A Critique of the Book:
Prophetic Parallels –
Journey to the Promised Land
by
Adrian
Welsch
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It is purported by one of my most persistent detractors that
Adrian Welsch’s book totally destroy’s
God’s call out message. So let’s take a serious look at the book. ----- Original Message ----- From:
DD To: Adventist-fm
Sent: Monday, June 27, 2011 2:29 PM Subject: [Adventist-fm] Prophetic Parallels -
Journey to the Promised Land This book totally destroys Ron Beaulieu's call out message.
It is free to read online and those who read it will know the truth and will
not be deceived by false prophets-- If Ron Beaulieu were honest he
would send the $10,000 to Adrian Welsh the author of the book.
Ron responds: ----- Original
Message ----- From:
Ron Beaulieu To: Adventist-fm@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, June 27, 2011 5:06 PM Subject: Re: [Adventist-fm] Prophetic Parallels -
Journey to the Promised Land The book by Adrian Welsh in no way proves Ellen White and
Scripture errant as regards a final going forth of a remnant from apostate
Jerusalem, Isaiah 37:31, 32, and Ellen White's statement that the last
fulfillment of Ezekiel 9, Chapter 1, Great Controversy, was a
prefigure and as there was a coming out in that TYPE, there must be a coming
out in what Ellen White described as another LITERAL fulfillment of Ezekiel
9. The book does not even treat these facts. None of DD's
sources deal with these facts. Ron The Holy Spirit prompted me that chapter 10 of Adrian’s
book presents a good cross section of what one can expect regarding his
neglect to present very important historical evidence involved with true
parallels between Seventh-day Adventists and Israel. Below I quote the entire
chapter from Adrian Welsch's book. My comments are interspersed within the
chapter IN THIS COLOR PRINT and highlight in this color print. I will
emphasize some of Welsch's text in this color print. Chapter 10 Rebuked, but Not Forsaken “So I
spake unto you; and ye would not hear, but rebelled against the commandment
of the LORD, and went presumptuously up into the hill.” —Deuteronomy 1:43 After
their rebellion at Kadesh-barnea, the children of
Israel were led back into the wilderness. There they wandered in that dreary
place for thirty-eight years. “ ‘The space,’ says Moses, ‘in which we came
from Kadesh-barnea, until we were come over the
brook Zered, was thirty and eight years; until all the generation of the men
of war were wasted out from among the host, as the Lord sware unto them. For
indeed the hand of the Lord was against them, to destroy them from among the host,
until they were consumed.’ Deuteronomy 2:14, 15.”336 While
Israel wandered in the wilderness for all those years, “the people were
constantly reminded that they were under the divine rebuke. In the rebellion
at Kadesh they had rejected God, and God had for the time rejected them.
Since they had proved unfaithful to His covenant, they were not to receive
the sign of the covenant, the rite of circumcision. Their desire to return to
the land of slavery had shown them to be unworthy of freedom, and the ordinance
of the Passover, instituted to commemorate the deliverance from bondage, was
not to be observed.”337 Circumcision
was a sign of the covenant of God’s grace. God’s covenant has always been one
of righteousness by faith, which includes putting off sin. “And he [Abraham]
received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the
faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father
of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness
might be imputed unto them also.”338 “In whom also ye are
circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the
body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ.”339
The
Passover was a feast that not only commemorated the deliverance from Egypt,
but it also pointed forward to the death of Christ on Calvary. “Purge out
therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For
even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.”340 By
celebrating the Passover, the children of Israel acknowledged that just as
they were delivered from slavery, so Jesus would deliver them from sin. After
turning back into the wilderness, Israel was forbidden to circumcise their
children or keep the Passover. This showed that their rebellion had caused
their covenant with God to be broken and their hope in a Savior, to some
extent, was lost sight of. It wasn’t until they had crossed the Jordan that
the covenant of grace was renewed and the “reproach of Egypt” was rolled away
from them.341 It was then that the children of Israel could again
be circumcised and keep the Passover.342 Ron’s Comments:
We can’t compare our experience with that of ancient Israel, because we have
their example from which we were supposed to learn! They were given 490 years
to put sin out of the camp (Daniel 9), which ended in A.D. 34. Forty-six
years later in A.D. 70, the Temple and Jerusalem city proper were destroyed,
along with men, maidens and little children. Chapter 1, The Great Controversy, and Ezekiel 9. There is no justification
for using Israel’s failures as an excuse for ours! Divine
Rebuke As the
children of Israel came under the divine rebuke because of their constant
rebellion, similarly God’s last day Church came under divine forbearance. As
early as 1882, six years before the rejection of the righteousness by faith
message that would have led modern Israel into the Promised Land, the people of God had fallen into a lukewarm state
known as Laodicea. “I have been shown that unbelief in the testimonies has
been steadily increasing as the people backslide from God. It is all
through our ranks, all over the field. But few know what our churches are to
experience. I saw that at present we are under divine forbearance, but no
one can say how long this will continue. No one knows how great the mercy
that has been exercised toward us. But few are heartily devoted to God. There
are only a few who, like the stars in a tempestuous night, shine here and
there among the clouds. Ron’s Comments:
Actually, Adrian is demonstrating a poor knowledge of Adventist history,
because the SDA church became Laodicean in the 1850’s, to wit: “Dear Brethren
and Sisters: The Lord has
shown me in vision some things concerning the church in its present lukewarm
state, which I will relate to you. The church was presented before me in
vision. Said the angel to the church: “Jesus speaks to thee, ‘Be zealous
and repent.’” This work, I saw, should be taken hold of in earnest. There
is something to repent of. Worldly-mindedness, selfishness, and covetousness
have been eating out the spirituality and life of God’s people.” IT 141. (See
contents for the year this was written—1856.) “Many who
complacently listen to the truths from God's word are dead spiritually, while
they profess to live. For years they have come and gone in our congregations,
but they seem only less and less sensible of the value of revealed truth.
They do not hunger and thirst after righteousness. They have no relish for
spiritual or divine things. They assent to the truth, but are not sanctified
through it. Neither the word of God nor the testimonies of His Spirit make
any lasting impression upon them. Just according to the light, the
privileges, and opportunities which they have slighted will be their
condemnation. Many who preach the truth to others are themselves cherishing
iniquity. The entreaties of the Spirit of God, like divine melody, the
promises of His word so rich and abundant, its threatenings
against idolatry and disobedience—all are powerless to melt the world-hardened
heart. “Many of our people are lukewarm. They occupy the
position of Meroz, neither for nor against, neither
cold nor hot. They hear the words of Christ, but do them not. If they remain
in this state, He will reject them with abhorrence. Many of those who have
had great light, great opportunities, and every spiritual advantage praise
Christ and the world with the same breath. They
bow themselves before God and mammon. They make merry with the children of
the world, and yet claim to be blessed with the children of God. They wish
to have Christ as their Saviour, but will not bear the cross and wear His
yoke.”343 [Ellen G. White, Testimonies
for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 76] Ron's Comments:
The above statement was written in 1882, as evinced by the table of contents
in Vol. 5 of the Testimonies. It is presented as though it is the first
indicting of the Laodicean condition of God’s people. But that is not the
case, for as early as 1852, Ellen
White said: Laodicean 1852 (June 10) "Many who
profess to be looking for the speedy coming of Christ, are becoming conformed
to this world, and seek more earnestly the applause of those around them,
than the approbation of God. They are cold and formal, like the nominal
church, that they but a short time since separated from. The words addressed to the Laodicean Church, describe their present
condition perfectly....And unless they heed the counsel of the 'faithful
and True Witness,' and zealously repent, and obtain 'gold tried in the fire,'
'white raiment,' and 'eye-salve,' he will spue them out of his mouth."
E.G. White, Review and Herald, June 10, 1852, Vol. 1, p. 18, col. 2. The church had
been in the Laodicean condition for many decades since 1856. Ellen White said
that if the church became Laodicean, it was not regarded by God with any more
favour than the fallen churches. Notice the following history of the church
as compiled by Let there be Light Ministries. It is unfortunate that ministry
omits the above 1853 statement, but this is a good compendium of the state of
the church from 1850 to Ellen White’s death in 1915. Remember the following statement while reading the history of the
church during those years: "If the church of God becomes
LUKEWARM [LAODICEAN] it does not stand
in favor with God any more than do the churches that are represented as
having fallen and become the habitation of devils and the hold of every foul
spirit and the cage of every unclean and hateful bird. Those who have had
opportunities to hear and receive the truth, and who have united with the
Seventh-day Adventist church, calling themselves the commandment keeping
people of God, and yet possess no more vitality and consecration to God than
do the nominal churches, will receive of the plagues of God just as verily as
the churches who oppose the law of God." E.G. White, Letter 35, 1898. 1850-- Counselled to separate from the world. God will protect and
save His SDA people if they trust in Him (p 7-8). 1855-- God's frown brought upon the church. Great lack of faith among
many. Warning that Achan's are in the camp, and
that a form of godliness will not save any from eternal destruction (p 8-9). 1856-- None but the pure and holy acknowledged by God. If any have
the desire to follow the world, then God ceases to acknowledge them as His people
(p 9). 1857-- Church declared to be lukewarm (p 9-10). 1859-- Church denounced as Laodicea. Christ's presence departed.
Called to repent (p 10-11). 1862-- Distance lessening between church and world. Warning not to
let the opinions and wisdom of men govern (p 11-12). 1865-- Work of God stayed. Ministers called to be reconverted and
purified (p 12-13). 1868-- Church leaders declared to be asleep and paralyzed by Satan.
Ministers declared unfaithful. Allowed Satan to plant his hellish banner in midst.
Church has departed from light like ancient Israel. Christ and His Spirit are
quenched. Two classes of SDA's--commandment keepers and those who only
profess to be (p 13-18). 1873-- Will not receive correction, reproof, or warnings. Spiritual
blindness results. Condition is condemned. Many doing work of Satan thinking
they are zealously working for God (p 19-20). 1875-- Satan's chief work is at headquarters of church. Warned if
heart of work corrupted, then testimonies, pillars, Scriptures doubted, and
incurable rebellion until destroyed (p 20-21). 1876-- Warning that God's power cannot uphold if warnings, counsels,
reproofs despised. Destruction of Jerusalem example. Warning that if continue in wrong course, then another foundation will be manufactured
(p 21-22). 1879-- Reproofs and warnings unheeded. Christ mourns. Dishonesty
practiced throughout, and church warned that probation will set upon her (p
22-23)! 1881-- Spirit of perjury active. Truth turned into falsehood (p 23). 1882-- Many to lose eternal life. Assimilating to world. Following
same path as Israel. Ministers corrupt. Church corrupt. Prevailing spirit is
apostasy. Warning of becoming a harlot, and that separation of God's people
out of church might be a necessity (p 23-29). 1883-- All given opportunity to manifest true spirit. Warning that
church might be condemned as was Capernaum (p 29-30). 1885-- Greater failure seen in SDA's than was seen in Jewish church.
Terrible amount of guilt that church is responsible for. Light being withheld
(p 31). 1886-- Danger of church becoming sister to fallen Babylon. Repent or
candlestick removed. Internal corruptions to destroy church like Jerusalem.
God's true church not to fall. Message to awake from the dead (p 31-37). 1887-- Whole church never revivable. More to fear from within than
from the world. Satan plans to never allow our people to awaken to their true
condition. Deceptions abound (p 37-38). 1888-- If proclaim third angels message, then receive the latter
rain. General Conference meeting held at Minneapolis. LATTER RAIN REJECTED.
Light kept from people (p 38-42). 1889-- God's rebuke upon church. Human wisdom exalted. Most dangerous
snares to come from SDA brethren (p 42-44). 1890-- Satan to work through leadership. Church confederating with
world. Reproof rejected. Same evil spirit from Minneapolis active. Baal is
the choice of many. Sacred trust betrayed. Lack of moral and spiritual power
throughout conferences. Greatest evils in largest churches. Church has
fallen, is likened to foolish virgins. If leadership accepted 1888
message could have been in heaven by now. Warning that antichrist will be
respected by leadership. Historic doctrines to be ignored and another
foundation manufactured. Historic pillars will be removed and replaced with
falsehoods (p 44-51). 1891-- Warning if church unites with world, she becomes Babylon of
Revelation 18:2. Satan's image upon the work (p 53-55). 1892-- Warning to keep all young people as far away from SDA churches
as possible. Punishment to Sodom will be light compared to punishment of
apostate church. Wheat and tares beginning to pull apart from each other.
Warning to cease to depend upon pastors and teachers for truth (p 55-57). 1893-- Professed SDA's to be brought down to hell,
and church to be ruins. Warning of false teachers among membership (p 57-61).
1894-- Distance to papacy lessened. God's truth misrepresented.
People asleep. God is dishonored. General Conference can become place of
greatest peril and darkness. Warning to return to God or judgments will fall.
General Conference president being placed where God alone should be and
becoming similar to pope (p 61-64). 1895-- Warning that soon many to lose eternal life. General
Conference to control all institutions, is already
becoming corrupt and following in the track of Romanism. Church making void
God's law, and warned not to exalt Sunday. Church working to make humanity as
God. Warning again of becoming Babylon of Revelation 18:2 if church unites
with world. Possibility of separation from church warned about. Holy Spirit
to be taken from church and given to others (p 64-69). 1896-- Declared that the General Conference Session delegates would
have crucified Christ if possible. Leadership killing message of Christ's
Righteousness of the third angel. General Conference bears no divine
credentials, its voice is not to be respected, and is not to be as God to
people. Scheme of consolidation being enacted. Evil spirit of Minneapolis
still cherished and will always be. Warning not to lower the importance of
Sabbath. History of Jewish nation to be repeated in church. Warning about the
possibility of separation being necessary (p 70-80). 1897-- Many to stand in SDA pulpits with the hellish torch of Satan.
Faithful ministers to be removed. Many will give heed to seducing spirits and
doctrines of devils. Rebellion and apostasy in very midst. True SDA's to
denounce as such. Those who apostatize voice words of the dragon. Unbelief is
established. God wants General Conference leaders to be removed from office.
None can maintain neutral ground. Lord's work is being hindered and sealing
process is being delayed. Warning that Jerusalem became Babylon (p 81- 86). 1898-- If continue disobedience, then Jerusalem represents church.
Christ weeps. Cause of Christ to be betrayed. Faithful SDA ministers being
dropped out of service. General Conference becoming parent over entire church
interests. Warning to SDA institutions and conferences to remain separate
from General Conference control. Soon God will be obliged to strike a blow to
deliver His people. Church beginning to be built on sand (p 86-89). 1899-- God's Sabbath to be given up if church unites in politics and
with the world. Church unites in politics and with the papacy (p 89-90). 1900-- God begins drawing the separating line, and the call may come
to separate even though missionary work being done to bring people in. Church
unites with the world, and is being formed into another golden calf. Tithes
and offerings being misused (p 90-93). 1901-- General Conference no longer as voice of God to our people.
REJECTED LATTER RAIN AGAIN! Told God's Spirit to go away until they call for
him. Call to let every yoke of General Conference control be broken, and to
cease to send all tithes and offerings through the "regular lines"
of the church (p 95-98). 1902-- SDA's been humiliated by leadership who have departed from
landmarks and faith. Satan controlling them, not God. Battle Creek Sanitarium
and Review and Herald burned down by God's judgments (p 98-101). 1903-- 1901 General Conference Session was greatest sorrow to Sister
White--NO CHANGE WAS MADE! Woe of heaven pronounced against some. Delegates
chose to reform church structure and organization after pattern of papacy.
Warning that no kings, popes, or rulers are to be in church. Church not the
temple of the Lord, but similar to tower of Babel. Church denounced as harlot
of Babylon, but not Babylon fallen. Satan to reform church through Series of
Apostasy. If apostasy occurs, church will be set aside and others chosen to
carry on God's work. Very elect to be deceived if possible, and God's people
must separate from all that is not godly in justice and judgment (p 101-112).
1904-- God's work is being hindered. Some leadership under guidance
of evil angels, and God condemns them. True SDA's not to follow leadership,
but must speak out and expose deceptions. Testimonies being rejected for
wisdom of men who follow Lucifer. Call to stand apart from all who follow
downward path and not heed heavenly instructions (p 113-116). 1905-- Traitors among membership. Church structure and organization
voted in 1903 will result in loss of many souls. Some are departing from
faith, but remaining in church and undermining historic pillars. Will cherish
rebellion to bitter, bitter end. Christ calls God's true people to come out
and leave the camp of Satan and join the camp of God--no longer be a
mixed-multitude. If accept false theories, apostasy from truth occurs, which
will continue till Christ comes, and great will be the fall of the church (p
116-121). 1906-- Spirit of wickedness in church to make void the law of God.
Call to not unify with those departing from the historic faith. God will
profane the SDA church, and all left within her wickedness will be destroyed.
Must separate away from those who place themselves on the side of the enemy
(p 121-124). 1907-- False theories accepted. Apostasy occurs. 1908-- Satan more active than ever to trap souls. Call to be separate
from all apostasy, and to be distinct from apostate General Conference
leaders. The corporate ship is not going through. Must stand with Christ or
with Satan--no neutrality (p 125-128). 1909-- Deceptive work being continued. General Conference being set
up as golden calf and looked up to as gods. Building up things which God
condemns. Apostasy strengthening, and church is no
longer militant. Pay is being withheld from those who will not follow
apostasy (p 128-131). 1910-- If swerve from truth and right principles, then forsake God
and have no righteousness or sanctification (p 134). 1913-- God's principles being perverted, and SDA
institutions not working on right principles. Membership not
being prepared for second coming, and the breach is
not being repaired (p 134). 1915-- Warned that after Ellen White's death, great changes will take
place in the church. Satan to make sinners out of saints (p 135). Adrian Welsch
completely ignores the principle of corporate responsibility as taught in
Scripture and by Ellen White. He speaks as though only the individuals who
commit apostasy are responsible. But Ellen White says otherwise: Ellen White and God say that it is impossible to unite with the
corrupt who praise Christ and the world with the
same breath and bow themselves before God and mammon. "It is IMPOSSIBLE for you to unite with those who are corrupt,
and still remain pure. (II Corinthians 6:14-15 quoted). God and Christ and
the heavenly host would have men know that if he unites with the corrupt he
will become corrupt." E. G. White, Review and Herald, Vol. 4, p. 137. Impossible to MATURE as wheat amongst the corrupt: "Thorns
sprung up.--The thorns made it impossible for the wheat to mature (see Luke
8:14). In the same way secular interests prevent the fruits of the Spirit
(Gal. 5:22, 23) from reaching maturity. Religion is relegated to the
subordinate position of being only one interest among many. For lack of
cultivation it withers and eventually dies. That which the thorny-ground
hearers lack is a moral transformation [E.G. White, Christ's Object
Lessons, p. 50] To them, justification is the sum and
substance of religion, and they fail to realize that the Christian life
consists essentially in the process known as sanctification--the process by
which evil traits and tendencies are replaced by the perfect life-pattern of
Jesus Christ." Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5,
405. "... The Lord will not write as wise those who cannot
distinguish between a tree that bears thorn-berries and a tree that bears
olives." {EGW, RH, September 7, 1897 par. 15} In a more direct statement that could not be misunderstood,
the messenger of the Lord wrote in 1893, “Those who claim to believe the
truth do not possess that power that God would bestow upon them if they
really believed, and were striving for conformity to His image. The church is
in the Laodicean state. The presence of God is not in her midst. If Christ
were formed within, the hope of glory, conformity to His image would be seen,
and the church trials which separate the members from Christ would
disappear.”344 Ron’s Comments: "The church is in the Laodicean condition. The presence
of God in not in her midst." Notebook Leaflets, p.99. "The church is in
the Laodicean state. The presence of God is not in her midst.--NL 99 (1898). Latter
Day Events, p. 49. "To the end of time, the presence of the Spirit is to abide
with the true church." E.G. White, Acts
of the Apostles, p. 55. "The state of the Church
represented by the foolish virgins, is also spoken
of as the Laodicean state." E. G. White, Review and Herald Articles, Vol. 2, 420,
8/19/1890.
True
Reformers have existed in every succeeding generation, to wit: "The Sanhedrin had rejected Christ's message and was bent upon
His death therefore Jesus departed from Jerusalem, from the priests, the
temple, the religious leaders, the people who had been instructed in the law,
and turned to another class to proclaim His message, and to gather out those
who should carry the gospel to all nations. As the light and life of men was
rejected by the ecclesiastical authorities in the days of Christ, so it has been rejected in every succeeding generation. Again and again the history of Christ's withdrawal from Judea has
been repeated. When the Reformers preached the
word of God, they had no thought of separating themselves from the
established church but the religious leaders would not tolerate the light,
and those that bore it were forced to seek another class, who were longing
for the truth. In our day few of the professed followers of the Reformers are
actuated by their spirit. Few are listening for the voice of God, and ready
to accept truth in whatever guise it may be presented. Often those who follow
in the steps of the Reformers are forced to turn away from the churches they
love, in order to declare the plain teaching of the word of God. And many
times those who are seeking for light are by the same teaching obliged to
leave the church of their fathers, that they may render obedience." E.G. White, Desire of Ages, 232. On
December 18, 1888, Ellen White wrote, “The rebuke of God is upon us
because of our neglect of solemn responsibilities. The testimonies given by
God have not been heeded by those who professed to believe them; and as the
result, his blessings have been withdrawn. When Satan has gained
control of the mind, words of warning have no effect.”345 Again in 1888,
as a result of the General Conference Session at Minneapolis, Ellen White
wrote, “I was confirmed in all I had stated in Minneapolis, that a
reformation must go through the churches. Reforms must be made, for spiritual
weakness and blindness were upon the people who had
been blessed with great light and precious opportunities and privileges. As reformers
they had come out of the denominational churches, but they now act a part
similar to that which the churches acted. We hoped that there would not
be the necessity for another coming out. While we will endeavor to keep the
‘unity of the Spirit’ in the bonds of peace, we will not with pen or voice
cease to protest against bigotry.”346 The spiritual
condition of the Church must have been in a poor condition for Ellen White to
have even contemplated another coming out. The Church
Needed to Repent As Israel
wandered in the wilderness for thirty-eight years longer than they should
have, so God’s last day Church has been wandering in the wilderness far too long.
On April 21, 1903, Ellen White wrote, “Who can truthfully say: ‘Our gold is
tried in the fire; our garments are unspotted by the world’? I saw our
Instructor pointing to the garments of so-called righteousness. Stripping
them off, He laid bare the defilement beneath. Then He said to me: ‘Can you
not see how they have pretentiously covered up their defilement and
rottenness of character? 'How is the faithful city become an
harlot!' My Father's house is made a house of merchandise, a place whence the
divine presence and glory have departed! For this cause there is weakness,
and strength is lacking. “Unless the
church, which is now being leavened with her own backsliding, shall repent
and be converted, she will eat of the fruit of her own doing, until she shall
abhor herself. When she resists the evil and chooses the good, when [IF] she
seeks God with all humility and reaches her high calling in Christ, standing
on the platform of eternal truth and by faith laying hold upon the
attainments prepared for her, she will be healed. She will appear in her
God-given simplicity and purity, separate from earthly entanglements, showing
that the truth has made her free indeed. Then her members will indeed be
the chosen of God, His representatives.’ ”347 Ron's Comments:
Why did I add [IF] in the above statement? Because Ellen White gives the end
of the story. She said the apostasy would wax stronger until Jesus comes! She
gave the outcome of the professing SDA new movement, new organization: "Jesus sends HIS PEOPLE a message of warning to prepare them for his
coming. To the prophet John was made known the closing work in the great plan
of man's redemption. He beheld an angel flying 'in the midst of heaven,
having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth,
and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud
voice, Fear God, and give glory to him for the hour of his Judgment is come
and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains
of waters [Rev. 14:6, 7.]. The angel represented in prophecy as
delivering this message, symbolizes a class of faithful men, who,
obedient to the promptings of God's Spirit and the teachings of his word,
proclaim this warning to the inhabitants of earth. This message was not to be committed to the religious leaders of
the people. They had failed to preserve their connection with God,
and had REFUSED THE LIGHT FROM HEAVEN therefore they WERE NOT of the number
described by the apostle Paul: 'But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that
that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light,
and the children of the day we are not of the night nor
of darkness' [1 Thess. 5:4, 5]. The watchmen upon the walls of Zion should be the first to
catch the tidings of the Saviour's advent, the first to lift their voices to
proclaim him near, the first to warn the people to
prepare for his coming. But they were at ease, dreaming of peace and safety,
while the people were asleep in their sins. Jesus saw HIS CHURCH, like
the barren fig-tree, covered with pretentious leaves, yet destitute of
precious fruit. There was a boastful observance of the forms of religion,
while the spirit of true humility, penitence and faith--which alone could
render the service acceptable to God--was lacking. Instead of the graces of
the Spirit, there were manifested pride, formalism,
vainglory, selfishness, oppression. A
BACKSLIDING CHURCH closed their eyes to the signs of the times. God
did nor forsake them, or suffer his faithfulness to fail but they departed
from him, and SEPARATED THEMSELVES from his love. As
they REFUSED TO COMPLY WITH THE
CONDITIONS, his promises were NOT FULFILLED to them."
E.G. White, The Spirit of Prophecy, vol.
4, pp. 199-200 [The
1884 edition of The Great Controversy, 199, 200]. God Has
Not Forsaken His Church At this
point in our study, we need to be careful we do not end up losing our faith
in God’s appointed Church and jump ship, thinking the one we are on will
sink. Sure, there are holes throughout the boat that are taking in water, and
it may appear the boat will sink, but let us consider the parallel of
Israel’s journey and see how God dealt with a sinking ship back then. Ron's Comments:
Yes indeed, lets consider
the parallel of Israel's journey and see how God dealt with an apostate
sinking ship back then. Israel was given 490 years probation (Daniel 9) to
put away sin. That ended in A.D. 34. At that juncture, Israel had not put
away sin, so the faithful were gathered out into home churches from A.D. 34
and on. In A.D. 66, they fled to Pella, 3 1/2 years before the Temple and the
city of Jerusalem were destroyed. That was the historic literal fulfillment
of Ezekiel 9 which could have no fulfillment before that because no judgment
could accrue until their 490 years probation was ended in A.D. 34. Men like Welsch
are misleading God’s people. They don’t realize that the new movement, new
organization omega of apostasy formed AMONG, WITHIN, jumped ship a long time
ago! They don’t realize that it is that new movement, new organization, that
is an offshoot cult that has removed God. See the words “…God being removed,”
1SM 205. The first
point we notice as we study the parallel of Israel is that God didn’t lead
offshoots into that goodly land. In His anger He did say, “And the LORD said
unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and
how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have
shewed among them? I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit
them, and will make of thee a greater nation and mightier than they.”348
Some may use this text as support for leaving the Seventh-day Adventist
Church and starting another organization. They may also use Ellen White to
justify their action, as did many in her day, but the truth of the matter is
that God did not forsake His people. Are we to believe that Moses was more wise than God by the response he gave? Of course not.
God was testing Moses, just as He did when the children of Israel worshipped
the golden calf. Moses’ response to God was, “Then the Egyptians shall hear
it, (for thou broughtest up this people in thy
might from among them;) And they will tell it to the
inhabitants of this land: for they have heard that thou LORD art among this
people, that thou LORD art seen face to face, and that thy cloud standeth
over them, and that thou goest before them, by day
time in a pillar of a cloud, and in a pillar of fire by night. Now if thou
shalt kill all this people as one man, then the nations which have heard the
fame of thee will speak, saying, Because the LORD was not able to bring this
people into the land which he sware unto them, therefore he hath slain them
in the wilderness.”349 Ron's Comments:
It is interesting how men like Welsch give only part of Moses’ response to
the apostasy. All who did not repent and form at Moses’ right hand were
killed. There were about 3,000 killed! That is how Moses dealt with the
apostasy in the camp! Moses realized that it was impossible for the wheat to
mature amongst apostates. "You are
exhorted to touch not the unclean thing; for in touching this, you will
yourself become unclean. It is impossible for you to unite with those
who are corrupt, and still remain pure. ‘What fellowship hath
righteousness with unrighteousness? and what
communion hath light with darkness? and what concord
hath Christ with Belial?’ [2 Corinthians 6:14-15] God and Christ and the
heavenly host would have man know that if he unites with the corrupt, he
will become corrupt." E.G.
White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, Vol. 6, p 1102. Indeed, God did
not leave offshoots into Pella in A.D. 66, when all faithful Christians who
had been gathered out of the apostate Jewish Temple organization fled to that
valley between mountains. All those whom the disciples gathered out into home
churches from A.D. 34 and on, were not regarded by God as
"OFFSHOOTS." It was the apostate Temple that became an offshoot by
apostatizing. It is new movement Adventism which has committed omega apostasy
and removed God, that is an offshoot and led by Satan, to wit: Clarence Settle on 1SM 204-5 "The enemy
of souls (Satan himself) has sought to bring in the supposition that a great
reformation was to take place among Seventh-day Adventists, and that this
reformation would consist in giving up the doctrines which stand as the
pillars of our faith (indicates a traitorous doctrinal shift in the direction
of the church.), and engaging in a process of reorganization (Reorganization
is a corporate action-not applicable to individuals). Were
this reformation to take place what would result? (so
there will be no doubt how to recognize this corporate betrayal.) The
principles of truth that God in His wisdom has given to the remnant church
would be discarded. (The very principles that make us the remnant church) Our
religion would be changed. (The mission and message of the church would take
a course opposed to that given by God) The fundamental principles that have
sustained the work for the last fifty years would be accounted as error.
(Conservative, anti-papal attitude discarded/ Ecumenism, Pentecostalism,
Liberalism etc. adopted) A NEW ORGANIZATION would be established. (A
different church with a different gospel/Not the one established and ordained
by God) Books of a new order would be written (KJV and SOP rejected/NIV and
non-Adventist expositors preferred, as also Catholic-slanted hymnal) A system
of intellectual philosophy would be introduced ('Thus saith the Lord-It is
written' discarded, no longer valued) The founders of this system would go into
the cities, and do a wonderful work (Stop-smoking clinics, Revelation &
Marriage Seminars, etc.) The Sabbath of course would be lightly regarded,
(Still observed, but sacred character diminished/Increasing emphasis on
Sunday observance) as also the God who created it. (Doctrinal purity
rejected-more relevant to 'be loving' and get
along/Loss of reverence & sanctity in worship and music etc., not to
mention the despicable events taking place in the schools and colleges.)
Nothing would be allowed to stand in the way of the NEW MOVEMENT. (The
apostasy will continue and increase "wax stronger" till Christ
returns said Ellen White) The leaders would teach that virtue is better than
vice, but GOD BEING REMOVED they would place their dependence on human power,
which, WITHOUT GOD, is worthless, (Leaders maintain that you cannot stop
sinning, which you can't--without God) Their foundation would be built on the
sand, and storm and tempest would sweep away the structure." (When storm
of persecution comes, the new movement will be swept into Sunday-keeping/Will
urge an "outward compliance with the laws of the land for the sake of
peace harmony." See 5T: 712, Headed in that direction now) 1SM: 204,
205. End Ron's Comments. The same
would be true of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. If God forsook it
completely and chose another organization, what would this say about God?
What would it say about the truth that He has revealed to this Church? What
would it say about the prophet He led to guide and direct this Church? The
honor of God was at stake in leading ancient Israel to the Promised Land and
the honor of God and His truth is at stake now too. This is why the
Seventh-day Adventist Church will remain God’s Church. All other offshoots He
has not led. Ron's Comments:
Adrian’s statement is true if you QUALIFY what is the Seventh-day Adventist
Church? Did God give the truth to the Jews? Did God send prophets to the
apostate Jews to guide and direct that church? Was His honor at stake when
the Temple and the city of Jerusalem was destroyed
in A.D. 70? Is an omega of apostasy new movement, new organization that has
removed God, HIS CHURCH, THE TRUE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH? Which church
was God’s True Church when Christ and the disciples separated themselves from
the apostate Jewish church? Did God forsake
the Jews and give the gospel to Gentiles? Did God forsake the Protestant
churches in 1844, when they became fallen? Did Jesus and His disciples
forsake the apostate Jewish church when it apostatized? "Christ was a protestant...The
Reformers date back to Christ and the apostles. They came out and separated
themselves from a religion of forms and ceremonies. Luther and his followers
did not invent the reformed religion. They simply accepted it as presented by
Christ and the apostles." E.G. White, Review
and Herald, vol. 2, 48, col. 2. Paul left "And as they persisted in their
rejection of the gospel the apostle (Paul) went into the synagogue,
and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the
things concerning the kingdom of God. But when divers were hardened, and
believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed
from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one
Tyrannus." Acts, 19:8, 9. "Fearing that the faith of the
believers would be endangered by continued association with these opposers of
the truth, Paul separated from them, and gathered the disciples into a
distinct body." E.G. White, Acts of the Apostles, p. 286. Way back in Shiloh, the first
civilized settlement of the Jews after emerging from the 40 year stint in the
Sinai desert, many were worshipping and offering sacrifices at home because
of the recreant priests. Nearly always in the apostasy, the leaders are
implicated as the ring leaders. 16For the leaders
of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are
destroyed. Isaiah 9:16. And those who
are always quoting and defending the leaders are one with them and will be
destroyed with them. "The
recreant priests added licentiousness to the dark catalogue of their crimes
yet they still polluted by their presence the tabernacle of the Lord, and,
laden with sin, dared to come into the presence of a holy God. As the men of
Israel witnessed the corrupt course of the priests, they thought it safer for
their families not to come up to the appointed place of worship. Many went
from Shiloh with their peace disturbed, their indignation aroused, until they
at last determined to offer their sacrifices themselves, concluding that this
would be fully as acceptable to God, as to sanction in any manner the
abominations practiced in the Sanctuary." E.G. White, The Signs of the Times, vol. 1, p. 264, col. 3, December 1, 1881. It is not God
that chose another omega of apostasy new movement, new organization. It is
apostate men AMONG, WITHIN CHURCH LEADERSHIP, per the 1SM 204-205 statement.
Remember, Ellen White said that God did not separate from them, but they
separated themselves from Him, so that His promises were not fulfilled to
them. Adrian’s
inference that the current day professing SDA omega of apostasy new movement,
new organization, is God’s True Seventh-day Adventist church that will go
through, is totally contradictory to the following prophesy of Ellen White
concerning the final outcome of the church. Thus, Adrian Welsch does not
speak according to the Testimonies and the Word of God in Ezekiel 9: "Jesus sends HIS PEOPLE a message of warning to prepare them for his
coming. To the prophet John was made known the closing work in the great plan
of man's redemption. He beheld an angel flying 'in the midst of heaven,
having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth,
and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud
voice, Fear God, and give glory to him for the hour of his Judgment is come
and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains
of waters [Rev. 14:6, 7.]. The angel represented in prophecy as
delivering this message, symbolizes a class of faithful men, who,
obedient to the promptings of God's Spirit and the teachings of his word,
proclaim this warning to the inhabitants of earth. This message was not to be committed to the religious leaders of
the people. They had failed to preserve their connection with God,
and had REFUSED THE LIGHT FROM HEAVEN therefore they WERE NOT of the number
described by the apostle Paul: 'But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that
that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light,
and the children of the day we are not of the night nor
of darkness' [1 Thess. 5:4, 5]. The watchmen upon the walls of Zion should be the first to
catch the tidings of the Saviour's advent, the first to lift their voices to
proclaim him near, the first to warn the people to
prepare for his coming. But they were at ease, dreaming of peace and safety,
while the people were asleep in their sins. Jesus saw HIS CHURCH, like
the barren fig-tree, covered with pretentious leaves, yet destitute of
precious fruit. There was a boastful observance of the forms of religion,
while the spirit of true humility, penitence and faith--which alone could
render the service acceptable to God--was lacking. Instead of the graces of
the Spirit, there were manifested pride, formalism,
vainglory, selfishness, oppression. A
BACKSLIDING CHURCH closed their eyes to the signs of the times. God
did nor forsake them, or suffer his faithfulness to fail but they departed
from him, and SEPARATED THEMSELVES from his love. As
they REFUSED TO COMPLY WITH THE
CONDITIONS, his promises were NOT FULFILLED to them."
E.G. White, The Spirit of Prophecy, vol.
4, pp. 199-200 [The
1884 edition of The Great Controversy, 199, 200]. God Does
not Lead Offshoots After the
people had rebelled at Kadesh, God instructed Moses to tell the people, “Your
carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you,
according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have
murmured against me, doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning
which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun. But your little
ones, which ye said should be a prey, them will I
bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised. But as for
you, your carcases, they shall fall in this wilderness.”350 Ron's Comments:
Yes indeed: GOD DOES NOT LEAD OFFSHOOTS! He does not lead an omega of
apostasy new movement, NEW ORGANIZATION, that
separated from Him and removed Him from the church! Instead of
obeying the word of God, the children of Israel chose to defy His command and in a
sense started their own movement. “And they rose up early in the morning, and gat them up into the top of the mountain,
saying, Lo, we be here, and will go up unto the place which the LORD hath
promised: for we have sinned.”351 Ron's Comments:
That is exactly what Ellen White said SDA's would do--separate themselves
from God and start A NEW MOVEMENT, NEW ORGANIZATION. The parallel is EXACT! Was God in
this offshoot movement? No. Moses said to them, “Wherefore now do ye
transgress the commandment of the LORD? but it shall
not prosper. Go not up, for the LORD is not among you; that ye be not smitten
before your enemies. For the Amalekites and the Canaanites are there before
you, and ye shall fall by the sword: because ye are turned away from the
LORD, therefore the LORD will not be with you. But they presumed to go up
unto the hill top: nevertheless the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and
Moses, departed not out of the camp.”352 Ron's Comments:
Is God in Adventism's New Movement, New Organization? No! He has been
removed. (1SM 205). Instead of
walking by faith, those who were rebellious tried to enter the Promised Land
in their own strength. They presumed that God would be with them, even though they had
just rejected Him. Many who leave the Seventh-day Adventist Church for
whatever reason and start another organization or group also commit this same
sin, for God has never disowned His Church. “God has a church upon the earth,
who are his chosen people, who keep his
commandments. He is leading, not stray off-shoots, not one here and one
there, but a people. The truth is a sanctifying power; but the church
militant is not the church triumphant. There are tares among the wheat... The
gospel net draws not only good fish, but bad ones as well, and the Lord only
knows who are his.”353 Ron's Comments:
And professing SDA's PRESUME that God is with them even though they rejected
His conditions and separated themselves from Him. The
parallel of ancient Israel shows us the outcome of separating from God’s
appointed Church. Often the result is total disaster. “Then the Amalekites
came down, and the Canaanites which dwelt in that hill, and smote them, and
discomfited them, even unto Hormah.”354 Please notice that those who
stayed with Moses in the camp, which God had appointed, did not suffer loss.
The same is true of God’s modern day Church. Ron's Comments:
Moses killed off the apostates in the camp and he removed the Tabernacle from
the camp until the apostasy (open sin) was removed by being killed off. That
is the true story of how the camp of Israel was cleansed and how the
apostates were dealt with. All who would not repent eg. Korah
and company etc., were killed. The same thing
occurred at the Golden Calf incident. It is God's direction that open sin be removed from the church but that has not been done in
the new movement SDA "church." "Christ
has plainly taught that those who persist in open sin must be separated from
the church..." E. G. White, Christ's Object Lessons, 71. When the
church won’t separate open sinners from the camp, and especially when the
leaders are the ringleaders of apostasy, we must separate. This separation
does not make a new church. It merely preserves the original SDA church and
restores the paths to dwell in. This has always been the job of true
reformers in every succeeding generation, DA, 232. In 1893, just five years after the rejection of the 1888
message, a group calling themselves “The Loud Cry of the Third Angel,”
started an offshoot which taught that the Church was Babylon. They produced a
pamphlet that used parts of Ellen White’s testimonies to prove their view.
You will recall that in 1888 the message rejected was the third angel’s
message which if accepted would have brought the loud cry. This offshoot
based their name and message on that which was rejected in 1888, just as
ancient Israel tried to enter the Promised Land based on God’s original
purpose before they had rebelled. Again we see another parallel fulfilled. Ron's Comments:
Ellen White stated in her June 12, 1893, letter https://omega77.tripod.com/newmovementjoin.htm to Stanton and Caldwell that the church was experiencing a
refreshing at that time; it was heeding the Laodicean message and keeping the
commandments of God. Where could one go to improve on that? Stanton and
Caldwell were clearly running ahead of the angel, because the church had not
yet married itself in liaison to Babylon’s Associations, Councils/Counsels
and/or Confederacies. This is unpardonable sin (corporately), Jeremiah
11:9-15 and Isaiah 8:9-12—where the only option is “broken in pieces,” stated
three times to connote the seriousness of this violation of the Midnight Cry
and the second angel’s message. Ellen White did not say that the SDA church
would never become a part of Babylon. In fact, she cited ways and means by
which the church would indeed become the cage of every unclean and hateful
bird. Rev. 18. In
response to this false movement, Ellen White wrote, “For years I have borne
my testimony to the effect that when any arise claiming to have great light,
and yet advocating the tearing down of that which the Lord through His human
agents has been building up, they are greatly deceived, and are not working
along the lines where Christ is working. Those who assert that the Seventh-day Adventist churches constitute
Babylon, or any part of Babylon, might better stay at home. Let them stop and
consider what is the message to be proclaimed at this time.
In place of working with divine agencies to prepare a people to stand in the
day of the Lord, they have taken their stand with him who is an accuser of
the brethren, who accuses them before God day and night. Satanic agencies
have been moved from beneath, and they have inspired men to unite in a
confederacy of evil, that they may perplex, harass, and cause of the people
of God great distress. The whole world is to be stirred with enmity against
Seventh-day Adventists, because they will not yield homage to the papacy, by
honoring Sunday, the institution of this antichristian power. It is the
purpose of Satan to cause them to be blotted from the earth, in order that
his supremacy of the world may not be disputed.”355 Ron’s
Commentary: Indeed, the True Seventh-day Adventists church that keeps the
commandments of God and heeds the Laodicean message,
should never be referred to as Babylon! But what about an omega of apostasy
new movement, new organization, that Ellen White said would remove God? She
said that the omega would surely come and wax stronger until Jesus comes. She
said that Ezekiel 9 would have another literal fulfillment beginning at His
Sanctuary, HIS CHURCH, Testimonies,
Vol. 5, 211. She referred to the historic A.D. 70 destruction of Jerusalem,
the typical fulfillment of Ezekiel 9 as a prefigure—depicting a twofold
meaning per The Great Controversy,
p. 25: 1.
The ensuing destruction of Jerusalem. 2.
That destruction symbolized the terrors of the last great day
when Ezekiel 9 would be literally fulfilled upon apostate Jerusalem as well as
Babylon. 3.
Ezekiel 9 would not be prophesied to be LITERALLY fulfilled
beginning at His Sanctuary, HIS CHURCH, if it did not become part of Satan’s
Synagogue—fallen Babylon. 4.
Ellen White prophesied that the church would separate itself from
God so that His promises would not be fulfilled to the church. That leaves
only one other master to lead the church—Satan and his Synagogue of Babylon. “A BACKSLIDING
CHURCH closed their eyes to the signs of the
times. God did nor forsake them, or suffer his faithfulness to fail but they
departed from him, and SEPARATED THEMSELVES from his
love. As they REFUSED TO COMPLY
WITH THE CONDITIONS, his promises were NOT FULFILLED to them."
E.G. White, The Spirit of Prophecy, vol.
4, pp. 199-200 [The
1884 edition of The Great Controversy, 199, 200]. The Church
is not Babylon Again, in
the same letter we read, “To claim that the Seventh-day Adventist Church is
Babylon, is to make the same claim as does Satan, who is an accuser of the
brethren, who accuses them before God night and day... Those who advocate
error will say, ‘The Lord saith,’ ‘when the Lord hath not spoken.’ They
testify to falsehood, and not to truth. If those who have been proclaiming
the message that the church is Babylon had used the money expended in publishing
and circulating this error, in building up, instead of tearing down, they
would have made it evident that they were the people whom God is leading.”356
Ron’s Comments:
Most SDA’s are ignorant of Ellen White’s letter to Stanton and Caldwell, June
3, 1893, in which she defined the SDA church as those who keep the
commandments and heed the Laodicean message. She said the church was doing
that at that time. No one could improve on that! But a new movement, new
organization, that has instructed Russian parents to send their children to
school on Sabbath for decades now, is not the commandment-keeping people of
God! And the Lord knows that the church became Laodicean and has remained so
for many decades. Corporate, literal Laodicea, circa 1st century
Christianity, never repented. Neither will end-time Laodicea. How can you
know that for a living fact? Because Ellen White said that Laodicea was the
foolish virgin state of the church and the foolish virgins are not saved. "The state of the Church represented by the foolish virgins, is also spoken of as the Laodicean state."
E. G. White, Review and Herald Articles, Vol. 2, 420,
8/19/1890. She also said that foolish virgin Laodiceans are not regarded with
any more favor by God than the fallen churches of Babylon, so that equates
them with fallen Babylon in the eyes of some, but from Ellen White’s view it
makes SDA’s worse. Why? Because they knew the truth and still they wax
stronger in apostasy until Jesus comes. In Ezekiel 5, Jesus says that
apostate Jerusalem was worse than all the nations around them. Ellen White
said that SDA’s would COUNTERPART Israel: The SDA COUNTERPART FACTOR to the Jews COUNTERPART: "The Lord commanded
one of his ancient servants, 'Pray not thou for this people [Jer. 7:16 and
11:14], neither lift up cry nor prayer for them
neither make intercession to me for I will not hear thee.' The prophet thus
describes the sins which had called forth this fearful denunciation: 'The
prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means and my
people love to have it so and what will ye do in the end thereof?' 'From the
least of them even unto the greatest of them, every one
is given to covetousness and from the prophet even unto the priest, every one
dealeth falsely. They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people
slightly, saying, Peace, peace, when there is no peace.' The apostles declare
that this state of things will find its COUNTERPART in the last days. Many
have a form of godliness, but in their daily life deny the power thereof.
They have ceased to be convicted of their sins or alarmed at their state.
They say in their hearts, 'The church is flourishing. Peace and spiritual
prosperity are within her borders.' The words of the prophet may well apply
to these self-deceivers, 'They have chosen their own ways, and their soul
delighteth in their abominations. I also will choose their delusions, and
will bring their fears upon them." E. G. White, Second Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, 11-07-82. "Shall the Lord be compelled to
say, `Pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them,
neither make intercession to Me: for I will not hear thee' [Jeremiah 7:16]?
`Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no latter
rain....Wilt thou not from this time cry unto Me, My Father, thou art the
guide of my youth' [Jeremiah 3:3-4]?...
The Lord commanded one of his ancient
servants, "Pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer
for them; neither make intercession to me; for I will not hear thee."
The prophet thus describes the sins which had called forth this fearful
denunciation: "The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule
by their means; and my people love to have it so; and what will ye do in the
end thereof?" "From the least of them even unto the greatest of
them, every one is given to covetousness; and from
the prophet even unto the priest, every one dealeth falsely. They have healed
also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace,
when there is no peace." {RH, November 7, 1882 par. 8} The apostles declare that this state
of things will find its counterpart in the last days. Many have a form of
godliness, but in their daily life deny the power thereof. They have ceased
to be convicted of their sins or alarmed at their state. They say in their
hearts, "The church is flourishing. Peace and spiritual prosperity are
within her borders." The words of the prophet may well apply to these self-deceivers,
"They have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their
abominations. I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears
upon them." {RH, November 7, 1882 par. 9} Who else but SDA’s could qualify as the COUNTERPART of the Jews when
they both are “chosen people” who claim to keep the commandments of God and
constitute a remnant?! The apostate Jews were brought down to
hell in A.D. 70. Ellen White says the same fate awaits apostate Seventh-day
Adventists, to wit: “Of those who boast of their light and
yet fail to walk in it Christ says, "But I say unto you, It shall be
more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment than for you. And thou, Capernaum [Seventh-day Adventists, who have had great
light], which art exalted unto heaven [in point of privilege], shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works which have been done in thee had been done
in Sodom, it would have remained until this day." Ellen G. White, Review
and Herald Articles, Aug. 1, 1893. [THE BRACKETED COMMENTS ARE BY ELLEN
WHITE.] {LDE 48.2} Many today
who have left the Seventh-day Adventist Church and
started a new offshoot claim that the quotes we have just read were only
applicable back in 1893. However Ellen White wrote, “My brother, if you are
teaching that the Seventh-day Adventist Church is Babylon, you are wrong. God
has not given you any such message to bear. Satan will use every mind to
which he can attain access, inspiring men to originate false theories, or go
off on some wrong tangent, that he may create a false excitement, and thus
divert souls from the true issue for this time… It makes me feel sad indeed
that you should be deceived in any way by the suggestions of the enemy; for I
know the theory that you are advocating is not truth. In advancing the
ideas you do, you will do great injury to yourself and to others. Do not seek
to misinterpret, and twist, and pervert, the testimonies to substantiate any
such message of error. Many have passed over this ground, and have
done great harm. As others have started up full of zeal to proclaim this
message, again and again, I have been shown that it was not truth.”357
If that wasn’t clear enough, Ellen White writes, “Again I say, The Lord hath not
spoken by any messenger who calls the church that keeps the commandments of
God, Babylon. True, there are tares with the wheat; but Christ said He
would send His angels to first gather the tares and bind them in bundles to
burn them, but gather the wheat into the garner. I know that the Lord loves
His church. It is not to be disorganized or broken up into independent atoms.
There is not the least consistency in this; there is not the least
evidence that such a thing will be. Those who shall heed this false
message and try to leaven others will be deceived and prepared to receive
advanced delusions, and they will come to nought.”358 Ron’s Comments:
Adrian exposes his ignorance of the situation when he says that separatists
today say that Ellen White’s quotes applied only in 1893. It is correct to
qualify that Ellen White stated in her letter of June, 1893, that the church
was experiencing a refreshing at that time; was heeding the Laodicean message
and keeping the commandments of God. The church was NOT in omega apostasy in
1893! That is a living fact. That does not mean the church was never to enter
the omega of apostasy, begin a new movement, new organization, and separate
itself from God by removing Him, (1SM 204-205). That has left one leader,
Satan. Adrian Welsch is
apparently totally ignorant of the fact that the omega of apostasy has
occurred in the SDA church; that it did indeed form a new movement, new
organization cult AMONG, WITHIN, and that Ellen White said it would wax
stronger until Jesus comes. Wax stronger "One
thing it is certain is soon to be realized, the great apostasy, which is
developing and increasing and waxing stronger, and will continue to do so until the Lord shall descend from
heaven with a shout. We are to hold fast the first principles of our denominated
faith, and go forward from strength to increased faith. Ever we are to keep
the faith that has been substantiated by the Holy Spirit of God from the
earlier events of our experience until the present time. We need now larger
breadth, and deeper, more earnest, unwavering faith in the leadings of the
Holy Spirit. If we needed the manifest proof of the Holy Spirit's power to
confirm truth in the beginning, after the passing of the time, we need to-day
all the evidence in the confirmation of the truth, when souls are departing
from the faith and giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.
There must not be any languishing of soul now." (E.G. White, Special
Testimonies, Series B, No. 7, p. 57). The entire context of Series B,
No. 7, p. 57, involves the alpha and omega of apostasy. Although
ancient Israel rebelled against God, they were still led to the Promised Land, it just took longer than it should have. Even when they
were partially rejected in the wilderness God still prospered them. As a
nation they grew and became increased with goods.359 God’s modern
day Church has followed in the footsteps of ancient Israel and consequently
has remained in the world longer than it should have. Like ancient Israel, it
too has prospered and become increased with goods even though God is not in
its midst. Year after year its membership continues to increase but this in
itself is no proof that we are obedient to God. There are other churches far
larger and richer than the Seventh-day Adventist Church that do not teach the truth and God is not with them. Ron’s Comments:
This is a foolish, misleading statement. Welsch is implying that because
ancient Israel committed apostasies and still entered the promised land, that
SDA’s can do the same. This is the epitome of deception and foolish reasoning
when we consider the final results of Israel’s failure to fulfill the 490
year covenant with God, to put away sin. Ezekiel 9 slaughter of the greater
part of Israel was the consequence. Only a relatively small remnant was left,
Ezekiel 5:1-3 and Isaiah 37:31, 32, and the same result will accrue at the
next literal fulfillment of Ezekiel 9, as prophesied by Ellen G. White. Most serious of
all, Welsch does not realize that Adventists have committed unpardonable sin
by the same violations cited in Jeremiah 11:9-15 and Isaiah 8:9-16, and this
is borne out by Ellen White’s COUNTERPART statements. As a
Church, we need to learn from the history of ancient Israel and our own past.
If we don’t, then we may have to wander in the wilderness longer than we want
to. We need the healing that Ellen White spoke of when she said, “then her
members will indeed be the chosen of God, His representatives.” Ron’s Comments:
We had better learn from the history of ancient Israel that God finally
destroyed their apostate Temple and men, maidens and little children all
perished together because of their apostasy. Chapter
Summary 1.
Because of rebellion, ancient Israel was forbidden to enter
the Promised Land and were forced to turn back into
the wilderness. 2.
God’s people in 1888 rejected the message of Jones and
Waggoner, and were consequently led back into the wilderness. 3.
For thirty-eight years Israel wandered in the wilderness
and were rejected of God. They were not permitted to
perform circumcision or to keep the Passover, both symbols of the covenant of
grace. 4.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church has likewise suffered
under God’s forbearance for rejecting the 1888 message. To a great extent,
the covenant of grace has not been fully understood. 5.
Not content to obey God, many Israelites left the camp
where Moses and the ark remained and tried to go up and possess the Promised
Land. They were not successful and suffered defeat. 6.
Many have left the Seventh-day Adventist Church like those
in ancient Israel while claiming to be the ones who accepted the 1888
message. Yet God does not lead offshoots. He raised
up the Seventh-day Adventist Church and He will lead it into the Promised
Land. 7.
Ron’s Comments: ·
Why does Adrian ignore the 490 years of probation allotted Israel
and what happened to the Jews (Ezekiel 9 slaughter and destruction) because
of their failure to honor that covenant with God to put away sin (Daniel 9)? That is more applicable to our case now because Ellen White says
Ezekiel 9 will be literally fulfilled and begin at His Sanctuary HIS
CHURCH, THE HOUSE OF JACOB. ·
Those of Moses’ camp who apostatized were killed. ·
No one has left the True Seventh-day Adventist church if he/she
believes in the historic beliefs of the pioneers. ·
An apostate new movement, new organization, formed “AMONG,”
WITHIN, that removed God, is the real OFFSHOOT, SATANIC CULT masquerading as
Seventh-day Adventists. ·
Read in Chapter 1, The
Great Controversy, how the leaders of apostate Israel hired false
prophets like Adrian Welsch, to tell the people they must remain with the
apostate church in order to be saved. The same thing has happened in the church
in every succeeding generation in the experience of true reformers, DA 232. ·
·
·
The true Seventh-day Adventist church will indeed be lead of God
into the promised land, but you had best not mistake an apostate new
movement, new organization, that has removed God and will wax stronger in
apostasy until Jesus comes, as being the true Seventh-day Adventist church. ·
Adrian Welsch would have you believe that the only apostasy SDA’s
have committed is 1888 rejection of righteousness by faith. That is a serious
lying misrepresentation. Welsch intimates that all we have to do is wander
any number of forty year stints in the wilderness until we get righteousness
by faith right! But that is a sorry error of inestimable seriousness in light
of all the abominations for which we are to sigh and cry as a CONDITION for
being sealed by the Man in Linen, Ezekiel 9. Here are some of those
abominations. We are told that we do not know the worst of them:
“The abominations for which the faithful ones were sighing and crying
were all that could be discerned by finite eyes, but by far the worst sins,
those which provoked the jealousy of the pure and holy God, were unrevealed.
The great Searcher of hearts knoweth every sin committed in secret by the
workers of iniquity. These persons come to feel secure in their deceptions
and, because of His long-suffering, say that the Lord seeth not, and then act
as though He had forsaken the earth. But He will detect their hypocrisy and
will open before others those sins which they were so careful to hide.” {5T
211.3} https://omega77.tripod.com/abominationslistof.htm https://omega77.tripod.com/godslinesinthesandfinal.htm Most will reject the Straight Testimony of all the weight of
evidence interpreted so that nothing contradicts! Many who hear the message--by far the
greatest number--will not credit the solemn warning. Many will be found
disloyal to the commandments of God, which are a test of character. The
Lord's servants will be called enthusiasts. Ministers will warn the people
not to listen to them. Noah received the same treatment while the Spirit of
God was urging him to give the message, whether men would hear or whether
they would forbear.--TM 233 (1895). {LDE 210.2} Some will listen to these warnings,
but by the vast majority they will be disregarded.--HP 343 (1897). {LDE
210.3} The popular ministry, like the
Pharisees of old, filled with anger as their authority is questioned, will
denounce the message as of Satan, and stir up the sin-loving multitudes to
revile and persecute those who proclaim it.--GC 607 (1911). {LDE 210.4} "Study the 9th chapter of
Ezekiel. These words will be literally fulfilled yet the time is
passing, and the people are asleep. They refuse to humble their souls and to
be converted. Not a great while longer will the Lord bear with the people who
have such great and important truths revealed to them, but who refuse to
bring these truths into their individual experience. The time is short. God
is calling will YOU hear? Will YOU receive His message? Will YOU be converted
before it is too late? Soon, very soon, every case will be decided for
eternity. Letter 106, 1909, pp. 2, 3, 5, 7. (To "The churches in Oakland
and Berkeley, September 26, 1909.)" E. G.
White Manuscript Releases Volume One, p. 260. “The time will soon come when the
prophecy of Ezekiel 9 will be fulfilled; that prophecy should be carefully
studied, for it will be fulfilled to the very letter.”— Ellen G.
White 1888 Materials, p. 1303. The Signs of the Times, February 12,
1880: “The desolation of Jerusalem stands as a solemn warning before
the eyes of modern Israel.” “The desolation of Jerusalem in the
days of Jeremiah is a solemn warning to modern Israel, that the
counsels and admonitions given them through chosen instrumentalities cannot
be disregarded with impunity.” Prophets
and Kings, 416. Begin at My Sanctuary -- "Here we
see that the church--the Lord's
sanctuary--was the first to feel the stroke of the wrath of God. The ancient men [leaders], those to whom God had given great light and who had stood as
guardians of the spiritual interests of the people, had betrayed their trust.
They had taken the position that we need not look for miracles and the marked
manifestation of God's power as in former days. Times have changed. These
words strengthen their
unbelief, and they say: The Lord will not do good, neither will He do evil. He is too merciful to visit
His people in judgment. Thus 'Peace and safety" is the cry from men who
will never again lift up their voice like a trumpet to show God's people
their transgressions and the house of Jacob their sins. These dumb dogs that
would not bark are the ones who feel the just vengeance of an offended God. Men, maidens, and little children all
perish together." E. G. White, Testimonies, Vol. 5, 211. Anyone who thinks that the straight
testimony shaking warning is emanating from the apostate new movement, new
organization and/or its supporters such as Adrian Welsch,
is seriously impaired of spiritual discernment. It is my prayer that God’s people will
heed the warning per all the evidence interpreted so that nothing
contradicts, repent, buy faith that works by love for Jesus, and be saved. —rwb Adrian Welsh takes Ezekiel 9 out of context. My comments will
be interspersed within his chapter and will be in this color print. I will
highlight some of Welsh’s comments in this color and my own highlights will be in this color. Adrian Welsh’s Treatise on Ezekiel 9 CONDITION
OF THOSE WHO ARE SEALED The
history of Israel’s apostasy at the borders of the Promised Land reveals that
not all the children of Israel had participated in the apostasy. Many had
remained faithful, including leaders and influential men. So it will be
today. Although apostasy abounds, God still has His faithful people who are
ready to do His bidding. While
the judgments of God were falling on those who had apostatized, “The priests
and leaders had prostrated themselves in grief and humiliation, weeping
‘between the porch and the altar,’ and entreating the Lord to spare His
people, and give not His heritage to reproach…”687 Here is pictured the
condition of those who will receive the seal of God. The prophet Ezekiel
writes, “And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city,
through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men
that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst
thereof.”688 Ellen White also says, “The day of God's vengeance is just upon
us. The seal of God will be placed upon the foreheads of those only who sigh
and cry for the abominations done in the land.”689 Ron’s
Comments: The sealing of Ezekiel 9 could not occur until the 490 years of
their probation per the covenant of Daniel 9 was ended in A.D. 34. Thus, Welsh
is taking Ezekiel 9 and the sealing involved with it
totally out of context. Before
the Lord pours out His blessings upon the Church, the prophet Joel warns,
“Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart,
and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart,
and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious
and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth
him of the evil...Blow the trumpet in
Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn
assembly: Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders,
gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go
forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. Let the priests, the
ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them
say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that
the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the
people, Where is their God?”690 Ron’s
Commentary: For the truth on what blowing the trumpet in Zion consists of,
see this link: https://omega77.tripod.com/shakingjune2011.htm Those
who will eventually be sealed will cry unto God for Him to cleanse the
Church. They will be aware of the surrounding apostasy in the Church, and
this will cause them to weep just as Jesus wept over Jerusalem. This does not
mean they will be hard and judgmental, accusers of the brethren. But with tears
in their eyes, they will follow the counsel given in Isaiah fifty-eight, “Cry
aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their
transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.”691 Ron’s Commentary: The SDA COUNTERPART
FACTOR to the Jews It does no good to pray for a
corporate church that has committed unpardonable sin as Jeremiah 11:9-15
teaches. However, we are to pray for the church in the sense of its
individual members as long as it is converting new members who have not heard
of the apostasy. This is the only way to harmonize the following instruction
by God and Ellen White: "The leaven if godliness has not
entirely lost its power. At the time when the danger and depression of the
church are greatest, the little company who are standing in the light will be
sighing and crying for the abominations that are done in the land. But MORE
ESPECIALLY will their prayers arise in behalf of the
church because ITS MEMBERS are doing after the manner of the world." Testimonies, vol. 5, 209, 210. Obviously, if the little company that
is standing in the light was MEMBERS of the church, they would have to be
doing after the manner of the world, because that is what its MEMBERS are
doing. COUNTERPART: "The Lord commanded one of his ancient servants, 'Pray not thou for this people [Jer. 7:16
and 11:14], neither lift up cry nor prayer for them
neither make intercession to me for I will not hear thee.' The prophet thus describes the sins which had called forth this
fearful denunciation: 'The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear
rule by their means and my people love to have it so and what will ye do in
the end thereof?' 'From the least of them even unto the greatest of them, every one is given to covetousness and from the prophet
even unto the priest, every one dealeth falsely. They have healed also the
hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace, when there
is no peace.' The apostles declare that this state of things will find its
COUNTERPART in the last days. Many have a form of godliness, but in their
daily life deny the power thereof. They have ceased to be convicted of their
sins or alarmed at their state. They say in their hearts, 'The church is
flourishing. Peace and spiritual prosperity are within her borders.' The
words of the prophet may well apply to these self-deceivers, 'They have
chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. I
also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them."
E. G. White, Second Advent Review and
Sabbath Herald, 11-07-82. "Shall the Lord be compelled to
say, `Pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them,
neither make intercession to Me: for I will not hear thee' [Jeremiah 7:16]?
`Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no latter
rain....Wilt thou not from this time cry unto Me, My Father, thou art the
guide of my youth' [Jeremiah 3:3-4]?... The Lord commanded one of his ancient
servants, "Pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer
for them; neither make intercession to me; for I will not hear thee."
The prophet thus describes the sins which had called forth this fearful
denunciation: "The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule
by their means; and my people love to have it so; and what will ye do in the
end thereof?" "From the least of them even unto the greatest of
them, every one is given to covetousness; and from
the prophet even unto the priest, every one dealeth falsely. They have healed
also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace,
when there is no peace." {RH, November 7, 1882 par. 8} The apostles declare that this state
of things will find its counterpart in the last days. Many have a form of
godliness, but in their daily life deny the power thereof. They have ceased
to be convicted of their sins or alarmed at their state. They say in their
hearts, "The church is flourishing. Peace and spiritual prosperity are
within her borders." The words of the prophet may well apply to these
self-deceivers, "They have chosen their own ways, and their soul
delighteth in their abominations. I also will choose their delusions, and
will bring their fears upon them." {RH, November 7, 1882 par. 9} Who else but SDA’s could qualify as the COUNTERPART of the Jews when
they both are “chosen people” who claim to keep the commandments of God and
constitute a remnant?! In
her description of the shaking caused by the straight testimony, Ellen White
writes, “I saw some, with strong faith and agonizing
cries, pleading with God. Their countenances were pale and marked with deep
anxiety, expressive of their internal struggle...As the praying ones
continued their earnest cries, at times a ray of
light from Jesus came to them, to encourage their hearts and light up their
countenances. Some, I saw, did not participate in this work of agonizing and
pleading...My attention was then turned to the company I had seen, who were mightily shaken. I was shown those whom I
had before seen weeping and praying in agony of spirit.”692 Ron’s
Commentary: The praying, agonizing ones are those who are not MEMBERS of an
apostate new movement, new organization, that is doing after the manner of
the world. OPEN
REBELLION While
the nation of Israel was in a state of humiliation and confessing their sins,
“…while the plague was still doing its work of death, and the magistrates
were executing their terrible commission, Zimri,
one of the nobles of Israel, came boldly into the camp, accompanied by a
Midianitish harlot, a princess ‘of a chief house in Midian,’ whom he escorted
to his tent. Never was vice bolder or more stubborn. Inflamed with wine, Zimri declared his ‘sin as Sodom,’ and gloried in his
shame.’693 Zimri
was a leading man in Israel. “The position he had occupied had been one of
influence. Moses and the people who had taken no
part in this great departure from God's law, were weeping and lamenting at
the door of the tabernacle for the sins of the people, and the plague that
had begun. But amid all this demonstration of sorrow, this prince defied the
judges to molest him if they dared.”694 Through the intoxication of wine he
shamefully fell into the sin of Sodom. In the previous chapter it was
identified that intoxicating wine symbolizes false doctrines. Having
been intoxicated by false doctrines, Zimri declared
his sin as Sodom. Ellen White uses this phrase only one other time in all of
her writings. It is a quote from Isaiah 3:9,10. She
writes, “ ‘The show of their countenance doth
witness against them; and they declare sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe
unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto
themselves. Say ye to the righteous, that it shall
be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.’ ‘Woe unto
them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and
light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent
in their own sight! . . . Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and
the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall
be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have
cast away the law of the Lord of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One
of Israel.’ ”695 Ron’s
Commentary: The time of Zimri, was not the time of
Ezekiel 9 sealing, which could not occur until after the 490 years of
probation ended in A.D. 34. Again, Welsh places Ezekiel 9 sealing out of
context and thus misapplies it. Those
who declare their sin as Sodom openly cast away the law of God. Their act of
spiritual adultery is not hidden. They will stand in our pulpits and openly
teach false doctrines, even advocating Sunday worship. But like the chaff
that is blown in the wind, they will be shaken out. This will happen when the
apostasy in the church is at its worst. Ron’s
Commentary: I have proven exactly who is shaken from whom. The apostate new
movement will instruct its members to keep Sunday sacred and will attempt to
keep going until Ezekiel 9 slaughter occurs within its borders just before
the final Loud Cry call to the world, Matthew 22:1-10 which Ellen White
reapplies in Sermon’s and Talks,
Vol. 1, pp. 4-9. Then Ezekiel 9 is manifest upon Babylon, The Great
Controversy, pp. 653-656. Notice the qualifying words saying Babylon is ripe for destruction on
page 653. But Ezekiel 9 BEGINS AT Jerusalem, His Sanctuary, His Church,
spiritual Israel, the apostate professing Seventh-day Adventist church. https://omega77.tripod.com/shakingjune2011.htm "The Lord has a controversy with His professed people in
these last days.
In this controversy men in responsible positions will take a course directly
opposite to that pursued by Nehemiah. They will not only ignore and
despise the Sabbath themselves, but they will try to keep it from others by
burying it beneath the rubbish of custom and tradition. In churches and
in large gatherings in the open air, ministers will urge upon the people the
necessity of keeping the first day of the week. There are calamities on
sea and land: and these calamities will increase, one disaster following
close upon another; and the little band of conscientious Sabbath-keepers will
be pointed out as the ones who are bringing the wrath of God upon the world
by their disregard of Sunday." R & H 3-18-1884. THE
144,000 As
“The priests were weeping between the porch and the altar, crying, ‘Spare thy
people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach.’ Phinehas, the son
of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it,
and rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin, and went after
the man of Israel into the tent, and killed them both. This staid the
plague.”696 It was only when the last
remnants of the apostasy were removed from the camp of Israel that God’s
judgments ended. So it will be with the
shaking caused by the straight testimony. Ron’s
Commentary: In the portion (above) quoting Ellen White, her statement employs
prophetic license in applying the Ezekiel 9 weeping between the porch and the
altar,” to the more ancient history of Phinehas and Aaron. But Ezekiel 9
could not be fully fulfilled until after the 490 years of its covenantal
probation closed in A.D. 34, commensurate with the stoning of Stephen. It is a
great mistake of Welsh to conclude that the apostasy will be removed from the
camp of Israel in the shaking. The apostasy will be removed from Zion, by
Zion, the bride of Christ, just as it was removed by the disciples when they
separated the people from their apostate Temple. So it will be again because
that is what occurred in the last literal fulfillment of Ezekiel 9, and Ellen
White says that the next fulfillment will be literal. Like type, like
antitype. “With
this history before the peculiar people of God in these last days, there is
no excuse for any one who will follow the example
of ancient Israel in sin. But Satan
will work in this special temptation to make void the law of God, and make
light of God's special injunctions and warnings. The point to be marked is,
that Moses' prayers were not heard, neither his weeping nor the sorrow and
prayers of those who had maintained their integrity, until justice was
executed upon that demoralized God-defying prince. God says of Phinehas, He
‘hath turned away my wrath from the children of Israel.’ It was the greatest
mercy that Phinehas could do to Israel, to deal promptly and decidedly with
the guilty, and thus be instrumental in turning the wrath of God from the
congregation of Israel. Something besides prayers and tears are needed in a
time when reproach and peril are hanging over God's people. The wicked works
must be brought to an end. The very work of justice done by Phinehas was an atonement for Israel.”697 Ron’s Commentary: I stated
earlier in the first portion of this document that we cannot excuse our
apostasy based on Israel’s, because we have had their example to learn from. Here again in the statement
above, we see that before any prayer could avail, the apostasy had to be removed
from the camp. However, in the SDA omega of apostasy, the ringleaders of the
apostasy are the leaders, and the people love to have it so. So the apostasy
will not be removed or shaken out from that church. That is why Ezekiel 9
begins at His Sanctuary, HIS CHURCH. 5T 211. COUNTERPART:
"The Lord commanded one of his ancient servants, 'Pray not thou for this
people [Jer. 7:16 and 11:14], neither lift up cry
nor prayer for them neither make intercession to me for I will not hear
thee.' The prophet thus describes the sins which had called forth this
fearful denunciation: 'The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear
rule by their means and my people love to have it so and what will ye do in
the end thereof?' 'From the least of them even unto the greatest of them, every one is given to covetousness and from the prophet
even unto the priest, every one dealeth falsely. They have healed also the
hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace, when there
is no peace.' The apostles declare that this state of things will find its
COUNTERPART in the last days. Many have a form of godliness, but in their
daily life deny the power thereof. They have ceased to be convicted of their
sins or alarmed at their state. They say in their hearts, 'The church is
flourishing. Peace and spiritual prosperity are within her borders.' The
words of the prophet may well apply to these self-deceivers, 'They have
chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. I
also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them."
E. G. White, Second Advent Review
and Sabbath Herald, 11-07-82. Phinehas
was the son of Eleazar who was the son of Aaron the
high priest. Of him, it is written, “Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my
covenant of peace: And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the
covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God,
and made an atonement for the children of
Israel.”698 The
covenant of peace is an everlasting covenant. Ezekiel says, “Moreover I will
make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with
them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in
the midst of them for evermore.”699 The everlasting covenant will be delivered
to the 144,000. Describing those who pass through the time of trouble, Ellen
White writes, “In the time of trouble we all fled from the cities and
villages, but were pursued by the wicked, who entered the houses of the
saints with a sword... And as God spoke the day and the hour of Jesus' coming
and delivered the everlasting covenant to His people, He spoke one sentence,
and then paused, while the words were rolling through the earth.”700 The
covenant of peace is heard by the 144,000 who have passed through the time of
trouble. The everlasting priesthood was the Aaronic priesthood. In Exodus
40:15 we read, “And thou shalt anoint them [Aaron’s sons], as thou didst
anoint their father, that they may minister unto me
in the priest's office: for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting
priesthood throughout their generations.” Under
the Aaronic priesthood, only the priests were allowed to enter the sanctuary.
So in the new earth, the 144,000 will be the only ones who can enter into the
temple. “Mount Zion was just before us, and on the mount was a glorious
temple, and about it were seven other mountains, on which grew roses and
lilies... And as we were about to enter the temple, Jesus raised His lovely
voice and said, ‘Only the 144,000 enter this place,’ and we shouted,
‘Alleluia!’”701 Phinehas
was a type of the 144,000. This will become even more evident when we look at
Numbers 31. Like Phinehas, the 144,000 will be the ones who are most zealous
for God. When the shaking is at its worst, those who will form this group of
people will boldly take their stand for the truth. Ellen White says, “Why were they [the 144,000] so specially singled out? Because
they had to stand with a wonderful truth right before the whole world, and
receive their opposition, and while receiving this
opposition they were to remember that they were sons and daughters of God,
that they must have Christ formed within them the hope of glory. They were
ever keeping in view the great and blessed hope that is before them. What is
it? It is an eternal weight of glory. Nothing could surpass it.”702 In
a sermon Ellen White preached that was published in the Review and Herald, we
are counseled to “Let us strive with all the power that God has given us to
be among the hundred and forty-four thousand. And let us do all that we can
to help others to gain heaven. We are to have an intense interest in Christ
Jesus; for he is our Saviour. He came to this world to be tempted in all
points as we are, to prove to the universe that in this world of sin human
beings can live lives that God will approve.”703 Many feel that they are not
good enough to be among the 144,000. But the truth is,
no one is good enough to be among that group. We have all fallen short of
God’s glory. It is only by claiming Christ’s righteousness as our own that
God will see us as being good enough. His righteousness is offered to us as a
gift if we will take it by faith. Paul wrote, “I am crucified with Christ:
nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I
now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me,
and gave himself for me.”704 Ron’s
Commentary: The 144,000 are blameless, without guile. Rev. 14:1-4. They
receive the Holy Spirit as grace power for obedience. Romans 1:5. They
cooperate with Christ’s Holy Spirit so that it is able to indwell them. It
is the purpose of the 144,000 to vindicate the character of God, just as
Jesus did when He proved to the universe that human beings can live a perfect
life. When the 144,000 vindicate the character of God, they will likewise
prove to the universe that sinful man, justified and sanctified by Christ’s
righteousness can live a perfect life. They will forever silence Satan’s
false accusations and vindicate the character of God. “Just
before us is the closing struggle of the great controversy when, with ‘all
power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of
unrighteousness,’ Satan is to work to misrepresent the character of God, that
he may ‘seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.’ If there was ever a people in need of constantly increasing light
from heaven, it is the people that, in this time of peril, God has called to
be the depositaries of His holy law and to vindicate His character before the
world. Those to whom has been committed a trust so sacred must be
spiritualized, elevated, vitalized, by the truths they profess to
believe.”705 CHAPTER
SUMMARY 1. As Israel
fell into apostasy on the very borders of the Promised Land, so God allows His
last day Church to also fall into apostasy. Ron’s Commentary: God did not allow apostasy. It was
followed by Ezekiel 9 destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem city proper. 2. The apostasy
and the judgments that followed in Israel’s experience was a means of waking
the people up and alerting them to their sinful condition. So God allows
heresies to enter the church now so His people will be woken up. Ron’s Commentary: The entire inference of Welsh’s teaching
is that God allows the apostasy and heresies to wake the church, at which
time all the bad (apostates) will be shaken out of the church militant to
leave it the church triumphant. That is a lie. If that happened, Ezekiel 9
would not begin at His Sanctuary, His church, 5T 211. 3. God sent
judgments upon the camp of Israel so that they would be cleansed. So he
brings a shaking among the Seventh-day Adventist Church to separate the chaff
from the wheat. Ron’s Commentary: In early times of Israel’s
experience, the camp was cleansed by killing off the apostates. But in
Christ’s day and at the final end of Israel’s probation, A.D. 34-70, there
was no such cleansing of the Temple. The dross was gathered into the midsts
of Jerusalem (THE CHURCH) AND BURNED. Ezekiel 22:17-31. This is another lie by Welsh as exposed by
Ezekiel 22:24, to wit: 24”Son of man, say unto her, Thou art the land that is not cleansed,
nor rained upon in the day of indignation.” 25There
is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion
ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and
precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof. 26Her
priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have
put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have
they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their
eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among
them. 27Her
princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed
blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain. 28And
her prophets have daubed them with untempered morter, seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them,
saying, Thus saith the Lord GOD, when the LORD hath not spoken. 29The
people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have
vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully. 30And
I sought for a man among them, that should make up
the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not
destroy it: but I found none. 31Therefore
have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the
fire of my wrath: their own way have
I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord GOD. 4. The
judgments that fell upon Israel removed from them the last remaining people
who had almost forty years before refusing to enter the Promised Land. So the
shaking will remove from the Church those who reject the 1888 message of
righteousness by faith as plainly revealed in the Laodicean message. Ron’s Commentary: This is a total lie by Welsh. Ezekiel 9
sealing is the context of his opening statement. And indeed Ezekiel 9
involves a sealing by the Man in Linen. Ezekiel 9 could not be fulfilled
until the 490 years of Israel’s probation closed in A.D. 34. (See Daniel 9).
Ellen White said Ezekiel 9 will be literal. So it will have to pattern after
the last literal fulfillment in A.D. 27-70. What happened then? Was the
Temple cleansed of all the bad. Did any shaking by
Jesus and the disciples removed the bad from the
apostate Temple church? Nay! The dross was gathered into the mists of the
Temple and Jerusalem for burning and melting, to wit: 18Son of man, the house of Israel is to me
become dross: all they are brass, and tin, and iron, and lead, in the midst
of the furnace; they are even the dross of silver. 19Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye
are all become dross, behold, therefore I will gather you into the midst of
Jerusalem. 20As they gather silver, and brass, and iron,
and lead, and tin, into the midst of the furnace, to blow the fire upon it,
to melt it; so will I gather you in mine anger and in my fury, and I will
leave you there, and melt you. 21Yea, I will gather you, and blow upon you in
the fire of my wrath, and ye shall be melted in the midst therof.
22As silver is melted in the midst of the
furnace, so shall ye be melted in the midst thereof; and ye shall know that I
the LORD have poured out my fury upon you. 23And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
24Son of man, say unto her, Thou art the land
that is not cleansed, nor rained upon in the day of indignation. 25There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the
midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured
souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her
many widows in the midst thereof. 26Her priests have violated my law, and have
profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and
profane, neither have they shewed difference between
the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. 27Her princes in the midst thereof are like
wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get
dishonest gain. 28And her prophets have daubed them with untempered morter, seeing
vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord GOD, when
the LORD hath not spoken. 29The people of the land have used oppression,
and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have
oppressed the stranger wrongfully. 30And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap
before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. 31Therefore have I poured out mine indignation
upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have
I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord GOD. Ezekiel 22: 17-31. 5. Even when the judgments of God were doing their work
among the people, a prince of Israel openly rebelled and declared his sin as Sodom.
So in the midst of the shaking, leaders in the Church will openly declare the
law of God cannot be kept. Ron’s
Commentary: And that is why that church should not be referred to as God’s
commandment-KEEPING people, and the remnant. That is why, as in the last
literal fulfillment of Ezekiel, a literal remnant went forth out of
Jerusalem, and so it will be again: 31And the remnant that is escaped of the house
of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward: 32For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant,
and they that escape out of mount Zion: the zeal of the LORD of hosts shall
do this. Isaiah 37:31, 32. 6. The judgments of God caused those who had not given
themselves to apostasy to weep between the porch and the altar. While the shaking
is separating the wheat from the chaff, those who remain faithful and sealed
are sighing and crying. Ron’s
Commentary: That is not true. All we need do is look at exactly what occurred
in the last fulfillment of Ezekiel 9, from A.D. 27, when Christ first
gathered out those who would take the gospel to the world, DA, 232, until the
Temple and Jerusalem city proper were destroyed in A.D. 70. ·
Where did the
followers of Christ weep between the porch and the altar after they were
gathered out into home churches from A.D. 34 and on? ·
Where was the true
church? ·
The wheat was
separated from the chaff (dross), and the dross gathered into the midsts of
the church (Jerusalem), the apostate Temple for burning and melting. ·
By Welsh’s scenario,
the faithful would have remained at the apostate Temple for sealing and
sighing and crying. That did not happen! They were gathered out into home
churches: Scripture on Home Churches Act 16:32 And they
spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. Act 16:34 And when
he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced,
believing in God with all his house. Act 16:40 And they
went out of the prison, and entered into [the house of] Lydia: and when they
had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed. Act 18:7 And he
departed thence, and entered into a certain [man's] house, named Justus,
[one] that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue. Rom 16:5 Likewise
[greet] the church that is in their house. Salute my well beloved Epaenetus,
who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. 1Cr 1:11 For it hath
been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them [which are of the house]
of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. 1Cr 16:15 I beseech
you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of
Achaia, and [that] they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the
saints,) 1Cr 16:19 The
churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the
Lord, with the church that is in their house. 7. Phinehas was the one credited with bringing the
judgments to an end when he killed Zimri, the
apostate prince. Phinehas was a type of the 144,000. They will vindicate the
character of God before the whole universe. Ron’s
Commentary: In the last literal prefigure fulfillment of Ezekiel 9 and its
accompanying sealing, there was no killing of any of the apostates by God’s
servants. The disciples nor no Christian killed any
apostate. Nor will the 144,000 kill anyone! The only thing they will have in
common with Phinehas is righteousness. 669
Numbers 25:4,5 670
Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 455 671
Ibid., p. 587 672
Ibid., p. 456 673
Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 707 674
Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, Book 2, 380 675
Numbers 25:5, 9 676
Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts, Vol. 2, p. 284 677
Ellen G. White, Early Writings, p. 50 678
Ibid., p. 270 679
Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 81 680
Revelation 3:16,17 681
Ellen G. White, The Review and Herald, July 23, 1889, par. 12 682
Revelation 3:18-19 683
Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, p. 88 684
John 14:9 685
Ellen G. White, The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, p. 1336 686
Ibid., p. 1342 687
Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 455 688
Ezekiel 9:4 689
Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 212 690
Joel 2:12-17 691
Isaiah 58:1 692
Ellen G. White, Early Writings, pp. 269-270 693
Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 455 694
Ellen G. White, The Review and Herald, May 17, 1887, par. 11 695
Ellen G. White, The Youth’s Instructor, January 25, 1894, par. 1 696
Ellen G. White, The Review and Herald, May 17, 1887, par. 11 697
Ibid., par. 12 598
Numbers 25:12-13 699
Ezekiel 37:26 700
Ellen G. White, Early Writings, p. 34 701
Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol.1, p. 68 702
Ellen G. White, Sermons and Talks, Vol. 1, p. 72 703
Ellen G. White, The Review and Herald, March 9, 1905, par. 4 704
Galatians 2:20 705
Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p 746 |