Steve Wohlberg’s First Letter
This appendix contains Steve Wohlberg’s first letter. You can view the orginal pdf version here.
March 25, 2008
Re: Ernie Knolls dreams
From: Steve Wohlberg
Because many are now asking White Horse Media about Ernie Knoll’s dreams, I have decided to put my personal thoughts into one document. I became aware of Ernie’s dreams about 5 months. Because Acts 2:16, 17 says that God will give dreams and visions, and because I long for heaven, I first read Ernie’s dreams with great interest, with an open mind, and with much prayer. Then I called the Knoll’s and spoke with them at length. After talking with Ernie and Becky, I was very satisfied that they are sincere Adventists who want nothing more than for Jesus to come soon. Because of this, I remained sympathetic, but still cautious, for a number of months.
Yet everything changed when I read the Feb. 08 dream, particularly what “the Herald” said about tithe. Page 4 says:
The Herald turns to me and says, "It is important that His people understand while it is important that we are to return a tithe to God’s storehouse, it is equally important that they understand what the funds are being used for. If an individual is providing funds and they understand that the funds are not being used according to His will, that person will be held accountable. The Great Creator has said to pay a tribute to those who do His bidding. The Herald explains that many tributes are used toward Lucifer’s work of using spiritualism from within God’s church by those who collect and place the funds in a storehouse. The Herald says, "That is not God’s storehouse...”
Here the Herald says that if someone gives “tithe” and “they understand that the funds are not being used according to His will, that person will be held accountable.” He also said that because “many tributes [tithe]” are being used for “spiritualism within God’s church” that therefore, “That is not God’s storehouse.”
After reading this, my mind was deeply troubled. Then I compared the Herald’s statements with what Ellen White wrote. Then I wrote up my findings in a Word document. Then I spoke with Ernie and Becky on the phone. After doing this, I sent my document to them. Here it is:
From Steve Wohlberg:
Brethren, these are quotes, comparisons, and inquiries that have stirred my mind after reading what the Herald said about “tithe.”
[in the dream] The Herald turns to me and says, "It is important that His people understand while it is important that we are to return a tithe to God’s storehouse, it is equally important that they understand what the funds are being used for. If an individual is providing funds and they understand that the funds are not being used according to His will, that person will be held accountable. The Great Creator has said to pay a tribute to those who do His bidding. The Herald explains that many tributes are used toward Lucifer’s work of using spiritualism from within God’s church by those who collect and place the funds in a storehouse. The Herald says, "That is not God’s storehouse.”
[The Bible] “Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood” (Mark 12:41-44).
Steve’s comment: The Jewish “treasury” at that time was corrupt, yet Jesus commended the poor woman for putting her money there because she loved God’s cause. Jesus did not hold her “accountable” for what was occuring in that temple, or because of how her money might be misused. Instead, He commended her unselfish act and inspired His gospel writers to record this event to instruct His church to the end of time.
[Ellen White] Some have been dissatisfied and have said: "I will not longer pay my tithe; for I have no confidence in the way things are managed at the heart of the work." But will you rob God because you think the management of the work is not right? ... do not withdraw from the work of God, and prove unfaithful, because others are not doing right (9T 249)
Steve’s comment: If some are not doing right, even at “the heart of the work,” we should still pay our tithe there, or we are robbing God.
[Ellen White] Cannot you see that it is not best under any circumstances to withhold your tithes and offerings because you are not in harmony with everything that your brethren do? The tithes and offerings are not the property of any man, but are to be used in doing a certain work for God. Unworthy ministers may receive some of the means thus raised, but dare anyone, because of this, withhold from the treasury and brave the curse of God? I dare not (2 Sermons and Talks, 74).
Steve’s comment: Some of our tithe may be misused and go to “unworthy ministers,” but this is no reason not to pay our tithes into “the treasury.” It is “not best under any circumstances” to withhold our tithe; if we do, we risk the curse of God.
[Ellen White] I was shown that the recording angel makes a faithful record of every offering dedicated to God and put into the treasury, and also of the final result of the means thus bestowed... Even though the means thus consecrated be misapplied, so that it does not accomplish the object which the donor had in view,--the glory of God and the salvation of souls,--those who made the sacrifice in sincerity of soul, with an eye single to the glory of God, will not lose their reward. Those who have made a wrong use of means dedicated to God will be required to give an account of their stewardship (2T 518-519).
Steve’s comment: Even if the tithe is misapplied, the angels make a faithful record of the giver’s contribution. They will not lose their reward.
[Ellen White] When persons declare that they will not pay their tithes because the means is not used as they think it ought to be, will the elder of the church or the minister sympathize with the sinners? Will he aid the enemy in his work? Or will he, as a wise man endued with knowledge, go to work to correct the evil and remove the stumblingblocks? Let those who are dissatisfied state plainly their grievances to the ones who they think have erred instead of talking the matter over with others and thus fanning the flame of discontent (2 Sermons and Talks, 75).
Steve’s comment: Those who don’t pay their tithes because they think it is being misused are unknowingly aiding the enemy in his work and “fanning the flame of discontent.”
[Ellen White] God's reserved resources are to be used in no such haphazard way. The tithe is the Lord's, and those who meddle with it will be punished with the loss of their heavenly treasure unless they repent. Let the work no longer be hedged up because the tithe has been diverted into various channels other than the one to which the Lord has said it should go (9T 249).
Steve’s comment: The title issue is a life and death matter. Thus who “meddle” with it will be “punished” with the “loss of their heavenly treasure.” The tithe is not to be diverted into other channels, or paid in a “haphazard way,” for this would hinder God’s work.
Summary comments: Ellen White’s position is clear. Even if some of the tithe is misused, we are still to pay it, or we are robbing God. Those held accountable are not those who pay tithe (as “the Herald” said), but those use misuse it. Those who don’t pay their tithe because they think it is not being used right, aid the enemy. Under no circumstances are we to withhold our tithe from “the treasury.” Thus, in this instance, it seems that “the Heralds” counsel and Ellen White’s counsel are not in agreement with each other here. “The Herald” contradicts her counsel, yet he says that it “important” for God’s people to understand what he says.
[Significant EGW quotes about the of Anna Rice Phillips] All along our pathway to the heavenly Canaan we see many souls that have made shipwreck of faith, and in their false movements have led others astray through the supposition that they were led of God in special revelations. I have had to write many, many pages to correct these errors. I have been burdened and oppressed night after night, unable to sleep because of the agony of my soul for God's heritage, His people, who are in danger of being misled. Many things in these visions and dreams seem to be all straight, a repetition of that which has been in the field for many years; but soon they introduce a jot here, a tittle of error there, just a little seed which takes root and flourishes, and many are defiled therewith (2 SM 86).
The greatest care should be exercised concerning those who claim to receive revelations from God. There needs to be much close watching and much praying. Those who are acting a part in the great work for these last days need to counsel together in regard to every new thing that shall be introduced, for no one man's mind is to be left to judge of, or to place before the public, important matters which have a relation to the cause of God (2 SM 91).
[Satan mixes truth with error] It was by deception that Satan seduced angels; thus he has in all ages carried forward his work among men, and he will continue this policy to the last. Should he openly profess to be warring against God and His law, men would beware; but he disguises himself, and mixes truth with error. The most dangerous falsehoods are those that are mingled with truth. It is thus that errors are received that captivate and ruin the soul. By this means Satan carries the world with him. But a day is coming when his triumph will be forever ended (PP 338).
Question: If “the Herald” is a fallen angel disguising himself as one of God’s angels, and if the long-term purpose of his communications is to deceive God’s people, then how can we explain the great “good” that have definitely come through the dreams so far, hearts being renewed, lives being changed, etc.
Possible answer: The Holy Spirit still works through “truth,” even when it is quoted by the devil.
The leaven of truth works a change in the whole man, making the coarse refined, the rough gentle, the selfish generous (COL, 102).
It is by the Spirit of truth, working through the word of God, that Christ subdues His chosen people to Himself (DA 671).
Error is never harmless. It never sanctifies,
but always brings confusion and dissension
(5T 291, 292)
After this, I began to look even more critically at the dreams. For the next few weeks, I thought a lot about this, and continued to pray. Then during the weekend of March 21-23 my family went to a church retreat with many of our friends from the Templeton Hills Church where I used to pastor. Ernie had visited the church earlier and met with the elders. Many of the church members were aware of the dreams. The response was mixed. Throughout the weekend, many of us discussed this in more detail. Upon arriving home, I had trouble sleeping that night. The next day I sent this letter to Ernie and his board:
March 24, 2008
Dear Ernie, Becky, Steve H., and the 4HisPeople board,
Please pray before you read this.
Last night [March 23] at about 2:00 am, I couldn’t sleep. Many thoughts were going through my head. Bible verses. SOP quotes. Every spiritual bone in my body tells me that the Holy Spirit was earnestly instructing me. I sensed His presence strongly. For over an hour I tossed and turned thinking about the danger that you are in. I write this as a strong friend, not as an enemy.
These are some of the thoughts that came to me.
- Throughout her ministry, Ellen White was instructed by one she referred to as “my accompanying angel,” but that angel never identified himself by any specific name. Angels often instructed people in Bible times too, but they never gave themselves names, except one, “Gabriel,” whose name appears only in Daniel 8/9 (in connection with the 70 week/2300 day prophecy) and Luke 1 (in connection with the birth of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ). Because these events were so important, it seems that God felt “Gabriel” should mention his name. But no other angel sent from God has ever done this.
- Holy angels never flatter men. EGW wrote: “The Holy Spirit flatters no man” (Signs, Sept. 27, 1899). “We cannot praise and flatter any man without doing him a great wrong” (5T, 75). “A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet” (Prov. 29:5). It seems to me that “the Herald’s” comments about Ernie as “the bold one” could easily be part of a well-thought out “flattery” strategy to gain Ernie’s confidence to “spread a net for his feet.”
- In the ABC dream an angel “keeps smiling all the time while the machine is smashing and chomping [music] CDs and DVDs.” Compare this with this. Once EGW saw young people playing bad music. Then she wrote: “...such songs were poured forth as made the watching angels weep” (Adventist Home, 514). Thus God’s angels “weep” over bad music. This is nothing to “smile” about.
- In the “If You Love Me” dream, three evil angels were allowed to talk to Ernie. This is most unusual. In no other heavenly dream that I am aware of are evil angels portrayed as talking directly to the receiver of the dream. This is not God’s method of communication. In EGW’s dreams, God often exposed Satan, but he never allowed Satan to talk directly to his servant in a dream.
I have other concerns too, but this is enough for now.
Someone recently told me about Roger Morneau’s book, Beware of Angels: Deceptions in the Last Days, published by the Review and Herald. I plan on reading this book soon. From what I now know of it, it is about a group of very conservative Adventists who started receiving visitations from “angels” telling them that they had been sent by God to prepare them for the time of trouble and the return of Jesus Christ. These visitations continued for a number of years. Everything the “angels” taught seemed correct and without error, for a long, long time. But then, once the “net was spread for their feet,” the deceptions began. Here is what one reviewer wrote:
“This book is a true account of a prayer group that was deceived by demons. They were true sincere Christians that were visited by angels that told them they were chosen of God, and all sorts of other things that stroked their ego. They figured that because these beings were beautiful and said they were from God, that they MUST be from God. Long story short, the demons little by little snuck in a little mixed in a world of truth, kind of like giving a thirsty person a big glass of water with a little drop of cyanide until the person dies.”
This is exactly what EGW warned about concerning the “visions and dreams” of Anna Rice Phillips. “Many things in these visions and dreams seem to be all straight, a repetition of that which has been in the field for many years; but soon they introduce a jot here, a tittle of error there, just a little seed which takes root and flourishes, and many are defiled therewith” (2 SM 86).
The “Beware of Angels” story ends in murder!
I am very concerned that this is exactly what is happening through the dreams and communications of “the Herald.” Last night, the Holy Spirit warned me strongly about this. Today I am doing my duty to write this out for you.Many are reading the dreams. As EGW warned, much is “all straight.” But once “the Herald” gains people’s confidence, we don’t know where this will go. Someone might say, “Yes, that’s why we keep testing everything by the Bible and SOP, for the Herald himself said to do this.” Well, two dreams ago the Herald made comments about tithe that were clearly wrong (see my earlier document sent to Steve H.). He introduced “a jot here, a tittle of error there.” His words have now alerted many, many people, that the Herald is a deceiver. Just this past weekend I was at a church retreat with many of my friends from the Templeton Hills church, where I used to pastor. Ernie had previously spoken to some of the leaders of that church. Since that time, some had been reading the dreams, watching this develop. But when the Herald spoke about tithe, that was it. They knew he was wrong, and this changed everything. It was one of the elders of that church that mentioned Roger Morneau’s book to me. In the last dream “the Herald” said, “Many did not understand the things you were shown in the last dream either.” Well, the problem for the Herald is that some of us do understand, all too well, exactly what he said, and now we know that he is a demon, not a true angel of God. We will give no credence to any future “explanations,” for we are “not ignorant of his devices” (2 Cor. 2:11). Paul warned about those who “by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple” (Romans 16:18).
Think about it. What if God did speak to me last night? What if this letter is true? If so, then what is happening is truly frightening, and you are in great danger. Then those that are reading the dreams, and who trust them, are also being baited. Once confidence is gained, then Satan has direct access to many precious souls. And if some of us see through his devices, and blow the whistle, then he can just give another dream and say that we just “don’t understand” what he is saying. Satan is smarter than we are. How can he reach solid Adventists anyway? The answer is obvious – by pretending to be one himself, and by teaching the truth, for a long time, until the net is laid. Then he will spring the trap.
It is highly possible that in another dream “the Herald” might even mention me. If he does, don’t believe him.
Ernie and Becky (and Steve), I hope we can talk again soon. I am praying for you everyday. What the Herald said about tithe is enough. Now we know who he is. His words don’t line up with “the law and the testimony.” In light of all of this, and the great danger involved to so many souls, my earnest counsel to you is this: Remove the website. Tell Jesus you don’t want these dreams anymore. Ernie, if you get another dream, don’t talk to the Herald at all. Don’t even listen to him. Remember, this is how Eve fell. She talked to the devil and was deceived. Read 2 Cor. 11:3. Quote Scripture only, like Jesus did in the wilderness. If the Herald is a demon, you can’t reason with him. He’s too smart. Don’t take a chance. Read “Beware of Angels.”
Again, I hope to talk to you soon.
Your brother in Jesus Christ,
Steve Wohlberg
Shortly after this letter was sent I discovered that my friend Ed Reid, the Stewardship Director of the North American Division, had also written a piece on Ernie’s dreams called “False Prophet of Tithing” which focused on the same statement of the Herald that bothered me, and that used the exact same quotes from EGW’s writings that God led me to. To me, God’s providence was plainly evident.
For information’s sake, here is an email I recently received about the same issue.
Hi Pastor Steve: I have a quick question. I am wondering what your thoughts are on the dreams that Mr. Ernie Knoll has been having? I had thought they were perhaps true.... biblically. However he had a dream in Feb that has me questioning whether God is leading in these dreams. It was regarding the tithing issue. It stated that if someone is aware that their tithe money isn't being used correctly....or there is corruption where their money is going....then you are to put your tithe money elsewhere where God can use it. That isn't biblical.....and I am very perplexed by this dream.
Not that I need dreams to tell me what is right, but I guess because I know the bible doesn't say what he said in his dream....and we are to judge people with their last day dreams....by the Bible....then he can't be legit to me.
What are your thoughts. I would value your opinion in this matter.
Sincerely,
xxxxx Clackamas, Oregon
All of this shows that Ed Reid, myself, and the person in Oregon were all alerted to the exact same problem independently of each other. Here’s another email from a friend:
The result of this advice [the Herald’s statement about tithe] will be for those who read these dreams to withhold their tithes, thus crippling the church. Satan would be well-pleased with this. I have found that Sister White wrote directly contrary to this. It does not, however, mean that the things which are talked about in the dream otherwise are soon to take place, but I cannot read the dreams anymore. I believe that Jesus is coming very soon, and that I can get clearly from the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy as revealed in the writings of Sister White.
Xxxx [Loma Linda, CA]
Here is a portion of one more significant email I just received from an SDA pastor:
While it's fresh on my mind. On the last part of your "Herald and Tithe" doc you ask:
Question: If “the Herald” is a fallen angel disguising himself as one of God’s angels, and if the long-term purpose of his communications is to deceive God’s people, then how can we explain the great “good” that have definitely come through the dreams so far, hearts being renewed, lives being changed, etc.Possible answer: The Holy Spirit still works through “truth,” even when it is quoted by the devil.
Another good statement I found the other day is this one:"Why," asked a man who had been and still was practicing wickedness, "are souls converted to the truth through my influence?" I answered, "Christ is constantly drawing souls to Himself, and flashing His own light in their path. The seeker after salvation is not permitted to read the character of him who teaches him. If he himself is sincere, if he draws nigh to God, believing in Him, confessing his sins, he will be accepted.--Letter 12, 1890. {Ev 682.2}
In other words; God will use the elements of truth spoken even through unconverted or unsanctified channels to draw souls to himself. Example: It was a violent Hollywood horror movie called the 'Omen' that inspired me 10 years later to pick up a bible and begin reading it towards conversion. Did God inspire the move, not likely. But, he allowed the element of truth spoken in it to lead me to His word.
Just a thought. Have a Christ centered day.
xxxxx
This is where everything stands as of today, March 25, 2008. Because Ernie’s dreams are public, on his website, and because many minds are now seeking information about these important matters, I have no reason to consider as “private” the communications included in this letter. These are my thoughts and concerns. May Jesus lead us all, protect us from Satan’s subtle snares, and prepare us for heaven.
In Him,
Steve Wohlberg
