Is it of Avail to Pray for the Apostate

New Movement SDA Church?

 

 

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There is apparent disparity over the issue of whether or not to pray for the SDA church after a specified conditional period has occurred. I say apparent because if all the weight of evidence is prayerfully considered, I don’t believe any disparity exists. But let the reader decide for him/herself. I am not necessarily trying to convince anyone one way or the other in this instance. I am merely presenting the evidence as to the efficacy of praying for the church in an end-time context and under certain specified conditions.

 

Some take the following statement as the only weight of evidence they will consider, and interpret the statement to mean that we are most definitely supposed to pray for the church no matter what!

 

"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.

 

I am not the least blind as to how plain the above statement appears to be! Once again I say “appears” because of the following statements which are just as candid:

 

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]?...
We are to be judged by the light that has been given us,(159) and we can find no excuse by which to extenuate our course."
Review and Herald, Vol. 3, p 69-70 (August 1, 1893). (Brackets by Ellen White)
 
COUNTERPART: "In the time of the Saviour, the Jews had so covered over the precious jewels of truth with the rubbish of tradition and fable, that it was impossible to distinguish the true from the false. The Saviour came to clear away the rubbish of superstition and long-cherished errors, and to set the jewels of God's word in the framework of truth.
What would the Saviour do if he should come to us now as he did to the Jews? He would have to do a similar work in clearing away the rubbish of tradition and ceremony. The Jews were greatly disturbed when he did this work [As are SDAs today!]. They had lost sight of the original truth of God, but Christ brought it again to view. It is our work to free the precious truths of God from superstition and error." E.G. White,  Review and Herald, Vol. 2, 308. 

 

“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?!

 

Conditional Statements Concerning the Church

 

"The day of God is right upon us, and the world has converted the church. Both are in harmony, and are acting upon a short-sited policy" E.G. White, General Conference Bulletin, 1st Quarter, 1900. January 1, 1900 par. 10}

 

"If most earnest vigilance is not manifested at the great heart of the work to protect the interests of the cause, the church will become as corrupt as the churches of other denominations." Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 4, p. 513.

 

"We must as a people arouse and cleanse the camp of Israel. Licentiousness, unlawful intimacy, and unholy practices are coming in among us in a large degree...We are in danger of becoming a sister to fallen Babylon, of allowing our churches to become corrupted and filled with every foul spirit, a cage for every unclean and hateful bird, and will we be clear unless we make decided movements to cure the existing evil? E. G. White, Manuscript Releases No. 449, pp. 17, 18.

 

"If most earnest vigilance is not manifested at the great heart of the work to protect the interests of the cause, the church will become as corrupt as the churches of other denominations." (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 4, p. 513.)

 

"The world must not be introduced into the church, and married to the church, forming a bond of unity. Through this means the church will become indeed corrupt, and as stated in Revelation, 'a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.'" (Testimonies to Ministers, p. 265.)

 

If Ellen White saw the church going through with a blanket approval, such warnings as stated above are superfluous, foolish, and self-contradictory.

 

"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.

 

This statement is also foolish, superfluous and redundant, if we cannot judge what Ellen White brands as corrupt. If judging corruptness is only idle and ill conceived criticism, based on focusing on mere flaws, defects and weaknesses, then we should have remained with Rome!

 

"Any connection with infidels and UNBELIEVERS which would identify us with them is FORBIDDEN by the word. We are to come out from them and be separate. in no case are we to link ourselves with them in their plans or work." E. G. White, Fundamentals of Christian Education, 482.

 

"I saw that since the second angel proclaimed the fall of the churches, they have been growing more and more corrupt. They bear the name of being Christ's followers yet it is IMPOSSIBLE to distinguish them from ...Satan has taken FULL POSSESSION of the churches as a body." E.G. White, Early Writings, 273.

 

Not to CONFEDERATE

 

[Revelation 18:1-3, quoted.] We Are Not to Confederate With Worldlings Lest We Become Spiritually Confused. While this message [of Revelation 18] is sounding, while the proclamation of truth is doing its separating work, we as faithful sentinels of God are to discern what our real position is. We are not to confederate with worldlings, lest we become imbued with their spirit, lest our spiritual discernment become confused, and we view those who have the truth and bear the message of the Lord from the standpoint of the professed Christian churches.--Letter 86a, 1893, p. 22. ("To Every Man His Work," cir. January 1893.)

 

If any church should link itself with unbelievers, we are to come out from them and be separate. The instruction is clear. Notwithstanding the SDA church’s' links with the ecumenical movement, it has linked in PARTNERSHIP with the Catholics at their hospital in Colorado. Every MEMBER of the church is responsible for this corrupt liaison with unbelievers. This act alone calls for separation.

 

Satan contrives through evil angels to form an alliance with professedly pious men, and thus to leaven the church of God. Fallen men and fallen angels are, through apostasy, in the same confederacy, leagued to work against good. They unite in a desperate companionship. Satan knows that if he can induce men, as he induced the angels, to join in rebellion under the guise of servants of God, he will have in them his most successful allies in his enterprise against heaven. Under the name of godliness, he can inspire them with his own accusing spirit, and charge them with evil. They are his trained detectives. Their work is to create feuds, to make charges which create discord and bitterness among brethren, to set tongues in active service for Satan, to sow seeds of dissension by watching for evil and speaking of that which will create discord.” {18MR 366.1}

         

"Worldly policy is taking the place of true piety and wisdom that comes from above, and God will remove His prospering hand from the conference. Shall the ark of the covenant be removed from this people? Shall idols be smuggled in? Shall false principles and false precepts be brought into the sanctuary? Shall antichrist be respected? Shall the true doctrines and principles given us of God, which have made us what we are, be ignored?.... This is directly where the enemy, through blinded, unconsecrated men, is leading us." E. G. White, Manuscript 29, 1890.

 

"The Bible Prophets Wrote for Our Time.--Never are we absent from the mind of God. God is our joy and our salvation. Each of the ancient prophets spoke less for their own time than for ours, so that their prophesying is in force for us. 'Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come' (1 Cor. 10:11). 'Not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven which things the angels desire to look into' (1 Peter 1:12).'" E.G. White, Selected Messages, vol. 3, p. 338.

 

Were the Bible prophets just discouraged about Israel as Tom says soothsays Ellen White was when writing the following:

 

"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. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom IN THE DAY OF JUDGMENT, than for thee." E.G. White, Review and Herald Articles, vol. 3, p. 69, col. 3.

 

Ezekiel 9 separation "The angel with the writer's ink horn is to place a mark upon the foreheads of all who are separated from sin and sinners, and the destroying angel follows this angel (Letter 12, 1886). {4BC 1161.5}

 

Capernaum

 

It is the absence of personal religion, of a daily, living experience in the things of God, that creates such coldness and stupor in the church. We have enjoyed great light and many privileges. Shall we turn away from all these blessings, and sacrifice the peculiar, holy character which should distinguish us as children of God? If we thus slight the mercy of God, the judgments denounced against Capernaum will surely fall upon us. Our punishment will be heavier than if we had not enjoyed so great light. Thus the warnings, reproofs, and counsels, which, accepted and obeyed, would bring us untold blessings, become a curse when they are rejected. {RH, November 7, 1882 par. 7}

 

"In the fear and love of God I tell those before whom I stand today that there is increased light for us, and that great blessings come with the reception of this light. And when I see my brethren stirred with anger against God's messages and messengers, I think of similar scenes in the life of Christ and the Reformers. The reception given to God's servants in past ages is the same as the reception that those today receive through whom God is sending precious rays of light. The leaders of the people today pursue the same course of action that the Jews pursued. They criticize and ply question after question, and refuse to admit evidence, treating the light sent them in the very same way that the Jews treated the light Christ brought them." E.G. White, The 1888 Materials, Vol. 2, p. 911.

Ellen White’s Counsel on Ecumenism

“Let not God's people in any of our institutions sign a truce with the enemy of God and man. The duty of the church to the world is not to come down to their ideas, and accept their opinions, their suggestions, but to heed the words of Christ through his servant Paul, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? and what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?" This means in, a special sense, marriage with unbelievers, but it covers more ground than this: it means in our instrumentalities ordained of God, in our institutions for health, in our colleges, in our publishing houses. The matter is placed before us in the correct light. The question is asked, "And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing." (2 Cor. 6:16, 17) What does this mean?--The suggestions, the evil workings in the children of disobedience. You are not in any case to become contaminated with the spirit or influence of unbelievers. Be afraid of uniting or binding up in bundles with them. Be afraid of communicating the works connected with the Lord's cause, to those who have no part with God, or sympathy with those who love the truth of God. "And I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."” {Special Testimonies for Ministers and Workers, A #6 pg.10 par.1 — Jan. 16, 1896.}

 

“The image to the beast represents another religious body clothed with similar power. The formation of this image is the work of that beast whose peaceful rise and mild professions render it so striking a symbol of the United States. Here is to be found an image of the papacy. When the churches of our land, uniting upon such points of faith as are held by them in common, shall influence the State to enforce their decrees and sustain their institutions, then will Protestant America have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy. Then the true church will be assailed by persecution, as were God's ancient people. Almost every century furnishes examples of what bigotry and malice can do under a plea of serving God by protecting the rights of Church and State. Protestant churches that have followed in the steps of Rome by forming alliance with worldly powers have manifested a similar desire to restrict liberty of conscience. In the seventeenth century thousands of nonconformist ministers suffered under the rule of the Church of England. Persecution always follows religious favoritism on the part of secular governments.” {4 Spirit of Prophecy pg.277 par.2 —ie. 1884 Great Controversy}

 

1926:

"Back in 1926, long before ecumenism was in vogue, the General Conference Executive Committee adopted an important statement that is now a part of the General Conference Working Policy (075). This declaration has significant ecumenical implications. The concern of the statement was for the mission field and relationships with other "missionary societies." However, the statement has now been broadened to deal with "religious organizations" in general. It affirms that Seventh-day Adventists "recognize those agencies that lift up Christ before men as a part of the divine plan for evangelization of the world, and. . .hold in high esteem Christian men and women in other communions who are engaged in winning souls to Christ." In the church's dealings with other churches, "Christian courtesy, frankness, and fairness" are to prevail..." (Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia, Second Revised Edition, 1995, Art. "Ecumenism,")

 

SDA’s Join World Council of Churches’ Principle Theological Body—The Commission on Faith and Order

 

"The World Council of Churches today admitted nine Roman Catholic theologians to membership in its principal theological body, the Commission on Faith and Order... The assembly is the council's highest policy-making body. Also admitted to full membership were six representatives of other non-member churches, including the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and various Baptist bodies." For verification please write to: San Jose Mercury News, 750 Ridders Park Dr., San Jose Ca. 5190.

 

Conclusions

 

·       In Jeremiah 11:9-15, when certain Jews of Jeremiah’s generation conspired with God’s enemies, God told Jeremiah not to pray for them, and that if he chose to pray for them, He would not hear Jeremiah’s prayer.

·       God has shown me that professing Seventh-day Adventists have indeed conspired and confederated with Babylon’s World Council of Churches and its subsidiary associations and pays annual dues to them.  That is like financing the errors of the fallen churches.

·       Ellen White quoted the prophets as saying that in the last days the same condition of the church would exist as in Jeremiah’s day when He was told not to pray for it.

·       Ezekiel 22:17-31, is what occurred in the last literal fulfillment of Ezekiel 9, so it must occur in any future literal fulfillment, and Ellen White says that Ezekiel 9 will be literally fulfilled to the letter, beginning at His church, His sanctuary. In Ezekiel 22:24 it says:

 

24Son of man, say unto her, Thou art the land that is not cleansed, nor rained upon in the day of indignation.

 

·       You and every professing SDA can pray for the Latter Rain Holy Spirit to rain upon the professing, apostate new movement SDA “church,” but it will never happen because God’s Word says it won’t! Your prayers will be vain repititions.

·       God has shown this writer that Ezekiel 22:24 means that the professing SDA apostate church is not cleansed, nor will the rain of the Latter Rain Holy Spirit ever fall upon that church. It will rain upon a faithful separated remnant just as it did in the typical literal fulfillment of Ezekiel 9 from A.D. 34 and on until the apostate Jewish church was destroyed in an Ezekiel 9 slaughter of men, maidens and little children.

·       In light of all of the above weight of evidence, the only correct interpretation of the following statement is that Ellen White means individual members of the church who have not sealed their destiny by rejecting light on the Midnight  Cry and the second angel’s messages that called us out of Babylon.

·       "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.

·       It will do no good to pray for a church whose members are doing after the manner of the world at such a late hour as the time when the danger and depression of the church is greatest. The little company who are standing in the light are not MEMBERS of that church, or they would be part of those who are doing after the manner of the world because that is what the MEMBERS are described as doing.

·       A body of people doing after the manner of the world when its danger and depression are greatest, IS NOT A CHURCH, for Ellen White says that only the presence of Christ can constitute a church. God’s presence will not be in a professing “church” that is doing after the manner of the world, for only those who keep God’s commandments constitute a church.

·       "God has a church. It is not the great cathedral, (or the super mega church), neither is it the national establishment, neither is it the various denominations; it is the people who love God and keep His commandments. 'Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.' Where Christ is even among the humble few, THIS IS CHRIST'S CHURCH, for the presence of the High and Holy One who inhabiteth eternity can alone constitute a church." Upward Look, p. 315.

·       God’s presence is not in a denomination that is doing after the manner of the world at the end-time. Jesus called such a “church” the Synagogue of Satan, and John the Baptist called them a generation of vipers.

·       Ellen White said that if the church became and remained Laodicean, it would not receive the favor of God any more than the fallen churches.

 

"The church is in the Laodicean condition. The presence of God is not in her midst." Notebook Leaflets, p. 99.

 

The proper interpretation of the above statement is that any church that is Laodicean or cold apostate, is not invested with the presence of God. Ellen White applied the Laodicean message to ALL church denominations.

"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 warning for the last church [Laodicea] also must be proclaimed to all who claim to be Christians. The Laodicean message, like a sharp, two--edged sword, must go to ALL THE CHURCHES:...It is our work to proclaim this message. Are we putting forth every effort that the churches may be warned?" Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 77.

 

"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.

 

If Laodicea is not regarded with any more favor by God than the fallen churches, and the call of Laodicea is to all churches, then there is no difference between Laodicea and the fallen churches as far as being in a fallen state is concerned. Different churches believe different aspects of Babylonian teachings, but Ellen White equates them all as far as falling from the favor of God is concerned, and as far as constituting the habitation of devils and the hold of every foul spirit and the cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

 

God and Ellen White say that Jerusalem (the Jews of old), and modern-day spiritual Jerusalem, are worse than all the denominations around them, Ezekiel 5, and the following statement:

 

Ezekiel 5:9 makes that chapter of end-time application for that is when God does the worst thing He ever does, Matthew 24:21.

Ezekiel Chapter 5 (Ezekiel Chapter 5 is another take on Ezekiel 9)

   1And thou, son of man, take thee a sharp knife, take thee a barber's razor, and cause it to pass upon thine head and upon thy beard: then take thee balances to weigh, and divide the hair.

   2Thou shalt burn with fire a third part in the midst of the city, when the days of the siege are fulfilled: and thou shalt take a third part, and smite about it with a knife: and a third part thou shalt scatter in the wind; and I will draw out a sword after them.

   3Thou shalt also take thereof a few in number, and bind them in thy skirts. [This is the faithful remnant of the seed; of the SDA church]

   4Then take of them again, and cast them into the midst of the fire, and burn them in the fire; for thereof shall a fire come forth into all the house of Israel.

   5Thus saith the Lord GOD; This is Jerusalem: I have set it in the midst of the nations and countries that are round about her.

   6And she hath changed my judgments into wickedness more than the nations, and my statutes more than the countries that are round about her: for they have refused my judgments and my statutes, they have not walked in them.

   7Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye multiplied more than the nations that are round about you, and have not walked in my statutes, neither have kept my judgments, neither have done according to the judgments of the nations that are round about you;

   8Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, am against thee, and will execute judgments in the midst of thee in the sight of the nations.

   9And I will do in thee that which I have not done, and whereunto I will not do any more the like, because of all thine abominations.

   10Therefore the fathers shall eat the sons in the midst of thee, and the sons shall eat their fathers; and I will execute judgments in thee, and the whole remnant of thee will I scatter into all the winds.

   11Wherefore, as I live, saith the Lord GOD; Surely, because thou hast defiled my sanctuary with all thy detestable things, and with all thine abominations, therefore will I also diminish thee; neither shall mine eye spare, neither will I have any pity.

   12A third part of thee shall die with the pestilence, and with famine shall they be consumed in the midst of thee: and a third part shall fall by the sword round about thee; and I will scatter a third part into all the winds, and I will draw out a sword after them.

   13Thus shall mine anger be accomplished, and I will cause my fury to rest upon them, and I will be comforted: and they shall know that I the LORD have spoken it in my zeal, when I have accomplished my fury in them.

   14Moreover I will make thee waste, and a reproach among the nations that are round about thee, in the sight of all that pass by.

   15So it shall be a reproach and a taunt, an instruction and an astonishment unto the nations that are round about thee, when I shall execute judgments in thee in anger and in fury and in furious rebukes. I the LORD have spoken it.

   16When I shall send upon them the evil arrows of famine, which shall be for their destruction, and which I will send to destroy you: and I will increase the famine upon you, and will break your staff of bread:

   17So will I send upon you famine and evil beasts, and they shall bereave thee: and pestilence and blood shall pass through thee; and I will bring the sword upon thee. I the LORD have spoken it.

"Among the professed followers of Christ, there is the same pride, formalism, vainglory, selfishness, and OPPRESSION, that existed in the Jewish nation." E.G. White, Sketches from the Life of Paul, 251-252.  

"God's professed people are selfish and self-caring....They are idolaters, and are worse, in the sight of God, than the heathen, graven-image worshippers who have had no knowledge of a better way." Testimonies, Vol. 2, 440-441.

God’s Word to Jeremiah was a command. He told Jeremiah not to pray for the apostate Jews of his generation. Jeremiah 11:9-15. Ellen White quoted the prophets that this same situation would be COUNTERPARTED at the end-time. If you wish to disobey a direct command of God, that is your prerogative, but the consequences will not be what you would desire. Such disobedience will avail nothing. But we should pray for all who have not heard of the apostasy and rejected a correct response to it.

—rwb