What You Need to Know About Seventh Day Adventists,
E.G. White, & The
Bible!!
Part 1
eveningstar@thenightcometh.org
Table
of Contents
Introduction…………………………………………………………………………….... Page 2
Historical Foundation………………………………………………………………....Page 3
The Sabbath…………………………………………………………………………….... Page 5
The Shut Door………………………………………………………………………….... Page 5
Swine’s Flesh…………………………………………………………………………...… Page 7
The Time of Trouble…………………………………………………………………... Page 8
The Unrolling of The Scroll……………………………………………………….... Page 10
E.G.W.’s Inspiration as Understood by Early Adventists…………...... Page 12
E.G.W.’s first Vision vs. Great Controversy Vision…………………….......Page 14
James White on Swine’s Flesh………………………………………………...….. Page 20
James White on The Shut Door.………………………………………………..... Page 20
Joseph Bates on The Shut Door.………………..……………………………..... Page 21
Conflicting Points Among Adventism………………………………………..... Page 21
Questions for the S.D.A. Church……………………………………………..….. Page 24
Violence Among Adventists during Disagreements……………......…. Page 24
Adventist’s Prophet Instruction regarding Attitude…….………....….. Page 25
Counsels from Scripture regarding Attitude…………………………....…. Page 26
Authenticity of The Bible………………………………………………….…...….. Page 27
Introduction
2
In the last several decades the 1844 Movement and Ellen G. White have been called out, questioned, and contradicted especially from among many arising from within the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Some of this opposition has come from those who for some reason or another cannot stomach E.G.W and Seventh-day Adventists. Many, for one reason or another, find E.G.W. a threat to the straight Truths of the Bible. Others see her writings as competition with the Bible, yet still others, see her writings as elevated to Biblical levels and find this disturbing. Yet again others, have examined her writings and see them as contradictory but not a real threat to the Bible.
The purpose of this document is to show that there have been serious misunderstandings concerning E.G.W.’s role and writings from both sides and to correct those understandings. In the past many S.D.A.s have verbally and in written text stated that E.G.W.’s writings were directly from God and infallible. These assertions led those within and without the S.D.A. church to call in question ‘The Bible and The Bible only’ stance of Protestants. Other S.D.A.s have stated verbally and in text that there is nothing in advance of E.G. White’s writings and that there’s nothing inspired to come after that. We will show from inarguable historical facts as well as dated statements from E.G. White that several of her understandings came from her colleagues. In certain instances her conclusions came from the common understanding of the day. We will also show that E.G. White made significant changes to what she understood in her early years versus her latter years. These statements will be a great surprise to many and a terrible disappointment to many others partially because they were given an incorrect historical understanding of the development of E.G. White’s theology.
Some of her understandings are said to come straight from visions from God, many of which she wrote in Testimonies for the Church and Letters to individuals. The purpose of these were for edification and reproof. The idea that everything a prophet understands directly comes from God is not factual nor historically accurate. That which God tells the prophet or prophetess is inspired from God, not views that the prophet/prophetess happens to have in common with his/her church, culture, society, or nation. Many make the mistake of sanctifying common understandings or commonly held beliefs just because an inspired person may use them in association with what God directly showed them. Many will find this statement incredible but proof will be given to validate this statement.
On the alternate side, those who have found fault with E.G. White’s writings, this is not without some justification because of the things mentioned in the former paragraphs, have totally rejected her as a false prophet or consider her merely a common Christian writer with a few good thoughts here and there. Many felt that the E.G. White Estate and the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists knew of these issues from the very beginning but persistently refused to inform the S.D.A. members, their prospective converts, and even many of their own ministers. Upon finding these facts many members and ministers felt like they were betrayed or not honestly dealt with. Two very famous examples are Dr. Desmond Ford and Pastor Walter Rhea.
Historical Foundation
3
In the early days of
Adventism, post 1844, there were many doctrinal discussions among the Adventists
as to why the disappointment of
Ellen White Enabled to Clearly Define
Truth and Error—At
that time [after the 1844 disappointment] one error after another pressed in
upon us; ministers and doctors brought in new doctrines. We would search the
Scriptures with much prayer, and the Holy Spirit would bring the truth to our
minds. Sometimes whole nights would be devoted to searching the Scriptures and
earnestly asking God for guidance. Companies of devoted men and women assembled
for this purpose. The power of God would come upon me, and I was enabled
clearly to define what is truth and what is error. 3SM 31.4
As the points of our faith were thus
established, our feet were placed upon a solid foundation. We accepted the
truth point by point, under the demonstration of the Holy Spirit. I would be
taken off in vision, and explanations would be given me. I was given
illustrations of heavenly things, and of the sanctuary, so that we were placed
where light was shining on us in clear, distinct rays.—Gospel
Works, 302. 3SM
32.1
After the Great Disappointment in 1844, The Seven Last Plagues was made an anchor point for several fundamental Adventist doctrines and several Biblical verses were placed after probation closed instead of before. If the reader can obtain a copy of the first Adventist publication entitled ‘A Word to the Little Flock’, mainly written by James White and coauthored by Ellen White and James Bates in 1847, look at pages 1-4 and that will be readily seen. This is where the idea came from that Ezekiel 9, Zechariah 14:12, Isaiah 13:6-11, Joel 1:15-18, Jeremiah 30:23,24, Daniel 12:1, Zephaniah 1:17,18, and Revelation 7:1-3 can only be fulfilled after the close of probation.
For example, Joel
17 For the time is come
that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what
shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
18 And if the righteous
scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
19 Wherefore let them that
suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in
well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. 1 Peter 4:17-19
1Blessed
is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the
way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
3 And
he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his
fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth
shall prosper.
4 The
ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
5 Therefore
the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of
the righteous. Psalms 1:1, 3,4,5
Read Joel chapter 2 especially verse 32 and you will see that during this great and terrible (dreadful) day of the Lord people can be saved. This is what the Bible says.
“And it shall come to pass, that whosever shall
call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount
Why would they adjust their views if God was leading them, you may ask? If God was leading them onward and higher they would have no choice but to grow in the light and to get a clear perception of the truth. We quote the following from the Foreword of A Word to the Little Flock,
“With a full understanding of the historic
setting of A Word to the ‘Little Flock,’
the reader will not be disturbed by finding that in a few instances positions
set forth by Elder White on some points were modified by him in later years,
as more mature and joint study revealed clearer views. This document presents a picture primarily of
one worker’s attempt to cheer and aid those about him through a dissemination
of light
which was beginning to unfold.”
The Sabbath
5
Contrary to what some think, The
Sabbath was not introduced to Adventists by Ellen White. In 1843 Rachel Oakes Preston, a Seventh-day
Baptist, visited an independent Christian group in
Joseph Bates, another Adventist minister
living in
“In the autumn of 1846 we began to observe the
Bible Sabbath, and to teach and defend it.” Testimonies, Vol. 1, p.75
“I believed the truth upon the Sabbath question
before I had seen anything in reference to the Sabbath. It was months after I
had commenced keeping the Sabbath before I was shown its importance and its
place in the third angel’s message.”-E. G. White Letter 2, 1874
This point makes clear that those who claim the prophetic title can learn truths from others as well, that they often don’t have the whole picture!
The Shut Door
“For a time after the disappointment in
1844,
I did hold, in common with the advent
body, that the door of mercy was then forever
closed to the world. This position was taken
before my first vision was given me. It was the light
given me of God that corrected our error, and enabled us to see the
true position.
“I am still a believer in the shut-door theory,
but not in the sense in which we at first employed the term or in which it is
employed by my opponents.
“There was a shut door in Noah's day. There was
at that time a withdrawal of the Spirit of God from the sinful race that
perished in the waters of the Flood. God Himself gave the shut-door message to
Noah:
“’My spirit shall not always strive with man,
for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years’ (Genesis
6:3).
“There was a shut door in the days of Abraham.
Mercy ceased to plead with the inhabitants of
“There was a shut door in Christ's day. The Son
of God declared to the unbelieving Jews of that generation, ‘Your house is left
unto you desolate’ (Matthew
23:38).
“Looking down the stream of time to the last
days, the same infinite power proclaimed through John:
“’These things saith he that is holy, he that
is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth;
and shutteth, and no man openeth’ (Revelation
3:7).
“I was shown in vision, and I still believe,
that there was a shut door in 1844. All who saw the light of the first and
second angels’ messages and rejected that light, were left in darkness. And
those who accepted it and received the Holy Spirit which attended the
proclamation of the message from heaven, and who afterward renounced their
faith and pronounced their experience a delusion, thereby rejected the Spirit
of God, and it no longer pleaded with them.
“Those who did not see the light, had not the
guilt of its rejection. It was only the class who had despised the light from
heaven that the Spirit of God could not reach. And this class included, as I
have stated, both those who refused to accept the message when it was presented
to them, and also those who, having received it, afterward renounced their
faith. These might have a form of godliness, and profess to be followers of
Christ; but having no living connection with God, they would be taken captive
by the delusions of Satan. These two classes are brought to view in the
vision—those who declared the light which they had followed a delusion, and the
wicked of the world who, having rejected the light, had been rejected of God.
No reference is made to those who had not seen the light, and therefore were
not guilty of its rejection.” Selected Messages Book 1 63, 64
This belief of E.G. White that probation had closed for the whole world continued after 1844, even after she was given her first vision in December of 1844. This error began to crack sometime in the first half of 1845. E.G. White was given another vision in February of 1845 that Jesus shut the door of the first apartment of the Heavenly Sanctuary and opened the door of the second apartment. As a result, He left the Holy Place and entered the Most Holy Place to begin the Day of Atonement, see Early Writings pp. 54-56. With this vision she and her husband took it to also mean that the shut door they had believed was for the whole world was not necessarily correct but that the door was shut to the first apartment and to all of those who heard and rejected The First Angel’s Message and The Advent Movement. We quote the following in regards to what she said about her 1845 vision,
“It was on my first journey east to relate my
visions that the precious light in regard to the heavenly sanctuary was opened
before me and I was shown the open and shut door. We believed that the Lord was
soon to come in the clouds of heaven. I was shown that there was a great work
to be done in the world for those who had not had the light and rejected it.
Our brethren could not understand this with our faith in the immediate
appearing of Christ. Some accused me of saying that my Lord delayeth His
coming, especially the fanatical ones. I saw that in '44 God had opened a door
and no man could shut it, and shut a door and no man could open it. Those who
rejected the light which was brought to the world by the message of the second
angel went into darkness, and how great was that darkness.
I never have stated or written that the world
was doomed or damned. I never have under any circumstances used this language
to anyone, however sinful. I have ever had messages of reproof for those who
used these harsh expressions.--Letter 2, 1874. Quoted in Selected Messages,
book 1, p. 74.
“I did not understand Brother White, for a
moment, to convey the idea that her views colored the vision, but that they did
not; and that, for this reason: we had, in the same vision, [the vision at
Exeter, Maine, in February, 1845] what she saw about the open door,
notwithstanding her vision of the open door was contrary to the faith of the
Advent people at that time, and contrary to her own faith, before she had the
vision.
Still further, Brother White went on to show
that it was the visions that had led them out of the extreme view of the shut
door. Immediately after this vision, they labored for some who had made no
profession before 1844, which was directly contrary to the practice of those
who held the extreme view of the shut door.
This vision was repeated again, as he showed,
at
So it is clear that Ellen White did believe that probation was closed for the whole world for sometime after 1844 but that began to change by some degree after the vision of 1845 as more light came to her and her husband.
Swine’s Flesh
7
The following was written in 1858,
“Those who labor
with their hands must nourish their strength to perform his labor, and those
also who labor in word and doctrine must nourish their strength; for Satan and
his evil angels are warring against them to tear down their strength. They
should seek rest of body and mind from wearing labor when they can, and should
eat of nourishing, strengthening food to build up their strength; for they will
be obliged to exercise all the strength they have…
“I
saw that your views concerning swine's flesh would prove no injury if you have
them to yourselves; but in your judgment and opinion you have made this
question a test, and your actions have plainly shown your faith in this matter.
If God requires His people to abstain from swine's flesh, He will convict them
on the matter. He is just as willing to show His honest children their duty, as
to show their duty to individuals upon whom He has not laid the burden of His
work. If it is the duty of the church to abstain from swine's flesh, God will
discover it to more than two or three. He will teach His church their
duty.” Testimonies Vol. 1 pp. 206 ,207
Obviously, at that time, Ellen White’s faith was not the
same as the faith of this brother who believed that eating of pork was wrong
and some have concluded that she is calling pork ‘good nourishing food’.
Obviously, at that time, 1858, she believed that God did not see it fit to make
the eating of unclean foods a test.
The
following was written in 1850 by
Elder James White,
“Some of our good
brethren have added "swine's flesh" to the catalogue of things
forbidden by the Holy Ghost, and the apostles and elders assembled at
Both James and Ellen White were eating and advocating the use of swine’s flesh as permissible, clearly contradictory to Leviticus eleven and other Bible texts according to Adventists, until 1863. In that year Ellen White states she had a Health Reform Vision as found in Testimonies Vol. 1 p. 485-495. This was almost 20 years after 1844. This once again shows that unless the Lord opens your eyes to points of Truth no matter who you are whether you’re a pastor, layman, or prophet you will not see certain things! It also shows that the writings of Ellen White are not complete as the writings of all the Reformers are not complete!
The Time of Trouble
8
“’At that time shall Michael stand up, the great Prince which
standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble,
such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that
time thy people shall be delivered, everyone that shall be found written in the
book.’ Daniel 12:1. {GC p. 613.1}
When the third angel's message closes, mercy no longer pleads for the guilty
inhabitants of the earth. The people of God have accomplished their work. They
have received ‘the latter rain,’ ‘the refreshing from the presence of the
Lord,’ and they are prepared for the trying hour before them. Angels are
hastening to and fro in heaven. An angel returning from the earth announces
that his work is done; the final test has been brought upon the world, and all
who have proved themselves loyal to the divine precepts have received "the
seal of the living God." Then Jesus ceases His intercession in the
sanctuary above. He lifts His hands and with a loud voice says, ‘It is done;’
and all the angelic host lay off their crowns as He makes the solemn
announcement: ‘He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is
filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous
still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.’ Revelation 22:11. Every
case has been decided for life or death. Christ has made the atonement for His
people and
blotted out their sins. The number of His subjects is made up;
‘the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole
heaven,’ is about to be given to the heirs of salvation, and Jesus is to reign
as King of kings and Lord of lords. {GC 613.2}” The Great Controversy p. 613
Seventh-day
Adventists, have taught for years that when the Time of Trouble begins general
probation is closed, that is for the whole world. However, in 1904, she made the following statement
“In the
time of confusion and trouble before us, a time of trouble such as has not been
since there was a nation, the uplifted Saviour will be presented to the people
in all lands, that all who look to Him in faith may live.” Testimonies vol. 8 p. 50
Why
haven’t Seventh-day Adventists embraced Vol. 8 p. 50 to obtain a better
understanding of end time events, the “Time of Trouble” in particular? The fact of the matter is that the ‘Time of
Trouble’ begins before probation closes and extends through the close of
probation until ‘the end of the world’.
Clearly,
Ellen White’s understanding of this matter was still developing. Ellen White realized after extensive study of the Bible that they
were not given the complete light, and had not a full understanding of final
events. She also realized many other
things would happen that she did not place in “The Great Controversy.”
“The light
we have received upon the third angel's message is the true light. The mark of
the beast is exactly what it has been proclaimed to be. Not all in regard to
this matter is yet understood, nor will it be understood until the unrolling of
the scroll.” Testimonies Vol. 6 p. 17
Before
the Lord completely clears up a subject, no one will have the complete, proper understanding. It matters not whether that one is a prophet,
pastor, or much less a theology professor or whatever. The prophet Daniel himself acknowledged in
his book that he could not understand a lot of his own writings and the angel
finally told him,
“But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words and seal
the book, even to the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge
shall be increased. And I heard, but I understood not.
Then said I, O my lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he said,
Go thy way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the
end.” Daniel 12:4,8,9
If Daniel could not
understand certain things the same could happen to Ellen White, James White, and to Adventists today! Ignoring these facts, not understanding how
Inspiration works, and leaning on men instead of studying for oneself has led
to the downfall of untold millions. Any
Adventist who think that no other event(s) can come before, in between, or
after the events listed in the last few chapters of The Great Controversy is in
a sad Laodicean delusion. For in those
chapters many Bible prophecies are left out such as the Battle of Armageddon, the
fall of the King of the North of Dan. 11, the Middle East Crisis mentioned
throughout the prophecies, World War III, etc.
It’s amazing how many other churches and people in the world are
expecting these things and searching the scriptures for some sort of light in
face of these impending world events and Seventh-day Adventists aren’t. All Adventists know is a little about the
Papacy and Sunday Law. What a horrible
tunnel vision to have!
The reason why
Adventists have this tunnel vision is because those subjects mentioned above
were not necessarily revealed to Ellen White, they are not in the last chapters
of The Great Controversy, and do not fit into Adventist theology, even though
they are right there in the Bible. Ellen White wrote
“We have many lessons to learn, and
many, many to unlearn. God and heaven alone are infallible. Those who think that
they will never have to give up a cherished view, never have occasion to change
an opinion, will be disappointed. As long as we hold to our own ideas and
opinions with determined persistency, we cannot have the unity for which Christ
prayed. {TM 30.2}
The Unrolling of The Scroll
10
Ellen White made the following Statement written around 1900,
“The light
we have received upon the third angel's message is the true light. The mark of
the beast is exactly what it has been proclaimed to be. Not all in regard to
this matter is yet understood, nor will it be understood until the unrolling of
the scroll.” Testimonies Vol. 6 p. 17
Ellen White realized after extensive study of the Bible
that they were not given the complete light, and had not a full understanding
of final events. She also realized many
other things would happen that she did not place in “The Great Controversy.”
“18But the
path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more
unto the perfect day.” Proverbs 4:18
“As we travel onward toward the
In addition, she
realized there were serious doctrinal misunderstandings that the pioneers and
herself held that needed to be corrected. We quote again:
“We have
many lessons to learn, and many, many to unlearn. God and heaven alone are
infallible. Those who think that they will never have to give up a cherished
view, never have occasion to change an opinion, will be disappointed. As long
as we hold to our own ideas and opinions with determined persistency, we cannot
have the unity for which Christ prayed. {TM 30.2}
When a brother receives new light upon the Scriptures, he should frankly
explain his position, and every minister should search the Scriptures with the
spirit of candor to see if the points presented can be substantiated by the
Inspired Word. "The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle
unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose
themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of
the truth." 2 Timothy 2:24, 25.” Testimonies to Ministers pp. 30,31
“
How shall we search the Scriptures in order to understand what they teach? We
should come to the investigation of God's word with a contrite heart, a
teachable and prayerful spirit. We are not to think, as did the Jews, that our
own ideas and opinions are infallible; nor with the papists, that certain
individuals are the sole guardians of truth and knowledge, that men have no
right to search the Scriptures for themselves, but must accept the explanations
given by the fathers of the church. We should not study the Bible for the
purpose of sustaining our preconceived opinions, but with the single object of
learning what God has said.
Some have feared that if in even a single point they acknowledge themselves in
error, other minds would be led to doubt the whole theory of truth. Therefore
they have felt that investigation should not be permitted, that it would tend
to dissension and disunion. But if such is to be the result of investigation,
the sooner it comes the better. If there are those whose faith in God's word
will not stand the test of an investigation of the Scriptures, the sooner they
are revealed the better; for then the way will be opened to show them their
error. We cannot hold that a position once taken, an idea once advocated, is
not, under any circumstances, to be relinquished. There is but One who is
infallible--He who is the way, the truth, and the life.” Testimonies to Ministers
p. 105
“All should
be careful about presenting new views of Scripture before they have given these
points thorough study, and are fully prepared to sustain them from the Bible.
Introduce nothing that will cause dissension, without clear evidence that in it
God is giving a special message for this time. {TM p. 106}
But beware of rejecting that which is truth. The great danger with our people
has been that of depending upon men and making flesh their arm. Those who have
not been in the habit of searching the Bible for themselves, or weighing
evidence, have confidence in the leading men and accept the decisions they
make; and thus many will reject the very messages God sends to His people, if
these leading brethren do not accept them. {TM p. 106}
No one should claim that he has all the light there is for God's people. The
Lord will not tolerate this. He has said, "I have set before thee an open
door, and no man can shut it." Even if all our leading men should refuse
light and truth, that door will still remain open. The Lord will raise up men
who will give the people the message for this time. {TM 107}.”
Testimonies to Ministers pp.106,107
It is amazing how
Seventh-day Adventists teach that John the Baptist had misunderstandings and
refuse to acknowledge that Ellen White also had misunderstandings. We quote the
following,
“Like the
Saviour's disciples, John the Baptist did not understand the nature of Christ's
kingdom. He expected Jesus to take the throne of David; and as time passed, and
the Saviour made no claim to kingly authority, John became perplexed and
troubled. He had declared to the people that in order for the way to be
prepared before the Lord, the prophecy of Isaiah must be fulfilled; the
mountains and hills must be brought low, the crooked made straight, and the
rough places plain. He had looked for the high places of human pride and power
to be cast down. He had pointed to the Messiah as the One whose fan was in His
hand, and who would thoroughly purge His floor, who would gather the wheat into
His garner, and burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Like the prophet
Elijah, in whose spirit and power he had come to
The
message which God gave John the Baptist was true but not everything that John
the Baptist understood had to be true.
The same was the case with Ellen White and the pioneers as shown in the
preceding sections.
How would you harmonize
the following scriptures with Adventist Theology?
“2And it shall come to pass in the
last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be
established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills;
and all nations shall flow unto it. 3And many
people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will
walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord
from Jerusalem. 4And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many
people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into
pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they
learn war any more. 5O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord.”
Isaiah 2:1-5
26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to
him I will give power over the nations -- 27 'He shall rule them
with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter's vessels'
-- as I also have received from My Father; 28 and I will give him the
morning star.” Revelation 2:26-28
Are we
going to rationalize away these scriptures because they do not fit into
Adventist theological perspectives? What
doctrines would believing the above scriptures make untrue? It is sad how many have become like people in
the past that fought and explained away scriptures pointing to Jesus of
Nazareth as the Messiah because those scriptures did not fit into their
theology.
Ellen White’s Inspiration as Understood
by some Pioneers and Early Adventists
12
“Every
Christian is therefore duty bound to take the Bible as a perfect rule of faith
and duty. He should pray fervently to be
aided by the Holy Spirit in searching the Scriptures for the whole truth, and
for His whole duty. He is not at liberty
to turn from them to learn his duty through any of the gifts. We say that the very moment he does, he
places the Gifts in a wrong place, and takes an extremely dangerous position.”
R&H
“’Some may say. Then you
make the visions a second New Testament, a Mormon Bible in your system. We do not, as the following reason will
show: We have ever held, as set forth in
this work, that the word of God, the Bible, is the standard by which to test
all these manifestations. ‘To the Law and
to the testimony: If they speak not
according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.’ All gifts of the Spirit in the church must be
tested. Now it is evident that that
which test occupies a higher position than that which is tested by it. This, in one word, expresses our view of the
relative position which the Bible and the visions sustain to each other.”
R&H
“The failure has been in understanding what the Testimonies are
and how to use them. They are not the
heavens, palpitating with countless orbs of truth, but they do lead the eye and
give it power to penetrate into the glories of the mysterious living word of
God.” R&H Jan. 1898, MRS. S.M.I. Henry
“It should be said, however, that our religious faith and
doctrinal beliefs are based not upon her teachings but upon the scriptures…Do
the writings of Mrs. White constitute for the
“I recommend to you dear reader, the Word of God as the rule of
faith and practice. By that Word we are
to be judged. God has in that word
promised to give visions in the last days, not for a new rule of faith, but for
the comfort of His people and to correct those who err from Bible Truth.”
Christian Experience and Views(1851) p. 64, Ellen White
“Not to
The reason why the above statements are immovable is
because all the foundations of Truth are in the Holy Bible, not
in someone else’s writings. Any true prophet that has come or is to come will
have their message based in the Bible, not on some other platform.
“16All scripture is given by inspiration of
God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness: 17That
the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2
Timothy 3:16,17
“25Then he said unto them, O
fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:” Luke 24:25
If so-called church people don’t want to make fools of
themselves then they better believe all that’s in the Bible. Since it is that the Bible has all the Truth
that we need and that no messenger after the canonization of the Bible has had
all the Truth, then for anyone to make a person’s writings equal to the Bible
is blasphemy of the worst kind, a near hopeless case.
The Adventists don’t realize that’s what they’ve done when
they fail to accept clear cut truth in advance of their pioneers, particularly
Ellen White. They have made Adventism an
idol and whatever does not accord with that idol they throw out, even though it
may be conclusively found in and proven from the Bible. I guess this is part of the reason many
people don’t want to join the Seventh-day Adventist church, or if they do join
they leave when they discover these things.
It is a sad plight that the church is in today because the pioneers did
not handle themselves in such a fashion.
The blind Laodiceanism that people have placed themselves in is taking
them to the point of no return. May they
wake out of this deadly sleep before they find themselves beyond reclamation.
Inspecting My First Vision vs. Great
Controversy Vision
14
This section of the document is to show that what Mrs. White was shown and wrote in the first vision in 1844 was greatly expanded upon in the later Great Controversy editions. Yes, she added additional things because as they continued to study and the Holy Spirit illuminated their minds additional items came to light. The reason for this point is to correct the foolish assertion that if a person is given a vision then there is nothing that can come before, between or after that vision, like many Adventists unfortunately think. The following is a large part of the first vision quoted taken from Early Writings pp 14-17.
“While I was praying at the family altar, the
Holy Ghost fell upon me, and I seemed to be rising higher and higher, far above
the dark world. I turned to look for the Advent people in the world, but could
not find them, when a voice said to me, “Look again, and look a little higher.”
At this I raised my eyes, and saw a straight and narrow path, cast up high
above the world. On this path the Advent people were traveling to the city,
which was at the farther end of the path. They had a bright light set up behind
them at the beginning of the path, which an angel told me was the
“The 144,000 were all sealed and perfectly
united. On their foreheads was written, God, New Jerusalem, and a glorious star
containing Jesus’ new name. At our happy, holy state the wicked were enraged,
and would rush violently up to lay hands on us to thrust us into prison, when
we would stretch forth the hand in the name of the Lord, and they would fall
helpless to the ground. Then it was that the synagogue of Satan knew that God
had loved us who could wash one another's feet and salute the brethren with a
holy kiss, and they worshiped at our feet. EW 15.1
“Soon our eyes were drawn to the east, for a
small black cloud had appeared, about half as large as a man's hand, which we
all knew was the sign of the Son of man. We all in solemn silence gazed on the
cloud as it drew nearer and became lighter, glorious, and still more glorious,
till it was a great white cloud. The bottom appeared like fire; a rainbow was
over the cloud, while around it were ten thousand angels, EW 15.2singing a most lovely song; and upon it sat the
Son of man. His hair was white and curly and lay on His shoulders; and upon His
head were many crowns. His feet had the appearance of fire; in His right hand
was a sharp sickle; in His left, a silver trumpet. His eyes were as a flame of
fire, which searched His children through and through. Then all faces gathered
paleness, and those that God had rejected gathered blackness. Then we all cried
out, “Who shall be able to stand? Is my robe spotless?” Then the angels ceased
to sing, and there was some time of awful silence, when Jesus spoke: “Those who
have clean hands and pure hearts shall be able to stand; My grace is sufficient
for you.” At this our faces lighted up, and joy filled every heart. And the
angels struck a note higher and sang again, while the cloud drew still nearer
the earth. EW 15.2
“Then Jesus’ silver trumpet sounded, as He
descended on the cloud, wrapped in flames of fire. He gazed on the graves of
the sleeping saints, then raised His eyes and hands to heaven, and cried,
“Awake! awake! awake! ye that sleep in the dust, and arise.” Then there was a
mighty earthquake. The graves opened, and the dead came up clothed with
immortality. The 144,000 shouted, “Alleluia!” as they recognized their friends
who had been torn from them by death, and in the same moment we were changed
and caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air. EW 16.1
“We all entered the cloud together, and were seven
days ascending to the sea of glass, when Jesus brought the crowns, and with His
own right hand placed them on our heads. He gave us harps of gold and palms of
victory. Here on the sea of glass the 144,000 stood in a perfect square. Some
of them had very bright crowns, others not so bright. Some crowns appeared
heavy with stars, while others had but few. All were perfectly satisfied with
their crowns. And they were all EW 16.2clothed with a glorious
white mantle from their shoulders to their feet. Angels were all about us as we
marched over the sea of glass to the gate of the city. Jesus raised His mighty,
glorious arm, laid hold of the pearly gate, swung it back on its glittering
hinges, and said to us, “You have washed your robes in My blood, stood stiffly
for My truth, enter in.” We all marched in and felt that we had a perfect right
in the city. EW 16.2
“Here we saw the tree of life and the throne of
God. Out of the throne came a pure river of water, and on either side of the
river was the tree of life. On one side of the river was a trunk of a tree, and
a trunk on the other side of the river, both of pure, transparent gold. At
first I thought I saw two trees. I looked again, and saw that they were united
at the top in one tree. So it was the tree of life on either side of the river
of life. Its branches bowed to the place where we stood, and the fruit was
glorious; it looked like gold mixed with silver. EW 17.1
“We all went under the tree and sat down to
look at the glory of the place, when Brethren Fitch and Stockman, [see Appendix.] who had preached the gospel of the
kingdom, and whom God had laid in the grave to save them, came up to us and
asked us what we had passed through while they were sleeping. We tried to call
up our greatest trials, but they looked so small compared with the far more
exceeding and eternal weight of glory that surrounded us that we could not
speak them out, and we all cried out, “Alleluia, heaven is cheap enough!” and
we touched our glorious harps and made heaven's arches ring. EW 17.2”
Soon after The Great
Disappointment of 1844 Adventists believed that probation had closed for the
world and in the first vision you will not see any future events such as the
final call of Rev. 18 or Jesus leaving the second apartment(
In this first vision, you will not see the following points as we will show and quote from The Great Controversy.
“Romanism is now regarded by Protestants with
far greater favor than in former years. In those countries where Catholicism is
not in the ascendancy, and the papists are taking a conciliatory course in
order to gain influence, there is an increasing indifference concerning the
doctrines that separate the reformed churches from the papal hierarchy; the
opinion is gaining ground that, after all, we do not differ so widely upon
vital points as has been supposed, and that a little concession on our part
will bring us into a better understanding with Rome. The time was when
Protestants placed a high value upon the liberty of conscience which had been
so dearly purchased. They taught their children to abhor popery and held that
to seek harmony with
“The Protestants of the United States will be
foremost in stretching their hands across the gulf to grasp the hand of
spiritualism; they will reach over the abyss to clasp hands with the Roman
power; and under the influence of this threefold union, this country will
follow in the steps of Rome in trampling on the rights of conscience.” G.C. 588
““I saw another angel come down from heaven,
having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried
mightily with a strong voice, saying,
“This scripture points forward to a time when
the announcement of the fall of Babylon, as made by the second angel of Revelation
14 (verse
8), is to be repeated, with the additional mention of the
corruptions which have been entering the various organizations that constitute
Babylon, since that message was first given, in the summer of 1844. A terrible
condition of the religious world is here described. With every rejection of
truth the minds of the people will become darker, their hearts more stubborn,
until they are entrenched in an infidel hardihood. In defiance of the warnings
which God has given, they will continue to trample upon one of the precepts of
the Decalogue, until they are led to persecute those who hold it sacred.” G.C.
603
““At that time shall Michael stand up, the
great Prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be
a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same
time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, everyone that shall be
found written in the book.” Daniel
12:1.
“When the third angel's message closes, mercy
no longer pleads for the guilty inhabitants of the earth. The people of God
have accomplished their work. They have received “the latter rain,” “the
refreshing from the presence of the Lord,” and they are prepared for the trying
hour before them. Angels are hastening to and fro in heaven. An angel returning
from the earth announces that his work is done; the final test has been brought
upon the world, and all who have proved themselves loyal to the divine precepts
have received “the seal of the living God.” Then Jesus ceases His intercession
in the sanctuary above. He lifts His hands and with a loud voice says, “It is
done;” and all the angelic host lay off their crowns as He makes the solemn
announcement: “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is
filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous
still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” Revelation
22:11. Every case has been decided for life or death. Christ has
made the atonement for His people and… When He leaves the sanctuary, darkness
covers the inhabitants of the earth. In that fearful time the righteous must
live in the sight of a holy God without an intercessor. The restraint which has
been upon the wicked is removed, and Satan has entire control of the finally
impenitent. God's long-suffering has ended. The world has rejected His mercy,
despised His love, and trampled upon His law. The wicked have passed the boundary
of their probation; the Spirit of God, persistently resisted, has been at last
withdrawn. Unsheltered by divine grace, they have no protection from the wicked
one. Satan will then plunge the inhabitants of the earth into one great, final
trouble. As the angels of God cease to hold in check the fierce winds of human
passion, all the elements of strife will be let loose. The whole world will be
involved in ruin more terrible than that which came upon
“Fearful sights of a supernatural character
will soon be revealed in the heavens, in token of the power of miracle-working
demons. The spirits of devils will go forth to the kings of the earth and to
the whole world, to fasten them in deception, and urge them on to unite with
Satan in his last struggle against the government of heaven. By these agencies,
rulers and subjects will be alike deceived. Persons will arise pretending to be
Christ Himself, and claiming the title and worship which belong to the world's
Redeemer. They will perform wonderful miracles of healing and will profess to
have revelations from heaven contradicting the testimony of the Scriptures.”
G.C. 624
“As the crowning act in the great drama of
deception, Satan himself will personate Christ. The church has long professed
to look to the Saviour's advent as the consummation of her hopes. Now the great
deceiver will make it appear that Christ has come. In different parts of the
earth, Satan will manifest himself among men as a majestic being of dazzling
brightness, resembling the description of the Son of God given by John in the
Revelation. Revelation
1:13-15. The glory that surrounds him is unsurpassed by anything
that mortal eyes have yet beheld. The shout of triumph rings out upon the air:
“Christ has come! Christ has come!” The people prostrate themselves in
adoration before him, while he lifts up his hands and pronounces a blessing
upon them, as Christ blessed His disciples when He was upon the earth. His
voice is soft and subdued, yet full of melody. In gentle, compassionate tones
he presents some of the same gracious, heavenly truths which the Saviour
uttered; he heals the diseases of the people, and then, in his assumed character
of Christ, he claims to have changed the Sabbath to Sunday, and commands all to
hallow the day which he has blessed. He declares that those who persist in
keeping holy the seventh day are blaspheming his name by refusing to listen to
his angels sent to them with light and truth.” G.C. 624
““At that time shall Michael stand up, the
great Prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be
a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same
time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, everyone that shall be
found written in the book.” Daniel
12:1…Unsheltered by divine grace, they have no protection from the
wicked one. Satan will then plunge the inhabitants of the earth into one great,
final trouble. As the angels of God cease to hold in check the fierce winds of
human passion, all the elements of strife will be let loose. The whole world
will be involved in ruin more terrible than that which came upon
“God's judgments will be visited upon those who
are seeking to oppress and destroy His people…When Christ ceases His
intercession in the sanctuary, the unmingled wrath threatened against those who
worship the beast and his image and receive his mark (Revelation
14:9, 10), will be poured out. The plagues upon
“Through the two great errors, the immortality
of the soul and Sunday sacredness, Satan will bring the people under his
deceptions. While the former lays the foundation of spiritualism, the latter
creates a bond of sympathy with
“And then the great deceiver will persuade men
that those who serve God are causing these evils. The class that have provoked
the displeasure of Heaven will charge all their troubles upon those whose
obedience to God's commandments is a perpetual reproof to transgressors. It
will be declared that men are offending God by the violation of the Sunday
sabbath; that this sin has brought calamities which will not cease until Sunday
observance shall be strictly enforced; and that those who present the claims of
the fourth commandment, thus destroying reverence for Sunday, are troublers of
the people, preventing their restoration to divine favor and temporal
prosperity.” G.C. 590
“It is at
“That voice shakes the heavens and the earth.
There is a mighty earthquake, “such as was not since men were upon the earth,
so mighty an earthquake, and so great.” Verses
17, 18…Graves are opened, and “many of them that sleep in the dust
of the earth ... awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and
everlasting contempt.” Daniel
12:2. All who have died in the faith of the third angel's message
come forth from the tomb glorified, to hear God's covenant of peace with those
who have kept His law. “They also which pierced Him” (Revelation
1:7), those that mocked and derided Christ's dying agonies, and the
most violent opposers of His truth and His people, are raised to behold Him in
His glory and to see the honor placed upon the loyal and obedient…The voice of
God is heard from heaven, declaring the day and hour of Jesus’ coming, and
delivering the everlasting covenant to His people. Like peals of loudest
thunder His words roll through the earth. The Israel of God stand listening,
with their eyes fixed upward. Their countenances are lighted up with His glory,
and shine as did the face of Moses when he came down from Sinai. The wicked
cannot look upon them. And when the blessing is pronounced on those who have
honored God by keeping His Sabbath holy, there is a mighty shout of victory”
G.C. 637,638,640
The above points came to revelation over several years, not all at once, and further there are even more astonishing points than the above that are to be brought forth. The reason you will not find the above points in E.G. White’s first vision is simple fact that God never shows any one person the whole Truth at one time. We will quote the following admission from the E.G.W. Estate themselves concerning E.G. White’s first vision,
“This view was given soon after the great
Advent disappointment in 1844, and was first published in 1846. Only a few of the events of the future were
seen at that time. Later views have been
more full.” Early Writings 13 Footnote 1 comment
“We have
many lessons to learn, and many, many to unlearn. God and heaven alone are
infallible. Those who think that they will never have to give up a cherished
view, never have occasion to change an opinion, will be disappointed. As long
as we hold to our own ideas and opinions with determined persistency, we cannot
have the unity for which Christ prayed. {TM 30.2}
“When
a brother receives new light upon the Scriptures, he should frankly explain his
position, and every minister should search the Scriptures with the spirit of
candor to see if the points presented can be substantiated by the Inspired
Word. "The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all
men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose
themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging
of the truth." 2 Timothy 2:24, 25.”
Testimonies to Ministers pp. 30,31
The above two statements from Testimonies to Ministers were written after The Great Controversy was written, so let no one think that the light contained in The Great Controversy is all there is!
James White on Swine’s Flesh
20
“but
we do not, by any means, believe that the Bible teaches that its proper use, in
the gospel dispensation, is sinful. But we do object to a misapplication of the
holy scriptures in sustaining a position which will only distract the flock of
God, and lead the minds of the brethren from the importance of the present work
of God among the remnant. Error, however small it may appear, darkens and
fetters the soul, and, if persisted in will lead to gross darkness, and great
errors, and sooner or later its fatal results will appear. The principal texts
that are quoted to prove that the Gentile church is forbidden to eat swine's
flesh are Isa. lxv, 4 ; lxvi, 17. Now we do really think that these texts fall
far short of affording sufficient proof on this point. In fact, we must believe
they have no direct bearing on this time. The burning of ‘incense upon altars
of brick,’ remaining ‘among the graves,’ lodging ‘in the monuments,’ and
sacrificing ‘in gardens’ are rebuked in
connection with eating ‘swine's flesh.’ Now, if one applies literally to our
day, then, certainly all do; but we think that no one will undertake a literal
application of the whole of Isa. lxv, 4 ; lxvi, 17, to this- time. This is one
reason why we think that these texts have no literal bearing on this time.”
“The
first verse of Isa. lxv, is evidently the call of the Gentiles. The three
following verses show the rebelion and idolatry -of the Jews. It was a sin for
them to eat swine's flesh. The fifth verse shows their blindness, self-righteousness
and hypocrisy. ‘Which say, - Stand by thyself, come not near to me ; for I am
holier than thou.’ The Jews boasted-of their zeal in the law, rebuked the Son
of God, and falsely charged him with its violation; and finally crucified him.”
The Present Truth Vol. I., Nov., 1850. - No. 11, p. 7 "Swine's
Flesh"
James White on The Shut Door
“That there is to be a shut door prior to the second advent many
will admit; yet but few seem willing to have it where it actually took place.
Let us take a brief view of our past history, as marked out by the parable of
the ten virgins (Matt. 25:1-11), and I think we shall clearly see that there
can be no other place for the shut door but at the Autumn of 1844.” …
“When we came up to that point of time, all our sympathy, burden
and prayers for sinners ceased, and the unanimous feeling and testimony was,
that our work for the world was finished forever.”
“‘Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened (compared) unto ten
virgins.’ When? At this very time, when the faithful servant is giving meat to
the “HOUSE HOLD” (not to the unbelieving world) and is opposed by the evil
servant, and when the advent history, marked out by the parable, is fulfilled,
and the shut door is in the past. Now we may see that the only place for the
shut door was in 1844. Amen.
“But says the objector—-The door of mercy will not be closed until
Jesus comes. We do not read of such a door as ‘the door of mercy’ in the Bible;
neither do we teach that such a door was shut in 1844. God’s ‘mercy endureth
forever.’ (Ps. 136). He is still merciful to his saints, and ever will be; and
Jesus is still their advocate and priest. But the sinner, to whom Jesus has
stretched out his arms all the day long, and who had rejected the offers of
salvation, was left without an advocate, when Jesus passed into the
Joseph Bates on The Shut Door
21
“For when the Midnight
Cry is made as it was, in the fall of 1844, at the end of 2300 days, then at
that time the door is shut… The door must be shut, for our High Priest to open
the other door, Rev iii.7, 8; xi.19, and enter into the most Holy Place to
cleanse the Sanctuary… This work of cleansing the Sanctuary is this: Jesus our
great High Priest, crowned and robed in his royal court dress (just like the
high priest in the shadow), rises up, and shuts the door (Luke xii. 25) where
he had been the mediator for all the world, and opens the door for the Most
Holy Place (or as John calls it, the temple of God), and there appears before
God, as Daniel saw him with the whole Israel of God represented on his
breast-plate of judgment (like a priest), to plead with God, to blot out the
sins of Israel” Joseph Bates, “Midnight
Cry in the Past”, Review and Herald, December 1850
Conflicting Points Among Adventism
The very men who call other
churches
The 144,000
In 1985 and 1986 the Revelation Seminar published by the Adventist church taught the 144,000 was a small group of a limited number to go and gather the great multitude of Revelation 7:9. We quote as follows
“The ‘first fruits’ were always a definite and
limited amount. The amount was always
very small, in comparison to the innumerable amount of the great harvest to
follow…So now, God is choosing twelve groups of faithful ones, with varying
traits and personalities, so He can use them to reach out to all in these last
days in one last all-encompassing effort to take the gospel message to all the
world.” Revelation Seminars P.O. Box Candler, NC
28715
In the Adventist Review
Ellen White and the pioneers of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, in general, taught that it was a literal number. Go read the section entitled “My First Vision” in the book entitled Early Writings.
Daniel 11:40-45
In reference to Daniel 11:40-45 Adventists have had numerous interpretations, some of which have come to shambles. Please read the fact-finding report entitled ‘The House of Cards Built on Sand’ to see the dissatisfactory track record of Adventists, post-1915, on Daniel 11 and other prophecies that are not fundamentals of their church.
The one who has had the largest impact on the teaching of Daniel 11 in our denomination has been Elder Uriah Smith. In the late 1800s, he was teaching that Turkey was the King of the North and Egypt was the King of the South. We quote,
“
The denomination continued to hold this view up till World War I and World War II and then began to abandon it.
Then there was the major
viewpoint of Elder James White. He
taught that the King of the North was the
“This power is the last that treads down the
true church of God: and as the true church is still trodden down, and cast out
by all Christendom, it follows that the last oppressive power has not ‘come to
his end’; and Michael has not stood up.
This last power that treads down the saints is brought to view in Rev.
13:11-18.” A word to the Little Flock pp. 8,9
Another view point was that they
didn’t know and that in “such areas of unfulfilled prophecy we must tread
humbly and softly.” Jan-Mar 1987
The most questionable view point
of all was in the Oct-Dec 2004 Adult Sabbath School Lesson. They taught in the Oct-Dec 2004 Lesson 13
p.105 that the King of the North was the papacy and the King of the South was
powers that are “opposed true religion.” The reason why we can say this is questionable
is because Biblical, historical, and world current events evidences are so
overwhelming that various powers including the Papacy can be distinctly
identified by Biblical pointers. This, may be done one day on national TV to prove
which countries Daniel 11:40-45 applies to and how that events with the mighty
King of the North will take a turn for the worst in the world’s and
Which of the four above views from one denomination will you believe?
Rev. 13 & other contradictions
You would think the SDA church always taught that Rev. 13 Beast is the papacy but take a look at the following,
"...Therefore it is neither right nor
scriptural to declare that the Roman Catholic Church is the fifth head of the
dragon or the beast of Revelation 13." -- Signs of the Times,
One set of Adventists teach one thing on this and another set teaches something else on Revelation 13. It is amazing how the beast of Revelation 13 is killing the SDA church at this time through worldliness, paganism, ungodly dressing, and behavior, even during their own church services yet they’re only pointing to some foreign power overseas. All who fanatically teach that the leopard like beast is only the Catholic Church will be bitterly disappointed. There are some astonishing facts that we can prove and quote on this subject but because of reasons that will be unearthed at another time we give you only one for now,
“The prediction that it will speak "as a dragon" and exercise "all the power of the first beast" plainly foretells a development of the spirit of intolerance and persecution that was manifested by the nations represented by the dragon and the leopardlike beast.” Great Controversy p. 442
What do you believe on this subject through prayerful personal study and effort?
The
The
Make sure to check Adventist’s Fundamental Beliefs for yourself. You can go to www.adventist.org and search fundamental beliefs or just click on the following link https://www.adventist.org/en/beliefs/ and to double check the Review references quoted you can go to http://documents.adventistarchives.org.
Questions for the
24
1. Where do Ellen White’s writings stand in all of the confusion mentioned in the above section?
2. If Ellen White is the last prophet, like many Adventists teach, why then are there so many different interpretations on major Bible prophecies in the SDA denomination?
3. If the
4. What event plunges the
5. Are Seventh-day Adventists expecting more light to come through another prophet or messenger? If not, why not?
6. Can Adventists produce Biblical proof to defend their positions on the above- mentioned fair questions?
Violence Among Adventism When
Disagreements Emerge
It has been reported that Adventists gets angry and even aggressive in many instances when they are questioned or opposed.
Are the Religious
Leaders more concerned about pride of opinion than the straightness of the
gospel? Compare Jesus Christ and the
church He established at the outset of the Christian era to the organizations
today, you will see a vast difference.
If their main concern was truth, they would not be angry if another was
preaching truth even though that other is using their name and is not with
them. Jesus did not take to court or
rebuke those who were teaching in his name, even though they were not with Him
and His disciples. He was well aware
that
"we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth." 2 Cor.
13:8
"And John
answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in Thy name; and we
forbad him because he followeth not with us.
And Jesus said unto him, forbid him not: for he that is not against us
is for us." Luke 9:49, 50.
Would to God that the Religious Leaders were more like Jesus!
Speaking to the General
Conference of His time, Christ emphatically declared who it was inspiring their
actions as well as the deeds of today's Sanhedrin: "Ye do the deeds of your father…
ye are of your father the devil and the lusts of your father ye will do." John 8:41, 44.
Adventist’s own Prophet’s Instructions Regarding
Attitudes in Investigation of Scripture
25
“ When a brother
receives new light upon the Scriptures, he should frankly explain his position,
and every minister should search the Scriptures with the spirit of candor to
see if the points presented can be substantiated by the Inspired Word.
"The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt
to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God
peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth."
2 Timothy 2:24, 25.” Testimonies to Ministers pp. 30,31
“ How shall we search
the Scriptures in order to understand what they teach? We should come to the
investigation of God's word with a contrite heart, a teachable and prayerful
spirit. We are not to think, as did the Jews, that our own ideas and opinions
are infallible; nor with the papists, that certain individuals are the sole
guardians of truth and knowledge, that men have no right to search the
Scriptures for themselves, but must accept the explanations given by the
fathers of the church. We should not study the Bible for the purpose of
sustaining our preconceived opinions, but with the single object of learning
what God has said.
“ Some have feared that
if in even a single point they acknowledge themselves in error, other minds
would be led to doubt the whole theory of truth. Therefore they have felt that
investigation should not be permitted, that it would tend to dissension and
disunion. But if such is to be the result of investigation, the sooner it comes
the better. If there are those whose faith in God's word will not stand the
test of an investigation of the Scriptures, the sooner they are revealed the
better; for then the way will be opened to show them their error. We cannot
hold that a position once taken, an idea once advocated, is not, under any
circumstances, to be relinquished. There is but One who is infallible--He who
is the way, the truth, and the life.” Testimonies to Ministers p. 105
“ But beware of
rejecting that which is truth. The great danger with our people has been that
of depending upon men and making flesh their arm. Those who have not been in
the habit of searching the Bible for themselves, or weighing evidence, have
confidence in the leading men and accept the decisions they make; and thus many
will reject the very messages God sends to His people, if these leading
brethren do not accept them. {TM p. 106}
“ No one should claim
that he has all the light there is for God's people. The Lord will not tolerate
this. He has said, "I have set before thee an open door, and no man can
shut it." Even if all our leading men should refuse light and truth, that
door will still remain open. The Lord will raise up men who will give the
people the message for this time. {TM 107}.” Testimonies to
Ministers pp.106,107
“When troubles arise in the church we should
not go for help to lawyers not of our faith...They show that they have chosen
the world as their judge...Christ is crucified afresh, and put to open shame.” 3
Selected Messages, p. 299:1,2
Should not Religious Leaders be more concerned that “somebody is preaching the truth” rather
than who is teaching it or how is the
Truth coming out is going to affect their
standing in the eyes of the people or the world?
.
Counsels from Scripture Regarding
Investigations and Attitude
26
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but
try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone
out into the world. 1 John 4:1
51 Doth
our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?
52 They
answered and said unto him, Art thou also of
10 And
the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto
11 These
were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with
all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things
were so.
12 Therefore
many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men,
not a few.
13 But
when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached
of Paul at
“24 And
the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to
teach, patient,
25 In
meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will
give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;” 2 Timothy 2:24,25
Authenticity of The Bible
27
Few
Biblical archaeology discoveries have attracted as much attention as the Tel
Dan Stela—the ninth-century B.C. inscription that furnished the first
historical evidence of King David outside the Bible. This in-depth chapter
describes the historical moment when an excavation assistant stumbled upon the
stela bearing the inscription in a newly excavated wall.” http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/free-ebooks/ten-top-biblical-archaeology-discoveries/
There are numerous archaeological finds and historic
fulfillments of predictions that confirm the authenticity of the Bible so let
us take its counsel as though God himself was speaking to us and read it pages
daily with prayer and fervor and let the scriptures be the guide book and great
counselor for our daily living. If we do this, we can never go wrong.
It is amazing how the book that was written by despised
and rejected people is a multi million dollar a year industry. People go to
Theology school to study this book and make a good living being a pastor,
administrator, scholar, etc. Many of these people could have been the very ones
throwing stones at the prophets or even killing Jesus but because religion is
popular many jump on the bandwagon.
Do a research for
yourself and check out the Bible in history and its impact on peoples,
families, and nations and you will discover astonishing facts, and discoveries
that will take a lifetime.
15 And
that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make
thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All
scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That
the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2
Timothy 3:15-17
19 We
have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed,
as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day
star arise in your hearts:
20 Knowing
this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For
the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake
as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Peter 1:19-21
105 Thy
word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalms 119:105
16 Seek
ye out of the book of the Lord,
and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it
hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them. Isaiah 34:16
4 But
ye that did cleave unto the Lord
your God are alive every one of you this day.
5 Behold,
I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the Lord my God commanded me,
that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.
6 Keep
therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the
sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this
great nation is a wise and understanding people.
7 For
what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all
things that we call upon him for?
8 And
what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as
all this law, which I set before you this day? Deuteronomy 4:4-8
1For,
behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and
all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them
up, saith the Lord
of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
2 But
unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in
his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
3 And
ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your
feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of hosts.
4 Remember
ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all
5 Behold,
I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful
day of the Lord:
6 And
he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the
children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
Malachi 4:1-6
The end is nearing, the dreaded drums of doomsday are getting louder and louder, on which side will you be? It is our prayer that you take your stand with advancing Truth and be not like the people of old that got stuck with traditions and their fore parent’s limitations and refused to advance.
U. P. A.