearts. It should awaken and alarm God's professed true and concerned people as nothing else has done for a number of months. While the Davenport scandal has shaken many a complacent church member to his very foundations, this report of the discovery of "lost Ark of the Covenant" and the extenuating circumstances should serve as a warning that subtle deception is being practiced on the unwary even by those who profess to be in the vanguard of revealing apostasy in the midst of the Church.

The course of the reported verbatim telephone conversation ran like this:

Ferrell: "What did the outer entrance to the passageway look like?"

Bolinger: "If you didn't know what you were looking for, you never would have thought that there was anything there. It was just a depression with trees on both sides."

Ferrell: "God led you to it. There is no other explanation."

Bolinger: "Well, to be honest with you. We had no idea of where to go. And we only had a permit to be there two weeks before we must fly back home. We knelt and prayed many times. We all had prayed that we would be shown the way to go. And Tom [Tom Crotser, the leader of the expedition] had a dream. In it he was in a passageway and Jeremiah was there with him, and said to him, ' This is the way to go,' and led him down the passageway to the wall before the room."

Ferrell: "When did he have this dream?"

Bolinger: "The night before."

Ferrell: "The night before you discovered the depression!" (#43, p. 1)

Did God resurrect "Jeremiah" and send him in answer to the prayers of this expedition headed by Tom Crotser? The only incident of a dead prophet supposedly returning to communicate with the living is the case of Saul and the witch of Endor, who brought up a "spirit" whom Saul thought to be "Samuel." (I Sam. 28:11-14) This was pure Spiritism! Now we have another

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incident in which a dead prophet supposedly comes in response to prayers to guide the way to the Ark he allegedly hid centuries ago. But most alarming is the fact that here is an individual who professes to be warning God's people about apostasy, scattering his publications far and wide, yet unable to discern a deceptive manifestation, but declaring instead - "God led you to it. There is no other explanation." The word of God declares plainly, "The dead know not anything." (Eccl. 9:5) While it is true, Ferrell made the deduction prior to being informed about, "Jeremiah," he was so enthralled with the revelation and the fact that it occurred the night before, he continued the conversation and published it with his approbation. While professing to be presenting the "historic waymarks, " he has now been caught in the net of Spiritism by proclaiming such a revelation the leading of God. This should awaken us as nothing has done before to the fact that the counterfeit will so resemble the true that only by the Holy Scriptures will deception be detected. Let us face the fact that to those who do believe historic Adventism, neither Ford nor Brinsmead present a counterfeit. However, when we have various voices proclaiming the existence of apostasy, how does one distinguish the genuine from the false? Only by the Holy Scriptures! Here we have a classic example that merely verbalizing the existence of error, and publishing sensational releases is no criterion that here is the way of truth. To follow such unstable human judgment, rather than the Word of God will result in only one thing - the loss of one's soul!

Now let us turn our attention to some facts surrounding the expectation of finding the Ark of the Covenant prior to the second Advent, before we return to look at delusions God declares He will send upon those who believe not the truth but have pleasure in unrighteousness. And "unrighteousness" includes unethical practices.

Based on the Apocrapha

Nowhere in the canons of the Holy Bible does it state that the Ark of the Covenant was hidden by Jeremiah prior to the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. The only place where such is recorded is in the book of II Maccabees. As one knows, this book is a part of the writings which we term the Apocrapha. This word from the Greek means "obscure." II Maccabees is not a sequel to I Maccabees, as it covers only a limited period of Maccabean history from 171-161 B.C. Moreover, it is full of errors and distortions. While it is based on history, it is "mingled with legend, and colored by a certain didactic purpose, that is not true history." (Ministry, April, 1950, p. 34) This book contains the experience of money being raised to provide a sacrifice to be offered in Jerusalem to remit the sins of the dead. (II Mac. 12:43) It states that it is "a wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from their sins." (II Mac 12:46, Douay Version) The LXX translated reads - "And also in that he perceived that there was great favour laid up for those that died godly, it was an holy and good thought. Whereupon he made a reconciliation for the dead, that they might be delivered from sin." On the basis of this the "Catholic Church claims that these texts give her authority for the doctrine of purgatory. Purgatory and masses for the dead are accepted and believed by every devout Catholic." (Mary Walsh, "Reasons Why Apocrapha Is Rejected," Ministry, Dec. 1949, p. 12) Thus the book itself comes under suspect as a source for reliable truth whether in doctrine or history. Yet this is the "Scriptural"(?) source quoted in Pilgrims' Waymarks (Ibid., p. 4), under the caption - "Spirit of Prophecy Statements About the Ark of God in These Last Days." How great can deception be? We not only get caught in the net of Spiritism but, then quote from an Apocraphal book that contains legend and call it "the Spirit of Prophecy!" Isn't it time we awakened to discern between the counterfeit and the genuine? "Try the spirits because many false prophets have gone out into the world." (I John 4:1)

The "Catholic Church Council of Trent placed [the] Apocrapha on an equality with the other inspired books of [the] Bible. All who do not accept [the] Apocrapha as of equal authority with Scripture are anathematized (cursed) by the Catholic Church." (Walsh, op. cit., p. 11). We do not need Jesuits in the Church, when we have men who professedly seek to uphold "historic Adventism" projecting approved Catholic sources on God's people under the

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guise that it is the "Spirit of Prophecy."

What Says the Early Testimonies?

Really do we believe what the servant of the Lord has written in Early Writings? I am sure that Pilgrims' Rest would say, "Yes." But how much have we really studied them to know how to escape deception from last day delusions? How much have we sought to know the meaning and significance of what really took place in 1844? It has been revealed that once Christ left the Holy Place, the devil assumed a position as if he were there, and seeks to answer the prayers of all those who did not follow Jesus into the Most Holy Place. (EW p. 56) These men who supposedly discovered the Ark of the Covenant, prayed, prayed, and prayed! In response to their final pleadings, that night "Jeremiah" appeared and pointed the way to something. Now who answered their prayers - God? - or do we believe what has taken place since the end of the 2300 Days? It is only pure deception to be attacking Dr. Desmond Ford in regard to his rejection of the significance of the 2300 Day prophecy as Ferrell has and is doing; and then himself not believe what he professes to uphold. But the sad picture is that many honest and sincere folk are being deceived by such double-talk.

What II Maccabees Says

Note carefully the whole of the prophecy in II Maccabees to see just what is stated. It reads:

It was... contained in the same writing, that the prophet, being warned of God, commanded the tabernacle and the ark to go with him, as he went forth into the mountain, where Moses climbed up, and saw the heritage of God. And when Jeremy came thither, he found a hollow cave, wherein he laid the tabernacle, and the ark, and the altar of incense, and so stopped the door.

And some of those that followed him came to mark the way, but they could not find it. Which when Jeremy perceived, he blamed them, saying, As for that place, it shall be unknown until the time that God shall gather his people again together, and receive them unto mercy. Then shall the Lord shew them these things, and the glory of the Lord shall appear, and the cloud also, as it was shewed under Moses, and as when Solomon desired that the place might be honorably sanctified. (2:4-8)

Note carefully that it states that when the Ark is found, there will be a restoration in which the same glory as was manifest in the dedication of the tabernacle under Moses, and the Temple under Solomon will again be seen. A careful study of and investigation into the purposes of the fallen rebel against God will cast light as what shall take place when this Ark discovered by this Kansas based group is brought forth. Crotser, the leader of the expedition, told the press - "that finding the Ark is a part of the grand plan set up in the book of Revelation. He said the Ark would help restore the Temple of Jerusalem so that all may be in order for the second coming of Christ, which he predicts will occur in September or October of 1988." (UPI from Winfield, Kansas)

What Says the Scripture?

Now as we turn to the Holy Scriptures to find what is really predicted, and what will take place, let us consult the "lesser light" as to what we should look for as we check events which are to occur just before the coming of the Son of man in the clouds of heaven. The counsel reads:

In the twenty-first chapter of Luke, Christ foretold what was to come upon Jerusalem, and with it He connected the scenes which were to take place in the history of this world just prior to the coming of the Son of man in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (Counsels to Writers and Editors, p. 24)

Why are we directed to Luke, and not to Matthew or Mark, which have parallel passages? (Matt. 24; Mark 13) In Luke, and only Luke, Jesus is quoted as stating that the city of Jerusalem, the same one which was to be "compassed with armies" (Luke 21: 20); was the city to be "trodden down of Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled." (verse 24) Note and note carefully, Jesus did not say that the Temple was to be trodden down till the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. Just prior to this, He had declared concerning the Temple - "Your house is left unto you desolate." (Matt. 23: 38) Then when the disciples in amazement showed Him "the

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buildings of the temple," Jesus commented, "See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down." (24:1-2) The Temple, with its services, and priesthood, was to lose all of its significance for a greater and more perfect Tabernacle was to function in the Heavens above where Christ was to mediate as the Great High Priest. However, the city of Jerusalem would continue to remain as a sign of events assigned to it in prophecy. Dr. J. R. Zurcher has well stated: "This prophecy of Jesus was a sign for the Christians of the Apostolic Church, who lived at the beginning of the times of the Gentiles, and it remains a sign for us who live at the end of the times of the Gentiles." (Christ of the Revelation, p. 71. [Southern Publishing Association, 1980) He further writes - "I believe that the times of the Gentiles began in AD 34, when the prophetic seventy weeks that God set aside for the people of Israel ended... The fact that since 1967 Gentiles no longer have occupied Jerusalem means, therefore, that we are living at the end of 'the times of the Gentiles."' (p. 72) It is also interesting to note that the latest edition of the 20th Century Bible Course, Lesson 5, "Time Running Out," asks - "How long did Christ say that Jerusalem would be trodden, down? (verse 24) " The note following the question comments: "Old Jerusalem and the temple site have been occupied largely by Gentile nations until 1967 when the Jews took possession of it in a 'lightning victory.' This portion of Christ's prophecy was fulfilled in our day!" [For a full detailed study of this prophecy see our Monograph - The Times of Gentiles Fulfilled] Let it be noted that it is this prophecy of Jesus which Ferrell in his exposition on the finding of the Ark seeks to nullify. (See p. 3, col. 3 of Waymarks #431 Then in Pilgrims' Guideposts (Jan. 1, 1982, p. 4), Ferrell writes: "Not until the Mosque of Omar is removed and a Jewish temple erected in its place, with sacrificial services carried on within it, - can it be, said that the times of the Gentiles has been fulfilled." Jesus didn't state these conditions! To seek to nullify the words of Jesus by a revelation from Spiritism shows to what extent a human mind can be deceived when truth as it is in Jesus is rejected. Yet how many will continue to support and parrot such blasphemy.

There are other texts which also speak of Jerusalem in relationship to the final events of human history. In Daniel 11:45, it declares that the mysterious "he" will "plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain." Chapter 9 (ver. 16) tells us what this "mountain" is. Daniel in prayer declares - "thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain." But when this occurs, the text reads - "At that time shall Michael stand up." (Dan. 12:1) The objectives of this power brought to view in Daniel 11 - both the initiator, and him "whose coming is after the working of Satan," (II Thess. 2:9) is clearly defined in Isa. 14:12-14. Here the intent of Lucifer's heart is revealed. He designs to "sit also upon the mount of congregation in the sides of the north." This is defined as "mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King." (Ps. 48:22) The words "mount of the congregation" - in the Hebrew is Har Mo'ed, which when transliterated into the Greek is "Har-Magedon" (Rev. 16:16 ARV) . And it is the spirits of devils which assemble the nations to this place for the final confrontation in the Battle of the great day of God Almighty. Then to note the preparation being done under the guise of Spiritism - "Jeremiah" appearing to point the way - and call this the leading of God is the very height of deception! God forbid that any of his true children will fall for this beguiling delusion presented by a modern false prophet.

What is the Basis of Belief?

Jesus told a parable to the Laodiceans of His day - the Pharisees (DA, p. 280) - about a Rich Man who finally ended up in hell. Seeing Lazarus in Abraham's bosom, he asks that Lazarus be sent to warn his five brothers. (Luke 16:19-31) But Jesus has Abraham stating - "If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." To merely see the Ark which supposedly was hidden by Jeremiah, and to see the Tablets of Stone - if they are really in it now, II Maccabees states the Law was given to those being, carried into captivity (2:2) - would not change the course of the inhabitants of earth. Will not the prince

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of evil, appearing as Christ, state that he changed the Law? The deception will be so great, that if possible, the very elect will be deceived. Would it not be well to ponder the two questions asked by the servant of the Lord in connection with the coming of Satan as Christ? She asked: "Are the people of God now so firmly established upon His word that they would not yield to the evidences of their senses? Would they, in such a crisis, cling to the Bible, and the Bible only?" (GC, p. 625) Let me write plainly - YOU will be deceived, if you have fallen for this present deception, and having fallen for it, continue to follow it, and actively support it. Unless one holds to the Bible, and the Bible only, he will be misled!

How Sacred Would Be the Ark, If Found?

The Old Testament emphasizes the sacredness of the Ark of the Covenant. It was placed in the Most Holy Place of the earthly sanctuary. Only the High Priest looked upon it once a year, and then only through a veil of incense. When moved from one resting place to another, it was covered. When the Ark was captured by the Philistines, their god, Dagon, could not stand in its presence. Every city to which the Philistines took the Ark, a plague broke forth upon its inhabitants. (I Samuel 5) When Uzzah put forth his hand to steady the Ark as it was being carried on a cart pulled by a team of oxen, he was smitten by God. (II Sam. 6:6-7)

Was the Ark sacred of itself, or was its sacredness based on the fact that God chose to manifest His presence between its cherubim? Does the fact that Christ declared the Temple desolate, relate to the Ark today, should it be exhibited once again before the world? What was the meaning of the rending of the veil of the Temple at the hour of Christ's death, even though no Ark was within the sacred enclosure? (Matt. 27:51) These questions must find their answer in the over-all relationship of the earthly sanctuary to the Old Covenant, and the relationship of the Heavenly Sanctuary with the New Covenant. We are told - "Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary." (Heb. 9: 1) In this "worldly" sanctuary is found among the articles of furniture, "the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the tables of the covenant." (Heb. 9:4) On the other hand, Christ became "a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man;" and "the mediator of a new covenant, which was established upon better promises." (Heb. 8:2, 6) He promised - "This is the covenant that I will make after those days,... I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them." (Heb. 10:16) What God wishes to be seen is not a gold covered box which pertained to the services of the Old Covenant, but in the lives of those who worship in spirit and in truth, the Law written in mind and heart. The Old has passed away - its sacredness is gone, because the presence of God is no longer there.

Will the sacred Law be seen again? Verily, for "the Law worketh wrath." (Rom. 4:15) When the final plagues of God's last judgments are poured out without mixture upon the inhabitants of earth, the Temple of God will be "opened in heaven, and there will be seen in His temple, the ark of His testament." (Rev. 11:19) This will be followed by the Voice from the Throne saying, "It is done," and the seventh plague. (Rev. 16:17; 11:19) Those who have bowed in adoration before Satan exalting him as Christ, and placing him on the throne of David, will look upon those tables of the covenant and see with clearer vision than before perceived - "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me." All worship of the authority of man; all deceitfulness of deception as the result of yielding one's mind to the perceptions of the senses, will be seen in their true character - that of placing humanity and human reasoning above a plain - "Thus saith the Lord."

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"NOW THE SPIRIT SPEAKETH EXPRESSLY, THAT IN THE LATTER TIMES SOME SHALL DEPART FROM THE FAITH, GIVING HEED TO SEDUCING SPIRITS, AND DOCTRINES OF DEVILS."

I Timothy 4: 1

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UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT GAGS STUDENT PAPER

The Journal Era (Feb. 3, 1982) in Berrien Springs, Michigan, stated in a local news release that the administration of Andrews University "ordered a gag on its student newspaper, The Student Movement." What had happened was the editors of The Student Movement in their January 20, 1982, issue had published as its center spread (pp. 8, 9), Dr. Derrick Proctor's side of the suit filed in the U.S. District Court in Chicago which had named the General Conference and other entities of the Church, "claiming they had violated anti-trust laws when they tried to prevent him from selling religious materials at discount prices."

In the paper released by Dr. Proctor, which the editors had published, he had itemized the numerous attempts which he had initiated to settle the problem directly with the leadership of the Church - ten attempts in all. Three of these ten were directly with Elder Neal C. Wilson. This fact is most interesting in the light of the recent editorial appearing in the Adventist Review (Feb. 4, 1982) over Wilson's signature. There Wilson deplored the use of Courts to settle matters relating to the Church. Yet when persons are willing and make contacts with the hierarchy, they are either ignored, or brushed aside by Patzer, Wilson's assistant. In view of this editorial, and the issues involved in the Proctor case, an interview granted by Elder Wilson to the Feature Editor of The Student Movement (Nov. 28, 1981) is most interesting. To a question as to whether Wilson will "follow the recommendations made at Dallas that any member or organization of the church who sues the church would be immediately" disfellowshipped, Wilson hedged a direct reply, but did not deny that excommunication would be the ultimate weapon used to keep folk in line. Proctor states that "on numerous occasions I have been directly and indirectly warned that I may be fired from my church employment because I am continuing to resist interference on the part of a few conference employees in my business relationships." (p. 9, The Student Movement, Jan. 20, 1982)

We can understand Elder Neal C. Wilson's desire to get things settled out of court. He has been personally named in the $35 Million Class Action Suit filed in Portland, Oregon. We can understand that if this suit should come to trial, and he be placed on the witness stand, it would be embarrassing to him. He has already sworn under oath in the case heard in the U. S. District Court in northern California that "It is ... necessary for the Church to establish its authority in the community of believers." The Church had already been defined in a separate affidavit by Elder R. H. Pierson to be "the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists." Now for Elder Wilson to explain why with such power as the General Conference claimed to possess could he not have entered into the picture as then president of the North American Division and protected the laity from the Davenport investments, will be most difficult to explain. Or does the Church exist only for benefit of the hierarchy, and the laity are merely "serfs"?

Why do individuals feel they must resort to legal action against the Church, when supposedly there has been set up the "Conciliation Panel" for the settlement of all such disputes? We cannot give specific answers for each individual case, but we do know from personal experience that to appeal through church channels for the righting of wrongs, even though every rule in the Church Manual had been violated by church officers was an exercise in futility. The reason is simple. The panels appointed to hear a complaint are church paid personnel with a few "safe" lay representatives. These panels operate from the position that the Church is infallible, and its leaders can do no wrong. True, it may be admitted that the church leaders acted in a "hasty" manner, but the decision made was fully correct, and not open to amendment, alteration, or change. So long as this mentality dominates the Church's effort to settle problems, there is but little recourse except the courts of the land where free citizens - not "serfs" can be heard.

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In Church Courts justice does not reach down to the streets, and equity finds no seat in the hearing room.

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Laodicean Syndrome

Lord it is magnificently beautiful,

With burnished surface gleaming

In the early morning sun;

We think its intricate embellishments

So gloriously represent

The One

We are constrained to worship.

See these splendid, spired edifices?

All the imposing arrays of stone and wood?

The complex machinations

We call "organization"

Are they not good?

Oh! -- Your counsel? Well ... perhaps its true.

We do not know our grave condition

Nor of Your bidding do the half

But can't You see, Lord, how adoringly

We bow before this calf?

                                                                                                                 Sally Hill

WALL CLIMBER OR LADDER CLIMBER - WHICH?

"Those who enter Heaven will not scale its walls by their own righteousness, nor will the gates be opened to them for costly offerings of gold and silver; but they will gain an entrance to the many mansions of the Father's house through the merits of the Cross of Christ. Jesus is the ladder by which every soul must mount who would climb from earth to Heaven." EGW The Signs of the Times, June 26, 1884