Reasons why Waco should be the Headquarters of Davidian Seventh Day Adventist.

Impact of the Weight of Evidence

Those who desire to doubt will have plenty of room. God does not propose to remove all occasion for unbelief. He gives evidence, which must be carefully investigated with a humble mind and a teachable spirit, and all should decide from the weight of evidence. God gives sufficient evidence for the candid mind to believe; but he who turns from the weight of evidence because there are a few things which he cannot make plain to his finite understanding will be left in the cold, chilling atmosphere of unbelief and questioning doubts, and will make shipwreck of faith.--5T 675, 676 (1889)”.  2 MCP:673

**We believe the Headquarters’ location of Davidian Seventh-Day Adventist should be chosen by Inspiration just as the SDA Headquarters’ location was chosen by Inspiration.** 

 Inspiration outlined the following criteria for the Davidian Headquarters’ location:“We are happy to announce that the headquarters office of the sealing message moved from Waco to Mt. Carmel Center on September 29 to its new and permanent home location for the proclamation of the message of the "True Witness to the Laodiceans." -- "Testimonies for the Church," Vol. 3, p. 253. Therefore, we request all the brethren in present truth to approach the throne of grace with thanksgiving and praises to our heavenly Father for His merciful kindness and many blessings”. ( 1SC #16:1)

Before Old Mt. Carmel was established, Brother Houteff once functioned in a rented building downtown Waco, and that is the reason for the statement “moved from Waco to Mt Carmel Center.”

Note:  “At this time we are to make the most important move since the message found us. Therefore, we earnestly solicit the prayers of every believer Present Truth, so that there be nothing done which God can not bless.

“The Word of the Lord is sounding in our ears, saying: "Thou also, son of man, take thee a tile, and lay it before thee, and portray upon it the city, even Jerusalem: and lay siege against it, and build a fort against it, and cast a mount against it; set the camp also against it, and set battering rams against it round about." (Ezek. 4:1, 2.)

“Hence, we must respond to the call else we may steer the heavily loaded ship to its eternal ruin.

“To build the "fort," to cast the "mount," to set the "camp," and the "battering rams" will require a fearless band of Gideonites who will not bow down to their knees for a drink. (Jud. 7:2-7.) God's ancient people, while building the tabernacle, the two temples, and in the days of the apostles, responded to their call very faithfully. But shall we now in the end of this world, while making history that will stand for eternity, draw back or do less? God has bestowed upon us greater blessings than He has upon any other people at any time. Shall we therefore by our deeds fail to show to Him that we appreciate His great gift as much as they? Let every reader of the Code answer this question to himself,

**“In order to fulfill the call we must build the "fort," cast the amount," set the "camp," and  the "battering rams against it round about -- "This shall be a sign to the house of Israel." (Ezek. 4:3.) Hence, the first question to be asked is, Where shall we build? The answer comes from Him Who "is taking the reins in His own hands" (Testimonies to Ministers, 300): "In that day shall Israel be...even a blessing in the midst of the land." (Isa. 19:24.)**

“As no one puts a light in a corner but rather in the center of the room, so the wise "husbandman" built "a tower in the midst of" His "vineyard." We are living in that prophetic time when men were to run to and fro" (Dan. 12:4), and in which "a short work will the Lord make." (Rom. 9:28.)“Consequently, the Lone Star state, being in the midst of the land for both Americas, North and South, is the place where we must set the "camp," so that the light may be equally diffused east and west, north and south. Moreover, the "camp" from where the "battering rams" are to be sent, naturally must be centrally located so that the distance between the "rams" and the "camp" may be cut down to one half, thus reducing the time and the cost for transportation and supplies as well as for mailing. We thank God for such a wise plan as this.

**“Therefore, He has given us one of His beautiful lakeside hills adjacent to Waco, Texas, a city of about 60,000, yet far enough from it to be away from the world and its evil environment -- about 5 miles from the center of the city, and about 2 1/2 miles from the city limits. There lies 189 acres of land for our "camp."**

“Inasmuch as Present Truth believers are faithfully straining their ears in an anxious endeavor to catch all the news waves from this anti-typical hill of "green pastures," to which the prophet Micah's attention was called long ago (Micah 7:14), we fear they will be greatly disappointed if we say nothing of its activities; therefore, we are happy to send forth a few lines of greeting from Mother Nature at Mt. Carmel.

“More and more impressive does the truth become that the Lord has prepared this place from it's very beginning for the work which it is to accomplish. We believe this because of the fact that besides the great advantages deriving from its central location in the northern part of the western hemisphere, its geographical surroundings, and its happy endowment of nature's choicest environment, away from all worldlings and the corrupting influences of city life, it brings to one's soul peace and joy in the "blessed hope" which it seems no other plot of ground can do”.  2 SC#s5, 6, p. 3.

“It has been evident for some time that it would soon be necessary to seek a more central location for the office in order to serve the whole field efficiently, so those at headquarters have been praying very earnestly over this matter for many months, and as they kept on praying for light, the Lord finally indicated definitely that beautiful Southern California was no longer to remain the center of His work for the "lost sheep of the house of Israel," but an eastward course was to be seen in the stream from that "fountain" which is to swell Into the great river of Ezekiel's prophecy, and plans were soon formulated whereby a thorough search could be made In the territory indicated by the Lord where the future headquarters were to be found.

“In response to an invitation to become members of the party selected to look for the new location, three of us met in San Antonio, Texas about the first of February, and for more than two months we have followed to the best of our ability every indication of our divine Leader, searching the land thoroughly from San Antonio to Dallas and Fort Worth, which is within the territory indicated where the Lord would have us locate”.  1 SC#10 p. 3

The above criteria can only become null and void after the fulfilment of the following statement; which is after the kingdom is established.From these scriptures, it is plainly seen that Mt. Zion becomes the headquarters for the last gospel work on earth, after the time the 144,000 arrive there, and during the time the dragon wars against the remnant, "for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem"--no longer from the General Conference, or from Mt. Carmel Center. 2 ANS. 48-49

The Kingdom is going to be established, moreover, in Zion and Jerusalem, not in Washington or Mt. Carmel.  And many peoples and nations shall flow unto It.  It will happen just as soon as "every man" casts away his idols.  It is useless to expect it before.  As soon as that happens Assyria will fall in the land.  The coming of the Kingdom then is not waiting for anyone but God's own people”.  13 SC #s1, 2:31

**DEDUCTIONS**

 1) The Davidian Headquarters (Jacob) must be in Texas as long as the General Conference (Esau)  is in Washington DC Centrally located for both Americas
(a) No one puts a candle (HQ) in a corner; (Los Angeles west coast, & New York, east coast)

(b) Workers and mail can be dispersed across the field more conveniently and economically from a central location than from a corner (Los Angeles or New York).
©  Advantageous; being at the central location in the Western Hemisphere.  Waco and Jerusalem lies on the same latitudinal line.  This is of major importance.  We may not at this time understand why the Lord chose a place in the same latitude with Jerusalem.

 2) Waco is internationally known as the Headquarters of Davidian -- Shepherd’s Rod movement.  When the great awakening takes place and people will seek the message of the hour they will find it easy coming out of Waco despite the many websites on the market promoting the Rod message.  Waco Headquarters is still away from corrupting influences of city life, although the high class dwellings that was started by Brother Houteff is on part of the original land.  It would be good if you see it for yourself.  (See 10 SC #1, p. 6, par. 1) 

3) Having only about 71/2 acres of land at the Waco main office, we have acquired 87 acres of more rural land for an extension of the Headquarters’ activities.   This is where several of the workers reside, and that is where we have our farming and rest home.  This land is clear and ready for any major expansion if funds become available.

 4) The climate is very favorable; hunters can be dispatched from Headquarters anytime of the year.  Snow and ice does not close down the operation at the Waco HQ as Mt. Dale has experienced several winters

 5) Providentially, God allowed Waco HQ to acquire the old files and manuscripts of Old Mt. Carmel.

 6) From experience, it will be easier to unite the field upon having HQ at Waco than Mt. Dale.  This is because Waco is written all over the Rod Message, and for the same reason that Los Angeles could not be the HQ, Mt. Dale cannot.  They are at the two opposite corners.

 7) Mt. Dale brethren  often said that Headquarters’ location is not salvific and it can be anywhere east of Los Angeles according to their Bylaw.  With this concept they should have no problem accepting Waco as the Headquarters .

 8) We can prove that it was a legal Session that voted to move the Headquarters from Mt. Dale to Waco, Texas.  We did not break away.  If one has to err on this issue of Headquarters, it would be safer to err on what is written than on a place that Inspiration has nothing to say about.

 9) Over the years of controversy on the Headquarters’ issue, Mountaindale has failed to tell us why that place, according to Inspiration is qualified to be the Headquarters (apart from being in the mountains)

It must be remembered that it was SBD a known false prophet that introduced us to the  Mt Dale property.  We were not led there by any study on Ezekiel 47 or Zechariah 13.  It must also be remembered that after the Headquarters moved east from Los Angeles to Waco Texas, it moved west back to Los Angeles, then east again to Salem, then North to New York.  The eastward flow of the stream does not fit this navigation of the Headquarters movements.  The Rod say the Headquarters moved east of Los Angeles to Waco at the center, and then to Palestine after the purification of the church.

10) Sister Florence Houteff, knowing that the intent of Brother Houteff was not to sell and move from Old Mt. Carmel to some other location, said:

“To date six tracts of the land have been sold on two and three year pay-off terms.  The last of these six comprised all of the acreage except 18 acres which is reserved for the use of the Institution as long as it is needed.”  11 SC#8, p. 23

To conclude that Sister Houteff selling all the land at once, was the fulfilment of Brother Houteff’s instruction is erroneous.  Let us quote 10 SC #1 p. 1, par 2 again:

“Now again, with even greater emphasis toward reaching her goal, Mount Carmel Center makes the following announcement to all faithful Davidians who will realize that this good news is perhaps nothing short of a sign. Mount Carmel Center, by commencing to first sell its excess property, then the whole is symbolically leading the way to the program that is outlined by the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy, in the words:

“ Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found , he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath and buyeth that field.” Matthew 13:44, The Lord himself is leading the way”.  10 SC#1, p. 1, par. 1

Note that selling off the land must be according to the program outlined by the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy.  He later quoted EW p. 57.  Let us read:

“I saw that if any held on to their property and did not inquire of the Lord as to their duty, He would not make duty known, and they would be permitted to keep their property, and in the time of trouble it would come up before them like a mountain to crush them, and they would try to dispose of it, but would not be able. I heard some mourn like this: "The cause was languishing, God's people were starving for the truth, and we made no effort to supply the lack; now our property is useless. Oh, that we had let it go, and laid up treasure in heaven!" I saw that a sacrifice did not increase, but it decreased and was consumed. I also saw that God had not required all of His people to dispose of their property at the same time; but if they desired to be taught, He would teach them, in a time of need, when to sell and how much to sell. Some have been required to dispose of their property in times past to sustain the Advent cause, while others have been permitted to keep theirs until a time of need. Then, as the cause needs it, their duty is to sell.  {EW 57.1}

  “I saw that the message, "Sell that ye have, and give alms," has not been given, by some, in its clear light, and the object of the words of our Saviour has not been clearly presented. The object of selling is not to give to those who are able to labor and support themselves, but to spread the truth. It is a sin to support and indulge in idleness those who are able to labor. Some have been zealous to attend all the meetings, not to glorify God, but for the "loaves and fishes." Such would much better have been at home laboring with their hands, "the thing that is good," to supply the wants of their families and to have something to give to sustain the precious cause of present truth. Now is the time to lay up treasure in heaven and to set our hearts in order, ready for the time of trouble. Those only who have clean hands and pure hearts will stand in that trying time. Now is the time for the law of God to be in our minds, foreheads, and written in our hearts.  {EW 57.2}

According to this statement and according to the project Brother Houteff stated (See 10SC #2, p.) the land was to be sold piece by piece as the need arises for funds.  When the time came to sell all, as the Lord directs then, the believers should sell their land too because it would then be clear that it was time to go home.  Because the land price had greatly increased, because of the expansion of the lake, Sister Houteff sold all and went and bought another piece of land at Elk, Texas over 3 times the size of the Old Mt. Carmel (900 acres). We cannot tell people that Sister Houteff followed the instruction of the prophet.

11) “Yes, with the City coming to our very doors, the peach orchard must go.   The peach orchard! What memories it brings of low-bowing branches loaded with luscious fruit!”  10SC #2, p. 13

Many read the above statement to mean that since the city was at the door of the Headquarters, then It must go.  It is the peach orchard that must go, not the Headquarters.  The Peach orchard was converted to a housing development. 

“Be it, therefore, known that part of Mount Carmel property is being subdivided for high class residences beginning at the old peach orchard near the Mount Carmel entrance”.  10 SC#1, p. 6

The building of these houses block the city from coming any closer to the Headquarters.  Visit Waco and you will see the clear evidence of the above statement.

12) We have functioned here for over twenty years with no problem with city influence.

13) We do not believe there is any thing magical or  salvific  about eh piece of land, but at the time we decided to return to Waco, a part of Old Mt. Carmel was providentially made available to us at an affordable price.

14) Waco is centrally located for the world wide population of SDAs; eg. The largest concentration of SDAs is west of Waco, not east.  The largest concentration of SDAs are in Central and South America Division, not Africa and Europe.   A large number of SDAs are in Philippines and Indonesia, but to get there Americans must cross the Pacific Ocean, not the Atlantic Ocean.

15) It was God who led Brother Houteff to establish the Headquarters 5 miles from the city center, which allows us accessibility in five minutes to Hospitals, Clinics,  Post Office, UP S, FEDEX, Paper, Tools, Parts etc,  All of these save time and money and we are still away from the city influence by being blocked by many high class dwellings on one side and the lake and its forestry on the other side.  This is a unique place.

Note: Try and remember: The motion that was opposed by the Mt. Dale leaders at the 1990 Session stated that the Headquarters be moved to Texas in the midst of the land to a rural location.  We did not divide over the exact spot which is now the big objection.  Although we believe it is in the best interest of the cause at this time to let Waco be the Headquarters of the work, we do  believe as 2 Timely Greetings #45:17 says that everything pertaining to the work cannot, or have to be done from this one central location.  As we stated before both facilities will be utilized, none will be sold.

 Warning:----However, this monthly visitor (Symbolic code) promises to answer questions on such passages of Scripture only as have been divinely revealed and authoritatively proclaimed--bearing the positive mark of truth.  Therefore, it will either give a correct answer to the questions, or else confess its ignorance by saying, "I do not know."

  First and foremost, though, its purpose is to reveal the fact that the time has come for the Lord to manifest His power, and to unify and purify His church on earth--calling her to rise up from her dusty bed, and put on her strength and her gift of beautiful garments, because "from henceforth" the unclean shall not come unto her. (Isa. 52:1.)

“Therefore, it positively demands that the heralds of "the great and dreadful day of the Lord", who are under its jurisdiction, must strictly comply with all the requirements, instructions, and advice which it bears to them from time to time, adding nothing to or subtracting nothing from the message.  It will not countenance those who ignore its divine authority, for the church is to be the light of the world, "fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners." (Isa. 62:1 through 7; "Prophets and Kings," p. 725.)    3 SC #1   p12.