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| Q7: Does Ellen White record the two symbols of heavenly rock correctly?
(11) : "tswur" : "hard flint rock". (12) : "cela" : "high cliff rock" Hypothesis:How does Ellen White differ between the Hebrew "cela" and "tsuwr" ? Introduction: There are two Hebrew words for rock.
Strong's 6697 "tsuwr" "hard flint rock" Strong's 5553 "cela" "high cliff rock" The Ancient Hebrew reads for "tsuwr" : "The travelling secure Head" The Ancient Hebrew reads for "cela" : "The prickly shepherd protecting sees" Notice the "flint rock" travels securely as a Head. Ps 89:26 He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father "ab", my God "el" (single numerical ONE of Strong Authority" , and the rock "tsuwr" "flint rock" of my salvation. Notice the "flint rock" is a symbol of the Father, the most high of the Strong Authorities of Elohiym. The "travelling secure Head" goes with His Son, and they work as a united family of one. Notice the "high cliff rock" has the prickle letter "X" and is used "protecting" or "hurting". Strong's 7854 "satan" "adversary" Ancient Hebrew reads "The prickle one covers the nations" Notice that Satan and Jesus "the high cliff rock" are opponents to one another. Satan wants to cover the nations of people with his thorns, while Jesus the prickled one sees as a Shepherd of Authority. Or in Ancient Hebrew "The prickled Authority sees". Now let's see if any major religion even acknowledges that there are TWO rock symbols of the heavenly hosts. There are a few websites acknowleding the "heavenly Father tsuwr" (Google search) as a symbol of a massive rock. I found none acknowledging "heavenly Jesus cela" as a symbolic rock, and even less websites saying anything about the heavenly Father and the heavenly Christ as symbols of rocks, tsuwr and cela respectively. I would really doubt if any denomination would have anything much to say about two rock symbols in the Bible. Actually there are three rock symbols in Scripture :- these being (1) Father - (tsuwr) "travelling secure head" (2) Jesus - (cela) "prickled Authority sees" (3) Brother - (eben) "Strong home across the people" IMAGE source. Does Ellen White in her writings make note of these two symbols of rock in the Scriptures? Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock "tsuwr" in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock "tsuwr", and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. Exodus 17:6. {TMK 23.1} From the smitten rock in Horeb first flowed the living stream that refreshed Israel in the desert. During all their wanderings, wherever the need existed, they were supplied with water by a miracle of God's mercy. . . . {TMK 23.2} It was Christ, by the power of His word, that caused the refreshing stream to flow for Israel. "They drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ" (1 Corinthians 10:4). He was the source of all temporal as well as spiritual blessings. Christ, the true Rock, was with them in all their wanderings. "They thirsted not when he led them through the deserts: he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them." "They ran in the dry places like a river" (Isaiah 48:21; Psalm 105:41). {TMK 23.3} Isa 48:21 And they thirsted not when he led them through the deserts: he caused the waters to flow out of the rock "tsuwr" for them: he clave the rock "tsuwr" also, and the waters gushed out. Ps 105:41 He opened the rock "tsuwr", and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river. Here we have a contradiction of Hebrew meaning: if the rock "tsuwr", is the symbol of the Father, why does EGW speak about Jesus as the symbol of that rock also? The rock "tsuwr",smitten rock was a figure of Christ, and through this symbol the most precious spiritual truths are taught. As the life-giving waters flowed from the smitten rock, so from Christ, "smitten of God," "wounded for our transgressions," "bruised for our iniquities" (Isaiah 53:4, 5), the stream of salvation flows for a lost race. As the rock had been once smitten, so Christ was to be "once offered to bear the sins of many" (Hebrews 9:28). Our Saviour was not to be sacrificed a second time; and it is only necessary for those who seek the blessings of His grace to ask in the name of Jesus, pouring forth the heart's desire in penitential prayer. Such prayer will bring before the Lord of hosts the wounds of Jesus, and then will flow forth afresh the life-giving blood, symbolized by the flowing of the living water for Israel. . . . {TMK 23.4} Notice the context way Ellen White explains the Father Rock "tsuwr" is a simile of Jesus Rock "cela", from which streams of salvation flow. They work together as one. And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:4. {TMK 24.1} Christ combines the two types. He is the rock, He is the living water. {TMK 24.2} The same beautiful and expressive figures are carried throughout the Bible. Centuries before the advent of Christ, Moses pointed to Him as the rock of Israel's salvation; the psalmist sung of Him as "my redeemer," "the rock of my strength," "the rock that is higher than I," "a rock of habitation," "rock of my heart," "rock of my refuge." In David's song His grace is pictured also as the cool, "still waters," amid green pastures, beside which the heavenly Shepherd leads His flock. Again, "Thou shalt make them," he says, "drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life." And the wise man declares, "The wellspring of wisdom {is} as a flowing brook." To Jeremiah, Christ is "the fountain of living waters"; to Zechariah, "a fountain opened . . . for sin and for uncleanness." {TMK 24.3} Notice Ellen White declares the ROCK to be a symbol of Jesus. Note the verses quoted: Ps 18:2 The LORD is my rock "cela", and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength "tsuwr", in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. Notice in the Psalms quoted by Ellen White both "cela" and "tsuwr" rock symbols are found. Ob 1:3 The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock " cela", , whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground? Here Ellen White correctly quotes the "cela" rock as a symbol of Jesus. Ps 61:2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock "tsuwr" that is higher than I. Here Ellen White places the "tsuwr" rock with Jesus, but this is a symbol of the Father ? How do we unravel this problem when we consider the poetry parallel in the Psalm (18:2) that the Yahweh is a Rock cela and a simile power of Rock tsuwr. And since Elohiym is a singular term of heavenly powers (plural) all acting as a single unit, it can be difficult to unravel individual member powers. The great work from which the mind should not be diverted is the consideration of our personal standing in the sight of God. Are our feet on the Rock of Ages? Are we hiding ourselves in the only Refuge? The storm is coming, relentless in its fury. Are we prepared to meet it? Are we one with Christ as He is one with the Father? Are we heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ? . . . {Mar 108.5} Notice the concept of the Father and the Son working as one. Yet there appears two different symbols for different aspects of rock, which suggests the Father and the Son individually. Jg 6:19 And Gideon went in, and made ready a kid, and unleavened cakes of an ephah of flour: the flesh he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot, and brought it out unto him under the oak, and presented it. Notice in this Bible passage both ROCK symbols appear on the same altar. Both the Father and Jesus work together in a literal physical sense, just as these rocks are placed on the altar "cela" which in turn rests on the bedrock "tsuwr" of the earth. {PP 547.2} Gideon's father, Joash, who shared in the apostasy of his countrymen, had erected at Ophrah, where he dwelt, a large altar to Baal, at which the people of the town worshiped. Gideon was commanded to destroy this altar and to erect an altar to Jehovah over the rock on which the offering had been consumed, and there to present a sacrifice to the Lord. The offering of sacrifice to God had been committed to the priests, and had been restricted to the altar at Shiloh; but He who had established the ritual service, and to whom all its offerings pointed, had power to change its requirements. The deliverance of Israel was to be preceded by a solemn protest against the worship of Baal. Gideon must declare war upon idolatry before going out to battle with the enemies of his people. {PP 547.3} This Ellen White passage seems to reflect references to the Father as a rock. {PP 754.5} Glorious are the promises made to David and his house, promises that look forward to the eternal ages, and find their complete fulfillment in Christ. The Lord declared: {PP 754.6} "I have sworn unto David My servant . . . with whom My hand shall be established: Mine arm also shall strengthen him. . . . My faithfulness and My mercy shall be with him: and in My name shall his horn be exalted. I will set his hand also in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers. He shall cry unto Me, Thou art my Father, my God, and the Rock "Tsuwr" of my salvation . Also I will make him My first-born, higher than the kings of the earth. My mercy will I keep for him forevermore, and My covenant shall stand fast with him." Psalm 89:3-28. This Ellen White passage seems to reflect references to both the Father and Jesus as two symbols of rock. {RC 353.5} Our heavenly Father has the power of turning the flinty rock into life-giving and refreshing streams. We shall never know, until we are face to face with God, . . . how many burdens He has borne for us, and how many burdens He would have been glad to bear if, with childlike faith, we had brought them to Him.--Signs of the Times, Sept. 10, 1896. {RC 353.6} This is perhaps the greatest single quote of Ellen White confirming the Father is a tsuwr Rock. What is uncanny is Ellen White correctly describes the "tsuwr" as a flint like rock. They had so far separated from God that they knew not the Father, and could not recognize the Father's image in His representative. "Thus saith the Lord, Ask ye now among the heathen, who hath heard such things; the virgin of Israel hath done a very horrible thing. Will a man leave the snow of Lebanon which cometh from the rock of the field? or shall the cold-flowing waters that come from another place be forsaken? Because My people hath forgotten Me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways from the ancient paths, to walk in paths, in a way not cast up." Father; there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed Me; for He wrote of Me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe My words?" {BEcho, December 3, 1894 par. 3} Jer 18:14 Will a man leave the snow of Lebanon which cometh from the rock "tsuwr" of the field? or shall the cold flowing waters that come from another place be forsaken? Notice Ellen White writes in the context of the Father "tsuwr" ROCK, but Jesus is talking of that ROCK, as a functional descriptor of that ROCK, His Father. The Father and the Son spoke to Moses from the rocks . God made the rocks his sanctuary. His temple was the everlasting hills. The Divine Legislator descended upon the rocky mountain to speak his law in the hearing of all the people, that they might be impressed by the grand and awful exhibition of his power and glory, and fear to transgress his commandments. God spoke his law amid thunders and lightnings and the thick cloud upon the top of the mountain, and his voice was as the voice of a trumpet exceeding loud. The law of Jehovah was unchangeable, and the tablets upon which he wrote that law were solid rock, signifying the immutability of its precepts. Rocky Horeb became a sacred place to all who loved and revered the law of God. {RH, March 1, 1881 par. 13} Wilderness of Sin experience at Rephidim: Ex 17:6 Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock "tsuwr" in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock "tsuwr" , and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. Wilderness of Zin experience at Kadesh: Nu 20:10 And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock "cela", and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock "cela", The Scripture records TWO events with two different rocks, showing both the Father "tsuwr" rock and Jesus "cela" rock were referenced together, during the journey of salvation to the promised land. Wilderness of Sin experience at Rephidim: {PP 297.2} After leaving the wilderness of Sin, the Israelites encamped in Rephidim. Here there was no water, and again they distrusted the providence of God. {PP 298.1} "He clave the rocks "tswur" in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths. He brought streams also out of the rock "cela" , and caused waters to run down like rivers." Psalm 78:15, 16. Moses smote the rock, but it was the Son of God who, veiled in the cloudy pillar, stood beside Moses, and caused the life-giving water to flow. Ps 78:15 He clave the rocks "tswur" in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths. 16 He brought streams also out of the rock "cela" ,, and caused waters to run down like rivers. 17 And they sinned yet more against him by provoking the most High (Father-Yahweh) in the wilderness. What a brilliant piece of Scripture ! The Father rock brings water up from the mantle of the earth, into the Son rock and at the Son of God's request, the rivers of streams flow. Clearly both Father Rock and Son Rock work together. There is no contradictions in Ellen White writings at all...The messages are clear and profound. Wilderness of Zin experience at Kadesh: After forty years' wandering in the wilderness, the children of Israel encamped at Kadesh, in the desert of Zin; and Miriam died, and was buried there. The living stream which flowed from the smitten rock in Horeb, had followed them in all their journeyings; but just before the Hebrew host reached Kadesh, the Lord caused the waters to cease. It was his purpose again to test his people. He would prove whether they would humbly trust his providence, or imitate their fathers' unbelief and murmuring. {ST, September 30, 1880 par. 1} When the thirsting multitude could find no water, they became impatient, and rebellious. They forgot the power of God which had for so many years supplied them with water from the rock, and instead of trusting in their Almighty Leader, they murmured against Moses and Aaron, saying, "Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the Lord!" that is, they wished they had been of the number who were destroyed by the plague in the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. {ST, September 30, 1880 par. 2} The Holy Spirit records from Ellen White's hand, the three co-eternal powers of heaven were also in the journey, the English word "Almighty" is a reference to teh "Shadday" the Holy Spirit as a personal Being. Notice the messages speak of all the Family of GOD were with Moses. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock "cela" before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock. So thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink. And Moses took the rod from before the Lord, as he commanded him. And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock;" but instead of speaking to the rock, as God commanded him, Moses smote it twice with the rod, after exclaiming impatiently, "Hear now, ye rebels, must we fetch you water out of this rock ?" {ST, September 30, 1880 par. 3} Here Moses sinned. He did not ascribe to God the power and glory, and therefore did not magnify him before the people. The Lord, in his infinite mercy, caused the waters to flow, but this did not prove that Moses was right in thus mingling his own spirit with the work of God.{ST, September 30, 1880 par. 4} The Holy Spirit records from Ellen White's hand,all the heavenly powers were working even at this event and time, even though the SON "cela" ROCK is referenced at this time. 1Co 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 5 But with many of them God "Elohiym" was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Notice TWO ROCKS followed them : "The Strong HEAD travels" Strongs 776.Earth. (1) The Father Rock "tsuwr" - "The travelling secure Head" a simile symbol of the earth itself and (2) The Son Rock "cela" - "The prickled Authority Shepherd sees" a simile symbol of the "Rock of Ages" coming to Earth to bring salvation. Conclusion: There are two rock symbo ls in Scripture. They can be seen as similes of the same functions of GOD, or as individual aspects of the Father and His Son, working together as one. |
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